The next morning when Nicole came down the stairs, and Emalia and Mercedes walked through the front door, they found an exotic breakfast on the table in the kitchen. Isabella had been up for hours cooking to prepare the meal.
"Isabella, where did you get all of this food?" Nicole said in amazement.
"Well, I did have to go to the grocery store, but it was no big deal," Isabella answered.
Cassandra awoke before Nick did. She found herself in his arms, and decided that it was exactly where she wanted to be.
"Hey Nick, wake up. I smell food. I think someone is actually cooking downstairs."
"Huh?" he said half awake.
"You hungry?"
"Yeah, I could eat," he said looking at her. He kissed her once, and she kissed him again. She stood up, but felt so tired that she fell back down on the bed.
"Oh God, I don't feel like getting up now. I'm too tired!" she said half laughing. She rolled over, away from Nick, and closed her eyes. Nick put his arm over her.
"Then don't," he said.
"Yeah, but I'm hungry, but I'm too lazy to get up." Nick stood up and stretched. He still felt a little dizzy from the plane ride, but he made it over to Cassandra's side of the bed. He pulled back the sheets and slowly lifted her out of bed.
"Think you can make it downstairs now?" he asked her smiling.
"In your arms, I can go anywhere," she replied and kissed him. "This is like our old relationship. Let's keep it this way."
"I can agree to that!" He carried her out of the room and down the stairs.
"Oh my God!" said Nicole. "You-both of you a-are here?"
"Um, yeah," replied Cassandra.
"I see you two are doing better," Isabella said to them, and Nick put her down. Cassandra took a look at all of the food she had cooked for breakfast.
"So you couldn't sleep last night. Have a lot on your mind?" she asked. "Maybe second thoughts on the wedding?"
"Well, maybe a few, but Austin and I have everything ready except for the invitations!" Isabella said pulling out some beautiful envelopes.
"Ooh! Let me have one!" Nicole begged. Cassandra gave her a death look.
"I am going next door to invite everyone else over for breakfast," Isabella said heading for the door, and walking over to the guys' house.
When Isabella reached the guys' house and walked in, everyone was downstairs, except A.J. "Breakfast at my house! Everyone come and get your invitations to mine and Austin's wedding!" Everyone grabbed an invitation. "Let's keep the wedding idea away from A.J. Remember to come over and have some breakfast. When A.J. gets up, invite him to breakfast also." Isabella ran back to her house for some breakfast. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, so Kevin walked over and opened the door. Austin ran in with a handful of invitation.
"Everyone gets one!" Austin said.
"We already have one," said Kevin.
"Oh, she beat me to it!" Austin said walking towards the door. After all the noise, A.J. woke up and wanted to hear what all the noise was about. He came downstairs and saw Austin. "Do you have an invitation yet?"
"What invitation?" A.J. asked confused.
"The invitation to mine and Isabella's wedding, next week!" Austin said laughing.
"Next week?" A.J. asked with a hint of anger in his voice.
"Yes it is. Hope you can all come, here you go," Austin said, handing A.J. an invitation then heading over for the girls' house.
"Isabella invited us all to go over for breakfast, I think that we should go now," Brian said trying to change the subject.
"Did we get an invitation for that too?" A.J. said jokingly. They all laughed and started out to the girls' house.
"So does A.J. know?" Cassandra asked Isabella as she walked through the door.
"No, and he won't know until next week," Isabella responded.
"Oh, well I think you should tell him."
"No! I mean, no. I think I should wait."
"Okay, calm down."
"I'm sorry, it's just things are going so fast."
"Then slow down."
"I guess so. Whatever. I am going to drive up to Linden's house to invite her and anyone else that is over there."
"Why don't you wait until Brian and Mercedes get over here," said Nicole. "They are leaving today anyway."
"Good idea, Nicole. I like the way that you think."
They all ate breakfast, and when Brian and Mercedes got up to leave, so did Isabella. "I'll be back later you guys!"
