by Vicki Green
~*~*~*~
It’s been three days and Jesse will not let me get out of bed. “Ugh! I need to move around. I can’t stand sitting in this bed anymore. Dr. Phillips said I only had to stay in bed a few days. Few means three!” I look over at Allie and frown.
“Geez, grumpy. I’ll go talk to Jesse. He’s getting you some lunch.” She pats my shoulder and leaves the room.
I am still sitting in the bed, beating my hand down on the mattress beside me when Jesse comes into the room carrying a tray of food. He sets it down over my lap and sits down on the bed next to my legs.
“If you don’t quit hitting the bed you’re going to spill your food,” he smirks. Looking up to the ceiling I huff, “UGH! Jesse! The doctor said only a few days of bed rest. Can’t I at least move down to the couch for a change of scenery? I am about to climb the walls in here.”
He laughs at me. Laughs at me? Nice. Shaking his head as he pats my leg gently. “Ok, after lunch. I’ll carry you downstairs so you can camp out on the couch for a while.”
I look at him incredulously. “I can walk you know.” I cross my arms across my chest. He’s still laughing. “I know, baby. But let me take care of you, please?”
I roll my eyes but then I look at him and see the sincerity in his eyes. Damn, I really can’t stand to do anything that will hurt his feelings.
I reach over and clasp his arm. “Jesse, my love. I would love it if you’ll carry me downstairs after lunch.” I say sweetly. Sigh.
Camped downstairs on the couch for the rest of the week was better than being in that bed. By the end of the week he actually even let me walk by myself. Baby steps. But, I feel so loved and cherished by this man that I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Epilogue
It’s been three months since the Sabrina incident. Since then Allie has moved out to a condo across town saying we need our privacy and so did she. Ha, I bet she did. She and Shane have become a little chummy.
One day I came home from work to find our living room dark, candles lit all over the room and rose petals of different colors scattered on the floor creating a path from the front door into the room. Soft music playing, an assortment of food laid out on the coffee table with candles and vases with handmade roses adorning the table.
My hands fly to cover my mouth and I gasp. I see Jesse enter the room from the kitchen smiling at me, carrying a red handmade rose. He walks over to me and puts his arms around me. We hold each other and sway to the music. He kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear softly, “Welcome home, baby.”
He smells my cheek breathing deeply as he begins kissing my skin, moving down to my neck. I bend my head a little to give him better access as he continues trailing kisses and sucking on my neck. “Hmmmm,” I moan as he pulls back a little and starts on my other side. I move my head the other direction and back some, moaning.
“Baby, you don’t know what you do to me,” he murmurs.
His kisses make their way back up my neck and find my mouth. Our kissing becomes heated as we continue to slowly sway to the music. He holds me tighter, squeezing me until I can barely breathe. We stop kissing and I move my mouth to his ear, caressing his face with my hands. “Don’t stop, don’t ever stop,” I whisper.
As he moves his hand to my stomach he begins rubbing it soothingly. He looks into my eyes. “I love you so much.” He bends down and kisses my stomach and then looks at it. “I love you so much.” He continues to bend down on one knee and looks up at me, taking my hand.
“Cassie Morelli. I love you with my whole heart. I can’t imagine a day without you in my life. I want to cherish you, take care of you and our babies’. And yes, spoil you and them rotten.” He smiles and chuckles.
Then he gets serious again. “But baby, I need you. I need you to be with me and officially become my family. I want to become your family. Forever. With all my heart, with every inch of my soul, with every breath I take, I promise to love you forever.”
Tears are flowing down my face now and I can barely see him. I reach up with my free hand wiping them from my face.
“Cassie, will you marry me? Become my wife and together we will live happily ever after, forever.”
Releasing my hand, he pulls a ring box from his pocket, opens the lid and holds it up to me. It is a beautiful heart shaped diamond setting with smaller pink diamonds that surround it. Smaller diamonds follow the band on either side. It’s stunning!
“Take my heart, for you have already taken my mind and soul.”
I can’t stop the tears as I nod shakily and whisper, “Yes.” I clear my throat and speaking louder, “Yes!”
He jumps up, grabs me and picks me up, swinging me around as he peppers my mouth with kisses.
Once he sets me down, he takes the ring from its box and places it on my finger. He brings my hand up to his mouth and kisses the ring. With love in his moist eyes he looks into mine. “You’ve made me the happiest and luckiest man on earth.”
I reach up with my other hand, lovingly brushing the hair out of his eyes. “My love. You keep saving me from all the torments that have been in my life. You’ve given me the happiness I have always wished for, longed for. You will always be my Savior. Forever.”
