I Choose You : A New Chapter

Another

"Ah, fuck," Ben whispered as he pressed his hand to his stomach. "Not again, you prick." He set his school bag down and sat himself on the couch. It was late and he doubted Cassie would be up. She's been working herself like a dog all week, while still managing to take care of Aiden at the same time. She's been rocking it and he feels he's been...well, the opposite. 

His stress ulcer comes back every once in a while, sometimes with a vengeance. It'll happen during class, tests, even when Aiden starts crying or throwing a fit. Cassie has to swoop in almost all the time to help him and he finds it embarrassing. 

"Hey, babe," Cassie's tired voice said from behind him. He felt her fingers go through his hair and suddenly the pain of the ulcer went away. "What are you doing up?" He asked her. His heart fluttered a bit when he felt her lips press against his cheek. "Waiting for you," she said. "I've been worried about you."

He turned his head to look at her and was greeted with a kiss. Just as he was getting into it, she pulled away. "Come upstairs, baby," she whispered. He nodded and took her hand as he followed her. When they got into the room, he dressed down to his boxers and climbed into bed. 

"What's going on?" Cassie asked as she gently ran her fingers through his hair. He had his head on her chest with his arms wrapped around her. "I hate that you're doing all the work," he told her. "You're paying the bills, working your gorgeous arse off, taking care of Aiden, and here I am, wallowing and complaining because my stomach hurts."

Cassie tsk'd and kissed his head. "You're sick," she told him. "It's no big deal. I'm more than happy to help, you know I am. I know how you feel regarding all of this, but you need to focus on your health. That is what's most important."

He nodded into her chest, then took a deep breath. "I want to see Aiden," he said. "I miss my boy." Cassie got him off of her, then got up and went into Aiden's room. When she came back, she had him, still sleeping, in her arms. Ben sat up with a smile and happily took his son. 

"Hey, baby boy," he whispered. "Daddy's missed you." He placed a soft kiss on his head, then set him in the middle of the bed. Cassie got in on the other side of him and rested her hand gently on his stomach. Ben put his hand over her's. 

"I love you both," he told her, "so much." She smiled at him, then said, "We love you, too. You have no idea."

**

For the next few weeks, things seemed to get better overall. Ben's ulcer finally went away and he was able to help out a bit more with Aiden when he didn't have school. He kept on his promise and took a break from the plays. His theater teacher was practically begging to get him back, but Ben insisted his family needed him. 

He was able to make a lot more money with his extra shifts and even opened a savings account for Aiden. Whatever he or Cassie didn't use for rent, food, or other essentials, he would put into the account. Cassie would do the same with her paycheck.

"Little man's going to have a little extra cash to move away from us when he's eighteen," Ben joked as he looked at the bank statement. "Don't say that," Cassie scolded with a smile. "He's going to live with us for as long as he wants."

She picked Aiden up and gave him a big kiss on the cheek. He giggled and put his tiny hands on her cheeks. "I want another one," Ben suddenly said. "God, I want another so bad." Cassie gave him a soft smile, then said, "So do I, but I don't think that would be wise at the moment. I promise, once we're financially stable, we'll pop out as many babies as we can."

He chuckled, then said, "Alright, deal. I guess this one will do for now." He picked Aiden up and tossed him a few feet in the air, before catching him. Aiden giggled up a storm, making his parents laugh. "Ugh, I love you so much," Ben cooed. He smothered his son's face in kisses, making Aiden laugh even more. 

"Everything's going to be okay," Cassie told Ben. He nodded, then rested his forehead against Aiden's. "I know."