Unforeseen, page 14
Swallowing back the lump that had formed in my throat, I agreed to fly back to New York for the hearing. “Yes, I’ll be there, Barb. Thank you for the call.”
“You’re most welcome, Mr. Mitchell. Do you have any other questions that I might be able to answer for you today?” Barb asked.
“No, but if you could please forward the information to my e-mail that would be helpful,” I requested.
“Not a problem, Sir. I believe we should have that on file here. If you think of anything else, please don’t hesitate to call.”
“Thank you, Barb. Have a nice weekend,” I said, ending the call.
Sitting forward, I raked my fingers through my hair thinking about how the nightmare that I’d suffered over a year earlier would finally come to an end. Justice would finally prevail for Alyssa’s death, and the bastard who’d killed her would finally end up behind bars–hopefully for many, many years if I could have anything to do with it.
Standing, I began pacing back and forth across the carpeted floor thinking about how I would react when I finally came face-to-face with the fucker who took my children’s mother away from them. I’d have to tell the court what she meant to me, and to my family. How the most amazing woman, who had so much life ahead of her, had everything ripped away because someone else had one drunken afternoon and decided to get behind the wheel of a car.
After the accident, I didn’t ask many questions–I didn’t want to know a lot about him. Now I often found myself wondering about him. Did he have a family? A wife? Children? I wasn’t sure why I cared, but I hoped he hadn’t ruined their lives, too.
“You know, if you keep doing that you’re going to wear a hole in my carpet,” Cass said, breaking through my thoughts.
“Oh, right,” I said, stopping in my tracks. “Sorry.”
“Something wrong? You’re not acting like the same guy I just left in the bedroom,” she questioned.
Taking a seat back on the couch, I motioned for Cass to sit next to me. “I just got a call from the New York County DA’s office. A plea has been reached with the bastard who killed Lys. They want me to come for the sentencing next month,” I explained, resting my head in my palms.
“Oh,” she said, her expression looking as if she were searching for the right words to say.
“It’s OK, I don’t really know what else to say either. I definitely wasn’t expecting that call today. The last I heard, they were expecting the case to go to trial this summer.”
“Are you OK with a plea deal?” she asked.
“The prosecution seemed to think it was favorable. If it were up to me, the guy would get the electric chair, but that’s not how the system works. I guess as long as he spends a decent amount of time behind bars, and can’t ruin someone else’s family then I’m OK with it.”
“I understand,” she said, rubbing her hand up and down my back. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Actually, yeah, come to the sentencing with me?” I asked, surprising myself with the request as much as Cass.
She looked at me for a moment before answering. “If that’s what you really want then I’ll go with you, Blake,” she said, resting her head against my shoulder.
“Thank you,” I whispered, turning to place a kiss on top of her head. “I know it won’t be an easy day, but with you by my side, I think it’ll be just a bit more bearable.”
Cassidy
After curling up into Blake’s arms for several hours as we watched TV, I realized it was approaching time for dinner. Since I didn’t know that Blake would be here in time for a meal, I hadn’t made reservations or bought any food in preparation.
“Do you just want to order out?” I asked, reaching for a folder filled with takeout menus. “I was thinking Chinese food sounded really good right now,” I added, nearly salivating over the thought of an egg roll.
“Yeah, that sounds great to me, actually. I don’t think I’m up to dealing with large crowds tonight anyways, and if we went grocery shopping I’d have to walk behind your slow motorized cart,” he said, pinching me in the arm.
“Ouch!” I said, smacking him in the chest. “Why do you have to be so mean. You’re never going to let me live this down, are you?” I added, rolling my eyes.
“Nope, it will forever be known as Dildogate,” he said, a wide grin crossing his face.
“Oh my god,” I said, covering my face. “You’re an even bigger asshole than I thought.”
“Maybe, but you love me,” he joked with a shrug of the shoulders. Stilling at his words, I didn’t know how to respond. He may have just been joking, but neither one of us had used the L-word, yet. Surely, I wasn’t ready to start now, or was I? No, it was still too soon and much too complicated. After all, we still had those measly five-hundred miles between us.
