Chapter 38

The Last Chapter

"The court rules in favor of Miss. Arlets. Custody of the children Breanne and Troy Paine will go to Miss Arlets on February third too thousand eighteen. Eric Pain will have custody every second weekend throughout the year. He will also have Breanne and Troy every other holiday starting with Easter. Miss. Arlets, if you and Mr. Paine so choose to work out these on your own, then the court will abide by your decision and allow the two of you to work out other details. Also Mr. Paine will have four weeks of vacation time with the children a week at a time. I think it is in the children's best interest if you two could establish a partnership in raising them.

I understand that relationships don't always work out, nor would I force the two of you to get along. However, I see a lot of kids that are a product of the fallout of joint custody cases. I have spoken with Breanne and Troy, two well-grounded children. I would hate to see then become the fallout of your disputes. Any questions?"

"No your Honor," Cassie replied respectively.

"No your Honor," Eric replied with a displeased tone.

"Thank you all, court adjourned."

The gavel slammed and Cassie could feel the tears filling her eye lids. This time though they were tears of joy. In a few weeks the kids would be living with her. Since the whole process started Cassie had found a three bedroom apartment in a nice neighborhood thanks to the help of one of Dons friends. Money would be tight but she would have Breanne and Troy with her every day. She would sign the lease and start to move in tomorrow after work. This would give her a few weeks to settle in and get the kids bedroom set up.

Excitement raced through Cassie while she walked out of the court room. When she exited the court room there stood Eric with his arms crossed and Clare stiff postured.

"Well I see you got your way," Eric barked unfolding his arms.

"Cassie they were better off with us, you know this," Clare replied.

Cassie had played many scenarios for this moment, knowing Eric would attempt to make her appear as the bad parent. One was to let him have it, get mad and give him a piece of her min. Another was to say nothing. At this moment she only felt joy and peace, there was no anger, no resentment, and no fear. She felt that God had answered her prayer, he sent an angel, Trevor. So she handled the moment the way she felt God would want her to.

Cassie calmly responded, "Eric, I know you love the kids. You have a weird way of showing it, but I know you do. However you work all the time, they tell me all the time that they don't see you much. Their miserable Eric, I know you think money can make up for the times you're not around. But Breanne and Troy need love, they need to spend time with you-.

"Clare is with them all the time," Eric interrupted.

"You're their dad, they need you. Don't take this personally Clare, but you're just their step mom," Cassie replied in a warm caring tone Clare.

"So you don't think I'm a good mother? I've taught those kids how to be respectful to their elders. I taught them to speak with better clarity, to not interrupt when someone is speaking. And we've sent them to one of the best school in Chicago," Clare responded with a royal arrogance.

Cassie clenched her jaw as she looked up at the molding in the corner of the room. It looked like peppermint leaves with an occasional fern branch. The pattern repeated in four's, with a light peach color overlaying it. She thought to herself, God forgive me as she looked at Eric and Clare.

"Ok – those things are good things, but it's not how you tell a child you love them. And those kids," Cassie emphasizing those, "have names and they are Breanne and Troy. Clare I'm sorry you can't have children, I couldn't imagine."

Clare and Eric's eyes widened with dropped jaws as Cassie continued.

"But it's not right to think you can have mine, it's actually quite weird. Actually you two probably need therapy for even conceiving such an idea." Acknowledging their expressions Cassie continued." Yes I know about your college romance and I'm not even going to try to figure out how long you were seeing her while you were married to me. It's the past and I'm better off without you. So we have two kids to raise together Eric. I'm willing to work with you for weekends and holidays. Let's do this civilly!"

"Where did you get that kind of money for that lawyer," Eric questioned earnestly.

"All that and all you ask, how did I get the money for my lawyer? Wow! I have to go, um – Yah. Bye," Cassie finished not knowing what to say.

While Cassie drove out of Chicago she couldn't help but to feel sorry for Eric. His whole world was about money, which some day he probably regret. She knew she made some bad choices in her life, Bobby Smith, the night in Manistee and Eric to mention a few. But she never put the love of money over her kids or family.

