Stefan came into the bakery an hour early than his normal shift, Their delivery driver wanted to come by to pick up the next shipment in a couple of hours, and get everything delivered to the stores as soon as possible, So when Karen called Stefan last night, asking if he could come into the bakery an hour early. Stefan said he could. Walking into the back kitchen, Stefan turned on the light and took a look around at the kitchen for a moment. He then grabbed his apron, after he tide the apron around his waist, Stefan grabbed everything he needed and started baking.

After Stefan spent the last two hours baking, he heard knocking coming from the kitchen back door. Stefan opened the door and nods his head as he it was their delivery driver." Good morning Jason." Stefan said as he opened the door wider and put the door stopper down as he moved to the side and let Jason come in.

" Morning Stefan." Jason greeted with a nod as he walked into the kitchen with his lifter. After he placed the ten boxes of fresh baked goods on to it, He back out of the kitchen when Stefan carried the last five boxes in his arms.

" Thanks, man." Jason said as he closed the back of his delivery truck up." I gotta get these delivered." He said as he shook Stefan's hand." Have a good day." He said with a nod.

" Yeah, you too man." Stefan said as he backed up and watched Jason leave. Jason isn't much of a talker really, he just comes by the bakery around Eight am in the morning and pick up the fresh bakes and leave. Stefan was okay with that. He then walked back into the kitchen as he closed the back door behind him. After Stefan quickly washed his hands and hung his apron up, he walked out towards the front of the bakery to take his break.

When he walked out front he noticed Karen was already placing the cakes into the display case." Good morning, Karen." Stefan said as he walked behind the counter and poured himself coffee.

" Good morning, Stefan." Karen said as she looked up from the resumes she was going through." Did Jason came for the shipments?" Karen asked as she took a drink of her coffee.

Stefan nods his head as he took a sip of his coffee, before he sat across from her." Yeah, he just left." Stefan set his cup down being careful not to spill it all over the table as he noticed the resumes and applications." Are you hiring more people?"

Karen just shrugged her shoulders." Maybe, Nathan wants me to hire another cashier, actually he suggested it. He seems to believe that I'm working too much." Karen said with a slight chuckle and an eye roll." If you ask me, I think he's the one who's working too much." Nathan is an contractor. So he works long hours, sometimes weeks, depending on how big the job is.

" I think you should hire another cashier." Stefan responded as he took another drink of his coffee that was semi-semi-warm already.

" Have you been talking to my husband, behind my back?" Karen asked accusing Stefan as she brought her brows together.

Stefan chuckled as he shook his head." Of course, not. All I am saying is that you could use the extra help, especially in the morning."

" Well, I guess I can hire someone to open up the bakery on the week days, so I can take our son Jamie to school in the morning, when Nathan can't. But I don't know though... I just hate having to train someone, that's why I work alone." Karen sighs for a moment as she nods her head." Alright, I will hire a new cashier."

Stefan nods his head as he got up from his chair and grabbed his cup." Good, I should get back to work." Stefan said as he walked back into the kitchen and got started on the next batch of baked goods.

Karen took out her cell and called the first number on the resumes and set up interview that afternoon.


Caroline had just gotten out of the shower when she heard her cell going off, Wrapping the towel around her body, Caroline walked into their room and over to her nightstand and answered without even checking the caller ID.

" Hello?" Caroline asked as she sat down on the bed.

" Hey, Caroline. it's Nora." Nora answered. Nora happens to be another Stewardess Caroline works with, along with Mary Louise, who happens to be Nora's fiance. When Caroline first learn that they were dating, Caroline was little shocked since she never met two lesbians before. But all three of them became good friends.

" Hey, Nora. What's up?"

" We gotta fly out this weekend." Nora answered. For the past few months there hasn't been any flights because of the Covid. So, nobody hasn't been able to fly anywhere. But now looks like the San Diego Airport is finally opening up and people are already starting to book their flights.

" Where are we going?"

" I think New Orleans."

" For how long?" Caroline asked as she wanted to make sure to let Stefan know how long she's going to be gone for.

" I think for a week."

" I gotta talk to Stefan, and I gotta let Ric know as well since I was supposed to have the girls all next week, but I am sure he wouldn't mind having them a little longer though." During school week Caroline has the girls and Ric gets them during the weekend. It's what they both agreed on, when they both decided to share custody of the girls.

" Are you sure, he will be okay with it?" Nora asked.

" Oh yeah, he will be fine. Thanks Nora, I will see you in a couple of days and tell Mary Louise that I said hi."

" Any time Caroline, and I will." Nora said as she ended the call.

Setting her cell back down, Caroline got up from their bed and walked over to the dresser, After she got dressed and brushed her hair, Caroline started to wonder if she could stay with Rebekah and Marcel for the week. Caroline hasn't talked to Rebekah since Elena's baby shower last month, and they could catch up. She grabbed her cell and called Rebekah, letting her know that she's coming to New Orleans in a few days for work.

AN: Caroline is going to let Ric know what's going on in the next chapter, and then she's off to New Orleans for the week. Don't worry there's gonna be some familiar faces. Leave some reviews and let me know what you all think of this story, so far. As always happy reading everyone!!