A Fresh Start
Chapter One Hundred Fifty Five
Cassie is coming downstairs as Sam and Jeffrey knock on the door. Richard is helping the boys get ready and she calls. "I'll get it." Walking into the kitchen she opens the door a few moments later. "Hi." She says, holding the door open.
"Hi." They both say walking into the kitchen as Richard comes downstairs. "You look beautiful."
"Thank you, and so do you Sam."
"Thank you. Are we the first ones here?"
"Yes, but that's fine. We can get ready for tomorrow."
"Awesome. " Sam says, turning to Jeffrey. "Will you…?"
"I'll be fine. Go do girls stuff, I'll hang out with Richard and the boys." Jeffrey says, as RJ and Will come downstairs.
"Okay." Sam says, following Cassie upstairs as Jeffrey turns to Richard.
"Are you okay?" Richard asks.
"I'm fine."
"The ribs…."
"I took my medication. Actually she insisted that I take my medication."
"Jeffrey." Will says, pulling on Jeffrey hand.
"Will, don't do that." Richard says, as Jeffrey holds up his hand.
"It's fine Richard. What's up Will?" Jeffrey asks, kneeling down to him.
"We have a horse."
"You do."
"Yes, Daddy bought her from a man. We named her Lady Tammy because she's a girl. But she's the most beautiful horse there is."
"That's great." Jeffrey says, standing up. "You named a horse after Tammy."
"Her mane and tail are the same color as Tammy's hair." Richard says. "The boys named her that." Richard says, walking into the living room.
"Does Cassie know?" Jeffrey asks, following him with the boys behind them.
"Yes, she was there and agreed with the name. The horse behaves a lot like Tammy did. She hates carrots and loves sugar cubes. I haven't tried apples yet." Richard says, sitting down in one of the arm chairs.
They've just sit down when there's a knock at the door. "Daddy, can I get it?" Will asks, turning to Richard.
"Go ahead, but ask who it is before you open the door." Richard says, as Will runs from the room
"Who is it?" Will asks, stopping at the front door.
"It's your Aunt Reva and Uncle Josh."
"Okay." Will says, opening the door. "Hello." He says, smiling as looks up at Reva.
"Hello, Will. Where's your mom or Dad?" Reva asks.
"Mom's upstairs with Sam and Daddy's in the living room with Jeffrey and RJ." Will replies, as Rusty and Hawk walk up. "Grandpa Hawk."
"Hello, Will." Hawk says, bending down to hug Will. "Where are your Momma and Dad?"
"I was telling Aunt Reva, Mommy's upstairs with Sam and Daddy's in the living room with Jeffrey and RJ."
"Then let's go see them." Hawk says, taking Will's hand and leading the way into the living room.
Reva hangs back and catches Josh's arm. "You promised you wouldn't do anything tonight, not a word to Jeffrey."
"I know what I promised Reva. I won't say anything to him."
"If you ruin this for…."
"I'm not going to."
"Just remember what you promised and don't say anything that will upset Cassie or ruin this for either of them."
"You used to have more faith in me."
"I used to know you a little better than I actually did." Reva says, walking into the living room. Will is in the middle of telling Hawk about Lady Tammy when they walk in. "Who's Lady Tammy?" Reva asks.
"That's our new horse. We named her after Tammy because her hair is the same color as Tammy's. And we have to take care of her." Will says.
"And I have to take care of Blue." RJ says.
"Blue, Hart's horse, the one Cassie sold." Rusty asks.
"Yes, Hart's horse. I found the man that bought him and I bought him back. We showed him to RJ either this afternoon."
"He's my horse." RJ says, as Cassie and Sam come downstairs.
"Reva, when did you get here?"
"Just now, RJ and Will were telling us about the horses." Reva says, as there's a knock on the kitchen door.
"I'll get it." Richard says, getting up. He answers the door a few seconds later to William and Ava. "Hi, come on in." He says, stepping back. "I think everyone is here."
"I'm sorry we're late. I was late leaving San Cristobel." William says.
"It's okay, everyone else has just got here. And we're all in the living room." Richard says, closing the door and leading the way into the other room. "William's here."
"Uncle William!" Will cries, running over to him.
He catches him. "Hi Will." He says, hugging him.
"I miss you." Will says, leaning back.
"I miss you too buddy." William says, picking him up and turning to the rest of the room. "I'm sorry we're late. I was late leaving San Cristobel."
"It's okay, everyone else just got here."
"So, do we have everyone?" Rusty asks.
"Umm, we're waiting for Harley and Father Ray… oh shoot, Josh, I forgot to call and talk to you. Father Ray can't do the wedding. He had to go out of town and I don't want Doris marrying us and Jeffrey's, well he's in the wedding party."
"You want me to do the wedding?" Josh asks.
