Fate - Chapter 44 - Be Mine
Fate
Chapter 44 - Be Mine...
POV: Zac / Cassandra
February 16, 2007
I found it ironic that Cassie had another sonogram done on Valentine’s Day, but our baby was doing well. Our baby. I rather loved hearing the our part and being able to attend these appointments were so nice as well. I felt informed and not like I was just lost like with Joshua. The doctor did narrow down her due date to the eighteenth of August, putting her at thirteen weeks and five days today.
I had been shocked when I opened that present and it really hadn’t hit home until late January that I was going to be the father of two children before the end of the year. They would be fourteen months apart! It was totally not what I had ever thought that I wanted, but I really do. I loved Joshua and seeing him grow and change was amazing and I couldn’t wait.
She was not here when I woke up, but I did not expect her to be. She was at Saphira’s house and would meet me at the church today at three pm. I didn’t think she would want February as our wedding month, considering she had lost her daughter three years ago this month. I had never asked the day but she assured me it was not today. But, waking up alone today was enough to tell me that she was the right choice. I really had missed her being home last night and having her here to just snuggle with this morning. I finally got myself up and motivated and when I checked on Joshua, I found him sitting up in his crib.
“Dada.”
“Morning little man!”
He squealed at me and I got him up and got the wet diaper off and a dry one on, but left his pajamas on right now. Dada…who knew that one word would mean so much to me. Would validate that while no one agreed with my choices to begin with, they were worth it. It was worth every argument, every time I felt alone, every disagreement, one simple word made it worth it. I took him down with me and got breakfast for us both. I then let him loose to play.
Why was I waking up alone? Well…We’d talked about the wedding and while a month and a half was short, it was what we both wanted. She didn’t want to be six or seven months along and be showing and I didn’t want to wait that long. I’d had a long conversation about her jumping from Calvin to me, but she assured me she was fine.
The planning part we had done together, we had chosen red and white for the theme because it was close to Valentine’s day. We selected Amaryllis in white and two-toned red and white colors, red and white roses, and geraniums in white. I was sure some baby’s breath would be included.
“Joshua, no. We don’t play with that.”
He was trying to push buttons on the VCR and DVD player. I got him distracted with another toy.
She had gone with my mom, her mother, and Saphira to choose both her dress and the bridesmaids dresses. She refused to show me her dress or any part of it and it had gone home with Saphira. The bridesmaids dresses were red, the top bodice had lace in a flower pattern and then from the waist down it was straight cuts, there was a split in the left side but it was fine. Harper and Alicia had loved it because they and Saphira were serving as bridesmaids for the wedding.
Taylor, Isaac, and Clayton were my groomsmen and their tuxedos were black with white shirts and red bow ties, they also had the red little cloths in the pocket. My tux was simple as well with a red shirt and black bow tie. I had left Joshua’s up to her and she found a one piece suit with snap legs that made it seem like he had a shirt that was tucked in and it had a black jacket. He still had his patent leather shoes to go with it and even a bow tie.
I sat down on the floor with him at 9:45, Taylor and Isaac would be arriving soon and I knew I didn’t have much time to get my last surprise for her. I stood him up.
“You ready to make her your mama for real?”
He smiled and laughed, bounced. I was disappointed in Megan, I didn’t understand how or why she was the way she was but I know that in the long run Cassandra was the right choice. I did love Maddilyn, but she wasn’t the person I wanted now. I had never told Cassie what the money from her engagement ring had paid for but I would tonight.
About 10:30 I got us both and got us showered and cleaned up, I went ahead and put my dress pants on but I just slipped a generic grey t-shirt on until I was done with the morning. I slipped another sleeper on Joshua and got his hair brushed out, his hair had gotten longer in the last few months and she refused to let me cut it. I had to admit the little curls were cute, even if brushing them was a pain. Taylor and Isaac arrived at 11.
“Are you excited?” Taylor asked.
“I am.”
“Did you two do anything Valentines?” Isaac asked.
“Yes, her parents came here and sat with him while we got to have a very nice and romantic dinner.”
“Are you going to be able to do anything this weekend? I mean I know you aren’t leaving town.”
