The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"That sounds fine to me." Kayla said with a smile towards Ria as she called out across the tavern the order and took a seat next to Aleister for a talk.

"Perhaps we should start sending the twins this way in the mornings to sell Ria some bread and rolls." Kayla mentioned casually, giving a smile towards Aleister. "He's finally decided to expand his business. My cousins are selling at a spot here in town and out at the wolf village."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be glad for the bread, maybe some pastries. We could always use a little variety and bread goes well with anything," Ria nodded. "Gerald's left the sort of business deals to me it seems. He's content just doing what he usually does like the boring oaf he is."

"You know I can hear you," Gerald called across the tavern, his wolf hearing allowing him to follow Ria's voice.

"I know you can, that's why I said it," Ria called back.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla laughed softly at their conversation. They had only been together a short time, but it seemed like they had been together forever. They complimented each other nicely. Again, her father's words came back to her from the night before and she found herself looking at Aleister again, wondering if he was her second chance at finding love.

"How has Annie been doing?" Kayla asked, breaking herself out of her thoughts as she looked at Ria and took a sip of her drink. "Are you excited to be a grandmother? David looks like he is near to bursting like he can't wait for the baby to come."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll admit I don't think I'm ready to be a grandmother... I'm hardly older than Julia, you know... but I think I'll enjoy it. I always wanted to have more children than just David, but I think being a grandmother is really what I need. If there's anything I ever hated about having a baby, it was the damned nine months of waiting. David was so worth it, though."

 

[heartofcourage]

"The waiting has been the worst." Kayla agreed, laughing along with Ria as she placed a hand on her belly. "I just want this little one here so I can hold it tight give it all the love it needs."

It was what she had promised Gale, after all. And then she would take the baby to see Marianne and let her showed her grandchild with affection. It would be hard once the baby was here, but she would be glad to have that piece of her love there with her.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Be sure to show this one some love too. He absolutely adores kids, but I'm sure you've seen that." Ria rose when a barmaid brought the food over. "I'll let you enjoy your lunch. Just yell if you need anything." She made her way back behind the bar and met her lover with a kiss before they continued their work.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla blushed as Ria said to show Aleister some love too. She glanced at her friend and then at Ria as the barmaid came with the food and Ria excused herself. She cleared her throat and laughed slightly at the tense silence that was passing between them.

"I did want to ask you something, Aleister. Would you be the baby's godfather?" She murmured softly. "I've been thinking about asking you for a while."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister paused and looked over at her as if expecting to see her laugh at the joke, but when he realized she was serious, his expression softened. "O'course I would, Kay... I told you I'd take care o' both of you."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I mean it when I say that you're my best friend, Aleister. It means a lot to me to know that you're going to have a large part to play in my baby's life." She murmured softly, taking his hand and squeezing it gently. "Besides, I'll have a free sitter whenever I need one, right?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"Anytime," Aleister nodded, squeezing her hand in return. "If either o' you ever need anything... I'm 'ere. The same goes fer the rest o' your family if they e'er need help. I did a lot more'n hire a new assistant when I brought you in on th'bakery, e'en if I didn't know it then."

 

[heartofcourage]

"You have a whole new family, whether you wanted one or not." Kayla assured him, finally letting go of his hand to eat her meal.

The baby was not forgiving when she was hungry and she was determined to eat the delicious meal while it was still steaming hot. She let out a satisfied groan as the first bite touched her tongue, looking at Aleister with an accusing glare.

"If I had know it was this good, I would have joined you on those night you came alone." She said with a teasing smile.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'd be 'appy t'bring ya more often. Gerald 'as damn good prices because 'e's friends with 'is suppliers, not t'mention Ria can haggle a deal down li' no one's business. Not t'mention, they're pretty nice t'their regulars," he offered with a smile back.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I might take you up on that offer." Kayla said as they finished the rest of their meal with a friendly conversation.

When it came time to pay and leave, she refused to let him pay. "This is my treat. A little celebration for your new business ventures." She said as she dug out the money and went to pay Gerald at the bar.

 

[KieranSoares]

The gruff wolf was holding down the bar quite well while Ria was talking with some patrons. His amber eyes darted up when Kayla approached, and a smile cracked his hard expression. "Miss Kayla," he rumbled, knowing who she was from Ria. "What can I do for you?"

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm here to pay for our meal." Kayla said as she placed her coin purse on the counter and waited for him to tell her how much the amount was. "A treat for Aleister. His business is doing well enough to expand."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Shouldn't that mean he pays?" Gerald chuckled, but he understood perfectly and opened up the drawer where he kept the money. "That's two meals and two drinks... three farthings'll do."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla dutifully paid the amount and left something for the barmaid as well. She thanked Gerald with a cheerful smile, moving back to Aleister's side as they made their way back to the bakery where they found both sets of twins waiting with their empty carts.

