Disclaimer: I only own Caitlynn and Cassidy. If you recognize any famous name, I do not own them.
Chapter 9
When John walked into Caitlynn's room, he found her standing on a small stool, trying to reach the DVD player.
"Hey Princess, what are you trying to do?" John asked, walking over to her.
"I watch 'Pincess Rora." She answered, handing John the copy of Sleeping Beauty.
"Can I watch with you?" He asked looking at her, still shocked by how much she looks like him.
"Okay." She answered, going over to her table set she has in there. When John got the movie in and set up, he went over and sat next to Caitlynn.
"Damn, they don't like making these chairs any bigger." John mumbled aloud, as Caitlynn stared at him w/ an amused look on her face. "What's so funny shorty?" He asked, seeing that she was giggling.
"John, you sit here." Caitlynn answered, pointing to an adult rocker situated in the corner. Getting up, John walked over and pulled the rocker out of the corner. When he sat down, he noticed that Caitlynn was coloring, instead of watching the movie.
"I thought you wanted to watch the movie?" He asked, causing her to look up.
"I color too. Wanna color wiff me?" Caitlynn asked, holding a blue crayon up to John.
"Sure, I'll color with you." He answered, taking the crayon from her. The pair sat and colored and watched Sleeping Beauty for awhile, when Caitlynn looked up at John.
"John you stay here?" Cait asked when John looked over at her. Unbeknownst to them, Cassidy was watching from the hallway. Looking at her, and seeing a flash of hope in her eyes, John wasn't quite sure what to say.
"I wish I could princess, but I have to leave with Uncle Randy. I'll come back and see you as soon as I can, I promise." John said, his heart breaking at the sad look that crossed her tiny face. Cassidy could feel her own heart breaking, as she watched father and daughter getting to know each other. What she thought was the right thing to do, now played over and over as the biggest mistake she could have made. Sneaking away quietly, she went back downstairs and continued cleaning.
xoxoxoxo
After Sleeping Beauty was over, Caitlynn grabbed another DVD. Handing it to John, he saw it was Summerslam '04.
"You really want to watch this?" He asked, looking at her in almost a shock.
"Yeah, you made Uncle Randy mad. It funny." Caitlynn answered, giggling as John put the DVD in. When he came back to sit down Caitlynn climbed up on his lap and laid her head on his shoulder. Not being able to stop the smile that crossed his face, John wrapped his arms around her, and started rocking the chair. Before John's match was even over, they were both sound asleep.
When Cassidy came out to see what they wanted for lunch, she felt even more upset when she saw the two of them sound asleep together. She knew that John would be a part of Caitlynn's life now, but she wasn't sure if she could handle him being a part of her life again. Would things be able to be like they were? Or had there been too much damage done? Going down to her room, she grabbed the digital camera Hannah and Randy had gotten her, so she could, "take all kinds of pictures of his adorable niece" as Randy explained when she opened it. Walking back into Caitlynn's room, she got a picture of the two of them together. Deciding to just let them sleep, Cassidy left as quietly as she entered.
xoxoxoxo
Two hours later, John woke up and saw that Caitlynn was still asleep. Gently standing up, he walked over to her bed, and laid her down. Pulling a light blanket over her, he leaned down and softly kissed her forehead, before heading downstairs. Walking into the living room, he saw Cassidy looking through a photo album. When he got closer, he could see the tears making their way down her face, as she was talking.
"I wish I could make you understand John. God, I still love him, but he hates me." She whispered, looking down at a picture of them on their first date.
"I don't hate you Cassie." John said startling her, as he walked over to the couch.
"It's okay John. I mean, I've managed in 4 ½ years time, to fuck up so many peoples lives that I love." Cassidy laughed bitterly, wiping away at her tears.
"You haven't fucked up anyone's life. Look at the life you have right now. I wouldn't call that a fuck up. If anything I'd call it a pretty damn good life." John told her, hoping to have a civil conversation with her.
"Sure John, so how soon should I expect you to get Caitlynn away from me?" Cassidy asked so close to feeling herself have a complete breakdown.
"Why would I take her away?" John asked, appalled she would even think that.
"Well, I kept her away from you for 4 years, and I have to strip just to keep this roof over her head." Cassidy said, getting up and pacing the room.
"Cassie, I told you to let me and Randy help you. I would never try and take Caitlynn away from you." John said, standing up in front of her.
"I'm so sorry it ever happened. If I could go back and change everything, I would. I made a promise the day I left my parents that I would never hurt my child the way they'd hurt me. I never meant to hurt you either, yet somehow I did." Cassidy said, going into hysterics again. This time, John tried to hug her, as she started beating on his chest.
"Cassie, sweetie calm down. You're going to make yourself sick. Just calm down, and think about Caitlynn and how much you love her." John said, trying to gently grab a hold of her wrists. Once Cassidy had calmed down enough, she looked up at John with a wild look on her face.