"Yes, I know its short notice. I meant to call you but we both been busy, I'm sorry, but please could officiate the service."
"I would be happy to." Josh says, hugging her.
"Good, again I'm sorry I didn't…."
"Its okay, Cassie." I would be happy to perform the ceremony for you and Richard."
"Thank you." Cassie says, as there's another knock on the door. "I'll get it. It's probably Harley." She leaves the room while everyone talk to each other. When she returns Harley is with her.
"Great, everyone's here." Richard says, walking over to them. He hugs Harley and then slips his arm around Cassie. "So, why don't we go out to the barn and we can get the rehearsal started?"
"Great." Cassie says, turning for the kitchen with everyone else following them.
When they reach the barn, Richard turns to them. "Okay, so tomorrow there will be a runner here, leading to the end of this hallway." He says, turning and pointing to the simple white arch waiting at the end of the walkway.
On either side of the walk way are white chairs sit up for the guests to use. The seat cushions are light lavender silk to match the lavender and babies breath that is tied to each chair. Under the archway, is a small carpet, big enough for three people. To the side are for separate white chairs, which are empty for the rehearsal dinner. "Okay Josh, you and Richard need to be at the end of the walkway, under the arch." Cassie says, as Josh and Richard take their places.
"Now, the rest of you need to be back here with me. You too boys and Hawk." Cassie says.
"You know what, I just realized something." Richard says, looking at Jeffrey and William. You've got a matron of honor and two bridesmaids. I would have asked Noah to be one of my groomsmen, but he's not coming so, Rusty would you mind being one of my groomsmen?" Richard asks, looking at his brother-in-law.
"I ah…." Rusty looks around and then back to Richard. "I would be happy to, but I don't have a tux."
"It's fine." Richard says. "And thank you."
"You're welcome." Rusty says, turning to walk back to the rest of the group.
"Okay, places everyone." Josh says, stepping up to Richard. "Will, are you ready?" Josh asks.
"I'm ready Uncle Josh." He says, nodding.
"The music…."
"…wait." Richard says, stepping around Jeffrey. "The staff from the Beacon, left this." He says, walking over to one of the tables and picking up a stereo and ipod. "It's preload with all of our music for the wedding." He says, turning it on. "Okay, now we're ready." He says, walking back over to Josh.
"Umm Richard, would you like me to cue the music?" Ava asks.
"That would be great, thank you." Ava walks over to the ipod. "We're ready." She says, after turning it on.
"Will you need to start down the aisle when the music starts. Are you ready?"
"Yes sir." He says, as Josh looks at Ava and she starts the first song. Amazed begins to play and slowly Will starts down the aisle, pretending to throw flowers. When he stops at the end of the aisle, he looks at Richard and asks. "Did I do okay?"
"You were perfect." Richard says, smiling at him.
"Okay, play the next song." Josh says, as RJ steps up and the next song begins. He walks down the aisle, stopping next to Will.
When he's finished, Rusty and Reva step up. My Valentine beings as Reva and Rusty start down the aisle. It continues to play as Jeffrey leads Sam down the aisle and then William leads Harley down the aisle. Once everyone's in place, Josh turns to Ava and she starts the wedding march as Hawk and Cassie step up. When they get to the end of the aisle, Hawk kisses Cassie's cheek and then turns to Richard. He lays Cassie's hand in Richard's and then steps back. "Who gives this woman for holy matrimony?" Josh asks.
"I do." Hawk says, nodding before he sits down.
"Okay, we need someone one to stand in for Richard and Cassie."
"Jeffrey you and Sam do it." Reva says.
"Okay." Jeffrey says, stepping up. "I would marry her again any day, any time." Jeffrey says, as she steps up.
"So, would I." Sam says, taking his hand.
"Okay, I'll begin by explaining the reason and importance of holy matrimony. And then I'll ask for any objections, after that I'll begin with the vows. Once the vows are exchanged, you can like the unity candle. After you've lit the unity candle you will return to here and I'll pronounce you and Richard husband and wife." Josh says, turning to Richard and Cassie and completely ignoring Sam and Jeffrey.
"After that we'll start the party." Rusty says.
"Yes." Richard says, looking at Cassie, still holding her hand.
"Good, I think we've got it down." Josh says.
"Should we go through it again?" Sam asks.
"I think we've got it." Cassie says, looking around as everyone nods.
"Okay."
"Then let's eat." Richard says. "Josh can you start the grill?"
"Sure." He says, as they all leave the barn. They all walk back up to the house, talking.
Cassie rolls over to her side, waking up she finds that Richard is already awake. "What are you doing?" She asks, snuggling down into the covers.
"I was watching you sleep and thinking."
"You were watching me sleep and thinking about what?"
"I was thinking about you and me, the wedding, the baby, and everything else."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm great." He says, lifting his arm so she can move over to him, which she does. Laying her head on his chest, she snuggles in closer to him. "You know it's much better waking up beside you than alone."
