The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"I'm happy that things worked out for the both of them." Kayla said as she held Aleister's hand during the walk home. "Leon was so worried about how our parents would react even though I told him there was nothing to worry about."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be honest, I thought one o' yer parents might be a little put off, but no' angry. I guess tha's just from th'common assumption really." He knew as well as anyone that the world wasn't so accepting outside Inverness. For all the issues of race and lifestyle, it was far worse elsewhere.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I can tell you one thing...it certainly took the scrutiny off us for the time being." Kayla said with a smile as she looked up at Aleister. "Enjoy it while you can because it won't last. My Da will want to ask you ever question under the sun."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won' say I'm prepared, but I think I'm a' least steeled for it. I'm more afraid o' yer Ma t'be honest." Aleister smiled and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Mummy only wants what's best for her children. Once she talks to you, she'll see just how right you are for me." She admitted, her cheeks burning brightly at that little confession.

"And I'm seeing more and more that you're right for me." Kayla murmured, returning his kiss to the cheek gently.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister couldn't help the luminous smile on his face, and he wrapped an arm about her shoulders as they continued on. He walked her home and it was a rather long goodbye before he gave her a goodnight kiss and headed home himself.

 

[heartofcourage]

Two weeks later, on a beautiful spring morning, Kayla woke up with an intense, burning pain in her belly. Laying there beneath the covers, she panted and hugged her stomach tightly. She had never known pain like what she was going through in that moment and she wished that it would end soon. She had to get to the bakery to help set up for the morning.

As soon as the pain ebbed, she was able to get out of bed and walk into her kitchen. Once she was in front of the fire, it started again, tightening her belly and making her back ache as she was forced to sit down. The baby was coming. That much she knew and she was completely terrified.

 

[KieranSoares]

It was some time before Aleister came to find her when she didn't show up at the bakery. He knocked on her front door, calling her name as she was in the middle of the worst contraction yet.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla was in tears, her hands cradling her belly as she heard Aleister knocking on her front door. "Aleister!" She called out, panting as the pain started to ebb and she was left exhausted. "I need Mummy."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister burst into the house when he heard Kayla's cry, and he was at her side in a second. Dazu was with him, and Aleister ordered him in Erygonian to fetch Emma. She would know what to do and she'd be able to get Theo and Valentina there. Aleister meanwhile had at least enough idea of what to do to scoop Kayla up and carry her back to her room where he carefully laid her down and propped her up with several pillows. He was gone only a moment to get a few things he knew Valentina might need. He came to kneel beside Kayla, taking her hand to give her some anchor.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla felt a little bit calmer as Aleister was suddenly by her side. Dazu was sent off to get both Valentina and Emma and that was the most welcome news. She wouldn't be alone any more. Kayla clung to Aleister's hand as he knelt beside her, tears still flowing down her cheeks. She was frightened, she was in pain, she had never felt such a wide range of emotions.

"I need Gale's picture." She murmured, looking at her dear friend with wide eyes that were so scared. "Please go get it."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister rose from her side, a little worried to leave her side, but he pulled himself from the room to fetch the little painted portrait from near the hearth. When he returned, he remained until Emma and Dazu came and soon, Valentina with her husband. Valentina didn't often allow men other than Theo or Vincenzo in the room for a birth, but she let Kayla decide about Aleister.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla felt completely out of control of the situation when her aunt and mother arrived. They both set about calming her down and getting her settled for the long process of birth. She refused to let Aleister's hand go, however. Their relationship was still new, but she didn't trust anyone more than she did Aleister. He gave her a calm strength that no one else could have in that moment.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister supported Kayla every step of the way, and when it came time to push, he let her lean back against him and hold both his hands for that solid support. Valentina was fairly satisfied with how everything was going. Even though it was terrifying for the new mother, it was going quite smoothly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla gripped Aleister's hands tightly as she pushed, the effort mighty as she sought to bring her baby into the world. Emma wiped her daughter's brow, encouraging her every step, and praising her for being so brave. She knew how frightening the first birth could be and Kayla had handled it wonderfully.

By midnight, Kayla gave a final push and a screaming little boy was brought into the world. His lungs worked well, his little cries echoing through the room around them. Kayla looked towards her son as Valentina and Theo worked, taking in the sandy brown hair of his father and his lightly tanned skin. She couldn't help the tears that welled up at the moment, the hard rush of emotion as she thought about what Gale was missing.

"He's beautiful, love." Emma murmured, kissing her daughter's temple gently. "A bonny lad that is going to make you so happy and proud."

 

[KieranSoares]

Valentina tucked the boy into Emma's arms while she got Kayla cleaned up. Once she was laid down in a fresh nightgown on fresh sheets with a warm blanket, her little boy came into her arms for the first time.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla simply stared at her son as everything happened around her. She could only stare. Words escaped her in that moment as the noises beyond her bedroom suddenly grew louder. It didn't matter if it was the middle of the night. Her family was gathering to celebrate.

The newborn sucked on his tiny fingers, his eyes finally opening to stare up at her. They were the color of a clear blue sky and she saw in him a perfect mixture of Gale and herself. That made her heart ache so fiercely that she swore she might die.

"I don't know what to call him." Kayla said softly, glancing at the only person left in her room: Aleister.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister was surprised to find her looking at him as she was at a loss for a name. He didn't know what to say himself. "Well... Somethin' tha' means a lot you. Maybe name 'im after people y'love."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla looked back to the little boy in her arms, nodding slightly as Aleister offered his suggestions on the matter. Looking at the baby, she knew what she wanted to name him in an instant.

"Could you bring my Da in?" She asked Aleister softly, looking at her dear friend with her own bright eyes, a kiss pressed to his cheek before he stood.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister would soon return with Boar close behind him, and the brawny and proud Scotsman sat down at Kayla's side to press a kiss to her forehead. "Hiya, darlin'," he murmured before his eyes drifted to the newborn and his smile grew. "Handsome lad... Jus' like 'is granddad, aye?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"Do you want to hold him?" Kayla asked as she gently placed the baby in her father's arms, smiling as he doted on his first grandson. "He is very handsome."

She was quiet for a long moment as she watched the two of them, her expression turning very serious for a moment. "Da, would you be upset if I named him Lynndon?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Boar looked up with a light chuckle, "Course I wouldn', lass. I'd be well proud of it. An' yer Ma might stop callin' me Lynndon so often when I'm in trouble." As much as he made jokes, Kayla could see her father was bursting with pride.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I just know how much you don't like your name. I think it fits him though." Kayla said with a soft smile as her father burst with pride as he held his grandson. "Lynndon Gale Ghis. I think it's a good, strong name for a little boy."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll do jus' fine, an' so'll you," Boar assured her softly. It was only in the wee hours of the morning that most of the family left to get a little rest, but Aleister, Emma, and Boar remained. Leon and Dazu had gone home with Lucy to put her to bed and get some sleep themselves. As the sun was beginning to rise, Aleister was dozing in the chair beside the bed, but if he nearly drifted off completely, he'd quickly wake himself up once again to keep an eye on Kayla and little Lynndon.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla managed to sleep as Lynndon dozed next to her on the bed. Aleister stayed the entire time, keeping an eye on them as her parents slept in the front room by the fire. She woke once to nurse before going back to sleep. When she finally woke the next morning, she could hear voices in the kitchen and her eyes turned to look at Aleister as he sat there exhausted.

"You should get some sleep." Kayla said softly. "You look exhausted. It sounds like Mummy is cooking breakfast. I can wake you when it's ready."