Fate - Chapter 41 - Holiday Bliss
Fate
Chapter 41 - Holiday Bliss
POV: Cassandra / Zac
December 25, 2006
I expected that Joshua would wake me up, but it was actually Zac who woke me up around dawn because it was snowing outside! It wasn’t unheard of for it to snow but it was a little rare, so it was nice. We were heading to his parent’s but we would open some stuff here before going there. Since we were awake, we fixed a quick and light breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and bacon. When Joshua woke up Zac went upstairs to get him and brought him down. He was eating solids now, not a lot of variety because we hadn’t been long started them. He had a vegetable and a fruit, which he was getting bananas this morning. Since he was sitting up pretty much on his own now, or with little assistance Zac used the high chair.
“You know one year he’ll attack the wrapped items before he does anything else.”
He looked at me. “I am totally looking forward to that day!”
“What time are we due at your parent’s?”
“Eleven. You know that we don’t have to go there.”
“It’s Christmas Zac, yes, we have to.”
My parents were in town also and they’d come here yesterday to celebrate with them, they would be with my aunts and uncles today and they still weren’t ready to readmit me into the family tree just yet, they were still pissed at the things that Joshua had made me say and do back then to both my parents and them.
He finished giving him the baby food and then I took the bottle, which finished his breakfast and then he got changed into his Christmas outfit. It was a red long sleeve onesie with my first Christmas across the top, there was a reindeer head between My and First. There were matching pants that were red and white striped and on his butt would be the same reindeer head. He then had white socks. Zac and I had red pajamas, his idea. We’d have to change before leaving. I took pictures of Zac with him as he opened the items Zac had gotten, including mostly toys and even some he could ride on or learn to walk with. Joshua got a break as Zac opened his from me, all but the one he wouldn’t get until later tonight that he didn’t even know existed.
I had gotten him a lot of new video games and clothes, ones that actually fit him and were not too baggy.
“Trying to tell me something?”
“Yeah, you look super nice in clothes that fit.”
“You just like staring at my ass, admit it.”
I just smiled. I took Joshua while he opened mine, which I had gotten him different toys as well and some new outfits. Watching him unwrap things was so nice, the way he would be excited to rip the paper and even if he had no idea what was going on it was good. He sat here even as Zac handed me mine, which he’d gotten clothes as well.
“I wasn’t entirely sure of your preference, but I went with kind of what you normally chose.”
“They’re fine.”
The last item he took Joshua from me and sat the bag in my lap. It was a huge bag which took me several minutes to get the items out. He’d gotten me a new camera, a very expensive, very nice new camera and a new case. I couldn’t resist jumping him, glad he’d put Joshua in his bouncer.
“Wow, you do this for everything you open and like?”
I kissed him. “Maybe.”
“I’ll remember that for next year.”
I got about 2 hours to play with the new camera before we had to change, we’d opted to wear the same outfits we wore for the pictures, only Joshua would remain in his. We were at his parents on time, thankfully. Thanksgiving had been rather tense here, awkward and maybe a little unpleasant. I was hoping today wouldn’t be the same. Avery was practically waiting by the door and took Joshua from Zac and she was off. Zac soon vanished too but I found his Mom and Dad in the kitchen with Jessica.
“Hi Cassie.” She said.
“Hello, is there anything I can do?”
“We got it.” Jessica said.
“Jessica.” Diana said.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. Mom?”
“Certainly, why don’t you two finish up these dishes while Walker and I go make sure things are settled.”
Neither of us complained and she took washing while I rinsed and dried. It was quiet for a little while before she finally stopped.
“You aren’t telling me to get lost or butt out.” She said.
“I may not have siblings but I have cousins that were close. I get it Jessica, you don’t want to see them hurt or upset. I understand, you hate Megan for the things she did to your brothers. I’m not her and I don’t know what else I can do to make you see that.”
She sighed. “It’s not you Cassie, it’s me. I thought Megan was gold. She was so pleasant and nice and I thought they were going to last. Then she destroyed everything.”
I gently nudged her arm. “I can’t come in and fix it unless you let me.”
“Fix it? There’s no fixing what she did.”