"I know, I'm much calmer this time around, but I don't know if it's because we slept with each other last night, or if I'm calm because I'm not worried about all the stuff we had before."
"I would have stayed with you then but…."
"But Natalie insisted that you didn't see me until the wedding."
"How is the baby?"
"She's fine."
"You're not feeling any morning sickness or anything?"
"No, I feel really good." She says, looking up at him.
"Good."
"What time is it?"
"It's about eight am. The boys will be up soon."
"What do you want for breakfast?"
"You're not going to cook on your wedding day."
"Then how are we going to eat."
"I spoke to the Beacon yesterday and they are sending food for us this morning so you don't have to cook." Richard says, as she pulls away. "Where are you going?"
"I just remember something." Cassie says, getting up and walking into the close. She returns with a small box in her hand.
"What is that?" He asks, as she gets back and bed but doesn't lie down beside him.
"We didn't really discuss the wedding rings, but I want to use these." She says, handing him the box.
He takes the box and then opens it up. "These are our rings from before."
"Yes."
He looks at them and then at her. "I think that's perfect." He says, closing the box. He pushes the covers back. Getting up, he walks into the closet. Taking out a bag, he opens it. Taking out a ring, he walks back into the bedroom. "But I think we need to switch my ring with this one." He says, taking the ring out of box.
"Why?"
"Because, this ring is my brother's not mine. That one's mine. The hospital had it with my belongings."
"Richard, it can't be. Reva took your ring after she turned… You know you're probably right. It's your brother's ring." Cassie says, as Richard closes the box.
"Can I see that?" She asks, reaching for the other wedding ring.
"Okay." He says. "Can I ask why you want it?"
"Because if you ever what to see your brother's wife then we can give this back to her." Cassie replies, getting up and going over to the closet. She comes back out again a few moments later. "Now, I think it's time we get up. We've both got to get showers." Cassie says, as someone knocks on their bedroom door.
"I'll get that, you go get a shower." Richard says, as Cassie turns for the door as she smiles.
Richard opens the door to Will standing on the other side. "What's wrong Will?"
"I wanted to talk to Mommy." Will says, looking up.
"She's in the shower." Richard says, hearing the water come on. "Maybe I can help. What did you need?"
"I…." He looks down.
"Come here." Richard says, taking his hand leading him over to the bed. He sits down on the bench in front of the bed. "Now, what happened?"
"I had a little accident." Will mumbles softly.
"You had an accident. Are you hurt?"
"No."
"Where did you have the accident?"
"In my bedroom."
"Can you show me?" Richard asks. Will looks at him. "We can take care of it for you Mom."
"Okay." Will says, knowing that he's not going to be able to avoid getting into trouble. He turns away and Richard stands up and follows him. Will walks into his bedroom. Richard looks around but he doesn't see any mess.
"Where's the mess?" He asks, looking down at Will.
"It's in my bed. I…."
Richard finally realizes what's happened and he walks over to the bed. He touches the wet sheets and then he turns to Will. "You had your accident in bed."
"Yes sir. I didn't mean to do it. I woke up…." Will says, looking down at the floor.
"It's okay." Richard says, pulling his covers off the bed as Will looks up.
"You're not mad?" He asks, amazed.
"No, of course I'm not mad. These accidents happen to little boys and girls. But I think we'll get you something that will help until you're able to sleep through the night without having an accident."
"Okay." Will says with a smile, walking over to the bed to help Richard strip it.
When the bed is stripped, Richard turns to Will. "Are you pajamas and underwear wet?"
"Yes sir."
"Okay, go into the bathroom and take them off and I'll run you a bath. You don't have time to play though."
"Yes sir." Will says, leaving the bedroom and walking across the hall as Cassie comes out of their bedroom. "Hi, Mommy." Will says, as Richard follows him.
"Will, go on to the bathroom. I'll be there in a minute."
"Okay, daddy." He walks into the bathroom and closes the door as Richard turns to Cassie.
"He wet the bed last night."
"I knew he shouldn't have had that last drink."
"Well, he came to get you and was scared to tell me what happened."
"He was probably afraid you would be mad at him."
"He was."
"Is everything wet?"
"Mostly."
"Okay, I'll gather up his sheets, blankets and pajamas and I'll opens the window so that the mattress will dry out before tonight."
"Can we get something that will stop him from having an accident?"
"I call Reva and ask her to stop by the market and get some pull ups."
"Good." Richard says, as Will calls.
"Daddy, I'm ready."
"I'll be there in a moment Will." Richard calls.
"Is RJ up?"
"No, I haven't seen him."
"Okay, I'll get him. This is definitely a different start to our wedding day."
"I like this one as much as I liked the other one." He says, leaning over to kiss her. "I'll bring you his pajamas."
