Healing hearts

Chapter eleven

Xander's pov

In the days that followed, our relationship changed. We became more comfortable around each other, and I no longer felt shy or awkward. I started to feel like I could be myself around her, and that was a good feeling. I did everything I could to make her feel happy and comfortable, getting her whatever she needed and making sure she was taken care of.

It was another Saturday , and Cassie was out with her friend, Kelly. I  saw this as the perfect opportunity to surprise her. I set out to work on the nursery for our baby boy. I painted the walls a light blue and yellow, and set up the crib my mom had bought a few days earlier. I also decorated the nursery.

As evening fell, I was exhausted from working alone all day. I grabbed a beer to refresh myself, when I heard Cassie pull up in the driveway.

"Xander!" she called out as she entered the house.

I snuck up behind her, putting my hands over her eyes.

"What's going on?" she asked.

"Just come with me, and I'll show you," I said, leading her to the nursery.

I opened the door and let her walk in ahead of me. When she saw the room, her eyes went wide and I felt a rush of pride.

"Oh my God, Xander," she said,. "This is wonderful! Did you do all of this yourself?"

I nodded. "I did. Do you like it?" I asked.

"I love it!" she said . "Thank you so much." I smiled back at her.

She walked around the room, taking in every detail.

"Have you thought of a name for our son yet?" she asked.

"Not really," I said. "But I'm sure whatever name you choose will be perfect."

"But it's your child, too!" she said. "Don't you have any names in mind?"

"Well, when I was younger, I always thought I'd name my first son after me, like Alexander the Second," I said. "But then I met my dad, and I wanted to name my child after him."

She nodded, listening intently. "What was your father's name?" she asked.

"Richard," I said.

"That's a lovely name," she said.

"What about you? What names would you like to use?"I asked

She shrugged. "I'm not sure," I said. "I thought about names like Tanner, Curtis, or Daniel, but I'm not sure if they're right. That's why I was interested to know what you wanted to name him."

We left the nursery and sat down to eat dinner together. Cassie told me that Kelly, her friend, was planning a baby shower for us next week. "You should tell your mom that she's invited," she said.

I pulled out my phone, called my mom and told her.

It was Monday morning, and I was in my office, working on a big project. But then, it suddenly fell through.

Apparently, the client had heard a rumor that I had assaulted Mr. James's daughter, and they didn't want to work with me anymore. I was floored. How did they know about that? Only my family and Cassie's knew what had happened.

I was furious and upset. This was my worst fear come true - that my actions would affect my company, and I might even fail my father. I tried to explain to the client that it was all a big misunderstanding, and that Cassie and I were married. But he wasn't having it. He was determined not to work with me. I felt like I had been punched in the gut.