Chapter 38

After a fantastic breakfast and lunch with the family, Cassidy glanced at the clock, knowing they had only a few hours to get ready for the anniversary party. Judy and Terrence thought they were going out for a fancy dinner with the family and didn't suspect anything. Lindsey made sure to text Cassidy to let her know the banquet hall was ready to go. When Jon told Cassidy he had to get ready privately, she didn't question it and directed him to one of the spare bedrooms. She tried convincing him to go shopping for clothes for the party that evening, but Jon assured her it wasn't necessary. Cassidy just hoped he had something in his luggage that was attire appropriate because the dress code was semi-formal.

Staring in the full length mirror, Cassidy chose a simple navy blue dress that had a lace overlay over it. The sleeves went to her elbows and were see-through, along with the hem of her dress. It had a hoop neckline, very simple yet elegant for tonight's festivities. Cassidy parted her hair to have an angled style that flowed mostly over one shoulder, curling it at the ends for a little bounce. Matching navy pumps and Cassidy decided to change her makeup a bit, using navy eyeliner instead of black. She applied foundation to hide blemishes and painted her lips with peach gloss, having went with her mother earlier that day to get their nails done. It was one of her mother's anniversary gifts from Cassidy. She decided on navy blue tips to match her dress while her mother stuck with the usual French manicure.

A knock sounded at the bathroom door as Cassidy looked away from her reflection. It was Jon. She still couldn't believe he was going to be her date for the evening, informing Lindsey of that fact earlier in the day as well. Lindsey didn't mind, warning Cassidy she would be grilling her boyfriend to make sure he was sincere. Hopefully Jon would take it like a man and answer any questions Lindsey had, as long as it didn't have to do with his past. Cassidy opened the door and felt the breath leave her body at the sight of Jon standing in the middle of her room. Her jaw hit the floor and Cassidy had to slap a hand over it, eyes nearly falling out from how wide they were. Jon had a long sleeved buttoned up white dress shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the collar was folded neatly around his neck. He left the top two buttons undone, exposing just enough chest to drive Cassidy insane and any other woman who would lay eyes on him that night.

His legs were encased in dark grey charcoal dress pants, the shirt tucked in neatly with a black thin belt and black dress shoes on his feet. Jon had a silver watch on his right wrist and a silver chain around his neck. His hair was slicked back and Cassidy fixed that, closing the distance between them to ruffle his hair a little. She preferred his hair haphazard curls instead of slicked back for some reason. Other than that, a completely different man stood before her. While Cassidy undressed him with her eyes, Jon was busy devouring her whole and fought back the urge to pull her into his arms. He didn't want to screw up the stunning vision, not believing how the dress hugged all of Cassidy's curves. Even the shoes she wore were sexy and Jon didn't normally pay attention to that detail. With Cassidy however, everything from head to toe was exquisite and he loved how the dress made her azure eyes stand out.

"I don't have words." Cassidy finally spoke, locking eyes with him. "Is this really you?"

Jon nodded, extending his hand to her with a tentative smile and slowly turned her around in a circle, completely drinking her in. "I don't either." He admitted, not able to come up with a word to call her that would efficiently describe how she looked. "You're stunning, Cass." It was the best compliment he could think of.

"Not as stunning as you. Though I think handsome or gorgeous would be more appropriate."

Jon backed up to sit on the bed, pulling Cassidy to stand between his legs and held both of her hands in his, eyes never leaving hers. "Tonight after everything settles down, I wanna have that talk with you, if you're up to it, darlin'." He ran the pad of his thumb across her knuckles, trying to calm his own nerves. "I'm glad you approve. You'll have to thank Elissa since she's the one who helped me pick the clothes out."

Cassidy made a mental note to buy something for Elissa, wholeheartedly appreciating what she did for Jon. "Oh don't worry, I plan on it." She leaned forward, brushing her mouth against his and carefully straddled his lap when Jon deepened the kiss.

"Sorry." He muttered as soon as they broke for air, pressing his forehead against hers and kept her hands locked in his. "Come on, we should get going. I got my truck outside unless you wanna take the Focus?"

"Your truck is fine." Cassidy didn't move just yet, running her hands down his neck and shoulders, massaging them soothingly. "You're going to do great and, as for the talk, consider it done. Just let me know when you want to leave and we will, no questions asked, okay?"

