Chapter 37

Three years later, Christmas Day

“Mommy! Daddy!” Cassidy heard faintly. She moaned and rolled over. It wasn’t until she felt two weights come down on top of her she opened her eyes.

“Hey, careful,” she laughed.

“What are you two doing up?” she heard Andrew groan. He sat up and pulled his children further up on the bed.

“It’s Christmas, daddy!” their son smiled.

“Presents!” their daughter cried out in joy.

Cassidy looked over at Andrew and laughed. “It seems like our children would like to go open their presents. Are your grand parents here?”

“Yeah, and Auntie Rachel and Uncie Ian!”

Cassidy smiled at her daughter as they heard a knock on the door. “Come in!” she called.

The door opened and Rachel stuck her head in the room. “Sorry, I was watching them—they just slipped by me.”

“No, you and Uncie Ian were kissing! Like mommy and daddy do,” her daughter said climbing off the bed.

Rachel laughed uneasy and shrugged her shoulders, “Okay, so maybe I wasn’t watching them the whole time.”

“Benji, why don’t you go show Auntie Rachel what I taught you yesterday,” Andrew told his son who smiled and nodded his head then jumped off the bed. He ran towards Rachel and jumped up on her at the last moment.

“Andrew Eugene Winbright, what have you been teaching our children?” Cassidy chastised him.

Andrew smiled at her then kissed her cheek. “Eww!” they heard their children say.

“Come on, guys. Let’s go downstairs and see what your grand parents are up to,” Rachel laughed.

“Presents!” their kids called out in unison.

“No opening any presents until we come down there too!” Cassidy called out as Rachel shut the door.

“How much time do you think we have?” Andrew asked when Cassidy turned towards him.

“Ten…maybe fifteen minutes?” she smiled.

“That’s enough time, right?”

“Aren’t you tired? It’s not like you weren’t up all night.”

“Baby, I could never get tired of you.”

“Well, daddy—,” she kissed him affectionately, “—we need to get up and get dressed before our children do any more damage. I mean your sister is watching them.”

Andrew threw back the covers, “You’re right—you know we probably should get down there as soon as possible.”

Cassidy laughed and got out of bed. It didn’t take them long before they were opening the door to their bedroom and walking down the stairs to the large living room.

“There coming!” Cassidy heard their children.

“All right, calm down you two. We’re here,” Andrew said and immediately the two settled down.

“Sorry we weren’t up earlier,” Cassidy said and sat down on the couch with Andrew. “Are you two ready to open your presents?”

“Yeah!”

“Okay, go pick out one—only one though,” she told them and immediately they both went for the biggest boxes with their names on it.

Andrew laughed and put his arm around Cassidy. “You did something really mean didn’t you?” he asked.

“Why would I do that to our kids?” she smiled.

Andrew kissed her cheek and laughed when he heard his children groan in disappointment.

“Alright, our presents now,” their parents said producing two presents for each of the kids.

“Kayla, Benji—careful with the presents,” Cassidy said as she watched them tear open the wrapping paper and jump up and down with joy. “You’re parents really do spoil them.”

“My parents—what about yours?”

“Okay, you two, settle down,” their parents warned.

“So the parents need to be warned by their parents,” Rachel smiled.

“What are you talking for, Rach?” Cassidy smiled at her sister-in-law and best friend. “You were the one that went off and eloped with Ian despite the fact that the wedding you had planned was going to take place the very next day. Who was the one that got in trouble, eh?”

Rachel smiled, “Okay, so I might be more of the trouble maker than you two…” She leaned over and kissed Ian sweetly then turned back to her nieces and nephews. “Alright guys, come get your presents!”

They jumped up from where they were currently playing and ran over to get their presents from Rachel and Ian.

“Benjamin Lukas Winbright, what do you say to everyone?” Cassidy said after he had opened all his presents.

“You too, Mikayla Mariah-Faith,” Andrew smiled down at his daughter. She nodded and went over to thank each and everyone who gave her a present. They knew when their parents used their full names, they meant business. “So where’s my present?” He turned to look down at his wife.

“What did you get me?” she smiled.

Andrew pulled out a small package wrapped neatly, “Just because I love you,” he said handing her the box.

“Thank you,” she said taking the present in her hands and opening it. “What is it?”

“Just open it, Cassie,” he laughed as she carefully removed the wrapping paper. She opened the box and immediately a smile broke out on her face. “Do you like it? I figured I would give you something that held some sentimental value.”

Cassidy smiled up at Andrew and kissed him. “Thank you...Mr. Darcy.”

Andrew laughed and kissed her nose, “So where’s my gift?”

“Well I can assure you this is so much better than your gift,” she said setting the book Andrew bought her on the side table.

“How can you say that when I don’t even know what it is? You’re just prejudice,” he smiled.

“Trust me…you’ll definitely think this is better.”

“Well, then give it to me,” he held out his hand.

“It’s not exactly going to fit in your hand, baby.”

“What is it?” he asked curious now.

Cassidy smiled and took Andrew’s hand then placed it on her stomach. “Merry Christmas, Andy or should I say daddy.”

Andrew looked down at his hand then up at Cassidy, “Are you trying to tell me…that is, my gift is…baby, are you pregnant?” Cassidy’s smile widened and she nodded. Andrew smiled at her then kissed her.

“That’s not the best part,”

“There’s more? What could possibly be better than knowing that you’re having another baby?”

“Having two?”

“Two? Twins?”

Cassidy nodded and Andrew hollered with joy as he kissed Cassidy once again.

“EWW!” they broke away at the sound of their children.

“What are you two so happy about?” Rachel asked.

“She’s pregnant,” Andrew smiled taking Cassidy’s hand.

“Wait, really?” Rachel asked.

Their parents turned to them, “That’s wonderful news!”

“I’m gonna have a baby sister or brother?” Benjamin asked climbing up on his dad’s lap.

“No, buddy, you’re going to have two brothers or sisters,” Cassidy smiled and laughed when she heard her parents and Andrew’s parents gasp and begin congratulating them. It was the perfect Christmas—she wouldn’t have changed a thing. She had the perfect family and she couldn’t have wished for a more perfect beginning.