The Baker, Part 2: Sous Chef

Chapter 39

Ben perked his head up from his computer when he thought he heard something. He looked through his open office door and into the darkened sitting room. He saw a faint light coming from the kitchen, so he got up to check who was up at three in the morning, besides him. Surely enough, he found his overdue pregnant wife rummaging through the cupboards. 

"Baby, what are you doing up?" He softly asked. Cassie turned around and looked absolutely miserable. "I'm so hungry, but we don't have anything I'm craving," she whined. "God, I can't believe I'm a week overdue!" She struggled to sit down at the table, but Ben quickly went to her side to help her. 

He then knelt down next to her and rubbed her knees. "What are you craving, love? I'll go out and get it for you." She sniffled a bit, then said, "Cookies." He nodded and was about to say something, but she continued, "Soft cookies. Also, some Sriracha sauce, too. Avocados sound amazing, as well. So do cupcakes and fresh pasta."

Ben waited to make sure she was done with her list, then said, "Consider it done. Why don't you go upstairs and get into bed and I'll come get you when your...first breakfast...is ready. Okay?" She nodded, then hugged him around the neck. He rubbed her back, then watched as she went upstairs. 

Once he heard the bedroom door shut, he grabbed his motorcycle keys and headed out. It took him a long while to get all that she wanted. He found the soft cookies, Sriracha and avocados pretty quickly, but the cupcakes and fresh pasta were another story. Since it was only four in the morning, the store hadn't completely stocked up yet, which meant no cupcakes. 

There wasn't anyplace open yet that was selling pasta, so he had to buy the box and hope she found his pasta fresh. By the time he got back, it almost five in the morning. He grabbed bagels and coffee from the restaurant on the way back. He also decided to get the cupcakes from there. Since he was the co-owner, he had keys to the place and could come and go as he pleases. 

He walked in to see Julie, who was staying with them until after the twins were born, looking around the kitchen for some breakfast. "The son-in-law delivery service has arrived," he announced. He set down the bagels and coffee, then the bag of groceries. 

"Where on Earth have you been?" She asked. As he took out the pasta to make it, he told her, "Out getting Cass some food. She was up at three this morning looking for...all of this." As he made the pasta, Julie heated them up the bagels and drank her coffee. 

Once the pasta was done, he dished it up and threw some sauce and cheese on it. He then grabbed a plate and put the cookies, cut up avocado and cupcake on it. He put a tiny dish of Sriracha on the side. He put the food on a tray and carried it upstairs. 

It took him a moment to get the door open with his foot, but when he did, he saw Cassie sleeping against her body pillow. It's the same one she had when she was pregnant with Liam. "Hey, beautiful," he whispered as he set the tray down on the bed. "I've got your food."

Cassie stirred awake and smiled when she saw the feast in front of her. "Oh, Benny," she tiredly, cooed. "You really didn't have to do this." She sat up and he put the tray on her lap. "I did," he told her, "because you wanted it. I'll do anything for you." He placed a kiss on her lips, then continued, "You eat up and I am going to get some sleep. I think I've been up for twenty-four hours now."

He got into his pajamas and got into bed. He turned to kiss Cassie's stomach, but halted his movements when he saw her dip a cookie into the Sriracha sauce and eat it. "Uh...goodnight," he told her. She scooped up the cupcake icing with an avocado slice, then said, "Night, babe. I love you so, so much."

He sucked in a deep breath and put his hand over his stomach as she ate the avocado slice. "Bloody hell," he muttered. These cravings are way worse than when she was pregnant with Liam. "I love you, too, darling. Um...make sure you get some sleep and...yeah, okay, I can't watch that."

She giggled at him as she ate the cupcake with pasta on top. He turned his back to her and tightly shut his eyes, trying to get that image out of his head. 

The next time he woke up, it was past noon. Cassie wasn't there, but he could hear her and Julie downstairs. He shuffled out of the room and made his way into the kitchen. "Hi, daddy!" Liam shouted from Julie's lap. "Hey, you," Ben said in a husky voice. He kissed his son's head, then his mother-in-law's cheek and, finally, Cassie's lips. 

"Sleep well?" Cassie asked. He nodded with a yawn and opened up the fridge. Just as he pulled out the carton of orange juice, he heard Hunter start to rapidly bark, then Julie gasp and shout, "Oh my goodness!" He dropped the carton and spun around to see Cassie holding on to her stomach and the floor completely soaked beneath her. 

"Oh fuck," he breathed out, as he made eye contact with his wife. Julie put Liam aside and ran over to her daughter while Ben, still in his tired state, couldn't seem to move. "Alright, sweetie, sit down," Julie softly instructed, "and breathe. Benedict, where's the bag?" 

Ben shook himself out of his trance and said, "Uh, um...by...by the door. It's by the door, I'll go grab it!" He ran out and grabbed the packed hospital bag. He then ran outside and threw it into the brand new car. He decided they needed a newer and bigger one if they were going to keep popping out kids like this. 

After making sure both carseats were ready to go, he ran back inside to hear Julie comforting Cassie. "That's it, baby girl, keeping breathing, there you go." Liam was on the floor next to Hunter looking scared. "Hey, buddy, come here," Ben quickly said as he picked up his son. "Daddy, mommy's hurt," Liam cried. 

Ben kissed his head, then told him, "She's going to be alright, I promise. Julie, can you take him while I get Cass to the car?" Julie took Liam while Ben took Cassie's hand. The pain immediately started to surge through his bones the moment she gripped it. He grunted, then said, "Come on, baby."

He helped her up and carefully walked her to the car. "Ben, I'm not ready for this," she panted. He chuckled, "I don't think either of us are, darling, but there's no going back now."