Chapter 407: 1-2

Making a few gurgling noises Rusty quieted down and dad continued, "We all know just how Angel was treated before you found her Russell, but... you wouldn't know that by how she treated Cody when you brought her home and now you wouldn't know it from how she is with her own children. It - it unfortunately doesn't always end the way it is now..." I know what he means, of course I do. Victims that turn into abusers. Something Angel hadn't become. Instead she was the type of mama that rocked her babies gently, cooed while they breastfed, laid about lounging with them, humming, kissing them and murmuring, whispering her love for them. Angel had more patience than anyone I'd seen... she woke with a smile when others may wake frowning. Exhaustion may have shown on her face, but never in her hands, movements or words... or smile. "You're falling in love with her all over again," said nodding head as we began walking... Sighing I just took his words in. I didn't fall for women... not easily, but as of yet... I'd fell for Angel more than once. Oddly the mate bond was there but... I would've still fell for her again now in this stage of our life as well. "Yes... I know there is no time to waste, I won't put off things for us saying we have all the time in the world...but - but," I didn't want to rush Angel. I didn't want to take attention from our children away. I felt consumed and overwhelmed by how I loved her but at the same time, I knew I couldn't be selfish. "I'm just trying to be her friend... there - there won't be other women - no one can be what she is for me and while that may not be enough for some men... it's enough for me dad. I can't - she's growing into who she was meant to become... she's had so many obstacles you know? I just - I'm doing things and taking my cues from Angel now..." I said with a wistful tone, and half smile. "I'm - I think we are in a good place now," I added taking the bottle he was handing me for Rusty as he became a bit fussy now. "You know... I'm proud of you..." Dad whispered as we found a large boulder to rest against, a halo of light from above us giving us more light than before. "You know... Angel... I mean Cassandra..." he chuckled, I blinked not understanding... I mean that was her name but as far as I knew she wanted us to call her Angel. Noting the confusion on my face, dad just shook his head, "She loves you too... it'll only grow as her won progress is increased along time, but she asked us earlier to call her Cassie or Cassandra," my eyes widened, my heart hammered against my ribcage, I had spent the day with her... like snap shots I counted the number of times I had called her 'Angel' today when she clearly wanted to be addressed my the birth name she was given. To my right dad threw his head back laughing, "What?" I growled, relax! Cirus snapped when Rusty jerked in my arms startled by my tone. Dad didn't stop laughing though, and when it finally went into a chuckle he spoke, "I don't think she's going to tell you to spot calling her Angel, Russ," Dad said cryptically, "if that's what you're worrying about..." he added knowingly. I wasn't taking the bait though, "Did she give you a reason why? I mean not that she needs a reason..." which was true... but it... I couldn't explain it, I guess I could see why she would want people to address her with her given name, now that she was behaving and becoming more adult like. "Yes... she said that that's her name... Cassandra... but if we wanted we can call her Cassie," I nodded. "She wasn't angry or anything, she just told your mother and I, Thayer as well." I could hear the pride in dad's tone, that she would even take that step and confront them about something she wanted and would prefer, "I wonder what changed her mind..." I said offhandedly curious. Should I begin calling her something different? Cassie or Cassandra? Take initiative and respect her decision, show support? I would miss calling her Angel, but I would hate more that I made her feel as though what she wanted and decided didn't matter to me - I had done that for months already and I swore to myself that this wouldn't happen again. I wouldn't let it. I'd hope not, Cirus chimed in. Next to me dad sighed softly and normally - or well previously, I wouldn't have heard him, but I could now. Shaking my head it hit me that I was not being a very good son. "How are you doing?" again it was necessary to ask despite living in the same house. Everyone had made them selves useful since we arrived, and with the triplets, I could go nearly two days seeing my parents. But what I did note from observing my father is that he looked content, more than I had ever really seen him before. "You know when I was younger... your age... I just knew that besides being a father and a husband I wanted to contribute to the world in some way. I mean I wanted to be useful and I thought that teaching would be the best way to soothe that ache and worry... but now, here?" he shook his head. "I had forgotten how many that are suffering... I do cherish and love what I have... I might not be wealthy in financial terms but I'm damn rich with love and everything else."