The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"We'll jus' have t'help 'im see it fer himself." Aleister set Lynn down on the bed, smoothing his hair back with a smile. "Once 'e gets t'know 'is Gran, he won' want t'go home."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla chuckled as she got to work changing Lynndon from his dusty clothes and into a fresh outfit. She did the same for herself before she turned towards Aleister as Lynn relaxed and played on the bed.

"It will be hard." Kayla said softly. "And I know that I still think about Gale all the time, but I need you to know that I love you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I won' be jealous 'r hurt about you still lovin' Gale, lass," Aleister assured her, having gotten changed as well into the best outfit he could bring. "It's still a fresh memory, an' bein' here will bring all th'other memories back too. If anythin'... I respect 'im. An' I'm grateful fer Lynn an' fer Gale having loved you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'd like to go and visit him." Kayla admitted softly. "But I know I will need you there with me. I don think I could do it alone."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Sure, love," Aleister murmured, kissing her cheek. "Now... Let's not keep th' Queen waitin', aye? She mus' be on th'edge o' her seat waitin' t'meet Lynn." Marianne's love of family was common knowledge, which had made her losses even harder to bear. She'd grown up in a big family, married into one, and had three boys of her own. Now, everyone on both sides of Gale's family was dead or far away or had fallen out with Marianne when she wouldn't abuse her power to give them everything they wanted on a whim. Marianne's only close family left was a nephew, the Duke of Edinburgh who helped the throne run the outlying areas around the city.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Are you ready, Lynn?" Kayla asked as she scooped her son up and watched as he looked between the both of them with a rather confused expression. "Let's go meet your grandma."

The three of them made their way to the place where Marianne was waiting, entering without fanfare or announcement. Lynndon clung to her again, uncertain of what was happening in this strange place. When they stepped into the door, Kayla paused as she caught sight of the queen. They hadn't seen one another since Gale died and she watched as the woman looked directly at Lynndon. The little boy was the spitting image of his father from his sandy hair to his tanned skin and features.

 

[KieranSoares]

Marianne was frozen for a long moment, met with the sight of what, for a moment, appeared to her as her son as a toddler. She rose from her seat slowly, trying to keep her composure. "Kayla..." She finally murmured, but no other words would come.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Marianne." Kayla said with a soft smile as the woman stood speechless in front of them. "I've been telling Lynndon who you are, but I'm not so sure he really understands."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He's... He looks exactly like Gale," she whispered, tears filling her eyes as the boy looked at her. She slowly stepped forward, reaching out to touch his cheek gently. "Hello, darling..." She was barely holding together.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Go meet your grandma, love." Kayla said softly as Marianne touched Lynndon's cheek. "She's been waiting a long time to meet you."

Lynndon looked at his mother with concern for a moment before he turned towards Marianne. Soon enough, he was moving into her arms, wrapping his arms around her neck for a tight hug.

 

[KieranSoares]

Marianne couldn't stop the tears falling as she held her only grandson as if he were the most precious thing in the world. "He would love you so much if he were here, sweetheart," she whispered. "Your grandpa and your uncles too..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He is as strong and as healthy as they come." Kayla said softly as Marianne cried while meeting Lynndon. "He loves horses and helping in the bakery. And he knows who his Da is. He looks at his picture every single day."

Lynn patted Marianne on the cheek as he saw her crying, unsure of why she was so sad as she held him tightly.

 

[KieranSoares]

The door behind Aleister and Kayla opened again, and in stepped Warwick who paused, leaning on his cane seeing Marianne in tears. She looked up and gave him a weak smile. "He's finally here, Warwick..."

Warwick smiled back softly, and Marianne kissed Lynndon's forehead as Warwick spoke, "He's just what you needed, milady."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We can leave you alone with him if you wish." Kayla said, looking between the two of them. "He's a good boy. He loves to play and I'm sure he wouldn't mind sharing some of his horses with you."

Lynndon looked over at his mother as she mentioned his horses and she chuckled as she offered him the little bag they were kept in. The little boy took it and peeked inside at his figures before he looked at his grandmother and offered her a peek too.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You wouldn't mind if I spent some time with him?" Marianne asked, holding the bag for Lynn.

"I'll keep them company, milady. Have some time to yourselves," Warwick encouraged softly, and Marianne nodded, taking Lynn to sit down near the fire.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Make sure to show her your favorite, Lynn." Kayla said as her son instantly reached into the bag and pulled out his spotted horse. "His name is Gideon. He named it after one of his cousin's horses that he's taken a fancy to."

 

[KieranSoares]

As Marianne was completely absorbed in giving all her attention to Lynndon, Warwick led Aleister and Kayla to a nearby sun room. "I can't thank you enough for bringing him. I know it's a long way to come. But Marianne's​ not doing well." Warwick sat down with them. "Some days she struggles even getting out of bed. For a woman whose life was once all about family... I'm afraid her spirit is broken."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, I hope Lynn gives her a little spark back." Kayla said as she reached over and took Aleister's hand. "It's been a long road for all of us. She deserves to be happy•

 

[KieranSoares]

"That she does..." Warwick sighed, before his attention turned to Aleister. "Master MacNamara. I didn't expect to see you."

"Wanted t'help Kay an' make sure Lynn felt safe," Aleister murmured.

"I'm glad. I know I can trust a former Axeman to look after them. Marianne is my dear friend, and Kayla and Lynn are family, so... I want to make sure they're all well-cared for."

 

[heartofcourage]

"She can see Lynndon whenever she wishes." Kayla said softly, looking over at Warwick. "I know she has a lot on her shoulders but she deserves to be happy. Gale and her son's made her happy but now that they're gone, she needs to have Lynn in her life."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Between him, and Kate taking the throne soon, we may get to keep her a bit longer. Once some of the stress is lifted she may learn to enjoy aspects of her life again." Warwick spoke like Marianne meant the world to him, as more than his queen or friend. But he didn't let anything on.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She is more than welcome to come to Inverness if she wishes as well. My house is too small to have her stay, but my uncle would be more than happy to host her in the keep. Lynndon is just as comfortable there as anywhere else." Kayla said, trying her best to come up with ways to help Marianne.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Time will only tell once the throne is no longer her concern. But until we can work such things out... I will try to make sure she can stay connected with young Lynndon." Warwick sat forward, leaning on his cane. "But I'm curious about you two."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla glanced over at Warwick as he curiously asked about the two of them. She let out a sigh and squeezed Aleister's hand. She knew that she owed it to Warwick and Marianne to be honest about what she had with Aleister.

"We are in a relationship. However, while we are here, we intend to be respectful of Marianne's feelings. I know that she is struggling after Gale, and I don't want to add to that sorrow." She said softly, looking over at Warwick. "Aleister also helps to raise Lynndon. He's just as much his son as he is mine."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I promise you that Marianne will not be offended by you having a partner. In fact, she might be glad to know that. I think you're the person she's worried most about. She was beside herself, wondering if you would be alright as a single mother, how your parents were reacting, whether you could support yourself... But it's up to you what you tell her. She considers you family. I've heard her on more than one occasion refer to you as her adopted daughter."