Chapter Forty Four Why Won't She Leave Us Alone? Part One
Chapter Forty-Three – Why Won’t She Leave Us Alone?
A few days after Casey goes to see Camilla and baby Ellie, she feels well enough to go with Kyra for lunch, what she expects to be her last day out before she gives birth.
Standing in her underwear, Casey pulls out several dresses and holds them up against her body. “Hmm. No.”
She throws three different dresses on to the bed and frowns, “I’m going to be late at this rate,” she grumbles.
Raf comes into the bedroom, “Can’t decide?”
Casey shakes her head and looks down at the pile of dresses on the floor, “No.”
Raf looks at the other dresses Casey’s still got in the wardrobe, “What about this one?”
Casey looks at the fuchsia pink dress, “I think that’s perfect.”
Pulling it over her head after she has opened the buttons that are down the front, “Yes. It’s perfect.”
Raf smiles, “You look beautiful.”
Casey picks up her phone before she puts on her support belt.
She takes a picture and then posts it on Instagram.
Meeting Kyra for lunch for what I think will be my last outing before my tiny Princess arrives.
Putting on her belt for her back and hip pain, Casey reaches for her crutches. “I’m really looking forward to seeing Kyra today. I’m sure she’s hiding something pretty big.”
Raf smiles, “You’ll find out soon hopefully.”
Casey puts on her Pandora bangle and her earrings that she had worn on their wedding day as well as the gold chain she has placed her wedding and engagement rings on to.
Raf closes the clasp on the chain, “There. Now you don’t need to feel guilty about not wearing your rings.”
Casey smiles and kisses him, “Thank you for that idea. It makes me feel so much better.”
At half past twelve, Casey hobbles into the restaurant where she and Kyra were meeting.
Kyra stands up and pulls out Casey’s chair and then gives her close friend a kiss on each cheek. “You look amazing.”
Casey sits down and smiles, “You look well.”
Kyra smiles, “I have news.”
Casey takes a sip of the “Cuddles on the Beach” mocktail, Kyra had ordered for her, “Oh?”
She sees the twinkle in her close friend’s eyes, “Do I hear wedding bells?”
Kyra beams as she holds her hand out for Casey to look at her ring, “Yes.”
Casey smiles as they scan the menus, “I’m so happy for you both. Keiki must be over the moon to finally be getting a big sister.”
Kyra smiles, “She’s had one for a long time. Even if you and Bryce never went anywhere romantically Keiki still sees you as a sister.”
Casey smiles, “Yes, I know. She often tells me that.”
They order tomato soup and then Casey orders chicken Milanese, one of her favourites.
Kyra orders lasagne for her main course.
As they chat, Casey is eager to find out the detail of her best friend proposed. “So how did he do it in the end?”
Kyra smiles, “He took me stargazing and then we went down to the beach for a picnic, and he got down on one knee.”
Casey smiles, “I’m so happy for you both. If there’s anyone, I’d love to see him settle down with it’s you.”
Kyra’s eyes fill with tears, “Thank you Casey.”
Casey covers Kyra’s hand with her own, trying not to look at the white lines from all of the needles her close friend had to have during her cancer battle which very nearly claimed her life.
As they happily chat, Kyra beams, her eyes shining with joy that Casey knows all too well. “I do hope you will give me time to lose this baby weight before walking down the aisle.”
Kyra laughs, “Oh don’t worry. We haven’t even began to start planning yet. I’m pretty sure of the location though.”
After she has finished her main course, Casey excuses herself to go to the bathroom. “I’ll be right back.”
Kyra is admiring her engagement ring when she looks up to see an all too familiar face and not only does she spot an engagement ring on Sora’s hand, but she also sees an undeniable baby bump.
She quickly looks away as Sora looks over in her direction, pretending she didn’t see her.
Sora soon sits down in a chair at a table near the door and waits for whoever she is dining with.
Casey comes back out of the bathroom after she uses the toilet and heads back to where Kyra is waiting for her.
As she nears her table, Casey is stunned to see a familiar face from her past who she believed she would never see again.
It is also obvious; despite the fact she is sitting down that Sora is heavily pregnant.
Kyra leans in to whisper in Casey’s ear. “Do you want to go?”
Casey shakes her head, “No. I won’t let her get to me.”
Kyra nods, “Do you think she is pregnant, or do you think she’s got one of those fake bellies?”
Casey shakes her head, “I can’t tell from here, but I wouldn’t put it past her to trap some poor unsuspecting sod.”
Kyra opens her mouth to reply when their desserts arrive, and she stops talking.
When they are alone, Kyra swallows a mouthful of her drink. “You don’t think she’s going to come after Raf again, do you?”
Casey’s stomach drops at the possibility. “I hadn’t thought about it.”
