CASSIE FORTZ

28

Not edited

Our house was quite full, as there were designers here and there bringing ideas for my wedding

I was super excited

Sam threatened to kill me if I didn't make her my maid of honor. But then again if she isn't going to be my maid of honor then no one will

I didn't tell her that though

I had Jamie, Jordan and Jenny be my bridesmaids so currently they were arguing about the color of their dress.

Mum was on the phone with some people. She was in charge of the food at the wedding and so she wanted to best for her daughter.

Levi and I had to go for cake tasting later today. I had Louis help me pick the flowers that'll be used to decorate the hall while Sam made sure everything went the way I wanted.

Later that day my mum called for me sounding quite upset and worried.

"Mum what's wrong?"

I walked out to meet her seated close the water fountain.

"Sit Cassie" she said and I obliged

"Your dad has been trying to reach out to me. My friend from Huston called me a while ago to tell me. She said your dad is better now, that he went for rehabilitation and that he's really trying his best to be a better"

"Mum-"

"Cassie listen to me, I know what your dad did was wrong but we have to forgive him. You all have to find a place in your heart to forgive him."
She finishes and I stand annoyed

"Mum there's no way we're doing that! You almost died for crying out loud. So I can't believe you're saying this"

I walk away tears in my eyes, I grab my keys and drive away

"Hey babe, you home?"

"Princess what's wrong you sound upset. And yes I'm home, you coming?"

"Yes, I'll tell you when I get there" Moments later I pull up in Levi's drive way and before I get to the door he's already out taking me in his arms

"princess what's wrong?"

"It's mum" I hug him so tight

"What happened? Did she fall ill again?" he asks worried

"No, no not that. Let's just go inside and talk about it" I wipe my eyes taking his hand in mine

When we were seated on his couch, I decided to start talking.

"Mum got a call from home that dad has been trying to reach out to us" I say

"Wait what? No way I'm not having him near you guys again. Hasn't he hurt you all a lot?" he says annoyed

"No no he doesn't want to hurt us. He just wants to come back to our lives. Mum said he went for rehabilitation and that he's actually trying his best to be better for us. I'm just upset because she wants us to forgive him. I mean after everything how can we forgive him. Mum almost died! Because of him" I explain

"Oh" Levi says with a soft smile

"What? Why are you smiling?" I frown

"Princess the fact that your dad realized his mistakes and even went for rehabilitation means that he's actually serious about being better for you guys. I'm not saying the way he treated you all was right. But then he's willing to change so that says something. He's human you know. And we're not perfect. So forgive him my love, you all should forgive him for his mistakes." Levi replies, kissing my forehead

" You think so?"

" I know so, now go ahead." he says and I kiss him

" Thanks babe. What would I do with out you? You always know the right thing to say" I tell him and he laughs

"I love you princess"

"I love you too babe"

"Oh and before I forget, we have a date with my parents and my brother tomorrow." he says and my eyes go wide

"Really?"

"Yes baby"

"Oh I'm nervous already" I tell him hugging myself and he laughs

"Don't worry, they'll love you just the way I do. Now go" he says

And I kiss him one last time before heading out. Taking my phone to call my mum

"Hello? Cass?"

"Mum, y'all should get ready. We are going home. And by home I mean Huston" And I hang up
 
                           °°°°°°°°

Walking towards our old house a wave of memories hits me and I shiver. My mum and my sisters are in front of me. And mum rings the bell when we're finally at the door

We stood there for sometime until the door opened revealing a healthy looking dad.

"Cassandra? Is this really you?" he says surprised

"Jamie? Jordan? Cassie? You all are so grown up"

Of course dad

"Please come in" he makes way for us and we walk in. Looking around I find that nothing really changed. The house still looked the same.

"What do I offer you guys?" he asks politely and I roll my eyes

"Dad we're good. So you can take your seat now" I say curtly earning a glare from mum

What? I agreed to do this but I never said I would make it easy for him

"Cass" he says

"Look you all must understand that I'm truly sorry for what I did. I feel so bad that by the time I realized my mistakes it was too late. The last months without you guys made me realize a lot. I'm very sorry and if you all don't want to forgive me it's okay.
   Cassandra, I'm sorry for what I did to you. You only wanted the best for me and in return I gave you pain. I still love you Cassandra, I kills me whenever i remember what happened. I'm trying my best to change now Cassy, I even went for rehabilitation and I got a job at a construction company. Jamie, Jordan Cassie, my beautiful pearls I'm so sorry for everything. I'm sorry for everything. I kills me every time knowing that I missed out a lot in your lives as your dad. I'm a failure as a father. And not a good role model. I'm very sorry. Please forgive me" dad goes on his knees, tears in his eyes.

"Derrick, it's okay, please stand" mum goes to him crying too

"I forgive you, I forgive you for everything. And as long as you promise to change and not go back on your old ways you can come back to our lives." she says to him and he pulls her to him

"Oh yes I promise, I promise" he says to her and mum motions for us to come over too

We all share a hug, crying.

"We forgive you dad. We forgive you" my sisters and I say

After series of apologies and tears, we talked and filled dad in on what he missed.

I even told dad about my wedding and he promised to be there, saying he wasn't going to miss out on our lives anymore.

We had to head back to the airport to avoid missing our flight, so that offered to take us.

I must say it feels good to have my father back.