Casey was in her normal position of late, sitting on the love seat so close to me I could smell her perfume and it was driving me insane as I tried without much success to concentrate on watching 'How the Grinch stole Christmas '. Her head was resting against my shoulder. My arm was drape over the back of the sofa and I was completely and utterly in Heaven.

This was one of the most mundane moments in my life. Rusty was on the couch, lounging carelessly with his feet on the arm. Casey's father was in his chair. The snow was drifting softly in the window. The only light in the room came from the huge Christmas tree with its twinkling white lights and a fire roaring in the fireplace. And Oscar was sleeping peacefully on the rug.

It was mundane. No one was talking, nothing important was happening. Yet I knew, as I settled further into the comfort of the cushions surrounding me, that it was a moment I would never forget. Something about it was so comfortable, so serene and peaceful, I was certain it would stick with me forever.

Casey shifted slightly and looked at me. Looking down into her beautiful green eyes, shining back at me, I was even more certain.

She leaned up and kissed me softly, her lips barely brushing against mine. From somewhere in the distance I heard a phone ringing, but no one made a move to answer it. I assumed they all figured that Mrs. Cartwright, who was puttering around in the kitchen, baking something from the wonderful smells drifting our way, would get it.

She entered the room a few minutes later. " Gloria and Joe are taking the kids to visit Santa. It's at the mall. They were wondering if we wanted to go with them, maybe finish up our last minute shopping. "

Mr. Cartwright looked away from the television. " I do need to grab a few things. It would be easier if we all went together. What about you all, do you want to come along ? "

Rusty sat up quickly. " I need to find a present for Jenn. " he announced. " I didn't get her anything before. "

" I'm good. " Casey muttered. " I just want to sit here and enjoy not doing anything. "

" Well, I'm glad you want to stay home, honey. I have some goodies in the oven and Gloria was wondering if maybe, " she paused and Casey sat up and looked at her critically. " would you mind too terribly if she left Lucy here with you ? "

Casey smiled. " I don't mind at all. "

" Oh good. It would make things much easier on us, not having to worry with a stroller and all. " Marge smiled. " Cappie, how about you ? Do you have everything you need for Christmas morning ?"

I didn't really. I had a few more presents to add to my list, but I really didn't want to miss the opportunity to spend the evening alone with Casey. " I think I have it all taken care of. But thank you."

I smiled at Casey. " Besides, Casey is hopeless in the kitchen. I should probably stay and save whatever you're baking. "

She punched me.

" Are you telling me your boyfriend is a better cook than you are ? " Her father demanded.

" Cappie is a great cook. " Rusty interjected. " He cooks at the house all the time. He saves us from pizza every night. "

" Well, " Marge smiled. " At least now I know Casey won't starve to death. "

The house was suddenly very quiet and very empty. I was standing in the kitchen checking on the lemon bars that were baking away in the hot oven.

Satisfied that everything was well with the baked goods, I went back to the living room.

Casey was holding a bottle in one hand and Lucy in the other. The baby was peacefully eating, making soft little sucking noises as she did so.

I looked on from the doorway, not wanting to disturb either of them. Casey had that look once again. She was glowing as she looked down at the beautiful baby in her arms.

Finally unable to keep away any longer I came and settled myself beside them, laying a soft kiss to the top of her head as I passed.

" I love babies. " she smiled. " I love that little sounds they make when they eat and they way they smell. Their chubby little cheeks and pudgy little fingers. "

She was practically giggling again. I looked down at the baby and noticed that she had her chubby little fist locked around my lavaliere. It made me smile.

" Yeah, " Casey smiled in return as she noticed where my eyes had landed. " I guess she's a born sorority girl, too. "

I brushed my finger against her tiny hand as Casey put the empty bottle aside. Lucy's eyes landed on me and she gave me a huge, bright, toothless smile. " Ah, " Casey cooed at the baby. " She likes you. "

I could feel a definite estrogen moment coming on. Women tend to get funny around babies. I don't know if it's the maternal instinct or something about their biological clock. All I knew was that women holding babies were usual emotional and gushy. Strangely I didn't mind so much. Any other woman in this situation would have had me running for the nearest football game and beer. But with her it just didn't bother me.

