_________________IVY_________________
Caspian didn't return home immediately last night but he sent me a message asking me to go to bed and I shouldn't bother about work until after the wedding.
That night I had the most terrible nightmare and I have thought I have moved on from these night mares as I have not had them for so long.
Ivy you can't run away from me, no matter where you are. I would find you and you can't escape from me. You are mine and mine forever. Any man that comes close to you will be dead and gone. Andy growled.
You have to accept that I'm the only man for you. You're damaged and no one wants you. Even your parents don't give a fuck about you.
I felt tied and bounded. I couldn't speak for fear of angering him. I coiled myself like a snail. Every sentence he make ringing in my ears
No one wants you
You're damaged
I'm the only one who wants you.
You thought you could run away from me huh? You thought you can hide from me forever huh? Well, I'm here now and I'm here to take you back, to claim what's mine. I felt his breathe close to my face and I felt so disgusted.
No, no, no, this can't be happening again. ...
I woke up sweating profusely. I picked up my phone a called Cas but he didn't pick. Of course he doesn't love me. Why will he pick.
I quickly called Grace hoping she's not fucking any dick and pick up.
She picked on the second ring and asked what the problem was.
He's here... He's here to take me away. He's here to destroy my happiness. He's going to kill Cas and take me away... I said everything so fast that I wonder if she got of the sentence I made.
Vy, calm down. Who are you talking about and what Happened? G said.
I swallowed hard and told her of the dream and my fear that something bad is going to happen. G. I can't get this feeling out that there's a storm coming. Now look at me, Caspian is not even picking my calls, he has abandoned me. He has left. Maybe Andy has met him already. Maybe he has seen those videos and pictures he took then. Maybe he can't look at me again after seeing how disgusting I was then.
G, I knew I'm too broken to deserve such happiness. First is Mrs Smith handing her company over to me. Falling in love with Caspian and he proposing. It's all too good to be real. They are not meant to be.. I have to run away so that everyone will be safe. I gushed out.
Shut your trap up and let me speak girl... She shouted over the phone.
Listen Vy, every good damn thing that comes your way, you deserve all of them and more to come. Don't you ever say that again. And you are not running away to anywhere. It's high time you let people that care for you help and love you regardless. You hear me she screamed to my ear.
Now breathe in and out slowly, and continue that for 10 times.
I kept quiet and did as she said, slowly calming myself down.
We talked a bit more and I felt ok.
Just before I ended the call Cas call came in. I bid Grace my thank you and byes and picked the call.
Hi baby, what's wrong? You call me. Are you ok?
I just doubted this man's love for me. Is it ok if I load this on him now? I decided to let it go.
I'm fine Cas, I'm just missing my fiance. I couldn't sleep. Where are you. I asked.
I'm on my way home love. He replied.
Alright, I will wait for you. I replied.
I ended the call and covered myself up. In less than 10 minutes, he walked through the door and came straight to where I lay. I got up and hugged him.
Did something happen baby?
Are you ok? He asked.
I held myself so much not to burst out crying.
I'm fine. Just missed you. I replied.
He scoped me to him and we slept off. Thanking God that he didn't try to inquire more.
The next morning he made breakfast for me. I came downstairs and we ate. He said he would be spending the day with me so I should tell him anything I want to do that he's at my service for the whole day.
I decided I don't want to go out. I would rather stay home with him enjoying the comfort of my man.
We played cards and watched movies together, cooked and ate together.
Around evening he went up to his home office for work.
I decided to go make dinner after which I went up to take a bath.
The unsettled feeling I was having since last night is still there but I decided not to dwell on it.
Cas came into the room later, took his bath and we went down to eat.
You would be meeting my parents tomorrow, they asked to call you over.
Emma will be taking you after which you guys go over your wedding dress she told me you agreed she would be making it. Is that ok with you? He asked.
Right. I have a wedding to plan. My wedding.
Can we move the wedding up a bit. I feel like it's too soon and there are many things that needs to be done.
What about my parents. I need to visit them too. I pleaded.
Relax baby. I gat this.
He held my hand, caressing it gently he continued, Your parents will be flying in, in 5 days. You have absolutely nothing to worry about.
We will be having a family dinner here when they comes. Your family and mine as well as your friends. Ian will be coming too. And that's remind me. We will be meeting with Tony's mum in two days. The DNA has been sent out and we will pick up the result tomorrow. He said.
Now what excuse would I give now to push the wedding up a bit.
Ivy What's wrong with you? You want to move your wedding because of fear that your ex might pup up and ruin your life? You're the one ruining your own life by giving him power. My mind chastised me.
I breathe in and out and decides to go with the flow.
We finished our food and went upstairs to sleep. Cas said he would be busy as he wants to clear up his schedule for two weeks honeymoon in Paris. But he would be here for the family dinner and and other appointments.
___________________________________
The week flew by with activities... I went to meet with Cas parents with Emma the next day and it was a blissful experience with Mrs Asher showing me Cas pictures from when he was a baby. He looked cute though.
Mr Asher is mostly reserved. Keeping to himself but looks at me tenderly like a father.
Afterwards, Emma took me to her office to draw a sketch of my wedding gown.. I told her I need something beautiful, elegant yet simple and asked her to do her magic.
She thanked me for trusting her but said that this would be here first wedding gown that she would be doing and asked if I want to back out..
Emma, I trust you and I know you would do well. I encouraged her.
The next day was meeting Anthony's mum. Cas has already watered the ground before now and Tony has told his mum the situation on ground. She understood, couple with the fact that the result came out a match.
She asked that we allow Ian visit her sometimes after the adoption process is done. We have to talk to Ian too about the changes and what's going on.