I just smiled. “There is Jessica, it just takes more than me. I don’t have eyes for your oldest two brothers, just the one. I hope Isaac’s current girlfriend, Alicia, is the one for him. But you guys need to back off Zac, he’s dealing with enough concerning Megan.”
She looked at me. “What does he have to do with her? She gave up custody.”
“She’s trying to get it back Jess, he didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
“They’ve had one court date already, she’s filed to reinstate and if that happens he may be forced to share custody with her. He probably didn’t say anything because every time he makes a decisions everyone bitches about it. But Taylor and Isaac knew.”
“You know I hate smartass observers, right?”
“While I’m there…I know you hate Megan but you need to stop blaming Joshua. He’s part of you, he’s part of Zac. He’s more like Zac than her. He deserves to have two aunts, not just one.”
She rolled her eyes. “Observant. How did you know?”
I smiled. “It’s not hard to see. You don’t want to know him because of what Megan did, you want to but you don’t because of her. Trust me Jessica, it won’t hurt Megan, just Joshua.”
“I sometimes hate when you are right.”
“We don’t get this done your mom is going to be skinning us both alive.”
She laughed and we finally got the dishes done in time to eat, I wanted to ask about what I was right about, but didn’t. Lunch, or dinner, was way too much food but it was really good food! Afterwards we gathered in the living room and between Taylor and I we had the camera situation covered.
“Did you two strategically place yourselves” Alicia asked.
“I guess so. I didn’t realize it.” Taylor said.
I didn’t expect anything here but I was rather shocked that everyone in the room got me something, and of course they had items. I sensed a theme after the second one, tripods, lenses, extra batteries and chargers. Taylor provided the lenses and Isaac? The one I thought for sure hated me, got the very expensive program to professionally edit and create pictures.
“I expect nothing less than perfect photos.” Ike said.
“When do you get non-perfect ones now?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes. By the time I had everything opened I had virtually everything I needed for a professional set up. Zac looked exhausted so I took over Joshua opening for a while. He clearly racked up for people who seemed to not want him for six months. But about three it clearly showed because he hadn’t napped long and he was getting whiney with everyone. It was actually Taylor that had him when he said mama, he looked confused. For that matter, everyone in the room did.
“Is he…asking for Megan?” Taylor asked.
“No.” Zac said.
He kept asking so I just got up and walked over. “He’s asking for me.”
Avery cleared the chair and I sat down, even though she had plenty of room to sit beside me. He rather curled up against me and held on.
“He’s just tired, he usually naps around noon but he didn’t sleep long.”
I expected an argument, some disagreement but Diana smiled.
“I think I can surely say that we prefer you over her.”
“Speaking of…I know everyone hates my decisions but I need character witnesses in January. She filed to reinstate her rights.” Zac said.
“She what?” Walker asked.
“She claimed she was coerced and she was upset and didn’t know what to do. The judge ordered an inspection which was already done and she wants witnesses to her behavior and to how I handle things.”
“You can count me in. I’m not letting her take him now.” Ike said.
I was sure that Zac and I both were stunned at that but it kind of cascaded around the room.
-Zac-
I was shocked that Isaac was the first and then everyone, I wasn’t use to this! But Avery put her arms around Cassie and looked at me sternly.
“You can’t get rid of Cassie! You have to keep her.”
I blinked. “I wouldn’t dare. Why would you think that?”
“Maddi told me a few weeks ago she was going to be my sister soon. She said the two of you were getting back together.”
My mom blinked. “Is that true?”
“Maddi came by to talk to me, but we’re not getting back together. She shouldn’t be telling anyone that either. No worries Avie, Cassie isn’t going anywhere. I would be an idiot to take his mama away from him.”
Cassie’s cheeks flushed some and I quite liked that look.
“I think that’s a good decision.” Harper said.
I blinked at her. “You do?”
“Hey, she’s my friend and she talks to me but I can tell when you’re happy. She can’t apparently.”
I was sure acceptance to Cassie was big and this was about as close to that as she could get! Cassie did look tired though and while Joshua had napped briefly with her, it wasn’t enough. Maybe, that would mean he would be asleep sooner and I could get a few hours with Cassie alone.
She had gone to the doctor last Wednesday because her headaches were bothering her more, she didn’t say much about the appointment just that the doctor said less salt and more rest. She did give her something to take to help with the headaches though.
