We get very Hallmark movie in this chapter. Imagine the typical Hallmark movie love song montage for the beginning!
"I am really excited, I've never been to a drive-in," Cassandra said in the front seat of Jacob's car.
"Really?" the girls chorused, finding it very odd.
"Really," Cassandra said. "My parents were really strict. And when I was a grown up, well, not that I even had a car until a few years ago when I got this job."
"You didn't have a car?" Grace asked, her jaw dropping.
Cassandra giggled. "People don't drive in New York City, sweetheart."
"And drive-ins are a dyin' breed lots of places," Jacob offered. "We're lucky to still have the one we do."
"I've been to the movies though," Cassandra added with a laugh. "I love the popcorn, it just tastes different there."
"Popcorn's the best," Kaitlyn said and her sisters agreed with her.
They were soon all stocked up with popcorn and drinks. Each girl had her own kid sized popcorn and drink, Jacob explaining to Cassandra that otherwise the girls would fight over the shared popcorn.
"I'm willing to spend the extra money for peace and quiet," he'd laughed.
He and Cassandra decided to share a popcorn and she got a bottle of water and he a soda.
Jacob hadn't been on a date to the drive-in since he was in high school. Though obviously, this was not a date with Cassandra. And even if it was, there were three little chaperones in the back seat. But even so, there was something so cozy about Cassandra being there. She just fit. She fit him better than anyone he'd ever known. It might be because she'd seen glimpses of who he really was, as opposed to who people expected him to be based on his looks, his grammar and his accent. He was a small town boy from Oklahoma, always would be. But he was more than that and Cassandra saw right through him.
His children thought she was amazing. He was pretty sure it was because she didn't treat them like kids. She didn't treat them like adults exactly either, she just treated them like people. She didn't talk down to them or patronize them. But then, Cassandra was a genius too, so she understood how to talk to kids like she'd been. He wasn't sure about the iq levels on his children, he was sure Abby was in his range at least, but they were all gifted. Grace tended to be lazy, which is why her grades were pretty average. But he had a feeling she was bored like he'd been. He wished he had more time to devote to their learning, they all probably could use more than their little school could provide. But he just didn't.
As bright as his kids were though, they were still kids and they were absolutely enthralled with the animated feature they'd chosen to see. He and Cassandra on the other hand, were a bit less excited about it, though it had its moments.
No, his interest was more in the hints of a blush that crossed Cassandra's face when they'd bump hands in the popcorn bucket. Or how she leaned just a little bit toward him during the slower parts of the movie, closer and closer until she was resting her head on his shoulder, just a little bit. Still keeping contact to friendly levels, but really close to something else.
He'd say she was sending mixed messages but he realized she'd never said she wanted to just be friends. She'd firmly put the ball in his court. Which was probably wise from her perspective, given that he was the one with the kids. He had to make the decision to pursue her, she'd let her interest be known. She wanted to have some sort of a relationship with him, even if it was just friendship, she'd made that clear.
And he kinda wished now they were actually alone in the dark again. Because this time, he might just have kissed her instead of almost doing it.
They were celebrating Grace's second place science fair finish at Dairy Queen when Abby started to cry.
"What's the matter, darlin'?"Jacob said, hauling his youngest onto his lap.
"Cassie's gonna be going away next week," the little girl sniffled, her face turned into his shirt.
"But that doesn't mean you won't see me again," Cassandra said getting up and sitting next to Abby and Jacob. "I'll call and email, even video chat, okay? And when work sends me this way, I'll come and see you."
"And maybe some time we'll go to the capital and see her. What do you think of that, huh?"
Jacob was looking at Abby and so were her sisters, so none of them noticed the panicked look on Cassandra's face. By the time they looked back at her, she'd plastered on a smile. "I'd love that," she lied. Well, I could probably fake something, meet them some place, tell them my apartment's being painted or something.
"Besides," Grace added. "We still have seven whole days with her, Abby. That's a long time!"
"Okay," Abby finally hiccupped before jumping at Cassandra in a big hug.
Cassandra gladly returned it. It was so weird. She'd never imagined herself in a life with children. So many factors had made that impossible or at least unlikely. But she fit right into this family. And like the Library, she felt like she belonged here.
What was she going to do? She was starting to love them. Starting to? She already loved the girls and she was falling in love with their father. But she loved the Library as well. How was she going to combine these two lives without breaking anyone's heart?
