The Baker

Chapter 32

Cassie watched him as he paced the room; running his fingers through his hair, taking deep breaths to calm himself down, all while staring down at his phone. He was really nervous and rightfully so. His agent had called him saying he was being considered for playing the villain in the new Star Trek film. They told him he would be getting a call from JJ Abrams himself, but didn't know when. So, needless to say, he turned the ringer up all the way on his phone and made sure it would vibrate, while it rang, in case he couldn't hear it, then he could feel it. Yeah, he was stressing out a bit.

"Ben, why don't you sit down for a minute? Maybe help me wrap these presents for your friends and parents?" Cassie tried to sound as innocent as possible because she didn't know how sensitive he would be at the moment. Ben turned to her and sighed. He looked at her sitting on his bedroom floor, surrounded by presents and wrapping paper and clearly showing deep concern for him. He let his shoulders relax and slumped to the floor next to her. He didn't say anything, he just took a present, a roll of wrapping paper and started wrapping the gift. Cassie stopped what she was doing and watched him curiously. He wrapped it nicely and put a bow on top, but then stopped and looked at her with pure confusion written on his face. "What the hell did I just wrap? And who is it going to?" Cassie laughed and took the present from him.

"This is for your parents. See, I seperated the piles." She pointed to his right and said, "That's Adam and Kate's," she pointed to the middle, "that's your mom and dad's," she pointed to her left, "and that is Martin and Amanda's." Ben smiled adoringly at her and said, "You really are the best, you know that?" Cassie just blushed and continued with her wrapping. Ben continued, as well. It was silent for a few minutes, but then Ben's phone went off. He snatched it off the ground and quickly answered, "H-Hello?" Cassie watched in anticipation as he listened intently to the phone. A few seconds later, his face fell and he said, "No, I don't need insurance, thank you." He hung up and dropped his phone to the floor with an agitated sigh.

Cassie crawled over to him and kissed his cheek. He wrapped his arms around her and brought her to his lap. She ran her fingers through his hair, as he nuzzled his face into her neck. "Try and relax," Cassie whispered into his ear. "You'll get the call, you just have to wait." Ben breathed her in and clawed at her back, as he tried to do as she said. That lasted until his phone buzzed, but before he could get it, Cassie grabbed it away from him. He snapped his head to her and said, "Cass, give it." She shook her head and stood up from his lap. He started crawling towards her, as she started to walk backwards. "Baby, that could be important. Please, give it to me." Again, she shook her head.

Ben quickly grabbed her ankle, which caused her to giggle and stop moving. His phone kept buzzing in her hand. "Cassie..." He lowered his voice an octave. "Give me. My. Phone." He got up on his knees and started to move his hands up her soft legs, while nuzzling his face into her stmoach. He knew she couldn't resist him doing little things like this to her. His phone stopped buzzing for a moment, then started again. Ben growled and took her shirt in between his teeth, pulling it out and letting it snap back. "Don't make me punish you," he purred. He moved his hands up her shirt, earning a sigh and involuntary movement of her arm. Ben quickly reached up and snatched it from her hand and look at the I.D. He grunted and buried his face on her stomach.

"You could have at least told me it was mum," he murmurred against her stomach. She laughed and ran her fingers through his hair. "Now, what would be the fun in that?" Ben wrapped his arms around her thighs and abruptly stood up. Cassie squealed and was suddenly dropped on the bed. Ben was over her in a flash. He tried to act mad and serious, but that started to falter when he watched her try to contain her giggles. The way she was biting her lip to control them, yet the glimmer in her eyes showed that it wasn't going to help as she was just too happy. Too happy with him, just as he is with her.

"Cassie," he said in a tone that made her giggles stop almost immediately. She looked at him in concern and asked, "What's wrong?" He smoothed his hands down her sides and caressed them, as he looked deep into her eyes. He suddenly got nervous and Cassie quickly noticed. She let him take his time to gather his thoughts. After a few shaky breaths, he swallowed the lump in his throat and asked as evenly as he could, "You know I am madly and deeply in love with you, don't you?" She nodded and he continued, "I wanted to wait until Christmas to ask you, but it seems like it's ages away." Cassie giggled, "It's tomorrow, Ben." He rolled his eyes and said, "I know, but I can't wait any longer. Cassie...baby, will you--." He's cut off when his phone starts buzzing. He sighed in annoyance and looked at the I.D.

