Cassandra hadn't intended to sneak off like a thief in the night when she moved to Don's home. Mortimer had nearly had a coronary when Cassandra mentioned her plan. He ranted on for hours in what Cassandra thought was a diatribe of nonsense about not being able to make good decisions. She had thought it through for the most part; it was much too crowded in the manor for Don and Sheldon to move in. Cassandra tried reasoning with her father. She was going to move home after some of her siblings grew up and moved out, but in the meantime she wanted to start a life Don without being beholden to the manor.
After the house-warming party turned into a disaster, Cassandra and Don decided to have a nice quiet night in for Sheldon's toddler birthday. Cassandra felt sad for Sheldon since he was growing up without his mother. She was going to step up and give him everything she possible could to make up for it. She even told Don it was alright for Sheldon to call her 'mom' if they wanted him too. Cassandra agreed, though, that she would also talk to Sheldon about his mother and give him the memories of her that he was going to miss.
Every morning Don and Cassandra had breakfast together before heading to work. Cassandra was always more enthusiastic about the business and planning investments in the future. She was incredulous at the amount of property the Landgraabs owned in town and felt the need diversify her portfolio beyond Doo Peas Corporation. The Landgraabs already owed the spa, bookstore, theatre, grocer, and bistro. If they weren't careful the Landgraabs would get enough leverage to own the entire neighborhood. The first property Cassandra wanted to buy was the cemetery and she wanted it outright, not just a share of it.
In spite of his self-convinced parental short-comings, Cassandra was completely happy to have Don in Betsy's life. Of course, Darryl was around as much as he could be but Cassandra didn't need him at her most tiring moments anymore. Betsy was not a shy baby. She enjoyed being held by everyone. Though Cassandra didn't have the typical family her parents had , the make-up of her family was everything she could have asked for. It felt right for that both Darryl and Don loved Betsy so much that as she grew she was going to have two of the best men, and now an older brother, to look out for her as she faced the world.
It was yet another normal, every-day morning in the Lothario/Goth household. Betsy was taking her morning nap in her swing and Sheldon was in his high chair chowing down on some fruit and cereal. Don and Cassandra sat down with their breakfast and Don teased her for choice of breakfast food. She glared and defended her choice by insisting it was no different than eating pop-tarts. After laughing at her defense for a bit Don surprised Cassandra by telling her they weren't going to work that day and that he had arranged for four day getaway weekend.
While Cassandra settled Sheldon with dinner, Don took the job of feeding Betsy her evening bottle. Cassandra had called Darryl to tell him that Damen was staying with the kids for the weekend and he had a fit that he wasn't asked if that was alright with him. Cassandra offered to bring Betsy over but with the short notice he couldn't take her. Don didn't necessarily want to be Betsy's full father but he got a kick out of the little bit a alienation he caused by not contacting Darryl first. He didn't mind that Darryl would be stopping by while they were away because he knew that after this weekend the relationship between Cassandra and Darryl would soon fade to two parents exchanging their child every once and a while.
"Do you mind if I practice cooking? I'm trying to learn some new recipes," Damen explained.
"Well, if you're sure you won't burn down my house," Cassandra teased.
"Oh, don't worry. I have yet to catch anything on fire and I'm giving mom a run for her money. She's letting me apprentice under one of her pastry chefs."
"That's great Damen. Just make sure not to forget that you are here for Sheldon and Betsy. I know you all will do fine."
Cassandra had been hesitant to leave but Don eventually pulled her out the door. Don smiled to himself when Cassandra went giddy as he pulled up to an exclusive bed and breakfast, which needed a reservation placed at least six months ahead. They dropped their bags on the floor and fell into each other like lovers who had been kept apart for years. Cassandra would have been happy to stay the whole weekend in bed but the next evening Don told her they had reservations to keep. Cassandra opened the box he handed her and pulled out a stunning gold chiffon dress. They dined at a private table on the balcony at a beautiful restaurant next to the B & B. As the beautiful piano music lingered in the air, Don pulled Cassandra close for a romantic slow dance after sharing a delightful dessert.
Cassandra gasped, "Oh no, you did not!" Don smiled at her with a devilish grin. "I swear to the goddess Don if there are just earrings or a necklace in that box I'm going to hurt you!"
"Promise?" he responded playfully. Don ever so slightly opened the box. Slowly, ever so slowly, until Cassandra could see a beautiful 2 carat pink diamond. Cassandra gasped in disbelief.
"Shall I just assume that you would say yes. It isn't very often you aren't saying something," Don mused.
"You're not funny. You didn't even ask me a question so what am I saying yes to Mr. Lothario. Maybe this is just a really nice present because I'm the best co-worker you ever had."
"Yeah, okay," Don scoffed. Cassandra glared at him. He cleared his throat.
"Beautiful Cassandra, do you see our future?"
"Yes! Absolutely Yes." Don slipped the ring on her slightly trembling finger and lightly kissed her knuckles. He stood and gathered her in his arms; kissing her deeply.
"When should we set the date?" Don broke into the stillness.
"Well, my parents got married the weekend after they were engaged."
"Y-y-y-y-you want to get married next weekend?" Don stuttered in shock. Cassandra giggled.
"No, I was just throwing it out there. How about we don't set a date, and you take your fiance back to your room and have your way with her."
"Now that sounds like a fine idea to me soon-to-be Missus Lothario." Before she could walk away he scooped her up and carried her out of the restaurant.