"Bye," they all said. Cassandra got up and gave Mercedes and Brian a hug good bye.
"I guess I'll see you two again, next week," said Cassandra.
"Yeah, see ya. It was good to see you two again," said Brian.
"Take care," said Mercedes.
"You too! When are you due?" Cassandra asked.
"Next month!" she said smiling broadly. Cassandra leaned over and whispered to her.
"I hope that I'm here to see that."
"Why?"
"Oh, it's a long story. It has to do with why I left Nick. Maybe someday I'll explain it to you."
"Do you want me to stay here tonight and we can talk?"
"Oh no. We'll talk later. How about tomorrow?"
"All right. I'll call you," said Mercedes taking Brian's hand and walking out the door followed by Isabella.
When Isabella got home from Linden's house, Austin was sitting alone eating the leftovers from breakfast.
"Well hello," she said to him as she walked through the door.
"Hey, and how might you be doing on this very fine day?" Austin asked.
"Well, now I am even better!" Isabella waled over and kissed him.
"I can't wait until next week."
"Neither can I, I couldn't sleep last night so I made this breakfast."
"And a delicious breakfast at that."
"Why thank you," Isabella said and kissed him again. "Now I know you don't like talking about the past, but I am glad we are together again. You it was all Lucy's fault don't you? I mean that we ever split up in the first place."
"Yeah, whatever."
"Austin, I don't know about marriage. Do you think we are moving too fast?" Austin got up and started to clear the table.
"No."
"Well, I am having second thoughts about it."
"Oh that's nice dear."
"Austin, I don't think that you're listening to me. I don't think I want to marry you. At least not next week."
"I can't wait either, dear."
"Austin, I don't want to marry you!"
"Yes dear, let's just get married next week happily!"
"Listen damn it! You are not listening!"
"I am going to invite some of my old friends, why don't you go downtown and pick up these orders. I bought everyone surprise outfits for the wedding. So I will see you later, don't get cold feet on me. Bye." Austin gave her the receipt for the clothes, gave her a quick kiss and was out the door.
Isabella finished the dishes, then went to pick up the clothes. The maid of honor would have a light, pastel green dress, and the brides maids would wear a light, pastel yellow, and Isabella had a beautiful, white gown. All the guys had the typical black and white tuxedos.
When everyone was back from the mall, A.J. went to the guys' house to wrap his gift while everyone else went next door to see Isabella. Isabella had brought Angel, Howie, Brian, Mercedes, Linden and Anthony with her.
Isabella showed of the outfits and told the girls where they stood, in terms of what part they took in the wedding.
"Cassandra, you are my sister, my best friend, and you have always been there, and that is why I choose you as my maid of honor."
"Thank you!" Cassandra said giving Isabella a hug.
"You deserve it. My wedding isn't going to be as big as Cassandra's but Emalia, Angel, Mercedes, and Nicole are my bride's maids."
"Woo hoo!" Nicole yelled.
"Now, Kevin, Brian, Jonathan, and Howie are going to walk the ladies down the aisle. Which means that you are the-"
"Ushers!" Kevin yelled throwing his arms in the air. Everyone laughed.
"Very good Kevin! The best man, of course, will be Nick, who else?" She smiled at Nick, and he smiled back, wrapping his arms around Cassandra. "Mariah is coming for the wedding so Austin is going to choose who will walk her down the aisle. Any questions? Good. Now we have to got to the church for rehearsal. Come on, we'll car pool. Hey Cassie, do you think I could find our dad?"
"Yeah, if you try hard enough," Cassandra replied.
"Then I am going to." They went to the church and practiced all day. When they got back, they all knew what they were in for. The guys and girls branched off into their houses. Austin ordered the guys a pizza and had his bachelor's party while Isabella had her bridal shower.
"I hope you guys like beer! And lots of it!" said Austin.
"Woo hoo!" all the guys cheered. They all went and grabbed a beer.
