Hi Readers: And welcome to your second chapter of the day. I just hope that I can reach a third chapter as I want to give you as much as I can. And right now, that's precisely what I intend to give to you as we introduce our new family into the story. Well, not a new family; but a new branch of the family tree: The Darden-Casey Family. I hope that you guys like this new addition to the story and give me some feedback as to what you guys are thinking, as I want to know whether you like it or not before I stick to it; even though I truly believe that I will stick to it at the end of the day. But still, would love feedback on it. Now, let's get to some Andy-Heather time.

Chapter Fourteen

He decided to make sure that their sons were still asleep before he made their way into their room, the room where they can always get some time with each other whenever they need to talk. And right now, that's precisely what Andrew Casey needs at the moment; he needs to talk to his wife as he tries to wrap his head around this new reality that he finds himself living with. The reality that his dad is not really his father, but that his father is really his best friend's dad, which makes them half-brothers. Half-brothers who are born just months apart, which means that his mother and Matt's mother were pregnant at the same time. Hell, he still can't believe what his mom said to him when he confronted her about how she hid the truth from him for the longest time. How he does have siblings. That his best friend is not just his best friend, but his half-brother; there was just no way that she didn't know. And that's why he's in a rut this Christmas. He's in a rut due to the fact that he's (a) not talking to his mother, and (b) he's in a place where he doesn't know just who he is due to the fact that his entire identity was ripped out from under him. But at least he has Heather and the boys.

As they truly are what he needs right now, as they are his only constants in his life at the moment. The constants that he needs to feel better, and know that everything will be okay, which is precisely what Heather has been telling him the entire time. That everything will be okay, and that they'll figure things out. And for his sake, he truly hopes that's the truth due to the fact that he doesn't know where his head is at right now. He just has so much on his mind, that he barely knows just what he's doing. All he knows, is that he needs to get back in bed with his wife and talk to her; something that he most certainly doesn't mind doing due to the fact that she's currently wearing a nightie for him. "God, I wanted to touch you in that so bad last night." Heather snickered as she laid down in bed, well aware that was what Andy wanted to do last night; he wanted to touch her and hold her in his arms. And while she would've been okay with that, they both know that it isn't the best time for them to do that right now. "I think we both know that you aren't in the best head space at the moment Andy. You have a lot on your mind, and I would rather you think about me instead of it."

Andy agreed with Heather as he finished putting his deodorant on, before starting to make his way back to bed where he planned on laying down with the woman he loves as he talks to her, because that's what they need to do right now. They need to talk, as he just has so much on his mind. And not just about him and how his entire life has been a lie, but the effect that this will have on their boys Ben and Griffin; I mean, this changed their world overnight and gave them a new identity. It's just something that he needs to talk to his wife about, which Heather is more than ready and willing to do with him as she wants to help her husband through everything and anything that's bothering him about all of this at the moment. "C'mon, stop wasting time and just get in bed with me Andy. Let me hold you so that I can make you feel better, and so that we can talk about all of this. It pains me to see you go through this alone, especially when I'm more than ready to talk to you about this. I mean, as much as I want to say this doesn't affect just you…" Andy shook his head as he made his way over to bed, as his wife most certainly can say that; she can always say that as it's the truth.

This doesn't just affect him, as it also affects their sons, which is why they need to talk to each other and have a united front at the moment, which is something they haven't been of late due to the fact that he's been trying to deal with this on his own. And that's something that he needs to apologize to his wife for, he needs to apologize for not having dealt with this with her when it's what they need to do. "So, listen, I actually need to apologize about something." Heather was confused as she heard the man she loves say that, as she had no idea just what he had to apologize for. I mean, his life is the one who just got turned upside down. "Andy, why are you apologizing to me? Your entire world just got turned upside down." Taking a breath as he laid down in bed, Andy proceeded to get nice and close to his wife; while at the same time, Heather got close to her husband so that she could comfort him. And let's just say that's precisely what he needs right now. He needs to hold his wife in his arms, as they comfort each other and hold each other close. While at the same time, he also needs to explain how his world isn't the only one that's really changed right now. And he's doing it now.