About 4:30 I began to load everything up, he had racked up on toys and I now had a lot more than he needed. While I was taking the stuff to the car my mother made up plates to send home with us, she was going to make damn sure we didn’t starve! I think she sent enough home with us to last for days. Once things were loaded we said our byes and headed home. Got everything mostly put away before it was feeding Joshua and us and getting him settled.
But by 8:15 Joshua was in his pajamas and he was asleep in his swing, which he was almost too big for now. She hadn’t turned the TV on or anything, so the only light was the lights from the tree, twinkling and glowing. She got up from the sofa and went to the tree, retrieving another wrapped package and then she sat down beside me.
“Where did that come from?”
“I hid it there on purpose, I kind of wanted to give this one to you once he was asleep and it was just us.”
It was wrapped in green paper, which is probably why I hadn’t seen it, added it wasn’t near the bottom. It had my name on it written in her neat handwriting. I unwrapped the package to a small white box. I had no idea what this could be or what to expect, so I slipped the top off. Inside laying against blue tissue paper was a white oblong shaped object with a clear pink cover on one end. In the center was a little rounded window with two pink vertical lines. Just to the left of that window were words and the one beside the two vertical lines said ‘pregnant’. I sat and stared at it for several minutes before the dots seem to connect.
“Cassandra…”
“Think you can handle being a father all over again?”
I blinked. “This is…yours? Like…right now? As in…we’re having a baby?”
She nodded. “Yes. I went to the doctor for the headaches and to also ask for a new prescription for birth control. They require a test and well, it came back positive. You and I are expecting a baby.”
I had no idea how I should feel, but shock was one and well, happiness was another one.
“Tell me it wasn’t the first time we had sex…”
She laughed. “No. The doctor couldn’t quite tell but I think it’s more recent. I called and made an appointment with an OBGYN for January, that doctor will be able to tell us more. The general doctor couldn’t do much but confirm, which she did with a blood test too. I had headaches the first time, but my mom felt more like it was him hitting me that caused them.”
Honestly, I heard OBGYN and they could tell ‘us’ more out of everything she said. Us. My brain latched onto that concept, us implies she and I.
“Us? You mean that I can…?”
“You will be at every appointment unless you don’t want to be. But, January is mandatory, so is February, and March..I’m sure you get where I am going.”
She smiled and I giggled. “I get where it’s going but no problems I’ll be there every single appointment. But, Cassie are you okay with this?”
I didn’t know if she really wanted children right now or with me even. I know she loved Joshua but this wouldn’t be someone she can walk away from. What few doubts were creeping up, were squished when she kissed me. It clearly said she didn’t mind and she was okay with this. When she pulled away I couldn’t even find the right words to fully express how I felt about her and about this.
I was going to have another baby and I would be there for the entire pregnancy, I’d get that experience that I missed with Megan’s. The words seem to tumble from my lips faster than I could stop them, yet I didn’t regret them.
“Will you marry me?”
Yep, shocked her. Her eyes grew wide and she seemed stunned just looking at me.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I can’t imagine waking up without you. I love you and I want you to marry me.”
I thought asking Maddi was nerve wracking, waiting for her to answer me was way worse. Maybe it was the admission that I do love her, which didn’t fully shock me but at the same time it did. Clearly, it shocked her. I could also see the little pools in her eyes though.
“Yes, I will marry you because I can’t lose you and Joshua, I can’t do this alone. I love you and I want to be here.”
I pulled her into my lap and kissed her. “I kind of don’t have an engagement ring.”
She smiled. “You don’t need one really, I’ll be content without one.”
“No, you have to have one. I’ll get you one.”
I sat there a moment, holding her. I really couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas. My family seemed to finally accept my choices, accept that Joshua was part of me as well. I’d not ignored that Jessica had actually played with him. My family seemed to accept Cassie and boy would this be a shock to them. I find out that I’ll have another baby next year and now she’ll be my wife. I really don’t think anything could top this.
We went up to bed about nine and while I really didn’t expect sex since she said she was pregnant I was rather shocked she initiated it! It was easier since Joshua was now in his room and not mine, but damn I’d have to start all over again in several months!
