Chapter 28: Chapter 28
Cassandra’s POV
The wedding was taking place at the Hendersons' own extravagant wedding resort in Callicoon, New York, The Springwell Golf Club, and Resorts, overlooking their 18-hole golf course and Callicoon's rolling hills. We were to stay there for 4 days and return home, while Anna and Stefan would leave for their 10-day honeymoon to Hawaii.
I would leave immediately after the wedding, I told Julian and he agreed. We were equally worried about leaving Max but I was scared. I had faced everyone's judgments from the day I decided to give birth to Max. It made me apprehensive. I wanted to take this one step at a time. I didn't want any bitter experience with Julian's family. They were special to me.
Upon reaching the resort I was awestruck by the natural beauty of the place. With its huge golf courses, and a crystal clear lake in the middle, where swans and ducks swam about, I just imagined how Max would have reacted to the birds. The resort was very picturesque with rooms having private decks or small open balconies to breathe in the fresh country air. It reminded me of our visit to the farm as a family with Max. The workers were already decorating the gazebo with tulle fabric bunched together and left sprawling and flowing in the breeze. The pink, white and green floral decorations lend color to the archways giving them a romantic look. I stared longingly at the gazebo wishing in my heart that it was mine and Julian's wedding instead. I sighed even thinking about the impossible dream. It reminded me of aunt Caroline's wish. Julian glanced at me with a quizzical look on his face.
"What happened?" he asked worriedly.
I smiled at him shaking my head. "I was just wondering how Max would have reacted to the swans," I told him. Julian nodded thoughtfully.
"Next time I won't listen to you. I'll take him along everywhere I go. He needs to be with my family like Arielle is," he said stubbornly. I nodded, agreeing with him. He was right, I should stop worrying unnecessarily. If Julian loved him like his own, maybe everyone will. Next time I swore that I wouldn't ever leave him alone. Julian seemed to understand my dilemma and caught my hand, and we strolled around. I missed Max all the more and Julian tried to erase my guilt with promises to go places as a family. We were so busy in our little world that we didn't see mom arriving.
"Jules, Cassie, we are all gathering at the private deck of the executive suite. Call everyone to join us for refreshments," mom told us as she walked up to the lobby towards the staircase leading to the executive suite.
"Yes, mom," we chorused and Julian met Jason halfway and they followed her. I saw Tristan and Amelia strolling along with one another, hand in hand, "Mom wants us to gather at the private deck of the executive suite," I informed them and they followed us too.
We all went upstairs to the place where everyone was present. Finger foods and appetizers were served along with some aperitifs. There were adequate seating arrangements and everyone chatted and laughed together. There were lots to choose from, Prosciutto-wrapped halloumi sticks, cheesy chicken parm balls, smoked salmon rolls, blueberry tarts, mixed tomato canapes, strawberry swirl pavlovas.
I ate a few and sat with Anna and mom, "Has Julian proposed yet?" Mom asked me and a sigh unconsciously escaped my lips. After aunt Caroline's words last night, I had been eagerly waiting for Julian to propose but he didn't. It seemed as if my dressing up for him failed to charm him. He just kissed and kissed and then sighed and dropped me home.
"No, mom, we're just moving in with him after the wedding," I told her as Anna shot me an inquisitive look, that I avoided.
"We're moving in?' You mean only you are?" She asked in confusion as I looked at mom for help.
"Cassie has an eighteen-month-old son whom Julian adores. They both will shift to Julian's house," mom explained as Anna's eyes went wide with disbelief while I felt my breath get stuck in my throat as I waited for the judgment. I had no idea how mom could so easily tell her as if it wasn't a big deal at all.
"We're so good friends Cass, and you never told me? I'm very disappointed," Anna said unhappily looking at me and I blinked with confusion hearing her. "What happened to his real father?" she asked. I was instantly on high alert. This was the part I'm always scared of. I hated telling everyone about my sob story but knowing Anna's nature, I somehow trusted her.
"I'm sorry I didn't get much of an opportunity to tell you. We were always surrounded by friends," I told her, "Actually, It's a long story. Max's real father is a notorious police officer who spiked my drink and took advantage of me. Then he threatened me and refused any responsibility, so I'm everything to Max until I met Julian. Max calls him dad and I'm so glad that I met him. Thanks to you, Anna," I told her as she smiled at me, making me release a sigh of relief that it was all done. I had been able to talk about it.
"I'm so sorry to hear about this. I really can't imagine what you had to go through, Cassie but I hope everything will change for the better now that you've met Julian. As for meeting him, well, I did nothing. You two were destined to meet. I'm so glad that you guys are together. I'm sure Jules will propose soon, he's whipped with you already. I can see the love he feels for you in his eyes," Anna said holding my hands.
"Maybe they will beat Tris and Amy and announce their wedding next," said mom chuckling.
I rolled my eyes and smiled as Anna and mom giggled.
After a bbq dinner and lots of fun, bonfire, karaoke, and dancing we were to head to our rooms to sleep.
"We have the AC executive double bedrooms. You all figure out your sleeping arrangements. I have no problems with your arrangements, just leave us and your gran in peace," mom told all of us with a serious look on her face, "And please no noises in the middle of the night. Hope you understand what I mean," she said as she left with dad and Anna as Stefan dejectedly walked towards his room. Anna would be sleeping with gran till the wedding.
It was decided that we would all sleep with our dates, Tristan with Amelia, Adrian with Azura, Julian with me. I could feel Julian's heated gaze upon me. It was nearly two weeks since we made love and I knew he had plans for tonight. He was insatiable. I avoided his gaze as Amelia watched everyone else to avoid Tristan's gaze too. Our eyes met and she grinned at me as I did the same. Noise or no noise, there was no way that Julian would let me go.