She had the classic rock station playing all her favorite songs, but her thoughts encircled her. Joy of having the kids all the time, singing the lease and moving into her new apartment, owing Trevor twelve thousand dollars and some change. Then there was the relationship between her and Trever. She was afraid it would turn into more of a business deal. She wasn't sure it would work between them and they had left it open when they last talked. A bitter smile come across her face, ," I want both God?"

Cassie went back to Diane and Don's house to start packing. It would be her last night there, she would have her own place to go home to for now on. When she walked in the back door Diane was making dinner in the kitchen.

"Early day?" Cassie greeted her.

"Yes, my last appointment canceled. So I stopped at the store and picked up a few things for a celebration." Diane replied looking at Cassie with sanguine.

Cassie walked up the steps into the kitchen, stopped at the top of the stairs, let out a shy breath with a blank expression. She then sported a huge smile and replied with excitement, "Two weeks, and they'll be living with me."

Diane let out a small scream and give Cassie a hug, "That's awesome."

"Isn't it, I can't wait. I'm so excited!" Cassie responded shaking her hands in front of herself.

"So what did Eric say?"

"He tried to make me look like the bad guy. He said the kids were better off with him and Clare. She told me how good of a mom she was, teaching them proper educate and sending them to one of the best schools in Chicago."

"What did you say?"

"I didn't know what to say for a moment. I wanted to tear him new one."

"Did you tell him you knew about him and Clare?"

"I told them that what they did were good things, but the kids need more than that stuff, they need time with their dad. That was the main reason I was awarded custody. Eric couldn't prove to the court that he had spent much time with the kids, or was he willing to in the future. The judge thought it would be better that Breanne and Troy be with their biological mother with the father working so much."

"So you didn't tell them you knew?"

"I did, very politely. I told her I was very sorry she couldn't have children and that I knew her and Eric were an item in college, and that it didn't matter. It was in the past and all I wanted to do was raise Breanne and Troy without animosity between us.

"So what did they say to that?" Diane asked as she put a pan on the stove.

"That's the thing, he asked where I got the money to get my lawyer. It just shows you where his thoughts are."

"It's all about money with him, that's too bad for Breanne and Troy."

"Yha, I feel bad for him, a day will come when her will regret this. Then again maybe not, maybe it's a way of life to him. He might never be any different."

"Well I'm sorry for him but I'm very happy for you and the kids. Oh Trever stopped by and give me that envelope on the table to give to you."

"What is it?" Cassie asked picking the envelope off the table.

"Don't know, he didn't say."

Cassie opened the envelope and to find a letter, a leagule piece of paper and a set of keys. As she started to read the hand written letter a sadness fell on her.

Cass

It's been a great pleasure to get to know you. I have met very few people with the character and strength as you. I wish things would have been different. It seems to be the way of this crazy world. I wonder sometimes if two good forces can't dwell closely, maybe their energies are too much alike and the universe repels them from each other, this would explain many things. Anyway, things between us seem to be drifting and awkward and the last time we talked you seemed unsure how it would work between us. So I thought I'd give you some space in this small town. Enclosed is the deed to the house, it was too big for me and you and the kids need a place to stay. And I thought you might like living close to Diane and Don. If for some reason you don't want it you'll have to give it to someone because I deeded it to you. If you feel you have to pay it back, pay it back to someone else that needs it. The way I see it you've done a lot of good in your travels, I think you should call it even. Take care Cass, you're a real treat.

Trev

Cassie grabbed her purse from the counter and pulled out her phone. She pushed Trevor under her contact list.

As the phone dialed Diane asked "What's going on Cass?"

"He left - he's gone." Cassie replied as she pulled her hair back in a ponytail and held it there with one hand while the other held her phone to her ear.

"What, he didn't say goodbye."

Cassie said nothing, waiting, hoping he would answer. It went to voicemail.

"This is Trevor, leave a message."

Cassie went silent. She pulled the phone away from her ear and pushed end call. She stared at the letter on the kitchen table with the deed and keys to his house.

"Cass, you ok?" Diane questioned. "You're not going to leave a message?"

"What am I going to say – it can work. Theirs's a lot of baggage, not to mention I owe him a ton of money and now he gives me a house. What do I do with that?" She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Maybe it's better this way."

"You sure? You're not real convincing." Diane said as Don walked in the door.

"What's going on?" Don questioned, narrowing his eyes.

"Trevor left." Diane replied.