Chapter 41 - Holiday Bliss
POV: Cassandra / Zac
December 25, 2006
I expected that Joshua would wake me up, but it was actually Zac who woke me up around dawn because it was snowing outside! It wasn’t unheard of for it to snow but it was a little rare, so it was nice. We were heading to his parent’s but we would open some stuff here before going there. Since we were awake, we fixed a quick and light breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and bacon. When Joshua woke up Zac went upstairs to get him and brought him down. He was eating solids now, not a lot of variety because we hadn’t been long started them. He had a vegetable and a fruit, which he was getting bananas this morning. Since he was sitting up pretty much on his own now, or with little assistance Zac used the high chair.
“You know one year he’ll attack the wrapped items before he does anything else.”
He looked at me. “I am totally looking forward to that day!”
“What time are we due at your parent’s?”
“Eleven. You know that we don’t have to go there.”
“It’s Christmas Zac, yes, we have to.”
My parents were in town also and they’d come here yesterday to celebrate with them, they would be with my aunts and uncles today and they still weren’t ready to readmit me into the family tree just yet, they were still pissed at the things that Joshua had made me say and do back then to both my parents and them.
He finished giving him the baby food and then I took the bottle, which finished his breakfast and then he got changed into his Christmas outfit. It was a red long sleeve onesie with my first Christmas across the top, there was a reindeer head between My and First. There were matching pants that were red and white striped and on his butt would be the same reindeer head. He then had white socks. Zac and I had red pajamas, his idea. We’d have to change before leaving. I took pictures of Zac with him as he opened the items Zac had gotten, including mostly toys and even some he could ride on or learn to walk with. Joshua got a break as Zac opened his from me, all but the one he wouldn’t get until later tonight that he didn’t even know existed.
I had gotten him a lot of new video games and clothes, ones that actually fit him and were not too baggy.
“Trying to tell me something?”
“Yeah, you look super nice in clothes that fit.”
“You just like staring at my ass, admit it.”
I just smiled. I took Joshua while he opened mine, which I had gotten him different toys as well and some new outfits. Watching him unwrap things was so nice, the way he would be excited to rip the paper and even if he had no idea what was going on it was good. He sat here even as Zac handed me mine, which he’d gotten clothes as well.
“I wasn’t entirely sure of your preference, but I went with kind of what you normally chose.”
“They’re fine.”
The last item he took Joshua from me and sat the bag in my lap. It was a huge bag which took me several minutes to get the items out. He’d gotten me a new camera, a very expensive, very nice new camera and a new case. I couldn’t resist jumping him, glad he’d put Joshua in his bouncer.
“Wow, you do this for everything you open and like?”
I kissed him. “Maybe.”
“I’ll remember that for next year.”
I got about 2 hours to play with the new camera before we had to change, we’d opted to wear the same outfits we wore for the pictures, only Joshua would remain in his. We were at his parents on time, thankfully. Thanksgiving had been rather tense here, awkward and maybe a little unpleasant. I was hoping today wouldn’t be the same. Avery was practically waiting by the door and took Joshua from Zac and she was off. Zac soon vanished too but I found his Mom and Dad in the kitchen with Jessica.
“Hi Cassie.” She said.
“Hello, is there anything I can do?”
“We got it.” Jessica said.
“Jessica.” Diana said.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. Mom?”
“Certainly, why don’t you two finish up these dishes while Walker and I go make sure things are settled.”
Neither of us complained and she took washing while I rinsed and dried. It was quiet for a little while before she finally stopped.
“You aren’t telling me to get lost or butt out.” She said.
“I may not have siblings but I have cousins that were close. I get it Jessica, you don’t want to see them hurt or upset. I understand, you hate Megan for the things she did to your brothers. I’m not her and I don’t know what else I can do to make you see that.”
She sighed. “It’s not you Cassie, it’s me. I thought Megan was gold. She was so pleasant and nice and I thought they were going to last. Then she destroyed everything.”
I gently nudged her arm. “I can’t come in and fix it unless you let me.”
“Fix it? There’s no fixing what she did.”
I just smiled. “There is Jessica, it just takes more than me. I don’t have eyes for your oldest two brothers, just the one. I hope Isaac’s current girlfriend, Alicia, is the one for him. But you guys need to back off Zac, he’s dealing with enough concerning Megan.”