He's explaining just why that's the case to his wife, right after a nice kiss with her; a kiss that they were both enjoying with each other. "I love you." Heather agreed with Andy as he told her that he loves her, as she feels the same way about her husband. "I love you too Andy, and I want you to talk to me so that we can deal with this together." Andy agreed with Heather as she said that, as he knew that was something that he needed to do. He owed it to his wife and kids to talk to his wife as they deal with this as a family. "And I truly regret that I haven't spoken to you about this more as we need to deal with this together." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, as that most certainly is the truth. Which is why she decided to get close to the man she loves, place one of her hands on his toned chest; while also placing her other hand on his cheek and starting to kiss the man she loves softly. The man she loves more than anything in the entire world and is proud to be his wife regardless of his last name. "I hope you know that I don't care."

Andy was confused as he heard Heather say that, as he didn't understand what she was saying. "OK. What are you talking about Heather?" Heather sighed. "I mean, I don't care whether your last name is Darden or Casey. You're still my Andy and will always be my Andy." Andy smiled as he heard Heather say that, while tugging her body against his chest. He then proceeded to run his hand up and down her back as they took things nice and slow with each other. "I love you too Heather, forever." Heather agreed with Andy as he told her that, well aware that was the case. And that was why she wants him to talk to her. "And that's why I want you to talk to me Andy. I want you to tell me what I can do to help you deal with this." Andy agreed with Heather. "I guess, I am just trying to wrap my head around it still. And not just the fact that my dad is dead and not my real dad, but…" Sighing, Andy took a breath. "I just feel like a fraud at the moment. I mean, my entire life has been a lie. I'm not saying that I want to be wealthy but…" Heather sighed and agreed.

After all, that was something she wondered too. "You're wondering what this means for us." Andy agreed. "Matt and I are going to have to figure it out, as he doesn't want me or the boys; and you of course…to have a life less than what he can give Noah." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, well aware that was the case. "I am so glad that he's finally a dad. He's such a great uncle to Ben and Griffin." Andy smiled. "The truth is, he always told me that he thought the boys looked like him a bit…" And this is where the shame comes in. "And the truth is, that's another reason why I feel ashamed too right now." Heather was confused as she heard her husband say that. "What are you talking about Andy?" Andy sighed as Heather asked him that question, as he isn't proud about what he's going to be admitting to his wife. "Listen, I just want to preface what I'm going to say by saying this." Heather nodded. "I never doubted your fidelity to me. I never suspected you of cheating, or anything. I just need to let you know about that Heather." Heather nodded.

After all, she already knew that this was about. "I always knew that you were faithful to me, and that you wouldn't do anything with Matt or anybody. That's what I need to preface this with." Heather agreed with Andy, smiling as she leaned in and kissed him softly. "Never in a million years." Andy smiled as he placed his hand on the side of her face and just started to take things slow with his beautiful wife. "However, there's just something about the way the boys look. They look like Matt if that makes sense. They looked so much like him, that I got me worried at times that maybe you did cheat on me; and I regret that thought every single day now." Heather understood why that would be the case. "But this revelation really makes sense now, just why we look alike and how our sons look so much like their uncle. God, I still can't believe that we can say that." Heather agreed with Andy, as she felt the same way about it. This is still all surreal to her that her husband's childhood best friend, is also her brother-in-law and her sons' uncle.

Then again, she also believes in faith, which explains why they both felt like it was the right thing to do when they decided to have Matt be both Ben and Griffin's godfather. "Can I be honest with you about something?" Andy agreed, as his wife always could. "Always." Heather agreed with Andy. "The truth is, I think you've always known that you were brothers somehow. I mean, look what happened when we got the boys baptized." Andy agreed with Heather. "You were apprehensive when we first wanted to ask Matt, and I knew deep down that you had your suspicions over the paternity of our sons." Andy sighed as he looked at Heather. "It was just due to the resemblance. Why I thought that way? I have no idea." Heather agreed as she looked into her husband's eyes and smiled as she kissed him softly. "But now, we made the right choice. We have Matt as their godfather, their uncle is their godfather." Andy smiled as he heard Heather say that. "I like the sound of that." Heather agreed with Andy as she just looked into his eyes this morning.