"Love her? When I kept her away from you was that my love for her? When I became a stripper knowing that, that wasn't a good role model for her, was that my love for her?" She asked, feeling herself start to fall again."I hate them John, I hate them so bad. I always thought they'd love me and support me no matter what. He said I was a disgrace John. I guess I'm truly living up to that now, huh?" Cassidy said, the tears still making their way down her face. Looking up into John's eyes, Cassidy felt the same butterflies she always got, as John brought his lips down to hers. Almost as quickly as it started, Cassidy pulled away. "I can't do this." She said, before running upstairs.
xoxoxoxo
"Why in the hell did I do that?" John yelled at himself, after pacing around the room for the last half hour. "Cause you still love her dumbass." His conscience told him, as he decided to go up and check on his girls. "Gah, Cassie isn't mine anymore." He whispered to himself, as he looked in Caitlynn's room, and saw her starting to move around. Knowing she'd be waking up soon, he headed down to Cassidy's room. Looking in, he saw her lying on her side away from him, and walked over and found her asleep, tear tracks evident on her face. Taking the Red Sox fleece he saw, he placed it over her, before placing a soft kiss on her lips. Walking out, he saw Caitlynn coming out of her room.
"Hey Princess. Did you have a good nap?" John asked, as she walked over to him. Picking her up, Caitlynn nodded her head sleepily, before laying it on his shoulder.
"Where Mommy?" Caitlynn asked, when they got to the living room.
"She's upstairs taking a nap too, looks like it's just me and you for dinner tonight. What do you want to eat?" He asked, as she walked over and got her favorite book, The Pokey Little Puppy.
"Sketti." She answered, jumping up and down in front of him.
"Okay, sounds simple enough." John said picking Cait up again and playfully tossing her over his shoulders, as her peals of laughter were heard throughout the house.
xoxoxoxo
After dinner had been cooked, and everything was cleaned up and put away, John and Caitlynn settled in for a night of playing. They played everything from Barbie and Ken, to the Princess trapped and waiting for her Prince to come.
"Okay little Princess, I think it's time for bed. You need your beauty sleep, and this prince is worn out." John said, carrying Caitlynn into her room. Getting her into a cute pair of purple pajamas, with little monkey faces on them, John set about tucking her in.
"Tell story?" Caitlynn asked, rubbing her eyes tiredly, and John knew it wouldn't be a very long one.
"Sure sweetie. What do you want to hear?" He asked, sitting on the bed next to her.
"You and Mommy." Caitlynn replied, grabbing her teddy bear.
"Okay, let's see what I can tell you." John started, pausing dramatically causing Caitlynn to giggle slightly. "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess named Cassidy, and she lived in a large kingdom called Boston. One day she grew tired of living in the large kingdom, so she moved to a smaller kingdom called West Newbury. She lived next door to a handsome prince named John. They did everything together, and were the best of friends." John said, looking down and seeing Caitlynn was asleep. Kissing her cheek, he carefully slid out of the bed. When he was almost out the door, Caitlynn's sleepy voice stopped him.
"I love you Daddy." She said, opening her eyes just a bit. Feeling his heart swell, John had to force back the lump in his throat.
"I love you too Princess." He answered, shutting off her light, and leaving the door open slightly.
xoxoxoxo
The next morning Cassidy woke up, slightly disoriented and wrapped in her Red Sox blanket. Not remembering fixing dinner or putting Caitlynn to bed, she quickly threw back the blanket and ran to Caitlynn's room, not seeing her in there, she ran downstairs.
"Morning Mommy." Caitlynn said, looking up from watching That's So Raven, when she heard Cassidy.
"Morning sweetie. How'd you turn on the TV? You know you're not allowed to turn this one on." Cassidy asked, still confused somewhat.
"Daddy did it." Caitlynn answered, pointing back at John and focusing on the show. "He sleep 'gain tho." She finished, laughing as Raven was swinging from a scaffolding. When Cassidy did turn around, she saw John asleep on her couch, almost looking uncomfortable.
"Sweetie, I'm gonna fix your cereal, then you need to get ready for school today." Cassidy said, walking towards the kitchen.
"Okay Mommy." Caitlynn answered, smiling up at Cassidy.
Going over to the coffee pot, Cassidy started the coffee brewing, while she got Caitlynn's bowl with Winnie the Pooh on it, and the box of Cheerios, and started making her breakfast. Turning around to get the strawberries and a banana, Cassidy was startled to see John behind her, without a shirt on. 'Damn he's still as hot now, as he was then.' Cassidy thought to herself.
"Morning Cassie." He mumbled, wiping the sleep from his eyes.
"Uh, morning. What are you still doing here?" She asked, slicing up the fruit for the cereal.
"I wanted to make sure you were okay, and I figured I'd spend more time with Cait." He answered, sitting at the island, and looked at her.
"Well thanks, I guess. Did you want some coffee? I know how you are in the mornings." Cassidy said, a small smile on her lips.
"Yeah, that'd be great." John answered, noticing the look that crossed her face. Getting two mugs from the cupboard, Cassidy poured them both a cup, before talking again.
"I have to get Cait to school in an hour, and then I have some errands to run. When do you think you'll be able to see her again?" Cassidy asked, wondering how soon she'd have to fight her feelings again.
"Well I'm going back home today ya know, tell the folks and my brothers. Don't really think this is something to say over the phone." John started, looking over when he felt a small hand tug on his pant leg. "What's shakin' princess?" He asked, when she smiled up at him.
"Help pease?" She asked, lifting her arms up. Picking her up, John sat her in the seat next to him.
"You think you'll be able to come out next week?" Cassidy asked, placing Caitlynn's bowl in front of her.
"Let me get back with you. I know I have an appearance one day, but I'm not entirely sure of the day." He replied, as they all finished their breakfast in silence.