All That's Left

Chapter 13 | Vania

Present
2023

Seventeen years old

The smell of freshly baked pastries and other goods filled the air, stirring up unwanted memories with their sweet and comforting aroma.

Brielle and I had been busy in the bakery's kitchen since five this this morning, the warmth of the ovens and the rhythm of our movements creating a familiar, almost hypnotic, atmosphere. The clinking of utensils and the soft hum of the mixers blended with the distant chatter of the few early customers out front.

Even though I hadn't been in this kitchen for two years, I still knew where everything was and the little traits nearly everything in this kitchen had. Brielle and I still made a great team, even though we were short one teammate.

The thought of Dad brought a lump to my throat. I looked up from where I was busy preparing puff pastry, the flour-dusted air adding a hazy glow to the room. My gaze landed on the portrait fastened to the wall above the door leading to the front of the bakery.

In the center stood Brielle, her eyes crinkling at the corners with a warm smile, holding a tray of freshly baked goods. To her right, stood Dad, his arm around me, both of us beaming with pride. And to Brielle's left, stood Uncle Elly, tall and sturdy with his arm around Dorian, who was flashing a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief, as they always had.

The picture was taken the day Brielle had made Dad and Uncle Elly partners, and served as a reminder of the connection that bound the Lowe's and the Stanton's together.

Having spent a big part of our childhood in the bakery, Brielle ensured that we were also part of the legacy she would leave behind when she passed. Of course, we didn't know back then that she had made us partners as well, just with a smaller share of it.

''Good morning to two of my favorite girls,'' Dorian greeted as he strolled into the kitchen, already munching on a croissant he must have snagged from the display case.

I forced a smile onto my face, wiping my flour-covered hands on my apron. ''Morning.''

Brielle, taking a tray of muffins out of the oven, pointed a gloved hand at Dorian. ''I know exactly how many croissants are out front. If there's more than one missing, besides the one that were actually purchased, you're cleaning today's dishes."

Dorian laughed. ''You know I couldn't resist your croissants, Bri. They're the best.''

Brielle shook her head, but there was a smile on her face. ''Flattery will get you no where, young man. Just don't spoil your appetite for lunch. I don't want Elian calling me, telling me I should ban you from the bakery.''

I watched their banter quietly, feeling the longing to be part of this family and bakery once again. But I couldn't be-not fully anyway.

I would only mess things up again.

''Shouldn't you be heading to school soon?'' I ask Dorian.

As per my arrangement with the Lowe's, I had dropped Aspen and Kian off at school about an hour ago, since they needed to be there early this morning. I would also be picking them up this afternoon, since Avery had told me Dorian was heading somewhere after school.

Dorian leaned with his back against the counter next to me, meeting my eyes. ''I've got a bit of time before I need to go. Thought I'd hang out here for a while. I needed my daily dose of Vania to get through the day,'' he said, smiling.

Across from me, I saw Brielle shaking her head at Dorian word's, a grin on her face.

''Alright, enough with the flirting in my kitchen, please. Dorian, if you're going to hang around, you might as well make yourself useful. The flour containers need refilling, and there are two batches of cookie dough that needs to be taken out of the freezer, please.''