The Baker

Chapter 22

Sorry I haven't upated! I've been busy, busy, busy! But after tonight I will be updating regularly! I apologize this chapter is so short, but that's only because I couldn't think of much more to add. More to come in the next one, I promise! Thank you!!

-Author

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"Why would you do this Cassie, why?" Cassie kept asking herself. "Mom needs you, dad needs you and look what you tried to do!" She was so angry with herself. She hasn't stooped this low in a long while and she did it at the worst possible time! Not only when her mom and dad needed her, but just when she was starting a great relationship! She hated herself for this. She didn't know what she was thinking.

She was sitting at the windowsill, staring at the rain with an unread book in her hand. She didn't feel like reading. Not when she felt like this. She knew Jess called Ben and that just added to the feelings. What if he didn't want her anymore? What if he thinks of her differently now? What if he was afraid she would ruin his reputation? What if--

"Cassie, dear," her nurse, Amy, called softly. "You have a visitor." 

Cassie heavily sighed. Without looking at her, she told Amy, "I don't want to see Jess right now. I don't need another lecture."

"Not Jess," a deep, baritone voice said; echoing throughout the room. Cassie's breath caught in her throat. She closed her eyes and felt the tears trickle down her cheeks. Not three seconds later did she feel soft hands wipe them away, then linger there, caressing her cheeks. Slowly, she opened her eyes...and saw him. He was right there with her. He sat next to her on the windowsill and brought her into a soft, yet tight embrace. They didn't speak. They didn't talk about what's happened these past few days. They just held on to each other as the rain padded away against the world behind them.

***

"You are so beautiful," Ben murmmured as he brushed back some of Cassie's hair that had stuck to her face due to tears. "And I really don't understand why you didn't tell me or Jess. I would have come home if you just called." He was getting worked up now. Cassie had just finished exaplaining everything, once Ben moved them over to the bed and settled down with her. She told him how she had just gotten the call after they fired Wendy. She told Jess she wasn't feeling well because she wanted to see if she could deal with this the right way and on her own. Obviously, she was wrong.

"Do you know what Jess would have done, had you succedded in killing yourself? What about your parents when they already have enough to deal with?" He paused for a moment, then continued with tears brimming in his eyes, "What about me?" 

Cassie couldn't look at him. She was so ashamed of herself already and he wasn't making it any better. She knows she handled this poorly. She knows she should have told somebody. She just can't trust herself anymore. 

"Cass," Ben said, bringing her out of her thoughts. "Look at me." She averted her eyes as low as they could go. She just couldn't look. "Please, sweetheart. For me?" Cassie closed her eyes and sighed. After a couple moments, she felt those long, slender fingers under her chin. She didn't fight when he lifted her head, but she still kept her eyes closed. Ben placed a gentle kiss on each eye lid. 

"Why?" She asked in a whisper. 

"Because I want to look into those gorgeous blue eyes when I tell you how much I love you," he whispered back. 

"How can you still love me after this?"

"Well, open your eyes and you'll find out how."

Slowly, but surly, she opened her eyes. She was met with his kind, icy blue ones. She flicked her eyes over his face for any sign of disgust or shame, but she found none. She wasn't sure why.

Clearing his throat, he said, "Cassandra Hansen, you would have to have an angel's tongue to explain why I still, and always will, love you. But...I'll do my best." He could see Cassie tearing up already, but he still continued, "You are beautiful. You are funny. You are not like every bleeding girl in this world. Your heart is so big, I'm not sure how you can even fit me in there. You are a lovely, down-to-earth person and I will do everything in my power to help you, as will Jess and the rest of your family and friends. We all love and care for you so much, honey." He stroked her hair back and kissed the tears on her cheeks away. Cassie buried her face in his chest and started crying, as he shushed her lovingly.