In out and back in love with you.

5. An unexpected call

(Flashback)

It was one of those monthly meetings with her father's college friends, and Cassandra had just turned 18, she didn't know if Alexander would be there, for the last year he had hardly attended at all, the parents of both teenagers noticed the closeness of their children and were not willing to put a friendship of so many years at risk for a love of youth that could end badly. However, that day Alexander appeared right after dinner. The young people went to play board games, they threw dice carelessly and laughed, when Cassy saw him enter, he was the most handsome boy she had ever seen, not that she actually look at other boys to have a fair comparison, she fixed her green eyes on the amber ones that were already looking at her. No one said a word, all the teenagers in the room knew they liked each other, but no one said anything, they were all friends after all, and everyone intended not to see the magnetism between them. Alexander did a gesture with the head and left the place, almost automatically Cassy got up, and making some ridiculous excuse came out after him. Their fathers were playing dominoes in another room so they would have some time to talk, before someone noticed they were gone.

- So? What's new baby face?- Alexander began speaking. His bad boy pose on show.

- Not much, I start college next month, want to specialize in business. Maybe I'll find an attractive CEO interested in me, who knows? you?- Cassie knew provoking him was not the best idea, but they hadn't seen each other for months, not a single call and she was upset, besides he knew her sassy personality, he loved it, she was the strongest most challenging woman he had ever met, and he loved challenges, almost as much as he loved her, so he locked her against the wall approaching inches from her and said:

- Yeah? I think I have to start my own company then, I could need that business specialist very soon- his hoarse voice almost made her squirm. Cassandra was not sure when she realized she loved him, maybe at eight years old or maybe at fifteen who knows?, she only knew she had never doubted the love she felt for him, she never told him, and never heard it from him either, but she was sure he felt the same. Alexander seemed to react and moving away from her, told her in a more serious tone:

- My dad kicked me out of the house, that's why I hadn't come to social gatherings. I've been trying to figure out everything, I didn't want to worry you, so I didn't let you know.

Cassie was amazed, she knew Alexander's father and him did not have the best relationship, Alex told her a few years ago he believed his father had cheated on his mother and, the fact Alexander became a rebellious teenager didn't help, Cassie knew all this, but she didn't knew things had gotten so bad.

- You should have called me, I would have helped or something.

- Hey, don't worry!! Besides, I'm the one who has to take care of you, not the other way around. And, I don't know, I felt like everyone was against me, mom didn't do much to prevent me from leaving, my brothers wanted to intervene but you can imagine how that went, he almost kick them out with me -In his face she could see sadness and defeat, she didn't like it.

- You know not everyone is against you, right? I for instance, could never be against you- she told him looking into his eyes and see him cover his sad expression with grin

- Really? Are you going to be with me against the world? When everything and everyone oppose me, you’re going to be on my side?- It was a simple question but while he said it he approached her, hugged her and put his nose in the hollow of her neck.

- Mmhmm- She hummed.

- I need words, baby face

- Yeah, I'll be on your side -she said and heard him sight in relief

- Thank you… for taking my side- he said whispering and hugging her imposibly close with his breath right above her ear.

- Always- was her only answer and with that he gently kissed her neck while holding her in His arms.

(End on flashback)

-Mummy, are you listening ? I want spaghetti for dinner- Ethan's soft voice came from the kitchen door.

- Yes baby I heard, I'll finish in twenty minutes, let your sister know.- Cassie came out of her daydream, what was going on with her? It was unusual for her memories to assault her several times in a day. Maybe she needs to get laid, since her husband died a little over a year ago, Cassie had not taken time for herself not to say meet new people, that memory was burned into her memory, that romantic gesture had been the most intimate of her life, damn! she had had less intimate s*x than that damn kiss on the neck. Control yourself Cassandra!!. This is not time for daydreams, she had to find a new school for the children, prepare God knows how many documents for her clients, and attend a conference in New York on Friday, this was the worst time to lose focus. While looking for school references on the internet she finished dinner and called her children for supper, she decided to talk to them about the available schools, she wanted her children to be comfortable in their new school so she should ask them.

-So, after what happened today I think we should look for a new school.

-Well, I don't want to see Tommy's face again so fine by me.- Ethan committed

- And I don't think I’ll miss Mrs. Hudson too much- added Chelsea

-Ok, it's decided then, I looked for some schools online and I want you to see the options, if you like any particularly we can visit early tomorrow, what do you think?- While the children ate Cassie explained three schools that she thought were good options, close to her house and with fun activities. After a while of discussion, the trio reached an agreement.

