Tatum's POV:

"You hungry?"I ask Cassie and she nods.

"I'll order pizza."Brandon says does so.

While waiting for the pizza I decide to make a fort.I think that it'll be really nice for Cassie. I decide to make it in the living room. Cassie is sitting with Brandon by the kitchen table drinking a homemade strawberry milkshake.

I have to move the coffee table first. I wanna make the fortress in the middle of the living room. I head into the bedroom and grab pillows and blankets. I set it down on the couch then try to move the coffee table out of the way.

"Tatum what are you doing?"Brandon suddenly appears next to me.

"I'm gonna build a fortress."I say and continue to pull the coffee table.

"Let me do it."He says and picks up the coffee table with both hands raising it above his head and then setting it aside and out of the way.

"You know I was pretty much capable of doing that myself."I say and cross my arms.

He puts his hands on my shoulders and says:"I know you are,but you shouldn't especially not now."

He kneels down then lifts up my t-shirt revealing my skin and then plants a sweet kiss on my stomach.

"Your mother is very self righteous."He whispers to my stomach.

I hit him on the shoulder.
"Hey I heard that."I say and he stands up on his feet again.

He holds my face in his warm hands and kisses me everywhere on my face and then lastly plants a soft kiss on my lips.

"I know how you are about your independence, but I'm here to help. You shouldn't stress your body out.Now...lets build this fort together, like the ones we used to build when we were little."He says and interlaces his fingers with mine. The memories of when we were small, causes a smile to plant itself on my face.

"Ahh The good old days."I say and he laughs then we start building the fort.

Soon after we finished the fort the I hear a knock on the door. That must be the pizza.

"I'll get it."I say and head towards the door.

I open the door and am surprised to see Joe here.

"Oh Hi Joe-seph.You're one of Samuel's friends right."I say. God I'm an idiot. Remember I'm Grace now. So I'm not supposed to know who he is.

"Uh Hi. Yeah, how'd you know my name?"He asks.I could say that Sam told me about him, but he'd probably ask Sam if it's true.

"Brandon told me."I say. Okay that's right Tatum,play it cool. It makes sense that Brandon would have told me.

"Oh okay"He says. Brandon soon appears at the door.

"Hey Joseph"Brandon greets.

"Hey. So I'm actually having a party tomorrow and I wanted to know if you guys would come?"He asks.

"Thanks for inviting us, but we can't. We're really busy tomorrow."I say.

"Oh really?"

"Yeah. But maybe another time."Brandon says.

"Yeah another time. Okay then that was all. It's at room 67, if you change your mind.Goodbye."

"Goodbye."Both Brandon and I say simultaneously.

"Well that was strange."I say.

"Yeah,so_"Brandon is cut off by knocking on the door. Please be the pizza. I opened the door and we got our pizza. We gave him the money and a reasonable tip and then the pizza guy went on his way.

"Cassie we've got pizza and a fort."I say and see her running into the living room then stops when she sees the fort. Her eyes go wide and it's so damn cute.

"Wow."She says.

"Come on let's go in princess. This is your castle."Brandon says and takes her hand leading her into the fort. It actually looks really amazing in here. We hung up some Christmas lights in here too. I dimmed the lights before I got in the fort, so that the Christmas lights would have a better and more glimmering effect.

The fort holds the three of us and I think more people could fit in here actually.

I put the pizza box in the middle of us and open it. Hmm, it really smells good.

Everyone starts eating. I'd choose this over a party any day. It's so peaceful and warm. I can feel the positive and loving energy circulating all around us. This is something that I would call home. Not the place you are, but the people you are with and the moments you share.

Samuel's POV:

Joe walks through the doors with a nettled expression on his face.

"So are they coming?"I ask raising my eyebrow, crossing my arms and laying back into the couch.

"Yeah they're coming."He says and plops himself on the couch next to Reece.

"You don't sound so sure bud."Bash says with a smirk.

"Fuck off."

"Yep I was right they're not coming, so pay up."I say.

"Hey the bet isn't over yet, they might still show up tomorrow."Joe says sounding as if he is trying to convince himself.

"Mmm sure."I say.

After a few hours, we all said our goodbyes and went home.
As I arrive at my house and park my car in my driveway. I see Sabrina on my front porch.

Anger immediately floods into my being.

I get out of my car and shut the door.

As I walk up to the front of my house I ask with aggression:"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Sam can we please talk."She pleads and grabs my shoulders.

"What do you want Sabrina?"I ask as I unlock my front door and walk in. Sabrina uninvitedly steps in. With no energy to fight with her, I just close the door behind her.

"Are you still mad?"She asks and I clench my teeth trying to stay calm.

"Of course I'm mad Sabrina."I say.

"Please don't be mad at me. I'm really sorry. What happened between Jacob and I didn't ma_"She starts but I cut her off.

"I'm not mad at you Sabrina. I'm mad at myself, for trusting someone like you."I say and she goes silent.