She looked at me. “What does he have to do with her? She gave up custody.”
“She’s trying to get it back Jess, he didn’t tell you?”
“No.”
“They’ve had one court date already, she’s filed to reinstate and if that happens he may be forced to share custody with her. He probably didn’t say anything because every time he makes a decisions everyone bitches about it. But Taylor and Isaac knew.”
“You know I hate smartass observers, right?”
“While I’m there…I know you hate Megan but you need to stop blaming Joshua. He’s part of you, he’s part of Zac. He’s more like Zac than her. He deserves to have two aunts, not just one.”
She rolled her eyes. “Observant. How did you know?”
I smiled. “It’s not hard to see. You don’t want to know him because of what Megan did, you want to but you don’t because of her. Trust me Jessica, it won’t hurt Megan, just Joshua.”
“I sometimes hate when you are right.”
“We don’t get this done your mom is going to be skinning us both alive.”
She laughed and we finally got the dishes done in time to eat, I wanted to ask about what I was right about, but didn’t. Lunch, or dinner, was way too much food but it was really good food! Afterwards we gathered in the living room and between Taylor and I we had the camera situation covered.
“Did you two strategically place yourselves” Alicia asked.
“I guess so. I didn’t realize it.” Taylor said.
I didn’t expect anything here but I was rather shocked that everyone in the room got me something, and of course they had items. I sensed a theme after the second one, tripods, lenses, extra batteries and chargers. Taylor provided the lenses and Isaac? The one I thought for sure hated me, got the very expensive program to professionally edit and create pictures.
“I expect nothing less than perfect photos.” Ike said.
“When do you get non-perfect ones now?” I asked.
He rolled his eyes. By the time I had everything opened I had virtually everything I needed for a professional set up. Zac looked exhausted so I took over Joshua opening for a while. He clearly racked up for people who seemed to not want him for six months. But about three it clearly showed because he hadn’t napped long and he was getting whiney with everyone. It was actually Taylor that had him when he said mama, he looked confused. For that matter, everyone in the room did.
“Is he…asking for Megan?” Taylor asked.
“No.” Zac said.
He kept asking so I just got up and walked over. “He’s asking for me.”
Avery cleared the chair and I sat down, even though she had plenty of room to sit beside me. He rather curled up against me and held on.
“He’s just tired, he usually naps around noon but he didn’t sleep long.”
I expected an argument, some disagreement but Diana smiled.
“I think I can surely say that we prefer you over her.”
“Speaking of…I know everyone hates my decisions but I need character witnesses in January. She filed to reinstate her rights.” Zac said.
“She what?” Walker asked.
“She claimed she was coerced and she was upset and didn’t know what to do. The judge ordered an inspection which was already done and she wants witnesses to her behavior and to how I handle things.”
“You can count me in. I’m not letting her take him now.” Ike said.
I was sure that Zac and I both were stunned at that but it kind of cascaded around the room.
-Zac-
I was shocked that Isaac was the first and then everyone, I wasn’t use to this! But Avery put her arms around Cassie and looked at me sternly.
“You can’t get rid of Cassie! You have to keep her.”
I blinked. “I wouldn’t dare. Why would you think that?”
“Maddi told me a few weeks ago she was going to be my sister soon. She said the two of you were getting back together.”
My mom blinked. “Is that true?”
“Maddi came by to talk to me, but we’re not getting back together. She shouldn’t be telling anyone that either. No worries Avie, Cassie isn’t going anywhere. I would be an idiot to take his mama away from him.”
Cassie’s cheeks flushed some and I quite liked that look.
“I think that’s a good decision.” Harper said.
I blinked at her. “You do?”
“Hey, she’s my friend and she talks to me but I can tell when you’re happy. She can’t apparently.”
I was sure acceptance to Cassie was big and this was about as close to that as she could get! Cassie did look tired though and while Joshua had napped briefly with her, it wasn’t enough. Maybe, that would mean he would be asleep sooner and I could get a few hours with Cassie alone.
She had gone to the doctor last Wednesday because her headaches were bothering her more, she didn’t say much about the appointment just that the doctor said less salt and more rest. She did give her something to take to help with the headaches though.
