The Baker, Part 2: Sous Chef

Chapter 33

"I love this city," Ben said as he looked out of the hotel window in New York. Cassie looked from where she was unpacking and said, "So do I. Honestly, I like it more than London." Ben turned and gave her a shocked look. "Strong declaration there, missy. Might have to divorce you for that one."

He gave her a wink as she rolled her eyes with a smile. A moment later, Liam came running in from his room and said, "Bwig Bwildings!" Ben picked him up and said, "Those are some pretty big buildings, aren't they? What do you say we go see some more of them? Cass, are you up for a walk?"

Cassie shook her head and told him, "No, I'm okay. You two go, though." He looked at her oddly. She's always up for walks, especially in this city. "Liam, why don't you go get your shoes on," he said while setting down his son. Liam bolted to his room and Ben went up to his wife. 

"Hey," he softly said as he put his hands on her hips, "you okay?" She nodded and told him, "Fine." He rested his chin on her shoulder and said, "No you're not. You're turning down a walk in New York City. Something is clearly wrong."

As he wrapped his arms completely around her, she sighed and leaned back into him. "Talk to me, baby," he gently prodded. "What's in that silly head of yours?" She craned her neck back so she could look up at him and said, "It's not what's in my head."

She took his hand from her hip and set it on her stomach. His eyes blew wide. "You're pregnant," he said. She nodded with a half smile. His smile was so wide, she thought his  face would crack. "Darling, that's...oh my god!" He turned her to face him and brought her into a hug. "Baby, this is amazing!"

She wrapped her arms around him and buried her face into his neck. "Hey, what's wrong?" He asked as he placed small kisses on her head. "Aren't you happy?" She let out a shaky breath and said, "I feel like I should be, but...I'm scared, Ben." She didn't have to tell him why because he already knew. 

"It's not going to happen again," he told her. "I know it isn't something you can control, but I know it won't. Your love for Liam is so special and it will be that reminder that will let you love this baby." He could feel his neck getting wet from her tears. He gently shushed her and rubbed her back. 

"Daddy, daddy!" Ben turned his head to look at his son, who came proudly into the room with his shoes on. "Oh, look at you, big boy," he cooed. "Give me a minute and I'll come and tie them for you." Liam ran out of the room once again and Ben gently peeled Cassie from him. He wiped her tears with his thumbs, then kissed her head. 

"Take a nap, darling," he told her. "I'll get Liam out of here for a few hours so you can rest easy." She smiled a bit, then got into the bed. After Ben pulled the covers up over her and kissed her head, he went into Liam's room. "Alright, troublemaker, let's get your shoes tied."

He tried to get Liam to pay attention on how to tie his shoes, but he was too distracted by pointing at the buildings he could see from his window. Ben got everything ready to be out for a few hours, then left after checking on Cassie. He was happy to see she was out like a light.

As promised, he kept Liam out for a few hours; taking him on a lengthy walk and stopped to get some lunch. He missed having this father-son time. He never regrets having to go away to film, but the reminder of how much he loved bonding with his son made him feel some regret. 

When he got them back to the room, Cassie wasn't in bed, but he could hear the shower running and some soft humming in the bathroom. After putting Liam down for his nap, Ben quietly went into the bathroom and stripped down. He didn't want to give his wife a heart attack, so he softly announced himself by saying, "I've always said you have a beautiful singing voice."

He could hear her quietly gasp from surprise, so he opened the shower curtain and joined her. "You scared me," she lightly laughed. He chuckled as he said, "Sorry, love. Have a good nap?" She nodded and put her head on his strong, bare chest. "I feel a lot better," she told him. 

He soothingly ran his hands up and down her back as he held her close. "How do you feel about the baby?" He asked. She stepped away from his embrace and looked up at him. She put her hand over her stomach and smiled. "I'm very happy," she told him. "Besides, our deal was three years."

It was a relief to hear that! "That it was," he told her with a smile. "Christ, I'm so happy we're having another." He put his large hand on her stomach. "Did you go see a doctor or only take the tests?" She told him, "Only the tests. I took them right before we left. Why?"

She could see a curious look on his face as he looked at her stomach. "Because," he said, "you're already showing. Like, really showing. How did we not notice this?" She shrugged as she said, "I figured it was all the leftovers I was eating from the restaurant. I don't know how you didn't notice, Mr. I'm-horny-all-the-time."

He chuckled at that, but then asked, "Why would I? Your body is perfect every time I see it. I don't care about a few pounds...hell, I don't care about a few hundred!" She buried her face in his chest as she laughed. As it subsided, she ran her hands down his muscular chest and traced the outlines of his abs.

"Have I mentioned that I quite like your Marvel bod?" She asked. He smirked as she told her, "Only once or twice. I'm glad all those brutal work outs and diets paid off." He watched as her fingers traced the bulges on his biceps while the other focused on going much lower...