Before I had much more time to think about it, there was a knock on the door. “I’ll get it,” Blake said, patting me on the leg. “I need you at full-strength tonight,” he added with a sexy wink.
“Only if you’re lucky,” I said, tossing a throw pillow in his direction.
“Don’t try out for quarterback, Carpenter,” he snickered, as the pillow sailed passed him and ricocheted off the door.
“Daddy! Daddy!” I heard Maddy greet Blake as he opened the door.
“Hey, Baby Girl! Did you have a good time with Aunt Brooke and Uncle Rich?”
“Yeah, and Bwendan! I lubs him Daddy! I want to mawwy him!” she squealed in delight. I laughed knowing that Blake was squirming at her admission.
“Is that so?” he said, raising his brow, as Rich chuckled behind him. “You’re not even three yet, Princess. I don’t think you need to be thinking about marriage anytime soon.”
“That’s my son–already the little, ladies’ man,” Rich joked, as Maddy and Ben ran towards me.
“I don’t think I want my daughter marrying any son of yours, Hot,” Blake joked, slapping Rich on the shoulder.
“Do you two want to come in for a while? We were just about to order some Chinese food.” Blake asked.
“Nah, thanks though. I made dinner reservations for Valentine’s Day. You know like a real gentleman does for his woman,” Rich teased.
Having to help Blake out, I screamed from the couch, “You’ll never be a gentleman, Davis. And, trust me, Blake definitely knows how to please his woman.”
“Well Brooke hasn’t had any complaints either,” Rich yelled back.
“Ha! Keep telling yourself that, Dick!”
“You sure you really want that chick?” Rich asked Blake, as I threw another pillow at the door. This one hitting Rich square in the face.
“Yeah, she’s definitely a keeper,” Blake laughed. “And, maybe not such a bad QB after all. Now, go, I’m sure your wife is growing impatient waiting for your ass. Do you two need us to watch Brendan tonight?”
“Nah, thanks for the offer through. My mom has been waiting to get her paws all over him for an entire night. She’s been talking about it for weeks, but I couldn’t get Brooke to give him up for a night. He’s certainly been a little cockblocker that’s for sure!”
“Welcome to parenthood, Man!” Blake said.
“Thanks, we’ll catch you two later,” Rich said, turning to leave.
“Bye, Dick!” I yelled before Blake shut the door.
“You’re terrible,” Blake laughed, turning back toward me as Kaity ran out from her bedroom.
“Hey Maddy! Hi Ben!” Kaity said, giving them both hugs, nearly toppling them over.
“Hey, Baby, can you please help Maddy and Ben wash their hands before dinner?” I asked, smothering her face in kisses.
“Sure, Mommy, but you’re being silly!” she said, squirming out of my embrace.
“Mommy, just loves you, that’s all,” I said.
“I love you, too, Mommy. Now, come on, Maddy. Let’s go, Ben!” she ordered, taking her task seriously. In just a few short months, she’d definitely taken on the role of a big sister and quickly emerged as the little leader of the bunch. The girls ran ahead of Ben as he took several short steps trying to keep up. Blake had told me how far along Ben had come with his walking in just the month since I’d seen him. He was still waiting for Ben to say his first word amongst all his baby chatter.
“I think I need a nap after just watching those three. What’s it like to have that much energy?” I laughed.
“Now you know why I have to hit the gym seven days a week? I wouldn’t be able to keep up with those two otherwise.”
“And, here I thought you were just doing it to keep up with me in the bedroom.”
“Keep up with that sassy mouth and no one will be eating dinner,” Blake warned, drawing me in for a kiss.
“OK, Mommy! We all washed our hands,” Kaity yelled, as the troops all ran back into the room.
“Ewwww,” she said, catching Blake and me in a kiss. “Mommy! Boys have cooties! At least all of the boys at my school do!”
“Baby, in about fifty years, you might actually like a boy and want to leave your mommy,” I explained. “Now will you help me set the table?”
