Chapter 41: Chapter 41

Cassandra's POV

A week passed by and Max was doing fine. After the mishap, we installed safety gates at the top of the stairs. Mom and dad visited often. I took frequent meals to stay fitter, it helped a lot and my nausea was less frequent than before. Julian and Nora took extra care of us. Our new housekeeper, Mrs. Gwendolyn Baker was a wonderful, middle-aged woman and she was perfect for us. She cooked delicious dishes every day and my appetite returned like never before.

"I'll get fat if I eat at this rate,' I said, relishing a slice of strawberry shortcake with lots of whipped cream toppings. I was aware of it but somehow couldn't stop myself.

Julian smiled at me indulgently. "It's okay, Cassie. You can shed it all after the baby is born," he said, and I relaxed knowing he would love me even if I was fat.

"What if I don't?" I asked and he pecked my lips and walked away with a chuckle.

"I'll love you no matter what," he said over his shoulder making me grin and continue to relish my food more.

Azura's cast was taken out and she was much better, using crutches to walk about. She visited once to see Max much to Adrian's displeasure. But I was touched by her concern. She was so much like the sister I never had. Max and Azura bonded so well that it would seem that we have known one another all our lives.

Mom and dad visited us after a few days. Dad informed me that the New York City Police Department had filed a lawsuit against Desmond as many women have come forward with their complaints against him. I was glad that he was receiving the punishment which he deserved. It gave me the closure I needed. It was only because of Julian and his family's support that a criminal like Desmond was getting what he deserved. I thanked dad profusely but he brushed me off with an indulgent smile. I felt relieved that a chapter of my life was closed and now I could move on with my life. I could now plan my wedding in peace.

It was night and I walked into our bedroom after tucking in Max to sleep. I saw Julian sitting at his laptop on the desk. He closed it and stretched, holding out his arm to me. I readily went towards him and he wrapped it around my slender shoulders.

"At last. I was so sleepy that I decided to check a few emails to keep me awake," he grinned.

"Good that you are awake. I want to talk to you," I said and his eyes widened.

"About what?" he asked curiously.

"When are you planning our wedding?" I asked him as we prepared for bed. I told him about what dad had informed me about Desmond.

"That's wonderful news. So justice at last!" he smiled. "We can plan the wedding in a month's time, darling. I don't want to rush you in this state. You can take your time with the preparations. Let's announce it over dinner this weekend. Okay?" he asked and I nodded. Now I knew why he was delaying our wedding.

"Yeah, perfect," I said as he pulled me gently in his arms and made love to me, stroking my naked body as we cuddled up to sleep.

Soon the week passed by and it was the weekend the whole family met up again at our house. This time we had invited them to announce our wedding plans over dinner.

"I knew it. See? I won," said Anna grinning at Tristan, while I looked at them with confusion. What were they up to?

"Won what?" asked mom perplexed.

"The bet, mom. Tristan and I thought Adrian and Azura would marry next, while Anna, gran, and Stefan voted for Julian and Cassie," said Amelia who had just discovered her pregnancy while on her honeymoon. So Anna, Amelia, Claire, and I, all four of us were pregnant but strangely mom wasn't at all stressed about it. On the contrary, she and gran were overjoyed to have so many grandchildren together.

They argued amongst themselves as to how they would collect their winning prizes from dad but he simply chuckled and asked Julian, "So, when are you planning your wedding?"

"In a month's time dad, will that be enough time to prepare? I want a very simple wedding as Cassie is in the first trimester and still nauseous. I want to have it in New York itself. That way she wouldn't need to travel much. Also, we have to think of Max too," he said and dad nodded.

"We can have it at our house in Southampton. The backyard overlooking the beach is the perfect place for the wedding. What do you say?" asked dad looking at both of us.

"Yeah, and all of you can have your old rooms to stay and rest since all the girls are pregnant," said mom.

"That's a good idea. We will have our wedding at your Southampton home," said Julian with a grateful smile on his face. The wedding date was fixed after dad had a talk with a marriage officiant, the same one who conducted Stefan and Tristan's weddings.

"Yeah, I love your house. I would love to have our wedding there. Are you sure you could handle the pressure," I asked mom as she beamed at me.

"Oh, that's fine. I'll get lots of help," reassured mom.

So the venue was decided, and now came the guest list which mom, dad, and gran took care of. Amelia would design the dresses as before. The rest of the preparations mom would take care of with Azura's help. Anna was heavily pregnant with twins and she had many complications. She was under rest. Amelia had her hands full with the dress design. Azura was well and could walk around normally without crutches and also rejoined her work. I looked on as they all discussed our wedding. It was a surreal feeling. I couldn't believe that it was happening finally. I was finally getting married to Julian!