"Mama!!" Akaen laughed running towards me. I smiled kneeling down as he ran into my arms. I laughed spinning him around before hugging him and ruffling his short blonde hair. His brown eyes stared back at me as he grinned showing off his tiny teeth. "Were you a good boy for granny today?" I asked as I walked into the bakery, holding the basket in one hand, and Akaen in my other. "Yes" he said triumphantly. I laughed as I placed the basket down. "I'm back granny, my recipe was a success! We are all sold out!" I smiled as I walked up to her. She turned to look at me.
"That's great news, must've been because of aka over here sprinkling the flour on the dough" she said laughing
"Wows was he really such a good boy today! I'll have to give him a treat, what would you like honey" I asked kissing the top of his head.
"Hmm, I want mama's custard buns!!" He exclaimed
"Ohoo, I haven't made those in a while, you'll have to be patient then" I smiled. He nodded jumping up and down before going upstairs. I looked towards grandma laughing, "you seem so much better than when I saw you 2 years ago" she smiled side hugging me. "It's all thank to you and Conis" I smiled
"Well you've been a great help over the years, and have even taught me a thing or two about bread" she chuckles.
"You've taught me a lot also" I grinned. We chatted as I made the dough and custard for the buns. They had to rise a Fair amount, so I went out for the grocery shopping, "Akaen can you come help me buy some groceries!" I called out.
"I'm comingggg!!" He shouted as I heard him run down the stairs like thunder. I held his hand as we went to the shops buying essentials like milk, flour, eggs. I handed the eggs the Akaen, "be careful with those ok, they break easily" I said. He nodded as he held onto them tightly and gently, focussing hard on them. We were walking past an ice cream parlour, "would you like one son!"
"Yes please dad!" The child replied. I felt my breath hitch as I hurriedly turned to Akaen, "would you like some ice cream honey?" I asked . He was silent for a while, before looking at me grinning "yes please mama!" He said. I got him whichever flavour he wanted, while I picked honeydew melon. We ate as we went home.
It was moments like these that surprised me the most, he acted so mature for his age, already speaking well and helping out. I was even shocked now, most children would be asking for their father, but he never has, not once. But I could tell he missed that feeling, besides the only father figure he has are the guys from Shandora that come to visit him every now and then and take him on little adventures. "Mama look I finished, and I made no mess at all!!" He exclaimed showing me.
"Wow what a good boy! Now mama has to make sure those buns are super delicious for you" I smiled. He cheered as we entered the bakery, we were beginning to close now, 8pm it was. I set down the groceries as I begin assembling and making the buns. I heard a knock at the door. I frowned "who could it be at this hour" I muttered as I took off the cooked buns And placed them on a plate. Akaen who was watching me was about to follow, when I told him to wait in the kitchen. He pouted before sitting on his baby stool. I opened the door slightly finding Wiper, "oh Mr Wiper how can I help you?" I asked opening the door slightly wider. "I heard my young man didn't make any mess today, I'm here to give him a high five" he said. I laughed, "he's inside the kitchen", I said letting him in."how did you find out? I don't remember telling anyone" I asked confused.
"Some people in the village saw and let me know as I was coming towards the bakery" he said as he walked inside, "Mr Wiper! You're here!" He said running up to him hugging him, "I heard you made no mess today, you know what that means, we're gonna go on an adventure next week, I'm here to tell your mum about it too" he said looking towards me. I nodded, "as long as you and the guys keep him safe ok" I said as I finished cooking the buns.
I offered it to the both of them as they scarfed them down, "I picked a good time to come round huh" Wiper laughed
"Yeah! Mama's buns are the best!" Akaen grinned
"Pffttt hahahah" me and Wiper burst out laughing.
"What's so funny?!" Akaen pouted,
"It's nothing " I said wiping away a few tears from my eyes.
"Well I'd say they're pretty nice, thick and juicy" Wiper said looking at me, I blushed looking away, slightly pissed at his comment.
"I'm sorry but it's his bedtime now, so if you don't mind I'll take him up to sleep" I said trying to hint for him to leave. "I had something to talk to you about, so I'll wait for you here" Wiper said. I frowned slightly before picking up Akaen and getting him ready for bed. I tucked him in, resting a kiss on his cheek, "have a good sleep dear" I said smiling gently. "Thanks ma" he said grinning. I smiled before closing the door. I headed downstairs, "would you like some water?" I asked as I filled up a glass for myself , "no thanks" he replied. I shrugged before coming over I rested against the worktop as he was sitting on the floor. "What did you want to speak to me about?" I asked
"Have you thought about my proposal" he said looking up at me
"I already said no, I'm sorry I can't" I said looking away
"But why? It's been two years and your husband isn't here yet, he's probably forgotten about you?! Just move on with your life, Akaen likes me too, there's no problems there. Don't you like me??!" He asked moving to hold me by the shoulders.
"Wiper i don't reciprocate your feelings, I'm married, I can't turn my back on him" I said looking up at him
"Ren, he isn't coming ok, forget him, you have me, and everyone else here, can't you just move on! I don't care if you're already married, i can make exceptions, it's fine" he said shaking me slightly.
"Why can't you understand Wiper, I can't abandon him, he said he will come get me, and he will, he's strong, he'll make it here I know it" I said my eyes tearing up slightly as I looked into his. There was pain evident on his expression, he opened his mouth the speak but stopped, he let out a chuckle "if only, if only I met you before you found him. Then none of this would have happened, you can't even deny your feelings for me" he said looking at me. "Wiper...I'm sorry. But Im not interested" I said looking down
"Hmph, fine. But if he never comes back...my offers still open for you" he said
"I think you need to move on, you need to forget about me, for your sake" I said looking at him. "If there was any drug in the world to make me forget believe me I'd take it, but it would get rid of almost all my good memories" he said
"All I did was deliver you bread, nothing more" I chuckled
"To me, that was everything, glad to see you didn't feel the same way" he said spitefully before leaving. I locked up the door and turned the lights off, sitting in the dark as I sipped my water. I rested my head back closing my eyes, his words echoing "he isn't coming back" I let out a dull laugh.
"Mr Vinsmoke where are you?" I whispered biting my lip