“Fifty years?” Blake teased.
“What? You just nearly had a heart attack when your daughter said she loved Brendan,” I said, shrugging.
“She’s not even three! You’re implying that Kaity can’t date until she’s fifty-five,” he laughed.
“You’re right. Maybe I’m being ridiculous. I suppose I’d be OK if she dated at forty.”
We’d just finished the last of the fried rice, empty containers strewn all about the table, when Ben placed his chubby hand on my arm, wanting out of his high chair.
“Hey there, Big Guy,” I said, patting him on top of his head. “Do you want to sit on my lap?”
He nodded, as I plucked him out of the chair, sitting him on my lap. Bouncing him up and down for several seconds, his laughter filled the room. “Mamma, Mamma,” he yelled, as I looked toward Blake, not sure he’d heard the words his son had spoken.
Blake quickly rose from his chair, clearly as shaken as I was by his son’s first word.
“I really thought he was going to say ‘Dadda’. That was Maddy’s first word, you know. Alyssa was so mad. She wouldn’t talk to me for hours,” Blake laughed at the memory. “Maybe this is her way of getting back at me–ironic, isn’t it?”
“Blake, maybe he said ‘Maddy’? Or, maybe it was just baby talk,” I said, trying to ease the situation.
“Mamma, Mamma,” Ben screeched, once again.
Blake turned to his son who was still sitting on my lap. “No, Cass, he thinks you’re his momma,” he said, taking him in his arms. “He’s probably just copying Kaity. It’s no big deal,” he added, shrugging his shoulders.
“Come on, Little Man, let’s put you down for the night,” he said, carrying Ben to the spare bedroom where he’d set up a pack ‘n play.
I watched as Blake carried Ben down the hallway. “Dadda, can you say Dadda?”
Blake may have told me that it wasn’t a big deal, but his actions said otherwise. He was definitely unnerved by the situation. Truthfully, so was I. As much as I didn’t want to let it bother me, I’d always have Alyssa’s ghost hanging over me.
Cassidy
WITH MY ANKLE healing and the height of the wedding season right around the corner, I hadn’t had been able to take a trip to D.C. for St. Paddy’s Day for the annual parade and festivities like I’d originally planned. Instead Blake and I had to go nearly two months without seeing each other. Even though we talked at least once each day on the phone, the distance was really starting to take its toll on our relationship–especially with the impending court date lingering on our minds.
I’d come into the office to meet with a new client before Blake was expected to get into town later in the day. He’d promised to take the kids and me to the local street fair before flying with me to New York for the sentencing date. He knew I wasn’t a fan of flying the friendly skies, especially alone, and he remembered my last incident with the Prosecco.
Hearing the doors to my office jingling, I quickly ended a conference call with a few of my distributors.
“Be right there,” I yelled, quickly reapplying my lip gloss.
Hurrying out into the front portion of my office, I was surprised to see a familiar face along with a beautiful, big-breasted blonde. A perfect Trophy Wife for the Major League superstar.
“Well, if it isn’t Jason James,” I said, as the two stood by the door.
“Cassidy Carpenter,” he said, outstretching his hand. “I tried to convince my fiancée to go to another wedding planner, but she insisted that you were the very best.”
“Well, Jason, it looks like you somehow managed to snag a smart woman,” I said, sarcastically. I wanted to tell him not to fuck this one up, but I bit my lip, trying to remain professional.
Jason had been Brooke’s high school sweetheart until he was caught cheating on her and broke her heart while we were in college. As much as I harassed Rich for not being good enough for my best friend, he was a saint in comparison to Jason–at least in my eyes.
Brooke, however, had forgiven him, and even agreed to briefly date the guy when she and Rich had separated for a brief period. Truthfully, I guess Brooke’s just a better person than I am because I was cheering Rich on when he came back and threatened to punch Jason in the nuts. I was only disappointed that Dick hadn’t followed through with it.
“So, Jason, you actually convinced this beautiful woman to marry you, huh?” I said with a forced smile.
