Another Chance (31 page)

“Patrick?” came a woman’s voice from the crowd that had gathered to watch.

Patrick looked into the darkness. The voice was so familiar, and as she came closer he saw someone who should not have been there.

“Emily, what are you doing here?”

“I didn’t know you were here, Doctor Patrick, I just wanted to scare her off.”

He stared at her. “What are you talking about? Do you know something about this?”

She nodded, never taking her eyes off his face.

“You’re the one who was in the waiting room that day,” asked Cassie.

“A former patient,” said Patrick to the police officer, “and I would like to know what the hell she is talking about.”

“Are you saying you lit the fire?” asked the police officer, having heard the exchange.

Emily nodded again. “It wasn’t supposed to burn the house down, just make her think twice about getting near Patrick.” She pointed an accusing finger at Cassie and Patrick moved to stand in front of her.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve done, Emily? This is my family. You could have killed them. I almost lost Cassie in a house fire once before, and now you put her at risk again.”

“Your family?”

“Cassie is my girlfriend and Sophie is my daughter. How do you think I feel about you putting them in danger?”

The police officer stepped in. “We’ll take it from here, Doctor Cross, I’m sure we have enough.”

“I’m so sorry, Cassie, it appears it’s all my fault. I knew she was attached, and I made arrangements for her to be taken care of by another doctor. There was no way I realised that it was that bad.”

“It’s not your fault,” she said, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him towards her for a hug.

Sophie wrapped her arms around both of them. “I’m glad you know.”

Patrick and Cassie both looked at her. “I worked it out ages ago.” Sophie grinned smugly at her parents.

He grinned. “I’m glad. Your mother and I were trying to work out when the best time was to tell you.”

“My home,” said Cassie mournfully, watching the fire being extinguished. The fire had taken hold, damaging a large portion of the house. So many memories. Coming here for the first time, Sophie being born. The love she’d shared with Mark. He had loved her unconditionally and taken on the added responsibility of her child without any thought.

Mark had died here and she’d fallen in love with Patrick again here. In that moment, she felt more loss than she thought capable of for the second time in her life. Moving away and starting a new life elsewhere was different to seeing her old life being destroyed. All because of some silly girl who wanted Patrick.

It was always him who caused her heartache, directly or indirectly. She wouldn’t be parted from him now though. If anything this would bring them closer together, and they would be a family as they should have been all those years ago. Her heart still ached for Mark, but her love for Patrick had been a part of her for so long and was so strong that she was confident they would spend the rest of their lives together.

She cried for the loss of her home, the place that held so many memories and for the new start she would make now. Patrick held her and told her how much he loved her, and the rest of the night was a blur. At some point, the police took her to Lauren’s house to stay the night.

Patrick had stayed behind to make sure the house was secured before following. When he got there, only Lauren was awake, unable to sleep after what had happened. “Where’s Cassie?” he asked.

“Asleep upstairs with Sophie, third door on the right.”

“Are you okay, Lauren?” he asked. She sounded so empty.

“I almost lost my family tonight. With Mark gone, Cassie and Sophie are all I have,” she said quietly.

“Oh sweetheart.” He hugged her.

“I’m so lonely as it is,” she whispered, “I don’t know what I would do if I lost them.”

“They’re safe, we’re all safe. You should try to get some sleep too.”

She nodded. “Thanks, Patrick. Cassie’s lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

He walked with her up the stairs, and she indicated which bedroom they were in. “It’s Mark’s old room, I thought that might give them some comfort.”

“Thanks, Lauren.”

She paused as she entered her room. “I wish I could find what you and Cassie have.”

“There’s plenty of time. You’re a good woman, Lauren. Someday, someone will realise that.”

“Good night.”

He nodded and opened the door. Cassie was awake, watching Sophie. “Why aren’t you asleep?” he asked.

“I couldn’t stop thinking about tonight. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Maybe we can both get some rest now. The house is secure, and the police are around to keep an eye on things. There’s nothing more to worry about tonight.”

“We could have lost her.”

“We didn’t, Cass, she’s safe and so are we.”

He slid between the sheets beside her and pulled her into his arms. “I dreamed about Mark, he was telling me to get out of the house.”

“Can’t stay away from you, that’s what it is. But I am grateful if that’s what got you out. The alarm went nuts, but the fire burned so quickly, Cassie, there’s a lot of damage. All that matters to me is that you’re safe.”

“I love you, Patrick,” she whispered.

It was the first time she had said the words since getting back together with him. He kissed her softly. “I love you too, Cassandra Warren.”

“I’m glad we found each other again.”

“So am I. I love you and Sophie so much sweetheart.”

Tears were rolling down her face, and he kissed them away. “We love you too.”

“What’s done is done. We’re all together now. Marry me, Cassie.”

Unable to find words, Cassie clung to him.

“You’re already moving to be with me. Let’s get married and do this properly, like we should have done all those years ago.”

“Patrick,” she whispered, “I can’t think about this tonight.”

“Of course, but I’m not going to let it go. I want you as my wife, Cassie, I always did. You were my one that got away, and I’m not letting that happen again.”

He kissed her, probing her mouth with his tongue. “Damn woman if our daughter wasn’t in this bed with us, then I would take you right here, right now.”

She clung to him, nestling into his chest. “Just give me a little time. Once we’re settled in Auckland with you, we can work out our future.”

“Deal.”

