The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Aleister paused to look at Kayla. "... Wha's wrong, lass?" Dazu opted to keep out of it as it wasn't his place.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Nothing." Kayla said softly, knowing that she couldn't hide anything from Aleister. "I'm just tired."

She couldn't tell him that she was sad or jealous. It made no sense. Annie was her cousin and she was incredibly happy for her, but it also reminded her just how differently her own birth would be. People came running to announce Annie's baby. There would be no happy father doing that for her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Y'head back t'the bakery when yer done, lad. I'll be back t'help in a bit," Aleister told Dazu as they rose to head out and Aleister laid down money to pay for the lunch. Aleister walked Kayla home, and once inside, he looked down at her.

"Kay... tell me."

 

[heartofcourage]

"No." Kayla said, crossing her arms over her chest as Aleister stared down at her. "It's stupid."

She felt like an Embarrassed and petulant child, tears gathering on her lashes as she felt his hand gently rest on her elbow. She knew she was lost the moment that he touched her and she was soon sobbing against his chest until she started to retch from the force of it. She felt shaky and ill by the end of it, supporting herself on shaking knees as she curled her fingers in the front of his shirt.

"Gale never gets to do any of what David has." She finally admitted. "Everyone is celebrating. I have to hide who my baby really is."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Kayla..." Aleister sighed quietly. "I... I don't know what I could say tha'd be any help, but... if it means anythin' t'you, I know I'll be doin' jus' what David did when your baby arrives... I'm beyon' excited fer you an' so's yer family. I guess I 'ave no right t'be so excited, but I'll be smilin' like a bloody fool."

 

[heartofcourage]

She wanted to tell him that it wasn't the same, but as she looked into his honest gaze, she saw a look of tender pride. The kind of pride any father would have. She hugged him tightly, her cheek pressing against his chest as she let those words soak in. Leon and Dazu would care. Her parents would care. She wouldn't be alone when the time came.

"Would you come with me to see the baby tonight?" She asked softly, knowing she couldn't do it alone.

 

[KieranSoares]

"'Course I will." Aleister wrapped her up in a gentle embrace and laid his head against her own. "Y'know I can' say no t'you. 'Ardly could since th'beginning."

 

[heartofcourage]

It was such a tender moment and Kayla felt her heart racing for a different reason now. It felt so right to be held by him, to hear those gentle promises.

"I do love you, Aleister." She murmured softly, holding him a little tighter. "I truly do."

 

[KieranSoares]

It warmed Aleister's heart beyond measure to hear that, but it didn't overcome his worry even if he smiled. "An' I love you, sweet lass. Y'know I'd do anythin' for ya. Felt that way fer a while now."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla was quiet for a long moment, thinking through what she wanted to say next. "Perhaps we should talk about where we go from here." She said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We should," he nodded slowly. "T'night, before 'r after we go see Annie, aye?" As much as he wanted to sit down and talk with her right then, he had Dazu, the bakery, and customers waiting.

 

[heartofcourage]

"After." Kayla said softly, knowing that he had to go back to the bakery. "I'll make you dinner before we go."

It was the least that she could do for the man that meant so much to her. She just wanted him happy, as happy as he made her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Get some rest, lass," he told her before he pressed a gentle kiss to her cheek. "I'll see ya in a few hours." Aleister headed out once he took one last look at her. He couldn't help glancing back at her even as he closed the door behind him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla held his gaze as he closed the door, his kiss lingering on her cheek long after he was gone. Again, she was so confused as she went to bed, getting a nap before she was up and fixing a simple dinner. Lamb and rice...the same meal that he had been talking to Dazu about at lunch. Her Uncle Kreston had taught her to use the different herbs when she was little and she could do quite well when she put her mind to it.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister would arrive just as she was pulling the lamb off the hearth spit above the fire, knocking lightly on her door. He'd brought some rolls rather than the usual bread, and she heard him call farewell in Erygonian. Dazu must've walked with him on his way toward Leon's home.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced up from carving the lamb when Aleister arrived. She gave him a smile as he bid goodbye to Dazu and stepped into the warm house.

"It's not much, but I hope you like it." She said softly, wiping her hands on her apron as she went to collect the rolls and plate up the food.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I like anythin' tha's not my own awful cookin'," Aleister chuckled as he came to help her rather than sitting aside to wait. He pulled out her chair for her and as they settled to eat, he smiled across to her, "I'm startin' t'get odd looks from yer neighbors, y'know, comin' round 'ere so often."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'll get the same looks from my da when he hears from them." Kayla murmured, noting that he seemed to be in a very good mood. "What has you so cheerful this evening? Did you have a good afternoon at the bakery?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Katya and Timmal came by with Sam an' Rho, pesterin' Dazu t'no end. Kreston was with 'em." He chuckled at the though of the two sets of twins. "I really love those kids."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla smiled gently acRoss the table at him as he spoke fondly of her cousins. "You'll be an excellent father one day, Aleister." She said, knowing that those words were very true. "You can practice all you like on my baby."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm a bad influence Kay. Surely you o' all people oughta know tha'. An' I have a habit o' spoilin' kids I like." He shook his head before he met her eyes again. "'Ave y'thought of any names yet?"

 

[heartofcourage]

She had just taken a bite of lamb when he asked about names and she nearly choked. Coughing, she took a deep drink of water before she composed herself again. She had thought a lot about names, nearly every single evening before she went to bed.

"Yeah." She said softly, looking at him as if she were holding onto some huge secret. "If it's a boy...I want to name him Elijah. I'll have to ask Leon first, but it feels right. And for a girl...I don't know. I thought about Edin after Edinburgh. Or Gale. It's hard."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister could certainly tell it was a tender subject, and he paused in his meal. "Well... it'd certainly be good t'talk t'yer family about it. But I've 'eard tha' some parents don' really know til they meet th'baby fer the first time." She'd heard similar things, the most well-known story in her family being that Brogan had avoided the name Ciaran for his firstborn son until they finally met and he realized it was the right name for him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess I'll just have to wait to meet them." She said softly as she finished her meal and set about cleaning the table and her plate. "I wish I knew what Gale would have liked. I think that's the hardest part."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sure 'e would've agreed with you," Aleister offered quietly, but then sighed. "I'm sorry I don' know what t'say, lass. I'm at a loss an' I wish I could 'elp."