Cassandra woke up and she was freezing cold. Her teeth were chattering and she thought it was a dream, so she closed her eyes and fell back asleep.
A minute later, Nick woke up. He rubbed his eyes and looked over at Cassandra. He touched her arm.
"Oh she's absolutely freezing, but so am I." He reached over to Cassandra and lightly shook her until she woke up.
"G-good m-morning," she chattered. Nick stood up, reached into the basket and pulled out a heavier blanket. "Are we s-still on the beach?" He held out his hand and helped her up. He wrapped them both in the blanket.
"Yeah, I guess we fell asleep. Maybe we should have brought heavier clothes!" he said noticing that both of them only had on shorts and t-shirts.
"Oh, p-probably."
He smiled at her. "Come on, let's walk. It'll warm us up and the sun is going to be coming up any second." Before they started walking, Cassandra stole a kiss.
"I feel better already!" He smiled and they started off down the beach. Cassandra was cold, but it was so beautiful that it didn't matter. Still wrapped in the blanket, they stopped walking and sat down. She leaned over onto Nick's shoulder, and he pulled his arm tighter around her. The sun had started to appear over the horizon, casting its rays on the rocks. There they sat. Just watching the sunrise and listening to the serene sounds of the low tide.
When the sun had fully risen and it had started to warm up some more, Cassandra stood up and stretched. She untucked her shirt to see how long it was. It fell down to her knees, and she smiled to herself.
"What are you doing?" he asked her still wrapped in the blanket. She only grinned at him. She took her shorts off and threw them at Nick. He caught them and watched her as she dove into the water with her long t-shirt on. She called him to her and how could he resist? He stood up, took his shirt off, and dropped it on her shorts, and ran in after her, still wearing his jean shorts. She tried to run away from him, but he caught up to her and grabbed her from behind. He picked her up.
"Nick! Put me down!" She started to kick her feet and it threw him off balance. Laughing, they both crashed to the ocean floor.
When they both emerged from under the water, they kneeled in the ocean, facing each other. The water coming up to just below their shoulders. Cassandra leaned in and kissed Nick. When she pulled away, she started to spit at the water.
"What?" he asked.
"Saltwater! Ick!"
"Oh." He took her hand and they walked out of the ocean and over to their blanket.
"We should go," she said, slipping her shorts back on.
"You should wear my shirt, it's dryer," he said seriously.
"Um, okay." He gently lifted her wet shirt up over her head and stole a few kisses to her neck. She lifted her arms and he dropped his shirt over her.
"It looks better on you," he said.
"Gee, thanks." He smiled and kissed her, then grabbed the basket and headed towards his car. He opened the door for her, then threw the basket in the backseat. "About what you said last night-"
"What?" he asked.
"About not being very good with words or romance and how you hope that you've done me right so far, and how you wanted to show me the meaning of romance and what love really means-"
"Yeah?"
"Nick, last night was perfect. I don't know if I could ask for more. No, I couldn't ask for more, from anyone. You hope that you've done me right so far? I want you to know that you couldn't do more to make me happier than be my husband. I love you, and don't you ever forget that."
"And I love you. My wife." He leaned over and kissed her passionately.
The phone rang at Isabella's house. She dragged herself off of the couch and over to the phone.
"Hello?" she said extremely tired.
"Is this Cassandra Carter?" a voice said.
"Um, no. She doesn't even live here."
"Then who am I speaking with?"
"This is Isabella McLean."
"Oh then this is even better. This is Dr. Derek Reynolds."
"Oh, Mercedes' doctor."
"Yes, well I also have some information about Adrian-James."
"Yes? What about him?"
"When your sister, Cassandra, and her friend, Brian, came down here searching for information on the paternity of the child, it seems there was a mistake."
"A what?"
"Yes. Somehow the paternity tests got switched around, and it turns out that your husband, Alexander-James, is the father of Adrian-James."
"No. This has to be a mistake."
"This time, it isn't. I ran the tests over and over again, and the answers still come up the same."