Sora is watching Casey from where she is sitting and waits until Kyra Santana has gone to the bathroom before she walks over to speak to Casey. “I know you won’t have expected to see me today, but there’s something you should know. I wasn’t sure about what to do but then I realised my child deserves to live, even if her daddy wants nothing to do with her. The weekend you were in New York Raf came to me and we ended up sleeping together.”
She leans against the back of Kyra’s chair, “I found out I was pregnant two weeks later.”
Casey looks Sora in the eye, “If you think I’d believe my husband would cheat on me you are out of your mind.”
Sora looks Casey in the eye, equally as determined, “Like he believed you’d cheated on him you mean?”
She shows Casey a sonogram photo that is in her handbag.
Casey’s eyes flash with anger, “That was a misunderstanding. Now if you excuse me, I need to go home. I’ve already been out for too long.”
When Kyra helps Casey outside, she places a hand on her shoulder. “What did she say?”
Casey leans on her crutches, “That Raf went to her house when I was in New York, and they slept together. Then she found out she was pregnant two weeks later. Which means she’s a week ahead of me in her pregnancy if she IS pregnant.”
Kyra frowns, “You think the sonogram was faked?”
Casey nods, “It’s easier to do than you think.”
Raf, can you pick me up please?
Casey texts Raf to come and collect her and then she and Kyra wait.
Raf replies to Casey. I’ll be there in ten minutes, Sweetheart x.
Kyra looks at Casey, “Do you think she might be telling the truth?”
Casey shakes her head vehemently, “No. Never. Raf would never do that to me. We’re solid.”
Kyra calls a cab as Bryce is on call and sleeping as he has a nightshift that night.
Soon Raf arrives and gets out of the car to help Casey into the passenger seat, “Hi Kyra.”
Kyra smiles, “Hi Raf. I assume you noticed my post?”
Raf laughs, “Yes, I did. Congratulations.”
Kyra smiles, “Thank you.”
When Casey is in the car, she turns to Raf, “Are the children at home?”
Raf frowns, “Yes. Why? I promise they’ll be quiet, and you can rest.”
Casey shakes her head, “It’s not that. When I was in the restaurant with Kyra, Sora turned up and she looked heavily pregnant. She showed me a scan photo and said that you had gone to her house when I was in New York for the awards ceremony. And that the baby was yours.”
Raf slams on the brake, “No Casey.”
He drives back to their home before he turns off the engine and turns to his wife. “She’s lying. I promise you; she is lying. If she is pregnant, the baby is not mine.”
Raf reaches for Casey’s hand, “I swear to you. I haven’t seen her since the day when Enrique and Lucy were babies.”
The sincerity in Raf’s eyes makes Casey’s heart ache, “I swear on our children’s’ lives I haven’t slept with her.”
Casey smiles, “I believe you. And you didn’t have to do that.”
Getting out of the car, Raf helps Casey out of the car and hands her her crutches, “Let’s get you upstairs for a nap.”
Casey yawns, “I’m exhausted. I don’t think it’ll be much longer. I would even wager that she might be here before her due date.”
Raf smiles, “Whenever our girl is ready, she’ll come.”
Casey nods, “I hope she stays put a little while longer.”
In the next week or so, Casey and Raf are going to set up the birthing pool in the living room in preparation for their daughter’s arrival.
Walking into their home, Casey tries not to dwell on what she has been told.
Raf has told her that he didn’t do it, so that is all there is to it.
Helping Casey upstairs to their bedroom, Raf helps her take off her dress and then she gets into a slouchy pair of shorts and a vest top. “I know I usually dress better than this, but I just feel so fed up that I’m at the stage where I don’t care.”
Raf rubs her shoulders, “You are nearly thirty-eight weeks pregnant Casey, no one is expecting you to look like a run way model.”
Casey leans back against Raf’s muscular chest, “Why is she back?” she asks quietly, a hint of vulnerability in her voice as it wobbles.
Raf stops massaging Casey and wraps his arms around her, cradling her close from behind. “I don’t know Sweetheart. I assume it’s to get under your skin after that awful magazine article.”
Casey bursts into tears, “That was months ago. Why now?”
Raf hugs her and rubs her back soothingly, “I don’t know baby. But we know she is a known liar. She will say anything to try to come between us.”
Casey’s hazel eyes fill with tears, making her look so much more vulnerable. “She won’t. I won’t allow her to break up our family.”
Raf takes Casey’s face in his hands softly and caresses her cheek before touching her bottom lip with his thumb and then kissing her gently. “Never. You and I are forever.”
Soon Casey is physically and emotionally drained and Raf gently tucks her into their bed for a nap.
When Casey is finally resting, Raf gives in to his anger at the stunt his ex-lover is pulling.