"What do you mean left?"

"He left, dropped of a note to Cass saying good bye and the deed to his house."

Don walked through the kitchen slightly shaking his head. As he walked out of the kitchen Diane asked, "Why you shaking you're head? Did he say anything?"

"Nope." Is all Don said.

"Don, "Diane said walking into the living room.

"It's none of my business," he replied as he picked up the remote.

"Don, what did he say?" Cassie asked softly.

"Yah – were guys, we don't talk about our feelings. We give each other a beer or a coke and turn on a game, or wrench on a car. But we know what each other is feeling. And I'm pretty sure he's pissed and hurt. He helped you get Breanne and Troy back knowing it would put a wedge between you. At your choice, not his. Now that's self-sacrifice, or at the least, unselfish. Personally I think your pride is in the way. You prayed for help from the Lord, and he answered it. Maybe He's giving more than you realize."

Cassie and Diane stood there staring at him, either one not sure what to say. Not too often did he speak with such conviction.

Cassie stood there, her lips slowly curling up in a brief smile.

"You speak wisely Obi Wan," Cassie responded explicitly.

"Cass, happiness comes with a price," Don says in his best Obi Wan impression.

Cassie give him a silent laugh and replied, "I need to get some air and think,"

"We'll be here." Diane replied, putting her hand on Cassie's forearm.

"Thanks," Cassie replied with a light smile.

Everything was mixed up it seemed. In a couple a weeks she would have Breanne and Troy with her. She should be at peace she thought, but she was far from that. She now added to the excitement of that with a house given to her by a guy who she could easily fall for, if she hadn't of all ready. But it would seem very difficult to owe a lot of money, not to mention a house, to the guy she longed for. Her mind was in a scramble, she needed to be alone to think so she drove to the place that always gives her a breath. The one place that brings her back to earth.

Trevor had been driving for a few hours. He needed to stop and think. So he pulled into a small pub to grab a beer and a burger. He sipped on his beer then looked at his phone. No missed calls or text messages. He hated leaving the way he did, no real good bye. Some would say it is a coward's way, but he didn't bail to avoid good bye. He did it so she would have to except the house, if he wasn't there she couldn't give it back. Their last couple conversations were all but a conversation. They were more like an information swap between two spies. Trevor finished his beer and ordered another one to go with his burger.

He set at the end of the bar, off to himself. There were a few people at the other end, but none ventured down to his. Occasionally someone would look his way for a brief moment and then turn away, as if there was a cartoon caption over his head that said, "If I wanted conversation I would set at your end."

The bartender brought his burger to him and went back to the other end of the bar. Maybe there was a caption over his head. He looked around as he chewed on his burger. The place was dimly lit as most bars, a knotty pine wainscoting with twenty to many coats of shellac covered the bottom half of the walls. The upper half was mostly pictures of cowboys and cowgirls. In the corner was a jukebox playing some twangy country song from the seventies.

He finished his burger after too many songs about some guys cheating wife or their old pickup. He laid a twenty and a ten on the bar as he walked by the keeper, with a reserved nod walked outside.

The day was a balmy forty five degrees, warm for Michigan in February. Probably something to do with global warming, but they say that about any unusual weather he thought. The sun was streaming through the winter clouds above and a heavy breeze hit Trevor's face. He embraced it with his eyes closed, listening to its song as it passed by. He opened his eyes to waves of Lake Michigan. It was only a few blocks and he needed to burn off two beers, so he went for a walk.

Cassie walked along the shore of Lake Michigan watching a freighter drift along. She pulled her phone out of her back pocket, swiped it and looked at Trevor's contact that was already up. She looked at it half a dozen times but couldn't push the little green phone on the screen. Why not she thought, she had to talk to him at some point. She half hoped he would call, she wanted to talk to him but calling him says she's the weaker one. Or maybe it means she's the more stubborn one.

Cassie walked on, looking at her phone a couple times.

"Holly crap Cassie," She said to herself, "Call him or be done with it."

She moved her finger over the green call button, slowly she closed the gap between her phone and her index finger. Her heart was pounding. What if he didn't answer, what message would she leave? More importantly, what if he did answer? Would she spill her feelings, show her vulnerability. Screw it she thought, I'm calling him.

