The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I don' ever expect ya t'stop lovin' him, I hope you know," Aleister assured her quietly. "I might not 'ave the same things t'offer you... But I promise I'll do all I can t'make ya happy if we do decide we want each other."

 

[heartofcourage]

"That's all I can ask for, Aleister." She said softly as she stood on her toes and gave his cheek a tender kiss. "I just want to be loved. It's frightening, but I know I have to take that step."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister's simple answer was to hug her close and kiss her cheek in return, and she could just barely feel his rapid heartbeat thudding against his broad chest, letting her know just how she effected him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla hugged him tightly, letting out a sigh. "Don't be nervous. I don't think I could stand it if things changed between us." She murmured, letting out a small sigh.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don' know if I'm nervous 'r jus'... Overwhelmed. I never really thought I'd find someone..." Aleister looked down at her with the familiar caring gaze she'd known almost since the beginning when she began working at the bakery. He'd always taken care of her and had even gone to lengths to see her family cared for as well, even if it was as simple as dropping off the occasional leftover bread after a long day of work.

 

[heartofcourage]

"There's no need to be overwhelmed. It's just the two of us the same as it ever was." Kayla promised him as she held him tightly and pressed her cheek against his chest. "A few things might change but we'll always be there for each other."

 

[KieranSoares]

So, arm in arm Aleister walked Kayla home, lingering for some time to make sure she was alright after the emotional day. When he headed home, the last rays of light were fading from the sky. He was finally looking forward to a future rather than resigning himself to the same everyday.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla felt happier than she had in a while after talking with her uncle. She allowed herself to take time away from work, to rest, to regroup. She spent time with Aleister in the evenings, each moving slowly with the new understanding that they were in this together. One evening, after a long day at the bakery, she wearily followed him towards the keep. Her belly was large, her child demanding, and she knew that she would have it very soon.

"Why are we going to the keep? Dazu already delivered the cookies and cakes for Uncle Brogan's birthday." Kayla groused as they walked up the front steps.

Little did she know that the celebration happening inside wasn't for the king of Inverness but for her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"This isn't about Brogan," Aleister smiled back at her and took her hand. He opened up the door, and she was met by her whole family and their many friends, all just waiting for her. Boar was the first to meet her with a kiss pressed to her cheek.

"Evening, darlin'," he smiled down at her.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla let out a gasp as Aleister opened the door and she found the keep filled with her family and friends. She took a step backwards, bumping into Aleister before her father showed up at her side. She glanced at him as he kissed her cheek, greeting her warmly.

"Da, what is all of this?" Kayla asked, looking up at her father with confusion written on her features.

 

[KieranSoares]

"A little celebration an' a banquet fer you," Boar wrapped an arm around Emma as she came to his side. "We never 'ad a proper 'welcome home' dinner for ya, after all, an' yer Ma wanted t'have a sorta... baby-shower for ya. So, we compromised."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Mummy. Da. You didn't have to do this for me." Kayla said in a soft voice even as she wrapped both of them in a tight hug. "Especially after Eli..."

"Sweet Kay." Emma said softly, lifting her daughter's gaze to her own. "We'll never forget Elijah but we can't dwell in sadness. You're about to have a very happy event happen to you. Let us celebrate that this evening."

Kayla nodded, giving them both a smile as she allowed her parents to pull her to the head table where her place had been set up.

 

[KieranSoares]

As often happened when the entire family was together, extra tables were brought up to join the head table so that they all might be together. As the family had grown so much over the past twenty years, though, it became that there was a table for each branch off from Kitty's children and they intermingled as they pleased. Tonight, Kayla was sitting at the true head table and in the seat that was usually Brogan's, as Brogan always gave up his seat to whomever in the family they were celebrating for.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla found herself looking around at her family from the vantage point that her uncle normally held. She could feel the immense pride that she was related to them all. It was rare that they were all together like this, but after Elijah had died, Ashien and Kayla had stayed in Inverness for an extended visit with their families.

Then there was Aleister. Her dear friend. The man that was quickly holding her entire heart. He stood off the side as if he were unsure of where to sit. She gave him a soft smile and motioned for him to join her. She wanted him with her, no matter how it made the rest of her family feel.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Aleister joined her side, fully aware that he was sitting in the place usually occupied by Julia, he couldn't help noticing how Kayla's father and uncles- aside from Brogan- seemed to size him up and consider whether they liked him being so close to Kayla. Ashien considered it none of his business for the moment, and offered Aleister a smile whereas Durban, Boar, and Christopher seemed a little more suspicious. But thankfully, they let it go for the night and, seeing as the older Ghis brothers knew Aleister from their days as axe-fighters, they decided to trust him.

