Lasting Attraction (Cassie Series) (26 page)

             
My mom tells me to hold him a moment, then makes me take a few pictures with Avery, a few with Pierce, and oddly enough, a few with them both. As awkward as this moment should feel, it doesn't. It feels right. I know, without a doubt, everything happened exactly how it was supposed to. I'm blessed that I don't have just have Avery to love and cherish for the rest of my life, but I have the support and love of Pierce as well, and together, we all have the greatest gift God could ever create. Our child.

             
My mom holds the baby next but she cries so hard holding him, it doesn't last long. Aubrey even tears up a little while holding him, saying she misses the first day that Dakota was born, and how she is going to go home and beg Mason for another baby. I find it funny but everyone else looks at her like she is crazy.

             
I get visitors throughout the day, and am more thrilled than I thought I would be when Trish and Teddy both hold baby Jason and treat him as if he were their grandchild, too. This child is going to be so loved and spoiled, I already know it, and just knowing that has created a happiness inside me I could never explain. This whole being a mother thing is unexplainable bliss. I love it already.

             
Two days later I'm released from the hospital, and although I miss the help from the nurses, it feels great to be home. Avery makes sure to help me with what he can, but he goes back to work already tomorrow, so I do my best to get used to everything on my own. He is hesitant on changing diapers, so I haven't made him yet and I'm okay with that. I breast feed, so he can't really help with that either. Pretty much he just allows me to sit on the couch, leaving the bassinet next to it, and lets me sleep when I can. He makes the best dinner for me, and in the morning he says he'll make me breakfast.

             
Once we get Jason laid down for the night- well for the few hours he'll be asleep- Avery and I hold each other tight. "I didn't know I could love you anymore than I already did," I tell him.

             
He faces towards me and smiles but I can see the question in his eyes. "I loved you before I had Jason, and I didn't think I could love you more. But the second I saw you holding him, and the way I see you loving him, loving us, I can't explain it. I just feel like I've fallen in love with you all over again, just this time the love is greater than before. I'm not sure I can thank you enough for loving us."

             
"I know what you mean. No offense, watching you have him was probably one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen, but it was actually beautiful." He cringes for a second, and I can't help but giggle a little. "The second you held him though, I felt this whole new love inside of me. I never want to let you go, Cassie. I never want to lose you."

             
Of course I start to cry, but its a good cry, and Avery just holds me that much tighter to him.

             
Over the next three months, life becomes stressful but at the same time, its perfect. I refuse to leave Jason's side for more than a few moments. I'm just too connected to my precious baby. I use the fact I'm breastfeeding as an excuse for no one to take him long, even though I have pumped enough milk for him to go somewhere over night. Its been hard on Pierce, that I know, because he has wanted to take him over night. He has taken him for several hours on a few different occasions, but never overnight.

             
However, I told him he could for the first time tonight, overnight. He has Miah helping him out, and he said his mother and I are only a phone call away. He is Jason's father, and I have to give him a chance, but I can't help the panic I feel about it. Avery said he has a special date night planned for us, which includes a nice dinner and a movie. So at least I have something to look forward to.

             
Aubrey comes over after she gets out of her new job to help me pack the bag for Jason. I've never had to pack an overnight bag, and although I'm sure its not too hard, seeing as I know what he needs and uses the most, its nice to have someone here who has packed overnight bags.

             
She pretty much fills it on her own, and I just watch as she does it like a pro. When she is done, she hands me the bag and smiles. "This is a pretty big step to take. You sure you're ready?"

             
"Don't do that! I'll change my mind."

             
She just laughs. "Stop it, you'll be fine. It'll be hard for oh, maybe an hour, then you'll feel great about having some free time. It won't feel all that much different than one of us taking him for a few hours. Have a drink at the end of the night, and you'll probably fall asleep so fast tonight."

             
I lift a brow at that. "First off, I don't think Avery has plans for me to get any sleep, at least he better. Also, I'm too scared to drink because what if something happened? I want to be able to get there as soon as possible and be completely sober."

             
She laughs, shaking her head as she walks towards the kitchen. "You'll get over most of your fears eventually. Just be grateful you have someone who wants to take him and enjoy your time tonight. I'm pretty jealous. I want a date night soon. Its been a while since Mason and I have had one."

             
"I'll watch Dakota for you sometime. She sleeps through the night and is easy with Jason, I don't mind."

             
She grins at me. "Perfect. Next weekend?"

             
"Was this a trick?"

             
Aubrey just laughs even hard. "No, actually, it wasn't, but it works out perfectly. I can plan a date for Mason and I, then I can tell him baby number two is on its way." She grins so wide with excitement.

             
"Number two? Oh my god, you are crazy but holy shit, I'm so happy for you." I hug her fiercely and she laughs as she hugs me back.

             
"Me too. I didn't know I was destined to be a mom, but that is all I want to be for the rest of my life. I wish I could have twenty five kids."