Despite knowing Sienna is nearing her caesarean date, Raf picks up his phone to text Lucas. Could you please come over? It’s urgent.
Raf is sitting on the couch petting Coco when Lucas replies. Of course, Buddy, I’ll be right there.
Ten minutes later, Lucas is sitting on the couch opposite Raf as he listens to his best friend pour his heart out. “She just turned up out of the blue at the same restaurant Casey was at today having lunch with Kyra. She showed Casey an ultrasound which Casey believes is legit saying that she’s pregnant with my child. That I cheated on Casey when she was in New York.”
Lucas sits quietly listening and shakes his head, whistling. “Bloody Hell. I knew she was calculated but this is a whole new level. She’s a psychopath.”
Raf sighs wearily, “I don’t know what to do. I am just incredibly lucky that Casey believes me.”
His eyes fill with tears, “After the way I treated her when we first found out about Florence, I wouldn’t blame her at all if she jumped to the conclusion I did.”
The door opens and soon Victoria walks in with Tori in her arms. “Lucy and Enrique begged to stay with Bisabuela for a sleepover and of course your Vovo is all too happy to agree to it.”
Stopping and seeing her son in tears, Victoria frowns, “What on earth is the matter Rafa?”
Raf can’t speak for a lump in his throat, so Lucas fills his aunt in. “Sora’s back. And she’s claiming to be pregnant with Raf’s child.”
Victoria swears in Portuguese, “Mother of Christ,” she breathes.
Raf looks at his mother pleadingly, “What am I going to do Mama? Casey is already at risk of high blood pressure and if she is under too much stress, she could develop pre-eclampsia. How do I protect her from this?”
Victoria comes over and sits beside her son, “You know the truth. And Casey knows the truth. That’s all that matters.”
Lucas nods, “You were here the whole weekend looking after the kids and the only places you went were my house or Juliana’s.”
Victoria nods, “There are witnesses that know your movements that weekend and know you were never near her.”
An hour later Victoria and Lucas are still doing their best to reassure Raf that Sora is not to be trusted when Casey comes downstairs after her nap.
She goes into the kitchen and takes out a box of doughnuts and takes them into the living room. “Have you been going over what that bitch said all this time?” she murmurs, her forehead furrowed in concern.
Raf reaches for Casey’s hand, “I haven’t been near her. I never went near her house that weekend and barely left our house other than taking the children to see Vovo as she insisted on making dinner whilst you were away and going to see Lucas. And the occasional trip to the park.”
Casey sighs, “Raf, listen to me. I believe you. You don’t need to explain your movements.”
She leans in to caress his jaw before kissing him softly. “I know exactly what kind of person she is. She’s a pathological liar. I wouldn’t be surprised if the engagement is faked too, and she is either faking the pregnancy or she deliberately got pregnant just to carry on this charade that you cheated on me to try to split us up.”
Raf closes his eyes, exhaling a breath he didn’t know he was holding, “I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardise our family, Casey. You and our babies are my whole world. You are all I’ve ever needed.”
Casey feels a rush of emotion and bursts into tears, “You’re all I’ve ever needed too. Which is why I won’t let that manipulative witch tear us apart.”
Raf gently wipes Casey’s tears away, “She won’t. I promise.”
Casey sniffs as she turns to Lucas, “How’s Sienna? I’d come over to see her but I’m trying to rest as much as possible as well. I’m not explicitly on bedrest but I have been told to avoid stress whenever possible. Seems ironic now this has happened.”
Lucas smiles, “She’s fed up and uncomfortable, as I’m sure you know what that feels like.”
Casey nods, “Yes, I am hating this heatwave too. I was lucky that the summer I was carrying Lucy and Enrique it wasn’t too hot.”
She smiles ironically, “I’m just glad Kyra was the only one with me – I know Sienna would have gone for her, heavily pregnant or not.”
Lucas nods, “You’re right, she would have. She’d do anything for you. and if someone is intent on hurting you, she’s going to do something about it.”
Casey’s eyes suddenly fill with tears, “I just wish that we’d met sooner. As in high school soon.”
Raf squeezes Casey’s hand, “You’ve got decades to make up for it.”
A knock at the door causes everyone to look up and both dogs stir and begin to bark. “It won’t be Sienna, she knows she doesn’t need to knock,” Casey muses.
Getting up off the couch, she walks out of the living room and walks down the hall and opens the door. “Kyra? What the Hell? Are you ok?”
Kyra nods, “I should be asking You that question.”
Casey slumps as Kyra takes her arm, “I’m angry. I will never experience pregnancy again and despite how difficult it’s been I want to enjoy the last weeks.”
She frowns, “Oh Kyra. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be so inconsiderate.”
Kyra smiles, “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be a mom, just a little differently to you and Sienna. And without the stretch marks and puffy ankles and heartburn.”
