Chapter 14

Casandra walked up the stairs to have Noah waddle his way towards her. She picked him up, "Hungy." Noah mumbled.

"Okay, little one. Let's take you to your mama." Casandra said as she started to search the house. She made her way down stairs to find Jim. "Hey, where is everyone?"

"They went out. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Jim asked.

Casandra frowned, slightly confused. "Yeah sure. Let me just get a bottle for Noah."

Jim followed her to the kitchen. He sat down on the stool next to the island. "It's about what you told me."

Casandra pulled a bottle out of the fridge and handed it to Noah who was in her arms. She turned around and looked at Jim. "Okay, what about it?"

Jim was looking down at the counter and clenching his left hand. A nervous twitch he got often. "How were you able to get through what had happened? I mean if I lost my family I wouldn't be able to go on."

Casandra placed Noah in his highchair and took a seat beside Jim. "Well, it obviously wasn't easy. For a long time afterwards I was extremely depressed. I didn't want to go on living without them. But I started seeing a therapist and she convinced me that the best thing was for me to move away from Dallas and make a fresh start. Why I chose Vegas, I really don't know. Although, looking back now, my showing up here didn't start off that great."

Jim looked over at her and gave her a sympathetic smile. "Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Khandi can be really stubborn sometimes."

Casandra took Jim's hand in hers and looked at him. "It wasn't only Khandi. Actually, it all started with Sam."

"Sam? Really?"

She nodded. "Yeah, when I first met him he was drunk off his ass in your office." Jim chuckled at the thought. "He threw his scotch bottle at me."

"So that's what happened to my window."

"Yeah. Anyway, we said some really horrible things to each other and that night it just about pushed me over the edge." She suddenly let go of Jim's hand and looked away. Tears started to form in her eyes and her voice became shaky. "I just couldn't deal with what was happening and I was sitting in my apartment about to..."

Jim knew what she was about to tell him and he placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It's okay, you don't have to say it."

Casandra sniffed and Jim handed her a kleenex. "Thank you. Anyway, Sam showed up at my door..."

"Well, it's a good thing he did." Jim interrupted

Casandra looked back at Jim and slightly smiled. "Yeah, it is. If he didn't, I wouldn't be here now and we wouldn't be having this baby." she slipped. She placed her right hand on her abdomen, looked down and sighed thinking about Sam.

Jim shook his head. "You're pregnant?" Jim asked surprised.

Casandra looked back up at Jim and laughed when she saw the shocked expression on his face. "Oh, I forgot. You guys weren't there when the doctor told us. But I'm surprised Cosmo didn't let it slip out."

"Whoa, hold on a minute. Cosmo knew about this and he didn't tell us? I'm gonna throttle him." Jim said.

Casandra laughed. "Yep, I can just see it now. You throwing Cosmo down the stairs, we all end up at the hospital and the nurse asks us how he ended up there and she can add it onto the list."

Jim laughed at the image. "Yeah, that list is getting pretty long now. I can't believe everything we've been through and survived."

"Yeah; toilet paper length." Casandra added. "By the way; where did everyone go?"

"They, uh, went... out." Jim said hesitantly.

"I can see that; but where and why weren't we invited?"

"Ba! Ba!" Noah said since his bottle was empty.

Jim walked over to Noah and picked him up. Then he walked to the fridge and got him another bottle. "I knew there was a reason I wanted you to stay home." he said smiling at Noah.

"Man that kid can eat - well understandable since Cosmo is the father." Casandra commented than turned to Jim. "Jimmy, you never answered my question."

Jim turned and looked at her. "Hmm? What question was that?"

Casandra sighed and pulled her hair up. "You know what I'm talking about."

Jim ignored her and tried to change the subject. "Oh, I think the little man here needs a diaper change." Jim said and started to walk out of the kitchen.

She got up and poured herself a class of water. "Jimmy, you're not good at playing dumb!" She yelled at him from the kitchen.

"Never claimed to be good at it." Jim called back and continued to make his way to Noah's room to change him.

//Store//

Khandi made her way down the baking aisle, "You know I should bake her a cake." Khandi said thinking outloud.

Stacey and Cosmo looked at each other. "No!" they said in unison.

Khandi made a face at them; "C'mon it could be fun."

"How about we just buy one?" Stacey suggested. She looked at Cosmo; "Uh two."

"Two?" Sam asked raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah, one for me and one for everyone else." Cosmo replied.

"Mommy, I want chocolate." Little Jimmy yelled.

"Hush!" Khandi said to Little Jimmy, "Inside voice, honey."

"I want chocolate!" Little Sammy said.

"How about a chocolate cake?" Cosmo suggested.

"Okay, I can make one of those." Khandi said.

