Every Step of the Way

Chapter Twenty-Eight

A knock on the door was all it took to wake Cassandra up- and put her in a bad mood. She groaned, rolling over to face the window.

Varian, who was already up and trying his hand yet again at his book, got up and answered the door.

Clara, with her reddish-orange hair and blue eyes, stood there.

"Hey, Clara. What... what do you need at-" he checked the time, "eleven thirty?"

"Is Lady Cassandra here?"

"Why do you ask?"

"She wasn't in her room. You weren't in your lab. She's usually where you are, so..." she trailed off as she saw that Cass was indeed there, fast asleep on Varian's bed, "oh, I probably shouldn't bother her... I'll come back later."

"Or I can take a message."

"Sure. When she wakes up, tell her... tell her that it's her father. Heart attack. Pretty severe-looking."

Cass moved quicker than anybody thought she was capable of, quickly pulling on her robe and slippers.

"Let's go," she whispered to Varian, grabbing his arm and following Clara's lead.

Varian just let her.

~-~

When they got to the hospital wing- Varian shivered, remembering what had happened only hours ago- they were allowed right into the room that was temporarily housing the captain of the guard.

Immediately, Cassandra burst into tears.

She was so used to seeing him as this strong, healthy man, not... not this.

"Cassandra," he murmured, "come over here."

"Daddy," she whispered through her tears, making her way over to him, "oh, Daddy..."

"I need you to listen to me, Cass. Okay?"

She nodded and took his frail, shaky hands in hers.

"Life will be tough. But you must remember that you are tougher. And if anyone ever offers to come alongside you-" he shot a glance at Varian- "don't push them away. Not without trying to get to know them first. There are plenty of good people in this world. Such as that kid over there."

Again, he glanced up at Varian, who gave a small wave and a tiny, tight smile.

"Come over here, boy."

Varian did as he was asked.

"I've seen how you are around Cass here."

Varian scratched the back of his head, memories of the Kingdom Karaoke flooding back. Cassandra's father must've realized that was what he was thinking of, because he just laughed.

"Don't worry, my boy. I just wanted to thank you for that. For always being there for her, especially since I had duties and Rapunzel was gone."

"Hey, anytime. There- there's nothing I wouldn't do for Cassandra."

Cass gave him a watery smile, taking his hand with her free one.

"I love her. So very much."

Cass's father nodded, "I could gather."

"Daddy?" Cass piped up suddenly, "I- I have something to tell you."

"Yes?"

She didn't know exactly how fair it was to tell him- he was on his deathbed, learning about how he would never meet his grandchild. Or, if it worked out, grandchildren.

But... she supposed he at least deserved to know.

"I- I'm pregnant."

She drew back a little bit, afraid of his reaction. Varian squeezed her hand gently.

"Oh, Cass... I don't know how to react," he whispered, "but..."

He went deathly pale, and the vitals behind him started slowing down.

Slowly but surely, he was dying right then and there.

He took a big breath. "I love you so very much, Cassandra."

"And I love you, too, Daddy..."

He turned his head as much as he could to face Varian. "And you. You... take good care of them."

"I will, sir."

Almost as if Varian's words brought him all the peace that he needed, the captain of the guard gave a bit of a smile before resting his head back, looking almost as if in slumber.

~-~

{I know that he didn't play such a big role in my story. I know that this was probably one of the worst death scenes a girl could write. But... it's out there now. After the next chapter- the funeral- I've got one more dramatic thing, and then the happily-ever-after is just around the corner, I promise!}