Casey rolls her eyes, “Lucky you.”
Helping Casey back into the living room, Kyra helps her sit back down and get comfortable. “So, tell me the truth. How are you coping seeing your own personal ghost?”
Casey slumps against the pillows, “Not great. I know she’s lying but the fact she could waltz back here after so long and it feel like a bomb has gone off. She shouldn’t be allowed to have this effect on me. Not again.”
Kyra opens her mouth to repeat the question she asked hours earlier.
But Casey holds her hand up, “Yes, I know she is lying.”
Kyra nods, “Do you know if the pregnancy is real at least?”
Casey shakes her head, frustrated, “No. And I should. After all these years in the medical field I should be able to spot a fake sonogram from a mile away.”
Lucas bends down to pet Belle, “She’s likely slept with someone and got pregnant deliberately to try to split you up.”
Casey nods, “That was my first thought too.”
Kyra nods in agreement, “Mine too.”
Casey winces, “I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be back in a few minutes Kyra.”
Hobbling on her crutches, Casey heads to the downstairs bathroom and closes the door behind her.
Kyra turns to Raf, “Can your account for your movements that night? The night she said you slept together?”
Raf nods, “Absolutely. After Casey left for the airport, I made Tori her bottle and some baby rice as she was being fussy then I put her down for a nap. After that I made my own lunch and ate that. Then when Tori woke up from her nap, I took her to the park until it was time for Lucy and Enrique to get out of Pre Kindy then when we got home, I got a phone call from Vovo to come for dinner with the children as she knew Casey was away.”
Kyra nods, “What time did you get back here?”
Raf pets Belle as she comes over and lays down at his feet, “Around six. I ran a bath for Lucy and Enrique whilst Mama changed Tori’s diaper and then when she was reading their bedtime story I gave Tori her bath. Lucy and Enrique should have been asleep by then but then they came downstairs wanting to speak to Casey. Ten minutes after that she called over FaceTime and we talked for half an hour whilst Mama put the children to bed and then I watched tv before going to bed.”
Casey comes hobbling back into the living room, “Kyra, I know you want to help but if I’m not interrogating Raf on his every movement you shouldn’t be.”
Kyra twists her engagement ring around her finger. “I know – I just want to help.”
Someone else comes into the house and a few minutes later Sienna walks into the room. “You should be in bed or at least on a couch,” Casey says on reflex.
Sienna shakes her head, “Not after what I’ve just heard. Were you even going to tell me she’s back?”
Casey sighs, “I wanted to, but I know you don’t need the stress.”
Sienna’s eyes flash with anger, “And you do? What the fuck is she playing at?”
As Sienna hardly ever swears it comes as a shock to everyone. “I don’t know Hun. But I am not going to let her spoil the next two weeks. Not for anyone.”
Sienna slumps on the couch opposite Casey, “And you madam? Were you going to tell me your news or did you want me to find out on Instagram?”
She glares at Kyra who just smiles, “Sorry. But any level of excitement could set off labour, so I wasn’t taking that chance.”
Sienna shakes her head, “I’m too happy to be mad.”
Kyra smiles, “And you two don’t need to worry, there’s been no planning of substance, so you’ll have time to get back into shape.”
She is dismayed to see the look of relief in Casey’s face, “I was joking.”
Casey sighs deeply, “I know you were I just feel less like me every day.”
Sienna pouts with sympathy, “I’m sorry Casey, I’ve had days where I’ve felt like that.”
Casey blinks away sudden tears, “I know it’ll be worth it, but I just have moments where I wonder if I’ll ever be who I was again. At least physically.”
Kyra smiles softly, “You’ve carried four babies Casey, that’s worth more than being able to fit into a bikini.”
Casey feels like kicking herself, “Kyra, I’m sorry. Pregnancy and the heat has broken my usual filter.”
Kyra shakes her head, “I don’t feel angry with you. I’ve come to terms with not carrying my own child years ago. Even if the treatment hadn’t meant I needed my womb taken away my heart would still be too weak to cope with pregnancy.”
Casey nods, “I understand.”
Later that day when their friends have left, Casey and Raf focus on their family and not any malicious rumours.
Casey snuggles with Tori after dinner and opens her favourite storybook. Little Nutbrown Hare who was going to bed, held on tight to Big Nutbrown Hare's very long ears.
He wanted to be sure that Big Nutbrown Hare was listening.
"Guess how much I love you", he said.
"Oh, I don't think I could guess that," said Big Nutbrown Hare.
"This much," said Little Nutbrown Hare, stretching out his arms as wide as they could go.
Big Nutbrown Hare had even longer arms. "But I love you this much," he said. Hmm, that is a lot, thought Little Nutbrown Hare.
"I love you as high as I can reach," said Little Nutbrown Hare.
