The Baker, Part 2: Sous Chef

Chapter 31

"Well, Mr. Cumberbatch, you are officially co-owner of this fine establishment," Cassie proudly said as Ben signed the last page of the contract. "Now, it's only for six months, but if you want to extend it because you feel you can handle it, then we'll do that." Ben smiled proudly and said, "Great! When do I start?"

Cassie looked out of her office window and saw the lunch rush starting to kick in. "You can start right now if you'd like? It looks like we need an extra cashier in the bakery, so you can go ahead and do that. I need to fill in for one of the servers in the restaurant." Ben stood up and said, "Yes, ma'am. I'll get right to it!"

He went out there with the excitement of a little kid on his first day of school. Of course, Cassie hadn't thought about what kind of impact he might have on the place, especially right now. The moment he was seen, girls started screaming for him, even tried to push past people to be first in line. Sometimes Cassie forgets he's a huge star because that's just simply how she doesn't see him. 

He's her goofball husband. 

Ben expressed to everyone how he would not be taking pictures or autographs "on the job". He even told them, "My wife is my boss, so let's not get me in any trouble here." Things were pretty mellow after that. 

Close to closing, Cassie told Ben to take a break, but he didn't want to. He was enjoying this so much, he simply didn't want to stop. But, as he said before, his wife is his boss and he did as he was told. By the time he came back, everything had died down and Kelly was showing him how to make their most popular items on the menu. 

"Cass does it best when she does it, but we all try our best," she told him as she made the Mozzarella. "What about the sauce?" Ben asked. Kelly chuckled, "Yeah, no one gets to make that. She makes a fresh batch every night since it has to simmer until the morning. She won't tell anyone the recipe. I know it, of course, because it's a family recipe, but I would never attempt it."

As if on cue, Cassie came into the kitchen after locking everything up to make the sauce. "Not even going to share the secret with your husband?" Ben asked as he watched her skin the raw pork meat. "Nope," she told him with a smile. "I'll tell our son, but...don't know if I can trust you."

"No?" He asked as he rested his hands on her hips. "What can I do to persuade you?" She giggled as she shrugged his hands off and said, "You can take Kelly, pick Liam up from your mom's, then order pizza." He laughed knowing that is most definitely not how he's going to get the recipe. As a matter of fact, he's fine with never knowing. 

"I'll get to it, then," he told her. "We'll see you at home, love." He pecked a kiss to her lips, then left with Kelly. They went to pick up Liam, then got pizza on the way home. "I'm going to regret this when I have to change your diapers," Ben said as he fed Liam some pepperoni. "Could always have Cassie do it," Kelly said with a smirk. 

Ben chuckled as he told her, "I could, but I love her. I also don't fancy getting a divorce." About an hour later, Kelly went into her room as Ben put away the leftover pizza. "Alright, champ," he said as he picked up Liam and walked him to the bathroom, "time for your bath."

As he was carefully washing up Liam, he heard the front door open. "Pizza's in the fridge, love," he called. "Your cider is in there, too!" He smirked when he heard the fridge open and close. A few moments later, Cassie leaned against the doorway with pizza in one hand and a cider in the other. "This is the best pizza ever," she said with her mouth full. 

Ben laughed as he told her, "Yeah because you're probably starving. You've had a long day, babe, go relax." She nodded, but then went over and kissed Liam on the head, then Ben's. After almost ten minutes, Ben got Liam out of the tub and into his pajamas. "Let's go say goodnight to mummy," he said. 

He went into the bedroom to see Cassie passed out. "Or not," he whispered with a light chuckle. He put Liam in his crib and fluttered his face in kisses. "I love you, my beautiful boy. See you in the morning."