Ch 12

Same disclaimer applies. Brutal2003…you know what's up… ;)

Cassie dreamed peacefully that night. Ronnie WAS a great guy. He made her feel wonderful. And he was great to Rachel, even though she wasn't his kid. . He helped her Dad out whenever they went home to visit her parents. Her mom loved him. They were getting married in 8 weeks.

He really is the perfect guy!

So what was the problem? She couldn't help but think of Jake.

He used to be so strong.

            She remembered kissing him on the Iskoort home world. Then she though of him now. What did he do to deserve that?

He killed people! He would have killed his own brother if you hadn't stopped him! Her conscious told her.

But after the final battle, he was seriously messed up! YOU KNEW THAT! Why else did he go into a deep depression? Why didn't you help him?

I tried!

Liar, you called him a coward. You loved him and walked away.

I couldn't help him! I don't love him anymore!

Do you?          

            She didn't know that her moral wrangling had lasted all night. She looked over at the clock. 7:30!!!! She'd be late for her morning class, and afterwards, she had a meeting with the President about the state of the Hork-Bajir.

"Hey Ron," she whispered into his ear.

"Mornin' sweetie," he mumbled.

"I'm running late. I haven't even taken my morning jog. Could you take Rachel to daycare?"

"No prob, hey Cass, thanks for last night. It was great."

She blushed as she put on her jogging suit.

"I love you, Cassie. I can't believe you'll be my wife in 3 months. Most guys would die to have a woman this amazing."

She just shook her head as she walked out the room, off to clear her head. She knew just who to talk to…

She went to the phone and dialed the all too familiar number. Cassie knew her Mom would drop heaven and earth for her daughter, even this early in the morning. On the second ring, her mom picked up.

"Hey Mom, It's me."

"Mmhmm. Cassie. Why didn't you call me?"

MOTHERS.

"Why didn't I call you for what, mom? I talked to you a couple days ago."

"You KNOW what I'm talking about. Why did I have to find out from CNN that my grandbaby's father is alive and back on earth?"

"Oh gosh mom, I'm sorry. I meant to call you, I really did-"

"Uh-huh-"

"I'm serious Mom! Jake and I, we just had...to have a little TALK, that's all."

"Did you tell him about the baby?" Alisha interrupted.

"Yes,"

"And?"

"He's thrilled." Cassie held back a small smile and lowered her voice, afraid that she'd disturb a now-asleep Ronnie. "He told me that he wants to be a part of Rachel's life." She paused.

"GOOD, that boy needs to take some responsibility for what he did, leaving you like that…" Alisha could sense that something was not right.

"Cassie, what's wrong?"

Mothers can always tell…

"Mom, he's hurt…badly…emotionally as well…but…Jesus mom, he's paralyzed!" Cassie's voice cracked,"Are you still there?"

"Yes, baby. I'm here. Sweet Lord in heaven. How did it happen?"

"A spaceship crash. And he can't morph out of it. He'll be paralyzed from the waist down for the rest of his life."

Cassie could hear her mom take a long breath.

"At first, when he got back, I wanted to wring his neck, but now…everything has changed Mom." She lowered her voice even more.

"I bet it has, Cassie, I bet it has. Oh Cassandra....Ronnie, and Rachel…do they know? I know Rae is only two, but it's best that you tell babies these things early, so their little minds can grasp what's going on. Don't take them for granted. Babies know more than you think."

"Yes, Mom, Ronnie knows. He was with me when I found out. And I told Rae that her Daddy got hurt in space and now he can't walk. I think she understands."

"Good, Good. You know, I'm concerned about you. Especially you and Rae. My god, both of you have been through a lifetime of pain in such a short time. I get worried…"

"Mom, there's no need to worry about us," Cassie said in her shrill fake voice she used when she lied. "The only person that should be worried about anything is Jake, because I'm sure Daddy would like to have a nice man-o-man talk with him." Cassie laughed a nervous laugh. John had said on many occasions that he would 'kill that white boy' if he ever saw him again.

Alisha laughed a little.

"I'll do my best to keep your father away. He knows, though. He's at the vet school down at the university right now, in fact. He needs another couple of assistants, now that the clinic has gotten so large."
Cassie was proud that her parents we able to get back, somewhat, to their old lives. Her dad still ran the rehabilitation clinic, never in need of funding again, thanks to Cassie. After the Gardens blew up, Cassie's mom was temporarily out of a job, but the zoo downtown needed a new head vet, and being the mother of an Animorph didn't hurt.

"Well, Sweetie, I need to get onto work. I'll talk to you later on tonight. Give my love to Rae. I miss you guys."

"I miss you too. "

"I love You Cassie, don't forget that."

"I love you too Mom"

"Good Bye sweetie,"

"Bye Mom."

Cassie hung up the phone.

I need to get on with my day too…

Cassie took a step outside, and looked at the sun, which was high in the sky.

I hope the rest of my day is as beautiful is this.