Part 7
"Tom, I'm a big girl. I don't need you to walk me to my house."
Tom opened her front door and set her on the sofa. "Stay."
She frowned. "I don't like it when you baby me."
"Tough." He walked into the kitchen and grabbed two water bottles. He
handed one to her and opened the other. "It's part of the deal. You get
hurt and I get to pamper you."
She sighed. "Is this what it's going to be like when we get married? You
playing mother hen?"
"That would be father hen and would that be so bad?" He sat down on the
sofa.
"No. I'm just use to doing things on my own."
He picked up her feet and placed them in his lap. "From now on we do
everything together. Starting with this..." He used her ankles and
pulled her closer to him.
"Together is much better...," Cassy mumbled.
"It's time I told my parents," Tom said as he set the table for dinner.
"Now?" Cassy asked. She opened the oven and checked on the roast.
"Yes, now. Why not now? Our secret is out. Harry knows that you're
pregnant, pretty soon everyone will know that we're getting married." Tom
removed the roast from the oven and carried it to the table.
She grabbed the two glasses with her good hand and set them on the table. "I
know all that. It's about your parents."
He looked up from slicing the roast. "What about them?"
Cassy sat down at the table. "Your mother hates me."
Tom dropped the knife. "What? What do you mean my mother hates you? She
adores you."
"She adored me when we were married. She was civil to me when Harry
partnered us up again, but she despised me when I divorced you."
Tom was surprised. "You really think that? That's absurd. My mother never
hated or despised you. It goes against her nature."
"You may not have seen it, but it was there. If I was her I would hate
me too."
Tom put his napkin down. "I think I need to take you back to the hospital.
Someone needs to check you for a concussion."
"Don't be smart. I'm serious."
"Explain then."
"I hurt her son very badly. No mother is going to say 'Oh well, live and learn.'
At least not any decent mother." Cassy's thoughts flashed to her own mother. "If
it was my child, regardless of age, who was hurt, I'd be a lot more than just angry."
He got up from the table and walked over to her. "Get up."
"Why?"
"Because we have a phone call to Boston to make." He held out his hand.
She stood up and took it. "It's a waste of time. Any civil feelings your
mother might have had for me will be gone the second you tell her about
us."
"I disagree." He picked up the phone and began to dial.
"What about dinner?" She asked trying to stall.
"It's not going anywhere. Hello Mom?....It's me....I'm fine...Who?...Oh Mr.
Romanez... Wasn't he dad's golfing buddy?....His daughter Lucy?.....Moving
here?.....I'm not sure if showing her around town is going to be
possible....Mom, forget about Lucy Romanez for a minute. I have some news
for you.....How do you feel about becoming a grandmother?....Of course I'm
sure.....The Italian model? Oh you mean Leah? No, that was over a long time
ago... Mom, it's Cassy....we getting married ...Mom, that's not fair. That
was a long time ago....If I can forgive her so can you...Fine, then don't
come to our wedding...."
Cassy looked down at her feet. She knew that this reaction was a
possibility, but she had hoped for something better.
She felt her eyes tear. She stood up with the intent of getting to her
bedroom before Tom noticed.
He grabbed her by the waist before she could escape and pulled her close.
"You are so easy. She put me on hold so she could go tell my dad the good
news."
Cassy didn't know weather to laugh or slug him. She chose laughter. "I will
get you back for this, Thomas."
He put the phone on the speaker phone and took advantage of the fact
that she was in his arms.
"Thomas, are you there?"
Tom and Cassy pulled apart. "Yeah, Mom, I'm here. Cassy's here too and
we've got you on the speaker phone."
"Hello Cassandra, how are you feeling dear?"
"I'm just fine."
"Thomas told us that you were shot. Lyam and I are so glad to hear that
you're all right."
"I'm getting better everyday."
"It's amazing that the baby survived."
"Well, Mom, what did you expect from a tough cookie like Cassy?" Tom smiled
at her.
"Lyam and I are thrilled for the two of you. Here's your father...."
"Son?"
"Hi Dad. How are you?"
"I'm good. Your mother tells me you're forcing me to become a grandfather."
"Come on Dad, I thought you'd be thrilled, Mom is."
"Oh please. Your mother gets thrilled by a double coupon."
Tom and Cassy could hear her scold her husband.
"They know I'm just teasing. This is wonderful news. I'm so happy for
you. When is the newest Ryan due?"
"In about 51/2 months."
"I understand you and Cassy are going to be married again."
"That's true too."
"Good. I'm glad you finally came to your senses and got her back. When is
the wedding?"
"Very soon Dad."
"Even better. Don't let her get away again."
"Don't worry Dad, I've spent five years trying to get her back, I'm not
about to let her get away."
"Cassy, sweetheart, how is my son treating you?"
"Well, Lyam, he's been overbearing, overprotective and a real pain in
my butt."
"Excellent, then he's doing his job."
"We've got to go now, Dad. Tell Mom I'll call her back when we have more
details."
"Bye Son. Bye Cassy. Bye little Lyam." Tom hung up the phone.
"Did he say little Lyam?" Cassy asked.
"Yes, but don't worry about. Let's finish dinner because I have big plans
for later."
"Such as?" Cassy asked.
"We are going to snuggle on the couch while I'll tell you over and over 'I
told you so.'"
To Part 8