Page 59 of Cass

I mouth to her, “Lucky bitch.” She enthusiastically nods.

Cassandra individually introduces everyone to Beth. I’m sure she’s overwhelmed with names.

She eventually gets to me. Wow, they really do look alike. “Aunt Cass, did you bring Trevor a younger version of yourself? That’s really thoughtful.” Beth is in shock at my comment, but Cassandra bursts out laughing as does Trevor.

He throws his arm around Aunt Cass. “I promise there’s no substitute for this one.” He raises his eyebrows. Yep, this is weird.

We finally sit down at the table. Even though Jackson’s at ease, Melissa looks extremely uncomfortable.

I think I need to steer this conversation in a different direction. “Aunt Cass, as lovely as it is that you’ve walked in tonight with a brand-new baby sister, would you care to shed any light on the situation for those of us who have known you their whole lives and had no clue that you have a sister?”

Cassandra deadpans. “I’m replacing your mom. She’s getting kind of boring for me. I need someone younger and more exciting. Like my men.” If ever there was a tension breaker. That was it. Everyone is laughing, except Melissa.

She sighs. “The quick version is that my father remarried and had Beth while I was in college. That was about the same time he and I had our falling out, so I never got to know Beth. We’ve reconnected. She works in my office now.”

She looks over at Beth. “I guess we have a lot of time to make up for.”

Beth nods and smiles. “I’m excited to have Cassandra in my life. Luke and I don’t have much family. I appreciate you all including us tonight.”

Melissa lets out a deep breath. “I’m sorry, everyone, but can we please address the elephant in the room?” Here we go. The fireworks I’ve been waiting for. I rub my hands in anticipation.

Jackson closes his eyes. “Melissa, please. Can we have a peaceful meal? Cassandra has just been reunited with her sister. This isn’t the time or place. We can wait to have this conversation.”

“No, Jackson, we can’t. Our twenty-six-year-old son is head over heels for a fifty-year-old woman. I knew something was off between them the night of his graduation when they were practically on top of one another, but I told myself it couldn’t possibly be true. What fifty-year-old woman in her right mind would spend time with a man half her age?”

Trevor tries to speak, but Melissa holds up her hand. “I’m sorry, Trevor. I heard you when you told me you love her and that you’re happy, but I can’t be okay with this. It’s ridiculous. She’s ridiculous. What kind of woman does this?”

Mom interrupts. “Melissa, I think that’s enough.”

“No offense, Darian, but this ismyfamily. Butt out.”

Skylar, Harley, and I look at one another wide-eyed. That’s not going to go over well with Mom. No one talks to her like that.

“Excuse me, Melissa, but this ismyfamily andmyhouse. Like it or not, your son is now my family. Cassandra most definitely is my family. Don’t you dare ever speak ill of her again in my home or in my presence. As far as I’m concerned, Trevor is lucky to have her.” I’m proud of Mom for that. I see Skylar and Harley smiling too.

Melissa looks around. “Is everyone here crazy? Do I have to be the one to spell it out? What about children? How can they have children?”

“Mom, that’s enough. Cassandra and I are dating. We’re not talking about kids right now.”

“Are you going to wait for her to turn sixty for that?”

Oh shit. Aunt Cass won’t take that. “Melissa, I appreciate that you’re concerned for your son. Please know that I am too. I’ve tried to have similar conversations with him, but he is pretty persistent. While we’re simply dating right now, I hear what you’re saying. You should know I do have frozen eggs from fifteen years ago. Down the road, if Trevor and I decide kids are something we want, we can find a gestational host.”

Melissa looks confused. “What is a gestational host?”

“It’s when a woman, most likely a lot younger than I am, carries the child of another couple. It’s not biologically hers. She simply hosts the pregnancy.”

“Like a surrogate?”

“I suppose it’s a type of surrogacy, but a surrogacy in the traditional sense means that the host is also donating the egg, meaning it’s biologically hers.”

“So another woman would carry your full biological child?”

“That’s right. If and when the time comes, we would seek out someone to play this huge role in our life. We would most likely hire someone. There are women that do this both to help couples and to make money.”

I interrupt. “I’ll do it.” The words are out of my mouth before I can think. “I’ll carry their baby. I’ll be their gestational host.”

Mom grabs my hand. “Reagan, I’m not sure that’s what’s best for you. We can discuss this another time.”

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