 

[heartofcourage]

Annie led the celebrations for her cousin, bringing her gift after gift until Kayla swore she would die of embarrassment. There were tiny little clothes made from sheep's wool. There were ointments and medicines that the baby would need. So many different items from so many different people, she swore that she would never be able to thank everyone. Her beautiful smile was back, however, and it seemed that she was back to being the sunny center of the Ghis family.

 

[KieranSoares]

The celebrations lasted well into the night and Kayla and Aleister ended up back at Boar and Emma's home to talk long after the celebration at the keep had tapered off. Boar, Leon, Kayla, Aleister, and Emma sat at the table together and Dazu soon joined them after putting Lucy to bed in one of the bedrooms left unused after Boar and Emma's children had moved out.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She had a good time tonight." Kayla said as Dazu reappeared after putting Lucy to bed. "She'll be the life of the party before we know it."

 

[KieranSoares]

As Dazu sat down, Boar looked between the Lion and his son. "So... what is this, lads?"

Leon met his father's gaze, suddenly remembering one of the reasons he'd pushed Dazu away at first; the fear of his father. But he feigned ignorance. "What d'ya mean, Da?"

"Y'know what I mean. You an' Dazu."

"... Are ya disappointed...?" Leon asked quietly, and was surprised to hear his father laugh.

"Hell no, Leon. Y'think a thing like tha' bothers me? Y'know I support Ciaran without a thought. Why'd y'think it'd be any different with you?"

"'Cause I'm yer son."

"So I should be even more supportive o' you, aye?" Boar clapped his son on the shoulder. "Long as yer 'appy, lad. 'S'all I care about. Still gonna 'ave a firm talk with Dazu, but I ain't chasin' 'im away."

"I thought y'only did that t'the girls' men."

"Nope. Applies t'everyone."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla was happy that her brother had finally admitted how he felt about Dazu to the rest of her family. He had been so scared, but now he could see that they would love him no matter what. Lucy adored Dazu. It was important that everyone was on the same page, especially as that little girl grew up into a child and woman with questions about her own parents.

"You'll get a taste of your own medicine." Kayla teased, laughing at the embarrassed look on her brother's face as her father insisted on talking to Dazu.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was as Dazu and Kayla carried on with Boar that Leon got a chance to talk to his mother alone in the kitchen when they went to get a couple snacks for everyone. He paused and leaned on the counter beside her, meeting her gaze with a sort of unsure expression she rarely saw from her boys. "Ma... What d'you think of Dazu...? Dazu an' me?" Boar's approval was one thing, but Emma's was entirely another.

 

[heartofcourage]

Emma looked up at her oldest son as he asked her what she thought about he and Dazu. She gave him a gentle smile, touching his cheek with a fondness that a mother would have for her child.

"Do you expect me to hate you, love?" She asked him gently, knowing that behind his rough exterior was a soft heart. "Because I never could. Caerleon, I have loved you since the first moment I ever laid my eyes on you. Knowing that you have someone in your life that makes you happy warms my heart completely."

She turned towards her son, letting out a long sigh. "I worry about you. Losing Elijah has been hard on everyone. I worried that I might lose you too. Knowing that you are caring for Lucy with a man that loves her just as much did a lot to show me that you were going to be alright."

 

[KieranSoares]

Leon's heart felt at ease knowing his mother was happy for him, and he hugged his mother tightly when she mentioned Elijiah. "Eli wanted th'world fer Lucy... an' so do Dazu an' I. I think, because o' her... we'll be alright." Having that sunny little girl to focus on made it easier to get out of bed in the morning and easier to sleep peacefully at night.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You're doing well with her. The fact that she spoke to you means something, Leon." Emma said, trying to bolster her son's fragile confidence. "And with Dazu working at the bakery, you can take time off and simply focus on her. You'll be alright."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hopefully now with Dazu helpin' me... I'll be able t'do some things Eli couldn't do on 'is own," Leon nodded and kissed his mother's cheek before helping her bring the snacks and drinks back to the others. It was a couple hours before Aleister and Kayla left toward their homes and Leon and Dazu took Lucy home. It seemed Dazu was going to move in permanently with Leon now.