After which, she wrapped her arms around his back nice and tight; kissing her husband, Heather smiled as they were both really happy right now. "Now, you know this means that you can still see your dad as your dad." Andy agreed. "Oh, believe me. Gregory Casey will never be my father. I could never call him my dad after what he did to Matt." Heather was confused. "What'd he do to Matt? I keep hearing that line, but don't understand." Andy sighed. "Abuse. Sexual." Heather was horrified as she heard her husband say that. "NO!" Andy agreed with Heather, which is why he's glad he never met his father. "It's why I'm okay with the fact that I never met my father. And while I hate that the boys will never meet…" Heather shook her head. "No, don't even go there. If he were alive, I wouldn't want the boys anywhere near him. He's a monster for doing that. Hell, I don't even want you to call him your dad." Andy agreed with Heather, as he felt the same way. "I just know that things are going to be hard, as my stepmother killed him." Heather agreed.

She then took a breath. "Are we going to tell the boys what he did? Or about how their step-grandmother killed him?" Andy sighed. "I think they already know due to the fact that they know how Matt's mom is in jail. It hasn't been a secret between the three of us. I just worry right now." Heather was confused, as she didn't understand what her husband was talking about. "What are you worried about?" Andy bit his lip. "I don't want to tell the boys yet what Greg did to Matt, as they aren't old enough for that." Heather agreed, as that was the truth. "Oh, me neither." Andy agreed. "Yet, what if they want to know about their grandfather? The person who they can really ask that is Matt, who I know has mixed feelings about wanting to talk about it. Heck, I already know that he has a bunch of mixed feelings about this." Heather was confused when Andy said that, as she didn't understand how that was the case. "What are you talking about?" Andy sighed, as he was really hating that he even had to say this; that his brother was thinking this way.

Especially when he just had a son. He finally gets to experience fatherhood like he does, and he has to think about some of this stuff. "He feels a bit of regret when it comes to me not being able to meet Greg." Heather was shocked. "Oh god." Andy agreed with his wife. "He knows how much I would've liked to meet my biological father, and he's heartbroken that I can't because of what his mother did; all because of what Greg did to Matt. So, it's a hard thing for him to deal with. I mean, he's also a dad; so, he can understand." Heather just looked at her husband once more, which led to him continuing to explain. "He was in a situation just like ours, where he got the other woman pregnant and had a son with him. And he feels for me, as he can see me in Noah I think. He can see how much it would hurt him if he wouldn't have been able to have him in his life from the start." Heather understood what Andy was saying, while also feeling her heart break for Matt due to the fact that this isn't how he should be feeling right now; not when he's a new father.

And that's just a lot to deal with. "Add in the fact that he's the head of the family company, and I can see that he just has a lot on his plate when it comes to all of this. I mean, he has Alex; but…" Heather nodded. "You wonder just how much he's really hurting right now and whether he's dealing with it harder than he's vocalizing." Andy agreed with his wife, as that was precisely what he was thinking. He was wondering just how good Matt was right now. "And the truth is, I think that's why I want to be there over Christmas with him. I want to be there for him, so that he has someone he can talk to. I mean, I know he can talk to Alex but…" Heather nodded, understanding what her husband was trying to tell her. "You just think you can get it out of him easier than Alex can." Andy agreed with Heather. "Me and Matt, we go way back. We were best friends growing up and we could always feel that connection. It was like…we were brothers, even though we didn't know we were brothers. We had what Ben and Griffin have, this connection."

Heather agreed with Andy, understanding what he means. "Yeah, something that you can only have with your siblings." Andy nodded once more, as that was precisely what he was talking about. "And we really didn't understand how that was the case, when we weren't siblings. Or at least, we didn't know we were siblings at the time." Heather agreed with her husband once more, completely understanding what he was talking about as she can just understand him easily. "I get it Andy, I really do. And I think that you and Matt are going to have a lot to talk about. You guys have been through a lot together as friends, but now you're going to have to deal with it as brothers, which is going to be an entirely new dynamic to your relationship." Andy agreed with Heather. "It's why I need to ask you a favor." Heather was confused when Andy said that. "And what's that?" Andy sighed. "Listen, I know that things are tough, and the finances are a bit all over the place right now. I know we have a bunch of debt from college and stuff…" Heather agreed with Andy.