" Do you want children someday down the road ? " She made it sound like a random, off handed question, but I could tell there was more to it than that.
" Oh, yeah. " I answered honestly. " I was an only child growing up. I hated it. I want a whole house full of children. "

" Me, too. Evan and I talked about it once and it was so funny. He even had our children planned out for us. He wanted two, of course, a boy and a girl. We were going to name them after his parents and they were going to be the most well behaved, cutest little blond children you ever meet. " She sighed and gave me a lopsided smile. " To tell the truth, the whole conversation left me feeling kinda creeped out. "

" I imagine it would with children named Preston and Edith, running around like little Stepford kids. It kinda creeps me out actually. " I laughed.

" So what do you want ? " Again the question seemed much important under the surface than it appeared.

" I don't care. Boy, girl, good, bad, it doesn't really matter to me that much. "

" Really, you've never pictured how your children would be ? " she asked.

I chuckled. " We men don't really do that until we are faced with the very real reality of the thing. I don't know one guy that sits around picturing his future children. "

" Well, " she said, very primly. " We girls do it all the time. "

" Oh, I know it scares the hell out of us usually. "

She laughed. " Don't get all jittery, I didn't say I wanted children next week. But after college and I get settled into a career, I want lots of children. "

" With big green eyes and blond hair that are always well behaved and have the best manners ? " I wanted to know. I was curious about how she pictured these children of hers.

She shook her head. " No, that isn't how I see them at all. I see at least one with brown eyes, like Rusty and his goofy looking nose. " I laughed at this. " That is smarter than I am by the time he's ten and he makes me feel completely stupid every time he says anything. " I could really see this child in my mind. " Another one is blond and pretty and gets everything she asks for. "

" Oh, a mini you ? " I teased.

" Exactly, " she confirmed. " The rest of them are all wild and out of control and they make me want to scream most of the time. " She looked at me and there was almost a shyness in her eyes. " You know, Mini yous. "

I shifted a little but was surprised that again, I wasn't running for the nearest exit. " You want to have children with me ? "

She looked down at the baby in her arms. Lucy was trying desperately to get my lavaliere into her mouth. " Maybe, someday. " She pulled it to the side out of the baby's reach and let her grab her finger instead, wrapping her fat little fingers around it and dragging it to her mouth. " You know, even when I was with Evan., that is how I pictured my children. I didn't realize that other than those two they all looked like you. But they did. "

I leaned over and kissed her softly, not really knowing what to say to that.

" Take her for a minute. I need to check the bars and my phone, Ashleigh is supposed to call tonight. " She said, and without waiting for an answer she thrust the baby into my arms and left me there.

Lucy was smiling at me again and reaching out the grab hold of a lock of my hair that had fallen into my face. I brushed it away before she could get to it and looked down at her thoughtfully.

Her skin was dark, making me think that perhaps her father was Latino. Her eyes were bright and huge and a rich shade of brown that reminded me of chocolate milk.

She made a sound that closely resembled a gurgle and I settled her more comfortably in my arms, letting her tiny head rest against my chest. Soon her eyelid seemed to be getting heavier and the time between blinks was drawing out until finally she didn't open them again.

She was making soft cooing noises in her sleep and I rested back against the couch, holding her too me and let the sound of her sighs lull me into a peaceful, comfortable place. As I watched the strange shadows the Christmas lights were making against the white wall my eyelids became heavy as well and soon I joined Lucy in sleep.

" Hey, " I heard Casey whispering in my ear softly. " Aunt Gloria wants her baby back. "

I shifted and noticed the weight still resting in my arms. As Casey took her from me and I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, Rusty plopped down beside me.