“He did,” she giggled, clearly nervous with our uncomfortable exchange. “Maybe you were right, Babe. Maybe we should go see someone else,” she said.
Although the thought of planning Jason’s wedding made me want to blow chucks all over his expensive loafers, this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I mean he had become a face of baseball especially after his trade to the Cubs last year. His career was suddenly taking off from an average utility player to an everyday outfielder known for his strong bat.
“Don’t be silly,” I said, forcing a fake smile. “I’d actually be honored to plan your wedding. At least we know it’ll cost a mint and be beautiful.”
“Well, fantastic,” she said. “And, I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced, I’m Tara.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Tara,” I said, shaking her hand. Just as I was going to escort the two back to my office, the door opened, and in walked my handsome man.
“Hey!” I said, a real smile forming across my face. “I didn’t expect to see you until dinner. As you can see, I’m with a client, but I shouldn’t be much longer.”
“Hey, yourself,” he said, kissing me on the cheek. “Take your time. Rich and Brooke are already at the fair with the kids. I can go on ahead, and you can just meet up with us when you’re done. If that’s cool with you?”
Before I had a chance to respond, a look of recognition swept across Blake’s face. “I’m sorry, but are you Jason James?” he asked. “Babe, do you know who this is?”
“Yep, it’s Jason James, and yes, I know who he is,” I said, rolling my eyes.
“Dude, I’m a huge fan. I followed you when you were with the Marlins, but I’ve heard you really give the Cubs a good chance at a title,” Blake said, shaking Jason’s hand.
“Here’s an interesting little fact. Did you know Jason here cheated on Brooke?” I asked, momentarily forgetting my professionalism.
“Brooke, Brooke?” Blake asked. “Brooke dated Jason James?”
“It was a long time ago,” Jason interjected. “And, for what it’s worth, I really do regret hurting Brooke. I was young and dumb. I’d like to think I’ve learned from my mistakes,” Jason said.
“Cut the guy some slack, Cass. We’ve all made mistakes,” he said, suddenly Jason’s biggest supporter.
“Hey, thanks, Man!” Jason said, fist-bumping Blake. “Hey, why don’t you two get to the fair. We can just reschedule our appointment, right Tara?”
“Oh, yeah, sure thing,” Tara replied, as she flipped through some bridal magazines I’d set out.
“Are you driving, or should I?” I asked after rescheduling my appointment with Jason and Tara.
“I was thinking we could just skip the carnival, and we could get naked in your office,” Blake suggested, wagging his brows.
“You actually think you’re getting lucky after you just stuck up for Jason like that? I asked. “You must’ve gotten hit in the head because I know you aren’t that dumb.”
“Seriously? But, Cass, I haven’t seen you in two months. My blue balls have blue balls,” he deadpanned. “I’ll just shoot Rich a text and tell him your appointment ran longer than expected and we’ll just meet them back at the house for dinner.”
“Yes, seriously! You should’ve thought about your nuts before you went fist-bumping that loser. Besides, I really wanted some carnival fries, and a funnel cake,” I pouted.
“I promise, once I’m fucking you over the desk, you’ll forget all about Jason James, French fries and funnel cakes,” he said, seductively.
“Wh—what were we talking about?” I asked, already weak in the knees.
“That’s my girl,” he said, scooping me into his arms and carrying me into the office where he shut and locked the door behind us.
After Blake had bent me over the desk, and properly fucked me not once, but twice, and then for a third time against the wall, we’d made it back to my apartment just ahead of Rich, Brooke, and the kids. I was sure I was going to get the inquisition from Brooke as to why we ditched them at the fair. Feeling guilty for leaving my now pregnant best friend with four kids, I vowed to not dismiss her questions.
Shortly after Brendan’s adoption became official, Brooke learned that she was pregnant with twins. Because of her previous complications, the two opted to not tell anyone until Brooke was further along in her pregnancy, but now that she’d surpassed the first trimester they were able to more easily relax and start sharing their miraculous news.