After all, she knows that their finances aren't the best; especially since they are now living in a two-bedroom home with their sons sharing a room. And they aren't at all living in a place where they could afford if they had Matt's wealth. But still, she decided to listen to her husband. "Right now, I just don't feel like me and Matt are in a place where I can say anything. And I hope you understand that I don't want him to worry about us right now. We can deal with it later, in the new year. Because I think I found a way since Griffin stopped karate, I can make an extra payment to get us back on track. And I think that I can try and get the financial team to help me without going to Matt. I just…" Andy sighed. "Can you let me try on my own before we go to Matt? I don't want him to think that I'm going to use him for this simply because we're brothers now." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, understanding the situation that he finds himself in. He doesn't want to make Matt feel guilty for not helping them, especially not when he's a new dad.

And that was probably one of the main reasons why Heather understood. "He's a new dad, and I think that's why you really don't want to push him too much." Andy agreed, as that most certainly is the truth. So much so, that he decided to wrap his arms around Heather and lean in and kiss the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world. "I promise, we'll figure it out eventually." Heather agreed with her husband as he said that, well aware that was the case as she started to take things nice and slow with the man she loves; while also wrapping her arms around his neck, which led to Andy thinking that she wants something. "Want something?" Heather nodded, as she most certainly does want to get some attention from her husband. "I love you Andy." Andy agreed with Heather and smiled as he started to take things nice and slow with his beautiful wife (whom he loves more than anything in the entire world)…especially as they had a bunch of fun with each other, which is precisely what they're in the midst of doing right now.

She's such a tease, that's the only way that Andy can describe his wife, a huge tease. Especially when she leaves him naked in bed with her in the shower in the morning. But if Heather thought that she was going to be taking a shower alone this morning, then she was wrong as he was going to be joining her in the shower. That was something that was certain, especially as he saw her standing there in the shower; because damn does his wife look very sexy. So much so, that he wants to be in the shower with her more than he wants to have another kid. Then again, he wouldn't mind if they kept trying. He just knows that if they keep having fun, then he can convince her to have another baby. He can't explain it, but he already knows that he's going to be able to convince her; and that starts right now, as he opened the door to the shower and looked at his beautiful wife (who just turned to face him). "The boys?" Andy smirked. "Still fast asleep, but probably not for long. Which means that we need to rush this." Heather agreed with Andy, smiling at him.

She then extended her hands as she waited for him to join her, which is precisely what Andy is ready to do. He's more than ready to get in the shower with the woman he loves, which is why he just took off his towel. He then stepped in the shower with her and smiled as he got close to her. "So glad that we woke up before the boys today." Heather agreed with her husband as he said that, smiling as he got close to her. After which, she smiled as she felt him stand right in front of her and wrap his arms around her; while she put her hands on his chest and stepped close to him. After which, she leaned in and kissed the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. And there's just something about the two of them being together that always makes her happy. "Andy, can you promise me something?" Andy agreed with his wife as she asked him that question, as that was something that he most certainly could do. "Always." Stepping close to Andy, Heather wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly.

After which, she asked him what she wanted him to promise her. "Promise me that you never change." Andy was surprised as he heard Heather say that. "You mean, because of money?" Heather agreed, as that was something that she was worried about; even though she had no reason to worry about it. If anything, that was the least of her worries. "Hey, I can already promise you this Heather. I am never going to change. I am always going to be the man you love, the man you fell in love with when we were in college." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that. "And who I almost divorced after 9/11." Andy agreed with Heather as she said that. "Is that why you're scared to get pregnant again?" Heather agreed. "I know, it's ridiculous." Andy shook his head. "Hey, it's no ridiculous whatsoever. I know that we've been blessed with the boys. I mean, the doctors said that we may never be able to get pregnant, but we beat the odds." Heather agreed with Andy, which is why she was a bit nervous. "I mean, maybe surrogacy. But not me." Andy smiled.

