“What a long day,” she yawned and shortly she was joined by her black and white cat named Gidgit,” How’s my baby doing?” she said to her cat as she purred. Cassandra soon reached over the arm of her couch and pushed the button to check her messages for the day..

You have one new message….

Hi honey is me Toby can you come over? We need to talk…love you

“ Talk? I don’t think this is a good sign Gidgit” Cassandra got up from the couch grabbed her car keys and drove over to Toby’s house, not knowing what the fuss was all about. As she approached the house she saw an unfamiliar car in the driveway, but as she got closer she remember Toby had just bought a new car. She parked her car next to his and got out. Cassandra pulled out her set of keys from her purse and unlocked the door. As Cassandra walked in she heard classical music playing from the living room and the candle’s had been lit.

“Toby honey where are you? Why is the music on and why are the candles lit? You said we needed to talk…where are you?”

“Chill I am right here my lady,” he said giving her a hug and a kiss.

“What is going on? Did you plan this whole thing out mister?” Toby gave her a smirk,” You stinker…okay come on tell me what is really going on…you know I hate surprises,” she pouted.

“Nope sorry no can do…you just have to wait and see,” Toby soon put a blindfold over Cassandra’s eyes and then took a hold of her hand and guided her to the kitchen where Toby had prepared her favorite dinner- lobster with scallop potatoes and a biscuit. He even went the extra mile and bought her two dozen white roses- another one of her favorites. Toby pulled out the chair and he sat her down.

“Toby can you take this thing off me? I want to know what in the world is going on…come on this isn’t funny anymore,” she whined.

“It’s okay honey I am taking it off now,” When Toby untied the blindfold Cassandra saw the wonderful dinner sitting before her.

“You did all of this for me?” Toby nodded his head, “ But I thought you said we needed to talk?”

“We do need to talk Cass…but believe me it’s nothing bad at all. It’s a good thing, a very good thing. But just hear me out. Ever since we met back in college when I was playing soccer and you were just a student trying to get by there was just something there that I could have never imagined… and now we have been together for almost four years now. And we are practically married…so I thought to myself why not make it official? Cassandra will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” Cassandra was shocked she didn’t know what to say nor what to think.

“Yes Toby I will marry you but you have to promise me you will be faithful or else I’m gone,” she said.

“Deal…” Toby slipped the ring onto Cassandra’s finger and gave her a kiss. Cassandra knew this was the best thing to do…he promised once again he would be faithful, but only time will tell if he lives up to that promise.

Cassandra walked into her apartment from doing a little Christmas shopping. But as she walked in she heard some Christmas music, ‘Only Gift’ by *NSYNC to be exact. She walked over to the stereo and turned it down.

“Toby…where are you? I am home hello?!?” Cassandra hollered through out the apartment, “Toby this isn’t funny where are you?” Cassandra walked out to the deck and looked over the balcony,” Not here either. I swear sometimes that man drives me crazy!” Cassandra shook her head and then decided to go out to her car and get the Christmas gifts. As she walked out the door she saw Toby coming out of their neighbors apartment,” Toby! What in the hell do you think you are doing?” He turned around and saw his worst nightmare.

“Nothing sweetheart. Erin just asked me to come over to fix her leaky faucet I swear!”

“Please Toby that is the oldest trick in the book. I told you not to fuck around or else this was over!” Cassandra yelled.

“Cas you have to believe me. I am telling the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth”

“I am not buying it Toby. I thought you actually meant it when you said you were going to stop fooling around. But I guess I was wrong. I told you I was going to leave. Gidgit and I are leaving Toby. We probably will come back for our stuff tomorrow” Cassandra walked back into the apartment and Toby followed.

“Cassandra please we can work this out”

“No we cant! You have done this to me so many times I cannot even count anymore. Gidgit get in your kennel…. there is nothing more to talk about. I am leaving and there is nothing you can say nor do that will change my mind. Now if you don’t mind Gidgit and I are leaving now” Cassandra gathered a few clothes and Gidgit’s kennel and they were out the door. Cassandra knew she was doing the right thing. She knew where she could go if she needed to stay for a while- he friend Jamie.