“We will wait until the baby is here to do any formal honeymoon, probably once the tours end. But, her parents are keeping Joshua for the weekend and we’re just going to have some time just us. It’s also incase he won’t stay overnight with them. He won’t stay with Mom and Dad, they were going to keep him Sunday night and I had to go get him about one in the morning, he wouldn’t stop crying.”
“He’s got to get use to us and we understand that. Everyone is going to try to make an effort to be more involved with him and come around more. Especially with her being pregnant.”
“She’ll definitely need the help and Mom’s watched him a few times for her to go to class.”
“Are you excited about being a dad again?”
“You know I was nervous at first, but seeing that between the two of us Joshua is safe and happy and taken care of. I believe we can, she’s got experience with children from the daycare. So, she is the more experienced one but I know what it’s like to have him alone.”
“Alicia was shocked she asked her to be a bridesmaid.”
“Harper was shocked too.” Taylor said.
“I would expect them to be, but she really doesn’t talk to people. She has met some new people at her classes. Ironically she is not that quiet there, and it’s good for her.”
“No issues from Megan?”
I sighed. “She appealed twice, two separate judges reviewed it and both came to the same conclusion. The second one actually recalled Reed and the lawyer along with two of hers. He told her no bueno. They wanted me to bring Joshua back but I told them no.”
“Her ex still staying away?”
“He sent her a text message in late January, asked her to reconsider and she told him not to ever text again. He hasn’t said or done anything else since.”
“Good, you two deserve to move on.”
We started to get ready and I packed Joshua’s overnight bags because they were taking him from the church. We left the house at noon and got to the church, once we were there Avery took Joshua and got him ready to go, he was our ring bearer and she was the flower girl. He was however with us until closer to time. I made sure I had our rings, I had chosen them perfectly as the rings were my responsibility while the cake was hers. So, I didn’t know what the cake looked like, she didn’t know what the rings looked like.
Our wedding bands were simple silver bands, she had requested no large diamonds. What made them special was when they were side by side, the little cut outs made a perfect puzzle piece. We fit each other like a puzzle, complimenting each other and she fit into my life as I fit into hers. Joshua and the baby would make us complete, they brought us together.
The closer to three it became, the more nervous I was. My dad was standing with me at the moment, because Taylor and the others were in the back with her.
“I know my timing sucks, but I am proud of you son.”
I turned and looked at him, had he just said that?!
He smiled at me. “I’m not saying this isn’t quick in my opinion, but I am proud of you. You really did do a lot of growing up and I wish your mother and I had been more active in Joshua’s life before Christmas. But, we love you and we love Joshua and Cassandra and this new baby just as much. Even if we don’t show it.”
I hugged him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, now you got this. Just breathe. She’s not going to run.”
“I hope not!”
Most of her family had showed up, including ones she hadn’t seen in years because of Calvin. She had done so much to repair my broken family that payback was needed. I had invited them all and in my invite I’d included that she loved them and missed them, that we both wanted them to be part of our family. I was sure her parents had talked to them as well.
When the music started, I had to take several deep breaths because I was about to faint. My dad had sat down and he just smiled. It didn’t take long for Avery in her pink dress to make it down with Joshua, he’d done more flower tossing than she had, but that was okay. Some of her fellow classmates were serving as photographers even though they were aware they couldn’t be used. It didn’t take long for the wedding party to make it down the aisle.
There was a pause before the traditional wedding march music started. I didn’t know what to expect. But when the doors opened and she came through with her father, that was it. No one else existed in the world to me but her. The dress was absolutely stunning. It had a v-neckline that showed enough cleavage but not too much. I could see a sparkle under the breast but until she was closer I couldn’t make it out, turns out it was bead work in a scroll pattern that ran all around the middle and at the shoulders it extended back to the sheer piece that ran from her shoulders down. The dress was chiffon and tulle and was perfect on her. She’s worn her hair down with some pulled back and clipped with a bright red clip.
She was breathtaking and I accepted her from her father who seemed glad to be handing her to me.
“You look absolutely stunning.”
She smiled. “You look quite handsome in your suit.”
We turned to the preacher who smiled at us.
