Chapter 52: Chapter 52

Cassandra's POV

The next day, I woke up feeling refreshed and happy. I was a married woman today. I felt a strange flutter in my stomach as if my baby was stirring inside me. It felt so overwhelming that I looked around for Julian wanting to share the feeling with him. But he wasn't there in the room. I could hear laughter and chatting coming from downstairs. I freshened up and walked out of the room. The whole family was gathered downstairs at breakfast but Julian wasn't there. Where was he? Even Max was missing!

"Where are Julian and Max?" I asked Claire.

"Julian has taken Max to the beach to play. Even Alexander and Arielle have gone with him," informed Claire. I relaxed and served myself the delicious food. All the guests had left and it was just a family affair.

"How are you feeling today, Cassie?" asked mom, looking concerned.

"I'm fine, mom," I told her.

Anna came out and Martha helped her to a chair. She was having difficulty with the movement since last night. Everyone was concerned about her, especially Stefan.

As I ate, I noticed Julian and Max having so much fun. I was glad that he was taking care of Max since I wasn't able to do a thing. Mom informed me that they already had their breakfast. Julian's promise to take Max to the beach made him eat on his own and finish everything on his plate.

"I was amazed to see him eat up everything in such record time," said Nora, looking so surprised. I smiled indulgently, watching my husband and son together. They shared an amazing rapport and Julian shared a deep bond with him. He knew instinctively how to deal with Max.

"I'm glad that Max has him as his dad," I said, making mom too smile at me.

I finished my breakfast and slowly walked out towards my little family. It was a lazy, sunny day and I was feeling much better. Julian looked up, the sunlight reflecting in his eyes, making them look bluer than the ocean as he gazed at me.

"Hey, my beautiful wife! How are you today?" he asked, opening his arms out to me. Max was running around after the seagulls and seeing Julian he too came towards me.

"Mommy, I'm having so much fun," he squealed with delight. I smiled at him and walked towards Julian. He wrapped an arm around me.

"I'm fine. I can feel your daughter's movements in my tummy," I told him, making his eyes sparkle with excitement.

"Really? Is she jumping?" he asked cluelessly.

"No silly, it's just a little flutter but I can still feel her," I told him.

"Wow, I wish I could feel her inside my tummy," he said, making me laugh.

"Then you have to be a seahorse since seahorse dads are the only male species who can give birth," I told him making him chuckle.

"Mommy, Daddy, look what I've found," exclaimed Max. we walked towards him and saw a sea turtle that looked stunned and stranded on the beach.

"It's a Loggerhead. We have to rescue it. Wait I'll call Adrian and Tristan," said Julian. Max, Arielle, and Alexander were absolutely mesmerized to see the adorable creature. It was a unique experience for them. For the next few minutes, the three brothers ushered the turtle back to the ocean. It had laid eggs on the beach in a little cove and then lost its way back.

We all returned back to the house. Julian took Max to the clinic nearby for his vaccination which had been overdue. I had completely forgotten about it after his accident. Max was cranky and feverish when he returned and wanted to sleep with Julian and me.

The next few days were bliss, romantic candlelight dinners, local sightseeing trips, and family beach picnics were specially organized to give us a honeymoon feel. It was more special here with the family than in any exotic destination.

"I will take you on an extended honeymoon to a place of your choice, Cassie," promised Julian. I smiled at him, knowing that he would definitely keep his promise.

Max and Arielle started talking every day to the baby growing inside me. Arielle did it every day with Anna's babies and she taught Max as well.

"Can she hear us?" asked Max, wide-eyed. Arielle nodded and he was excited beyond words. Thereafter every day whenever he found time, he talked to his unborn sibling. It touched me seeing his emotional attachment to it.

After a few days, we still stayed with mom and dad. Claire had left already and so did Tristan and Amelia. Mom didn't let me go since Max was unwell and cranky and playing with Arielle helped his mood. I could get a little more rest with him being happy with his grandparents and Arielle.

Finally, Julian decided to return home as he had to get back to work and it was time to get back to our normal lives. We drove back and Max started missing Ariella more than ever. Anna started getting contractions and she was admitted to the hospital a day after we left. I resumed my studies and everything was back on track just like before. The only difference was I was legally married to the man I loved.