The Forgotten Night Read online

  Cassidy smiled and waved him off as he submerged himself underwater again, swimming the length of the pool once more.

  “Why don’t you want to join him?” she turned back to Rachel.

  “I’m helping you, stupid.” Rachel smiled, holding up a notebook, all sorts of magazines strewn around her.

  “What?”

  “Rach is planning the wedding, oblivious to the reality that it is in fact our wedding and not hers,” Andrew supplied.

  Cassidy smiled and sat down in the lounge chair in the middle of Rachel and Andrew. “I do have my own ideas, but she is going to be my maid of honor, so she stays.”

  “Thank you, sis.” Rachel threw Andrew an overdramatic playful glare.

  Cassidy laughed and picked up a nearby magazine and began flipping through it.

  “Cass, you do realize that the magazine you’re reading is Cosmopolitan and has nothing to do whatsoever with a wedding, planning a wedding, decorating a wedding—”

  “It has to do with the wedding night.” She smiled at her friend as Andrew choked in the background.

  “Oh. My. God. Okay, no. No more, I don’t need to hear stuff like that.” Rachel smiled despite herself while grabbing the magazine away from Cassidy and thrusting Brides at her. “When do you two want to get married anyway?”

  Cassidy looked over at Andrew. “I was thinking May or June.”

  “Early May?” he suggested. “The sooner the better.” He winked and leaned over to kiss Cassidy’s cheek.

  “How romantic,” Cassidy said dryly, but squealed with laughter when Andrew began to tickle her. “Okay, okay! I surrender! Early May! The sooner the better!” she echoed his words and he stopped. “You’re going to get it later,” she warned.

  Andrew only smiled. “I’m ready for whatever you have in store.”

  “God, you two need to get a room. You practically maul each other whenever you’re in close proximity,” Rachel groaned.

  “All right, I’m thinking not too big, but not too small either,” Cassidy said, changing the subject. “If our parents want something big they can throw a large reception, but I want the ceremony to be personal.”

  “I like that,” Andrew said, settling back down on his own chair.

  “Excuse me, Master Andrew,” Roger interrupted. “This letter just came for Miss Cassidy.” Roger walked across the patio and handed Cassidy the letter.

  “Who sent it?” Andrew asked.

  “I don’t know, sir, it was with today’s mail, but there is no return address nor is there any postage,” he answered then walked back toward the house, excusing himself.

  “Huh, that’s strange, why would someone drop something in our mailbox for you, Cassie?” Andrew asked.

  Cassidy looked down at the unmistakable white envelope and tried not to show her fear. She looked down at the penmanship and forced herself not to react.

  “Cassie?” Andrew said, frowning.

  “What? Huh?” she asked, dazed.

  “I asked you why someone would drop a letter in our mailbox for you.”

  “Oh, I’m not sure, I don’t know,” she answered as she slowly opened the envelope. She pulled out the note card and read the simple note.

  I hear congratulations are an order.

  “What’s it say?” Rachel asked.

  Cassidy handed the letter to Rachel and refused to look at Andrew.

  “Who is it from, Cassie?”

  “Uh…I—” Cassidy began only to be cut off by the shill ring of her cell phone. She picked up her phone and frowned when she saw that the call was marked private. She flipped open the phone and put the receiver to her ear. “Hello?”

  “Tell them about the letters or the phone calls and your fiancé won’t live to see you walk down the aisle,” a distorted deep voice said.

  The line went dead and Cassidy still held the phone to her ear. Slowly she closed her phone and put it back on the table.

  “Who was that?” Rachel asked, handing her the letter back.

  “Uh…wrong number.”

  “Is that the same guy who keeps on calling you? You need to have your father get some of his people to look into that. It’s been going on long enough.” Rachel gave her a worried look.

  “Do you recognize the voice?” Andrew asked, visibly concerned. He obviously sensed something wasn’t right.

  “No, it’s probably just some kids prank calling. You know, we used to do that.” Cassie knew she should probably tell them what had been going on, but she didn’t want to ruin this day with talk about Robert. They were supposed to be planning her wedding, damn it!

