Babes Stripping For Love

When vacation ended the sisters departed first since they couldn’t stay longer at the lake house. There were lots of hugs and promises for family dinners and the boys were on their best behavior making Cassidy proud. But then again Dillon was happy since his handsome boyfriend had popped in and stayed for the rest of the vacation days.

The sisters seemed to welcome the swim captain, by teasing the young couple more often than necessary which then leads to a silly grinning Edmond feeling good about himself.

“Of course, I’m with them,” Edmond laughed at his brother, taking the sisters side. “I’m part of the alphabet, E for the win,” he winked but apparently Edith was cashing in on her and Cassidy’s discussion on the first day and left Edmond on a tiny land in the middle of the lake.

“Edith, you can’t be serious?” Edmond glared at her, his hands resting on his hips though his stance meant nothing to Edith as she turned the jet ski around and headed for the mainland yelling that it was part of the initiation, welcoming him to the E family. They all laughed until Cassidy felt sorry for Edmond then went to get him half an hour later.

It was late when days later Cassidy and Rowan arrived at the house. They have dropped the boys back at their dormitory and both were looking forward to a quiet night where there were only the two of them.

“I’m glad you’re taking another day off from work tomorrow, I think spending another day with just you would be really nice.”

“Well,” Rowan kissed her temple before continuing, “I will be working on my emails for an hour or two just catching up on some internal messages from my PA for any emergencies then you’ll have me for the rest of tomorrow.”

“I’ll take that, I think I’ll dance in the studio while waiting for you.” Cassidy already knew what was coming and then she heard it. His sexy groan spilled out of him and she giggled.

Though when morning came, Cassidy found herself alone. Rowan’s side of the bed was still warm, seemed that he had just gotten out of bed. She sighed hoping that she would wake up in his arms, burrowing under his warmth, and stayed a little while longer under the covers.

Cassidy got up and went straight to the master bathroom. She could hear his voice from the other side of the door, she shook her head thinking his office must’ve called him. So she let him be while continuing to do her morning routine, followed by washing her face and brushing her teeth.

She joined Rowan in the kitchen, taking a seat on the kitchen island, and waiting for Rowan to pour her a cup of coffee. It was their morning habit in the kitchen and she was liking it, a lot. But his expression made her frown.

“Rowan? do you need to go to the office?”

“Um, no… I just got a call, from Erika, about my mom. She’s… she’s not well.”

Rowan had told her about his mom, about her dementia, and that she was staying in an assisted living facility. Not wanting to assume the worst, Cassidy waited for his explanation.

“I know you want to stay home today, but would you accompany me to see mom? It won’t take long, I just… Erika said she misses me.”

“Rowan, of course, I will.” She laid her hand on his chest and tipped her toes to reach up and put her lips on his.

The drive there took them just over an hour. Cassidy was nervous, but she had no expectations in meeting his mom. Because this time she did not come prepared, she didn’t have an inside perspective of his mom and what her personality was like, or is there a chance that she might hate her?

“Stop overthinking it, Cassie.” He smiled at her, “Mom is mom, she’ll like you. Since dad passed away she had been a little bit lost. But she cares and she’s the glue that holds us together. Even to this day.” Rowan led the way to the entry and the administration nurse greeted him a bit too friendly until he visibly stepped back not wanting to make things awkward for Cassidy.

“Ah, Mr. Madden, she’s been feeling better and now waiting for you in the garden.”

“Thank you, this is Cassidy Rhodes, my girlfriend. She’ll be coming with us.”

“Um…” Cassidy was caught off guard by the girlfriend title. She knew she was one to him, but didn’t understand why he should declare it to the assisted living staff.

Rowan didn’t give her time to say anything when he took her hand and then moved to rest it on her back, claiming her. He smiled sweetly and Cassidy felt like his whole attention was only on her, she could’ve melted right there and then if the surrounding was not that cold. Instead, she shivered and Rowan took off his jacket and put it on her.

They headed through the french doors opening to the outside where his mom was sitting in a wheelchair looking at the beautiful rose garden.

“Hi mom,” he greeted her and softly kissed her forehead.

“My son, it’s about time you brought your wife with you. Oh, honey, she’s beautiful.”

Cassidy blushed, but Rowan corrected his mom and introduced her as his girlfriend. Though his mom waved him off, telling a beautiful girl like Cassidy should be claimed soon.

“I can already tell that you’re going to be happy with her. This time you made a good choice, I could see you truly love her. I’m so proud of you, Rowan.” She puts her hand on his cheek the second he sits on the bench next to her.

Cassidy joined Rowan and sat next to him, she tried to keep her feelings at bay, but for someone who had dementia, Mrs. Madden surely honed in on very selective memory. But then as if her thoughts were said out loud his mom’s expression turned blank as she stared at the rose garden in front of her.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Cassidy could feel his hand on her, then shook her head when he mouthed sorry.

“It’s okay, Rowan.”

Mrs. Madden must’ve heard her when looked at Cassidy and smiled, she gazed at their joined hands and a drop of tear rolled down her cheek.

“Mom,”

“I’m happy for you, Rowan, you two are going to give me beautiful babies. Now, tell me again how you proposed to her, and wheel me to my room, it’s getting cold out.”

Cassidy stayed quiet, she was there for him and she would listen to anything his mom was going to say. At least the woman didn’t hate her, she thought.

On their way to her room, the three of them passed another nurse and his mom chuckled and told Rowan how the nurses were going to be jealous of his new wife.

“I think I want to lie down. Help me to my bed, son.”

Rowan complied and did as she wishes. But as she closes her eyes it was Rowan’s turn to quickly wipe his tears when he heard her say, “I’m not going to live much longer Rowan, you’re my only child. I need you to give me grandbabies.”

“Mom,” Rowan sat on a chair next to her bed. Cassidy let go of his hand, knowing that he needs to be closer to his mom. When he stilled, Cassidy said nothing, she puts his hand on his mom’s and the older woman smiled at her.

“You need to convince my boy to stop working so hard.”

“I will,” Cassidy assures his mom, her eyes are already glassy from the exchanged words between the mother and son.

“Now let me tell you a story of young Rowan,” his mom patted a space by the side of her bed, inviting Cassidy to sit while Rowan was still holding on to his mom’s hand.

They all laugh as Mrs. Madden told stories of little Rowan’s shenanigans. Cassidy finds it weird that she didn’t once talk about his sisters growing up. Rowan kept on wiping his tears away while hearing his mom. Memory regression and hallucination, Cassidy thought. She watched documentaries and movies about the disease. Knowing that his mom just forgets about his sisters shows how bad of a stage she was in.

They left after his mom suddenly fell asleep in the middle of a story. Rowan didn’t talk much and Cassidy didn’t want to interrupt with whatever thought he was having in his head. She wanted him to process what was going on with his mom.

“Why don’t you call one of your sisters and talk about what happened with your mom? I’m going to set up a warm bath for you.” Cassidy said as they entered the big empty house.

He nodded, as he still felt numb. He was just glad that Cassidy didn’t bombard him with questions like Heather did the first couple of times he took her to see his mom. Cassidy seemed to know that he needs to talk it out with his sisters and she did not feel offended that he went all quiet on her on their way back.

That night after his bath they had a quiet dinner, then it was her turn to tuck him into the bed. She wrapped her arm around him and stayed quiet until he fell asleep.

It was the first time she witnesses his fragile side and she couldn’t help but feel protective of him. She wanted him to feel her love for him, she wanted him to know that she’ll be there for him.

For as long as he needed her to.