"Okay." Cassie goes into Will's room as Richard goes into the bathroom.
She hears the water start to run as she begins to gather up Will's blankets. She goes downstairs and starts the washing machine as RJ comes in from outside. "Mom." He says, stopping in the laundry room.
"RJ, what are you doing?"
"I was…."
"Did you sleep outside?"
"I ah…." RJ looks down. "Yes ma'am."
"RJ!"
"I took my blanket and I was really warm."
"Why would you sleep outside?"
"I was in the barn with Blue." RJ says, looking up.
"RJ." She looks at him. "Sweetie, I know you're excited about having Blue back, but it's getting too cold at night for you to be sleeping outside, even with your blanket. You can't do that."
"Yes ma'am."
"Go on upstairs."
"Yes ma'am." He says, turning for the kitchen and the staircase. He walks into the hall as Richard walks out of the bathroom.
"RJ."
"Yes sir."
"What's going on? Why do you have a blanket with you?"
"I slept in the barn last night."
"You slept in the barn, why would you sleep in the barn?"
"I wanted to keep Blue company. He hasn't been here in a long time and I wanted to him to know that he's home."
"RJ, you can't do that. What if she went into your room and found your bed empty. What do you think she would do?"
"She saw me downstairs."
"She did."
"Yes sir, she was in the wash room when I came in from the barn. I was really warm last night. I had my blanket and I slept next to Blue and he kept me warm."
"I'm glad you were warm but this… you can't do this. It would have scared your mother if she would have gone into your room this morning and found that you weren't there. It's not good for her to be scared. It's not good for your little sister either."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think about that." RJ says.
"It's… it's not okay, but don't do it again."
"I won't."
"Go put that away and we'll get breakfast." Richard says, walking towards the stairs.
"Yes sir." He says, walking to his bedroom.
Richard goes downstairs. Walking through the kitchen to the laundry room. Cassie is putting the last of Will's sheets in the machine when he walks in. "Here is Will's pajamas. Did you see RJ?"
"Yes."
"He spent the night in the barn with Blue."
"I know, in a way it's kind of sweet." Cassie says looking at him. "It reminds me of old movies."
"Old movies."
"Yeah, were a little boy has a pet and its sick and the little boy or girl won't leave it until its better. Kids don't do that anymore."
"Did you ever…?" He asks as she looks at him "No, I guess you didn't." He says, with a smile. "Is this just an average day in the paradise of parenthood?" He asks, watching her close the washing machine.
"Oh this is a minor day in the paradise that is parenthood." She says, leaning over to kiss.
"There's more?"
"There's always more." Cassie says, walking out of the laundry room. "And don't ask what that will be." She says, as he laughs. "Is Will through with his bath?"
"He was drying off when I left him." Richard says, reaching for the phone.
"Who are you calling?" Cassie asks, going to make coffee.
"The Beacon, I'm ordering breakfast for all of us. So into the living room and sit down and I'll take care of everything."
"You'll call Reva too."
"I can."
"It might be better if I do that."
"Why?"
"Because I told her that you were staying at the Beacon last night." Cassie says, looking at him.
"And what are you going to do when I come up from the basement for the wedding?"
"Why would you be in the basement before the wedding?"
"Because I'm getting ready down there. I cancelled the room at the Beacon yesterday afternoon. It seemed strange to get a room at the Beacon to change only to come back over here to have the wedding. So, I called and cancelled the room. I can get dressed downstairs in the guest bedroom while you and the girls get ready upstairs, we'll never see each other."
"I'm okay with it."
"But Reva… and everyone else my take issue with it."
"Yes."
"It's our wedding we can do what we want. Did you talk to James and JR?"
"I spoke to James yesterday, but not about the wedding." She says, as he nods. "I haven't spoken to JR."
"Okay, go sit down and relax. I'll call the Beacon and Reva."
"She's going to be…."
"I'll handle Reva." Richard says, with every confidence as Cassie smiles.
"Go, it'll be fine." Richard says, as Cassie walks out of the kitchen and Richard picks up the phone."
He walks into the living room a few moments later. "What did she say?" Cassie asks, as he sits down beside her.
"She was fine." Richard says, taking a sip of coffee. "I just explained that we decided that I needed to stay here last night after everyone left."
"Did you tell her about the Beacon?"
"I figured she didn't need to know."
"She read you the riot act, didn't she?"
"She might have had a few words to say." Richard says, glancing at her as she laughs. "You could have told her that it wasn't any of her business where I spent the night last night."
"Yes, well you could have told me that you were planning on staying here to get ready." She says, getting up.
"Where are you going?"
"To get me something to drink, I'm a little thirsty."
"Sit, I'll get it." He says, putting his coffee cup down and standing up. He goes into the kitchen as Cassie sits back down.