Ch 7
Same disclaimer as always. Oh, and this chapter is dedicated to whoever likes it! There!
"So…what…are we going to...do, Cassie?' he draped an arm over Rae, who was snuggling close to her daddy, "I mean, I …I...want to be part of my daughter's life…"
The scene almost broke Cassie's heart.
I always imagined him holding her like that…only he wasn't…like…like THIS…
She took a deep breath.
"We'll figure something out. When you get better, we can discuss custody and visitation..." she trailed off. She noticed that Jake was getting woozy.
It's probably from all the medication.
"Hey, you look a little tired there. We'll be back later on, when you're feeling better."
She paused for a moment, reaching into her purse.
"Here are some pictures of Rae," She handed him a baby picture and a preschool picture, "Just so you can have a couple of day brighteners."
She then reached for Rae.
"Hey kiddo, it's time to go. Daddy is sleepy"
"Ok," Rae said. Cassie reached over and picked Rae up from Jake's weakening grasp.
"Hey Cass?" Jake strained
"Yes?"
So beautiful, he thought as she turned around with his child in her arms.
"Friends?" he asked
She touched his hand.
"Friends," she smiled and walked out the room.
Ronnie was waiting for her in one of the chairs.
"I figured you could use some privacy," he said, getting up to hug and kiss her," Letting him know about Rae…"
"Thank you Ron," She held on to him tight, much to the disdain of Marco, who was watching Ronnie out of the corner of his eye. He had the nerve to flirt with a couple of nurses while Cassie and Rae were in the room with Jake.
"And how are you doing, littun?" he patted Rae on the head.
"Da-ddy," she pointed to Jake's room
Cassie smiled an embarrassed smile and knelt don.
"Rae, I told you that Daddy's not feeling well. He has to stay here."
"NOOOOOOOOOO!"
"Rae, remember what I told you. You have to be a big girl now. Don't start in here."
Rae pouted and started to suck her thumb.
Toddlers. I'll have to ask Mom and Dad if I was this bad when I was a kid.
Just then, Jake's parents burst through the doors of the ICU.
"Cassie!" Jean said. "We flew up as soon as we got word."
Rae smiled as soon as she saw her Grandparents.
"Rachel, is that you?" Steve asked. "You're getting so BIG!" He bent down to pick her up and gave her a kiss on the forehead.
Cassie stood while Jake's parents doted all over their granddaughter.
"Wama! Wampa!" Rae squeaked.
"Our little honey bun," Jake's mom took Rae from Steve's grasp and rubbed noses with her. "Have you been good for your Mommy and Mr. Ronnie?"
She happily nodded her head.
"Good, because we have something special for you." Steve reached into his travel bag and pulled out a Teddy Bear. Rae squealed again.
"You DIDN'T" Cassie said with mock disdain. "I swear, you two are going to spoil her rotten!"
"Well, we love our grandbaby." Steve said while running his hand lovingly through her hair.
Marco got up from his seat and approached Jake's parents.
"Dr…Mrs. Berenson…"
"Marco!" Jean wrapped Marco up in a huge hug
"How are you doing, son?" Steve asked.
"Hey, I'm back on Earth, I can't complain."
"How is he?" Jean asked." Does he know about?"
"Yes. He knows."Cassie picked Rae up again.
"That's at least one good thing for him, I suppose..." his mom trailed.
An uncomfortable silence filled the room. While Cassie couldn't be faulted for moving on, she always felt awkward whenever she and Ronnie were with Jake's parents. Like it was wrong somehow.
"Well I guess we should get going. We have a long ride back tonight. And we ALL know how cranky Rae gets when she gets tired." She gave everyone in the room hugs while Ronnie shook everyone's hand. Then she put her arm around Ronnie and left.
Out of the corner of his eye, Jake could see Cassie leaving with her arm around HIM.
It figures…He thought to himself. He felt like he was about to drown in a sea of sleep. Nice, peaceful, comfy sleep. He clutched the pictures of his daughter in his hand.
Maybe I'll have a good dream.
Jake was almost gone when his parents entered the room. His mom gasped while his dad raced over to check out his chart.
"Jacob…" was all his mom could say.
"A daughter….I have a daughter…" was all he could say before he fell asleep.