Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Cassandra's POV

"Yes, mom I know. There's something all of you should know about me," I said as I looked at everyone. "I have a son, he's 18 months old. I was abused by a police officer when I was 18. I had just lost my father to leukemia and was coming to terms with being an orphan when he spiked my drink and took advantage of me and later when I got pregnant, he threatened me and refused to take any responsibility," I blurted out everything truthfully, staring at my hands with shame and guilt and waiting for the hatred and judgemental remarks that would surely be showered upon me.

"Didn't you lodge a complaint against him?" asked dad, looking worried, making me look up at him, startled that he just asked me that but I shook my head. I was too scared to take any action without anyone to support me.

"I was all alone and scared, dad. Since he himself was a cop, I didn't have the courage to go against him," I admitted.

Mom came and hugged me, "It's alright, dear. Of course, you were scared. We understand completely. So what's my grandchild's name?" She asked lovingly, making me gaze at the tender expression on her face. Tears pooled in my eyes and I felt too overwhelmed by her kind words. "Maxwell," I mumbled, unable to control my tears any longer and they cascaded down my cheeks. Gran leaned toward me and wiped my tears away.

"Hush child, you're very brave," she said appreciatively, making me sob all the more. I wasn't that brave in reality!

"What about the rest of your family? How was it that no one helped you? This is such a serious crime and the criminal is roaming freely around. He should be put behind bars, " Dad said as he gave me a puzzled look while Julian sat quietly listening to everything intently. I was glad for his silent support but mostly I was overwhelmed by his family's positive response. I hadn't expected it at all, having received nothing but judgemental looks and taunts from others.

"I have no one. My mom died when I was eleven years old. My parents had married against their family's wishes, so I don't have any family, only a distant aunt, and a cousin who helped me get a job. I sold everything to pay off my dad's medical bills and now I live with my best friend's mom. She has helped me a lot," I told him as he sat beside me and held my hand, supporting me.

"We are your family from now on, if you need anything just ask, okay? If you want to bring Maxwell to the wedding, you're most welcome," said dad.

"No, dad, not yet. I want to tell the whole family first before others, so after the wedding, we can have a talk with everyone," I told them as they nodded.

"Whatever you're comfortable with, there's no formality, child. We love you and you can be free with us," said gran and my heart swelled with love for all of them. Who needed anything else other than the support and love of such a close-knit family?

"Max is just like my Arielle and Alexander, he's welcome here anytime," mom said smiling at me, "Now cheer up and Julian will drop you home, it's getting late. You have an hour's drive back."

We took leave and left the house."See, that was easy. Mom, dad, and gran love you and have accepted Max. Are you happy now?" Julian said with a happy smile on his face.

"Yeah, very happy," I told him. "I wish I had met you years ago."

"No problem at all, babe. We can enjoy ourselves to the fullest now. So will you and Max go on a date with me this Saturday?" he asked glancing at me and then concentrating on the road.

"You want to go on a date with both of us?" I asked incredulously, unable to believe my ears. This was the first time I heard of such a thing and it totally bowled me over.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that? You didn't answer me, darling," he asked with a dazzling smile full of hope. It took my breath away and I couldn't help but wonder what I had done to deserve such a gem of a man!

"Of course, I will, but you need to ask Max whether he would want to go out with you," I told him with a smile as he grinned and said, "Done, I'll ask him tomorrow."

He dropped me and with a good night kiss, he drove off as I tiredly changed and went to sleep, with a happy smile on my face. I dreamt of Julian and was waiting to meet him tomorrow. I was missing him already, his embrace, his words, his kisses, his lovemaking, his warmth, his jokes, his laugh, his smile, his silly grin, everything. I had no idea why! Although I had just met him, I still missed him and couldn't sleep, twisting and turning in my bed. Did I fall in love with him? Maybe yes, I did.

My phone beeped with a message from an unknown number,

Can't sleep without you, girlfriend - J

I grinned at the message. Me too.

Where did you get my number from? - C

Aunt Caroline gave me -J

Even I can't sleep - C

I'm coming over - J

Nooooo, please, no. Aunt Caroline is here - C

Then you both shift in with me - J

I can't, Aunt Caroline will be all alone and lonely - C

You can't live with her forever - J

You will eventually have to shift in with me - J

I don't know, we'll talk later, good night Julian - C

Tomorrow, we need to discuss this - J

Till then dream of me, darling - C

I went to sleep as confused as ever. What should I do? I didn't want to leave aunt Caroline here all lonely. Yet, I wanted to be with Julian. Max also needed a father figure. I was tired of managing everything all on my own, and it would be a nice change to have someone care for us. It would give me time to fulfill the dream of completing my studies too.

The next day went by as usual. I was not happy with my monotonous job, I wanted to do something in my life, not waste it away being just a receptionist. I decided to think this over later.