Toby watched Cassandra drive off. He had let her slip away once more. He knew nothing was going to change her mind. And to make matters worse he even was telling the truth. And now she was gone forever and it was all his fault.

“Cass…you need to get out…you’ve been cooped up in my house for two weeks now. Get over Toby girl. He aint worth your time. I wish you would just understand that,” her friend Marty resasoned.

“I know, I know Mar…I am trying the best that I can alright?”

“You need to try harder girlie. You know what I am gathering up the girls tonight and we are going to party at this new club called Tabu…I hear it’s the shit”

“Mar..” she whined.

“No whining Cassandra. You are going!” She exclaimed,”You aren’t getting out of this one either”

“Fine…” she really didn’t want to go tonight. She wanted to do the same thing as always. Shit and watch re runs of Gilmore Girls while eating bon-bons. How exciting…not really. She knew that. She just couldn’t get him outher her head.

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Later on at the club Cassandra still hates the fact that she is even there.

“Cheer up Cass you are supposed to be having fun…not sit on your ass!!”

“Hey now I told you I didn’t even want to be here Marty…I hate clubs well when I was…”

“Don’t even say his name. No wonder why you aren’t having any fun…you are thinking of him” she reasoned yet once more,” Come on lets go and get some more drinks and then we’ll go and dance with some guys”

“Yeah, sure whatever” she rolled her eyes. She and Marty shifted through the crowds of people and she catches a glimpse of a guy at the bar. He had brown short hair and quite muscualr body from what she could tell anyway. She was liking the latino look. She had always loved latino men but never acted upon it. He smiled and she smiled back.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Um I think sex on the beach is a good one tonight…I havent had that forever” Cassandra replied.

“That’s a good one…my name is Howie by the way” he winked. Cassandra blushed.

“Hey Cass I am going to go back with the girls. I’ll catch you later” Marty said as she left.
“What a brat. I knew she was going to do this to me”

“Well I guess it’s a good thing. Would you like to dance?” he asked. She nodded and he came out from behind the var and took her hand and took her out to the dance floor. They started to grind to the musice of Usher.

“You know you never told me your name”

“Oh I’m sorry is Cassandra”

“Well that’s better” he winked again. For some reason or another it made her giggle like a little school girl. He soon leaned in and gave her a soft kiss on the lips…they were so soft. She didn’t want to stop but something was wrong her phone was viberating. Marty texted her telling her to meet them outside.

“I am sorry Howie but I have to go maybe I’ll see you around?”

“Yeah maybe” and with that Cassandra was gone. She went outside and saw her friends giggling and laughing .

“What’s so funny?”

“You and Mr. Latino I saw that kiss. Girlie welcome to freedom once again” Marty gave Cassandra a high five. In a way she was proud of herself but also felt quilty in a way. But she knows it is now the time to move on.

“You know Mar I cant believe you have me going to church! I never went to church unil I started living with you” she laughed.

“Well then go home”

“No…maybe I’ll just stay your permanment roommate? I’ll move out and move in here”

“Cass? Are you feeling okay? You love that apartment! You’ve lived there for so long. Are you sure you want to give that up and move in with m? I cant let you” Marty said and Cassandra sighed.

“Fine…I guess I should look into going back there. I am kind of missing my old apartment”

“I’ll be glad to help you move back in”

“Gee thanks Mar that makes me feel like you never wanted me here in the first place”

“I did…and I still do…its just that I guess I would like to have my apartment back”

“Okay….how about after church…I’ll move my stuff back sound good?”

“Sounds good to me too” Cassandra and Marty finished getting ready and headed off to the church.

-------------------------------------------

After the servic was over Cassandra walked over to the cookie table and picked up 2 chocolate mint girl scout cookies and a cup of orange juice.

“You know I like those too” Cassandra looked up and saw those amazing brown eyes again.

“Howie right?”

“Yeah….I was beginning to think I was never going to see you again” Cassandra giggled.

“Yeah…sorry about that. My friends wanted to get me out of there I guess. They never told me why. I think they were just a littl jealous.”

“Yeah…hey do you want to go have some coffee or something?” he askd.

“Sorry Howie I would love to, but I can’t. I am moving back into my apartment today. But maybe later or something?” she suggested.