"Uh, thank you," said Isabella in total disbelief. She hung up the phone and walked upstairs to where A.J. was still asleep. She walked over to A.J. and violently shook him.
"Huh, what? Isabella, what?" he said.
"I want some answers! And this time, I want the truth!"
Nick was tired as he pulled into his driveway. Cassandra was asleep in the seat next to him, and he didn't feel like taking the basket in. He put his keys in his pocket, got out and lifted Cassandra out of the car and into his arms. He silently carried her upstairs to his room, and ever so gently laid her down on his bed. She had slept the whole hour back in the car, but he was very tired. He crawled into the bed next to her and within seconds, he was asleep.
Cassandra woke up five minutes later, and looked around to find that she was in Nick's room, and in his bed.
She looked at him asleep and smiled at him. "I wonder what he's dreaming about," she said softly. She stroked his hair back out of his face and pulled the comforter up and over the both of them. She closed her eyes again, and was back to sleep.
"What are you talking about?" A.J. asked Isabella sitting up.
"Damn it A.J.! Why did you lie to me?"
"About what?"
"About Lucy. I just got a call from Dr. Reynolds saying that somehow the tests were mixed up when Cassandra and Brian got there, but that he ran them again, and you are.....are-" she stopped.
"What Isabella? What?"
"The father! You are the father of Adrian-James!" Isabella screamed and collapsed down on a chair. "Now tell me. If you pushed Lucy off within five minutes, how could this have happened? Huh? Tell me!"
"Okay Isabella. Lucy, that day when she came over, she-she had a gun with her, and s-she made me-" A.J. stopped and couldn't finish. Isabella stood up, ran out of the house and ran over to her old house. "Damn it," A.J. said outloud. He fell back over onto the bed and tried to think but his mind was racing faster and faster by the second.
Isabella ran into the house, looking for Cassandra. She looked around and saw the clock on the wall that only said eight thirty. No one was around.
"They all must still be asleep." Isabella ran upstairs and into Cassandra's room. She looked around and noticed that Nick nor Cassandra were there. "Where could she be?" Isabella ran back down the stairs, and over to the guys' house. She silently closed the door and ran upstairs. "Oh, which bedroom is it? It's been so long-" She opened one door, and saw Emalia and Kevin asleep. "Nope." She walked down to the next door and walked in. She saw Cassandra and Nick asleep, so she sat down in a rocking chair in front of the bed and watched them.
"They look so peaceful," she whispered. "Even in their sleep, they look so much in love. I bet that Nick did something so great for her last night, and she probably loves him even more for it. What did A.J. do to me? He lied to me, and it sure doesn't make my love for him any stronger! Why can't I have a relationship like my sister? Sure they've had their major fights in the past, but that's just what it is. In the past, and now they're perfect. Even a relationship like Emalia and Kevin, they're cute together. How about Mercedes and Brian? Oh I wish they'd wake up already!" Isabella folded her arms, and waited.
Emalia and Kevin woke up and kissed.
"Good morning, Sweetie," Emalia said to Kevin.
"Hey," he said.
"Is it cold in here or is it just me?"
"It's cold in here. I'm going to go steal Nick's blanket. He probably won't be needing it for a while. I'll be right back."
"Okay. Hurry back!"
"I will." Kevin walked out of his room, and walked into Nick's room. He stopped when he saw Isabella sitting in a chair at the foot of the bed and Cassandra and Nick asleep in his bed. Kevin was confused. "Isabella?" he whispered.
"Oh hey Kevin," she said as if no one else were in the room. Kevin noticed that Isabella didn't care if she woke them up, but he continued to talk softly.
"What are you doing in here?"
"I'm waiting for them to wake up. I wish they'd hurry up!" she said louder.
"Isabella-" he started but stopped when he saw Cassandra sit up and stretch. She leaned against the headboard of the bed, looked around, and looked confused.
"Kevin? Isabella? Um-" With all of the noise, Nick woke up. He, too, was confused. He moved over and laid his head down on Cassandra's stomach and she gently played with his hair.