"Hey, don't you think that Jonathan's kinda young to be drinking?" Nick asked.
"Well aren't you?" Kevin retaliated.
"I'm married! I have an excuse!"
"Oh really?"
"Yes really!" Nick said.
"Okay."
"I take it back," Nick started. "Let's let Jonnie live a little."
The guys got even more drunk, including Jonathan, and made complete fools of themselves until they all passed out in the living room.
While the girls discussed the wedding and her second thoughts.
"Hey have you guys seen that Richard guy lately?" Angel said laughing.
"I don't think that he's ever left the house since you and Cassie pulled off that awesome plan!" said Nicole. They were all laughing hysterically when the doorbell rang. When Angel heard the doorbell, she bit her lip to keep from saying anything.
"I wonder how drunk my husband is by now," Cassandra said.
"Probably as drunk as my fiancé!" Isabella said, and they all laughed as she got up to answer the doorbell. When she took one look at who it was, she looked back at a laughing Angel. "Angel, you didn't!" Angel bit her lip and shook her head. "Well then come on in!"
Angel had hired a stripper, a surprise for Isabella. They had to cover Nicole's eyes a couple of times, but they all got down and dirty until the stripper left. They were all in such a buzz, that they too just passed out in the living room.
The next morning the phone rang. Cassandra popped her head up from the floor of the living room. She looked around and no one else was moving. She stood up and she was a little dizzy, but she managed to drag herself over to the phone.
"Who could it be? Oh my God, it's ten thirty in the morning. This had better be good!" Cassandra mumbled on her way over to the phone. "Hello?" she barely said.
"Cassandra?" a semi-familiar voice said.
"Um, yeah? Who's this?"
"Someone named Mercedes said that I could call you here. I'm glad that I found you. How are you, and why is that lady staying at Andrew's house and not you?" Cassandra gasped. She knew who it was now.
"How did you get my number?"
"Well I called Andrew's beach house number and some lady answered the phone. She said that I could find you at this number."
"I haven't heard from you in so long! Why did you finally decide to call me?"
"Cass, it's about Andrew."
Nick and Jonathan were the first ones to stir that morning.
"Hey," said Jonathan.
"Oh please, not so loud," said Nick. "Now I remember why I never drank before."
"I'm sure that Cassie will agree," said Jonathan holding his head.
"Well you aren't to speak of this. At least not you drinking. I don't want to have to deal with all of the girls yelling at us, at least not today."
"Yeah, okay. I'm, uh, going back to sleep." That was the last thing that Jonathan said before falling over and banging his head on the floor.
Nick just laughed to himself, and tried to stand up.
"Oh boy. This day is gonna be so much fun." He successfully stood up and braced himself against the couch. He looked around and saw that everyone else looked like he felt. He wondered if he could make it to Cassandra's house, then decided that it would be a good test of endurance for himself. He started towards the door and actually made it out of the door.
He paced himself, taking small steps until he reached the girls' door. He walked through he door, rubbed his eyes and closed the door. When he looked up, he saw Cassandra collapse on a chair, still on the phone.
"Jared, you're kidding me? Right? Please say that you're kidding me?"
"I wouldn't kid about something like this."
Cassandra felt light headed. She put her elbow on the table and rested her head against her hand. Nick made it over to her and put his hands on her shoulders, but she didn't even notice it.
"When do you want me to come out there?" she asked into the phone.
"Is today okay?" Jared asked. "You can stay for two days if you need to."
"Okay. Who do you want me to bring?"
"Yourself, and three people that are as close to you as they were to Andrew."
"Okay, how about my husband, sister, and his best friend. They were all the closest to him."
"Okay. That sounds good. I'll meet you at the airport tomorrow."
"Okay see you then. And thank you for calling me."
"Yeah, I know that my brother would have wanted it."
Cassandra turned the phone off, and just stared at it. Nick was thoroughly confused now. He moved to the front of her and kneeled on the ground. Cassandra gasped now realising that he was there.
