“Patrick, the ceremony comes first. Then you get to kiss the bride,” said his father. He grinned, squeezing Cassie’s hand. It was their secret, their special moment that only the two of them would ever understand.
“Then let’s get on with it so I can kiss the bride again.”
Cassie laughed, squeezing his hand in return.
When it came time to exchange vows, he held her hands in his. Looking into her eyes, he struggled to speak the words at first, but they flowed once he got started.
“Cassie. You were always the one. Even when you thought you weren’t, and we were apart, it was always you. My heart and life are yours, and you and Sophie fill them every day with your love. You are my soulmate, my everything. I love you, Cass.”
They had to stop while Cassie wiped her face this time.
“Your turn,” Patrick whispered.
“Patrick. You are my everything. My best friend, my rock, my heart, everything I am. Today we finally become one and will be for the rest of our lives. I can’t wait for us to start our life together, with our children. I look forward to growing old with you. My love, my life.”
Neither of them paid much attention to the rest of the ceremony, exchanging rings before they were declared husband and wife.
“Now you can kiss the bride,” said the celebrant brightly.
Patrick laughed, pulling Cassie in for another kiss.
“Presenting Doctor and Mrs Cross.”
Cassie grinned as Sophie came in to join the hug, and the three of them held each other for just a moment before turning back to their guests.
“Now everyone,” Patrick said, “lunch is inside. Cassie and I are having some photos done so you all go and eat, and we’ll join you shortly for cake.”
“Sophie, stay,” said Cassie as Sophie pulled away from her.
She pulled a face. “Mum, do I have to have my photo taken?”
“Our wedding photos wouldn’t mean anything without you,” said Patrick.
“You’re our girl. Just a few and then you can get something to eat while Patrick and I finish up.”
Sophie kept them to it and after several photos whined that she was hungry. “Go then.” Cassie laughed.
“Come here you, and pose for some photos with me,” Patrick said. He pulled her close so he could murmur in her ear. “This makes me think of the first night we danced together.”
Cassie looked up at him, her eyes telling him she was thinking about the same night. “That was the plan.”
“That’s good,” said the photographer, “great photo.”
“That night, I looked into your eyes properly for the first time. There was something between us, Cassie, I could feel it. I knew then I wanted to be with you. All those days we spent together as kids, the birthday parties, the sleepovers. They all meant something. But that night, that night was something special.”
Cassie nodded, and he bent his head to kiss her again. “Let’s get all this over with so we can get on with our day, and our night.” When they were finished, they walked hand in hand inside, standing at the doorway to watch their guests.
Ethan and Lauren were tucked away in a corner, deep in conversation. “Do you think there’s a future in that?” Patrick asked as they watched them flirt.
“I don’t know,” Cassie said, “Lauren doesn’t have the best track record, but he’s the oldest and probably most stable person she’s ever shown interest in. Leave them be, Patrick, they’re grownups, and I’m sure they’ll do whatever they want to.”
Patrick laughed. “Yes, oh wise one.”
“Are you making fun of me?”
“Isn’t that what I just promised to do for the rest of my days?” He kissed her, and she snuggled back into his arms, watching Sophie spend time with her grandparents. Mr and Mrs Cross had just met their granddaughter for the first time, and Sophie was lapping up the attention.
“I never told you, Patrick, that Mark gave us his blessing,” she said quietly.
He grinned. “He said the same thing to me, the day we met at the hospital.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me, he had a habit of knowing me better than I know myself.”
“He knew what it was like to love you, Cassie. It’s not as easy to walk away from you as you might think.”
“Thankfully, I never have to worry about that again though do I?”
Patrick shook his head. “Never.”
They celebrated into the night before Patrick dragged Cassie off to bed. “Apart from it being our wedding night, you need to be resting. The baby will start taking a lot out of you soon.”
“You worry too much,” she murmured.
“I am allowed to worry about my wife.” He grinned. “My wife. That will take some getting used to.”
“You have a lifetime to get used to it. Now get into bed and wait for me. I need to get ready.”
“Get ready? That sounds good.” Patrick grinned at Cassie’s blush. “I remember a young woman who didn’t want to be naked with me in the same room.”
“That was so very long ago.”
“I’m glad you’re more confident now. You always were so damn beautiful, Cassandra.”
“I never felt it until you.”
“Go and get ready for bed. I’ll be waiting.”
She emerged from the bathroom wearing a short, low cut nightgown and Patrick held his breath as she walked towards the bed.
“My bride,” he said, the grin wide across his face.
“My groom,” she replied, looking at him with so much love he knew without her saying another word just how she felt. Cassie slid between the sheets as Patrick stroked her body, marvelling at how beautiful she was.
“You could have just walked out naked, then I wouldn’t have had to remove this.”
She laughed. “Where’s the fun in that? I wanted to look nice for my wedding night.”
“We did it, Cass. We finally did it.”
“Yes we did. Now husband, love me.”
“Your wish is my command wife.”
His lips grazed her neck as he caressed her breasts before his hand moved down.
“Patrick, I love you,” Cassie whispered.