-Cassandra- 8:00 am
Waking up in a super strange room without Joshua here or without Zac was so weird. I hated waking up alone though. I laid there staring at the ceiling for over thirty minutes, I was getting married today. Again.
When the door opened I turned and Saphira smiled. “I was wondering if you were awake.”
“I woke up at eight. So strange without Zac and without Joshua.”
She came in and sat down on the bed. “Yeah, but after today you get to wake up to them every day for the rest of your life. And after a few more months you get an extra little person.”
I smiled but didn’t say anything and she frowned. “Cassie? What’s up? Please tell me you aren’t second guessing now.”
I sat up, keeping the sheet mostly over me. “I’m not second guessing but I am wondering if things just moved super fast.”
She smiled. “I really don’t think it did. Why do you think it did?”
“You know we’ve only been officially dating for four months? Yet, we’re getting married.”
“My parents dated for weeks before they got married, I have one friend that dated her man for like a month. The duration of your relationship does not really matter. It’s what you feel in here.”
Her fingers indicated my heart area.
“You weren’t worried about things before. Come on, he hasn’t hit you. He chose you over Maddilyn, that’s huge to me Cassie. He had a history with her and was clearly wanting to marry her but when she came crawling back, he chose you. His family is improving and you’ve done a lot to help repair that family.”
“I know.”
“Are you having second thoughts on the date? I know you lost her in February, is that why you chose today?”
“No. I lost her on the tenth of February. I didn’t want some cliché like Valentines but I chose today because it’s just a day. There was no specific reason. I’m not having second thoughts and I really do want to be there I just…part of me is hesitant because everything was fine with Calvin until we got married.”
She scooted over and moved some hair from my face.
“Zachary is not that asshole. He never will be. Once you are his wife he will probably do everything in his power to make sure you, Joshua and this little baby are all happy and taken care of. He loves you. He wants to spend the rest of his life with you. I promise you if he turns out to be like Calvin, then I will make damn sure you walk away from this marriage with custody of Joshua and any children you have. But, I don’t think I’ll ever have to do that.”
I smiled at her. “I could always show up late.”
She laughed. “No. I’m not scaring the man that badly.”
“Fun sucker.”
“Breakfast is ready and then we’ll head to the church.”
I nodded and she headed out, I went ahead and showered and then got breakfast. We hadn’t done the bachelor or bachelorette parties, didn’t feel they were needed. The reception would even be simple, the tablecloths were white with a smaller red one across the top, centerpieces were the flowers arranged in various orders. The flowers in the church were the same way. End pews had ribbons and we’d done catering as well.
I really hope he liked the cake though, I’d looked at a dozen designs and came across a very simple four tier cake. Each layer was wrapped in white ribbon and there were white butterflies and little white designs sparsely applied. I’d transferred the butterfly theme to the tables as well with smaller ones in the centerpieces. After we had eaten we headed to the church and I began to get ready. It would take longer to get me both ready and in that dress. Harper and Alicia met us there and so did my parents.
“Alright, old, borrowed, new and blue what do we have?” Saphira asked.
“My underwear is blue, so is the garter belt. Diana let me borrow the white choker with the silver heart pendant. It is hers.”
“New?” She asked.
“I have a new bracelet, little dangling for my taste but it’s new.”
“We have nothing old?”
My mom smiled. “I have that covered.”
“You do?” I asked.
“I brought your great grandmother’s hair clip, it’s red so it’ll fit with the theme. It would do nicely to clip just a bit back.”
“I suppose that no one else but you and Dad are coming?”
Mom smiled at me. “Most everyone is here honey, you maybe the fixer in Zac’s family but he is the fixer in yours. He sent them invitations and included personalized notes. Impressed your father.”
“He did what?”
“I think he felt it was important for you that they be here. I guess he doesn’t expect you to need a third wedding here. He said he wanted them in your life and the kids’. By the way, I saw Joshua a little while ago and that little tuxedo is to die for.”
“Subject change, nice move Mom. Not working. Who is here?”
“All of your aunts and uncles, most of your cousins. Annabelle couldn’t make it, she’s doing an internship for a company and it’s in Europe. She said that if they toured there you had to come.”
“I don’t know their schedule right now and I don’t know if I’ll be going.”