"What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"I've been here for the past five minutes. What's going on?"
Cassandra didn't answer him right away. She put her hand over her mouth. He couldn't tell if she was thinking or was about to cry.
"Let's go upstairs. I don't want to wake the others." She headed for the stairs and Nick followed her.
"Oh no. Stairs," Nick mumbled.
"You say something?" she asked.
"Oh, no." Cassandra shrugged and ran up the stairs and into her room. Nick was only about half way up the stairs. "I wish she hadn't done that," he said to himself.
He finally made it up the stairs and sat next to Cassandra. "What's up?" he asked her. She turned so she could look him in the eyes, but when she started to speak, she looked down.
"You, Jonathan, Isabella, and I are going on a little trip today."
"Where?" he asked.
"Colorado."
"Why? Who does it involve?"
"It's about Andrew."
Brian was the next one awake. He wasn't very wasted so he stood up easily on his own. He looked around at Jonathan, Howie, Anthony, Austin, and Kevin in a pile on the floor, and laughed to himself.
"Jonathan is officially a man now! Hmm, A.J. never came home last night, not a big surprise, but where is Nick?" Brian looked around the room. "Oh, he must have gone over to Cassie's house. I wonder if Mercedes is up yet?"
He decided to go check. Still in his pajamas, he walked over to the girls' house. He saw Mercedes, and the rest of the girls' asleep on the floor, just as the guys were, and it was too funny for him. He burst out laughing. All of the girls woke up with a start at the sound of Brian's laughing.
"Brian, what are you doing?" Mercedes asked.
"Um, you guys are too funny! This place looks like the house that I just came from!"
"Where's Cassie?" Nicole asked looking around.
"Well," started Brian, "Nick was gone when I left, and if Cassie's gone, then-" His voice trailed off, and the girls started laughing catching Brian's drift.
"What about Andrew?" Nick asked.
"His brother, Jared, just called me and told me to bring three people that are close to me as well as Andrew."
"For what?"
"He told me that he knows that I never really got a chance to say good bye to him, so he told me to go out there to see his grave."
"His what?"
"His grave. We have to go today, so let's go get Isabella and Jonathan."
"You're so kidding me?" Nick stated and asked at the same time. Cassandra shook her head.
"You know that I would never, ever joke about something like this."
"Yes I know. Wow, I can't believe this."
"Speak for yourself." Cassandra got up from the bed and walked out of the room. Nick followed her.
"Oh no, more stairs," he said to himself.
When the two of them made it to the living room, Cassandra started speaking first.
"Oh, good morning Brian. Um, me, Nick, Jonathan, and Isabella have to go away for two days. Just for a little get away before Isabella's wedding. Jonathan, Nick and I have arranged for a surprise for Isabella!" Cassandra said, lying through her teeth, trying to smile. Nick caught on, and went along with it.
"Yeah, we have to go now," he said trying to smile also. Jonathan gave them a look.
Cassandra looked back at him and mouthed, "I'll explain later." He silently nodded his head. She grabbed Isabella's hand and Jonathan followed the three of them up the stairs and into Cassandra's room.
"Okay Cassie, do you mind telling us what this is all about?" Jonathan asked.
"Um," she said, "oh, well, Nick-" She looked at him and he nodded his head. "I'm going to go call right now."
"Okay, where is she going? What is going on?" Isabella asked.
"She's going to reserve plane tickets for us. Cassie got a call from Andrew's brother in Colorado," Nick started to explain. "He said that he knew that no one really got a chance to say good bye to Andrew so he said to bring three people that are close to her as well as Andrew. We are leaving, like, as soon as we get the reservations for today."
He looked at Jonathan and Isabella for some conformation that they were paying attention, they were, but they had nothing to say. Just then, Cassandra came back into the room. "Well Cassie?" Nick asked standing up.