-And what do you think Grandpa is gonna think about this Mom?- Chelsea always followed her grandfather's advice and loved him dearly. Just at that moment they heard the voice of Cassandra's father.

-I'm here my dears, grandpa is in the house!!- Arthur Donovan's firm voice came from the hall. When Cassie's husband died Arthur offered the young mother to move into his property, he had also been widowed recently, in one short year he had lost his mother and then his wife, Cassandra's mother, and a few months later Cassie's husband died in a car accident, Arthur and his daughter were in mourning and that bring them closer together, they were their mutual support and company, and although Arthur was worried his daughter would have to raise her children alone, he was satisfied to know he could still help, plus he adored his grandchildren, he had an older son who lived nearby, but Cassie was always his pride and joy, and have her close was everything. Donovan's property was big enough, so when Cassandra agreed to go live in the family home, Arthur built a small apartment at the back of the property, so he could give some space and privacy to the small family.

- Grandpa!!- both children shouted excitedly.

-How was your day champs? What are you up to now?

- A boy trash talked Ethan and we kicked his ass- The girl said waving her little fists.

-Chelsea, language!!- her mother warned. Arthur looked at the two little ones with his eyes wide open, he looked at his daughter for confirmation and she nodded.

- Yes, grandpa, I punch that bully in the face just like you taught me, do you think Uncle Damon is going to be proud? those boxing lessons really work.

Arthur started coughing loudly to interrupt the little one who seemed to realize his mistake and only looked at his sister:

-Come on Chels, I think we can play video games before going to sleep- before their mother could say a word they both stumbled out of the room.

- So … have you and my brother been teaching my five-year-old how to box? How kind of you, and now I have to look for a new school, thank you very much. - The young mother looked at her father with a fake angry expression.

-Did they expel him? But the boy was just defending himself!!- Arthur in papa bear mode was something entertaining to watch.

-No dad, they didn't expel him, I decided to take them out of that school after the principal defended the bully, he called my baby “death daddy boy”, but even so Ethan shouldn't have hit him, and your little princess also participated, she threw the boy to the ground..

- Well, my love, what can I tell you? Children must know how to defend themselves, besides your brother and I only taught the boy how to box a little, not Chelsea, that one is you she takes after.- Arthur said, with pride.

- Yeah, yeah.- Cassie wave her hand dismissively, and After a few more words both Donovan’s went to sleep after tugging a very sleepy Ethan and not so compliant Chelsea.

Early in the morning the next day, Cassie took her children to visit the new school, thank God the elementary school was all that the advertising promised and more, it had a pool where the children would take swimming lessons and various activities such as ballet and karate classes. After all, it seemed the change would be for the better. Once enrolled in the new school, Cassandra took her children to her brother's house where her sister-in-law, Bridget, had agreed to take care of them for the morning. Her sister-in-law was a German woman her brother Damon met while backpacking in Europe, they had fallen in love at first sight and had been a stable marriage for fifteen years now.

- Ok guys, behave with Aunt Bridget and Uncle Damon ok? Your cousins are at school so you’re not going to see them today.

- Yes mommy, you already told us twenty times, we will behave and we call you if we need anything, goodbye. - Chelsy did not hold back..

-Ok, babies, a kiss... mmuuuaaakkk... May God look between us while we are apart- Cassandra said while kissing each of her childrens heads.

- And bring us together safely- came the reply of them both, waving at her sister in-law goodbye she drive off to work.

She was on her way to the office, the visit to the new school took longer than expected, her phone rang, Amanda's name illuminating the screen of her cell.

- Good morning Amanda! I'm on my way, what's up?

- Hello boss!! Everything’s under control here, it’s just you have a call from Texas, she says it's quite urgent and was very vocal about talking to you personally. Do you want me to transfer the call? - That was strange. Who could want to talk to her personally and demand things from her employees? Well, it didn't matter who it was, Cassie would take the call and make it clear that she wouldn’t stand for anyone to talk to her employees like that.

- It’s okay Amanda transfer the call please- The consultant had just stopped at the intersection and had to thank God for the red light when the voice she thought she would never hear again came from the other side of the line.

- Hi Cass!! How you’ve been?.

- She froze.…