"I love you as high as I can reach," said Big Nutbrown Hare. That is quite high, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I had arms like that.
Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet. "I love you all the way up to my toes" he said.
"And I love you all the way up to your toes." said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head.
"I love you as high as I can hop!" laughed Little Nutbrown Hare, bouncing up and down.
"But I love you as high as I can hop," smiled Big Nutbrown Hare - and he hopped so high that his ears touched the branches above.
That's good hopping, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. I wish I could hop like that.
"I love you all the way down the lane as far as the river," cried Little Nutbrown Hare.
"I love you across the river and over the hills," said Big Nutbrown Hare.
That's very far, thought Little Nutbrown Hare. He was almost too sleepy to think anymore.
Then he looked beyond the thornbushes, out into the big dark night. Nothing could be further than the sky.
"I love you right up to the moon," he said, and closed his eyes.
"Oh, that's far," said Big Nutbrown Hare. "That is very, very far." Big Nutbrown Hare settled Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed of leaves.
He leaned over and kissed him good night.
Then he lay down close by and whispered with a smile, "I love you right up to the moon - and back."
After Raf has given Tori her bath, Casey cuddles their eighteen month old daughter and kisses her as she snuggles into Casey’s shoulder as she clutches her silk lovey. “Close your eyes Bunny, it’s time for bed,” Casey whispers.
Tori yawns, her pacifier falling out of her mouth and Casey just catches it before it rolls off her, thanks to the paci clip attached to Tori’s sleepsuit. “Mama’s still here little one. Go to sleep.”
Allowing herself to give in to sleep, Tori soon begins to snore softly. “How is she nearly nineteen months old?” Casey whispers as Victoria gently takes her granddaughter into her arms.
Victoria smiles, “The time goes by too quickly.”
Casey winces as she feels another Braxton Hicks contraction, “Oof. These are very frustrating.”
Getting up off the couch, Casey walks around the living room with Belle on her heels. “I’m Ok Princess Paws. Your baby sister is just in a funny position.”
Walking into the kitchen, Casey gets a bottle of water and spots the open box of doughnuts and she takes them out and carries both box and bottle back to the couch.
Soon Raf comes downstairs and Casey is on her third doughnut, “All three down for the night?” she asks, wiping glazed crumbs from her large bump.
Raf nods, “Out like a light.”
Casey smiles, “Good. Hopefully Tori will sleep through the night.”
She feeds Raf the last bite of the doughnut she’s eating, “Well I’m honoured,” he teases.
Casey frowns, “Keep that up and that’ll be the last bite of these you’ll get.”
Raf strokes her bump softly, “You do know I’d never cheat, right?”
Casey covers his hand with hers, “Of course I do,” she says emphatically. “And Kyra had no right to interrogate you like that earlier.”
Raf kisses under Casey’s ear, “If hearing my movements will soothe you I’ll go through them until I’m blue in the face Casey, you know that.”
Casey snuggles into his shoulder, “I am not allowing her to come between us again or spoil this time. Our daughter’s birth is too precious.”
Raf nods, his anger from earlier returning, “You’re right.”
Casey winces with sudden pain, “My head hurts. Can we go to bed?”
Raf nods, “Of course. You need to rest.”
Helping Casey to her feet, Raf helps her upstairs and into their bedroom.
Dressing for bed, Casey uses the toilet and brushes her teeth before climbing into bed.
She rearranges her pregnancy pillows and lays down, “I just want Florence in our arms now,” sighing with frustration and discomfort.
Raf cradles Casey close, “I know Sweetheart. It won’t be long now I hope.”
The next few days as it creeps into July, Casey is feeling even more uncomfortable and irritated.
She is also struggling with constipation which leaves her having cramps as she feels like she needs to defecate but can’t.
Harriet prescribes some Lactulose which is safe to take during pregnancy.
Although Casey hates the taste of the stool softening gel she takes it as the pain from not being able to use the toilet is worse.
Lucy comes into the living room where Casey is lying on the couch. “Mama, will you play with me?”
Casey feels her heart ache, “I can’t baby, I’m not feeling well.”
Lucy’s eyes fill with tears, “I don’t like it.”
Casey reaches her hand out for her daughter, “Come here, we can still cuddle on the couch and watch cartoons.”
Lucy smiles, “Duck Tales.”
Casey laughs, “Ok my darling.”
Finding an episode of Duck Tales, Casey cuddles Lucy as they both watch the cartoon.
Soon Lucy is so engrossed with the cartoon she doesn’t realise that Casey has fallen asleep.
Raf comes into the living room and Lucy places her finger to her lips. “Shh. Mama’s sleeping.”
Smiling, Raf sits on the opposite couch, “What are you watching?”
Lucy smiles, “Duck Tales.”
