Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Cassandra's POV

Sunday went by in a daze. Julian and I started the day with heated early morning lovemaking. Then we enjoyed doing Max's work together and getting ready for the day. We did activities together like feeding the ducks, hens and watching the cows being milked. Julian opted for horse riding with Max. I was too scared but he seemed to expertly maneuver the horse as if he had ridden horses all his life. I was impressed and he seemed to show off more to impress me further.

Of course, I couldn't ride a horse having never done so all my life yet he insisted that I ride with him on the huge black stallion. So the three of us rode the massive animal as he trotted around the farm. I was sitting behind Julian and Max was sitting in front of him. We looked like a happy family and I waited for the day when we would be one for real.

We had a hearty lunch of pork chops with creamy mustard noodles, green beans, and mushroom salad. For Max, we ordered a mini-meal of creamy pumpkin chicken pasta and mini fruity muffins.

We packed enough fresh farm produce for home along with freshly made jams, loaves of bread, pies, and much more. After a stroll around the farm, we checked out and left for home.

I was disappointed that the trip was over. Max slept in his car seat, tired from the morning activities.

Julian looked unhappy too as he barely talked to me after getting into the car. I knew he wanted me to move in with him but I couldn't be so selfish. I just couldn't leave aunt Caroline all alone and go.

He dropped us at aunt Caroline's house and brought all the farm produce into the kitchen. Aunt Caroline hadn't returned so I asked Julian to stay over. He didn't answer, just started refrigerating the fresh produce as I went up to change and freshen Max up.

I gave Max his milk and as Julian played with him, I made Max's dinner. We had already got us pre-made dinner which just needed heating. There was deep-dish pizza and country-style chili. We had strawberry pies too.

So we had an early dinner and Julian left immediately after that with a peck on my forehead and a kiss on Max's cheeks. He didn't want to talk and before I could say anything, he left. Max was too busy with his cars to notice. We were very tired so we went to our bedroom to relax. I changed into my pajamas and sat on the bed making puzzles with Max.

Aunt Caroline came home fifteen minutes later and kissed Max and me on the cheeks. She inquired about our trip and went to bed soon after. I put Max to bed and went to bed myself.

I couldn't sleep, so I sent Julian a message,

Can't sleep without you, missing you - C

I waited for his reply but when he didn't answer, I dozed off to sleep, dreaming about him and our time spent together.

I didn't see Julian for a few days. I was very upset and heartbroken and so was Max. He asked about his daddy many times. I wanted to ask Anna about him but didn't know how to do so without spilling the beans bout our trip. I wasn't ready to tell everyone details about our relationship. Anna was too preoccupied with her upcoming wedding to notice anything else. I didn't want to bother her with my relationship problems.

I knew Julian was upset because he wanted us to move in with him, and I just didn't know how to bring up the topic and discuss my plans with aunt Caroline. After all that she had done for me, I couldn't be so selfish.

As the wedding neared, I was worried about Max. I didn't want to leave him for three days and also I couldn't take him along without informing the whole family as well as the extended family members.

A week passed by, and it was just four days to the wedding. I had already applied for leave and still couldn't decide about Max. Julian didn't contact me and although I checked my mobile every hour for his reply, it never came. I was dejected and missed him terribly. Yes, I was convinced that I had fallen hopelessly in love with him.

I returned home from work and found aunt Caroline and Max chatting animatedly with Julian. My eyes popped out of their sockets to see him so relaxed with them after being absent for a week.

"Mommmyyy," squealed Max as he rushed forward to hug me.

"Hey, sweetie," I said as I picked him up and hugged him to me.

"Mommy, look, Daddy's here," he said excitedly as I nodded and looked at Julian who smiled at me with a look of sadness in his eyes.

"Yeah, I saw," I said as I went up to aunt Caroline and hugged her too.

"I've made chicken stew and rice for Max's dinner. So just sit down, honey, you've been overworking yourself," she said as she held my hand and made me sit beside her.

"Thank you, aunt Caroline. I don't know what I'd do without you," I said as I looked down as Julian just stared at me. Max came and sat on my lap with his toy car.

"Oh honey, you'll do fine without me. I haven't done anything, really," she said as she fidgeted with her hands.

I found her behavior odd, maybe she wanted to say something to me. "Aunt Caroline, is everything alright?" I asked.

She looked at me, a look of sadness flashed across her eyes, "Avery's expecting twins, her condition requires bed rest. So she quit her job. Now she wants me to stay with her forever. Her husband is away on tours for business purposes every now and then. So she needs me," she said as she looked at me for my reaction.