Page 27 of Cass

Harley swallows and looks up at Dad. “We were actually thinking of Rose, short for Rosamund for a middle name.”

Dad’s eyes widen in shock. “Aftermymother?”

Harley nods. “I looked it up. Rosamund means rescued. That’s what you did for my mom, Jackson.” Darian starts sobbing again.

Dad has tears in his eyes. He goes to Harley and kisses her cheek. “Thank you, Harley. I’m honored. She would be too.”

Harley looks up at me and my brothers. “Are you guys okay with that? I don’t want to step on the toes of any of your future plans.”

I look at my brothers and we all nod. Payton speaks for us. “We’re good with it. We never met our grandmother, but we know she was a fighter. That sounds exactly like you and Ellie. It’s perfect.”

CHAPTERSIX

CASSANDRA

It’s been five weeks since we nearly lost Harley. I’m so thankful that she’s okay. I tremble at the thought of any other outcome. In fact, I’ve been having nightmares about it.

Harley seems to be mostly recovered. They told her that they advised against future pregnancies, since her risk of clotting is now significantly increased. She took it pretty hard. She was definitely planning on having more kids. I think giving Ellie a sister was something she really wanted. She’s so close to Reagan and Skylar. She wanted Ellie to have the same sisterly relationships.

She also felt like she was disappointing Brody. He said he’s more than happy with the two kids they have. He was an only child, so two sounds perfect to him. He’s not used to the big family that she is. He went out the next day and had a vasectomy, so as to avoid any more unplanned pregnancies.

Baby Ellie is doing well. She only needed to stay in the hospital for an extra week. They’re all home now in their new family cocoon. Darian goes to their house every day to help with Scotty.

I go by a few times a week to visit. I’m so happy for Darian for the big, beautiful family she’s built.

I can’t help but mourn for the fact I’ll never have the same. I’m thankful they treat me like family. They’re my everything.

There’s a knock at my door. I look up and see Beth standing there. “Sorry, did I interrupt you?” I realize there are tears in my eyes.

“No, not at all. Come in. I was just thinking about my niece. It was such a scary few hours for us. I can’t seem to shake it.”

She nods. “I bet it was. She’s okay now though, right?”

I smile. “She’s absolutely perfect as is her gorgeous baby girl.”

“I assume you have siblings, since she’s your niece?”

“Actually, I don’t. She’s the daughter of my closest friend. My college roommate. They call meaunt, and I consider her three girls my nieces.”

“That’s nice. My son doesn’t have any aunts or uncles.”

“Perhaps he’ll have a few siblings one day. You’re very young. You have lots of time.”

She laughs. “Not for a long time. I can’t fathom dating right now. I couldn’t even tell you the last time I had sex.”

“Sex and dating are two completely different things, Beth. You can have sex without dating. It’s not hard, especially for a woman that looks like you.”

She nods her head. “I suppose. I probably need to leave my house and my son for that to happen though. Besides work, I don’t ever do that.”

“You should make time for yourself. It’s important.”

She gives me a resigned smile. “I think I need a few more months to mourn the end of my marriage. Then I will definitely try to go out and meet a man. Thanks. Are you dating?”

“I’m not a big fan of dating. I have a few regulars that I can call, but I’m not much for actual dating. I’ve been burned one too many times.”

She nods. “I certainly understand.”

She reaches for a file. “I wanted you to review the offer for the Bradly acquisition. I think if we really squeeze them, we can get another five percent on the table. But I don’t want to overstep here and kill the deal. I’m happy to play this however you think best.”

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