“I love you too, Cassie. Tonight is the start of everything.”
Cassie woke to kisses from Patrick. “Good morning wife.”
“Good morning husband. I am starving so I’m going to go and make breakfast.”
“Stay in bed with me.”
“My stomach is grumbling, I need food.” She laughed as he pulled her back from every attempt to leave.
“I need more kisses from my wife.”
Finally, she broke free and threw her bathrobe on, laughing at him reaching for her.
“I have the baby to think of too, Patrick, isn’t that what you were saying last night.”
He pouted. “It should be illegal to use my own words against me.”
Cassie laughed. “I’ll make you breakfast too if you want it.”
“Sounds like a fantastic idea. I might jump in the shower and meet you in the kitchen.”
On the way, she stopped at Lauren’s room, opening the door to see if Lauren wanted something to eat. Late night drinking usually brought out Lauren’s appetite to kill the hangover. All she could see when she opened the door was a pale white body moving up and down on top of Lauren. Cassie stuffed her sleeve into her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud. It was very obviously Ethan.
She was still laughing when Patrick made it down to the kitchen. “Are you all right, Cassie?” he asked.
“I’m fine. It would appear that Lauren and Ethan got along really well last night.”
“How well?”
“They were completely oblivious to me walking in on them having sex this morning.” She described what she had seen and Patrick started laughing.
“Oh dear, what a sight.”
Cassie cradled her head in her hands. “I hope it all works out, whatever it is.”
“He’s a
good man, Cass.”
“I don’t doubt it, but it’s typical Lauren rushing into something head first.”
Patrick put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. “Mark would approve of him, Cassie.”
That made her smile. “I don’t doubt he would have.”
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
There was a cafe near the antenatal class, and Cassie had arranged to meet Patrick outside. She was starving. It seemed as if she was always hungry now, and she rubbed her stomach remembering how ravenous she had been after Sophie’s birth. This one would be just as demanding, she was sure of that.
There were two weeks to go until the baby was due and she was restless. With some time to spare, she went in to get food.
“Cassie Warren?” A woman at a nearby table was saying her name and Cassie recognised her at once.
“Vicki?”
“You remember.”
“It’s hard to forget.”
Vicki went red, she well remembered what she had done to Cassie. “I’m really sorry about that Cassie, I always meant to track you down to apologise.”
“For what? Assaulting me or sleeping with my drunk boyfriend?”
The other woman looked at if she’d been slapped. “I never slept with Patrick. I just made it look as if I did.”
“What?”
She moved closer and sat at Cassie’s table so she could lower her voice. “He fell asleep, and I climbed in with him so that when you arrived you would think he was cheating on you. I thought if you were out of the way then he would like me again, but he didn’t. I was such an idiot back then.”
Cassie buried her face in her hands, unable to believe what she had heard. “You have no idea what you did, Vicki, no idea of the damage you inflicted.”
“I’m sorry, Cassie, I really am sorry. I have no idea why I was so nasty and vindictive back then. Patrick broke up with me before he asked you out, he’d already moved on. I got community service for the assault, it taught me a lot.”
“I’m glad to hear it. What about you, Vicki? What sort of life have you had?”
Vicki looked down at her coffee. “I married Dave Pratt. Ten years and two children later, he cheated on me and left.”
Cassie pulled a face. “He always was an asshole. After hassling me for so many years, he hit on me the night of that party after I found Patrick in bed with you.”
“What about you?” Vicki asked, nodding at Cassie’s bump, “clearly there’s a man in your life.”
“There you are.” Patrick’s voice came from behind. “I didn’t realise you meant to meet you inside the cafe, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He didn’t even notice the other woman, bending to kiss Cassie hello. “Do we really have to do this?”
“If by this you mean the antenatal class, then yes you do. As it is, we’ve put this off until the last minute. I came in because I’m hungry.”
Patrick pulled a face. “I’m just not looking forward to it.”
“You cut people up for a living, you should be fine with seeing blood.”
“Not your blood and I don’t want to see you in pain.”
“Well my darling you had best invent a method for pain free birthing in the next two weeks, or you’re out of luck.” He grinned and kissed her, more forcefully this time until she gently pushed him away.
“Patrick, we have company,” she whispered.
“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow when he saw who was sitting at the table.
“Vicki?”
“Hi,” she said.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came up to Auckland for a holiday and have been shopping nearby. Couldn’t believe it when I saw Cassie sit down and now you. You’re together?”
“Cassie is my wife,” Patrick replied, “no thanks to you.”
“Patrick, Vicki has apologised for everything,” Cassie said.
“Ever the peacemaker, aren’t you love?”
His use of Mark’s term of affection didn’t even cause her to blink anymore. She had loved them, and she was the love of them both.
“Isn’t that what you love about me?” Cassie pushed her coffee towards him. “We’ve still got some time before the class, sit down and finish this for me and maybe we can talk for a few minutes.”
“Cass, you’re too nice for your own good sometimes.” Patrick sat, eyeing Vicki warily. “How are you, Vicki?”