" That was the cutest thing I've ever seen. The guys are going to love it. I got a great picture. " he smiled smugly.

" Well, then I guess I'll have to send them a shot of the Care Bear I saw in your room. " I sighed in mock disappointment. " I was really hoping to keep that little gem to myself. Maybe I'll send them a picture of the little Darth Vader action figure instead. "

" Alright, " he threw his hands in the air. " You win. Your secret is safe with me. "

" What secret ? " Casey asked, coming to sit on the arm of the couch beside me.

" Oh, you know, I was going to let the house know all about Cappie's sensitive side, but I decided against it. " Rusty shrugged.

" Really ? Well that's probably for the best. We wouldn't want it getting out that you wet the bed until you were almost ten years old. " Her smile was full of venom.

" I did not ! " he exclaimed over my laughter. " We are so going to your house for the next holiday. I'll bet your parents have all kinds of interesting stories about you. I bet they even call you by your real name. "

" Alright, " I conceded. " How about a truce ? I'll keep your secrets and you won't invite yourself home with me next time my Mom calls. "

I suddenly had a strange urge as I looked around the room and I acted on it. I flopped down in the middle of the floor and started wrestling with a delighted Oscar. He playfully nipped at my hand as I grabbed hold of his nose and shook it without mercy. He growled at me, and I growled back, surprising him and causing his ears to perk up. He leaped into my chest, knocking me backwards and licking my face ferociously.

" Oh, Casey. " Mrs. Cartwright laughed from the kitchen doorway. " A man that loves babies and animals. You have definitely found a keeper. "

" Yeah, " Mr. Cartwright agreed. " This one is much better than that other boy we meet. "

I stopped suddenly and sat up. " Other boy ? " I asked, looking at Casey.

" They meet Evan at the beginning of the year when they dropped in for a visit. " she commented offhandedly.

I was a little shocked. We had dated for over a year and I hadn't gotten the chance to meet her parents. They visited during that year but I was kept out of the way. Told that she wasn't ready for them to meet me. I accepted that, albeit a tad grudgingly.

Then when my parents showed up out of the blue, I introduced her without hesitating. It kind of bothered me to know that Casey had introduced her parents to Evan like that.

" Well, I'm glad to see Casey has made a better choice this time. " Mrs. Cartwright smiled. " I swear the whole time I was with that other boy, I felt like my slip was showing. "

I laughed out loud. I knew exactly what she meant. I'll bet Evan spent the entire visit looking down his nose at these wonderful people.

" I'm going to turn in I think. Jeff and Tommy will be here in the morning I'm sure. " Casey announced as she stood and stretched. Then she kissed me on the cheek and retreated up the stairs.

" I don't think we were supposed to mention that other boy. " Marge said conspiratorially as she sat down in her chair.

" No, " I waved her off. " I mean, I don't know if Casey cares or not, but I don't. "

" So you knew about her and what's his name. " Glen asked.

" Oh, yeah. Evan and I have meet. We were roommates in Freshman year actually. " I nodded.

" Well, I wouldn't let him worry you. He called here yesterday but I answered it and told him Casey was happy and he should just leave her alone. " Marge smiled at me warmly.

" You told him I was here ? " I asked, moving to the couch despite Oscar's protests.

When I abandoned him, he jumped to the couch beside me and rested his head on my leg. I absented rubbed his ears.

" I told him she'd brought a friend home. I hope that's okay. "

I couldn't hide the smile that was threatening to take over my face. " No, that's perfectly okay. " I sighed and stretched. " I think I'm going to go up as well. I understand that I might have a football game coming up tomorrow and I'd hate for them to beat me too badly. "

The light under Casey's door was out so I didn't know if I should knock or not. I decided instead to crack it open and see if she was still awake.

What I saw caused a shiver up my spine and my legs went completely numb.