He scratches behind Belle’s ear before the dog pads over to where Casey is sound asleep and curls up on the floor near her mistress.
By the time Casey wakes up from her nap, Lucy has become tired of watching tv and has gone off to play.
Sitting up very slowly, Casey rubs her eyes, “What time is it?”
Raf looks at the clock. “Four o’clock. In fact I’d better go and get started on dinner.”
Casey reaches for her crutches and stands up, “I have to pee. I hope I manage to go to the toilet by Friday. I’ve done enough enemas to be terrified of them.”
Hobbling to the bathroom, Casey closes the door, just as she feels her bowels contract.
Quickly she pulls down her long skirt and pants and sits on the toilet in time for her bowels to empty.
Although it is slightly painful, Casey is just relieved to be able to ‘go’.
When she has finished, she wipes her bottom and flushes the toilet and washes her hands.
Victoria hands Natalia a cup of coffee and wraps her hands around her own before taking a sip and sighing heavily. “Casey does not need the extra aggravation of these terrible rumours.”
Natalia nods, “Sienna was filling me in about that. What a scheming little madam. But then again, she always was. Didn’t she try that trick once before?”
Victoria nods, “She did. Luckily Rafa was smart enough to question her and book an appointment to the doctor for the pregnancy to be confirmed himself and it turns out she wasn’t pregnant, of course.”
Natalia sips her coffee thoughtfully, “So she has form for this kind of thing?”
Victoria sips her coffee and nods, “Yes.”
Juliana comes into the kitchen, “Evil. I swear she’s evil.”
Natalia nods, “You’re not wrong Juliana.”
Juliana sits down, “I just hope Casey can find peace to be able to enjoy the rest of her pregnancy. She’s already been in hospital for high blood pressure.”
Natalia smiles, “Casey knows what’s she’s doing. I’m sure she’ll be fine.”
Juliana smiles at Natalia, “How’s Sienna doing? She’s such a lovely girl.”
Natalia smiles, “She’s good. Fuming at what happening with Casey of course, but she’s very protective of her.”
She looks at Victoria, “I’d feel exactly the same if I wondered if you’d been betrayed in the worst way possible.”
Victoria shakes her head, “Never.”
After dinner, Raf insists on running Casey a bath and washing her hair.
As Casey leans back as Raf massages the shampoo into her hair, she let’s out a long sigh. “I thought today would be less stressful when I woke up this morning.”
Raf kisses Casey’s forehead, “I know sweetheart. But we’ll get through this.”
Casey opens her eyes, “Of course we will. I never doubt you for a second.”
Raf suddenly looks away from Casey’s gaze, “I should have treated you the same way.”
Casey moves in the water, “You had had a vasectomy, it is supposed to be fool proof contraception.”
Raf gently rinses Casey’s hair, “Still, I should have believed you.”
Casey feels a tightening across her abdomen, “These are getting very frustrating. Is it strange that I want it to be the real ones?”
Raf shakes his head, “No, you just want our baby to arrive. There’s nothing wrong with that. Especially when you’re only two weeks away from your due date.”
Casey smiles, “It’s over. We should start setting up the birthing pool soon. I’ve read the instructions and they say it’s best to set it up two weeks in advance and have everything set up. Just in case.”
Raf kisses her lips every so lightly, “I’ll start at the weekend Sweetheart.”
By the time it’s the middle of July, Casey is fed up with the searing heat and desperate for her daughter to arrive.
She has managed to leave the house to go and buy Sienna a birthday present and is wrapping it up after her nap.
Casey smiles as Florence kicks softly, “Are you going to make an appearance soon Flossy?”
Placing a ribbon on the wrapped gift, Casey slides it into the gift bag.
She takes her pen from the bedside drawer and begins to write inside the card.
To my beloved chosen Sister, I wish you all the wonderful things in the world today on your birthday. I will always be there right by your side as we go through life together.
My gorgeous Sienna, Happy Birthday my beautiful, smart, caring and loyal best friend and chosen sister xx
Sliding the birthday card into the envelope, Casey licks it and sticks it down.
Raf comes into their bedroom, “What are you up to, Sweetheart?”
Casey smiles, “Sorting Sienna’s present. Her birthday is the day of my due date so I will need to give her the present early.”
Raf sits on the bed beside Casey, “I’m sure she will be happy when ever you manage to give her the present you bought.”
Casey gasps with discomfort as she feels a spasm in her back, “Could you please massage my back?”
Gently, he begins to carefully unravel the knots of pain from Casey’s spine, “Is that helping?”
She smiles, “I don’t think she’ll be much longer. Maybe even before my due date.”
Raf kisses Casey’s bare shoulders, today she is wearing a floral red Bardot dress. “You look beautiful.”