  “Cassie—” Andrew said warningly.

  “Hey, look it’s our lunch,” Cassidy interrupted, trying to change the topic. She wanted to forget about the letter, forget about the call, and forget about the man who was behind it all.

  “Don’t think you’ll get out of talking about this, Cassie.”

  Cassidy only smiled at Andrew. “I’m starving.”

  “Ian, the food’s ready!” Rachel called out.

  Ian waved in understanding and swam to the edge and pulled himself out with ease. He walked over to the round table where the servers had set down their food and wrapped a towel around his waist. Rachel walked toward Ian and gave him a kiss while Andrew helped Cassidy out of the lounge chair and walked to the table. They were all sitting comfortably around the table, the food in front of them, when Cassidy began to sniff the air.

  “Baby, what are you sniffing for, you’re reminding me of a dog,” Andrew joked.

  “Do you smell that?”

  “Smell what?” Ian asked. “All I smell is Sherry’s delicious barbeque pork ribs with her famous corn bread.”

  Cassidy looked down at the food and pushed her chair back. The smell was intensifying, and her stomach was churning. “Sorry, I’m not feeling so good. I’ll be right back,” she said before taking off inside.

  Andrew stood up, concerned.

  “No, don’t. I’ll go,” Rachel said, pushing Andrew back down in his seat and taking off after Cassidy. “Did you see where Cass went?” she asked the housekeeper Sherry, who was still in the kitchen.

  “Upstairs, I believe.”

  “Thanks,” she managed to say before she ran up the back stairs. She heard Cassidy in her bathroom. Rachel walked into her bedroom and made her way toward the bathroom door. She knocked softly and opened the door only to find Cassidy slumped over the toilet.

  “I’m feeling a lot better, now,” she rasped and stood up. She walked over to the sink and rinsed her mouth out while Rachel flushed the toilet, putting the seat down. “Good thing my hair was already up.”

  Rachel gave her a weak smile. “Cass, how long have you been feeling sick?”

  “I don’t know, maybe a couple of weeks or so, but that bug has been going around. I’m already feeling better.”

  “Do you suppose you might be feeling sick because you are pregnant?”

  Cassidy looked over at Rachel, who sat down on the toilet seat. “No, that’s impossible. I’m not pregnant, Rach. I can’t be.”

  “When was the last time you had your period, Cass?”

  “I…I’m not sure, I can’t remember. I’m on the pill and that has a tendency to mess me up. Besides, you know I’m irregular, I have short periods too. I cannot be pregnant.”

  “Fine, if you’re so confident, take a test,” Rachel said, pulling open one of her drawers. She pulled out a box and handed it to Cassidy.

  “What, you keep pregnancy tests in your bathroom?” Cassidy couldn’t help but smile.

  “Maybe, you know what a hypochondriac I am. I can’t help but always worry I’m pregnant. One always has to be prepared.” Rachel stood up and walked to the door. “Do it.”

  Cassidy nodded and watched as Rachel left the room. Cassidy opened the box and read the instructions. Simple enough, pee on the stick and wait three to five minutes.

  “Are you done in there?” Rachel called from her bedroom. Cassidy opened t
he door and Rachel walked in. “Well?”

  “It hasn’t even been three minutes,” Cassidy said, looking down at her watch. Rachel nodded and silently they waited. It seemed longer than it actually was when Cassidy picked up the small stick.

  “What is it? Is it positive?” Rachel asked when she saw no reaction from Cassidy.

  “It can’t be right. I mean, no, that’s impossible. I’m not pregnant. I mean I can’t be,” she said in disbelief, holding up the stick and showing Rachel the positive reading.

  Rachel stared at it in shock, but was the first to recover. “Okay, it’s fine. Calm down. You’ll just take another one,” she said and pulled open the drawer.

  “How many do you have in there?” Cassidy asked when she saw the drawer filled with pregnancy tests. “How many times a week do you think you are pregnant?” she asked with a small smile.

  “Oh, shut up and take the damn test,” Rachel said, thrusting the box in her hands.