Harper and Alicia laughed. “You will be, Zac’s basically laid down the law that unless you physically couldn’t or didn’t want to they should expect you there.”
“Oh…well…I wasn’t aware of that!”
The red dresses on them looked very nice. Saphira helped me get dressed and when I came out of the bathroom my parents just stopped, and stared.
“No! No tears allowed! You make me cry and I’ll have to fix my make up!”
Not that it mattered, because it was already too late.
“We didn’t think we’d see this day Cassandra.”
“I know.”
The girl that was taking pictures, Emily, smiled and kept taking pictures. At 2:45 we lined up in the hallway, Joshua was adorable in that tuxedo. Avery’s dress was perfect and Emily got a couple more pictures here. Before they went to the front.
“Hey Tay.” I said.
He turned and looked around Clayton and Saphira, so he could see me. “Yes?”
“He is here right?”
He smiled. “He’s standing right where he should be Cassie. Been standing there twenty minutes waiting on us.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.”
I was certain that when the music started my nerves just doubled, tripled, maybe even hit a level I’d never experienced before. But my dad was able to stave that off.
“It’s okay, buttercup. This is where you should be. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly.”
“What if…”
His finger landed gently over my lips. “Shh, no more what if’s Cassie. You went to that show for a reason, fate brought you two together for a reason. You deserve to have a man that loves you and treats you like he does. You deserve to have that degree and do your own thing. Now, let’s move before he thinks you ran on him.”
I smiled. “He’d probably just chase me down.”
“Probably? No, buttercup, he’d be waiting on you to get there.”
The music was our cue and he hadn’t lied, most of my family was here. Cousins I hadn’t seen in years, uncles that I hadn’t seen. But it all just faded out, he was standing there and I know his eyes focused on me, that they didn’t venture or move.
It was my father’s dream to give me away and he looked so happy to be handing me over to Zac.
“You look absolutely stunning.”
I smiled. “You look quite handsome in your suit.”
We turned to the preacher who smiled at us. The actual ceremony itself was quick and when he presented the rings I smiled. They were perfect for us. Once the ceremony was over there were pictures of course and then the reception. It was nice that I got to see my family and most didn’t even know Zac and I were expecting either. Joshua did very well and I was confident that he would be fine with my parents for the weekend. They were in a rented apartment not far from us for the moment, the house in Florida was up for sale and they were looking around town. Although, Dad was liking the no yard work aspect to the apartment.
The reception went super well even though I couldn’t drink and he didn’t have many. My parents left at 7 and we left about 8:30, with a few others. He insisted on carrying me inside and I was fine with that.
“Welcome home Mrs. Hanson.”
“Oh...I can get use to that, but right now I want this dress off along with this suit of yours.”
Didn’t have to tell him twice and I couldn’t deny that laying here beside him hours later wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
“I rather expected some cosmic change…”
I giggled. “No cosmic changes.”
He reached and got something from beside the bed, moving my comfortable spot!
“You wanted to ask in December, but you didn’t. When I told you that I got rid of the other ring.”
“What you did with the money is your business Zac.”
He handed me a set of papers, professional looking ones. “What’s this?”
“Your wedding gift.”
I looked at him confused but then I read the papers, they were formal adoption papers that would grant me the same rights to Joshua that he had.
“Are these…”
“I wish you were his biological mother, but this is the next best thing. According to everyone he will be your son. It’ll help when I’m not home because you can make any decision needed for him.”
“Are you sure this is what you want? This is…not a small step.”
“No. It’s not small. But, it is what I want. I want him to be happy and you do that Cassie. He loves you and I have all the confidence in the world that you will make the best decisions for him just as I would. This is what I used the money for, to pay for the papers and fees. I’m sure about this decision.”
I kissed him. “I’ll be honored to be his mother.”
He smiled and kissed me and I just cuddled into his arms. Mrs. Hanson, I get to go through all the paperwork to change my name and then get to file to be his mother. I couldn’t ask for a better day. I fell asleep sometime after one, his arms wrapped around me.
Bridesmaid's
Cake & Rings
Zac's Tux with some changes to the shirt as noted in the chapter.
and finally.....
Cassandra's wedding dress.