~*~*~*~
We decided on a September wedding. The weather not being too hot or cold. Being six months pregnant and with twins my stomach is huge already. Of course, I have been eating everything in sight. So I have already had to get maternity clothes. Allie and I found a gorgeous dress at the bridal shop that fits where I need it to, showing my ample cleavage, but flowing in the front to hide my growing stomach as much as it can.
We haven’t heard from Thomas since the night they had their bad fights on the phone, but we sent him an invitation anyway. He is going to be a Grandpa after all. No one has heard if he will be attending the wedding though.
Stella is actually going to close the Café that day so they can all attend. But after we’ve wed, the reception will be held there. Allie is going over early that morning and help decorate.
~*~*~*~
Our wedding was held in our backyard. Buck, Shane and Tuck had brought over all the chairs, tables, tent and wedding arch that we rented and they helped set everything up.
The design company decorated everything outside with lights in the trees, candles and the tables were outfitted in the finest tableware. All complimentary.
As I walked down the aisle made up of a beautiful gold runner, I look into my soon to be husband’s smiling face at the end. I am trying to hold my tears at bay until it’s over but not sure I can. When I get to the end, Jesse takes my hand and holds it through the entire ceremony. As he says his endearments he lays his other hand on my protruding belly, moving his thumb over it soothingly.
“Cassie, my love. Fate led me to you, to save you, to keep you. I will always be there for you, protecting you. My heart overflows with love for you. Will you be mine, forever?”
A tear finally frees itself from my eyes and slowly rolls down my face. “I will.”
I take my other hand and place it over his heart.
“Jesse, my love, my Savior. You’ve saved me so many times now from the bad in the world, from my unhappiness. I know you will always protect me and keep me safe. I have no more love to give you, because you have it all. Will you be mine, forever?”
He brings my hand up to his lips kisses it. “I will.”
Before Jesse is told he may kiss the bride, his lips are already locked on mine.
The surprise for us that day was Thomas showing up. Of course we didn’t realize he was there until after we had turned around being announced as husband and wife.
As we were walking back down the aisle together, Thomas steps out into the aisle before us and envelopes Jesse into a warm embrace. Never releasing my hand, I stand watching father and son having a tender moment. I think I cried more that day than ever in my life. Thomas turns to me and hugs me, whispering in my ear, “Cassie, my daughter. I am so happy for you both
. I hope you’ll forgive me.” He puts his hand on my stomach and looks at me. “I’m going to be a grandpa.” He smiles with tears in his eyes.
We arrive at the Café, the music already blaring from the sounds of Tuck’s band that is set up in the back on a small platform. People are already drinking, some are dancing and enjoying the festivities.
As we walk in Jesse takes me towards the band. Tuck stops mid song and moves over as Jesse pulls me up onto the platform with him. I have no idea what he is up to. He taps on the microphone, which causes a loud squeal. He laughs.
“Can I have your attention for just a few minutes, please?” He waits for a minute as everyone begins to settle down. “Thanks! Well, Cassie, my wonderful wife,” he smiles at me, “and I have some news to share.” The crowd stirs and you can hear the murmuring they are making as they look at each other.
“We found out,” he looks at me. I smile and nod back. “We found out that we are having twins.” We hear the shouts of congratulations as well and seeing the looks of shock and happiness.
Jesse taps on the microphone again, getting everyone’s attention. “We also found out that we are having a boy and a girl!” He yells as he raises my hand up high with his. And the crowd goes wild.
After all settles down, we have our first dance. When we are done, we get settled at a table and dig into some great food and company. Thomas looks at us and asks when my due date is. “December 25th but with twins they could be early.” Jesse tells them.
“And have you picked out names yet?” Thomas asks.
Jesse and I look at each other and shrug. “Well, we haven’t had time to think about it yet, but honestly, I have no idea,” I say.
“Maybe, we’ll have to have a poll!” Jesse smirks.
The End
About the Author
Vicki Green grew up in Overland Park, Kansas and has resided in Olathe, Kansas for more than 25 years. Along with her husband and two teenage boys, she shares her home with her cocker spaniel’s Shadow and Mocha. She has been working full time at the same Company for almost 35 years. Her life has been filled with the most loving and caring parents, Larry and Betty Gassaway, who are both in Heaven now but are still in her heart and mind daily.
Vicki enjoys reading books, too many on her Kindle and Nook to count, which is what inspired her to begin writing this book.
Visit Vicki on her blog: http://www.vickigreenauthor.com/ and her Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/VickiGreenAuthor for upcoming news about her future endeavors