He looked over at the clock and saw that it was only nine thirty. "Honey, tell me that I'm dreaming and that I wasn't awakened this early in the morning," Nick said to Cassandra.
"No, you're not dreaming. You're awake." Nick groaned in disapproval. Cassandra kissed two of her fingers and placed them against Nick's lips.
"Oh would you two stop doing that!" Isabella yelled.
"What are we doing?" Cassandra asked.
"Being so damn perfect!"
"Uh oh. What happened between you and A.J.?"
"Cassie, how did you know something had to do with A.J.?"
"I just did."
"What's wrong?" Kevin asked her. Just then Emalia walked into the room and was confused, but she didn't ask any questions.
"A.J. lied to me!" Isabella screamed, still sitting in the chair, rocking back and forth.
"About what?" Cassandra asked, starting to braid a small section of Nick's hair.
"About Lucy! I got a call this morning from Dr. Reynolds looking for Cassandra. I told him who I was and that she didn't live at my house. So he said that when Cassandra and Brian had gone to the hospital looking for the real paternity, that there was a mistake in it and that A.J. is the real father!" Isabella broke down in tears, and Kevin went over to her and hugged her.
Cassandra stopped braiding Nick's hair. "You're kidding me?" Cassandra asked in concern.
"Nope. Dr. Reynolds said that he ran the tests over and over again and the results were the same. A.J. is the father."
"Oh God," whispered Cassandra so only Nick could hear her.
"Do you guys mind if I hide out here today?" Isabella asked.
"Not at all," Nick said. "Jonathan is still gone, and Nicole will probably be in her room all day, Howie is up with Angel, and Coreene is over at Devon's house for a while. It's just the four of us here."
"Thanks. And I'm sorry that I yelled at you two."
"Oh it's okay," said Nick. "We get that a lot." Isabella laughed and shook her head. Nick stood up and Cassandra crawled out of bed. Isabella, Kevin and Emalia walked out of the room and downstairs.
"I'm gonna take a shower," Cassandra said heading for the door.
"Oh, may I join you?" Nick asked, grinning.
"Well, it would save time and I want to get to my sister."
"In other words-"
"Of course!" she smiled.
"Thanks you guys. You've been great, but I must get back to my own house," said Isabella, noticing that it was almost completely dark out.
"Are you sure?" Nick asked.
"Yeah. Thanks again you guys-"
"Do you want me to walk you to your house?" Kevin offered. Isabella smiled.
"No Sweetie, but thank you for offering. I'll see you guys later." Isabella got up, walked out of the door, and ran to her house. She walked right past A.J. and into the kitchen to get herself something to drink.
"Boy can she talk!" said Kevin.
"I know!" agreed Nick. "I wonder what she's like on the phone!" He smiled to himself. Cassandra also smiled to herself.
"Can we talk?" A.J. asked Isabella.
"What is there to talk about?" she said to him coldly.
"That I didn't tell you because I couldn't take the risk of losing you again."
"You cheated on me!" she yelled.
"No, it was more rape then anything."
"How so?"
"She knocked me out and forced herself on me. I know I am a fool, but I would never cheat on you again! Especially with that ugly bitch."
"Listen, I think I just need to be alone right now."
"Okay, but are you mad at me?"
"No baby, I am mad at Lucy."
"You sure?" A.J. asked questioningly.
"Yeah."
"I know that you are mad at me a little."
"Well you are so strong, and she is so, well, not strong?"
"She had a gun to my head!"
"Okay, calm down. I am not mad at you anymore, k?"
"Yeah, well I will leave you along to cool off."
"Okay," agreed Isabella. "I love you and I will miss you."
"I love you too, more than you will ever know."
"Will you miss me?"
"I just might have to come back in fifteen minutes to see you. I will miss you so bad."
"Okay babe, if you come back in fifteen to twenty minutes I will personally escort you up to our bedroom and give you the time of your life!"
"Sounds funky! Maybe while I wait for the endless fifteen minutes to finish, I will pick you up a surprise."
"Well then may be I will slip into something more comfortable."
