Chapter 15

Cassie smiled, "You didn't let me finish. I meant for you to focus on these other things and forget about making babies. Only have sex because you want to make love, not babies. In other words just relax and enjoy yourselves. I will make you a romantic essential oil blend that you can put in a difuser tonight. Once you take the pressure off I think you might be surprised at the results."

"Thank you Cassie! We are willing to try anything at this point," Mac assured her. "Have you and AJ talked about having children?"

"We have talked about it but haven't made any decision yet."

"Well if you do I hope that the two of you have an easier time of it then Harm and I."

"Thank you Mac."

"Are you ready to go honey?" Harm asked Mac.

"If you are," she told him.

The two of them left together and as they walked away AJ and Cassie could see Mac telling Harm something. "You and Mac seemed to be very intent about something. Is everything okay?"

"I think it will be," she told him with a gentle smile.

When the last customer left the store Cassie locked up and they walked back to Grayhouse hand in hand. As they walked along the town streets AJ asked her, "Why was it that you wouldn't let me pay for your ring Cassie?"

"Because it isn't necessary AJ. I already had the ring so there is no point in exchanging money for it. But if it helps, you could buy both of our wedding bands."

"Are you always going to be this stubborn?" AJ asked with a chuckle.

"Always!" she replied and her musical laugh rang out.

George had started steaks on the grill and when they walked by him told them that Grace was in the kitchen working on baked potatoes, candied carrots and homemade yeast rolls to go with the steaks. Cassie and AJ quickly offered to help out and got the table set and found out what everyone wanted to drink.

Grace was the first to notice the new ring on her mother's finger and brought it to everyone's attention by commenting on it over dinner. Mac and Varice were eager to take a look and exclaimed on the beauty of it.

Talk around the table centered around the coming wedding. Cassie and AJ told them who could and couldn't make it back for the ceremony. Brandon was disappointed that his sister wouldn't be there.

Varise then told them that she and Sturgis wouldn't be able to stay the extra day. She had a performance scheduled that night and today she had made several phone calls trying to get out of it or at least reschedule the event. Unfortunately she hadn't been able to make other arrangements, so they would have to leave on Friday as they had originally planned. They both said they were sorry they couldn't be there for the wedding.

Cassie thanked her for the attempt and had one request of Varise. She asked if one night before they left she might sing for them. With a lovely smile Varise said that she would be happy to do so.

After dinner and clean up Cassie and AJ went for a walk in the garden. She told him that tomorrow she would ask Mayor Tinsdale to perform their ceremony if AJ was alright with that. He told her he was and asked if Cassie could get her friend from the Bistro to cater again so that would be one less thing to worry about. Cassie agreed to talk to Stephanie tomorrow as well.

They came back into the house just as Grace had started up the stairs to bed. She stopped long enough to wish her mother and AJ good night.

"Grace, I'm planning to run in the moning would you like to go along with me?" AJ asked her.

"I have school tomorrow, it would have to be early," she answered.

"I usually get started at 5:30 if that isn't too early for you?"

"5:30!" she gasped, then shaking her head said, "Well it's a good thing I'm going to bed early tonight! Mom are you going with us?"

To Be Continued…