After all, that worked out when it came to their nephew. "I mean, that worked out pretty good when it came to our nephew." Heather agreed with her husband. "By the way, you need to talk to Matt. We made him the godfather, so he needs to make us the godparents." Andy sighed. "Well, me at least." Heather looked at Andy. "And not me?" Andy bit his lip. "He's Violet's godfather." Heather was confused. "Violet?" Andy looked at her. "Our niece." Heather remembered that. "Right." Andy nodded. "Plus, I think I heard something about him and Alex maybe asking their surrogate to be the godmother; her name is Jessica and she's Alex's best friend." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, as that made a lot of sense. "Ok. That makes sense. If they want to pick the surrogate, then they can do that. We can't complain either way considering he's a great uncle." Andy agreed. "However, we need to talk to the boys." Heather was confused. "Why?" Andy sighed. "He didn't get time to shop for them." Heather agreed with Andy, as that made sense.

After all, he was getting ready for Noah, while also being the Chairman and CEO. "Yeah, that makes sense. I mean, he's been busy for a while. But listen, can we not talk about him right now when we're in the shower with each other?" Andy agreed with Heather, as that was something that they can do right now. They can concentrate on each other, rather than talk about his brother. Plus, that's exactly what he wants to do anyways. He wants to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves, as they held each other close and just took things nice and slow with each other. "I love you so much Heather." Heather agreed with Andy as he told her that, before smiling at him. She then started to take things nice and slow with him again. "Not too much longer. We have the boys." Andy agreed, while continuing to enjoy this time that he was getting with his wife right now. "I love you." Heather agreed. "I love you too Andy, forever." Just taking things nice and slow with each other, the husband and wife were both extremely happy to get this time together.

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Standing at the counter shortly after taking a shower with his beautiful wife, Andy smirked as he shaved a bit for her this morning as he wanted to make sure that he was clean shaven. After all, he loves to look good for his wife, which is actually why he works out a lot too. He wants to be all hunky and muscular for his wife, especially when she wears lingerie like she is right now. "Damn." Heather snickered as she heard Andy say that, seeing him look at her as she walked into the bathroom so that she could get ready for the day. "Oh, calm down, the boys are awake now." Turning his head, Andy was surprised. "They are?" Heather agreed. "I asked Griffin if he could make him and Ben some toast." Andy agreed with Heather as she said that. "And what'd he say?" Heather smiled as she thought about what Griffin said. "He said that he would if he was the first to hold Noah." Heather laughed as she turned to look at her husband. "And what did you tell him?" Andy smiled. "I said I can't make any promises." Heather agreed. "Good."

Andy agreed with his beautiful wife as he made his way over to her, before placing his hands on her arms and leaning in to kiss her softly this morning. "I love you." Heather agreed with Andy as he told her that. "I love you too, forever." Andy smiled as he heard Heather say that, while moving to wrap his arms around her. "By the way, I think I could do without money. I don't need it to be happy." Heather agreed with Andy, as she felt the same way. "We're getting a bit to get out of debt. That's something I want." Andy agreed as he turned his head and kissed the side of her head. "Believe me, I already know that." Andy then let Heather go before making his way over to his sink. He then grabbed his razor so that he could shave ahead of them going to Matt's place today. "You know what, we should wait to talk to him about this. I think we're good right now. And we can deal with it." Heather agreed. "I mean, we can always use the college fun and save again. We'd be good by then." Andy agreed with his wife, smiling at her as he shaved.

"And I think the boys are comfortable sharing a room. Let's just stay the same for now, rather than change. We don't want the boys to think that way. If we change too fast…" Heather agreed. "They'll think we're spoiled." Andy smiled, as that was precisely what he was thinking. And in fact, it was what his brother was thinking. 'We need to talk when you get here today. About $. I don't know how we're going to do it, but I want you to have some. I want to get you out of debt, and I won't take no for an answer. Bring me the mortgage and any debt info. We can figure it out together.' Snickering, Andy agreed with his brother. "I have orders from my brother to bring info about mortgage and debt information." Heather was surprised. "Already?" Andy nodded as he turned to look at his wife. "Apparently, but I am not going to complain if he wants to pay off our debts. I want to be debt free as soon as possible, which means that I'm going to say yes to this." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, as that makes a lot of sense. "Sounds good."