Stacey sighed. "No, no baking, no cooking, nothing!"

"Unless they're made with curtains." Sam added.

Cosmo looked at Khandi. "Yeah, but you may want to keep an eye on these ones. The last ones were too well done."

"Oh, that reminds me." Stacey said. "We need to get a new fire extinguisher."

"Damn you guys are a pain in my ass." Khandi said.

"But you love us." Cosmo replied. "Right?"

"Mommy, don't say bad words." Little Jimmy added.

"Right?" Cosmo continued.

Khandi looked at Cosmo. "Sometimes." she said and fixed the blanket that was over Katie in the stroller.

Cosmo took a step back. "Sometimes? Oh, I'm hurt now." He said and pretended to pout.

"Suck it up." Stacey said putting a bag of chocolate bars in the cart Cosmo was pushing.

Little Sammy, who was in the cart, smiled. "Chocolate! Yay!"

Zoey started to fuss in her stroller. "Shhh, it's okay baby." Stacey said and put a pacifier in her daughter's mouth. "Daddy's just being himself again."

"Okay any idea what we're getting Cas for her birthday?" Sam asked, already having picked out his for her.

"How about a... teddy. You know the ones she should put on for you Sammy?" Cosmo smirked.

Stacey slapped Cosmo on the shoulder. "Pervert."

"Well it should be expected of him. He used to walk in on you in the shower all the time, Stacey." Khandi said.

"But, I think it would look nice on her." Cosmo defended.

Sam glared at Cosmo. "You're going to look really funny upside down in the cart."

"You wouldn't."

"Wanna bet?"

Khandi looked between Cosmo and Sam. "Hey, wait a second Cosmo. You wanna buy her a teddy but when exactly would you get to see her in it?"

Cosmo now felt put in the spotlight. He was about to say something when Stacey stepped in. "Unless there is something you're not telling us."

"Uh, uh..." Was all Cosmo got out.

Sam looked at him. "Have you been peeking at her in the shower, too?"

"Uh, wait a moment!"

"You're gonna find yourself upside in the cart if you don't answer now, Renfro." Sam stated.

"Uh..."

"Cosmo, you wanna find yourself sleeping on the couch? Or how about outside in the yard?" Stacey asked.

Just than one of the courtesy clerk from the store walked up. "You guys finding everything okay?"

Everyone was still staring at Cosmo and ignoring the clerk. "Well?" Stacey asked.

"Hey, it's not me who's home alone with her right now, is it?" he said defensively.

"COSMO!" Khandi yelled. "How dare you!"

"I guess you are." The clerk said and almost ran away.

"What?" Cosmo asked.

"You asshole." Sam said grabbing him by the shirt.

"Wait. Let me do it." Stacey said pulling Sam away.

Khandi shook her head mumbling to herself. "We live with a peeping-tom."

Stacey grabbed Cosmo by his neck and pushed him up against the shelves. "What the hell were you thinking? Saying something like that?"

Cosmo's breath came out in ragged gasps. "What? I've... noticed her... checking... him out... when he's lifting... weights in the garage."

Khandi looked at Cosmo and the group. "Okay break it up. Cosmo the only way you'd know that is if you were watching her."

Stacey let Cosmo go and he fell to the ground gasping for air. "Hey, wait a minute..."

Sam loomed over Cosmo. "You got a thing for her, Cosmo?"

Stacey heard the question and looked down at Cosmo. "Yeah, I'd like to know the answer to that question too."

"I plead the 5th." Cosmo answered.

Sam grabbed Cosmo and pulled him up off the floor. "Wrong fucking answer, Renfro. Now, you tell me... do you have a thing for Casandra?"

"Gleep." Cosmo got out.

Stacey moved next to Sam as a crowd started to gather around the group. "You better speak up, mister, or you're gonna find yourself homeless really fast."

Cosmo pulled himself away from Sam. "And what if I do. You're the one with the hots for Nana Mary."

Tears started to well up in Stacey's eyes. "I can't believe it."

Khandi moved next to Stacey and put an arm around her shoulders. "Cosmo, you really fucked up this time."

"And I do not have the hots for Nana Mary." Sam added.

//Home//

Casandra was sitting on the couch reading a book while Jim watched TV. "I wonder what they're up to. You honestly don't know?" Casandra asked.

Jim looked at her. "Honestly, all I know is that they went out."

Casandra looked down her book. "Mmm, okay."

A couple minutes later they heard the door open. "You really are a fucking pervert, Cosmo." Khandi said as they started up the stairs.

Casandra looked at Jim. "I guess they're back." She said getting off the couch.

Everyone came up the stairs looking mad. Cosmo was the last one. "How do you guys even know if the baby is Sammy's and not Jimmy's?"