About 4:30 I began to load everything up, he had racked up on toys and I now had a lot more than he needed. While I was taking the stuff to the car my mother made up plates to send home with us, she was going to make damn sure we didn’t starve! I think she sent enough home with us to last for days. Once things were loaded we said our byes and headed home. Got everything mostly put away before it was feeding Joshua and us and getting him settled.
But by 8:15 Joshua was in his pajamas and he was asleep in his swing, which he was almost too big for now. She hadn’t turned the TV on or anything, so the only light was the lights from the tree, twinkling and glowing. She got up from the sofa and went to the tree, retrieving another wrapped package and then she sat down beside me.
“Where did that come from?”
“I hid it there on purpose, I kind of wanted to give this one to you once he was asleep and it was just us.”
It was wrapped in green paper, which is probably why I hadn’t seen it, added it wasn’t near the bottom. It had my name on it written in her neat handwriting. I unwrapped the package to a small white box. I had no idea what this could be or what to expect, so I slipped the top off. Inside laying against blue tissue paper was a white oblong shaped object with a clear pink cover on one end. In the center was a little rounded window with two pink vertical lines. Just to the left of that window were words and the one beside the two vertical lines said ‘pregnant’. I sat and stared at it for several minutes before the dots seem to connect.
“Cassandra…”
“Think you can handle being a father all over again?”
I blinked. “This is…yours? Like…right now? As in…we’re having a baby?”
She nodded. “Yes. I went to the doctor for the headaches and to also ask for a new prescription for birth control. They require a test and well, it came back positive. You and I are expecting a baby.”
I had no idea how I should feel, but shock was one and well, happiness was another one.
“Tell me it wasn’t the first time we had sex…”
She laughed. “No. The doctor couldn’t quite tell but I think it’s more recent. I called and made an appointment with an OBGYN for January, that doctor will be able to tell us more. The general doctor couldn’t do much but confirm, which she did with a blood test too. I had headaches the first time, but my mom felt more like it was him hitting me that caused them.”
Honestly, I heard OBGYN and they could tell ‘us’ more out of everything she said. Us. My brain latched onto that concept, us implies she and I.
“Us? You mean that I can…?”
“You will be at every appointment unless you don’t want to be. But, January is mandatory, so is February, and March..I’m sure you get where I am going.”
She smiled and I giggled. “I get where it’s going but no problems I’ll be there every single appointment. But, Cassie are you okay with this?”
I didn’t know if she really wanted children right now or with me even. I know she loved Joshua but this wouldn’t be someone she can walk away from. What few doubts were creeping up, were squished when she kissed me. It clearly said she didn’t mind and she was okay with this. When she pulled away I couldn’t even find the right words to fully express how I felt about her and about this.
I was going to have another baby and I would be there for the entire pregnancy, I’d get that experience that I missed with Megan’s. The words seem to tumble from my lips faster than I could stop them, yet I didn’t regret them.
“Will you marry me?”
Yep, shocked her. Her eyes grew wide and she seemed stunned just looking at me.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. I can’t imagine waking up without you. I love you and I want you to marry me.”
I thought asking Maddi was nerve wracking, waiting for her to answer me was way worse. Maybe it was the admission that I do love her, which didn’t fully shock me but at the same time it did. Clearly, it shocked her. I could also see the little pools in her eyes though.
“Yes, I will marry you because I can’t lose you and Joshua, I can’t do this alone. I love you and I want to be here.”
I pulled her into my lap and kissed her. “I kind of don’t have an engagement ring.”
She smiled. “You don’t need one really, I’ll be content without one.”
“No, you have to have one. I’ll get you one.”
I sat there a moment, holding her. I really couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas. My family seemed to finally accept my choices, accept that Joshua was part of me as well. I’d not ignored that Jessica had actually played with him. My family seemed to accept Cassie and boy would this be a shock to them. I find out that I’ll have another baby next year and now she’ll be my wife. I really don’t think anything could top this.
We went up to bed about nine and while I really didn’t expect sex since she said she was pregnant I was rather shocked she initiated it! It was easier since Joshua was now in his room and not mine, but damn I’d have to start all over again in several months!