  Cassidy threw the first test in the trash along with its box. Rachel left the room again and Cassidy removed the test from the box.

  Cassidy opened the door for Rachel when she had finished and together they waited in the bathroom.

  “Are you okay?” Rachel asked.

  Cassidy shrugged her shoulders, unable to answer. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be pregnant, she did. She loved the idea of having Andrew’s children. She just wasn’t sure they were ready yet. They had just gotten engaged and now to throw a baby in the mix, her father would flip. Cassidy looked up when her watch began to beep.

  “You ready?” Rachel asked.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Cassidy walked over to the counter and looked down at the counter. She picked up the test and turned it so Rachel could see it. “It’s positive.”

  “What?”

  “I’m pregnant, I’m pregnant.”

  “I heard you the first time,” Rachel said, standing up as well.

  Cassidy put the test back on the counter and looked up at Rachel. “I’m not feeling so good. I’m feeling a little light headed, Rach?” The room spun and the blood rushed from her head. The room grew darker and she couldn’t see anything anymore, the sounds grew fainter and her knees buckled underneath her.

  “Cass? Cass!” Rachel nearly screamed. She had managed to catch her before Cassidy hit the ground and set her gently on the bathroom floor. Rachel panicked and ran to her bedroom window, which faced the backyard. “Drew! Quick, get up here! It’s Cass!”

  Andrew looked up at his sister’s frantic voice. He heard nothing after Cassidy’s name was mentioned. Quickly he stood up and ran toward the house, Ian in close pursuit.

  Rachel took the test and the box and put them both in the trash before Andrew rushed in.

  “What happened?” he asked, stooping at Cassidy’s side.

  “She wasn’t feeling good and fainted or something. I’m not sure.”

  Andrew picked up her limp body and carried her out of the bathroom. “Go get the car, we’re taking her to the hospital.”

  Rachel and Ian exited the bedroom, followed by Andrew. He looked down at her relaxed features and prayed nothing was wrong with her. Everything had been perfect. No Robert, no drama. They were getting married and both their parents approved and they were actually happy too.

  Andrew sat in the backseat with her and kissed her forehead. “You’ll be okay, baby. I’m here,” he whispered, holding her closely.

  * * *

  Andrew sat in Cassidy’s hospital room, along with Rachel and Ian. They had called Cassidy’s parents, but her father was in a business meeting “not to be disturbed” while her mother was downtown working on her charity’s dinner benefit.

  Andrew rested his hand over hers and wanted nothing more than to see Cassidy open her eyes. The doctor was refusing to tell them what was wrong until Cassidy woke up.

  Cassidy’s arm twitched and he knew it was only a matter of moments before she woke up.

  “Drew, go get some coffee,” Rachel said, standing up.

  “What? Rach, can’t you see I don’t want to leave Cassie?”

  “Not for me, for Cass. She’ll want some when she wakes up. I’ll wait here in case she wakes up. Just coffee, go get some coffee.”

  Andrew shot her a questioning glance but nevertheless stood up, planting a soft kiss on Cassidy’s forehead and walked out of the room. Rachel motioned for Ian to follow and he cooperated and walked out of the room with Andrew.

  Cassidy stirred in the bed. Her body felt like it weighed a ton, and her arms felt heavy when she tried to move them. She opened her eyes and saw Rachel looking at her. “What happened? Where am I?” she asked, looking around the room.

  “We’re in the hospital, you passed out. Oh, and it’s just me and you right now,” Rachel said simply, waiting for Cassidy’s reaction.

  “Why? What. Oh. My. God. I’m pregnant! This can’t be happening. Does Andy know? Oh my God, did you let it slip? Is he even here? What am I going to do?”

  “Relax, Drew doesn’t know, okay? And you’re going to be fine. So you’re pregnant, it’s not the end of the world. You and Drew are engaged. You’re getting married. I mean you both want kids, so why not sooner rather than later.”

  “But we’re not even married. My dad is going to kill me, no scratch that, he’s going to kill Andy.”