Andy then got another text from his brother. 'Also, talk to your sons ahead of time about noise. My son is two days old, and I am not going to be dealing with them making him stay awake through the night. If they keep him awake, then you watch our son for us while we sleep!' Andy agreed with Matt, before texting him again. 'That sounds fair. Now, I am going to get ready to go. Just take it easy and relax. We'll be there soon. I want to be there before the snow starts to fall.' Matt agreed with his brother, which is precisely why he's more than ready to get them here. 'And that's why I want you guys to come today. So, I will see you later. I am going to spend some time with Alex and Noah right now.' Andy agreed with his brother once more. 'Got it Matt. Talk soon.' Matt agreed. 'Safe drive.' Andy smiled as he read that last text, before setting his phone down. "We need to talk to the boys about noise." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that. "Let me guess, that was the entire reason behind the text? How he wants to make sure that Noah sleeps?"

Andy agreed with his wife as he continued to shave, as that most certainly is the truth. "That's precisely what he texted me about. He texted me about how he wants to make sure that Noah sleeps. And he also mentioned that he wants to help us financially." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, smiling as that was something that she liked. "Well, I think that's good. However, that doesn't mean that I want to celebrate that. We're going to take it easy and just relax while we're there." Andy agreed with his wife as she said that, as that made a lot of sense. "Sounds good. Now, how about we get this show on the road? I would rather not be here the entire day. I want to get to Matt and Alex's place so that I can meet my nephew." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, while walking away so that she can go get dressed; while he continued to shave ahead of him getting out of the washroom too since it was what he needed to do right now. He needs to shave so that he can take care of his family, something which he always loves doing, just like Matt.

Standing next to his and Heather's bed after getting dressed and putting his shirt on, Andy sighed as he went ahead and set his bag down on the bed; after all, he did need to check on whether he had enough clothes. And right now, he's just not sure whether he does. "Hey Heather, how long should I pack for?" Coming out of the washroom after getting dressed, Heather smiled as she looked at the man she loves. "I would say pack for at last 3-4 days. I know we're not leaving until at least the 27th. I want to stay there tonight, tomorrow, Christmas night and the day after so that we can rest. So, maybe 4 outfits." Andy agreed with Heather, as that made sense. That was a good number of outfits to pack in his opinion. "I like that idea, sounds like a good amount of outfits to pack." Heather smiled as she heard her husband say that. "What do they say after all? The wife knows best." Andy laughed as that most certainly is the truth as he walked around his and Heather's bed so that he can walk up to her in her lingerie.

After which, he placed his hands on her hips and brought her beautiful body against his; while Heather put her hands on his chest and started to take things nice and slow with the woman he loves. "God, you are so damn sexy, and I am so happy that this is what we're doing right now. So happy." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, just smiling as they both held each other close right now. And she just wants to do this right now. "I swear, I am so glad that this is what we're doing right now. I want to take things slow with you and just be happy." Andy smirked, until he heard Ben. "Seriously, now?" Turning his head, Andy sighed. "Boys, what did we tell you about coming into our room? Get out of here!" Ben and Griffin both agreed, rushing away so they didn't need to see that; while Andy brought his wife against him again and just smiled as he was really happy. After which, Heather put her hands on his toned chest; while Andy leaned in and kissed his beautiful wife softly. After all, this is precisely what the couple want to do with each other right now.

They want to take things nice and slow with each other, as they enjoy this little bit of time that they have together. And if there's anything that they want to do more, it's have sex in bed; but not right now due to the fact that they need to take it easy and just relax with each other. "I love you to much Andy, and I am so glad that this is our life." Andy agreed with Heather, smiling as he took things nice and slow with the woman he loves here this morning. "I feel the same way." Heather nodded as they both continued to take things nice and slow right now. "The boys are going to want some food." Heather agreed with Andy as he said that, well aware that was the case. But that didn't mean that she didn't want to get one last kiss from the man she loves. "Can you go make them some food? I can concentrate on getting our things ready?" Andy agreed with Heather, as he most certainly can do just that for the woman he loves. "I can do just that for you, I promise." Heather smiled as she agreed with her husband this morning.

After which, she watched as he walked away so that he could go take care of their sons this morning while she finished packing up their room, while also thinking about just how much she loves that man. There's just something about him that always makes her smile, which is something that Alex can relate to right now as she and Matt got some alone time with each other at their place.