Chapter 44 - Be Mine...
POV: Zac / Cassandra
February 16, 2007
I found it ironic that Cassie had another sonogram done on Valentine’s Day, but our baby was doing well. Our baby. I rather loved hearing the our part and being able to attend these appointments were so nice as well. I felt informed and not like I was just lost like with Joshua. The doctor did narrow down her due date to the eighteenth of August, putting her at thirteen weeks and five days today.
I had been shocked when I opened that present and it really hadn’t hit home until late January that I was going to be the father of two children before the end of the year. They would be fourteen months apart! It was totally not what I had ever thought that I wanted, but I really do. I loved Joshua and seeing him grow and change was amazing and I couldn’t wait.
She was not here when I woke up, but I did not expect her to be. She was at Saphira’s house and would meet me at the church today at three pm. I didn’t think she would want February as our wedding month, considering she had lost her daughter three years ago this month. I had never asked the day but she assured me it was not today. But, waking up alone today was enough to tell me that she was the right choice. I really had missed her being home last night and having her here to just snuggle with this morning. I finally got myself up and motivated and when I checked on Joshua, I found him sitting up in his crib.
“Dada.”
“Morning little man!”
He squealed at me and I got him up and got the wet diaper off and a dry one on, but left his pajamas on right now. Dada…who knew that one word would mean so much to me. Would validate that while no one agreed with my choices to begin with, they were worth it. It was worth every argument, every time I felt alone, every disagreement, one simple word made it worth it. I took him down with me and got breakfast for us both. I then let him loose to play.
Why was I waking up alone? Well…We’d talked about the wedding and while a month and a half was short, it was what we both wanted. She didn’t want to be six or seven months along and be showing and I didn’t want to wait that long. I’d had a long conversation about her jumping from Calvin to me, but she assured me she was fine.
The planning part we had done together, we had chosen red and white for the theme because it was close to Valentine’s day. We selected Amaryllis in white and two-toned red and white colors, red and white roses, and geraniums in white. I was sure some baby’s breath would be included.
“Joshua, no. We don’t play with that.”
He was trying to push buttons on the VCR and DVD player. I got him distracted with another toy.
She had gone with my mom, her mother, and Saphira to choose both her dress and the bridesmaids dresses. She refused to show me her dress or any part of it and it had gone home with Saphira. The bridesmaids dresses were red, the top bodice had lace in a flower pattern and then from the waist down it was straight cuts, there was a split in the left side but it was fine. Harper and Alicia had loved it because they and Saphira were serving as bridesmaids for the wedding.
Taylor, Isaac, and Clayton were my groomsmen and their tuxedos were black with white shirts and red bow ties, they also had the red little cloths in the pocket. My tux was simple as well with a red shirt and black bow tie. I had left Joshua’s up to her and she found a one piece suit with snap legs that made it seem like he had a shirt that was tucked in and it had a black jacket. He still had his patent leather shoes to go with it and even a bow tie.
I sat down on the floor with him at 9:45, Taylor and Isaac would be arriving soon and I knew I didn’t have much time to get my last surprise for her. I stood him up.
“You ready to make her your mama for real?”
He smiled and laughed, bounced. I was disappointed in Megan, I didn’t understand how or why she was the way she was but I know that in the long run Cassandra was the right choice. I did love Maddilyn, but she wasn’t the person I wanted now. I had never told Cassie what the money from her engagement ring had paid for but I would tonight.
About 10:30 I got us both and got us showered and cleaned up, I went ahead and put my dress pants on but I just slipped a generic grey t-shirt on until I was done with the morning. I slipped another sleeper on Joshua and got his hair brushed out, his hair had gotten longer in the last few months and she refused to let me cut it. I had to admit the little curls were cute, even if brushing them was a pain. Taylor and Isaac arrived at 11.
“Are you excited?” Taylor asked.
“I am.”
“Did you two do anything Valentines?” Isaac asked.
“Yes, her parents came here and sat with him while we got to have a very nice and romantic dinner.”
“Are you going to be able to do anything this weekend? I mean I know you aren’t leaving town.”