"I love you so much." A.J. caressed Isabella's body and then laid his soft lips against hers and as their tongues met, A.J. pulled Isabella's body towards him. "There is you and only you in my heart now and forever. The day I married you was the happiest day of my life because that day I promised to love and to hold you through the best and the worst times until death do us part and I am going to do that and so much more. Not even death can do us part now. Baby you are so much to me. I love you with all of my heart."
"Oh A.J., I love you and during our wedding, I swore the same things and I am going to keep it and so much more." They kissed again.
"We need lovers nicknames to call each other."
"Well, like what?" Isabella asked.
"Well, I could call you sweet stuff and you could call me hot stuff."
"Okay, hot stuff."
"Fifteen minutes seems like forever though."
"Well, then let's make it ten," suggested Isabella.
"That sounds better!"
"I love you, bye." Isabella kissed A.J. once more.
"I love you too, sweet stuff."
"Not even death can pull us apart."
"Not even."
"Bye bye!"
"Hey!"
"What?"
"This is gonna be funky!"
"You know it hot stuff, or can I just call you wowzers?"
"Bye beautiful."
"Bye Sweetie."
"See you," said A.J. walking out of the house.
"A.J. you are one hell of a guy," Isabella said to the air.
"Sweetie, I'm going to go over to my room and change, okay?" Cassandra said to Nick.
"Yeah, I'll still be here."
She smiled and kissed him quickly. "I'll be right back." She walked out of the house and started towards her house.
Isabella walked upstairs, took a quick shower and slipped into the sexiest yellow lingerie that she owned. She walked downstairs to get all of the candles possible to set the perfect, seducing mood.
Once Isabella had all of their candles in the kitchen counter, she got down the matched and turned out all the lights and began to light each candle slowly and cautiously. Suddenly, she heard a door creak open so she grabbed a candle and walked into the living room.
"A.J.? Baby is that you?" The front door was open slightly. Isabella closed it. She noticed that there was a bit of a strong breeze and figured that it was nothing but the wind, and thought nothing else of it. She went back to lighting her candles.
When she was finished, she placed them in the living room, and the bedroom. She went back to the kitchen to get out some of the left over champagne from their romantic evening last night. She took it and two crystal wine glasses and placed them in the bedroom.
Everything was set and perfect, so Isabella went into the living room and sat down on the couch. "Now what am I going to do about that Lucy?" she said to herself. "For now nobody but I will get my revenge, someday. I'm hungry, I think I will make myself a turkey sandwich.
She got up and began to make her sandwich when she heard a noise like someone was behind her. She turned aground and no one was there. "A.J.? Baby, dear, are you home?" There was no response. Isabella was starting to get a little nervous, but she still paid no attention to it.
She finished making her sandwich and went back to the living room and put on some soothing music. There was a crash in the kitchen and it startled Isabella. She grabbed a candle and ran to the kitchen. A plate was shattered on the floor. Isabella noticed a shadow on the floor, not belonging to her. She followed it up to a doorway leading into the laundry room. She turned the corner and screamed.
"Boo!"
Isabella drew the candle up to the figure's face. "Oh A.J., you scared me!"
"Sorry babe, but it's just you are incredibly sexy when you're scared."
"Oh yeah? Prove it!"
"Oh I will! Here." A.J. handed her a dozen red roses and kissed her.
"Thanks, but you are five minutes early!"
"Okay, I am going to the guys' house for the five minutes."
"K, bye. Do I get a good bye kiss?" Isabella made a fish face.
"I almost forgot." A.J. leaned over and kissed her forehead.
"Stinky butt."
"Love you!" Isabella smiled deviously.
"I love you, too." A.J. smiled then walked out of the house and headed over to the guys' house. "Oh I almost forgot my lucky candle in the kitchen." Isabella got up to get her lucky candle. When she found it on the table, she picked it up and looked at the flame. "You better give me good luck tonight!" she said to the candle. She felt a strange stick-like thing, press against her back. She turned around to find a gun in her stomach, and the person holding the gun, wearing a blue scarf around their head.