Love Triangles

Cassandra Cillian pulled into the Safeway parking lot looking for her Ex Husband's beat up old truck and sighed when she saw it. Of course, he would be early. He was never early except for this. Cassandra glanced in the rear view mirror and saw their daughter was woefully sitting in the back seat, staring at her father. The only person who brought Cassandra joy in the last 6 months while the divorce was finalized was sweet Daisy Jane. At seven Daisy loved Disney, reading, and drawing. The seven-year-old was a mix of both parents sporting her mother's bright red hair and her father's gray-blue eyes, with the intelligence to match. The only difference was Daisy had horrible eyesight, so get big blue eye were enlarged by the thick pink glasses she wore on a daily basis.

Cassandra parked a few spots away from the old green truck, Jacob Stone drove. Being too close was dangerous. Cassandra was still very much in love with him, but he was the one who shattered their lives. Jacob worked on an oil rig and was often gone for long periods of time. 9 months out of the year he was off shore. Long distance relationships are hard. Cassandra knew that. Add that Jake blamed her for everything. Then 8 months ago Jake shattered her world. He delivered divorce papers and claimed that he did not love her anymore. Claimed he fell in love with a woman on the rig named Lana. And it would be better this way. Cassandra gave in because she was tired of the screaming matches.

It was a long and draining process, and the person who wore the brunt of it was Daisy.

The custody agreement was difficult but the judge stated that the months that Jacob was home, he would have full custody of Daisy, then when he left, she would stay with her mother.

Cassandra didn't like it but vowed never to take Daisy away from him as long as he was a good father. And Jacob was an amazing father. The only person he cared about besides himself was Daisy.

Cassandra told herself not to cry and turned in her seat. "Okay sweetie pie, do you have everything? Did you bring Bunny?" She asked of the seven-year-old.

Daisy nodded and opened the door. Cassandra popped the trunk and got out of the car. She went to get the trunk to grab Daisy's roller bag, and backpack, she would be with her dad for 3 weeks. Cassandra knew the next 3 weeks would be horrible.

"Okay baby girl, you have everything. It will be fun; you and your dad will have a wonderful time. I've put in all your school work. "Cassandra said as she knelt down to look at her daughter.

Daisy had big tears in her eyes. Cassandra noticed Jacob was waiting and watching.

"I love you, Daisy Jane," Cassandra whispered as hugged Daisy.

"Mama I'm going to miss your birthday," Daisy said with a cry.

"Oh baby girl it's okay, we will celebrate when you come back," Cassandra assured.

"I don't want to go!" Daisy said as she flung into her mother's waiting arms. Over Daisy's shoulder, Cassandra saw Jacob start to walk forward.

"Now Daisy Jane Lyla Stone, you listen to me. Your daddy loves you. He loves you all the way to Pluto and back. He is your father and you will love him, obey him and respect him. This is what he wants. We both need to support him. I support him by not taking you away from him; remember what happened to Felix and his dad. Daisy you support by enduring. I know it's hard but remember baby girl we are diamonds. What do diamonds need?" Cassandra said as she sternly stared into her daughter's gray-blue eyes.

"Diamonds need heat, pressure and time," Daisy responded with a pouty lip.

"Right we are still in the heat and pressure phase. Things will get easier with time. I promise. Now dry those tears, and let's not keep your dad waiting."

Daisy nodded and wiped her eyes with her sleeve. She hugged her mother again and grabbed her bags. Without a glance back and much like the fearless girl she was she went forward and hugged her father. She then climbed into the front seat of his truck and waved. Ca

Jacob stood staring at Cassandra, hearing the whole exchange. Something in his heart shuddered. He needed to run before the guilt and shame caught up with him. He locked eyes with Cassandra nodded and turned to leave.

"Jacob," Cassandra called before he had a chance to walk away. "Daisy has a book report due next Tuesday; can you please help her with it?"

"Of course, Cass, I'll see you when I see you" Jacob said and walked away.

There it was that nickname, the name only he called her, sometimes to get under her skin and sometimes in the most loving moments. He started calling her that before they started dating, to get under her skin. Then as they became partners, friends and husband and wife that nickname sent her heart into overdrive. Cassandra felt that same hard beating heart. It only made the tears well up faster. But Cassandra knew the routine. Save faced until the truck was out of sight then drive home and cry until Monday, where she would go to work at the local children's museum and pretend to be happy and play with children who are not hers. It was only three weeks. Then Jacob would be gone for months and Cassandra would rebuild normal again.

The truck pulled away and Daisy was staring at her mother waving. Cassandra laughed and waved back. Waiting to leave until it turned that dreaded left to where Jacob owned an apartment. Cassandra got back into her car and headed for home.

AN: This is a result of listening to too much music. :) Please let me know if I should continue this.