BZZZZZZ! Her phone vibrated in her hand, startling Cassie, causing her to almost drop it in the sand. It was Diane's ring tone, not what she had hoped.

"Hay," Cassie answered repentantly.

"Hi – how you doing?" Diane asked with sympathy.

"You know - , I know it would be complicated. And it might not work, that's a given. Dam 'it," Cassie paused. "I never even kissed him – but I'm so drawn to him. Not just because he's cute, or funny, or nice, or sarcastic. There's a connection, I can't explain it. What do I do Diane?"

"It's only complicated if you say it is. Don't be like so many others in this messed up world and put that label on it so you don't have to deal with it, or put it on a shelf. Cass – call him, tell him what you feel." Diane replied intently.

"You're right, I will. Thank you. I'll never know what I lost if I don't embrace it.

"There you go. " Um – after you do that, when you are on your way home, in a really good mood cause you're going to meet him somewhere. Could you stop and pick up some milk and toilet paper?"

Cassie chuckled. "If I can remember, cause I will either be floating on a cloud or seriously depressed. In which case I'll probably stop at the liquor store."

"Sorry I didn't want to ruin the moment but I really don't want to go out and Don is working on the car and I wanted to see how you're doing."

"Are you kidding, that makes the moment. We will laugh about that whenever we talk about this."

"You're never going to let me forget this, are you?"

"Oh no, this will come up in many conversations in the future," Cassie said with a calm cool voice.

"Fair enough. Call him Cass, tell him how you feel."

"I will."

"Bye."

Cassie pushed the end call button. Immediately went to her favorites display and touched on Trevor. She was calm now, Diane said the right thing as always.

After eight rings it went to his voicemail. "This is Trevor, leave a message."

Frozen in search of something to say, wishing to hear his deep relaxing voice she searched quickly through the multiple compositions of her message. Cassie composed in a soft voice.

"I understand why you left the way you did, but I think we should talk. I think we should play this out. Call me if you still feel the same - bye."

Cassie pushed the end call icon with a hopelessness in her gut. Why didn't he answer? He probably didn't want to talk to her, she had pushed him away the last few months. He had done an awesome thing loner her the money to take Eric to court and get custody of her kids and she pushed him away. Thanks for the money but I can't date you she mused. She didn't blame him for not answering.

She walked the beach until she could see the sun on the horizon of the lake. Trevor hadn't called her back yet and it would be dark soon. Before she went home she walked out to the end of the pier, soaking up the last bit of the moment. The sunset, the harmony of the waves hitting the rocks around the pier.

Standing at the end of the pier Cassie had a composite of emotions. Thankful that she would have Breanne and Troy back with her soon. Looking forward to having her own place, her and the kids. Thankful for Trevor and all he did for her, but now that he was gone she wished he was back. She wished he was back standing next to her on the pier, with his arm around her.

As she watched a lonely freighter pass by a mile off shore a tear drifted down her cheek. With a hopelessness in her gut she quietly invoked of God.

"God, I screwed up. I pushed him away out of my own pride. If you could bring him back to me, I'll put my pride in the drawer. I – I'll put my trust in you."

"Not too many people come out here in November to find answers," Trevor said as he walked up beside Cassie and put his elbows on the hand railing.

Cassie's heart pounded in excitement in Trevor's presence. She turned to him and fell deep into his chestnut eyes. A wanting smile came to her face while the world around her disappeared. This was a feeling she never had partook of before, she was lost in him.

"Maybe if they did it would bring clarity to their life. I know it has mine."

Trevor turned to her resting one hand on the railing as the other combed through his long hair and fell to his side. Locking on to her eye's, trailing every movement, he replied. "Cass – I think this can work, it doesn't need to be complicated. There's something here. I really think we should play this out, if for nothing more than to burry it."

"You didn't get my message, did you?" Cassie said with an anxious smile.

"Trevor winced, "Yah, I went to answer a call and dropped it in the lake."

"Bummer….that was probably me calling you. Some would say that is an omen."

"I don't believe in omens. It's better I say it in person anyway, at least that's what I got out of it." Trevor said moving closer to Cassie, while putting his hand on her waist.

"I agree," Cassie replied as her body went numb.

"We could spend the rest of our life searching and not find this."

