Deep within the Dark Waters

Chapter 3

Cass' light eyes lift to Ruth's as their father's words sound through the room. She waits for Ruth's response. Ruth had chosen a man Cass didn't even know and neither trusted or respected yet. Wether she wanted to admit or not she wasn't happy about it. Granted she hadn't seen Ruth in so long, no doubt both of they're lives would move on without each other necessary in them. Regardless, Cass impatiently waiting for whatever would come through the door of the room they stood in. Alexander arm brushed hers as he turned to the now opening door of the room. Cass did not follow his reaction. She knew who it was so to speak and she didn't even want to have to pleasure of seeing Ruth's face when she acknowledged him. " Hello." A man's voice said. Nervousness existed in his voice. But he did a rather good job covering it up. Cass now had to see him, her stubbornness was only so strong. Turning to look towards the door Ruth passes her taking ahold of her fiancé's arm. He's rather tall, his skin light a pale that makes his bright blonde hair shine brighter. His eyes dark and she's unsure of the color. His posture is straight and mature, resembling her Alexander. Her eyes look at his, almost as if she's interrogating him. Instead of shrinking back at her expression, he instead returns with a smile revealing a few dimples on his cheeks. " Pearce Bother." The man states holding a hand out towards Alexander. Without hesitation Alexander returns his actions. Cass nods to Pearce softening her expression a little. Ruth eyes then both examining there interactions. " You are Cassandra." Pearce states, not as a question. " I am." Cass responds finally offering him her hand. Instead of shaking her extended hand he gently grasps it and lowers his lips to her hand. Quickly pecking the top he lets go straighten his posture. Cass takes her hand back. Not used to the greeting. " Pleasure." She says dully. Alexander smirks at her slightly as he sees her reaction. " Pearce and I will be married on 27th." Ruth finally speaks up with a statement. Cass' eyes widen. " Of this month?" She asks confused and also surprised. Ruth links her arm with Pearce's as she turns her head. " You knew we'd be married, did you not?" Ruth asks knowing the answer. Cass lifts her eyebrows. " Yes but not so soon." Cass trying to reason. Ruth frowns. " Unlike you I don't wait unreasonable times for rumors to speak of me. Especially regarding my marriage." Ruth abruptly fires back. Cass steps back. As if Ruth's words a literally pushed her back. Alexander pauses, giving Own a chance to speak. But he does not. Alexander narrows his eyes before he takes the defense. " Rude and childish comments are not something a enjoy seeing unfold. Especially between the two of you. So that is enough of it." He simply states as he rests his hand on Cass' shoulder. Ruth opens her mouth as if she's about to speak but changes her mind. Cass still does not speak as she stares back at Ruth, now with a hint of anger on her face. " I agree. No need of it." Pearce adds. Alexander nods to Pearce clear acknowledging both faults of the sisters. Cass shouldn't have questioned they're decision and Ruth shouldn't have reacted in that way. " Are you staying for dinner?" Ruth and Cass' mother asks, changing the defensive subject. " No." Cass blurts out. Alexander looks at her disagreement on his face at her words. " Cassandra." Owen says almost with a pleading voice. Cass eyes Ruth but then shakes her head. " We can stay. Just not for long. I'm very tired." Cass retracts her original answer. " Perfect." Their mother says with a smile. " I'm sure we all are." She adds trying to excuse what happened prior.

Gathered around the dinner table later. Silence fills the room other then the sound of clinking silverware. Alexander and Cass sit at the farthest end of the wide table, almost as if purposefully excluded. Ruth and Pearce sit across from them, while Owen and his wife sit at both ends. " so I think we'll be having to deal with two weddings sooner or later." Owen says in attempt to lighten the mood. Cass cuts her eyes to him abruptly. " father." Cass urges him to stop. " so you aren't set on marriage Cassandra?" Owen presses her. Alexander lifts his head clearly acknowledging the situation but letting Cass respond. " not right now father." Cass says clearly becoming uncomfortable. Owen turns his head suspiciously as his obnoxious chewing stops. He eyes her judgmentally. " not now for the conversation or not now for a long awaited marriage for you." Owen asks now serious. Ruth whispers under her breath, " neither." Cass hearing her works drops her fork in hand. I think I would like to go now, Alexander." She looks at him silently asking for his support. He holds her gaze and without another thought stands with her as well. " the dinner was delicious. The conversations were lest tasteful." He says with a smile. Owen looks at them both with a colder expression on his face. " aren't you sleeping here Cass?" Her mothers asks setting down her napkin. Cass pauses looking her now distant family with dismay. She wanted to go with Alexander, he had been her line of support. She also felt more comfortable on that ship in his arms than she would ever feel in the house she had grown up in. The house where she had been born, raised and schooled in. But now she looked at it as a distant and Al's unfamiliar memory. " no ill be returning to the siren with Alexander." She states. Owen raises an eyebrow, another strike no doubt in his book. Alexander nods to her that he's leaving and returns the gesture as she looks back at Ruth. Ruth looks at her with a frown. " ill see you tomorrow Ruth." Cass states simply as she bids goodbye to them turning to follow Alexander who waits for her by the door.