             
"God, I love you Aubrey. Thank you for being my best friend all these years."

             
"Thank you for being my sister," she says back to me, making my eyes water. Life... it really is perfect.

Cassie

             
"Happy third birthday little dude."

             
"Thanks mommy!" Jason says as he wakes up, grinning wide. He climbs out of his racecar bed and runs out of the bedroom without so much as a kiss or hug. The little brat. Got to love him anyways.

             
I can hear him yelling about something, so I walk out of his bedroom to see him telling Avery he wants pancakes for his birthday. Avery plays dumb and pretends he has no idea its Jason's birthday. "Daddy," he yells, "gimmie pancakes, pwease! Its my birthday, I promises!"

             
Avery finally gives in when Jason starts to pucker his lips. He taps his finger on Jason's nose and shakes his heading, looking over towards me. "You need to stop teaching him to be so damn cute."

             
"You need to stop saying words like that in front of him." I smile at him teasingly. "And where are our pancakes?"

             
"Yes your majesty, I'll get those ready for you."

             
"Where are my presents?" I look over at Jason in the living room. He is lifting up the couch cushions and looking under them. I can't help but laugh, but then I feel bad he doesn't realize he doesn't get them yet.

             
I walk over, sit on the couch, and pull him onto my lap. "Your dada and everyone will be over at lunchy time, okay? Then we'll have cake, ice cream and presents."

             
He gives me a hug finally before hoping down and running towards his room. I hear as the baby wakes up and I sigh. "I'll get here if you finish up the pancakes."

             
"You got it," Avery says with a wink as he starts to prep them.

             
I go into Violet's nursery and pick her up from the crib. She is at the crazy age of seven months, and is now trying to climb onto her bumper pad so she can get out. When she gets frustrated with it, she cries, and that is the only way I know she is awake.

             
"What do you think you're doing? You're not supposed to climb out of your crib, you silly goose." I blow onto her belly to get giggles from her. "You hear me," I say in my baby voice, "no climbing out of your crib." I blow onto her belly more and she starts smacking me on the head, giggling more.

             
"Mommy, babies can't talk," I hear Jason say from behind me. I turn around and find him dressed for the day. So he thinks at least. He has on his superman tee-shirt, the same one he wore yesterday, expect its on backwards. He has on shorts that I thought I put into a pile for donating, and two different colored socks on.

             
I try not to laugh at his choice of attire, because I love that he is already trying to dress himself. "Why, aren't you just a handsome little man. You don't want to wear your special birthday outfit though?"

             
He grins proudly at me. "Yes!"

             
"Okay, let me get Violet changed and dressed, then I'll come help you. Then its pancakes!"

             
He runs off again. Always on the go, that one is. I get Violet into a new diaper and a beautiful little dress before I go into Jason's room and get him changed into a nice little outfit for his party. I wet his hair and run some gel through it, making it spiked all over. He looks just like Pierce, its crazy, but he loves to dress and act like Avery. He enjoys the punk look a lot more than the business casual look. I guess I can't blame him really. I'm glad it doesn't seem to upset Pierce at all.

             
Then there is Violet who looks so much like Avery, everyone calls her a boy. Even when she is dressed up in pink and purple and bowties and frills, when I walk into a store or restaurant, everyone asks how old
he
is. It gets annoying, but now her hair is starting to grow out, so I know eventually people will get the hint she is a girl. She is gorgeous, how could she not be, looking like Avery.

             
After a delicious breakfast, we start decorating the place for Jason's birthday. He wanted to have a superhero party, so we have all sorts of crazy superhero decorations all over the place, and one of the best cakes I've ever seen. Our three bedroom condo looks like a COMICON, and Jason keeps running around, squealing.

             
"I can't wait for Dakota to see it, she is going to love it!"

             
"I'm sure she is, although, she is more into princesses," I tell him.

             
He gets all embarrassed. "Then we should have had a princess party."

             
Avery pauses while hanging up a banner. "You're not having a princess party, ever, sorry about your luck there kid."

             
"But if Dakota will love it then I will love it too."

             
I look at Avery and glare. "He obviously takes after you."

             
We both can't help but laugh. Jason has no idea of course what we're talking about, and obviously could care less as well. He heads into his bedroom once more, leaving us to finish up.

             
Everyone shows up just before noon, and we have a small lunch before we do any of the birthday presents. Its crazy how many people show up for his birthday, but I love how much he is loved. Pierce shows up with his wife, Miah, my mom shows up with her husband, Jerry, my dad shows up with his new girlfriend, Sandy. Avery's parents show up with their partners, Pierce's parents show, as well as Evan and Kal. I have Aubrey, Mason, Dakota and Mason Jr, as well as Amy and Kevin. Avery's friend Austin comes with Madison and their newborn, as well as another friend from his work, Theo. And this is just our family. These are the people that have stuck by us through everything, the ones I love the most in life, and the ones that I trust completely to have in my home and in my children's lives.