"We have to leave right now. I booked us a flight home tonight as well. Did you explain everything?" He nodded his head. "Good. Let's all get dressed and meet at my car in ten minutes." They all nodded their heads. Isabella was the first to leave and went into her room. Jonathan left next.
Nick and Cassandra stood in her room, not saying anything to each other. Nick opened his mouth to say something, but he decided against it. "Nick-" she started, but then stopped.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Nothing."
"No what?"
"Actually, it was nothing, I couldn't figure out what I was going to say." He went over to her and pulled her close. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and just stood there for a minute.
When they pulled apart, they both went to their unpacked suitcases, pulled out some clothes, and got dressed.
When Isabella went downstairs, she got thrown at with a million questions from everyone. She put on a fake smile, and just laughed them all off, still remembering the severity of their mission that she couldn't tell anyone.
"Where are you going?" asked Mercedes.
"When will you be back?" asked Brian.
"What the hell are we gonna do about breakfast?" asked Angel.
"Where are you taking my boyfriend? Do you know something I don't?" Nicole asked. Everyone looked at her and laughed.
"Yes Nicole. We know so much more than you!" said Isabella. Nicole only gave her a look. "They won't tell me where we're going, or when we'll be back, but I'm thinking that it'll be tonight. Oh here come Nick and Cassie now," she said looking over at the stairs, seeing the two of them coming down.
"All set?" Cassandra asked. She had her arm around Nick's back so no one could see how hard she was griping his shirt. She knew that she had to keep up this act, for everyone's sake, and for her last remaining shred of sanity.
"Yup. Let's go to where ever you're sending me!" Isabella said, trying to be cheerful. Cassandra grabbed her purse, and the three of them ran quickly out of the door so no one could ask them any more questions.
They saw Jonathan already waiting in the back seat of Cassandra's car. Isabella got in the back with him, Nick took the passenger's seat, and Cassandra took the wheel. She was focused on the road, and where she was driving. Now she wished that she wasn't driving. Thoughts were racing through everyone's minds.
"I wish that Jonathan had his stupid license, so he could drive," Cassandra thought to herself. "I just want to be with Nick right now. I don't know if I'm gonna be able to handle this. I guess that being with him will make it just a little easier. Oh my God! If we're going to see his grave, then who is that Andrew at Jonathan's house? I knew it wasn't him! I knew it! No one else seems to notice, so I won't bring it up until we get back."
"My best friend," thought Jonathan. "The person who I shared a house with for so long, now it seems so empty. I wish Nicole were here. I know she wasn't that close to Andrew, actually barely close to him, but she's close to me, and I need her support right now. Wait a second. Then who is Andrew that I'm living with? Oh man! I better not bring it up until later."
"I wonder how Cass is gonna hold up?" Nick thought. "She's been through a lot. I feel like ever since I met her, she's been going through something. Is it my fault? I can't believe that Andrew is gone. Why did he have to do this to himself? I feel like I could have helped him so much more, but I didn't. Why didn't I? I feel so responsible. But then who is that Andrew person? Cass thought that he wasn't really Andrew! Was I wrong not to believe her? I don't think that I should bring it up. No one else seems to notice."
"Oh Andrew. Why?" thought Isabella. "You were so good to Cass, Nick and I. Especially to Jonathan. You always supported me even though we weren't as close as you and Cass were, I still considered you my best friend. But hold on a second. When I thought Cass had gone mental that day claiming that the Andrew staying with Jonathan right now, wasn't her Andrew, was she right? Were Nick and I wrong to think that she was insane? I shouldn't bring it up. Not now. It's not the best time."
Cassandra pulled her car into a parking spot, and the four of them headed into the airport, rushed through security, and quickly got on the plane. Neither of them saying a word during this whole process. In first class, on the right side sat Cassandra near the window, and Nick on the left of her. On the left of Nick sat Isabella and on the left of her near the window was Jonathan. The four of them fastened their seat belts, and still sat there silently as the plane began to move.