The next few days went by in a blur. Mabel had agreed to stay just until after the weekend event, which helped things out immensely. But Cassandra and Jacob spent most of the work days running around, moving things, returning phone calls, meeting with people.
They both enjoyed lunch break, which they usually spent in the little park behind the public library, talking about everything and anything. Neither one really understood the other's field but they just enjoyed listening to the other talk.
Cassandra and Jacob also took an afternoon break when the girls came in from school. Cassandra also ate dinner with them every night, usually at Jacob's house.
It was Thursday night and as usual, Cassandra drove her rental car to the hotel, knowing that the car would be the safest there. She was planning on dropping the car off at the rental agency tomorrow. The end was near for her time in Wahya, she couldn't delay returning to her life much longer. She was actually surprised she'd gotten away with it this long.
She stumbled through the Door back into the Library. She saw a familiar face, his feet propped up on his old desk, engrossed in a book, chair tilted back. He smiled at her when he saw her, putting the book down.
"Flynn!" Cassandra cried, running over to him for a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Eve's having a girl's night and I thought it would be the perfect time to catch up with Cal and some reading. Thought I'd catch up with you, but Jenkins tells me you've been playing fairy godmother?"
"Something like that," Cassandra said and then filled Flynn in on the whole story.
"And you think that'll work?"
"The math says it will. But math can't completely take into account the human factor, so basically I've done all I can. I just hope it's enough."
"Well, I'm proud of you. Helping people is what we do. And not always with magical threats. But I'm sure you'll be glad to be back in the Library."
"Yeah," Cassandra sighed. "Back to being the Librarian, saving the world once a week, twice before Friday."
"Okay," Flynn said, jumping up and grabbing her hand. "Time for you to spill. And I've got a six pack in the fridge."
Instead of staying in the kitchen, they went into one of the Library's sitting rooms. They sat on opposite sides of the sofa, both drinking their beers, Flynn raising his eyebrows at her.
Finally she sighed and caved. "It's gotten personal."
"I figured. You and I, we both have a tendency to get personally involved. I dated a few women I met on cases, well," Flynn laughed. "I married the last one. And you've dated a few people as well, haven't you? Or at least had something with them."
"Dated wouldn't be the right word, but yes, something. It's just that normally on a case, the person I'm involved with knows who I am or at least has an idea. Estrella knew about the Librarians. Norman knew I worked with magic. In this situation, they don't know who I am, they think I'm a bookkeeper for the state."
"They?" Flynn raised his eyebrow again. "I thought you were helping out a man with his business? I assumed he was your interest. Though I mean . . . ."
Cassandra shook her head. "He is. Jacob's got three children and that makes them a package deal."
"Ohh, yikes, that's a completely different barrel of fish."
"I know," Cassandra groaned. "It's just, it started out me just wanting to help him. He was basically begging for help and so I helped. But then I met his youngest, Abby. And she's just . . .she's only 5 and her mother ran out on them when she was just a baby. So she's this little motherless thing and she was so shy. Jacob says he's never seen her take to anyone like she does me. And they're all . . . .Jacob's a genius and Abby probably is as well and the older two girls are gifted at the very least. They . . . ."
"They what?" Flynn prompted gently.
"They need me. And I love them. I love him, Flynn."
"Does he feel the same way?"
"I think so," Cassandra's eyes teared up. "I'm lying to him and I hate it. The other day Abby was upset because I was going to be leaving soon. Jacob tried to soothe her with a promise to come visit me! But they don't know I live in New York City. I mean, what am I going to do?"
"You need to tell him the truth, Cassandra."
"How do I do that? I don't even know where to begin."
Flynn shook his head. "That I can't answer for you. But if you love him and you want to be with him, you have to make a decision. Which life you want more."
"You gave up this life for love."
Flynn nodded. "In a way. Eve never asked me to give up this life just like I didn't ask her to give up hers. We could have made it work and were prepared to do so. But eventually we decided we were both ready to move to a new phase in our lives. You could have this and you could have your Jacob. But you have to tell him the truth, Cassandra. Let him make the decision."
Cassandra sighed. "I think I'm going to have to take a while to think it over. I have until Saturday. I'll tell him after the party. He might think I'm crazy . . . ."
"I've found that people are more understanding than you give them credit for." Flynn squeezed her hand. "Now if you'll excuse me, Cal wanted a workout before I go back to my lovely wife."
"Right, good night Flynn. And thank you."