We did and it went smoothly, the reaction wasn't what I was expecting. He acted like he knew already and was happy he now have a dad and possibly a mum too.
Today is the day my mum and dad would be coming. I'm all over the place trying to get things in other.
Marther has returned back to work. How I have missed her and her cooking. She helped me prepare the foods.
Cas sent Mario to go pick them up and they would be here any minute.
They squad arrived some minutes ago. As well as Cas parents.
Marther has asked me to go and join them that she would take care of every thing but I couldn't just stay put.
As other guests began to arrive, Brandon, Stephen and Emma joined the girls. laughter and cheerful chatter filled the air. I stood nervously at the edge of the garden, my heart racing. I smoothed down my dress, taking a deep breath. I had been dreading and anticipating this moment in equal measure. I haven't seen my parents since I moved away to chase my dreams, and while I knew this reunion was inevitable, it still felt overwhelming.
And then, I saw them. Standing at the edge of the garden, looking around, unsure of where to step in, my parents. My mother, in a pale blue dress, held a small bouquet of flowers, while my father stood next to her, his expression a mix of emotion. They looked older, maybe a bit more fragile than I could remembered, but the warmth in their eyes was unmistakable.
I felt a lump in my throat, and for a moment, I was frozen in place. All the years of distance, of missed phone calls and unsent letters, seemed to hang heavily between them. But then my mother caught my eye and smiled, a smile that said everything — the kind of smile only a mother could give. My heart melted, and I found myself moving, almost running, towards them.
As I reached them, there was a brief moment of hesitation, a silent question — had too much time passed? But my mother stepped forward, pulling me into a tight embrace. "Oh, my girl," she whispered, her voice trembling. I closed my eyes, feeling the familiar comfort I hadn't known I had missed so much. My father joined the hug, and for a moment, we stood there, a family reunited after years apart.
Bruce has grown much taller, I hugged him while he ruffles my hair. We have no much close relationship. I'm closer to Stephen than to him.
My little kitty, he whispered.
I remember that's what he calls me. He had said I look like a cute kitten when I was still little.
My mum attacked me with a hug again. With tears in our both eyes. Unspoken words but we said a lot with our eyes.
After a few moments, I stepped back, wiping my eyes. "I'm so glad you're here," I said, my voice still a bit shaky. My parents nodded, and my father, always a man of few words, simply said, "It's been too long."
One by one, friends and family members found their seats, and soon there was a buzz of excited conversation. The gentle clinking of glasses punctuated the night, mingling with the sounds of plates being passed around.
We made our way to the table, where Cas introduced himself to my parents again and equally introducing every other person on the table. There was a sense of formality, but also a shared understanding that tonight was about coming together. As the night progressed, the initial stiffness gave way to laughter, stories, and shared memories. Friends from both sides mingled, sharing toasts to the happy couple, and soon the garden was filled with the sounds of joy and celebration.
My parents met Caspian's family for the first time, and they bonded over stories of their children. Cas mother even shared a few embarrassing tales about him, which made everyone, including my dad, laugh. It felt like a bridge was being built, connecting two families who had, until now, been strangers.
We had prepared the dinner outside, at the garden.
The warm, golden hues of the setting sun cast a gentle glow over the garden, where a long, beautifully set dining table stood, adorned with delicate flowers and flickering candles. The table was set for a feast, and it was a special evening — a dinner gathering for the bride, and my fiancé, Cas with both our families and closest friends. Tonight was not just any dinner; it marked the first time I see my parents in five years.
Caspian, sensing my unease, took my hand. "It'll be okay," he whispered softly. "They're here to see you, to celebrate with us. We'll get through this together." His comforting smile gave me a glimmer of confidence, and I squeezed his hand gratefully.
Cas watched from his seat beside me, his eyes swelling with happiness for me. I had told him bits and pieces of my strained relationship with my parents, the reasons I left, and the struggles I faced. But tonight, he could see the beginning of my healing.
As the evening wound down, Cas stood up, tapping his glass to get everyone's attention. "I just want to say thank you," he began, his voice warm and genuine. "Thank you to all of you for being here tonight. This isn't just a dinner — it's a moment to celebrate love, family, and new beginnings. And I especially want to thank Ivy's parents for coming all the way here. It means the world to her, and to me as well.
My eyes met his, and I smiled, my heart full. Tonight had been everything I feared and everything I hoped it could be. As the guests began to gather their things and say their goodbyes, I found myself standing beside my parents again. This time, there were no awkward silences, no unspoken words — just a sense of peace.
"We're proud of you, Leah," my father said, his voice soft but firm. "We always have been. We just needed time." I nodded, tears filling my eyes once more. It wasn't a perfect resolution, but it was a start. And for tonight, that was enough. Our relationship has started to strain even before I left home. They had started travelling around the world without checking about me.
Cas parents has offered to host my parents for the rest of their stay which they happily agreed to.
One by one, they all retired back home.
The girls and I has an appointment on Sunday. Girls day out with Emma tagging along. So they left as well.
I helped Mather to clear up even when she refused my help. Cas has gone upstairs with Brandon and Stephen. My brothers would be staying at Cas penthouse or in one of his hotel but they chose the penthouse. Brandon would be driving them there.
They could easily stay here as the house is big enough but they have all made up their minds.
I could swear that Brandon and Grace has started dating because of the chemistry between them. Well, we will see how that goes. I just hope Grace will give him a chance.
By the time we're done. I was so tired so I went upstairs to rest. Cas was on call so I decided not to disturb them. Climbing the bed, I slept off almost immediately.
After a while I felt Cas joined me on the bed and it was a blissful sleep.
I couldn't be more happier and it was all possible because of the man beside me.
Caspian Luciano Asher.