Another Chance (33 page)

“How well?”

“They were completely oblivious to me walking in on them having sex this morning.” She described what she had seen and Patrick started laughing.

“Oh dear, what a sight.”

Cassie cradled her head in her hands. “I hope it all works out, whatever it is.”

“He’s a good man, Cass.”

“I don’t doubt it, but it’s typical Lauren rushing into something head first.”

Patrick put his hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. “Mark would approve of him, Cassie.”

That made her smile. “I don’t doubt he would have.”

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

There was a cafe near the antenatal class, and Cassie had arranged to meet Patrick outside. She was starving. It seemed as if she was always hungry now, and she rubbed her stomach remembering how ravenous she had been after Sophie’s birth. This one would be just as demanding, she was sure of that.

There were two weeks to go until the baby was due and she was restless. With some time to spare, she went in to get food.

“Cassie Warren?” A woman at a nearby table was saying her name and Cassie recognised her at once.

“Vicki?”

“You remember.”

“It’s hard to forget.”

Vicki went red, she well remembered what she had done to Cassie. “I’m really sorry about that Cassie, I always meant to track you down to apologise.”

“For what? Assaulting me or sleeping with my drunk boyfriend?”

The other woman looked at if she’d been slapped. “I never slept with Patrick. I just made it look as if I did.”

“What?”

She moved closer and sat at Cassie’s table so she could lower her voice. “He fell asleep, and I climbed in with him so that when you arrived you would think he was cheating on you. I thought if you were out of the way then he would like me again, but he didn’t. I was such an idiot back then.”

Cassie buried her face in her hands, unable to believe what she had heard. “You have no idea what you did, Vicki, no idea of the damage you inflicted.”

“I’m sorry, Cassie, I really am sorry. I have no idea why I was so nasty and vindictive back then. Patrick broke up with me before he asked you out, he’d already moved on. I got community service for the assault, it taught me a lot.”

“I’m glad to hear it. What about you, Vicki? What sort of life have you had?”

Vicki looked down at her coffee. “I married Dave Pratt. Ten years and two children later, he cheated on me and left.”

Cassie pulled a face. “He always was an asshole. After hassling me for so many years, he hit on me the night of that party after I found Patrick in bed with you.”

“What about you?” Vicki asked, nodding at Cassie’s bump, “clearly there’s a man in your life.”

“There you are.” Patrick’s voice came from behind. “I didn’t realise you meant to meet you inside the cafe, I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” He didn’t even notice the other woman, bending to kiss Cassie hello. “Do we really have to do this?”

“If by this you mean the antenatal class, then yes you do. As it is, we’ve put this off until the last minute. I came in because I’m hungry.”

Patrick pulled a face. “I’m just not looking forward to it.”

“You cut people up for a living, you should be fine with seeing blood.”

“Not your blood and I don’t want to see you in pain.”

“Well my darling you had best invent a method for pain free birthing in the next two weeks, or you’re out of luck.” He grinned and kissed her, more forcefully this time until she gently pushed him away.

“Patrick, we have company,” she whispered.

“Oh?” He raised an eyebrow when he saw who was sitting at the table.

“Vicki?”

“Hi,” she said.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came up to Auckland for a holiday and have been shopping nearby. Couldn’t believe it when I saw Cassie sit down and now you. You’re together?”

“Cassie is my wife,” Patrick replied, “no thanks to you.”

“Patrick, Vicki has apologised for everything,” Cassie said.

“Ever the peacemaker, aren’t you love?”

His use of Mark’s term of affection didn’t even cause her to blink anymore. She had loved them, and she was the love of them both.

“Isn’t that what you love about me?” Cassie pushed her coffee towards him. “We’ve still got some time before the class, sit down and finish this for me and maybe we can talk for a few minutes.”

“Cass, you’re too nice for your own good sometimes.” Patrick sat, eyeing Vicki warily. “How are you, Vicki?”

“Not bad. Better now I’ve been able to apologise to Cassie. I’ve felt so bad for so long, Patrick, I was a stupid girl back then. It’s not the best feeling in the world, being cheated on.”

“Well I’m sorry it happened to you,” he said, putting his arm around Cassie, “we found each other again, but we were apart a long time. I’ll never get the years back that I lost because of what happened, but I plan on making up for it now.” He rubbed her belly with his other hand, feeling his child kicking and pulled her closer.

“Is this your first child?” Asked Vicki.

“Second, but the first we’ve had together,” he replied.

She looked confused.

“I was pregnant when we broke up. Patrick and I were only recently reconciled. Our eldest is almost thirteen now.”

“Oh,” Vicki’s eyes welled with tears. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

“We’re together now, that’s what matters,” said Cassie. Vicki fidgeted in her chair watching the two. It was clear they were happy now, and she felt guilty for trying to keep them apart. Patrick finished Cassie’s coffee.

“Come on you, let’s get this class out of the way. Although I could just deliver the baby myself.”

Cassie laughed. "I need you up the other end to hold my hand.”

He stood, reaching for her hand to help her up. “There you go, now let’s get this done.”

She nodded at Vicki. “Thank you for your apology Vicki. It’s been a long time, but I do appreciate knowing the truth.”

Patrick raised an eyebrow. “Later,” she said, “let’s go to class.”

They walked the short distance to the other building. “How on earth did you keep your cool? I would have been wanting to scratch out her eyes.”

Cassie kissed him softly. “Because right now I have everything I ever wanted or needed, and she is picking up the pieces after her husband cheated on her. I know who got the better deal.”

“You’re an amazing woman, Cassie, but then I always knew that.”

