Chapter 27: Chapter 27

Cassandra's POV

Two days before the wedding, we were invited to a grand family dinner at Stefan's house. I fed Max and put him to bed. Aunt Caroline chose for me a beautiful plum-coloured sweeping gown with an illusion neckline and lace and sequins all over. Avery had worn it once before her marriage and after she put on weight, she left it here in her closet. I wore my black stilettos with them and pinned my hair up in a messy bun. I put on some moisturiser and my plum-coloured lipstick. Checking myself in the mirror, I gasped seeing my reflection. I knew that I looked great and Aunt Caroline smiled appreciatively at me, making my confidence soar high. "I'm sure your Julian will ask you to marry him tonight. You're looking absolutely stunning in this dress, Cassie," said Aunt Caroline. Her words made my heart skip a beat and I started hoping that her words would come true.

"I'm sure he has seen better," I laughed. No, I couldn't hope for the impossible. I was just his girlfriend now. I would take baby steps and see where this leads me to.

Julian came on time looking very se*y in a pair of dark blue jeans that hugged his b*tt well, paired with a light blue shirt and an off-white blazer. The moment he saw me, he stopped in his tracks and gazed at me, making me blush at his appraisal. Strangely, he didn't comment and I was a little disappointed having made so much effort to look good for him.

"Shall we go?" He asked as I nodded. Aunt Caroline waved at us, eager to throw us out and hit the bed it seemed.

Julian helped me into the car and climbed into the driver's seat. Leaning towards me, he stared into my eyes, "I don't like that," he said all of a sudden. My eyes widened and I stared at him with confusion, my face falling with dejection. Didn't he like my look?

"What?" I asked. Didn't he like my dress? Am I looking too bad for his taste? I looked down nervously to see myself.

He placed his hand on my chin forcing me to look into his dark desire filled eyes as he stroked my lips with his thumb, "I don't like this lipstick. I will eat it up anyway. By the way is it toxic?" he said with a smirk. I couldn't help the giggle that erupted from my mouth, feeling relieved deep inside.

"Very funny, Is it?" he asked leaning closer. Before I could answer, his fingers on my chin turned my face towards his.

"I'll lick it clean if you can't," he said, crashing his lips to mine. I was lost in his kiss, having missed him so much ever since we had gone out together. Oh, how I missed his kisses! My arms went around his neck as I deepened the kiss, passionately kissing him back, showing him how much I missed him, how much I loved him.

"I love you darling. I have died every minute, waiting to see you," he said, finally releasing my mouth. He embedded his face into the crook of my neck. His words touched me deeply and I couldn't help but caress his hair lovingly.

"Why didn't you come earlier then? I missed you too," I confessed.

"You did?" He asked with disbelief, looking up into my eyes. I nodded and he kissed me again, more passionately than before until we both were out of breath.

"I was in Rome, darling. Dad informed me at the last minute and I had to leave. I forgot my charger and didn't get time to buy one," he said as he caressed my cheek. I relaxed more knowing his reason now.

"Max asked after you many times," I told him and he grinned.

"He did? I will make it up to him," he promised and we kissed for the last time.

We finally made it to the dinner late, everyone lifted their eyebrows at our dishevelled appearances. I wanted to bang my head somewhere for our lapse. We should have fixed ourselves in the car after eating each other's faces. Mom came forward and hugged me as she always did and I hugged her back, "Where's Max? You didn't bring him?" She asked eagerly. I was touched by her words, by her concern.

"He's sleeping, mom," I told her hugging her back. Gran called me and Mom and I went towards her followed by Julian as well. I kissed gran's cheek, "When are you two getting settled?" She asked with a grin, going straight to the point and I glanced at Julian, scratching his head with a goofy grin on his face. I wanted to tell them that I was ever ready and it was Julian who was taking his sweet time to propose.

"I'm sure, Julian is planning something soon to stun us all!" said Anna and they all chuckled.

"Yeah, I want more grandchildren," mom said with a naughty smile, winking at me. I blushed to the roots of my hair and Julian grinned, "Soon mom, she and Max are moving in with me," he confessed shamelessly. I was stunned at how he could announce it so casually in front of everyone. Mom and Gran started discussing how many grandchildren they needed and I excused myself and escaped to Anna.

Throughout dinner, Julian watched me just as Tristan watched Amelia. Anna looked at both of them and teased them to no end. Mom gave me a few beautiful dresses to wear at the wedding. Amelia had designed my bridesmaid dress and it was all ready and dispatched. I already had my mom's jewellery box as well as a few pieces that aunt Caroline lent me. Jason and Claire rehearsed the best man and maid of honour speeches for the last time, before the wedding.

After dinner mom approached all of us, "Come at least an hour early. We will leave for the venue tomorrow after lunch at 1 o'clock. It's a 3-hour drive, so come prepared," she told us as Tristan and Amelia chorused "Yes mom," and took their leave.

Mom turned to me, "Are you bringing Max with you?" She asked and I was hesitant. I could open up so well with Julian's parents and gran but how about his siblings and their girls?

"No, mom. Not this time. After the wedding, I will talk to everyone and introduce Max to our family. Aunt Caroline, Avery and Julian's housekeeper Nora will be looking after him," I informed her.

"Will he stay happy without you for three days?" She asked concerned and it touched my heart.

"I hope so," I told her, feeling bad that I couldn't take Max with me. It wasn't that I didn't want to. It was just that I was scared. Scared of everyone judging me. I wanted to fit in first and break the news slowly to everyone before I brought Max to introduce to them.

"If you are doubtful, please bring him along dear. I would love to have him," mom said.

"Okay mom, let's see," I told her as we took our leave and went home.