“We will wait until the baby is here to do any formal honeymoon, probably once the tours end. But, her parents are keeping Joshua for the weekend and we’re just going to have some time just us. It’s also incase he won’t stay overnight with them. He won’t stay with Mom and Dad, they were going to keep him Sunday night and I had to go get him about one in the morning, he wouldn’t stop crying.”
“He’s got to get use to us and we understand that. Everyone is going to try to make an effort to be more involved with him and come around more. Especially with her being pregnant.”
“She’ll definitely need the help and Mom’s watched him a few times for her to go to class.”
“Are you excited about being a dad again?”
“You know I was nervous at first, but seeing that between the two of us Joshua is safe and happy and taken care of. I believe we can, she’s got experience with children from the daycare. So, she is the more experienced one but I know what it’s like to have him alone.”
“Alicia was shocked she asked her to be a bridesmaid.”
“Harper was shocked too.” Taylor said.
“I would expect them to be, but she really doesn’t talk to people. She has met some new people at her classes. Ironically she is not that quiet there, and it’s good for her.”
“No issues from Megan?”
I sighed. “She appealed twice, two separate judges reviewed it and both came to the same conclusion. The second one actually recalled Reed and the lawyer along with two of hers. He told her no bueno. They wanted me to bring Joshua back but I told them no.”
“Her ex still staying away?”
“He sent her a text message in late January, asked her to reconsider and she told him not to ever text again. He hasn’t said or done anything else since.”
“Good, you two deserve to move on.”
We started to get ready and I packed Joshua’s overnight bags because they were taking him from the church. We left the house at noon and got to the church, once we were there Avery took Joshua and got him ready to go, he was our ring bearer and she was the flower girl. He was however with us until closer to time. I made sure I had our rings, I had chosen them perfectly as the rings were my responsibility while the cake was hers. So, I didn’t know what the cake looked like, she didn’t know what the rings looked like.
Our wedding bands were simple silver bands, she had requested no large diamonds. What made them special was when they were side by side, the little cut outs made a perfect puzzle piece. We fit each other like a puzzle, complimenting each other and she fit into my life as I fit into hers. Joshua and the baby would make us complete, they brought us together.
The closer to three it became, the more nervous I was. My dad was standing with me at the moment, because Taylor and the others were in the back with her.
“I know my timing sucks, but I am proud of you son.”
I turned and looked at him, had he just said that?!
He smiled at me. “I’m not saying this isn’t quick in my opinion, but I am proud of you. You really did do a lot of growing up and I wish your mother and I had been more active in Joshua’s life before Christmas. But, we love you and we love Joshua and Cassandra and this new baby just as much. Even if we don’t show it.”
I hugged him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, now you got this. Just breathe. She’s not going to run.”
“I hope not!”
Most of her family had showed up, including ones she hadn’t seen in years because of Calvin. She had done so much to repair my broken family that payback was needed. I had invited them all and in my invite I’d included that she loved them and missed them, that we both wanted them to be part of our family. I was sure her parents had talked to them as well.
When the music started, I had to take several deep breaths because I was about to faint. My dad had sat down and he just smiled. It didn’t take long for Avery in her pink dress to make it down with Joshua, he’d done more flower tossing than she had, but that was okay. Some of her fellow classmates were serving as photographers even though they were aware they couldn’t be used. It didn’t take long for the wedding party to make it down the aisle.
There was a pause before the traditional wedding march music started. I didn’t know what to expect. But when the doors opened and she came through with her father, that was it. No one else existed in the world to me but her. The dress was absolutely stunning. It had a v-neckline that showed enough cleavage but not too much. I could see a sparkle under the breast but until she was closer I couldn’t make it out, turns out it was bead work in a scroll pattern that ran all around the middle and at the shoulders it extended back to the sheer piece that ran from her shoulders down. The dress was chiffon and tulle and was perfect on her. She’s worn her hair down with some pulled back and clipped with a bright red clip.
She was breathtaking and I accepted her from her father who seemed glad to be handing her to me.
“You look absolutely stunning.”
She smiled. “You look quite handsome in your suit.”
We turned to the preacher who smiled at us.
-Cassandra- 8:00 am
Waking up in a super strange room without Joshua here or without Zac was so weird. I hated waking up alone though. I laid there staring at the ceiling for over thirty minutes, I was getting married today. Again.
