The Baker

Chapter 43

"And that's it for today! See you in a few days, guys!" Ben practically sighed in relief at J.J.'s words. He's been doing nothing but running and scrunching and standing up impossibly straight for the past month. He can't wait for these next few days off, especially since Cassie will be driving down here from Ojai. She's been staying there to look after her mom and Kelly, but she's going to have to go back to London soon if she wants to keep her bakery open.

Business has been booming ever since Ben announced that their relationship was exclusive. The first couple of weeks were brutal. Everything about Cassie had been put up on the internet for the world to see. Her past, her most recent rehab visit, her dad, everything. Ben got a distressing phone call from her one night and ended up booking it to Ojai to calm her down. They've had a few bad fights ever since; some over the phone, others over Skype. They would usually call each other back a few hours later and apologize.

Ben's sole purpose for these next few days was to make his girl feel completely and totally loved. He would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid of a possible break-up soon. It always happens around this time after the press gets involved. Of course, he would never break-up with Cassie. His worst nightmare is hearing her tell him, "I can't do this anymore". He shudders at the thought. He plans to marry her, start a family, and be in the warmth of each other's arms for the rest of their lives. His love for her is never-ending.

After getting dressed in his trailer, he started to head to the car to get back to the hotel. He needed to shower and brush up on his knowledge of baseball. Yes, he was taking her to a baseball game. She didn't know, but it made him smile to think about the look on her face when they pull up to the stadium. He learned the hard way that she didn't like the local team, the Dodgers, and earned himself a pretty hefty book to the arm for assuming so. Clearly, she takes these things very seriously.

He's been googling terms and plays like crazy over the past few days to try and impress her. It seems silly to try and impress his own girlfriend, but he wants her to know that whatever she's passionate about, he will fully support it.

After getting to the hotel and washing up, he packed a bag full of water bottles and a couple bags of peanuts (which he found out is an essential part of a ballgame, along with hotdogs and beer). Julie had sent over Cassie's jersey of her favorite player, so he hung it nicely in the car to avoid wrinkles or any destruction. He's pretty sure he'd get worse than a book to the arm if something happened to it.

About an hour later, there was a knock on his door. He jogged over and swung it open to his girl, smiles and all. He immediately pulled her into a bone crushing hug and she very much reciprocated.

"I've missed you so much, baby," Ben murmured in her ear. She squeezed him tighter and said, "I've missed you, too. I'm so glad I have you to myself these next few days." He chuckled, "Me, too, Cass. But for now..." He lightly pushed her back and planted a sweet kiss on her lips. "...I have something special planned. Come on, we're going for a drive." He took her hand and lead her out of the hotel and to his car.

He was sure to cover her jersey by hanging some of his shirts in front and behind it. "Where are you kidnapping me to?" She asked as he held open the car door for her. "Believe me, you'll love it," he promised. "Now, give us a kiss and say, "I trust you, Benny because I love you and I know you would never kidnap me and sell me as an American prostitute in a different country"." Cassie laughed, "What is this, Taken? Come here, you goof."

She pulled him down for a much needed passionate kiss. He carted his fingers through her hair and gripped it tight, while trying to probe his tongue into her mouth. The only thing that stopped him was the flashing he kept seeing behind his closed eyes. He opened them to see a horde of paparazzi coming towards them.