Second Chances

Chapter 9

Casey continued to surprise her in-laws by inviting them to stay for supper once the happy shoppers had returned. John was politely tongue-tied when Casey asked if he would like to be the one to give his new grandson his supper bottle while everyone else cleaned up. Carter had volunteered to help Casey carry her packages upstairs and she accepted, saying that she wanted to change into one of the new outfits she had bought that afternoon.

John and Jane sat on the couch in the study alone as Jon sucked his bottle happily. "He does look like Carter, you know," John admitted as Jane gave the baby her finger to grasp in his chubby fist. "Frankly, now that I've seen the tyke up close, I don't know how Carter ever doubted that the baby was his."

"Casey's hurt Carter so badly in the past – it was a natural defense mechanism for the boy to wonder," Jane explained, smiling lovingly at the baby as he gripped her finger.

"How was shopping?" John continued to stare at the baby although his question was directed to his wife.

"I think the word I'd use is surreal," Jane replied. She shook her head and sat back on the couch with a sigh. "It almost scared me, you know," she admitted, staring into space. "I actually found myself *liking* my daughter-in-law." She crossed her arms and put three fingers to her lips. "Truth be told, I almost like *this* Casey better than the one Carter introduced to us three years ago."

John nodded but then startled when the baby pulled away from the bottle and began to cry angrily. "Oops.....mother, what am I doing wrong??!!"

"Oh, for pete's sake, John, if you don't know after two sons of your own and a grandchild, you're dottier than your daughter-in-law!" Jane gave John a pointed look and his eyes widened in understanding. He handed the bottle to Jane and shifted Jon to his shoulder, patting three times before he was rewarded with a loud, moist belch.

"I'd give that one a 5.8, wouldn't you?" Casey's happy voice filled the room as she entered. She had changed her clothing again and was wearing blue jeans with a white tank top and embroidered pale blue gauzy tunic that softened the ensemble. She leaned over behind her in-laws to bring her eyes to her son's level. "So, is mommy's boy being good for his grandpa?"

"He's been acting exactly like his daddy did at that age, Casey," John replied, shifting Jon back down into his arms. The baby immediately began to whimper but once John put the bottle back to his lips, the baby quieted and began sucking voraciously. "He's as hungry as a bear just waking up from his winter nap!"

"Really? Did Carter have a good appetite as a baby?" She came around the front of the couch and sat next to Jane. "I mean, I know you must think I'm totally crazy, but I'd love to hear about Carter when he was a baby."

"Yep -- she's crazy alright." Carter strolled into the study. Casey caught her breath again at the sight of him in tight black jeans and a pale blue knit shirt. He stopped next to her. "Well -- that's a switch." He perched on the arm of the couch next to Casey. "We're color-coordinated."

"Don't they always say great minds think alike?" Casey's eyes twinkled and Carter had to remind himself not to fall into their depths. She waited for his sarcastic answer but then realized he was staring at her -- and it wasn't because she looked odd. {Is he.....that almost looks like....passion!} "Carter? Did I say something wrong?"

Carter shook his head briefly. "No, not at all." He folded his hands in his lap. "I just meant that if you're actually asking my mother to tell you about how I used to eat mooseburgers and run away from home to explore the Outback, you've gone round the bend for sure!"

Casey smiled at Carter and then reached for Jon, who had finished his bottle and was beginning to fret. "Well, since I don't *remember* anything about you, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity. And that way, I'll know what to expect from your son!" She cooed at him and began walking towards the door of the study, actually humming softly. She turned back to the stunned grouping on the couch. "I'm just going to take him upstairs and put him in his crib. I'll see you all in the dining room in a few minutes, OK?"