Jade threw up for the third time that day. She realized it was time to tell Han about the baby. She felt nervous. Han had no idea she was pregnant. Jade would have told him sooner, but he was so concerned with saving money for a house and every time she tried to bring up children he would say further down the road. She went to find Han with a mixture of nervousness and complete joy.
Jade found Han in his art studio. She swallowed. Han turned to her. "Oh, hey, Jade. What do you think of my newest masterpiece?" Han winked playfully. "I'm pregnant." Jade blurted. Han froze. "What?" Jade burst into tears. "I know you wanted to wait a few years but I want to keep this baby and if that doesn't work for you I'm sorry but.." Han put up a hand still trying to process. "Your pregnant?" Jade nodded, tears streaming down her face. "Yes."
Han kissed Jade and then smiled at her. "I'm going to be a dad." That thought alone was thrilling and overwhelming. He wiped Jade's tears. "Its going to be okay." Jade bit her lip. "Your not mad?" Han held Jade's chin. "Of course not! Why would you think that for a minute?" Jade faltered. "Well, just when I tried to bring up kids you...you always said you wanted to wait a few years." Han looked into Jade's beautiful green eyes. "That was before. Now, I think kids are a great idea. I hope you have triplets!" Jade laughed and kissed Han again.
Han tried his best to be supportive of Jade through her pregnancy. Jade was incredibly emotional. Each day they got closer to their due date, Han began to feel more and more nervous.
Jade went into labor at home and then had the baby at the hospital. She had a baby girl, which they named Charley. Han and Jade both quickly adjusted to parenthood.
Zane's youngest two daughters, Ella and Elizabeth aged into children. Ella in the pink, resembled her mom more. Elizabeth in the orange, resembled Zane the most.
Zane felt fortunate to see his youngest daughters age into children. Alissa loved her little sisters, but couldn't help missing Andrea watching them. How many times did she and Andrea swing on this very swing set? Alissa knew her parents were getting older, and raising Ella and Elizabeth might fall onto her in the next few years.
Presley and Charlaine had learned to reign in the wolf side of themselves, and both looked attractive when not in shaggy wolf form. Presley would age slower than his siblings, simply because he was werewolf.
Axel entered Reese's house, worry etched across his face. "What's wrong?" Reese could see Axel was upset. Axel, who had changed significantly in the past few years, rarely got upset. The fact that he was upset, made Reese feel a sense of dread. "I can't find Cassidy." Reese was shocked. "What? But you had her this weekend." Axel nodded. "I left her at the house less than an hour, I had to run down to the office to fax some documents to my boss. I got home and she was gone." Axel stared into Reese's brown eyes. "Has she been acting out lately?" Reese swallowed. "Just the last few months. She is fifteen after all." Axel and Reese both realized at the same time what happened when they were fifteen that changed their lives forever. "We have to find her." Axel stated determined.
Cassidy slammed the door behind her. "Where were you, young lady? Axel said you left his house. You had us both worried sick about you!" Cassidy scoffed. "Really, mom?" Reese stood her ground. "Answer me! Where were you?" Cassidy rolled her eyes. "I went out for pizza with some friends. And before you ask...no! There were no boys. I'm not as dumb as you were."
Reese had to walk away. Cassidy's words stung deeper that she knew. Cassidy didn't even notice.
"So am I grounded or what?" Cassidy glared at Axel. Axel felt sorry for Reese. Cassidy had never shown off her attitude to him and he had a feeling it would be worse if he wasn't here. "Yes, your grounded. We'll talk about it later." Cassidy shrugged. "Whatever." Axel checked on Reese.
Reese had been crying sofly. "Hey, its okay, Reese, she's just a teenager." Reese hugged Axel. "I know...its just...I think she's right. "I was so stupid and reckless as a teenager." Axel tried to think of something to say. "Well, you had a rough upbringing, Kane's mom raising you around all that violence. Its a wonder you turned out as good as you did." Reese wasn't sure what to say. Axel thought he said the wrong thing. "Your a great mom, Cassidy is just going through a stage."
Cannon slammed the door. "What is going on?" He boomed out. Cassidy shrugged. "Ask the lovebirds."
Axel was furious at Cassidy. "You are out of line, Cassidy!" Cannon put up his hands. "Really? She's out of line? Your hugging your ex-wife, MY girlfriend!" Axel tried to calm Cannon. "Cannon, listen to me, I will explain-" Cannon cut him off. "I am through with your explanations." Cannon gave Reese a disgusted look. "I love you Reese, but I have had enough!" Cannon stomped out the door.
Cassidy hurried after Cannon. "I can't believe you two!" She slammed the door after her, leaving her perplexed parents staring in shock.
"Cannon, please don't go! I'm sorry, okay? I kind of stretched the truth. I was rude to mom and Axel was just trying..trying to stop her from crying. Please, don't go!" Cannon paused. "Cass, I love you like my own daughter. But your parents...they seem to want to be together again. Your mother knows I love her but I don't think its enough." He knew he shouldn't be talking to Cassidy about this but he knew she should know the truth. "No, your my dad, Cannon! More than Axel ever was...I don't want them to get back together! I don't want it to go back to how it was...it was terrible!" Cassidy started to cry, she couldn't help it.
Cannon hugged Cassidy. It would be hard, to not be apart of a family but he knew the direction things were headed. Reese and Axel both wanted to be together. He wasn't going to stand in the way anymore. "Cass, you'll always be like a daughter to me, okay? You need anything, someone to talk to, or are in trouble call me, okay?" Cassidy nodded. "Okay."
Charley aged into an adorable toddler! Han was surprised how quickly she had grown up. It felt like yesterday they had brought Charley home.
Han taught Charley how to walk while Jade was away at the spa. Although he painted, for a living, he still found plenty of time to spend with his growing daughter.
Jade burst through the door after work. "I just found out some amazing news!" Han was up for anything. "Selah and Jace aged into young adults and their engaged!" Han felt happy with that news. "Well good for them."
Jade continued. "Jace asked in front of Sydnee...which thrilled Sydnee, of course. "Oh and also, Sydnee just told me the news, they are going to have a baby!"
Han felt a bit upset. He had always thought Jace and Selah would get married before they had children. "Are they getting married any time soon?" Jade suddenly realized Han was upset. "Why are you upset? They're engaged aren't they?" Han spoke firmly. "A baby is a big responsibility. I just hope their ready for it. And they should get married!" Jade sighed. "Well, you can't make them." Han shook his head. "No, but I can go talk to them."
Jade knew when Han made up his mind about something, he was hard to dissuade. "Just please don't get too caught up in this. Remember, your flying out to see your father next week!" Han walked out the door and Jade had a feeling Selah and Jace were about to get an earful.
End of Part 2