Casey smiles, her skin glowing, “Thank you.”
She frowns suddenly, “I never understood the old wives tale that daughters’ steal their mothers’ beauty. And even if I did I wouldn’t care.”
Raf shakes his head, “It’s nothing but a bunch of nonsense.”
Casey nods, “Yes. I agree.”
After she has wrapped up Sienna’s present, Casey gets into the car as Raf drives her to Sienna’s house.
Sienna is sipping a mocktail to cool off when there’s a knock at the door and a few minutes later Casey hobbles into the living room on crutches with a gift bag slung over her wrist. “I wanted to give you your gift now as your actual birthday is my due date and I have been getting more and more indications that Flossy will arrive on time or early.”
Casey hands Sienna her present and then sits down, before Lucas hands her a glass identical to Sienna’s. “It’ll cool you down.”
Taking the glass gratefully, Casey takes a sip. “Thank you. I swear someone is playing a trick today. It’s too hot for my liking.”
Sipping the lovely cool and colourful liquid, Casey smiles as Meri toddles into the living room on Natalia’s arm, “Hello little one.”
Meri beams and holds her arms up, “Caca!”
Natalia places Meri onto Casey’s lap, “I missed you too Bubs.”
Sienna smiles, “You’ve called her that since she was tiny.”
Casey nuzzles Meri’s nose much to the toddler’s delight and she claps her hands with glee. “I know. And I’ll only stop when she decides that it’s too embarrassing.”
After an hour, both Casey and Sienna are exhausted so Casey and Raf head home.
When they arrive home a letter is on the matt addressed to Raf. “What’s that?” Casey points.
Raf bends down and picks it up, “I’m not sure.”
He opens it and scans it, his face going ashen with shock.
Casey frowns, “What is it baby?”
Raf holds the letter out to Casey with shaking hands. “Sora’s demanding a DNA test to confirm that I’m the father of her baby.”
Casey’s heart drops into her stomach, “So she IS pregnant? She’s not faking?”
Raf nods, swallowing painfully, “I’m not Casey, I promise you.”
Casey reaches for his hand, “I know baby. I believe you. We just have to give her what she wants then when we prove you are not the father of her baby she will hopefully leave us alone.”
Feeling an ache in her lower back, Casey walks slowly into the living room. “I need to lie down, my back is really painful.”
Raf helps Casey lie down on the couch, “I’ll go upstairs and get your TENS machine, Sweetheart. It will hopefully help you.”
Casey smiles, “Thank you.”
Raf goes upstairs to the master bathroom and finds Casey’s TENS machine in the cupboard above the sink and brings it into their bedroom.
He helps her upstairs and then out of her dress before putting on the TENS machine. “This should help. You can put on a pair of loose shorts and a strappy top, which would be better for wearing this.”
Casey changes her clothes and then she lies down on their bed. “I am going to try to get some sleep.”
Raf strokes Casey’s hair as she finally gets comfortable thanks to turning up her TENS machine and rearranging her pregnancy pillows. “Sweet dreams my love.”
Casey murmurs as she drifts off, “Thank you.”
The next morning, Casey sleeps later than usual despite being so heavily pregnant that she needs to go to the bathroom several times an hour.
When she wakes up it’s already nine o’clock in the morning.
As she is about to get out of bed, the door opens and Raf carries a tray with berry French toast and orange juice and a cup of tea. “You didn’t have to do all this.”
Placing it on the bedside table, Raf shakes his head, “The last thing you need is to be standing at the stove making breakfast. And it takes my mind off that damn letter.”
Casey nods, “I hadn’t thought about that.”
Raf looks at her sceptically, “The fact you were tossing and turning and muttering in your sleep last night said different.”
Casey shakes her head, “I didn’t mean it like that. I meant I hadn’t thought of you having something to do took your mind off of it.”
Sitting beside Casey, Raf takes her hand, “I know you’ve been trying and it’s not an easy thing not to think about, but don’t let it get you too upset.”
Casey smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes, “I’m trying. But it’s difficult. Why after five years is she back?”
Raf shakes his head, “I can’t think of any reason apart from to upset you. She still has friends here so they’ll have told her about Florence and she decided to cook up this scheme to try to upset you and turn us against each other.”
Casey’s eyes blaze with fire, “Never. She’s going to be very disappointed. I won’t let her take you from me. Not again.”
Her eyes fill with tears, “I won’t let her destroy our family. I’d kill her first.”
Raf is equally shocked and not so shocked, “She won’t get the chance. You are my priority.”
Casey smiles as he wipes the tears away from her cheek, “Thank you.”
After going to the bathroom, Casey settles back into bed and happily eats her breakfast.
As she finishes the last bite of her French toast and scoops up the final berries, Casey’s phone vibrates. How are you doing today? Any signs of my youngest niece yet?
