The Baker, Part 2: Sous Chef

Chapter 25

3 Months Later...

Suitcases? Check. Swimsuit? Check. Socks and underwear? Check. The original Walking Dead comic book and T.V. show set? Check. Iron Man mask? Check. Star Wars tee? Check. Four three packs of sharpies? Check. V.I.P. Comic Con passes? Check. 

Cassie sighed in triumph and zipped up her suitcase just as Kelly walked excitedly into her room. She's been staying with her and Ben for about a month now, but proved to be very valuable as a babysitter. "So when are we going?" She asked, as she plopped herself down on the bed. Cassie set her case on the floor, then said, "As soon as Wanda and Tim get here. Is Ben back yet?"

Kelly nodded, then said, "I seriously can't wait for this! Do you think Ben can get me to meet Luke Evans?" Before Cassie could answer, that deep rumbling voice said, "Of course I can." Ben walked into the room with a smile on his face. "Anyone you want to meet from the cast, just let me know."

He went up to Cassie and kissed her cheek. "Pack up your nerd survival kit?" He asked. She giggled and told him, "Of course! I plan to hit every panel I possibly can! I swear, tomorrow is going to be the greatest day of my entire life!"

Ben hummed, then said, "Well, your son and I thank you for that comment and resent it. Anyways, I can hang out with you tomorrow, but Friday I have the Madagascar panel and Saturday I have the the Hobbit. Sunday I'll be as free as a bird, and then we head home on Monday. It's a shortish trip, but it'll be fun." 

Suddenly, Liam started crying and Ben went to go get him. When he came back, Liam was resting on his daddy's shoulder with a pacifier in his mouth and holding on to his new favorite blanket that had Mickey Mouse all over it. 

"Poor boy can't get any sleep because of Hunter," Ben grumbled. Kelly looked at him oddly and asked, "What's wrong with Hunter?" With a loud sigh, he told her, "He does this thing where he lays up against the legs of the crib and whenever he moves, so does the crib. Sometimes it isn't so bad, but he'll wake up Liam most of the time."

Kelly shrugged, then asked, "Why not just shut the door to keep him out?" Ben and Cassie both laughed. "Because," Cassie explained, as she took Liam from Ben, "Hunter goes insane if he can't sleep in his room. He'll bark and scratch at the door. He can't be away from him for more than a few minutes."

As if on cue, Hunter came waltzing in and hopped up on the bed. He lay down nearest Cassie since she had Liam. "You," Ben said, while sternly pointing a finger at him. Hunter's ears immediately went down in shame. "You are trouble, mister." 

He rubbed Hunter's head, then cupped his face and made him look at him. "No more waking your brother, you hear me? Or else you're banned from his room and I'll risk having to buy a new door." He scratched his head, then rubbed his back before saying, "And for God's sake, don't give mum a heart attack while we're gone."

Wanda has never really warmed up to Hunter, probably because he is a very active and excitable dog. He'll run around the backyard for hours just because of the pent up energy, but sometimes he likes to greet people with all of that energy, too. Specifically...Wanda.

About an hour later, Wanda and Tim came over to stay with Liam. They showered their grandson in kisses and affection, not being able to wait to spend the weekend with him. "Alright, mum," Ben said, "the number to the hotel is one the fridge, so is Kelly's cell and the restaurant that we'll be eating at tonight. If there's any problem and you can't reach me, just call Karon or even Adam or Tom."

Wanda rolled her eyes at him and said, "You would think I've never taken care of a baby before, Tim." Tim snickered and told his son, "Don't worry, it'll be alright." Ben took a deep breath and said, "I know, it's just...well, Cass and I have never left him for this long, not together at least."

He took Liam from Wanda and covered his face in kisses. Cassie did the same, making him giggle up a storm. "Daddy and I will be back soon, baby," she cooed. "Behave for grandma and grandpa."

Liam grabbed at her nose and she pretended that it hurt when he did, making him laugh. That was always their thing nowadays. Liam then put his hand on Ben's mouth and Ben chuckled, while plucking it with kisses. 

"Alright, baby boy, I love you," he said, before giving Liam a long kiss on the cheek. He gave him back to Wanda and let out a strangled sigh. He, Cassie and Kelly started making their way out to the car, while waving to Liam. 

He waved back, but then suddenly seemed to register that his parents were leaving. "Ma!" He called, making Cassie stop and turn to him. "Oh my God," she breath. "Ben, he said his first word!" Her and Ben practically ran back to him and took him from Wanda once again. 

"Say it again, baby," Cassie said with a smile. He looked at her and gave her a toothless grin. "Ma!" She hugged him to her and started crying. Ben, with a few tears in his eyes, hugged them both and kissed their heads. 

Unfortunately, he hated to break it up. "Come on, love, we're going to miss our flight," he said. Cassie kissed Liam's cheeks and forehead, then handed him back to Wanda. "Bye, baby," she cried, as Ben put his arm over her shoulder and led her to the car. 

Liam started crying, too and kept calling for her. Cassie was a wreck on the way to the airport, with Kelly and Ben trying to console her. Ben was actually wanting to cry like she was, but was trying to remain strong for the both of them. 

"I feel so stupid," she said, as they were waiting in the terminal for their plane. Kelly went to go buy a couple magazines for the trip, so Ben and Cassie had a few minutes for themselves. "You are not stupid," he told her. "You're missing your son and I miss him, too. Especially after what he just pulled, he knows how to tug on your heartstrings now."

They both lightly laughed. "Only seven months and he can say 'ma'," she told him. He smiled and said, "I know. He's going to be a smart boy when he gets older." They stayed wrapped up in each other for a few minutes, then heard their flight being called. 

When they boarded, Ben made sure Kelly was comfortable being by herself before taking his seat next to Cassie. "I'll check in on her in a few hours," he said. "If she wants to switch seats, I have no problem with that."

Cassie took his hand and squeezed it tight. "Thank you for this, Ben," she said. "This really means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to Kelly, too." Ben smiled, then leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips. 

"It is my great pleasure to do this for you both," he told her. "Let's focus on having a fantastic fucking weekend."