Chapter 13

Randy ran up the stairs and saw Cassie feeding Alyssa as she cried. Randy sat on the foot stool in front of Cassie and looked up at her. Cassie swallowed hard and wipped the tears from her face.

"What's wrong, baby?" Randy asked.

"My mom. She thinks that we are making a big mistake bringing another baby into the world." Cassie answered.

"She doesn't know what she's talking about. I know that it wont easy with three kids, but I know that us together we can do it." Randy stated.

"I know. It just hurts me that she doesn't think that I can handle a family." Cassie responded.

"I know that we handle anything." Randy stated.

Cassie smiled at Randy and then looked down at Alyssa who was looking up at her. Cassie couldn't help but fall in love with the baby. Alanna stood in the doorway and watched her sister being fed. Randy had her come over to them and she sat on Randy's lap.

Over the next few months, Cassie started to show and they finally told Alanna that she was going to have another sister or a brother. Alanna was excited and so were Cassie and Randy. Randy had sent for some of their stuff from St. Louis and had it moved into Cassie's house. The baby's room was complete as was Alanna's and Alyssa's room.

As Cassie's due date neared, Bob and Elaine drove into Nashville and stayed at the house to help with the girls. Alyssa was now 10 months old and crawling everywhere. Cassie was exhausted from the pregnancy and Randy was just looking forwards to Cassie having the baby so she wouldn't be so tired and feeling useless.

It was three days before Cassie's due date and Cassie woke up around 4 am with some sharp pains. She headed into the bathroom and as she sat down, she felt a gush of fluid. The pains started to get worse and it was an hour drive to the nearest hospital. Cassie got dressed and then woke Randy up.

"Randy, it's time." Cassie stated.

"What?" Randy asked half asleep.

"The baby. It's time." Cassie answered. "My water broke."

"Ok. I'm up. Let's get you to the hospital and have a baby." Randy responded.

Randy woke up his parents and told them that Cassie was in labor and that they were heading to the hospital and would call when there was any news. Randy drove as fast as he could to the hospital as Cassie's contractions were very close together.

Once they arrived at the hospital, Cassie was taken to labor and delivery and hooked up to fetal monitors and an IV line. Randy stood next to Cassie and talked her through the contractions until the doctor came in to check on Cassie's progress.

"Well, you are 10 centimeters and 100% effaced, let's deliver a baby." the doctor stated.

Once Cassie was in position, Randy helped her push with each contraction. Randy also kept encouraging her. Cassie pushed for almost an hour, before the room was filled with their baby's first cries. Once the baby was weighed, measured and cleaned up and Cassie was cleaned up, the nurse brought over the baby and placed it in Cassie's arms.

"Your baby weighs 7lbs 4ozs and is 21 inches long." the nurse stated. "Do you have a name picked out?"

"Justin Randal Orton." Cassie responded.

A few hours later, Bob and Elaine brought Alanna and Alyssa up to meet their baby brother. Alanna was excited to have a baby brother. Now she just wanted her daddy and Cassie to get married so that Cassie could really be her's and Alyssa's mommy.

Cassie and Justin were released from the hospital two days later. Alanna was happy to have them home and she was even more happy to be able to hold her brother for the first time. Alyssa didn't know what to do with the baby and since she was in a kissy phase, she kept kissing the baby.

Randy and Cassie finally set a date for their wedding and couldn't wait to be a complete family. Cassie's mom and step-dad called once after the baby was born to find out if it was a boy or a girl. But it wouldn't be until the wedding that they would meet their grandson.

6 months later...

Alanna and Alyssa were in their special dresses and waiting patiently. Alyssa was just over a year old and walking everywhere. Bob and Elaine had Justin and were sitting in their seats waiting for the ceremony to begin. Cassie opted to have Vince give her away at her wedding to Randy since her father wasn't around and she didn't want to ask Richard.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this company of witnesses to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and His Church; which Holy Estate Christ adorned with His presence and first miracle that He wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore, not entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, soberly and in the fear of God. Into this Holy Estate these two persons present come now to be joined. If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now or forever hold his peace." The minister stated. "Who gives this woman to be married to this man?"

"Her family and friends do." Vince answered.
"Randal, will you have this woman to be your lawful wedded wife, to live together after God s ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love her, comfort her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto her as long as you both shall live?" The ministed asked.
"I will." Randy answered.
"Cassandra, will you have this man to be your lawful wedded husband, to live together after God s ordinance in the Holy Estate of Matrimony? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others keep you only unto him as long as you both shall live?" The ministed asked.
"I will." Cassie answered.
"The marriage ring seals the vows of marriage and represents a promise for eternal and everlasting love." The ministed stated.
"I, Randal Keith Orton, take thee, Cassandra Renee Wheaton to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God s Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give thee my pledge." Randy stated.
"I, Cassandra Renne Wheaton, take thee, Randal Keith Orton, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish forever, according to God s Holy Ordinance, and thereto I give thee my pledge." Cassie stated.
"Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder. Forasmuch as Randal and Cassandra have consented together in Holy Wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company of witnesses, and there to have given their pledge, each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving a ring, and by joining hands; by the power vested in me by the State of Tennessee, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You many now kiss your bride." The minister stated as Randy and Cassie shared their first kiss as husband and wife. "Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you Mr. And Mrs. Randal Orton."

Randy and Cassie headed back up the aisle and waited for their children to join them. Randy and Cassie knew that their family was now complete and they couldn't have been happier. Cassie offically adopted Alanna and Alyssa ater she and Randy returned from their honeymoon and Alanna was thrilled that Cassie was her new mommy.