The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[KieranSoares]

Aleister smiled over at Lynn as the boy laughed, and he glanced around them. Gerald's tavern had become especially popular for people who came from far away. They all got along in sharing their foreign histories and why they'd come to Scotland. Every weekend a couple men from opposing countries would get in a brawl only to end up having a tankard of ale together and teasing each other about their accents. Usually it was Scots and Irishmen, but every so often a Swede and a Kievan would get into it, or an Englishman and a Frenchman.

 

[heartofcourage]

The tavern had become their home away from home. The food was good, the crowd usually just as good, and it was a good atomosphere to take Lynndon. He waived by Ria and Gerald, passed among the patrons as everyone ate. He had become friendly with half the town of Inverness at a few months old.

"I feel like this is our home away from home." Kayla said as Lynndon grabbed a large chunk of her hair and brought it to his mouth, humming to himself as he looked around the room with his bright blue eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yeah... if not fer th'bakery, I probably would 'ave come 'ere fer work when Gerald took over. But 'e'd probably throw me into the brawls just for fun," Aleister chuckled. No one would get into an all-out fight when there were families around, but they tended to break out later in the evening when it was only the late workers and regulars.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Brawling is one thing I hope you never teach Lynndon." Kayla said in a serious tone, but a smile on her lips. "Lynn doesn't stand a chance between Leon and my Da as it is. At least from you he can learn the art of baking."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He'll learn anyway, bein' around the shop all day," Aleister nodded. "But we have t'make sure 'e's got the muscle t'deal with unruly customers an' 'is family o' giants."

 

[heartofcourage]

"His Da wasn't a big man." Kayla said softly, looking up at Aleister. "He was muscular like the rest of my family, but he had a grace about him. My Uncle Ashien reminds me a lot of him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then he ought t'do jus' fine. Your uncle held up against 'is brothers well enough t'become master o' King Henry's cavalry. Lynn's got a chance t'be just about anything."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He can be whatever he wants, but it better not break his mother's heart." Kayla murmured, nuzzling against her son as he cooed and sighed again, the toothless smile on her face melting her heart. "You hold your mummy's heart in your hands, little one. I just hope that you have a long, happy, and healthy life."

 

[KieranSoares]

Lynn was all too glad for his mother's attention and settled perfectly against her. Aleister found himself ever so slightly jealous of such a close bond and relationship, and only hoped he might have a child of his own to have that kind of closeness with. Not that he wasn't close with Lynn, but it just wasn't the same.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla saw the look on Aleister's face as he watched her snuggle with Lynn. There was a special bond that she had with the little boy but she knew that in time he would have his own sons and daughters to hold and adore.

"Give it time, Al. You'll have your own in time." She said with a smile as Lynndon nuzzled against her neck.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Maybe. Only time'll tell," Aleister gave her a smile. "And since when d'you call me Al?" He didn't mind it at all, in fact most people called him Al if they knew him at all.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't know." Kayla said with a shy look on her face. "I just felt like the right thing to say. I can go back to calling you Aleister if you really insist."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's fine, love. I was just wonderin' if Bell's been a bad influence." He reached out to lay his hand over her own.

When they headed back that night toward her home, Aleister seemed quite content with the world and little Lynn was fast asleep against his shoulder. Aleister had taken the boy to give Kayla a break from carrying him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He loves you." Kayla said with a smile as she watched Lynndon slumbering on Aleister's shoulder like he didn't have a care in the world. "I don't think he could have asked for a better man to help raise him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He could've asked fer a more exciting man, I'll tell ya tha'," he smiled. "He's gonna be pretty boring with me as a role model. Maybe a li'l too serious fer 'is own good. Might end up like yer cousin Gabriel."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think he's got a sunny smile. He might be more lively than you think." Kayla said with a smile as Aleister talked about being boring. "Being a baker isn't boring. It's exciting the people you get to meet and the new things you get to do every day."

Kayla took his free hand and held it as they walked towards her house. She felt incredibly content in that moment. Her baby was happy and healthy, her best friend was quickly becoming something more. Her life felt safe and secure. When they reached the house, she took Lynndon and tucked him in to his cradle, kissing his little brow as he slumbered silently.

 

[KieranSoares]

When she rejoined Aleister, he took a moment just to hold her close and take in the moment. It wasn't a strange thing for him to do, but it seemed to come out of the blue. Still he smiled and enjoyed how she fit against him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"No matter what anyone else might say about us, I love you." Kayla whispered as Aleister pulled her into his strong embrace and held her tightly. "And not because you love Lynndon so much. I have no doubt that the two of us were meant to be together now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Lynn certainly sweetens the deal, though," Aleister teased with a smile that told her he would've taken her regardless of whether she had one, none, or ten children.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla smiled at his sweet words, standing on the tips of her toes to press a kiss to his lips. He was one of the kindest men that she had ever met in her life and she was incredibly happy that they were falling in love with one another so nicely. It felt good to be open like this with someone else again. With Gale she had spent far too much time hiding what she felt and who her lover was that she had missed out on some truly magical moments.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister gladly returned her kiss and finally let her go. "I ought t'get goin'... Much as I don't want to. Always lots t'do at th'shop fer the next day." His expression told her he didn't want to go, though, and his step was a bit hesitating. She had quite the draw on him.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Stay here tonight, Al." Kayla said softly, looking up at her friend as he hesitated in his quest to go home. "The night is the loneliest time for me. Lynn sleeps all night now. It leaves me with far too much time to sit and think and fret and feel sad."

Her soft eyes were begging for him to stay there with her. She did get lonely at night. She would think about the future and how uncertain everything would be. It was definitely not the kinds of thoughts that a brand new mother should be having.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister had hoped she would ask, but he was disturbed at her reasons as to why. He turned immediately back to her and wrapped her up in his arms. "You know I'll take care o' ya, love... you don' have t'be afraid o' what's t'come."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know, but all of those old doubts are still there." She murmured as he wrapped her up in his arms. "I know I never have to worry about losing you or being without a job, but I still think about how things were with Gale and how things are now."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I don' know if I can ever get rid o' every doubt, but I'll be damned if I don't try," Aleister promised her and pressed a kiss to her forehead.