Chapter 18: Balloons, Cupcakes, and Farewells

On the way to the cementary they stopped to get balloons and cupcakes. Cassie was buried at the Monroe family plot, she was buried next to the small creek that ran thru the land. Lucas planted a willow tree there, to provide her some shade in the hot summer months. They placed a light at her tombstone so she wouldn't get scared at night. Her favorite blanket and stuffed animal were neatly placed next to her.

As they approached the burial site Tessa noticed a bench had been placed under the willow tree. As if reading her mind Lucas let her know his mother had placed it there. She still came to do story time with Cassie, one of the many things that Mother Monroe did with her granddaughter. Cassie’s tombstone was designed by Lucas, Tessa had been to distraught to plan anything for her daughter. She barely ate, hardly slept, she wept silently in her room, she felt like a shell of a person. She was grateful for Lucas in those days, he was strong for the both of them.

A gentle breeze sways the willow branches slowly, Tessa watched them sway back and forth. Like her internal debate before she asked one very important question. "Are you still with her?" Tessa asked cautiously. They had taken perch on the bench. Slowly eating the cupcakes after singing happy birthday to Cassie. Months before Cassie’s death, Tessa had found discharged receipts at home. At first she thought nothing of them, mostly the expenses were restaurants. Until one day she found a charge for a hotel, those charges became more frequent. Than she noticed that Lucas’s assistant would call more frequently, he started coming home late, became more closed off. It didn't take Tessa long to figure out that he had strayed, she never confronted him about it; by than she had already thought about leaving Lucas. But the pain was all the same, she was heartbroken, she was angry, but most of all she felt stupid. She dedicated so much of her life to this one person, had dreams, illusions, fantasies of what their life would be like. Only to be played like a fool.

Lucas cleared his throat, he stared out at the cementary, taking his time before he answered. "Yes, we're...having a baby." Tessa gasped in shock, she clutched her chest, a sharp pang felt right over her heart. She felt tears prick her eyes, she took a deep breath, she smiled at him. After all the pain, love, marriage, heartache, he had always been a friend first and she was truly happy for him. "You hear that Cassie, you're going be a big sister." She brushed her tears away and squeezed Lucas’s hand, she laughed at how silly she felt for crying. "Congratulations Lucas, really, I'm happy for you." She turned to look at him and leaned in to give him a side hug. "We should head back, I told mom I would stop by later." They cleaned up their trash and headed back to the car.

Their goodbye at the B&B was awkward for two people that had spent half their lives together. Both knew that after today, the couple they once were, the family they once had was now in the past. Before Tessa got out of the car she gave Lucas a small shoebox. "You don't have to open it now. Actually, I would rather you didn't." She chuckled a little. "Before we say this final goodbye. Just know that I'm very thankful for the way you handled everything after Cassie passed. Those days following her death are still a blur to me, but everything turned out so perfect the day of her funeral." She could feel her eyes getting misty, she turned to look at Lucas, at this beautiful man who would always hold a piece of her. She smiled at him and whispered bye as she got out of the car.

She watched him drive away before heading up to her room. She packed up her things and headed over to her mother’s house. A couple of years after Tessa’s father passed away her mother sold their home. She moved into a smaller place, she didn't see the need of keeping a big house if it was just her. Tessa walked into the home and could smell something delicious cooking and bread baking. Her mother loved to cook, always had food ready on the table by the time everyone was home. Dad always bragged about her cooking to anyone, he loved mom whole heartedly.

She saw her mom standing at the stove, she was busy mixing, stirring and tasting so many things it was hard to keep up. "Hi mom" Mrs. Cage turned around and smiled upon seeing her only child, she quickly dashed over and pulled Tessa into a hug. "Sweetie, you made it. I didn't think you would. Here, come, sit, the foods almost ready." Tessa took a seat at the bar counter top that was in the kitchen, she pulled at the stool and watched her mom prep some plates for them. They chatted easily over lunch, catching up on all the things that had gone on since they last saw each other. Tessa felt like she needed to visit more often, she was all her mother had left in this world.

Mrs. Cage noticed certain differences in her daughter, she didn't look sad anymore. That heavy black cloud that she carried after Cassie’s death was slowly dissolving. She was happy for her daughter, she missed Tessa being close to her, but she understood the need to be away from all the memories. Tessa cleared her throat and made designs on the granite counter top with her fingers. "I saw Lucas earlier today, we went to visit Cassie."

"Oh. How did that go?" She asked cautiously, she had been hesitant to ask if they had seen each other. "Did you know he was having a baby?" Mrs. Cage had kept some communication with her ex son in law, she only found out about the baby when she saw Lucas with his new partner at the grocery store. "I only found out a few days ago. I saw them at the super market. Lucas was at a loss for words, he was hesitant, which was so unlike him."

She smiled at the memory, he acted like a child caught red handed. "His new partner seemed nice, she didn't talk much. But she was quick to stake claim when your name was mentioned. Wrapped herself around that man faster than the speed of light." Tessa laughed, oh how she missed these conversations with her mother, phone calls aren't the same as being in person. They chatted some more, Tessa mentioned a little bit about Ash to her mom. She was happy for her, she was glad someone was there to slowly bring sunshine into her life.

As she headed out and they said their goodbyes, Tessa felt her phone vibrating. She pulled it out and noticed a text notification

Ash: I've missed you. Can't wait to see you and hold you in my arms again"

She felt herself blushing. She put her phone away without replying to him. She hugged her mom one last time and started the drive back home with a new found happiness, this weekend was everything she needed to move on with her happiness.