Healing hearts

Chapter forty one

Cassie's pov

I stood in front of the mirror, taking in my reflection. Soon, my pregnancy will start showing. The past few days had been wonderful, spending time with my dad, brother, and Xander. Although Xander had some issues with his stepmother at the office, everything was resolved, and now I was glad to have helped my husband through it. We had also attended the court sentencing of Shawn and the other men involved in his kidnapping. It was satisfying to see justice served for everything they had done to him.

For the moment, everything seemed to be in place, and I hoped it would stay that way. I smiled and kept looking at myself in the mirror after my nightly shower. Then, my husband's arms wrapped around me from behind, and he nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck. I smiled at his touch.

"You look so beautiful," he whispered in my ear. "You drive me crazy, you know that?"

I giggled, but then my expression changed. I stared at him. He noticed and asked, "What's wrong?"

I turned around to face him. "Nothing," I said. "It's just, you've been through so much." I reached up and touched his face. "It's wonderful how much strength you've shown." He smiled at me and then kissed my hand.

"My strength always comes from you," he said. "And from the fact that you're always by my side. That's why I fight. Because you give me strength." I blushed at his words.

"I can't believe we're married and having children together," I said, shaking my head. "It's crazy. Back in high school, I never would have thought we'd end up together." I walked to the bed and sat down, and he followed.

"Why, he said softly believe me I never saw this any other way". "It was you or no one else", he said looking at me seriously and I scoffed.

"Why?" I asked, genuinely curious. "Are you saying no girl in college or any of your exes ever captured your heart?"

He looked at me, his expression serious. "No one," he said. "Really?" I asked, and he nodded. "Why?"

"You had my heart all along," he said. "I knew that most of the girls in college didn't really love me, they just wanted my wealth". I smiled and blushed at his words.

"What was your dream future in college?" he asked me touching my hair softly and I climbed into his lap, smiling. He looked at me, smiling back. "Well, I always wanted to make a lot of money, go on vacations, meet a very hot guy who would treat me like a treasure, and have him give me a beautiful proposal," I said, laughing a little. "Then we'd have a very grand wedding with all our families, and have great kids." I leaned in and kissed him. He smiled against my lips.

"I never gave you your dream proposal and wedding," he said, and I pouted. "I know," he said. "But my life is going amazing so far, and I got the right man who treasures me." I smiled, and kissed him again. Before long, we were lost in passionate lovemaking.

Xander's pov

As Cassie told me about her dream wedding and proposal, I realized that I'd never given her one. That wasn't right. She deserved it and so much more. I wanted to give her the dream proposal she'd always wanted, and a ceremony in front of her family and friends. I had some ideas in mind, and as we lay in bed together after rounds of love making, I started to plot how I would make it happen.

I knew I couldn't waste any time, so the next day, I visited Cassie's father and her brother, Brian. I told them my intention to remarry her, and to have a grand wedding ceremony. Brian welcomed me and gave me his blessing. I smiled. I never thought Brian would ever say those words to me. Last time, he hated me. Now, he accepted me like a brother. Mr. James gave me his consent, too.

"Would you be my best man?" I asked Brian. He agreed. I didn't have many guy friends, so I was grateful that he was on board. I spent the rest of the day inviting everyone to come over to help me decorate my poolside so I could give her the proposal she deserved. I asked her dad to keep her in the office for a while, until everything was ready. I wanted the night to be perfect. I wanted to show her how much I loved her.