Chapter 10
As soon as the truck was packed up, they were on their way to Cassie's ranch. It took them a bit longer since they were traveling with a newborn baby. Four hours later they finally pulled up to the Ranch. Cassie carried Alyssa into the house while Randy helped Alanna.
Once they were settled into the house, Cassie searched for some food to make dinner. After dinner, Randy went for a walk to clear his head. Cassie checked on Alyssa who was sleeping in the livingroom. She and Alanna walked out to the front porch and sat on the porch swing.
"Why did my mommy die?" Alanna asked.
"We don't know why this happened sweetie. But she is looking down on you and Alyssa and she will always be in your heart." Cassie answered.
"Ok. Where's daddy?" Alanna asked.
"He went for a walk. He'll be back before you go to bed. How about a movie?" Cassie answered.
"Ok." Alanna responded.
Cassie put a movie on for Alanna and picked up Alyssa who was starting to fuss. Cassie changed her diaper and fixed a bottle. After wrapping her up, Cassie took her out on the porch and fed her while waiting for Randy to return. Alyssa had just finished her bottle when Cassie saw Randy walking up to the house. Randy saw Cassie holding Alyssa and smiled. Although their happiness was short lived as Corey pulled up to the house.
"What the hell is this?" Corey asked as he walked up.
"Leave us alone, Corey." Cassie answered.
"You have a baby." Corey stated.
"Yeah, I'm holding a baby. So what." Cassie responded.
"Give me the baby. If that baby is a newborn then that baby is mine." Corey demanded.
"GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I HURT YOU AND LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE!" Randy snapped.
"That's my kid, not yours." Corey stated.
"Oh really? Hmm. My dead ex-wife gave birth to that baby, not Cassie. You still think your the father?" Randy asked.
"I'm outta here." Corey stated.
"Good and don't come back." Cassie responded as she took Alyssa into the house.
Two days later, Randy, Cassie and the girls were back in St. Louis for Samantha's funeral. Alanna sat with her daddy while Cassie held Alyssa. After the service, Martin and Alice approached Randy and Cassie.
"Who is this?" Martin asked.
"Martin, this is Cassie, my girlfriend." Randy answered.
"Why is she holding my granddaughter?" Martin asked.
"Because I have Alanna in my arms." Randy answered. "What does it matter. She has been their since the day Alyssa was born and has helped me out a great deal at home with both girls."
"They are our granddaughters and we have a right to know who is in their lives. I really don't think that they should be exposed to a new relationship so soon." Alice stated.
"Leave Miss Cassie alone. I love her and so does my daddy." Alanna stated angrily. "And Miss Cassie loves all of us."
"What do you know, you're just a child." Alice stated.
"I've had enough. We are not going to do this. Since Samantha has passed, I get custody of the girls. And you know full well that I can more than provide for them. Cassie is with me full time and is there to care for the girls when I'm working. There is nothing that you can do about it." Randy stated before they walked away.
That night they had dinner with Randy's parents, Nathan and Becky before heading back to Nashville. Thanksgiving was only a week away and as soon as the next day, Cassie started preparing for their huge family dinner. Cassie just hoped that things would go over well when they announced their engagement.
The next week passed quickly and soon they had family arriving in from St. Louis, North Carolina and Arizona. Cassie's house was completely full and Alanna was enjoying all the attention. Alanna took everyone out to the barn to see the baby animals and Mattie the cow. Cassie and Randy were in the kitchen preparing food for everyone when Cassie stopped what she was doing.
"Are you ok?" Randy asked.
"Yeah. Do you think we should tell them about the baby as well?" Cassie answered.
"Well, I was thinking that we would wait until Christmas and let the news of the engagement set in first." Randy responded.
"Ok." Cassie stated.
"I'm not ashamed of the pregnancy, I just think that telling everyone everything all at once, might cause some problems and someone might think that I was just marrying you because of the baby." Randy responded.
"I know. And knowing my parents, that's exactly what they would think." Cassie stated.
"What would we think about what?" Cassie's mom Amber asked.
"Randy and I were talking about moving in together." Cassie answered.
"Ok. How long have you been togther?" Amber asked.
"Almost 4 months." Randy answered.
"Do you think it would be a good idea to live together before Randy's divorce is final?" Richard, Cassie's step-dad asked.
"There isn't going to be a divorce. Samantha died after having the baby." Randy answered.
"Oh, we didn't know. I'm sorry to hear that. Well, if you and Cassie are happy then, why should we stop you." Amber responded.
"Thank you. Alanna loves Cassie and so do I." Randy stated.
"Miss Cassie, Daddy, Alyssa is crying." Alanna responded from the doorway.
"I'll get her." Randy stated as he walked out of the room.
"Cassie, are you happy?" Amber asked.
"Very. I love Randy and I love the girls as if they were my own." Cassie answered.
"Well Richard, it looks like our family has just grown by three." Amber stated.
"Three?" Richard asked.
"Alanna, Alyssa and Randy." Amber answered.
"Oh yeah. What are the girls going to call us?" Richard asked.
"We'll talk about that later." Amber answered.