I made a horrendous error in the first chapter and I apologise wholeheartedly.
I forgot to add credits to Charlie who helped me with editing. Thanks Charlie you are a star.
My life was now in tatters, my marriage and everything I had worked for had evaporated, disappeared up in smoke. I was a grumpy sour bastard, I snapped at everyone and I knew I was hard to deal with. I felt like my life was spiralling out of control.
Work was increasingly difficult, my boss lost patience with me. Since the night of the incident he had given me an increasingly hard time, I think my father was behind it because they were good mates. His attitude made life unbearable, I admit I can be a stubborn bastard when I want to be and his attitude was actually the catalyst for more change.
With my apprenticeship complete I was now a certified Electrician. Because of our deteriorating relationship I had been considering going out on my own for a while. I decided it was time to act and set the wheels in motion I talked to a local service station that had a small empty workshop out the back with a room above it that I could use to run the business from and live in as well. It was going to be my new business and my home.
I had been ferreting away any spare money I earnt from doing cash jobs for mates. That money didn't show up anywhere and it was going to be enough to at least get me started.
The separation of our finances was difficult I cancelled our joint accounts, and started my own, Cass was now on her own.
My dad, I think it was fair to say had lost any respect for me. My mother who had been at least a little supportive was now less than that, they were angry with me for walking out on my wife and new born.
Cassie's mum who knew part of the story was the only one who cut me any slack.
Dad caught me at Cassie's mums one day while I was doing some yard work for her. He took the opportunity to furiously lecture me in a spittle flying sermon about life, family and obligations.
Cassie's Mum heard the whole thing and although she didn't say anything until he had left, said. "Jason why not just tell them the truth? That way at least you will get some respite."
I shook my head. "No mum if I tell them it will ruin their relationship with Cassie and I need them to be there to support her. She is going to need all the help she can get in the coming years."
I settled into my new life. I found plenty of work although it meant working long hours. Financially the business was going well and I felt a resounding flash of self-satisfaction and pride. I was building a great clientele and getting plenty of call backs.
Cassie wouldn't let go, she refused to sign the divorce papers and fought kicking and screaming the whole way. She messaged me every day relentlessly. I woke in the morning and there was a message from her. When I sat down for lunch there was at least one message. They never stopped. She took great delight in telling me all about her and Jaycee's day. What they did and how they were going. She sent pictures of them both and every time she added I love you and kisses.
Then out of the blue they stopped. Just like that, no more messages. It seemed weird and if I was honest, I missed it. There was nothing for days and I figured oh well it was bound to happen. I had never responded to even one of her messages. She had obviously moved on and probably chosen to tell Chris the truth.
I was halfway up a ladder trying to run in some electrical cables when my phone rang, it was Cassie's Mum crying breathlessly begging for help. Between her sobs and her laboured breathing she cried. "Jason, help me please I need help."
"Where are you what's going on?"
"I am at your place, Cassie is sick."
She sounded weak and fragile and when the phone went dead I jumped in the truck and raced over.
Dad's car was in the driveway and when I burst in my mother had mum in a chair giving her a cup of tea, dad was carrying Jaycee around the room trying to quieten her down.
I stood staring open mouthed. "What the hell is going on?"
Dad snapped angrily. "Not that you care but your wife is in hospital with bloody pneumonia and she is very ill. Elizabeth has been trying to care for your daughter on her own but she had a bad turn."
"Shit what do you want me to do?"
He walked up and angrily thrust the screaming baby at me. "Here, look after your daughter."
The last thing I wanted was to hold that kid but I could see the steely glint in dad's eye. I pulled her into my arms and cradled her the way I had been shown in the antenatal classes. I held her tightly rocking slowly as I walked her around the house and slowly but surely she quietened until her gentle sucking alerted to me she was hungry. I walked into the kitchen passing Mum and dad sitting with Elizabeth trying to comfort her. I found a bottle in the fridge and heated it up.
Once Jaycee was fed I changed her nappy and put her to bed.
Dad looked up acknowledging me. "We are going to the hospital, look after Elizabeth and Jaycee." They disappeared leaving Elizabeth and I alone.
She looked exhausted so I made her some dinner and a cup of tea. As she was resting I whispered. "What happened mum?"
"Cassie got really sick and got rushed into hospital, I thought I would be OK but today it all caught up with me. I am sorry but I didn't know what to do, so I called you but Ted and Agnes turned up just after."
"It's alright mum you will be fine."
She stared hopefully at me. "Jason you will help won't you? If you could come and help in the evenings we could do this together."
Trying to back out I mumbled. "My folks can help during the day, there's probably some sort of government assistance to help with evenings."
"No..." She snapped. "Jason we are family and we need you to step up. I am begging you."
She held my hand firmly. "Jason this is your family. Cassie was a fool, but you will never convince me you do not love her despite her stupidity. You will make an incredible father if you just give it a chance. Please don't let me down."
She relaxed back in the chair for a while before she sighed. "The baby is sleeping soundly now honey. Perhaps you could go down to the hospital and check Cassie for me, I can't drive."
Cassie was in emergency in an isolation unit, she was sick alright, really sick. They had purposely put her into a coma to help stabilise her. Her lung had collapsed and although they had re-inflated it she was still in dire condition and on a ventilator. Mum and dad left so I sat and held her hand. I promised myself before I walked in that I would be strong, but it was impossible. As I sat holding her hand the realisation seeped in. She could die right here and now. I am not ashamed to admit I cried like a baby. I talked to her, I swore and cursed at her, I even prayed.
When I got back home mum was again trying to look after the baby who was crying. Mum was so weak I could see that she couldn't cope. I took the baby, washed her changed her nappy fed her and tucked her into bed. I took mum in a cup of tea. "Elizabeth if my mother can help you tomorrow I will come in the evening and take over."
She smiled. "Thanks' Jason we can do this honey. If you help we can get through this together. Cassie made a huge mistake, but something wonderful came from that and that is this little girl. Open your heart, open up and let her in. You will realise that regardless of the blood this little girl is yours."
I moved in staying the night to help care for them both. My mother helped during the day and I took over at night. My efforts did not go unnoticed and it certainly made my mother change her stance, she hugged me at every opportunity and told me over and over how proud of me she was.
Of course my father couldn't keep his nose out and came to help, and like mum when he saw the effort I put in, he softened as well.
Jaycee really was a cute little thing I tried to separate my feelings toward her, I mean it wasn't her fault, but it was hard to keep my anger suppressed. Every night I rocked and cuddled her to sleep. In the evenings after getting her and Mum fed and settled I went and sat with Cassie. Often meeting my mum and dad and we all sat together.
Eventually Cassie was brought out of the coma and she started to make a recovery. I was in the room when she opened her eyes, she smiled and held out her arms and we shared a tear filled embrace before she sniffled. "Jason where is Jaycee?"
I smiled. "Your mum is looking after her." The next day mum and I went to visit her early in the morning and we took Jaycee with us. Cassie's smile was wide and as I leaned over to hand her Jaycee she kissed me. "Thank you Jay, thank you."
I couldn't believe how relieved I felt seeing her come to life, my heart was racing, damn it I still loved the cheating bitch, and yes it still hurt.
We spent a pleasant day together. She held and cuddled Jaycee. Her mum found every excuse she could to leave Cassie and me by ourselves.