In the evening, Sophie decided to rearrange her room. It was the third time she’d done it since they’d moved in and she disappeared upstairs after dinner.

“Young women,” Patrick said, shaking his head.

“You love it.” Cassie grinned.

He moved around the dining table, leaning to kiss her. “You know it.”

She stood, grabbing hold of his arm to steady herself. “I’ll do the dishes and make a coffee.”

“You will do no such thing. I’ve got another idea seeing as the child is gone for the rest of the evening.”

Cassie laughed. “What do you have in mind?”

“Come with me,” he said, taking her hand in his and leading her out to the back yard. It was setup ready for their children. They had transported Sophie’s swing set up from Hamilton, and Patrick had recently brought a trampoline to Cassie’s amusement.

Father and daughter had hours of fun on it while Cassie watched. It warmed her heart to see how well Patrick and Sophie were getting on, he had taken to fatherhood like a duck to water, and Sophie adored him.

He took her to the steps of the trampoline. “After you my lady.”

“Patrick, I can’t.”

“We’re just going to lie here under the stars. You’ll be safe, Cassie, you’re with me.”

He climbed the steps and stood at the top, holding his hand for her to take it. She grimaced and accepted his hand reluctantly, slowly making her way up. As she stepped onto the mat she wobbled, and he grabbed hold of her to support her before helping her to lie down. “See, Cassie? I promised to take care of you always, and that’s what I’m doing.”

She laughed. “Is being this pregnant on a trampoline covered by that?”

He pulled her closer to him, enveloping her in his arms. “I think it covers everything. I love you so much, Cass.”

“I love you too.”

Patrick pointed at the sky. “We might be in the city, but this makes me think of those nights we sat in the car making out. I used to look up at the sky and think about how amazing my life was with you in it. Being with you, Cassie, it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Me too,” she whispered.

She snuggled even closer, and he freed a hand to stroke her belly. “I can’t tell you how excited I am to become a father again.”

Cassie laughed. “I think I know.”

She took a sharp breath in as Patrick kissed her neck. “Are you all right?”

“Just Braxton Hicks, it’s been off and on all day.”

Now he sat up and looked at her, concerned. “Are you sure they’re Braxton Hicks?”

“I called Tracey for advice, and she said not to worry until they were regular, these are all over the place. I’ll be fine.”

“You should have told me.”

“Patrick, stop worrying. I’ll tell you when it really is time. I have done this before.”

He leaned over, kissing her tenderly. “I worry, Cassie. You can’t blame me though.”

“I love you for it, Patrick Cross.”

Patrick lay back down and kissed his wife again while she laughed. It was a warm night, and Cassie lay there in Patrick’s arms. Comfortable, she nearly fell asleep, stirring when Sophie called out. “Dad, can you come and help me move some furniture?”

He rolled his eyes. “Can it wait, Soph?”

“Just go. I’ll be fine here until you get back.”

“You know what our daughter is like, this could take some time.”

“Take as long as you need, I’ll go to sleep out here if I have to. Besides, I’m surprisingly comfortable. I feel weightless up here.”

Patrick laughed. “OK, I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She looked up at the stars as he walked towards the house. He was right, it did remind her of the nights they’d spent as teens. The nights they spent sitting in the car, sometimes at the beach looking out over the waves and up at the stars. Another contraction hit her, but this time it was stronger, much stronger than the previous one. “Don’t tell me you’re getting serious,” she said to her stomach, “we’ll meet soon from the feel of that.”

“There you go,” Patrick said to Sophie, “Can you please leave it a few more months before you decide to move things around again?”

“Thanks, Dad.” She grinned, and Patrick thought how she was still so young even though she seemed so mature at times.

“I notice you didn’t respond to my request.”

“Well I don’t know when I’ll want to move things around, but I’ll try not to be annoying.”

Patrick laughed. “I don’t know if you could ever be annoying.”

“You haven’t lived with me long enough. We should go out and get ice cream now. I know Mum would like that.” They made their way down the stairs.

“Mum is out on the trampoline, I’ll help her in and we’ll go,” Patrick said.

“Cassie, Sophie and I are going for ice cream. I’m assuming you want one. I’ll help you inside if you’re ready.”

“I’m quite happy here,” Cassie said, “you won’t be long. I wasn’t kidding when I said I was comfortable even if I feel like a bouncing beach ball.”

“You’re beautiful, and you know it. If you’re sure we’ll pop down the road and be back really soon.”

“Go. I know you’re not going far.”

He’d been gone a few minutes when she got another twinge. “Settle down baby,” she whispered. It scared her when the next one followed a short time later. She looked back at the house, but there was no sign of them being back. Cassie took a deep breath and closed her eyes, but the pain came back a few minutes later.

“Patrick,” she called, grimacing at the thought of climbing down from the trampoline. After a few minutes more with no pain, she rolled to the side, swinging her legs over the edge. There was still no sign of them. She started down the steps, slowly descending until mid stair the pain hit again.

Cassie twisted her ankle as she fell, and hit the ground. “Patrick,” she screamed. The urge to push hit her and she pulled herself up to a sitting position. “It’s too fast,” she grumbled, “I can’t do this.” “Patrick,” she called again, and the next wave found her gripping the grass as she dug her fingernails into the lawn trying desperately not to push.

Patrick stood at the counter while Sophie becoming increasingly annoyed at the woman behind the counter flirting with Patrick. “Isn’t that awfully unhygienic?” she asked. She watched the young woman eat a sample of ice cream, then suck on her fingers slowly and deliberately while looking at him.