When the door opened I turned and Saphira smiled. “I was wondering if you were awake.”
“I woke up at eight. So strange without Zac and without Joshua.”
She came in and sat down on the bed. “Yeah, but after today you get to wake up to them every day for the rest of your life. And after a few more months you get an extra little person.”
I smiled but didn’t say anything and she frowned. “Cassie? What’s up? Please tell me you aren’t second guessing now.”
I sat up, keeping the sheet mostly over me. “I’m not second guessing but I am wondering if things just moved super fast.”
She smiled. “I really don’t think it did. Why do you think it did?”
“You know we’ve only been officially dating for four months? Yet, we’re getting married.”
“My parents dated for weeks before they got married, I have one friend that dated her man for like a month. The duration of your relationship does not really matter. It’s what you feel in here.”
Her fingers indicated my heart area.
“You weren’t worried about things before. Come on, he hasn’t hit you. He chose you over Maddilyn, that’s huge to me Cassie. He had a history with her and was clearly wanting to marry her but when she came crawling back, he chose you. His family is improving and you’ve done a lot to help repair that family.”
“I know.”
“Are you having second thoughts on the date? I know you lost her in February, is that why you chose today?”
“No. I lost her on the tenth of February. I didn’t want some cliché like Valentines but I chose today because it’s just a day. There was no specific reason. I’m not having second thoughts and I really do want to be there I just…part of me is hesitant because everything was fine with Calvin until we got married.”
She scooted over and moved some hair from my face.
“Zachary is not that asshole. He never will be. Once you are his wife he will probably do everything in his power to make sure you, Joshua and this little baby are all happy and taken care of. He loves you. He wants to spend the rest of his life with you. I promise you if he turns out to be like Calvin, then I will make damn sure you walk away from this marriage with custody of Joshua and any children you have. But, I don’t think I’ll ever have to do that.”
I smiled at her. “I could always show up late.”
She laughed. “No. I’m not scaring the man that badly.”
“Fun sucker.”
“Breakfast is ready and then we’ll head to the church.”
I nodded and she headed out, I went ahead and showered and then got breakfast. We hadn’t done the bachelor or bachelorette parties, didn’t feel they were needed. The reception would even be simple, the tablecloths were white with a smaller red one across the top, centerpieces were the flowers arranged in various orders. The flowers in the church were the same way. End pews had ribbons and we’d done catering as well.
I really hope he liked the cake though, I’d looked at a dozen designs and came across a very simple four tier cake. Each layer was wrapped in white ribbon and there were white butterflies and little white designs sparsely applied. I’d transferred the butterfly theme to the tables as well with smaller ones in the centerpieces. After we had eaten we headed to the church and I began to get ready. It would take longer to get me both ready and in that dress. Harper and Alicia met us there and so did my parents.
“Alright, old, borrowed, new and blue what do we have?” Saphira asked.
“My underwear is blue, so is the garter belt. Diana let me borrow the white choker with the silver heart pendant. It is hers.”
“New?” She asked.
“I have a new bracelet, little dangling for my taste but it’s new.”
“We have nothing old?”
My mom smiled. “I have that covered.”
“You do?” I asked.
“I brought your great grandmother’s hair clip, it’s red so it’ll fit with the theme. It would do nicely to clip just a bit back.”
“I suppose that no one else but you and Dad are coming?”
Mom smiled at me. “Most everyone is here honey, you maybe the fixer in Zac’s family but he is the fixer in yours. He sent them invitations and included personalized notes. Impressed your father.”
“He did what?”
“I think he felt it was important for you that they be here. I guess he doesn’t expect you to need a third wedding here. He said he wanted them in your life and the kids’. By the way, I saw Joshua a little while ago and that little tuxedo is to die for.”
“Subject change, nice move Mom. Not working. Who is here?”
“All of your aunts and uncles, most of your cousins. Annabelle couldn’t make it, she’s doing an internship for a company and it’s in Europe. She said that if they toured there you had to come.”
“I don’t know their schedule right now and I don’t know if I’ll be going.”
Harper and Alicia laughed. “You will be, Zac’s basically laid down the law that unless you physically couldn’t or didn’t want to they should expect you there.”