"So, who was back first?" Kayla asked as she waited for Aleister to open the shop again.

"It was a tie!" Katya exclaimed with bright eyes. "But I think Sam and Rho were back a little earlier than us."

 

[KieranSoares]

"No, Timmal touched the door first," Rho pointed out.

"I say you all win," Aleister told them. "C'mon in an' let's see what y'made." Katya and Sam, who'd carried the money, put all they'd collected on the counter. Both sets had the same amount of money as they'd both set out with the same amount of goods, and Aleister counted it all up and gave each of the four of them nine farthings each, which was more money than any of them had ever had.

"Now before y'go off spendin', I've got a little advice fer ya," Aleister told them. "Save up a farthing 'r two every time y'work here, aye? then eventually ye'll be able t'afford bigger things, even some important things. I imagine if y'start savin' now, y'could buy yer own horses in two years 'r less. Th' more y'sell, th'more I'll pay ya. Deal?"

"Deal!" They all replied in unison, and immediately each consulted with their twin on what they should save for. Rho and Sam quickly decided on horses, while Katya and Timmal agreed to pool their money to buy two horses and new fishing gear to help their great-grandfather.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Pick out a pastry before you go." Kayla called to them, watching as they all went to the case and looked in it, thinking about it in all seriousness.

Sam and Rho picked out a blueberry pastry a piece, talking about sharing it with their Ma when they got back to the keep. Timmal and Katya picked out black currant, saving theirs to give to their grandparents when they got back to the village. When they were gone with their carts and wagons, Kayla let out a sigh of relief at the silence of the shop.

"I'll start putting things together for them to take tomorrow." Kayla said as she put her apron back on, smiling at Aleister as she walked past him.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Ah, nope," Aleister stopped her. "You sit down a' the front counter an' I'll do it. There'll be people comin' in soon anyway, an' you need t'take it easy." He pulled the wooden stool out for her behind the front counter, his expression not allowing for argument.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess it won't do any good to argue." Kayla said with a smile as she moved to sit down on the stool that he had pulled out for her. "But just so you know...I'm pregnant, not ill. Women have been doing so much more than me for centuries. I'll slow down, but I'm still going to do everything I can to keep up with you."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I know tha', but none o' those women were my partner an' my best friend. They don' get the special treatment." As he donned his apron once more and took down the closed sign, people were coming in almost immediately, the last among which was none other than Bell. Aleister remained in the back until the first rush cleared out. He returned to restock the shelves and greet his cousin.

"Hiya, Bell," Aleister smiled and kissed her cheek. Bell paused at that with a smile.

"Having a good day, big guy?"

"Yep. Why d'ya ask?"

"You haven't kissed my cheek since we were children."

"Good habit t'keep." Aleister shrugged and continued. While he was in the back for a moment, Bell looked to Kayla with a curious expression. She was quiet for a long moment before a grin appeared on her face.

"You turned the old grump soft," Bell laughed brightly

 

[heartofcourage]

"I haven't done anything. He did it all on his own." Kayla said with a smile as she looked towards Bell. "He went dancing last night at the keep. I think he had a good time too, even if he won't admit it."

She glanced over her shoulder at Aleister in the bake house, knowing that his cousin was only looking out for his well being. "I think he's happy, Bell."

 

[KieranSoares]

"He is," Bell nodded as her smile softened. "I've never seen him smile so much since you came along. I think I know why he's so happy. But I'll stay out of this one." With that, she paid for her bread and made her way out with that smile still on her face and without another word. When Aleister returned, he seemed surprised that Bell hadn't stuck around to talk. That was fairly odd where his cousin was concerned. "Huh. Did she 'ave t'rush off 'r somethin'?" He asked as he glanced out the window while he laid pastries in the front window display.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I don't know." Kayla said softly as she thought about what Bell had just said.

She and Aleister were just friends. Nothing more. That romantic and passionate spark wasn't there like she had with Gale. They were content just being happy with one another and enjoying the friendship that had formed between them.

As the day wore on, they managed to sell nearly everything that had been baked. When the closed sign was flipped around, Kayla was exhausted. She hung up her apron and sat on the stool, her ankles swollen and her back aching. She still needed to get home and finish cooking dinner for Leon, too.

"I promised my brother dinner tonight, but I'm too exhausted to move." Kayla mentioned, glancing over at Aleister. "Do you think Gerald would cook me something to take home?"