Following Your Heart (Love Conquers All) (21 page)

He leaned down and kissed her as she ran her hands through his hair.  “Cassie,” he replied softly as their lips parted.  “I talked to your family today.”

“About?”

He smiled as he intertwined his fingers with hers.  “About life and how much I've missed of yours.”

“We can't go back, but we can cherish what's ahead.”

“I know and that's why I know what I have to do.”  Cassie watched as he pulled a small box from his jacket.  Her eyes grew and she suddenly felt everything fall into place.  “Cassie we were so young when I proposed to you the first time and I honestly believe that it might not have been the best time for us to make a life together.  My Aunt gave me this ring because she wanted me to give it to the love of my life.  She knew that was you.  I know that I had a lot of growing up to do and I feel blessed to have this second chance in my life.  So Cassie,” he slowly got down on one knee and Cassie's hand went to her mouth.  “Will you marry me?”

Cassie smiled as she saw his Aunt Sally's engagement ring lying in the box.  “Seth, nothing would make me happier.  Of course I'll marry you.”  He smiled as he slipped the ring onto her hand and stood up.  He lifted her into his arms and twirled her around.  “You've kept this ring all this time?”

“Cassie, it didn't belong on anyone's hand but yours.  I love you and I will spend every day showing you just how much.”

“I love you too Seth, so much.”  Their lips connected and Cassie melted into his arms.

5 months later

Cassie smiled at Seth as they finished their wedding dance and another guest was tapping their glass urging them to kiss.  “Is it getting old?”  Seth asked as he inched closer to Cassie.

Cassie shook her head, “Never.”  They brushed their lips together and the guests applauded with eagerness.    She pulled away and grabbed his hand.  “Let's go mingle,” when Seth groaned...Cassie laughed.  “The sooner we greet everyone, the sooner we can begin our wedding night.

“I'm right behind you.”

Cassie smiled to herself as he pulled her closer to him.  “You guys pulled off a beautiful ceremony.”  Megan was saying as they got to her table.

Cassie smiled as she brushed the hair out of Megan and Peter's little girl's face.  “We couldn't have done it without the both of you.”

“Please...” Megan laughed.

“Seriously,” Cassie looked up at Seth as he was beaming at her.  “I owe everything to you Megan.  After all, you were truly one of the reasons I believed I was missing out on what my life could be.  You and Courtney.” 

“Did I hear my name?” 

Cassie turned around and saw Courtney standing behind them.  She hugged her sister tightly.  “We both owe you guys for making us see what we were missing out on.”

“We all knew a good thing when we saw it.  It just took you both a little longer to see it.”

Cassie laughed, “I will never forget it, that's for sure.” 

Seth leaned down and kissed her sweetly.  “Neither of us will.”

“We'll talk to you guys later; we have more people to meet.”  They left the table and Cassie spotted her ex co-worker Tiffany.  Tiffany was sitting with a guy that Cassie had never seen before, but it didn't surprise her.  It had been a few months since seeing her and not too many guys remained in Tiffany's life.  “Hey Tiffany, I'm so glad you could make it.  You remember Seth...”

“Of course, Seth...it's good to see you again.”

“You too Tiffany.”

“I'm afraid, I haven't met your new...friend.”

Tiffany smiled and looked over at the stranger.  “Cassie, this is Matt.”

“Matt, this is Seth and Cassie, of course.”

“Cassie...Seth, it's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise Matt,” Cassie slowly replied and then turned to Tiffany.  She raised her eyebrows when she noticed the way Tiffany was looking at Matt.

“So...how's your new job going?”  Cassie asked quietly, still in awe at the interaction between Matt and Tiffany.

“I'll go get us some punch, while you visit.”  Matt replied quietly and then left the table.

“Cassie, it's great.  I'm sorry you left, but...it was with good cause and I absolutely love my new duties.”

Cassie smiled, “I'm glad to hear it.”  She bit her lip and then laughed, “So, what's the deal.”

“What do you mean?”

“Matt...
You two seem...friendly.”

Tiffany laughed, “We're just friends.”

“Hey babe...I'm going to leave you two girls, to girl talk. I'll be...around.”  He leaned in and kissed Cassie and then left.

When he left Cassie crossed her arms.  “Friends?  I'm not buying it.  Where did you two meet?”

“He actually was hired a couple of months ago.”

“I see...he has nice qualifications.”

Cassie saw Tiffany's face get red.  “That's not why I hired him.  He has a lot of experience.”

Cassie laughed, “Well, does he now?”

“Cassie I mean it.”

“I'm sorry Tiff, it's just it's very rare to see you so happy around a guy.  Now, is it really just a friendship?”

Tiffany shrugged, “I don't know.  He's really great, but I have never felt like this before.  He really gets me.  I just don't want it to interfere with our work relationship.  Besides, is it really professional if I fall in love with a guy that is employed under me?”

“I see the dilemma, but...are you willing to risk losing something that could be special.  After all, I know all about that.
  You can't worry about that.”

“It's only been two months.  Surely things can't be that moving that fast.”

“Tiff, it took me an hour before I knew that I wanted to marry Seth one day.  I might have been a teenager, but it's all the same.”

“Maybe you're right, what if he rejects the idea?”

“I guess you'll never know; if you don't take that chance.”  Cassie spotted Matt coming back to the table and she smiled.  “Matt, it was great to meet you.  Now, I have a groom to take out of here.”

Tiffany laughed, “When are you leaving for the honeymoon.  We leave tomorrow morning at 8:00”

“Then, you guys best be getting to bed.”  Tiffany winked as Cassie smiled.  She was thinking the same thing.  She turned around and looked through the guests.  Her eyes met Seth's and his bright smile beckoned for her to be beside him.  She walked to him and met him with a kiss.  “I was thinking...maybe we can leave now.”  She spoke quietly.

“You were, were you?”

“I think so.”

He grabbed her hand and turned to face the guests.  “Attention everyone.”  He waited until the crowd quieted down.  “My bride and I have an early day tomorrow, so we best be getting some shut eye.”  The group laughed knowingly.  “We appreciate everyone being here.  Feel free to continue dancing and we will see you all soon.”  Everyone clapped as they headed out of the tent and towards the Bed and Breakfast.  When they reached the door, they stopped before entering the house.  “I will spend the rest of my life making you the happiest woman in the world Cassie Callahan”

“You already have Seth.”  They kissed tenderly and she wrapped her hands through his hair.  “Now...there's just one thing we have to do.”

Seth smiled as he opened the door and motioned for her to enter.  Once he got inside he grabbed her hand and they walked up the stairs towards the same room that they shared all those years ago.  “I have a surprise for you.”

Cassie quietly stood as he opened the door.  She peeked inside and saw the bed that was now sitting in the center of the room.  “I can't believe you did this.”

“This room was special to us once and I wanted it to be again.”

Cassie smiled, “That's sweet.”  She pulled him down, so that his lips could meet hers.  She started to enter, but he stopped her.  “What?”

“Cassie, we might be planning on looking for a house when we get back from our honeymoon, but until then...this is the place that we are going to share together.”  He lifted her into his arms and kissed her.  “I love you Cassie.”

“I love you too Seth.”

With that he carried her through the bedroom door and kicked the door shut.  They were finally together and everything was exactly the way it should always have been.