The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"Everything fell apart slightly at first, but I have a wonderful family and they have helped me with Lynndon more than anyone might know." Kayla said softly as Warwick let it be known that Marianne had worried about her when she had first left Edinburgh. "Aleister most of all, perhaps."

She looked towards him with a smile, knowing that he had a good soul beyond his gruff and often silent exterior. "He gave me a job when no one else might have and kept me going when my brother was killed. I don't know where I would be without him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Marianne was devastated to hear about Elijah. So was I... I'm sorry we couldn't make it to send him off. We had our own quiet candlelight vigil here for him... And for Norr, if only to help him find peace. But it seems race relations have begun to improve in Inverness, and the example is spreading. At least there's that good thought." Warwick offered her a somewhat melancholy smile. "Aside from the obvious... How is your brother and niece? I understand Leon's found a partner and they're raising Lucy together."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Lucy is Leon's pride and joy. She is as thick as thieves with he and Dazu. She still misses her father from time to time, but Leon makes sure that her dark moments are tempered with some joyful moments as well." Kayla said, thinking about her niece. "She's learned to talk while with them. Leon has given up his main job to stay home with her so she gets all the attention that she could ever need."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's very comforting to hear. It must not have been easy for any of you to adjust. I'll have to come for a visit soon."

After a while, Marianne finally emerged holding Lynndon who was clinging tightly to her even as he tried to stay awake.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Little one, did she wear you out?" Kayla asked as Marianne reappeared with Lynndon, the little boy struggling to stay awake in his grandmother's arms. "It's terrible when there's not enough hours in the day to play."

Kayla didn't move to take him right away, smiling at Marianne. "We can go back to my rooms and you can help me put him down if you like. He's usually pretty easy about naps. A quick story and he's out like a light."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He may not even make it to bed before he's out," Marianne murmured with an adoring smile down at the little boy.

"Go ahead, milady. I'd like to get to know Aleister here. Enjoy your family," Warwick encouraged with a smile, and Marianne nodded, holding Lynn in one arm and taking Kayla's arm with her own.

 

[heartofcourage]

True to Marianne's thoughts, Lynndon was sound asleep by the time they made it to Kayla's apartments. She took Lynn from her arms, taking him towards the bed. She changed his diaper and made him a little bed out of pillows to rest in. He only woke briefly, calling for Kayla until she returned with his stuffed horse.

"Goodnight, my love. See you when you wake up." Kayla whispered to the little boy as he let out a sigh and settled.

"He's the best son that I think I could have ever asked for." Kayla said, turning to look at Marianne with a small smile. "I wish every day that Gale had gotten the chance to at least hold him once."

 

[KieranSoares]

Marianne could only draw Kayla into her arms, kissing her cheek as she was suddenly overcome with emotion. The idea that she had a grandson was still sinking in, and she looked at Kayla as an angel for bringing the boy into the world. "Gale would've adored him," she murmured. "He had all the makings of a wonderful father..."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I promise that you can see him whenever you like, Marianne." Kayla said softly as she was drawn into the other woman's arms and kissed as she dealt with the emotions that wanted to burst forth.

"Aleister cares for him just as well. He is raising him to be a good and honest man." Kayla explained to Marianne, pulling back slightly to look her in the eyes. "All of the things that Gale would have wanted for him."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm glad you've found someone, someone who loves both you and Lynndon," Marianne murmured.

 

[heartofcourage]

"There are many nights that I wake up hoping that maybe everything was a bad dream. Aleister understands and never comes between me and Gale's memory." Kayla said softly. "Your son was the love of my life. I loved him with everything that I had."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know, darling. And he loved you more than I think he could ever express. I'm sure you would've been his queen if he'd lived..." Marianne touched her cheek lightly.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm going to go see him tomorrow with Aleister. I think it's been too long since we've last had a talk." Kayla knew that she sounded crazy about talking to a grave, but Marianne probably did the exact same with all of her sons. "And I want Lynndon to meet him properly."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Aleister is going with you? I know he doesn't come between you and Gale, but it's not often you find a man that will go with you to your lost love's grave."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He's a different sort." Kayla said as Marianne questioned Aleister going with her. "Kind of like Warwick in a lot of respects, I suppose."

 

[KieranSoares]

"That's true. Warwick's visited Brian and the boys with me many times..." Marianne drew Kayla back out to return to Warwick and Aleister.

 

[heartofcourage]

"He treats me very well, Marianne." Kayla murmured as they stepped out of the room to return to Warwick and Aleister. "We're discussing our life together and Lynndon is always right there in the front of the conversations. I think he might make a good baker himself when everything is said and done."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then you just make sure you keep me in the loop and let me know if and when you need anything. If times ever get hard, I'll make sure you don't struggle to put food on the table."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Marianne, that's sweet to offer, but I'm not your responsibility." Kayla said softly, giving Marianne a soft smile. "If I have to go to bed some evenings with an empty belly so that my son does not, I am more than prepared to do that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Absolutely not. You are the mother of my grandson, and you were my son's love. You would've been my daughter-in-law, so I'll look after you for Gale if times get too tough. I know you can care for yourself, but we all need help sometimes. And if Aleister takes care of Lynndon as well, I'll be happy to help him too if he can't make ends meet."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll talk about it with him. He might be too proud to take that offer." Kayla said with a soft smile. "But it means the world to me that you're willing to even make that offer."

 

[KieranSoares]

"It's the best way I can think of to honor Gale. Simply sitting back and grieving and nothing else does nothing for anyone."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, it will be hard to do that with Lynn around. He's a happy little ball of fire." Kayla said, glancing towards her sleeping son. "When he wakes up, he'll be ready to go. Aleister typically lets him have run of the bake house in the afternoons but he also loves to watch the horses from the front windows."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'm sure I could show him the stables if he likes," Marianne offered. "In the meantime, you should relax and enjoy yourself. Everything is taken care of here."

 

[heartofcourage]

"He would love to go to the stables if you cared to take him. He has the heart of an adventurer." Kayla said with a smile as Marianne told her to relax. "And you as well. There is little that you can do to make him upset."