Page 86 of Risky Move

“It’s complicated,” he said. “We’re on this journey now to see where we go as a couple…”

“A journey beyond any dreams I had,” she interrupted, her voice soft.

“I’ll second that.” Tom punctuated his words with a tender kiss. “But I see June approaching more quickly than I’d like. You have decisions to make. I don’t want to impede you living your dreams.” At Cassie’s crestfallen look, he added, “Cassie, what I feel for you goes way beyond where we are now. That will not change except to grow. I want you to pursue your dreams—school, travel, whatever. Please understand that I will wait for you. I don’t care how long you take or where you need to move, I’ll wait for you. I promise I’m not going anywhere.”

“And if my dreams include you?” Cassie ventured, averting her eyes.

“We can take these steps together. Just don’t give up an opportunity because of me. I’m not going anywhere…you know, you’ve had my heart since I met you at the airport, and I’m not taking it back.”

“I wouldn’t let you anyway.” Cassie placed her palm against his chest. “Are you saying you think we could have a forever kind of…relationship?”

“If that’s what you want as well.”

“If you only knew…I worry that if you knew how much I…dream about that, you’d run.”

Tom held back a smile. “Let’s quit talking around it, babe. I want you in my life now and through eternity.”

“I want that, too.” Cassie’s smile brightened the twilight.

“Then perhaps we move forward together? Explore your options—no matter where they take us?”

“You’d really do this for me?” Cassie’s eyes filled with tears.

“I’ll do it for us, Cassie.”

46

The end of the season’s longest road trip finally arrived. With the team plane scheduled for an early evening touchdown, Cassie heard Lauren and Caryn discussing plans for a spa day early that morning. She suspected Kelly and Terri had cleared their schedules also. The four friends taking a Girls’ Day Out caused tiny pinpricks of jealousy, but Cassie knew they’d included her in many other plans when possible.

“You seem more excited about this girls’ day than the group going,” Caryn teased Cassie as they cleaned up after the twins’ breakfast.

“You all deserve this day—I’m ecstatic you guys planned this. Getting all glammed up for your husbands’ homecoming. I’m enjoying it vicariously.”

“I’m happy we got this scheduled before the team gets home.” Caryn looked at Cassie with a smile. “Plan a spa day with Amelie. You need to pamper yourself, too…we both need hours away from our little bundles of joy who’ve decided that throwing food is more fun than eating it.”

Cassie giggled as she replied, “The look of pure joy on their faces cracks me up. It’s like they scheme and coordinate the timing.”

“Nothing they do surprises me anymore,” Caryn said. “Do youfeel comfortable with the twins all day? Please tell me if you have any reservations.”

“Caryn, I promise you we’ll be fine. Amelie said she might stop by and help, but either way, Jenna and Daniel assured me they’ll be little angels today.”

“That so? So, you’re learning their twin-speak?” Caryn laughed. “Please don’t let Amelie distract you. I know, shall we say, how scatterbrained she can get?”

“I won’t let Danny or Jenna out of my sight.”

* * *

While the twins took their morning nap, Cassie surprised Caryn by switching the toys—bringing back older toys they had set aside weeks ago. When the twins saw them again, they always reacted as if they’d received brand new toys. She and Caryn had developed this system several months ago…so far neither Jenna nor Daniel had caught on.

She’d just completed the toy switch when she heard happy sounds chirping on the monitor. Delighted by the “new” toys, Jenna and Daniel excitedly examined them. Soon, each played with a different toy—Jenna stacked blocks. At the same time Daniel concentrated on lining up the stuffed animals by size. Cassie quickly opened her phone to capture the moment on video—the first time they’d shown such concentration and intent when interacting with their toys. As soon as Cassie set her phone aside, Jenna noticed that Daniel had placed her stuffed bear in his lineup and reached to grab it. Daniel voiced displeasure, then swatted his hand against her block tower, scattering the plastic blocks. Within a few seconds, the happy brother and sister morphed into two disconsolate children. Both wanted Cassie’s undivided attention, and she tried to comfort both.

When Amelie opened the door after knocking, Cassie greeted her with a smile. “Just in time—help!”

Without Cassie asking, Amelie sat by Jenna and collected blocks. The tears still flowed from the toddler’s eyes, but she grasped a block with a happy squeal and began to rebuild her tower.

Amelie looked at Cassie with a knowing smile. “They already know how to push each other’s buttons.”

“Guess I shouldn’t feel surprised. Another twin thing?” Cassie asked as she set Daniel beside her and handed him the box of small cars he loved. “One second babbling happily, the next crying pitifully.” She helped Daniel line up the trucks as if they were in a parking lot. “So happy to see you walk in the door. How were your classes this morning?”

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