“Oh…well…I wasn’t aware of that!”
The red dresses on them looked very nice. Saphira helped me get dressed and when I came out of the bathroom my parents just stopped, and stared.
“No! No tears allowed! You make me cry and I’ll have to fix my make up!”
Not that it mattered, because it was already too late.
“We didn’t think we’d see this day Cassandra.”
“I know.”
The girl that was taking pictures, Emily, smiled and kept taking pictures. At 2:45 we lined up in the hallway, Joshua was adorable in that tuxedo. Avery’s dress was perfect and Emily got a couple more pictures here. Before they went to the front.
“Hey Tay.” I said.
He turned and looked around Clayton and Saphira, so he could see me. “Yes?”
“He is here right?”
He smiled. “He’s standing right where he should be Cassie. Been standing there twenty minutes waiting on us.”
“Sure?”
“Yes.”
I was certain that when the music started my nerves just doubled, tripled, maybe even hit a level I’d never experienced before. But my dad was able to stave that off.
“It’s okay, buttercup. This is where you should be. Take a deep breath, exhale slowly.”
“What if…”
His finger landed gently over my lips. “Shh, no more what if’s Cassie. You went to that show for a reason, fate brought you two together for a reason. You deserve to have a man that loves you and treats you like he does. You deserve to have that degree and do your own thing. Now, let’s move before he thinks you ran on him.”
I smiled. “He’d probably just chase me down.”
“Probably? No, buttercup, he’d be waiting on you to get there.”
The music was our cue and he hadn’t lied, most of my family was here. Cousins I hadn’t seen in years, uncles that I hadn’t seen. But it all just faded out, he was standing there and I know his eyes focused on me, that they didn’t venture or move.
It was my father’s dream to give me away and he looked so happy to be handing me over to Zac.
“You look absolutely stunning.”
I smiled. “You look quite handsome in your suit.”
We turned to the preacher who smiled at us. The actual ceremony itself was quick and when he presented the rings I smiled. They were perfect for us. Once the ceremony was over there were pictures of course and then the reception. It was nice that I got to see my family and most didn’t even know Zac and I were expecting either. Joshua did very well and I was confident that he would be fine with my parents for the weekend. They were in a rented apartment not far from us for the moment, the house in Florida was up for sale and they were looking around town. Although, Dad was liking the no yard work aspect to the apartment.
The reception went super well even though I couldn’t drink and he didn’t have many. My parents left at 7 and we left about 8:30, with a few others. He insisted on carrying me inside and I was fine with that.
“Welcome home Mrs. Hanson.”
“Oh...I can get use to that, but right now I want this dress off along with this suit of yours.”
Didn’t have to tell him twice and I couldn’t deny that laying here beside him hours later wasn’t a pleasant feeling.
“I rather expected some cosmic change…”
I giggled. “No cosmic changes.”
He reached and got something from beside the bed, moving my comfortable spot!
“You wanted to ask in December, but you didn’t. When I told you that I got rid of the other ring.”
“What you did with the money is your business Zac.”
He handed me a set of papers, professional looking ones. “What’s this?”
“Your wedding gift.”
I looked at him confused but then I read the papers, they were formal adoption papers that would grant me the same rights to Joshua that he had.
“Are these…”
“I wish you were his biological mother, but this is the next best thing. According to everyone he will be your son. It’ll help when I’m not home because you can make any decision needed for him.”
“Are you sure this is what you want? This is…not a small step.”
“No. It’s not small. But, it is what I want. I want him to be happy and you do that Cassie. He loves you and I have all the confidence in the world that you will make the best decisions for him just as I would. This is what I used the money for, to pay for the papers and fees. I’m sure about this decision.”
I kissed him. “I’ll be honored to be his mother.”
He smiled and kissed me and I just cuddled into his arms. Mrs. Hanson, I get to go through all the paperwork to change my name and then get to file to be his mother. I couldn’t ask for a better day. I fell asleep sometime after one, his arms wrapped around me.
Bridesmaid's
Cake & Rings
Zac's Tux with some changes to the shirt as noted in the chapter.
and finally.....
Cassandra's wedding dress.