Casey smiles. No, she’s still staying put. But I do have news. Sora sent Raf a letter through her lawyer demanding a DNA test.
Sienna’s reply, much like her reaction last night, nearly makes Casey choke on her tea. Fuck! What is she playing at?!
Raf frowns as he sees Casey’s face, “What’s the matter? Do I need to start filling the pool?”
Casey shakes her head, “No. It’s just Sienna swearing again.”
Raf chuckles, “It’s not like her usually is it?”
Casey shakes her head, “No.”
When she replies to Sienna, Casey goes to shower. She’s trying to cause a rift between Raf and I again.
After she uses the shower, Casey rifles through her wardrobe and picks out a pair of slouchy shorts and a t shirt.
Going downstairs, she curls up on the couch and soon Belle pads over to where Casey is laying.
She curls up at her feet. “Hello Princess Paws.”
Belle places her head on Casey’s bump, just as Florence stretches and bops her on the nose.
Belle yelps in fright, “It’s ok sweet girl, it’s just your sister waking up. She didn’t mean to frighten you.”
Casey pets Belle until she calms down, “Good girl.”
Raf frowns, “What happened?”
Casey smiles, “Flossy woke up and accidently bopped Belle on the nose.”
Raf shakes his head, smiling, “Oh dear.”
Casey sits up the best she can, “So how do we get this sorted?”
Raf sighs, “I’ll need to meet her at a clinic.”
Casey nods, “I’ll come with you. You’re not doing this alone and the it’s best she is confronted by us showing her we won’t be broken.”
Getting up off the couch, “Which means I have to go and get dressed in something else. I was just wearing this as I didn’t think we had anywhere to be.”
Heading upstairs, Casey finds an equally comfortable outfit that is slightly more stylish.
Finding a pretty floral dress, she changes and then heads downstairs with a pair of flat sandals. “Does this look ok?”
Raf nods, “You look beautiful in whatever you wear Casey.”
He kisses her forehead before retrieving her water bottle and then they leave the house.
The upscale paternity testing facility, Genetic Solutions, is near Edenbrooke and Casey often passes it on her way to work.
As Raf pulls up outside, Casey can see his hands shaking. “You don’t need to be nervous, you’ve done nothing wrong.”
Raf nods, “I know. It’s just seeing her again. I thought we had seen the last of her when Enrique and Lucy were babies.”
Casey squeezes Raf’s hand, “So did I. But hopefully this time will be the last time.”
They get out of the car and walk hand in hand into the building.
Finding Sora waiting there with her mother and an unfamiliar man who Casey assumes is her fiancé, Casey and Raf get booked in and then sit on the other side of the room.
Casey waits until Raf gets the test done and she taps her foot irritated, knowing this is a waste of the precious few days they have before their daughter’s birth.
Sora’s fiancé, Marco, walks over to where Casey is sitting, “May I?”
He sits down, “Look, it’s a shock to me too and I am hoping the same as you. But I can’t really be angry with Sora as we weren’t exactly official.”
Casey puts down the magazine she is reading, “You will be the father to that baby, unless of course she is cheating on you for real and got someone else in the woodwork. I know for certain Raf is not the father because he wouldn’t do that to me.”
Marco nods, “I know you have a lot to lose if you two split up.”
Casey’s eyes flare with anger. “We won’t, no matter what sick scheme that bitch tries. You better watch your back with her.”
The door opens and Raf strides back out confidently, “That’s it over with.”
Casey smiles. “Good. Let’s go.”
Feeling her stomach grumble, Casey smiles, “What do you say we go for a bite to eat before we head home?”
Going into their favourite café, they find a table next to the open door and an electric fan. “Our AC is busted so this is the best we’ve got,” Madeline explains.
Madeline smiles, “Not long to go now.”
Madeline nods, “Wow. And you’re still out and about? I’d be lazing on the couch.”
Casey sips the bottle of water she has in her bag, “That was the plan but we had something we had to do today.”
Half an hour later Casey and Raf are eating lunch, Casey has a bowl of tomato soup and a toasted cheese sandwich and Raf has a tuna and mayonnaise sandwich.
Casey winces as she feels a spasm of pain in her lower back, “Ouch.”
Raf frowns, “What’s wrong?”
Casey rubs her lower back, “Just a back spasm. I’m ok.”
After they have finished with lunch, Raf brings the car to outside of the café and helps Casey into the passenger seat. “Let’s get you and our girl home. You need to put your feet up, especially with the pains in your back.”
Later on, Casey goes for a nap to see if the pains in her back will ease off once she has had a lie down.
Raf helps her upstairs and get into the outfit she had on originally before helping her into bed. “Get some rest Sweetheart.”
Casey yawns and soon she has fallen asleep.
