Family Matters Book 2

Cassie

Ana’s birthday bash was in full swing. Around ten six-year-olds were causing a ruckus in the backyard, our nieces and nephews included. I was grateful our families were here to lend a hand with the festivities.

Our fathers were in charge of the grill, while our mothers ensured the food was always replenished. Our siblings were on game duty and bounce house patrol.

Seeing Ana’s face light up as she played with her friends and cousins warmed my heart.

I noticed my father watching Ana, a smile on his face but sadness in his eyes. Jason wore the same expression.

I had seen that look at breakfast but chose to ignore it. Now, I felt compelled to address it.

“Hey, dads,” I greeted them with a smile. Jason responded with a kiss on my cheek. My father pulled me into a side hug, planting a kiss on my head.

“Hey, sweetheart. The party seems to be a hit,” he commented.

“As long as Ana is happy, I’d say it’s a success,” I replied. His smile seemed to fade slightly. “Dad? Is everything alright?”

“Absolutely,” he assured me. “Just a bit tired.”

“Are you feeling okay?” I asked. He hugged me again, smiling.

“Never better, baby girl. Just a bit worn out.” I looked into his eyes, knowing he wasn’t being truthful. I turned to Jason, who looked concerned.

“Your faces tell a different story.”

They exchanged a knowing glance.

“Let’s discuss this after the party, okay? For now, can you both try to forget your worries and enjoy the party?”

Their smiles seemed genuine, which eased my worry slightly.

I glanced at Xavier and noticed he and our brothers were huddled together, glaring at Nathan, who was playing with Ana. My father and Jason followed my gaze.

“What’s the deal with this Nathan kid?” my father asked.

“Seriously? You too?” I laughed. “He’s Ana’s best friend.”

“Just a friend, right?” Jason inquired.

“Oh my God! Enough!” I laughed. “He’s six years old! I don’t think we need to worry about elopement just yet.”

“You never know, Cass,” my father said, trying to suppress his laughter. “Kids these days are growing up fast. You can’t be sure what he’s thinking.” We all burst into laughter.

“Judging by the guys’ faces, they’re thinking the same thing,” Jason added. I shook my head at them.

I said goodbye to my father and Jason and went to calm the guys down. As I approached, Xavier pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

“Hey, baby,” he greeted me, his gaze quickly returning to Ana and Nathan. I couldn’t help but giggle.

“What’s the plan here?” I asked.

“Plan? What plan?” Evan feigned surprise, his eyes darting back to Nathan.

“That!” I pointed at his face. “That’s what I’m talking about! Stop giving him the evil eye! You’ll scare him.”

“We’re not just looking at him,” Austin defended. “We’re watching all the kids.”

“Sure you are,” I retorted. Suddenly, their attention was drawn to something behind me.

I turned in Xavier’s arms to see Ana and Nathan approaching us, hand in hand. This kid was going to need a bodyguard.

“Mommy?” Ana asked, smiling. “Is it time for cake?”

“Not yet, sweetie. We’ll have lunch first, then cake,” I told her. I didn’t need to look to know the guys were focused on their intertwined hands. “Are you guys ready to eat?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nathan replied. This kid was too cute for words!

“Can Nathan sit with me?” Ana inquires. I sense Xavier stiffen behind me, which makes me chuckle.

“Sure, he can,” I assure her. Xavier gives me a squeeze, as if silently pleading me to retract my words. “Why don’t you gather your friends and head to the table so we can start eating?”

“Alright!” Ana responds with enthusiasm. She then turns to Nathan. “Can you assist me, Nathan?”

“Absolutely! Anything for you, Ana,” he replies with a smile. Ana giggles as they scamper off, their hands still intertwined.

“Did you catch that?!” Austin exclaims. “He’s totally manipulating her!” I can’t help but laugh out loud.

“Quit it!” I admonish him.

“He’s got a point, Cass,” Leo chimes in, shooting a glare at Nathan as he walks with Ana towards the table. “He’s up to something. I can sense it.”

“Oh, give me a break!” I laugh. “They’re only six!”

“So?” Evan retorts, scowling at me.

“This is how it begins, Cass. First, they hold hands and sit together during meals. Next thing you know, he’s carrying her backpack and they’re sitting together on the school bus, planning their future wedding.”

I’m practically crying from laughter at these guys. I turn and call out to their wives.

“Someone needs to come collect their husbands!” I chuckle. Xavier spins me around and pulls me close to him.

“If he dares to kiss her, I’m tearing his lips off,” he threatens. I start to laugh even harder, but he silences me with a kiss. When he pulls away, he smirks. “I’m not joking, Cass.”

“Then perhaps you should stop kissing me in front of them so he won’t get any ideas.” I smirk back. Xavier mutters a curse under his breath and kisses me again. He then turns to the guys.

“Let’s shift our table next to theirs.” They nod and all head off to rearrange the seating. All I can do is laugh and shake my head. These guys are going to struggle when she actually starts dating.