“Not bad. Better now I’ve been able to apologise to Cassie. I’ve felt so bad for so long, Patrick, I was a stupid girl back then. It’s not the best feeling in the world, being cheated on.”
“Well I’m sorry it happened to you,” he said, putting his arm around Cassie, “we found each other again, but we were apart a long time. I’ll never get the years back that I lost because of what happened, but I plan on making up for it now.” He rubbed her belly with his other hand, feeling his child kicking and pulled her closer.
“Is this your first child?” Asked Vicki.
“Second, but the first we’ve had together,” he replied.
She looked confused.
“I was pregnant when we broke up. Patrick and I were only recently reconciled. Our eldest is almost thirteen now.”
“Oh,” Vicki’s eyes welled with tears. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
“We’re together now, that’s what matters,” said Cassie. Vicki fidgeted in her chair watching the two. It was clear they were happy now, and she felt guilty for trying to keep them apart. Patrick finished Cassie’s coffee.
“Come on you, let’s get this class out of the way. Although I could just deliver the baby myself.”
Cassie laughed. "I need you up the other end to hold my hand.”
He stood, reaching for her hand to help her up. “There you go, now let’s get this done.”
She nodded at Vicki. “Thank you for your apology Vicki. It’s been a long time, but I do appreciate knowing the truth.”
Patrick raised an eyebrow. “Later,” she said, “let’s go to class.”
They walked the short distance to the other building. “How on earth did you keep your cool? I would have been wanting to scratch out her eyes.”
Cassie kissed him softly. “Because right now I have everything I ever wanted or needed, and she is picking up the pieces after her husband cheated on her. I know who got the better deal.”
“You’re an amazing woman, Cassie, but then I always knew that.”
In the evening, Sophie decided to rearrange her room. It was the third time she’d done it since they’d moved in and she disappeared upstairs after dinner.
“Young women,” Patrick said, shaking his head.
“You love it.” Cassie grinned.
He moved around the dining table, leaning to kiss her. “You know it.”
She stood, grabbing hold of his arm to steady herself. “I’ll do the dishes and make a coffee.”
“You will do no such thing. I’ve got another idea seeing as the child is gone for the rest of the evening.”
Cassie laughed. “What do you have in mind?”
“Come with me,” he said, taking her hand in his and leading her out to the back yard. It was setup ready for their children. They had transported Sophie’s swing set up from Hamilton, and Patrick had recently brought a trampoline to Cassie’s amusement.
Father and daughter had hours of fun on it while Cassie watched. It warmed her heart to see how well Patrick and Sophie were getting on, he had taken to fatherhood like a duck to water, and Sophie adored him.
He took her to the steps of the trampoline. “After you my lady.”
“Patrick, I can’t.”
“We’re just going to lie here under the stars. You’ll be safe, Cassie, you’re with me.”
He climbed the steps and stood at the top, holding his hand for her to take it. She grimaced and accepted his hand reluctantly, slowly making her way up. As she stepped onto the mat she wobbled, and he grabbed hold of her to support her before helping her to lie down. “
See, Cassie? I promised to take care of you always, and that’s what I’m doing.”
She laughed. “Is being this pregnant on a trampoline covered by that?”
He pulled her closer to him, enveloping her in his arms. “I think it covers everything. I love you so much, Cass.”
“I love you too.”
Patrick pointed at the sky. “We might be in the city, but this makes me think of those nights we sat in the car making out. I used to look up at the sky and think about how amazing my life was with you in it. Being with you, Cassie, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
“Me too,” she whispered.
She snuggled even closer, and he freed a hand to stroke her belly. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to become a father again.”
Cassie laughed. “I think I know.”
She took a sharp breath in as Patrick kissed her neck. “Are you all right?”
“Just Braxton Hicks, it’s been off and on all day.”
Now he sat up and looked at her, concerned. “Are you sure they’re Braxton Hicks?”
“I called Tracey for advice, and she said not to worry until they were regular, these are all over the place. I’ll be fine.”
“You should have told me.”
“Patrick, stop worrying. I’ll tell you when it really is time. I have done this before.”
He leaned over, kissing her tenderly. “I worry, Cassie. You can’t blame me though.”
“I love you for it, Patrick Cross.”
Patrick lay back down and kissed his wife again while she laughed. It was a warm night, and Cassie lay there in Patrick’s arms. Comfortable, she nearly fell asleep, stirring when Sophie called out. “Dad, can you come and help me move some furniture?”
He rolled his eyes. “Can it wait, Soph?”
“Just go. I’ll be fine here until you get back.”
“You know what our daughter is like, this could take some time.”
“Take as long as you need, I’ll go to sleep out here if I have to. Besides, I’m surprisingly comfortable. I feel weightless up here.”
Patrick laughed. “OK, I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
She looked up at the stars as he walked towards the house. He was right, it did remind her of the nights they’d spent as teens. The nights they spent sitting in the car, sometimes at the beach looking out over the waves and up at the stars. Another contraction hit her, but this time it was stronger, much stronger than the previous one. “Don’t tell me you’re getting serious,” she said to her stomach, “we’ll meet soon from the feel of that.”
Another Chance Page 24