Casandra had heard that loud and clear. "Cosmo!" She yelled now fully pissed off. She marched up to him and pushed him down the stairs.

Cosmo had grabbed the railing. "What?" He yelled back at her.

"How dare you even say that you fucking bastard. You damn well know that it is Sammy's baby!" Casandra yelled.

Jim got up from the couch and walked over to the stairs. "What the hell is going on?" he asked, not fully hearing what Cosmo had said.

Stacey had now been crying for awhile. Khandi took her into the living room and sat down on the couch with her. "I can't believe he would do that." Stacey sobbed.

"Honestly how do we know?" Cosmo yelled.

"Because I know!" Casandra yelled back. "You were a close friend of mine and you go and say that? Cosmo, how could you?"

"How could I what?" Cosmo asked frowning.

Casandra took a deep breath on the verge of tears and totally pissed. "How could you say that my baby is not Sam's?"

Jim looked at Cosmo shocked and then placed a comforting arm around Casandra shoulders. "Cosmo, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Jim asked.

"Me? Well, you two look pretty cozy with each other right now." Cosmo replied.

Casandra flipped. "You fucking bastard." She said as she pushed him again. "Have you totally lost your fucking mind?"

Cosmo looked at Casandra. "Hey, I wasn't the one alone with you. Just what went on here while we were gone?"

Jim turned and rage flashed in his eyes. "Whoa, just what the fuck are you insinuating here, Cos?" Jim yelled.

Cosmo shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe that you two are having a little too much fun."

Jim lunged at Cosmo but Casandra beat him to it and punched him right in the nose, sending him flying back against the wall. As Cosmo landed on the floor Sam came up behind Casandra. She was breathing heavily and the tears were now falling freely. Sam turned her around and pulled her into a hug.

"He shouldn't have said that, Sam. It's just not true." Casandra said sobbing against Sam's chest.

"And what if I shouldn't have? What if it is true." Cosmo said tending to his now bloody nose.

Casandra turned around to look at Cosmo. "Well, it's not!"

"Right. I saw you checking him out while he was lifting weights in the garage!" Cosmo yelled standing back up.

"Cosmo Renfro! You're sucking around to donate a pint of blood out your nose!" Khandi yelled.

Jim looked at Cosmo and then at Khandi. "I think he's already done that, honey."

"Glad you find this funny, Jimmy." Cosmo said.

"On the contrary, Cosmo. This is anything but funny." Jim stated and walked back into the living room to where Khandi and Stacey were.

Casandra looked at Cosmo. "You wanna tell me why you're making all these accusations?"

"Because he's a fucking pervert! That's why!" Stacey yelled and started to cry again.

Jim turned back around and looked at Cosmo. "You know, it almost sounds like you're jealous, Cosmo. Although, of what, I don't know."

Cosmo sighed, he was jealous though didn't want to admit it. "I'm not it's just."

"Just what Renfro?" Sam asked.

Cosmo leaned against the wall. "I don't know anymore, man."

Stacey jumped up from the couch. "Why don't you just admit that you're in love with Casandra!? Oh, no, wait you already did that!" Stacey yelled and then ran out of the room crying.

"In love with me? Cosmo is this true?" Casandra asked, shocked.

Cosmo turned red and looked down at the floor. He mumbled something that was too quiet for Casandra to hear.

"Speak up, Cosmo. Now, tell me, are you in love with me?"

Cosmo looked up at Casandra. "No! I'm in love with Stacey not you."

"Then what the hell was that all about?"

"Cause it sounds like you opened your big mouth." Sam commented.

"I just made a stupid ass comment in the store that was taken the wrong way. That's all."

"Stupid is right." Khandi said walking out of the living room.

"What did you say?" Jim asked.

Cosmo sighed and looked at Jim. "Sam asked what we should get Cassy for her birthday and I was just being a smartass when I suggested a teddy."

"Yeah but then you said you thought she'd look good in it." Khandi added.

Casandra laughed. "Cosmo that's not for you to decide. But it's kinda a compliment too."

Three heads turned in unison and did a doubletake at what she said. "What do mean a compliment?" Sam asked.

"What? It is kinda flattering."

"Really?" Cosmo asked. "Not mad?"

"No still mad." Casandra said walking away.

Sam followed Casandra and Jim and Khandi looked at Cosmo. "Okay, now I wanna know why you accused me and Cas of cheating?" Jim asked.

"I have my reasons, Jimmy. They just came out wrong this time." Cosmo answered

"Whoa, hold on a minute. What reasons? What the hell did we do that would give you these kind of suspicions?"

"What? You have reasons that my husband could be cheating on me?" Khandi asked ready to make his nose bleed a little more.

"Hey, I've noticed Casandra watching you workout in the garage."