Casey was laying on her bed, lighted only by the soft moonlight that invaded the room through the open blinds. She was dressed in a small, very, very small pink negligee, laying back with her hair falling over her shoulders and a soft smile on her lips.

" I thought you were never going to get up here. I was about to give up and go to bed. " she said as she rolled to her side and gave me her seductive eyes.

I finally got the feeling back in my feet and made my way to the bed. I stood there looking down at her thoughtfully.

" What ? " she asked finally, when I hadn't moved for a long moment.

" I just can't believe that I'm here. " I answered her honestly.

She took my hand and lead my down to the bed beside her. " I can't believe you're here either, really. You have no idea how much I missed you. "

I looked at skeptically " Really ? Did you really miss me ? "

" Of course, why would you ask me that ? I've told you I missed you already. " she said, sitting up beside me.

I ran my hand threw my hair, pushing it away from my face. " It's just so hard to believe. You had Evan, Mr. Perfect. I can't believe you missed me when he was with you. "

She sighed and tried to cover her heaping bosom, which was trying to escape the satin material of her nightgown, by crossing her arms over her chest.

" Do you really want to hear this ? " she began.

I Hesitated. Seeing the look on her face I was suddenly not so sure. But I took a deep breath and nodded with a sense of resolve I really wasn't feeling.

" Okay, I used to stay over at the Omega Chi house a lot. " I nodded, " Especially before the whole thing with Rebbecca. Anyway, I was there in that huge, stuffy, oppressive house and most nights I wouldn't be able to sleep. Evan, " she smiled a bit, " well after sex, nothing keeps Evan awake. " I looked away from her. No, I suddenly really didn't want to hear this. " Just listen for a minute. "

I turned back to her and she gave me a thankful smile. " So Evan would be laying there snoring away beside me and I couldn't sleep. But one of the things I loved about the house was that the windows in Evan's room opened up to the roof. So after he fell asleep I would go out there and sit on the roof. " She shifted a bit and I moved, letting her fold herself into the crook of my arm, settling comfortably against me. " I would sit on the roof of the Omega Chi house and stare out at your house and wish so hard that I was there instead of where I was. " Her voice was suddenly distant. " I hated the thought of having to go back inside and try to fall asleep next to him. " She looked up at me. " I'm not saying that Evan is a bad guy. He really isn't. I think he did love me. And I really, really tried to make myself love him. But when I went back inside, and laid down beside him, the only way I could finally get to sleep was to pretend he was you. "

" You pretended Evan was me ? " I asked in shock.

She nodded quietly. " And believe me it wasn't the only time I did it. "

" Really ? Tell me about the other times. " I urged. I needed to hear this. I needed to know that she missed me as much as I missed her.

" You really, really don't want to hear about that. " she insisted.

I turned towards her and kissed her gently. " Tell me, Please. "

" Well, " she looked away, obviously not comfortable looking at me while she talked. I shifted again and stared up at the ceiling, letting her voice pour over me. " Right after the thing with Rebbecca, I couldn't have sex with him. I don't know why really. I just couldn't. I didn't want him touching me. " The blood in my veins turned to ice and I know if she had been looking at me, she would have seen me pale. " Well, Frannie kept pushing me. Telling me that the only way we were going to get through it was to resume our more intimate relationship. I hated the thought. It was like I felt dirty for letting him touch me after he touched her. " I jerked. It was an involuntary response to her words. I felt every muscle in my body tense as she continued talking. I guess she was so lost in her own words she missed it. " So the night we finally did have sex again, I just closed my eyes and pretended it was you instead. It was the only way I got through it. "

I was off the bed before she finished the sentence. I knew what she was about to say and my mind didn't want to hear it. I tried to block out her words but they resounded in my head. I felt dirty for letting him touch me after he touched her.

Oh, God. I gulped in air. I was panting and I couldn't breath.

Casey had sat up and was looking at me like she thought I was about to die. "Are you okay ? "

" I had sex with Rebbecca. " I blurted it out before my body could object.