While giving her an apologetic look, he answered, "Hi, mum, sorry for not answering earlier." Cassie started sliding out from under him, but he stopped her for a moment and kissed her cheek. He gave her a soft smile before letting her go. She went into the kitchen and started thinking about what they could do for lunch. Well, she tried to, at least. Her mind kept wandering to what Ben was going to ask. Will I...will I what? There are so many things! Will I travel with him on his next trip? Will I make dinner tonight? Will I stay an extra night? Will I, will I what?!

"Ugh, whatever," she grumbled. Deciding to not overthink it, she started rummaging through his cabnets to find stuff to eat. Nothing. The man has nothing. He has everything, yet no food. No wonder he stays over at mine all the time. Sighing, she grabbed her purse from the table and walked back into the bedroom. Ben was pacing the floor, looking mentally done with the conversation he was having. He stopped when he saw Cassie and gave her a "Where are you going?" look. She whispered to him, "I'm going to the store. I'll be back soon." Before she could turn away, he reached out to her and said, "Wait, wait, you don't have to do that." He then rolled his eyes and said in to the phone, "Yes, she's here. She's just offering to go to the store, but I don't want to put that burden on her." He said that last part, while looking at her. She rolled her eyes and said, "There's no stopping me! I'll be back." He grunted and said, "Hang on, mum." He put the phone to his shoulder and pecked her on the lips. "Thank you, honey. At least let me give you some money, though?" She shook her head and told him, "Out of the question. Now stop ignoring your mother!" He chuckled and gave her another peck. "I love you." She smiled and said, "I love you, too."

***

Cassie huffed as she carried in several grocery bags on her arms. She shut the door with her foot and hobbled into the kitchen. She could hear Ben's footsteps coming down the stairs. "Cass, you home?" He asked. "Yeah," she called. She set down all the bags on the counter and put her purse and coat away. Ben walked into the kitchen, but stopped dead in his tracks when he saw all the bags. "My God, are you prepping for natural disaster?" He asked with a slight laugh. "Yes," she stated as-a-matter-of-factly. "The natural disaster of your kitchen running completely dry! Now help me put these away, dear?" Ben chuckled and said, "Of course, darling."

They both put everything away fairly quickly. When they were done, Ben brought her into a loving embrace and kissed her soundly on the lips. "Thank you. You are so sweet for doing this. But I fear you are trying to fatten me up, my dear, as I saw plenty of sugary, sweet foods." Cassie mischeviously smiled and told him, "Well, your mother and I think you need to fatten up, good sir. You are way too skinny for your own good." Ben looked at her curiously and asked, "When did you talk to me mother?" While slipping out of his arms, she said, "We e-mail all the time. Normally, she asks advice on baking, and then other times we talk about you. It's all good fun."

Ben leaned back against the counter and watched her prepare them lunch, with a smile. She is everything he's ever wanted. His love and adoration for her cannot be put into words. He loves how she's talking with his mother without him being a part of it. He loves that she goes out and buys him groceries. He loves how she's making him lunch, making sure he "fattens up". Watching her move around his kitchen made him remember what he had started to ask her earlier and he suddenly became nervous again. Come on, Ben, he scolded himself. You were nearly there a couple hours ago. The worst she can say is "no"...and wound my ego a bit, but we'll deal with that if we get there. After taking a deep breath, he said, "Cassie." Cassie popped the bread to their sandwitches in the toaster and turned to him. He had the same look on as earlier, so she could only guess where this was going.

Walking up to her, Ben took her hands in his and looked deep into her eyes. "This is something I've been thinking about for a while now. Just know that if you think this is pushing the boundary a little, then I won't be offended, but," he let out a huge breath, "here goes nothing. Cassie...will you move in with me?"