The Baker

Chapter 65

Cassie looked at the Christmas tree and furrowed her eyebrows. Something seemed odd about it, but she couldn't figure it out. The ornaments were on, the star was topped (with Ben almost breaking a leg in the process), and to add to it, Hunter was sleeping peacefully underneath, so she wasn't sure what was wrong. 

She got pulled out of her thoughts when a strong arm wrapped around her waist and a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream was put in front of her. "Penny for your thoughts," Ben murmured into her ear. She simply shrugged and told him, "When I know, you will."

He chuckled and pulled her back to rest against his chest. He started peppering kisses along her neck and said said in between them, "Three," kiss, "more," kiss, "weeks," kiss. That got her to smile and she turned in his arms. 

He stared adoringly into her eyes as she did the same. The love between them has been radiating ever since he got home a few days ago. He was all hers until the wedding if they didn't need him for additional shots. 

They both prayed they didn't. 

"Do you think I should have gone back for Thanksgiving?" She quietly asked. Ben brushed a strand of hair out of her face and behind her ear. "It wouldn't have mattered," he told her. "You're family cancelled the entire bloody thing on behalf of Bob. I think that would have put even more stress on you and I wouldn't have been there to help out." 

She sighed and told him, "Yeah, but I could have salvaged it. And Kelly would be talking to me right now. She'd be calling to wish us a Merry Christmas and she hasn't." Ben picked up her phone from the coffee table and said, "So, call her."

She pushed his hand away, then said, "I did. Seven times." Ben kissed her forehead before saying, "It's still Christmas Eve. She'll call.I know she will." Suddenly, her phone started vibrating in his hand. When they both looked at it, they sighed. Cassie took the phone an answered, "Hey, Leo." She slipped out of Ben's arms to go talk privately somewhere else. "No, no, it's a good time, I just haven't heard from Kelly..."

Her voice trailed off as she walked further away. Ben sat down next to Hunter and started to pet him. "My god, you grew up fast, didn't you? I feel like you're getting bigger and bigger every time I come back." It was a sweet moment, but waking him proved to be a mistake because it gave him the idea to lay in Ben's lap, which is not so convenient anymore. 

"No, Hunter, off!" Ben commanded. It was too late. He plopped himself down on his dad's lap and panted happily. "Christ, you're bloody heavy!" Ben shouted while laughing. Nevertheless, he let the dog lay there, all legs hanging off his lap, and watched as he started to nod off. 

"Thank you for keeping her sane," he whispered while petting his head. "I can never repay you for keeping her safe, too. Well, apparently laying on my lap when you are so clearly not a lap dog anymore is a start, I suppose."

Cassie walked back into the room and stopped at the sight before her. "Oh my God, this is too cute!" She gushed. She quickly took a few pictures and sat down on the floor with them. She showed Ben the pictured and cooed, "My boys." 

Ben wrapped his arm around her, then planted a kiss on her head. "Our girl," he said. They sat in front of the tree for nearly an hour. Just the three of them, being the perfect family.

**

"Hello, we're here!" Ben called as he walked into Wanda and Tim's country home, carrying a bag of gifts in one hand and was trying to hold an energized Hunter's leash with the other. Cassie had another two bags, but set them down by the door and took the leash for him. 

Ben set took the bags and set all of them by the tree. Cassie unhooked Hunter and watched as he immediately bolted into the kitchen. "Out! Shoo!" Wanda called from the kitchen. Ben and Cassie both laughed, but then he called, "Hunter! Come here!"