The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I only hope I don't get too busy," she murmured as she saw a serving man approach.

"Your Majesty, the Duke of Warren has arrived per your summons. He is being shown to a guest room with an invitation to a private meeting as you instructed."

"Thank you, Arthur," she nodded, and the serving man bowed before stepping away. "Even if Warwick takes the brunt of my work, there are still things to be done." Marianne kissed Kayla's cheek. "I'll see you soon. Your Aleister should be along, Warwick will be joining me."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla gave Marianne a smile and walked her to the door, seeing her off. When the door was closed again she moved towards the bed and lay down next to Lynn, relaxing from their journey as the little boy slept peacefully. All she needed now was Aleister to return and hold her tightly as she had become accustomed to.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kayla's wish was answered only minutes later as Aleister quietly opened the door, giving a soft thanks to a serving woman who'd escorted him lest he get lost. He didn't hesitate to crawl into bed behind Kayla with a deep sigh as he relaxed.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have to admit that it feels strange being here with you." Kayla admitted softly, her voice barely a whisper so not to disturb Lynndon. "But I'm glad that I am. Marianne doesn't seem to have a problem with you being here either."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Th'way I see it... When we're here, I'm lookin' after you two fer Gale. I wouldn' go much further'n tha' here," he murmured, his low voice making Lynn curl up happily.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla turned over onto her back to look at Aleister as he made her that solemn promise. "Do you think that we're ready to go further?" She asked him softly, not wanting to rush their relationship past what he was comfortable with.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Tha's up to you, love. I'm in no hurry. I think we agreed on tha' some time ago." He gave her one of those rare little rugged smiles. "I'm happy coastin' along a' whatever pace."

 

[heartofcourage]

"How long as it been since you were with someone intimately?" Kayla asked him softly, her own cheeks turning slightly pink at the thought. "I think you know mine. It's pretty hard to hide Lynndon these days."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister didn't seem embarrassed of the subject. It seemed the only thing that made him shy or nervous was people in general outside those closest to him. "... Jus' before I met you. Had a close friend come by before she left Scotland t'be married off t'some French knight. Marriage o' convenience, their families were close, they didn' mind each other. But she an' I 'ad been together a few times, mostly out o' enjoyment an' boredom."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Well, perhaps when we get back to Inverness, we can see where a long evening takes us." Kayla said, giving him a small smile. "I'll let you romance me to my heart's content."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Romance?" He chuckled gruffly. "Y'must be seein' someone else, then." But that didn't stop him from wrapping an arm around her and drawing her closer.

 

[heartofcourage]

"You can be romantic when you put your mind to it." Kayla said with a smile as he wrapped a broad arm around her waist and pulled her in tightly. "I promise to never let anyone know how soft and wonderful you can really be."

 

[KieranSoares]

"My 'romantic' is dinner and sitting around in front o' the fire," Aleister grunted with a smile. "You like t'see more'n what's really here, love."

 

[heartofcourage]

“Did you ever think that maybe that’s all I want? I’ve had the life of parties and riches. I want something simple now.” Kayla said as she leaned in and kiss Aleister with a happy grin on her face.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, you know how fairytales are... All princes an' ballrooms an' gold... Sometimes us small folk forget love doesn't have t'come in a carriage drawn by white horses. But I can certainly offer it in a warm house an' a promise I'll do all I can t'take care o' you." Aleister leaned into her kiss, seeming to relax at her show of love and his own offer of dedication.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Mummy already adores you. You know that Leon, Dazu, and Lucy think the world of you as well. Maybe you could win over my Da when you start the renovations on the shop and your apartment. He's still stubborn and strong." Kayla suggested, thinking of ways to make her family connections with him even tighter.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Boar's an old comrade... I need t'prove to 'im tha' I'm more'n jus' my old profession. But he also knows I can look after you two."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You'll stuff the both of us full of bread before you ever let us starve." Kayla said with a chuckle as Aleister talked about her father. "I'm his little girl. You would feel the same if you had a daughter. He just wants to make sure that I'm alright."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know. An' I can' blame 'im at all. There's a lot o' difference between us, more than jus' age."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Do those differences scare you?" Kayla asked softly, needing to know that he loved her just as much as she loved him. "Because I honestly don't see them. We both have the same goals in life. Sure, we have some fundamental differences, but I don't think it would ever be enough to pull us apart."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Way I see it... Nobody needs someone jus' like them. We all need someone tha' can fill in th'gaps we can' do ourselves. Not t'say we're no' two whole, separate people. But we compliment each other. Things I can' do easily, like talkin' t'people, you do well. An' when you need a hand keepin' up with Lynn 'r life in general, tha's what I'm for. So... I think it's good we're so different." Normally Aleister struggled with long explanations or matters of philosophy or emotion. But this particular subject seemed cut and dry to him. "We're no' two halves of a whole. We're a team," he summed it up simply. "A good one, I like t'think."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think thats the most I've ever heard you say on any topic." Kayla said with a smile as he seemed so passionate about the both of them and their relationship. "And I honestly couldn't agree more. You make me feel safe when the world gets to be too much. I often wonder how I'm going to repay you when we're old and gray."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think we're still pretty even," he muttered. "Lettin' me be part o' Lynn's life is plenty."

 

[heartofcourage]

“You’re his Da.” Kayla said softly, simply stating the clear fact that she already knew. “And I adore you so much for loving him like you do. You didn’t have to take either of us in.”

 

[KieranSoares]

"Yeah I did," Aleister insisted. "I would've felt guilty forever. But then once I got t'know you... I knew I wasn' gonna let you go jus' because you 'ad a baby. An' then when he came along, I decided you both were permanent additions."