Jon hated how nervous he felt and pulled her hands away to stop the caressing because it felt too good. If she kept it up, something would happen and neither of them would make it to the anniversary party. There was plenty of time for caressing and talking later, but right now Cassidy had a very special evening planned for her parents and Jon would make sure she didn't miss it.

"Mom - Dad, you guys about ready?" Cassidy called down the hallway, her arm looped through Jon's.

"We'll be right behind you, Cassie!" Judy called back, dressed in a red long sleeved dress that went to her knees and had a hoop neckline with a silver chain around the waist.

Cassidy smiled at that response and walked down the stairs with Jon, heading out to his Chevy Silverado. A few minutes later, they headed to the banquet hall and Cassidy never released Jon's hand, knowing she would need to stick beside him. She could feel the anxiety pouring out of his big body and hoped once her parents arrived he would relax a little. Part of his anxiety stemmed from their upcoming talk, that much Cassidy knew, but the other part had to be because Jon never had a girlfriend before. Arriving at the banquet hall 20 minutes later, Cassidy beamed at all the beautiful decorations Lindsey put together the previous night. Red and green were their parents wedding colors, so there were red and green twisted streamers hanging from all corners of the hall. The tables had alternate red and green table cloths with toppers in the middle that had the number 45. In the far corner of the room was a dance floor with a DJ, the colorful lights already pooling and reflecting off the walls.

"Cassie!" Lindsey called out in the sea of people, most of them family with a few of their parents' dearest friends. She wore a deep grey long sleeved top that shimmered with black dress pants, hair left down. "Is Ryder bringing them then?"

"Yes. I made sure they were still getting ready when we left too." Cassidy assured her, not fazed by the fact Lindsey hadn't hugged her and gestured to her date. "This is Jon Good, my boyfriend. Jon, this is my sister Lindsey Baker. Her husband Matt is over there." She pointed to a black haired man that was busy consoling a little boy, her nephew Liam.

"AUNTIE CASSIE!" Lucy shrieked out, running away from her father in a beautiful hunter green dress, brown eyes completely lit up like stars.

Releasing Jon's hand, Cassidy laughed as she caught Lucy in her arms, spinning her around in circles. Liam was the next one to run over, both of them having missed their Aunt fiercely, though Lucy knew her a little more than Liam did. It didn't matter though. Cassidy loved both equally and bent down to hug them tightly. Tears instantly stung her eyes, feeling how much love radiated from both children and managed to blink them away, kissing their heads.

"I missed you, Auntie!"

"Me too, me too!" Liam added excitedly, waving his hands in the air and suddenly shrank back at the monster standing beside his Aunt.

"Who is that?" Lucy had absolutely no fear, pointing at Jon with curious eyes, tilting her head slightly.

"That's my boyfriend and his name is Jon." Cassidy supplied with a smile, winking over her shoulder at him. "Liam, it's okay buddy. He won't hurt you."

"He's HUGE." Liam emphasized that word and stretched his arms out as extensive as they'd go, hazel eyes wide. "And scary…"

Lucy suddenly walked toward Jon, showing her little brother she wasn't afraid of the giant and peered up at him. "Hi." She grinned, waving her hand since he was extremely tall.

Jon smirked and carefully lowered himself to be eyelevel with the little girl, resting his forearms on his knees. "Hello." He replied in a deep rasp, raising a brow when she extended her tiny hand.

"You are huge, but not scary." Lucy surmised, glancing over her shoulder at Liam with a soft smile. "Come here Li-Li, he's really nice. I won't let him hurt you." She was protective of her little brother and it made everyone's hearts swell.

Liam chewed his bottom lip, looking up at his mother for silent permission and bounded over as soon as she nodded, standing beside his big sister. "Hi." He extended his hand like Lucy did, causing Jon to use just his forefinger and thumb to shake it. "You were right, Luce!"

"Told ya!" Lucy ruffled Liam's hair and giggled when he growled, both of them taking off running around the banquet hall.

"Now THAT was adorable." Lindsey commented, nudging Cassidy, which was her way of giving silent approval.

"I agree."

Cassidy watched Jon stand up to his full height again and felt his arm wrap around her waist, pulling her against his side. A few minutes later, Lindsey instructed everyone to prepare for their parents arrival, shutting the lights off. Ryder had told them Lindsey had a private dinner set up for them to avoid distractions, wanting it to be strictly family. Smiling when Jon snuck a quick kiss in while they were in darkness, Cassidy felt his fingers glide down the side of her neck.

"Ryder, where are we?" Judy's voice could be heard behind the double doors.

