The Baker

Chapter 66

This was the week. The week of Ben and Cassie's wedding. All the invitations had been sent out months ago and now everyone that's accepted them on her side of the family was flying down to London today. 

The wedding was in two days. 

Two. Days. 

Cassie has been freaking out for the past two weeks about getting to this point. Ben didn't have to film additional scenes, thank God, so she was able to see him freak out a bit, too. It wasn't a bad freak out by any means, but more of a "this is really happening and we can't believe it" freak out.  It was a happy one. 

The two days before were a crazy whirlwind of events. With forty-some of her family members flying in, they were obligated to see the apartment, take the couple out to dinner--but not without inviting Ben's family!--, not to mention they had to see the bakery, and they needed a tour of London!

Cassie knew two days was a bad idea. 

And then there was another issue...Kelly. She hadn't called Cassie since their last phone call about her not coming home for Thanksgiving or Christmas. It's only been a few weeks, and they've gone longer without talking, but the fact that Kelly was mad made it seem longer. 

When Ben and Cassie showed up at the airport to meet the first half of the family, one of the first people she saw was her little sister. She expected there to be a disgusted look in her face or something that told her they weren't alright...but she got the complete opposite. 

Kelly actually dropped her bags and sprinted over to Cassie. She practically knocked her over with her hug, but all Cassie could think was how relieved she was. No matter what, they could never stay mad at each other.

"I'm sorry," Cassie said into Kelly's hair. Kelly just nodded and squeezed her tighter. The next person Cassie saw was Leo, who smiled widely and gave her a bear hug. When he got to Ben, he gave him a skeptical look, making Ben gulp. 

"I will still chop your balls off if you hurt her," he warned. "But since you're practically my brother now..." He brought Ben into a tight hug. Ben was in too much shock to return it right away, but eventually did. 

Cassie was just pulling back from another hug with Kelly when she spotted someone else. It was Julie. She was timidly walking towards them. 

She looked different since Cassie saw her last. Her hair was shorter, she looked more cleaned up and put together since Liam's death, but also looked a little scared. Ben, Leo, and Kelly all watched the two look at each other as they stood only a few feet away from each other. 

Julie looked over her daughter, as Cassie did the same to her. "You look...good, mom," she said. Julie nodded in acknowledgment and said, "Thank you. I've felt a lot better since I ended it with Bob." Cassie gave her a quick double take. 

Julie only smiled and held open her arms. Cassie didn't hesitate to fall into them. She started crying into her mom's shoulder as Julie stroked her hair. "I couldn't miss my baby's wedding," she cried. "I would have done anything to be here and that includes getting rid of that jackass." 

Cassie laughed through tears and just kept holding on. "I'm sorry it took me so long to see it," Julie said. "After Thanksgiving...he was just so drunk and so angry, I...I don't blame the family for leaving and I don't blame you for uninviting me. Will you ever forgive me?"

Cassie pulled back from the hug and smiled as Julie wiped at her tears. "I forgive you," she said. "I love you, mom." They hugged again, and then eventually pulled back. They both wiped their tears, then Julie made a b-line to Ben. 

She hugged him and kissed his cheeks. She apologized to him, too, but was easily forgiven and brought into another hug. After that, there were shouts of "where in the hell is my hat?!" and "it's on your head!", mixed with "I don't see them!" and "they're right there!"