Chapter 8
The next day Randy and Cassie brought home Alyssa from the hospital. Bob and Elaine were at the house with Alanna when they got there. Alanna got to hold her sister for the first time and Cassie took some pictures. After Bob and Elaine left for the night, everyone else tried to get settled in with the baby. Randy had set up a bassenette in the master bedroom so that Alyssa was close by.
As the weeks passed, Cassie left the Ranch work to her ranch hands and so far she hadn't been bothered by Corey. Cassie told her sister what was going on and that she wouldn't be returning to work until things were better around the Orton house. Eve understood and so did Vince. One night after both girls were in bed sleeping, Randy and Cassie were in the living room watching a movie when Randy's phone rang. It was the hospital with news on Samantha's condition.
Samantha wasn't getting any better. Randy explained to the doctor that they needed to contact her parents as they were divorced and it wasn't his decision anymore. The doctor apologized and hung up. Randy came back to the livingroom and told Cassie what the doctor said. Cassie was there to support Randy and the girls and to help out where she was needed.
"Cassie, I know things aren't the greatest and I'm just happy that I have you here with me and the girls. Alanna loves you so much." Randy stated.
"I'm happy to be here. What kind of girlfriend would I be if I wasn't here for you and the girls. I love Alanna as if she were my own." Cassie responded.
"Cassie, I guess what I'm trying to say is I love you and I can't stand to be without you." Randy stated.
"Randy, I love you too. I've loved you for a while now." Cassie responded.
"I know this isn't the most romantic place or way to do this, but will you marry me?" Randy asked as he presented her with a diamond ring.
"I don't care about the setting, I care about you and yes I will marry you." Cassie responded as Randy placed the ring on her finger and they sealed their engagement with a kiss.
Randy and Cassie decided to keep their engagement quiet for now. But they needed to tell Vince as they agreed no surprises. Randy called Vince and told him what was going on. Vince understood and agreed to keep it quiet. Both Randy and Cassie were due to return to the ring the same week, the Monday following Thanksgiving.
"Randy, I have an idea. Why dont we have our families come together at the ranch for Thanksgiving?" Cassie suggested.
"I like that idea." Randy agreed.
"And maybe we can announce our engagement then." Cassie stated.
"Yeah. Thanksgiving is in 2 weeks, so we'd better tell our families." Randy responded.
Randy called his parents and told them about Thanksgiving. Bob and Elaine agreed to drive to Nashville with Nathan and Becky. Cassie called her mom and step-dad and asked them to join them for Thanksgiving at the Ranch. They quickly agreed. They wanted to meet Randy and make sure that Cassie was truly happy. Cassie also called Eve and Ron and told them about Thanksgiving dinner. Eve couldn't wait to come out to the Ranch and see what all Cassie has done.
The following week, Cassie wasn't feeling well and didn't want to get anyone else sick. She stayed in bed for the first day, but on the second day she got up and tried to keep some food down. Nothing wanted to stay down. Randy was worried about her and called his mom to see if she could watch the girls so he could take Cassie to the doctor.
As soon as Elaine got to the house, Randy and Cassie left. The doctor saw Cassie right away and ran some lab work. They gave her something to stop her from throwing up and told her to go home and get some rest. Randy drove her home and she headed straight upstairs and crawled into bed.
"Is everything ok?" Elaine asked.
"Won't know until the doctor calls back with the lab results." Randy answered.
"What are her symptoms?" Elaine asked.
"Throwing up from the time she wakes up until she goes to bed. Can't keep anything down, but she's not running a fever." Randy answered.
"Ok. Well, I hope she feels better soon. Let me know what the doctor says." Elaine responded before heading home. "Oh both girls are sleeping."
"Thanks mom. I will." Randy stated before shutting the front door.
Later that afternoon, Cassie's phone rang. It was the doctor's office calling her back with her lab results. Cassie walked into the kitchen and answered her phone, she didn't want Alanna to get scared if it was something bad.
"Hello." Cassie answered her phone.
"May I please speak with Cassie Burke." a female asked.
"This is Cassie. Who is this?" Cassie answered.
"My name is Leighanne. I am a nurse at St. Louis Memorial hospital. I have your lab results." Leighanne responded.
"Ok. What are they?" Cassie asked.
"Well, everything came back normal. Except that you have a high level of HCG." Leighanne answered.
"HCG? What is that?" Cassie asked.
"You're pregnant." Leighanne answered. "And according to your lab work, you're about 9 weeks."
"What?" Cassie asked not sure if she heard the nurse correctly.
"You're 9 weeks pregnant." Leighanne answered again.
"Ok. Thank you." Cassie responded as she hung up the phone.
"Is everything ok, Cas?" Randy asked as he walked in with Alyssa.
"I don't know." Cassie answered.
"You don't know. You look like you saw a ghost. Who was on the phone?" Randy asked.
"That was hospital with my lab results." Cassie answered.
"And?" Randy asked.
"I'm pregnant." Cassie answered as tears fell down her face.