Khandi looked at Cosmo. "What? You mean, sitting there staring openly and drooling over him?"

"Not exactly."

"Then what, Cosmo? Help us out here." Khandi pleaded.

"She just kept looking." Cosmo answered.

"Cosmo, grab the wheel you're swerving." Jim said.

"Everytime she walked by the door she looked in there at you."

"You're jumping to conclusions." Jim replied.

"Am I? Really?"

"Yes, you are. And the only reason you would know that is if you were watching her. I happen to lift my weights with the door open because the kids like running in and out of there. All I'm trying to do is get strength back in my right arm."

Cosmo sighed. "Boy did I fuck up."

Khandi shook her head. "Now that's the understatement of the century. But right now, you have to figure out how to make things right with Stacey. Because if you don't... well I think we know what'll happen."

"Yeah, I know. And I can't loose her." Cosmo said.

"Go talk to her. Because if you don't that's exactly what'll happen." Jim said. Cosmo just nodded and walked off down the hall. Jim then turned to Khandi. "Please tell me you weren't doubting me again."

"No, no, I know Cosmo was full of shit." Khandi smiled.

//Stacey & Cosmo's Room//

Stacey was laying on the bed with Zoey when Cosmo walked into the room quietly. He walked over to the bed and looked down at his wife and daughter. "Stacey? Can we talk?"

Stacey looked up at him. "I have nothing to say to you, Cosmo."

He sat down on the bed. "Look, I know you think I'm in love with Cassy but I'm not."

"Please, Cosmo, you admitted you were."

"It all came out wrong. Would you just listen. Baby please." Cosmo said pleading.

Stacey looked at him. "Make it short."

Cosmo took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Listen, that remark I made in the store about the teddy was just meant to be a smartass comment. I only said it would look good on her because she's attractive. That's all. I'm so sorry if you thought I was in love with her or in any way wanted to see her in that teddy because I don't. I wouldn't mind seeing you in one though." Cosmo said trying to break the tension somewhat.

"Keep going."

Cosmo let out a huge sigh of relief. Hopefully he was on the track here and it wouldn't get derailed again. He placed his hand on her arm and she looked up at him. "Trust me baby, I think you're the sexiest woman in the world. Believe me when I say I don't want anyone else, only you. I love you more than anything and I'm so sorry that I hurt you."

She looked down. "Seriously? You're not feeding me some load of bullshit?"

Cosmo looked over at his daughter, who was busy sucking on her hand, and then back to Stacey. "No way, baby. You and the kids are what matters the most to me. I don't want to lose you. Please, baby, this is not a load of bullshit."

"Aww, Cosmo!" Stacey said and started to cry and hugged him.

//Sam & Casandra's Room//

Casandra was sitting in bed leaning back against the headboard and was watching Sam getting ready for bed. "I still can't believe Cosmo said all those things."

"Yeah well Cosmo can be a real moron sometimes." Sam replied pulling a t-shirt on.

"I know that. But saying there was something going on between me and Jimmy and that this wasn't your baby. I mean, how could he think that?"

"This is Cosmo, meathead the wonder dumby of the century." Sam said sitting down on the bed.

Casandra shook her head. "Yeah, total wonder dumby. But still it just pisses me off."

Sam leaned back against the headboard and took Casandra hand into his. "I know it does. But if it's any consolation, you got a hell of right hook." Sam said smiling.

"Yeah well he deserved it."

Sam nodded. "That's for sure."

Casandra looked at Sam. There was something weighing on her mind and she really needed an answer. "Sam, I just hope you never believed what he was saying."

Sam looked at her. "About you and Jimmy?" She nodded. "No. I know you're not the cheating type. And Jimmy would never, ever hurt Khandi like that. Sometimes I think Cosmo says things just to hear himself talk."

Casandra laughed. "Yeah, he really needs to start thinking before he speaks."

"This is Cosmo. It'll never happen."

"True." Casandra said and placed her head on Sam's shoulder. "Anyway, I don't want to talk about Cosmo anymore, okay?"

"Fine by me." Sam said. Then he leaned over, kissed her and pulled her tightly against his chest.

"Hmm, great way to change a subject." Casandra said and flicked the light out.

//Jim & Khandi's Room//

Khandi was laying awake in bed and glanced over at the clock on the nightstand. It read 3:49. She was laying there listening to the sound of Jim's breathing. They had made love and Jim fell asleep, while Khandi could not.

She layed there thinking about what had happened and how stupid Cosmo proved himself to be. But then she shouldn't be surprised because more than once Cosmo proved that he didn't know when to shut up. No, she knew Jim and Casandra would never do that. Especially with each other. Khandi decided to put the situation out of her mind and drifted off to sleep just after four.

TBC...