“Or I could just help you move? I have a pick up truck so I guess what I am trying to say is can I help you?”

“Sure…I could use all the help I can get. Here swing by here in an hour and we can start loading up your truck” she said writing down Marty’s address and handing it to Howie.

“Thanks I’ll be there” Cassandra walked over to Marty.

“Hey lets go back to the apartment and start packing things up”

“Okay”

“By the way my little ’latin lover’ is on the way over. You didn’t tell me he went to this church.”

“Either did I. Oh girl….you are moving on”

“Not just yet Marty don’t get all excited.”

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In an hour just as promised Howie was over and packing his truck up with Cassandra’s things.

“I am glad you are helping me Howie. I don’t think we could have moved all of this stuff into Marty’s car” she laughed.

“I am gla you let me come over and help you” Howie leaned in and kissed Cassandra on the cheek.

”Am I really falling for this guy? This cant be happening. I am not supposed to move on so quickly. Can I really do this?” She thought to herself. They all drove over to her apartment and started moving her things into the apartment. Howie walked in and saw the beautiful paintings and colors that splashed the walls. He saw the pictures that surrounded her coffee table and entertainment center. He walked over to them and started to nose through them. He saw the tall blonde haired, green eyesd man in all the pictures.

”I wonder who he is? I wonder if thy are still together?” He noticed throughout the pictures she went from very happy to just forcing herself to even smile. Cassandra walked in with some boxes and saw Howi looking at the pictures. She set the boxes down and walked over to him,” Who is he? You look so happy here but then it looks like you are forcing yourself just to keep smile on your face”

“That is Toby…my ex fiance. We were together for four years. He had made so many promises to me and I couldn’t handle it anymore when he broke them all. So that’s when I moved to Marty’s with Gidget.” She explained as she went back and picked up the boxed and moved them into her bedroom. He soon realized that she must have been deeply hurt. And just like any other woman he had encounterd she was going to be hurt and not want any type of a relationship. But he knew somehow and some way he would get to her heart and make her his forever.

“What if I take her to dinner? Nah, that’s too original? Although if it’s somewhere fancy and romantic…it just might work.” Howie opened up the phone book and started to thumb through restaurants he then found the perfect Japanese restaurant in town. He called and made reservations for the next day at 8. Now all he had to do was get Cassandra to join him. He knew this was the easiest task.

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Cassandra was now working something she has been avoiding for so long, but knew she had to get back to doing was she loved to do-dance.

“Cassandra Willington?”

“Yes”

“A devilry for you from a secret admirer” Cassandra signed the piece of paper and took the vase of white roses from the flower guy. She set then down at her desk she opened the card and read it.

“Meet me at this address 8pm tomorrow”

Cassandra knew who it was. Howie was trying to put the moves on her. Everything that Howie did it seemed to make her feel better. Her cell phone soon rang.

“Hello?”

“Did you get my beautiful flowers? I think I remembered your favorite didn’t I?”

“Hi Howie. Yes I got your amazing flowers and you did perfect. You amaze me how you know all these things. Have you been taking to Marty again?” she flirted over the phone.

“No of course now why would I do a thing like that?”

“Well at least she knew the answer”

“So how about tomorrow? Wear something nice and I promise you, you will have a great time”

“Howie, I always seem to have a good time with you. I felt like I have known you my entire life when in reality I have only known you just for 2 short weeks.”

“Well I am glad you enjoy my company Cassandra. And I am glad you are joining me tomorrow”

“Me too. So I’ll see you tomorrow Howie”

“Okay.” Cassandra hung up the phone and couldn’t help but smile. He was really starting to grow on her. She knew the love that once was for Toby was slowly shifting to the Latino man that she only met just a few short weeks ago. But there was just something she couldn’t help but love about this man. She was falling in love.

_--------------------------------

Howie was pleased with himself to know Cassandra would be joining him the next day for dinner. He knew that it would work. He never dated much but he knew there was just something special about this one. He too was falling in love with this girl.

She had only known Howie for two weeks, but she already felt like she had known him her entire life. But how can that be? How can you fall in love with someone so quick and not even know it? It didn’t many any sense what so ever to her.

Howie and Cassandra were finally seated.

”So you like?”