It didn’t take long for Cassie to fall asleep, and Patrick lay there, listening to her breathe, grateful for his family’s safety.

The next morning was difficult as they arrived to see what condition the house was in. Parts of it were still smoldering, even though they had been damped down in the night. Almost the entire back of the house was ruined and through the blackened rooms Cassie walked, memories flooding her senses.

Everything smelled of smoke, even the things that hadn’t burned, and it was all Cassie could do not to start crying.

Walking through the half blackened living room, she bent and picked up a photo of herself with Mark. “You okay, Cassie?” Patrick asked.

“I feel as if I’ve been punched in the head. This is so unreal.” She burst into tears and he put his arms around her, holding her tightly.

“We’ll get through this, I swear. We’ll work through everything and sort out what has to be trashed and what can be saved. We’ll all do it together.”

CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN

Cassie sat on the toilet, staring at the pregnancy test in her hands in disbelief. It had a little red cross to show a positive result. As did the test sitting on the bathroom cabinet, and the one already in the bin. Cassie was pregnant. Again.

She and Sophie had been living with Patrick for three months, and despite their best efforts it appeared that they had another contraception failure on their hands. Cassie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Downstairs, she heard the front door open, and Patrick call out. “I’m home.” She closed her eyes, picturing Sophie running to him as she always did. He would hug her and kiss his fingertips, before touching her nose. They all shared that now.

He was an incredible father. Sophie and he shared a bond stronger than Cassie had thought possible. They could never make up for the years they had lost, but they were all making the most of the present and building a strong foundation for the future.

This child would have what Cassie wished she had given Sophie. A father right from the start. It hurt to think of all those times she had sat, pregnancy test in hand waiting for the results.

Cassie and Sophie had moved in with Patrick as planned after the fire. Enough of the house had been destroyed that the insurance company had taken any decision about it out of Cassie’s hands, and she was glad not to be around when the remainder was being demolished.

Sophie had run through the house, her eyes huge as she took in how big it was. “My room is awesome, Dad.”

“I’m glad you like it,” he said, “I’m also glad you feel comfortable enough to call me Dad.”

“I wanted to for ages.” Sophie grinned. “Since I worked it out, but it feels right now we’re living with you.”

He held his arms open, and she ran to them. “It does feel right, doesn’t it?”

“I wondered about you. Mum just always seemed sad if anyone asked her about my father. I didn’t want to upset her.”

“We’re all together now sweetheart. Your mum won’t be sad anymore.”

“I know. Love you, Dad.”

Patrick had closed his eyes, squeezing her tight so she couldn’t see his tears. “I love you too, Sophie.”

“Is there any room for me?” asked Cassie. He looked up, and she saw what he had hidden from Sophie.

“Always,” he said.

“Come on, Mum.” Sophie held her hand out, and Cassie went to them, one arm around Sophie and the other raised to touch Patrick’s face. Patrick kissed her hand, and they stood in the middle of the room just holding each other. Remembering the love they all shared brought a smile to her face. Now there would be that much more.

“Cassie?” She heard Patrick’s voice from the bedroom.

“I’m in here.”

The door opened and there he was, looking down at her. “Are you all right? Sophie said you came for a lie down. Another headache?”

She shook her heard. “No. Something else.”

“Cassie, what is…” He stopped as he saw the test on the cabinet, before realising she had another in her hand.

“I’m pregnant.”

His expression changed to one of disbelief before breaking out into a grin. “How did that happen?”

“You’re the doctor. How do you think it happened?”

Patrick grinned. “I guess when it comes to you I’ve got super sperm.”

Cassie laughed. “You know, Mark and I tried for a long time without success. I don’t think you’re far off the mark.”

“Well, Miss Warren, I guess that settles the marriage question.”

“Not really but it looks as if that might be the way to go.”

“Don’t make it sound like you’re resigned to it, Cass, it would be nice if you were enthusiastic about it.”

“I am,” she said, kissing him, “you’re right in that we should have done this a long time ago and would have if circumstances were different.”

“We’re having a baby, Cassie,” he said, his eyes shining with excitement.

“We are.”

“How is Sophie going to take it?”

“I think she’ll be fine. She’s loved, and she knows it. This will make things even better.”

Two days later, Cassie was cooking dinner when Sophie asked her to make salad. “Are you feeling all right, Sophie? Pretty sure last time I made one you told me it was rabbit food.”

“I feel like something healthy. Dad likes it too, and he’ll be home soon. If you don’t make one for me, make one for him.”

“We’ve got plenty of vegetables. I don’t want us to waste food.”

“Please, Mum.” Sophie held her hand, pleading with her.

“Okay. If it means that much to you. Go and wash up, dinner is nearly ready.”

“Thanks, Mum.” Sophie grinned, and ran off to wash her hands. Cassie had barely taken the lettuce out of the fridge when she returned.

“That was quick.”

“I’m hungry.”

Cassie shook her head while taking the other ingredients out of the fridge before moving to the bench to put the salad together. As she took leaves off the lettuce, something fell onto the bench.

“What the hell?”

Lying on the countertop was a diamond engagement ring. Cassie laughed, holding it up for Sophie to see.

“I am pretty sure this wasn’t in here when the lettuce was grown.”

“It wasn’t,” Patrick said from the doorway.

“Dad came home a few minutes ago. He sent me in to ask for the salad.”

“You two set me up.”