  “Your dad will be fine. You and Drew are getting married, relax. You are almost done with school. Drew is almost done with school. You’ll both be done before the baby comes and you’ll be married by then too. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”

  Cassidy looked up at her friend and nodded, glad Rachel was there to calm her down. Glad she was so lucky to have her in her life. “I’m done with school, Rach. So is Andy.”

  “Wait, what?”

  “We both finished early. We were keeping it a secret until it was official. We told each other the night he proposed.”

  “Really? You’re done? So that’s even more perfect.”

  Cassidy smiled and suddenly the prospect of having a baby so soon didn’t make her nauseous. “I’m pregnant.”

  Rachel smiled back at her friend. “See, nothing to be afraid of. You and Drew can tell our parents when you’re ready.”

  Cassidy nodded then frowned. “Did the doctors say anything? What about the baby? Is it okay, am I okay?”

  “They wouldn’t tell us anything until you woke up,” Rachel said. “But I’m sure everything is fine. You weren’t in pain, you just passed out. The only thing they said was that you probably had a minor panic attack and that you were dehydrated. Nothing about the baby, but I think if something was wrong they would have said something.”

  “Are you sure Drew doesn’t know?”

  “I’m sure, we’ve both been in the room, although he’s outside with all those doctors and nurses who could potentially tell—”

  “Get him in here!” Cassidy nearly yelled. “I have to tell him myself.”

  Rachel laughed. “They wouldn’t tell him. But since you asked, I’ll get him.”

  “Rach? Are my parents here?”

  “No.”

  “Good. I don’t think I could lie to them right now.”

  Rachel smiled and walked over to the door. She peeked out and saw Andrew leaning against the wall. She pulled Andrew into the room quickly then turned around, winked at Cassidy then shut the door.

  “What was that about?” Ian asked.

  “Cass just has something she needs to tell Drew,” she smiled.

  “Why do I get the feeling you aren’t telling me something.”

  “Because I’m not,” she said. spotting Cassidy’s doctor. “Doctor?” The man turned around. “Is Cass going to be okay? I mean is the baby okay?”

  “Oh, you know then?”

  Rachel’s smile broadened.

  “No one was asking so I figured you all didn’t know.”

  “Well, she’s telling her fiancé right now.” Rachel beamed. “So is it going to be okay?”
<
br />   “The baby is fine, healthy as well as the mother.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll come back in a little bit to check up on her. She should probably make an appointment though, get her and the baby thoroughly checked out.”

  Rachel nodded and watched as he walked off.

  “Cass is pregnant?” Ian asked.

  Rachel nodded.

  “With Drew’s baby?”

  “Of course it’s Drew’s, you dolt. Come on, we need to go set up an appointment.”

  “Doesn’t Cass have to do that?”

  “Believe me, I’ve pretended to be Cassidy over the phone before, all they really need is your birth date and a few other minor details.”

  * * *

  “Cassie?” Andrew said as he quietly entered the room. “Are you all right?”

  Cassidy smiled. “Hey. I hope I didn’t scare you too bad.”

  Andrew shook his head and walked over to her, taking her hand in his. He sat down in the chair next to the hospital bed. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Yeah,” she said, trying to fight her growing smile. How was she going to tell Andrew, should she just do it bluntly or should she use the romantic ‘we’re going to be parents’ scenario? Blunt, get it over with. Tell him quickly.

  “Baby, the doctor said you probably fainted because of dehydration and a minor panic attack, what were you scared of?”

  Cassidy smiled and looked into his adoring and concerned eyes. He was going to be a great father.

  “Cassie this isn’t something funny, it’s serious. What were you afraid of?”

  “That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” she told him.

  “If it’s about the phone calls, I’ve already talked to your dad. He’s having someone look into it.”

  “Wait, what?” she asked, knocked out of her dream world—away from her ‘everything is perfect’ world—knocked back into reality.

  “The phone calls.”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Because you looked scared when you answered the phone. I was only trying to protect you.”

  Cassidy nodded. “Do you think the person who’s been calling, will they know we’re looking?”

  Andrew shook his head. “Are you sure you’re all right? Was that what was bothering you?”