”I don’t think I have ever been to a Japanese restaurant before”

”Well neither have I it’s a new experience for the both of us”

Throughout the night she couldn’t believe how much she actually had in common with this man that she barely knew. But why was she so attracted to him? Was it his brown eyes, or the long curly hair? Or maybe it was his personality. But it was one of those maybe if they ask me to marry them I just might say yes things.

”You know I have been thinking about this forever…why don’t we just go out?”

”Go out?”

”Yeah you know…you’re my girlfriend and I am your boyfriend. I do hope you know what ‘go out’ is” he chuckled.

”Oh yes of course”

”Are you ok? You seem a little bit up tight ever since I said will you go out with me. Did you think I was going to ask something else?”

”To be honest with you I did. I don’t know why I was even thinking this, but for a second I thought you were going to ask me to marry you” she laughed.

”Jeez you just get right to the point don’t you? I thought maybe I would ask you that next week at dinner” Cassandra smiled. She now felt embarrassed for even bringing it up. But if he had asked her would she have said no?,” Wait, since we are on the subject… if I did lets say hypothetically would you have said yes?” And then bam there was the question what was her answer.

”Truthfully?”

”Truthfully”

”Well, we have only known each other for what two weeks? And I have to say you Howie have to be the only guy and when I say the only I am meaning the only man who has ever sent me flowers and who has helped me move in. And who has called me just to say hi and talk about shit for two hours. Its amazing how much I already know about you already. But if you did I might have said yes” Cassandra spilled the beans.

”Really? I would have never guessed really”

”See now I am embarrassed again”

”Don’t be…you brought up a good point. Really I just wanted to ask you ‘the question’ but I thought that it might be a little weird so I came up with the ‘going out’ thing instead. But if you want to we can get married then why not? We can just tell everyone we are ‘dating’ and then boom we lay it on them like three weeks later. Its perfect!?” Howie explained.

”Are you crazy?!?”

”I think I have to say yes to that question. You are the one that brought it up in the first place”

”I wasn’t expecting this”

”Well neither was I until you said something”

”True”

”So what do you say?”

”I don’t know Howie…do you think we can pull it off?”

”I think so come on” Cassandra thought about it would she be able to pull this off? Say she is getting married to Howie right now and then say they are dating to everyone else? It doesn’t seem logical, but it just might work.

”Ok Howie I will take you up on that offer”

”Really?”

”Yes” Howie got up from his seat and gave Cassandra a kiss for the first time. It was something Cassandra normally would not to but she was willing to take this risk for love and Mr. Right.

Cassandra had gone into the doctor’s for a regular check up but also started to notice different things about herself….her clothes haven’t been fitting very well her appetite has drastically increased and she is sick quite often. She couldn’t figure out why this was.

”Mrs. Dorough”

”Yes that’s me”

”Well we did a pregnancy test on you cause you said you had all of those symptoms and it came up positive. “Cassandra didn’t know what to think a baby already? But she was just starting to get back to work.

”Wow, I wasn’t expecting this how far along am I?”

“We aren’t quite sure….you’ll have to go set up an appointment with an OBGYN and I will give you a referral to one around here”

”Ok thank you so much. I appreciate you solving my little mystery. Howie is going to be so excited” Cassandra said and got up and walked out of the doctor’s office…she was going to have a baby.

-----------------------

Cassandra drove to Howie’s work to deliver the good news. When she drove up Howie was heading out to his car to go home for lunch.

”Hop in honey I am taking you out today” Howie got in the car and they drove off.

”You seem to be in a chipper mood already today. What’s going on?”

”You’ll see soon honey I promise” Cassandra parked the car at the nearest Burger King to grab a bite to eat so Howie could get back to work. Cassandra turned to Howie,” You know how I have been complaining about everything lately?”

”Yeah why?”

”Well I went to the doctor’s office today just for my normal check up and I came back with a positive pregnancy test. We’re going to be parents” Cassandra watched Howie’s face burst into excitement.

”A baby? I cant believe this. This awesome…cause for a celebration tonight my dear. I am going to be a daddy?”

”Yes Howie” Cassandra knew Howie was going to be excited. She was excited herself…a new beginning for a new family.