Chapter 37: Chapter 37

Cassandra's POV

I was very happy to have such a supportive family who made it their mission in life to love you, protect you, and declare war against anyone who as much as cast a dirty glance at you. I was indeed lucky! My health was much better and I could give Max much more time than before. Nora and Julian took good care of me. I missed aunt Caroline sometimes, but she did call me whenever she had the time. Avery was fine and so was I. Every time we connected, we discussed our pregnancies and the men in our lives. While she gushed about her husband, I couldn't stop myself from talking about Julian. After the scary episode with Desmond, I bonded more with my new family and there never went a day when we didn't meet or talk on the phone.

While I was on top of the world, at dinner, I noticed Julian's restlessness as if there was something on his mind. "Will you go out for dinner with me tomorrow?" asked Julian when I looked at him questioningly. A warm smile spread over my face. After all the complicated mess we went through, a dinner date would be a welcome change for us.

"Sure. Why not?" I asked eagerly and Julian smiled at my enthusiasm. "So where are we going?" I asked him curiously.

"There's a new Italian restaurant nearby which has the tastiest dishes on earth. Tristan and Amelia tried it yesterday and sent me the pictures. Ever since I've been going crazy for a taste," he said grinning knowing that I love Italian and couldn't resist it ever.

My mouth watered as he chuckled, "If I weren't so full, we could have gone tonight. I'll get dreams about it now," I said, making him laugh. The pregnancy made him perpetually hungry and no one knew about my strange food cravings better than Julian did.

"We can try other things to deviate your thoughts," he said winking. I rolled my eyes at his hor*y state. It was nothing new though.

"You have a dirty mind mister," I told him as we finished dinner. Max was fed and put to bed before.

"Can't really help it with you sitting in front of me, looking so delicious," he said as I smacked his arm giving him a look of disbelief. Did he find me delicious? A slow blush spread all over me and I couldn't help but smile at his compliment.

We went upstairs and made love to 'deviate my thoughts' but it didn't work. The next whole day I couldn't stop myself from dreaming about our dinner date. Julian had gone to work, so, I tried to keep myself busy with Max and my studies. After putting Max to sleep, I went to our bedroom to get ready.

I chose a white long-sleeved sheath dress, with a boat neckline and ruched at the side waist. I paired it with white stilettos. I left my hair untied and it fell in waves. With a light foundation and eyeliner and a touch of lip gloss, I was ready to go. Julian was ready and waiting for me at his study, as he completed some urgent work. So I just went downstairs and knocking went in to see Julian just closing his laptop.

"Ready?" He asked getting up and coming towards me. He wore a pair of black jeans, a light blue buttoned-up shirt, and a grey blazer, looking still fresh after work. "You're looking angelic, darling," he said, kissing my forehead. "Shall we go?" He asked ushering me out and closing the study door. My heart skipped a beat at his appreciation and we climbed into his car.

We reached the restaurant in no time and a gasp escaped my lips seeing the place. It was beautifully decorated combining the strikingly antique fixtures, beautifully patterned carpets, and ornate tables and chairs with the modern muted lighting and ambiance, all creating a vibrant atmosphere that was a combination of classic with a modern touch. Julian led me to a table by the window which he had apparently booked seeing the popularity of the place.

We ordered Italian stuffed chicken, a medium-size Florentino pizza, Spaghetti Alla Carbonara, and cannoli cheesecake. It was all served with garlic bread and Caesar salad.

I refrained from ordering any drinks apart from water due to my pregnancy and Julian too was content with just water. After the meal, he held my hands and asked, "Are you happy with me, baby?" It overwhelmed me and a warm surge spread all over me. No one had ever asked me if I were happy.

I was mesmerized by the sincerity in his eyes, dumbfounded by his simple question. There wasn't a single doubt that I was the happiest and the luckiest woman alive. "Yes very happy, more than you can ever imagine," I answered looking into his beautiful eyes that twinkled with hope and more.

"And you?" I couldn't help but ask him. He nodded and gazed back into my eyes.

"Yes, very happy. I'm lucky to have you in my life," said Julian, his expression solemn and sincere.

"No, I'm the lucky one," I argued.

"We both are lucky to have found one another. Isn't it?" he admitted.

"Yes, what if we hadn't met? You would have fallen for some rich woman and married her already." It just slipped out of my mouth and I clamped it shut. Julian shook his head.

"No, we were destined to meet, Cassie. I don't think we would have married anyone else. I don't know about you but I have always loved you with all my heart and soul since the day we met. I hope you can feel how my heart beats only for you?" He asked while I thought about how much he has done for me, going out of his way to be there by my side. My heart started beating faster for him, knowing that I loved him too much, always had, and always would.

"Yes, Julian, I love you too. I've been in love with you for a very long time," I told him truthfully, staring into his mesmerizing eyes. His face broke into a heartstopping smile of true happiness.

"You have? Since when?" He asked grinning, looking so happy that my heart skipped a beat seeing him.

"I realized I love you the day you asked me to be your girlfriend," I said shyly.

"That was a long time ago," he said with a smile. "You've been in love with me for so long? Why didn't you tell me?" He asked with a grin.

"I wanted to see how you would win me over," I said with a wink. He clutched at his heart melodramatically, making me giggle.

"Oh, right, right. So are you impressed with my skills? I did win you right?" he said with a broad smile on his face.

I laughed, "Yeah I am. So how many girls did you win with the same tactics?" I asked him just to irritate him.

"I have never loved anyone else, only you. I never did relationships, ever. Girls were always readily available, I never had to put any effort to win them. So, my tactics are unique and only for you," he said seriously.

"I was just kidding," I told him as he relaxed.