~~~~~~~~~~
Back home the news spread like wildfire. When they got home Damen noticed the rock on her finger so Cassandra needed to call her parents before Damen blabbed the news. Bella's reaction was everything Cassandra could have asked for. However, her father was livid and she could hear him ranting to no one in particular in the background. Cassandra threw a birthday party for Betsy, but once presents were opened and cake was served Cassandra switched to wedding planning mode. She begged her mother to make the wedding cake. Even though her mom had some of the best pastry chefs she just wouldn't settle unless it was done by the best.
"Cassandra, you do not need to rush into marriage with the first man who shows interest in you," Mortimer retorted. Tears welled in her eyes.
"It is nice to know you have so much faith in me dad. Yet, you don't see me throwing together a wedding for the weekend."
"That is not the same young lady. Your mother and I knew each other since we were children. You know nothing about this man."
"We've been living together for a couple of years. I obviously know enough to know it is him that I want by my side for the rest of my life." Cassandra was on the verge of shouting. "Maybe you should just skip me and give the manor to Alexander. If I can't be trusted with knowing who I want to marry, then I can't be trusted with family responsibilities." Cassandra stomped off in frustration.
Mortimer found his daughter in the upstairs hall. Cassandra hoped to find some peace and quiet by putting Sheldon to bed, though it didn't appear her father was going to let things go.
"I'm not going to fight with you in front of Sheldon so please go back downstairs," she told him as calmly as she could.
"I'm not fighting with you Cassandra. It is just time for you to come home."
Cassandra interrupted "Dad, stop, I am home right now and I told you I'll be coming back. Now, I'm a package deal. Don and Sheldon are moving into the manor when it is time. Until then, I'm here, where my family is."
"Your family is with us. Don't be so quick to give it all away for love."
"Why can't you see this for what it really is? I'm not giving anything away. We haven't even set a date and I'm Grandpapa's grand-daughter. I know how to protect my assets. I'm not jumping into this. My day isn't running away to elope. I want my father to walk me down the aisle."
Mortimer softened for a moment. "I will trust you to make that decision for now. You don't know everything Cassandra. Marriage is a vow for life, make sure you know to whom you are promising your life," he warned.
Weeks later Cassandra secretary gave her a message from her father. He wanted to meet in Central Park after she left the office. Alone. Cassandra reluctantly agreed. When she arrived she forced a grin on her face. Cassandra knew her father wanted a public area so she wouldn't lose her cool. She almost didn't care if that happened. Mortimer handed her an envelope which she quickly shoved into her purse.
"Cassandra, you need to know about the man you want to marry and if you won't ask the hard questions then I will," he explained.
"Dad, you hired him. You brought him here. Why don't you trust him now?"
"I hired him because he is a good businessman. What his life is like outside of the office was none of my concern at the time. Now it is."
"You know, you've always distanced yourself from the type of man Grandpapa was. It seems to me like this is something he would pull. I'm happy. Leave it alone."
Mortimer was taken aback for a moment. Recovering from the sting of her words he sighed, "Just look in the envelop. It isn't everything but it is enough for you to question him. Don't ignore this." He left Cassandra confused. She did just wanted to ignore it; rip it into tiny pieces and throw it away. Yet, a tiny part of her curiosity was piqued. What could have riled her father so much that he was willing to act just like his father to get his way?
Cassandra could not shake the thought that Don wasn't every thing he seemed to be. She hated her father for planting the idea, knowing that she would eventually give in and read the info he gave her. It distracted her in all aspects of the day. Dinners were quiet as she considered what could possibly be the big deal. She was moody in general. At the office she was distant during board meetings and often side swiped by both Malcolm and Monte Alto. They were taking full advantage of her perceived weakness. When her concerns began invading her dreams Cassandra knew it was time to confront the issue head on. She wasn't going to let her father's vague accusations drive a wedge in her relationship with Don. She knew if she was going to be a wife then she was going to need to work out any problems with her soon-to-be husband.
Cassandra never looked in the envelope her father gave her. She would ask for the complete details, trusting that Don would tell her what she wanted to know and put her at ease. It wasn't an easy conversation to start. She wouldn't sound like a trusting fiance if she just came out and said so my father has been digging into your past but won't tell me any specifics and he doesn't want me to marry you. Cassandra wanted the conversation to flow naturally. It was natural to want to know more about some one's life in the past.
"Hey darling, I was hoping to do some wedding planning today if you are okay with that," Cassandra started.
"I have some minutes to spare, but I'm fine with leaving most of the details in your capable hands."
"We do have a cake tasting appointment with my mom at the bistro next week. First, though, I was hoping you would tell me a little bit more about your life in Riverview. Maybe more about your late wife, you know, I wouldn't want to recreate hard memories for you."
"No, Don, you are not quite understanding me. That's my fault. Let me ask you this; what was your life like in Riverview, before Connie?"
"Cassandra, I'd rather just leave the past where it is, in the past. It has no bearing on our lives."
"I want to know... I need to know about all of who you are. It is important for me."
"It isn't up for discussion," Don snapped. "Leave it be. We have a good relationship and a great family. There is nothing beyond that."
"You do not get to tell me it isn't up for discussion," Cassandra retorted. "I am your future wife not some insolent woman you have control over. We are a team. You owe me the truth about who you are, just like I am an open book. I'll do the same for you." A look of concern fell across Don's face. Cassandra had maneuvered him into an impasse. He could still refuse to answer and slowly it would eat away at her until she turned the demand into an ultimatum or he could tell her every thing and risk losing her and his ultimate goal as soon as he was finished.
"What, exactly, do you want to know?" Don asked.
"Everything. Just started at the beginning."
"You're asking for everything; you should know that everything isn't a pretty picture. Are you sure you can handle that?"
Cassandra searched his eyes for a clear answer. Finding nothing to tell her to change her mind she whispered, "Yes."
