Healing hearts

Chapter forty two

Cassie's pov

I came home after a very stressful day at work. We had started a new project, and it was going great, but also making me exhausted. I was ready to relax, but the house was quiet. I was worried because Stella and my son were supposed to be around.

Just as I was about to call her, I received a text from Xander, asking me to come to the pool area of the house. I went there, and the place was beautifully decorated. I didn't know what was going on. A soft, beautiful version of "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars played in the background. I wondered what Xander was planning this time. Then he came out, holding my little Alex.

"It's been so beautiful, being married to you," he said. "First, being your best friend, and now, being your husband. I'll treasure you forever and love you for the rest of my life." My son ran up to me and tugged on my gown. "Yes, baby," I said.

My son held up a beautiful sign that said "Mummy, please marry my daddy again." I looked at Xander, who was on one knee, holding my ring, which I hadn't even realized was off my finger.

"Marry me, Cassie," he said. "Marry me again. Let me give you the wedding you deserve." 

"Yes, Xander, I will marry you again," I said, and he hugged me. Then he shouted, "She said yes!" Everyone came out, clapping and congratulating us both. I was so surprised to see them all. I wondered where they'd been the whole time. My mom, dad, Brian, Mia, Kelly and her boyfriend, and Stella and her boyfriend were all here.

The next few weeks were spent planning the wedding. We had to hurry, as my pregnancy was beginning to show. I didn't want to be heavily pregnant when walking down the aisle. I wanted my wedding to be perfect. Everyone pitched in, and we planned everything. I was so excited for the big day.

"Come on, girl," Kelly said. "It's just a bachelorette party." She and Mia had been trying to convince me to have a bachelorette party, but I was still hesitant. "No, guys," I said. "I don't need a bachelorette party. In case you've forgotten, I'm already married and pregnant. I can't do alcohol and crazy partying.

"Come on, Cassie," Kelly said. "You realize this is your last chance to have a bachelorette party, unless you and Xander decide on a third wedding." I sighed, but didn't say anything.

"What about if we promise no alcohol or crazy partying?" Mia said. "We can have it at your poolside, and it would just be a normal girls' gathering, where we have fun." I hesitated, but then I said, "Yeah." They both promised to make my bachelorette party fun, and I smiled.

Xander told me a few guys from work organized a bachelorette party for him too and I though how cool it was that we are both getting bachelors party even though we are already married . I told him to have fun but not too much and he promise he won't.

It was the day of the bachelorette party, and we were at my poolside. I had a sash that said "Bride-to-be," and it was beautiful. The place was decorated nicely, and as promised, there was no alcohol, just punch and smoothies. I was glad I could still have fun without drinking. I had Kelly, Mia, and three other girls from college who weren't really close to me. I found out Kelly had invited them.

Mia started telling me some embarrassing stories about Xander from college, and I laughed. She told me I was the best thing that had ever happened to him. We played some games, and it was all fun.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, which Mia answered. She came back with a police officer. "Excuse me, there's a lot of noise coming from here," he said. I squinted my eyes in confusion.

"I'm sorry, officer," I said. "Are you sure it's coming from here? We barely have music on. The music is on low volume."

"Are you saying I'm lying, miss?" he said, coming toward me in a threatening manner. "No, I'm just..." I didn't know what to say. Suddenly, he said, "Ma'am, you just committed an offense, and I'll have to charge you for that." I was scared. Was I really going to get arrested when I hadn't done anything wrong?

I was about to say something when he suddenly tore off his shirt, startling me. Everyone else burst out laughing, and I realized I'd been pranked. "Oh my God," I said. "You guys!" I laughed. "You said no alcohol, but you never said no stripper," Mia said, grinning. I couldn't help but sigh.

The guy started playing music and dancing in a way that made me feel a little uncomfortable. He performed for all of us, but he kept coming back to me. Mia and Kelly were urging me to party and let loose, but I was feeling a little self-conscious. Finally, I sighed and started dancing with the stripper, but then I was dragged away by someone. When I looked up, I saw Xander standing there.

"Sorry, man, this one's taken," he said, and he dragged me away. "Are you mad at me?" I asked, feeling a little nervous. "A little," he said. For some reason, his answer made me sad. I'm sure it was just pregnancy hormones.

"I'm sorry," I said, pouting. He still didn't look at me. "I'm sorry, Xander," I said. "I didn't touch him, I swear. Please believe me." He still didn't say anything, and I started crying. Soon, he panicked at my tears and pulled me into a hug.

"Hey, don't cry, babe," he said. "I didn't mean to make you cry. I was only joking." I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "You were joking?" I said, my voice raising in anger. "How dare you joke with a pregnant woman like that!" I said, hitting him on the shoulder. "Ouch!" he said, wincing. "I was worried that you were actually mad at me," I  said.

"Hey, Xander!" Mia said, coming over to us. "How dare you make your pregnant wife-to-be cry? What a jerk you are.

"Shut up Mia" Xander said.

" Don't tell her to shut up", I said upset at him. " you were mean to me".

"Fine, I'm sorry, babe," he said. "Let's go upstairs." I was about to say yes when Mia dragged me away. "Sorry, nope," she said. "You don't get to spend time with him until after the ceremony."

"Come on, we're already married, you know," Xander said, rolling his eyes. "Well, let Cassie decide," Mia said to me. "Do you want to go upstairs with your jerky husband who made you cry the night before your second wedding, or do you want to stay with us and have loads of fun?"

I pretended to think for a while, and then I said, "I think I'll stay with you guys." Xander's jaw dropped. "You can't be serious," he said. "Yep, you don't get me tonight," I said, kissing his cheek. "See you tomorrow." I went back to my friends, and we played games until midnight. Then, I went to bed, ready for my big day tomorrow.