"Dinner, now come on." Ryder hoped his sisters were ready and opened the doors, the lights flicking on.

"SURPRISE!" Everyone shouted, causing Judy to jump while Terrence shook his head, a huge smile crossing his face.

Judy burst into tears as she hugged her children one by one, finally coming to Cassidy and cupped her face in her hands. "Thank you, sweetie pie. This is amazing." She kissed her forehead and hugged her again, immediately spotting some old friends that had been at her wedding.

"How did you do all of this?" Terrence asked, still shocked by what his children set up and how much trouble they went through just to give them a party.

"Strategically."

Cassidy hugged her father close and kissed his cheek, turning him around just as one of his old friends, Roy, approached. She walked over and sat down at the table with Jon following, smiling while watching her parents reminiscence with their old friends. The sheer joy on their faces was the sole reason Cassidy made the trip, knowing she would've regretted missing this. Her father looked very dapper in a crisp hunter green dress shirt with black slacks, a green and white tie around his neck and his black sports coat hanging on the back of his chair. Her mother never looked so beautiful, wearing diamond jewelry that clashed well with the red dress. After a little while, Cassidy excused herself from the table and kissed Jon's cheek, heading over to the DJ for a microphone.

"Hey everyone, may I have your attention please?" She called out with a grin and everyone turned to face her, the talking dying down immediately. "Thank you. Now, as you all know, tonight is my parents' 45th wedding anniversary." Cassidy paused, letting an applause emanate around the room before continuing. "So, as one of our many gifts to the greatest people on the planet and the best parents a girl could ever ask for; myself, Lindsey and Ryder managed to scrounge up the song they danced to at their wedding. So Mom and Dad, come on up here and dance to it again."

Judy was blubbering again while Terrence held her close, tears shining in his own eyes. 'Earth Angel' by the Penguins filtered through the speakers as Terrence extended his hand to his beautiful wife of 45 years and smiled when she took it, gathering her in his arms. Cassidy discreetly moved to the side and felt Jon behind her, his arm wrapping around her waist as she leaned back against his chest. She wanted that one day - that kind of love and devotion, hoping it was with the man standing behind her. Lindsey dabbed her eyes with a tissue, leaning against her husband while Ryder had his arm wrapped around a skinny blonde by the name of Penny, his new girlfriend. Nobody said a word as Terrence and Judy danced to their song, his head gently resting against her temple while they swayed to the music.

Even after 45 years, he was still one of the best dancers Judy ever knew, her smile lighting up the entire banquet hall. Once the dance ended, the DJ played some more upbeat classic music while the food was brought out of the back. Cassidy helped set everything up with Lindsey, both of them laughing and joking. Jon watched them and couldn't believe what a wonderful family Cassidy had, though he wasn't surprised either. She was a beautiful woman and deserved all the love in the room, wishing he could have that with his parents. After eating and sharing a huge cake, Cassidy was floored when Jon stood up extending his hand.

"What is it?" She asked, wondering if he wanted to leave to go have that talk, but all Jon did was smile at her and gestured with his free hand to the dance floor.

"Dance with me, darlin'." He requested, pulling her out on the floor with a few other couples.

He closed his eyes as a slow Metallica song flowed through the air. The song was called 'Nothing Else Matters', the same song Cassidy had listened to alone in the car after her first encounter with Jon. This was their song; Cassidy simply knew it and rested her head against Jon's chest while he swept her away, hardly believing he was the dancing type. Jon sighed, never wanting this moment to end, but he knew it would have to because the waiting was over.

"Ready for that talk, Cass?" Jon asked in her ear, once the song ended, keeping his voice low and felt her nod in response.

"Meet me outside, I want to say goodbye to everyone." Cassidy whispered, kissing his cheek and walked away before Jon could say anything, needing to get her nerves under control.

"Everything okay?" Lindsey asked, hugging her little sister and could see the apprehension in her eyes. "Cassie…"

"It's fine, just leaving to spend some time with Jon. Wonderful party, I'll see you tomorrow for Thanksgiving." Cassidy said in a rush of words, hugging her briefly and then proceeded to make her rounds to everyone else.

20 minutes later, Cassidy finally managed to walk out of the banquet hall and could see Jon waiting in his truck, taking a deep breath. This was it. He was ready to finally open up and feel again. Preparing herself to hear absolutely anything, Cassidy headed toward the truck and swallowed down the butterflies suddenly erupting in her stomach.