"Yah, we could," Cassie said, parting her lips in anticipation.

"I think this could really work," Trevor said pausing his advance to her lips.

"You know what I think?" Cassie said placing her finger on his chin.

"What," Trevor playfully responded.

"I think you should shut up and kiss me!"

"A little impatient aren't we," He replied moving closer.

"Yes," She replied softly as his lips touched hers.

Her whole body felt as it was about to implode. It was as if he was sucking all the bad out her. She placed her right hand on his waist for support as the toes on her left foot curled in her shoe. He placed his hand on her cheek as he pulled slightly away.

"You ready to start living?" Trevor asked moving his hand up her face to brush her hair out of her eyes.

"Yah, I am." Cassie answered moving in to taste his lips again.

The wind was cold off Lake Michigan. Cassie's cheeks were starting to sting as the sun set behind them. She could spend hours here, in his arms, with the waves crashing against the rocks below. However the temperature was dropping and the uncontrollable urge to shake was overtaking her. Trevor pulled back, moved his hand around on her cheek.

"You're shivering, let's go find some coffee," Trevor said as he turned and put his arm around her and started walking.

"That would be nice," She replied with her arm around him, pulling herself close to absorb some of his body heat, and just to be close.

"So you want to go to church with me?" Cassie said with a guilt.

"You mean as, praise the lord hail Marry church?"

Looking up at him Cassie lowered her eyebrows. "Hail Marry?"

"Yah, isn't that a prayer or something?" Trevor replied.

"We-ll yah, but I go to a non-denominational church. Hail Marry is kinda a Catholic thing. And we don't set around and say praise the lord and hallelujah. When was the last time you was in church?"

"When I was ten or so. You know, it was all about hell fire and damnation. And then we sang Jesus loves you. It was kinda confusing" Trevor replied with a muddled expression.

"It's a little different now, we rock it out."

"Rock it out?" Trevor said lifting his head.

"Yah we have a band, you know, electric guitars and drums and everything. You sure you grew up in Michigan?"

"Yah, pretty sure on that." Trevor quickly answered." Why do you ask, I mean I'm not against it. Especially with a band and all, but it kinda came out of the cosmos."

"Well - I promised God if he brought you back to me I would trust him, change my ways." Cassie said as she looked down and away.

"So you bargained with God?" Trevor replied laughing.

"Noooo, it wasn't like that! I just asked if he bring you back I would trust him, be a better Christen."

"So if he didn't bring me back to you, was you going to become atheist?"

"No! Shut up. Don't spoil the moment by being a smart ass!"

"I apologize, forgive me for my rudeness'," Trevor gestured.

"You're still being a smartass," Cassie replied, looking away.

"I'm not being a smartass, I am very sincere." Trevor said as he pulled her closer to his side.

"Can it always be like this – you know, playful? Can we forgo all the fighting and ciaos? I'm not trying to be – dreamy or as I was told by someone else, living in my fantasy world.

"It's our ship - we can sail it where ever we want."

"I'd like that," Cassie contently replied.

"So how did court go, I presume ok?"

"I get the kids in two weeks, he will get them every other weekend. I still have to drive to Chicago every other weekend, but I'm not complaining."

"That's awesome, I'm glad it worked out. You deserve a break."

"Yah, and I have you to thank. It was a pretty awesome thing."

"Look, you're welcome – but I don't want this to become a problem with us. I've done favors like this for other people."

"So you didn't do this so you could impress me or ….."

"Persuade you to be my girlfriend?" Trevor said finishing her question.

"Well, yah," Cassie said as she batted her eyes.

"Nope, if you were like that, I wouldn't have anything to do with you."

"I know, you're not like that and that's what I like about you." Cassie said in a serious tone.

"No, I'm not. Money can't by you love, but I believe it can buy you happiness." Trevor replied smiling at Cassie.

"The nonmaterialistic person in me wants to disagree, but I think you're right, it can. It's messed up, but it can."

"Diner for a cup of coffee and apple pie?" Trevor asks with tempting eyes.

"Ohh that sounds great!"

The End

AN: Thanks again for all the comments. Hope you enjoyed. I will publishing my next story, a much shorter one in a couple weeks. Also I am changing my pen name to CGPEM7771 for any who wish to read more.