Chapter 7

"Randy, it's good to see you. And who is this lovely young woman?" Elaine asked.

"It's good to be home, mom. This is Cassie. I work with her and she is my girlfriend." Randy answered.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Cassie. Welcome to our home." Elaine stated. "Bob, Randy is here."

"It's nice to meet you too." Cassie responded.

"You have a southern accent. Where are you from?" Elaine asked as her husband walked into the living room.

"Born and raised in Nashville and still live there." Cassie answered.

"Well, then we have something in common don't we. You know Randy was born in Knoxville and we lived in Nashville for a while before making the move to St. Louis." Elaine responded.

"Randal, it's about time we see you. And this must be Cassie." Bob stated.

"Hi pop. This is Cassie." Randy responded.

"Alanna has spoken very highly of you. I hear you have a ranch in Nashville with baby animals and a baby cow named Mattie?" Bob asked.

"Yes, sir. As a matter of fact Alanna got to name my baby cow." Cassie answered.

"Well, isn't that wonderful." Bob stated.

"DADDY! CASSIE!" Alanna squealed as she came down the stairs.

"Come here princess!" Randy stated as he picked her up and hugged her.

"Cassie, is everything ok with Randy?" Elaine asked.

"It's been a long hard day. I'm sure he'll tell you everything." Cassie answered.

"Is the baby ok?" Elaine asked.

"Yes. Randy, why don't I take Alanna for a walk while you talk to your parents. I saw a little park not too far from here." Cassie suggested.

"Ok. I'll come get you when I'm done." Randy stated with a soft smile.

"Miss Cassie, that is my favorite park." Alanna stated as they headed out the door and to the park.

Back at the house, Randy and his parents sat down in Bob's office to talk. Elaine knew something was wrong, and she just hoped that their new grandbaby was ok. Randy took a deep breath and looked at his parents.

"Samantha isn't doing good. She had what they thought was a small blood clot in her leg, but when they went to fix it, she went into shock and they discovered another blood clot in her brain. She is on life support right now." Randy told them.

"Oh my. And the baby?" Elaine asked.

"Alyssa Elaine Orton is a perfectly healthy baby girl." Randy answered. "She will be able to come home tomorrow afternoon. I just don't know what to tell Alanna about her mother."

"Just tell her that her mommy is sleeping and needs to stay with the doctors until she feels better. That is all you can really tell a 4 year old." Elaine responded.

"Did she sign the divorce papers?" Bob asked.

"Yeah. I have them. I will fax them to my lawyer this afternoon. I want to take Alanna to the hospital to see her sister." Randy answered.

"Ok. Do you want us to come with you?" Bob asked.

"That would great. I'll go get Cassie and Alanna." Randy answered.

"Ok." Elaine responded.

Randy walked down to the park and found two of his three favorite girls playing on the swings. Alanna ran up to her dad as soon as she saw him and hugged him. He asked if she wanted to meet her baby sister. Alanna smiled and nodded her head.

Once everyone was at the hospital, Cassie sat in the hallway and while Randy, Alanna and his parents went in to see Alyssa. Randy brought Alanna out to Cassie before heading back into the nursery. Alanna sat next to Cassie and looked up and down the hall.

"Where is mommy?" Alanna asked.

"I think she is sleeping. She needs to get lots of rest after having your sister." Cassie answered.

"That's right sweetie. Mommy has to stay where there are doctors for a while. So you and Alyssa get to come home with me."

Randy stated.

"Now?" Alanna asked.

"Well you get to come now, but Alyssa will come home tomorrow afternoon." Randy answered.

"Ok. Can we take Alyssa to Cassie's ranch and show her the baby animals?" Alanna asked.

"Maybe when she's a little bit older. A tiny baby won't know about the animals." Randy answered.

"Okay. Can we go home now." Alanna asked as she yawned.

"Sure. Let me get Grandma and Poppa and we can head home." Randy stated.

That night while Cassie read Alanna a bedtime story, Randy got things ready for Alyssa to come home. Randy was in the next room and could hear everything that was being said between Cassie and Alanna.

"Do you love my daddy?" Alanna asked.

"I love your daddy very much." Cassie answered.

"Do you love Alyssa?" Alanna asked.

"Sure." Cassie answered with a smile.

"What about me?" Alanna asked.

"I love you too." Cassie answered as she hugged Alanna.

"Is my mommy going to die?" Alanna asked.

"I don't know, sweetie. I just know that the doctors are taking really good care of her. And I am here to help your daddy take care of you and your baby sister." Cassie answered.

"Are you going to be my new mommy?" Alanna asked as Randy walked into the room.

"That's enough questions for one night. Good night, Princess. I love you." Randy stated as he kissed his daughters head and tucked her in and Cassie walked towards the door.

"Daddy?" Alanna asked.

"Yes." Randy answered.

"I really like Cassie. You should marry her and make her my new mommy." Alanna stated.

"Good night, Alanna." Randy stated.