After the party, the girls and I put our kids down for a nap. The guys and our parents tackle the task of cleaning up the backyard. I thought the men were going to lose it when Ana gave Nathan a hug as he was leaving.

It’s a good thing we women were standing between them and the kids, otherwise they might have lunged at him.

Once the cleanup was finished, we all settled in the living room to unwind from the party. Austin put on a movie, and we all snuggled up with our spouses on the couches.

I noticed everyone kept stealing glances at me. Oh no! Did Xavier blab and tell them I’m pregnant? That man can’t keep a secret to save his life.

I glance over at my dad, and the sadness he had on his face this morning has returned. Sadie was gently stroking his arm as if to comfort him. I turn and look at the other couples, and they’re all sitting together with the same solemn expressions.

I look up at Xavier, and he’s just staring into space, not paying any attention to the movie. They all know something I don’t, I can feel it. I sit up and look at everyone with my arms crossed, pulling them out of their thoughts.

“Out with it,” I demand.

“Out with what?” Xavier asks.

“Whatever it is you all are keeping from me.” They all look at each other, waiting to see who will speak first. Cowards. I rise from the couch and start walking towards the stairs.

“Where are you going?” Xavier calls after me. I respond without turning around or slowing my pace.

“I’m going to take a nap. When I wake up, you all better have found your courage because someone is going to tell me what the hell is happening.”

I storm up the stairs to my bedroom and slam the door. I have a feeling whatever they’re hiding from me is significant... and probably not something I’m going to want to hear.

I lay down on my bed and close my eyes. I’m pretty sure I’m going to need all my strength when they break the news.

Xavier

I’m in deep trouble.

I should have known Cassie would figure out we were concealing something before the day ended.

And now she has just stormed up to our room, furious because none of us wanted to be the one to tell her about this situation with Ana. Maybe that nap will help her cool down a bit. Let’s hope.

“So, who’s going to break it to her?” Austin queries, his gaze shifting between Charlie and me. Charlie’s about to respond when his phone interrupts with a ring. We all fall silent, waiting as he answers the call.

“Hello?” Charlie’s voice echoes in the quiet room. He listens, not uttering a word for a few moments. “Are you certain? Jesus Christ!” He leans back, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.

“Yes... Alright... I’ll handle it... Thanks.” He ends the call and exhales a heavy sigh. We all sit on edge, waiting for Charlie to relay the news from his attorney.

“Well?” Sadie prompts him. He straightens up, taking her hand in his.

“The letter is real,” he admits, his eyes welling up. We all sit in stunned silence. “He spoke with the opposing attorney, and they’ve presented evidence that questions Ana’s paternity.”

“I don’t get it,” Sadie confesses. “I saw the DNA test results. They confirmed you as her father. Could Joanna have faked that?” Charlie’s sorrowful expression hardens into anger.

“I’m not sure, but I intend to find out,” he declares. “My attorney is setting up a meeting with Joanna to discuss this.” He then turns to me.

“In the meantime, we’ll need to get Ana tested.” I bury my face in my hands. A whirlwind of anger, pain, sadness, and confusion sweeps through me. My mom sits beside me, rubbing my back in an attempt to comfort me.

“There’s more,” Charlie adds. I take a few deep breaths and lift my gaze to meet his. “It’s about Rick.”

“Rick…Parker?” Evan chimes in. “Cassie’s jerk of a stepdad?”

“You’re kidding,” Leo interjects.

“I wish I was,” Charlie sighs.

“It kind of makes sense,” Sadie muses. “Remember when Rick and Kyle kidnapped Cassie? She mentioned Rick saying she was a small piece of a big puzzle.

“What if he was referring to Ana? After what he did to Cassie, how much would you have paid to ensure he relinquished his parental rights to Ana? To keep her safe from him? What would you have sacrificed?”

This is all too overwhelming. I can’t imagine how Cassie will react to this news. My immediate concern is for our unborn child. Ever since her miscarriage, her pregnancies have been deemed high-risk.

We’ve always had to be extra cautious during her pregnancies with Selena and Isaiah, and I’m certain it won’t be any different this time. I’m worried about how this Rick situation will affect her.

Then my thoughts shift to Ana. Our sweet little girl is about to have her world shattered. And for what? Because her wicked mother and monstrous father were money-hungry.

How are we going to explain all of this to her? We had planned to tell her that Charlie was her father and that Cassie, Evan, and Leo were her siblings when she was old enough to understand.

If we didn’t think she could handle that news now, how will she cope with this?

“Can you keep an ear out for the kids?” I ask my mom. She nods, and I rise from the couch to head upstairs.

I tiptoe into Ana’s room, only to find her bed empty. I proceed to our bedroom and find her cuddled up with Cassie, both of them sleeping peacefully. I climb into bed and draw them close to me.

Cassie stirs slightly but doesn’t wake. I lean over and plant a kiss on each of their foreheads. These two are my world, and I’ll do whatever it takes to protect them.

Whatever. It. Takes.