"Look,whatever happened happened, but you need to stop doing this. I don't care anymore.I don't feel anything for you anymore."I say. It might be harsh, but it's from complete honesty.

"Doing what?I'm trying to save our relationship here."She shouts.

I scoff:"You're the one who broke it. You're the one who tore us apart."

"Sam.I know that we can work this out. You just have to give me another chance."

"I honestly don't understand you."I mumble to myself and run my hand through my hair frustratedly.

"What?"She asks.

"Sabrina just go. Please."I say.

"Samuel,but_"

"But nothing."I cut her off.

"After everything, can you please just give me some time to be happy. I was in a good mood before you got here. So can you please just leave."

For a few moments of silence she speaks:"Sam I will always love you and I know that you miss me,but I'm here now.I can put you in a better mood than happy."

And with that she steps closer and I know that I'll completely regret what's about to happen next.

Tatum's POV:

After we ate, I called Katherine over and we informed her about what Cassie told us. Katherine was just as surprised as I was.We decided that we have to inform the police and child protection services. I know that a lot is lying ahead of us. We just have to stay strong and hope for the best. I really hope that, that man isn't here to cause havoc in our lives.

After we spoke about that, Katherine told us about what we have to do in order to have a successful adoption process. Katherine soon after went home and Cassie is sleeping right now. So it's an opportunity for Brandon and I to discuss the adoption processes.

"Tatum I know how you feel about marriage and I know that we've spoken about it before, but_"Brandon starts but I cut him off.

"No it's okay and like I said I'll do anything to adopt Cassie and besides I don't think that I can come up with a good enough explanation."I say. It's going to make it easier to adopt Cassie by getting married instead of having to explain to the welfare workers why we aren't married. Brandon and I spoke about this before, when we were teenagers. So he knows that I never had an interest or planned on ever getting married when I would be older.I just see marriage as one of those things that separate you, instead of bringing you closer and my parents are perfect examples of that,because it's great before marriage, but once you take that step in your life you just have ongoing problems that just comes out of nowhere. So I never liked the thought of marriage and what can I say. I just don't see things like other people do,but I'm willing to do it for Cassie. Brandon knows that I'm not a traditional type of person and he never had a problem with it. He accepted me as I was.

"Great. You know I've always wanted to marry you and would've asked you to marry me by now, but you never liked the idea."

"I know what I said, but maybe we can work through it."I say.

"It's a bummer though."

"What is?"I ask curiously.

"That I couldn't ask you to marry me in a romantic way.That it's just a decision made, because of adoption processes."He says. I feel kinda bad right now. I stand up from my seat and sit next to Brandon.

I put my hand on his saying:"Look you know I love you and just because I was never interested in getting married doesn't mean that I love you any less.You've always supported me even though you think about marriage differently from how I do. I admit that I've been unfair towards you and I'm sorry. You've given me every piece of you and it's time for me to do the same.So I am going to marry you, not only for Cassie's sake, but for you too."I say trying to reassure him.

He looks at me and smiles.Then takes my hand and kisses it.

"I know. I just would've loved to see your reaction when I proposed or to see you walk down the aisle in your white dress."He says.

"Well tell you what. In the future we can have a proper wedding, white dress and everything,but for now we'll get married in court."

"Really?"

"Yeah really."

He crashes his lips on mine. I immediately open up and he slips his warm tough in.

I bite his bottom lip slightly tugging at it as I pull away and moan in a sigh.

"Mmm.I want you so bad now, but we'll have to handle ourselves because Cassie's in the other room."I say.

"Yeah.Come on let's make dinner."Brandon says and stands up from the couch then lends out his hand to take.

I get up as well and we head into the kitchen.

"So what would my babies like for dinner today?"Brandon asks as he opens the refrigerator.

"We would like...dessert."I say confidently.

"Tatum."

"Okay, okay we want...I don't know. I just know I want dessert.Why don't you surprise us chef."I say.

"No no you're helping me lady."He says.

"Lady? Hey and now that I actually want to give you the privilege of doing everything, you don't want it?"I say crossing my arms over my chest.

"Privilege? Okay, I'll prepare the starter and main course and you can make the dessert."He suggests.

"Okay I love the sound of that."

After eating dinner we all washed up and went to bed with Cassie sleeping between Brandon and I. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. We'll have to go to the police and Cassie is going to have to tell them what she saw. I just hope that they'll catch that bastard. How could someone do such cruel things to a child, a baby. Both Brandon and Cassie have already fallen asleep. I plant a kiss on Cassie's forehead and close my eyes to try to get some sleep.

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There are many unexpected things waiting for us ahead

I've been working on another story for a while now that's why it takes a hit longer than normal for me to update new chapters on this one,but you guys should stay tuned because this story is going to get a whole lot better and I want to inform you guys that my new story 'Fall of the wind' will be released late November. So I'm pretty excited about that. Love you all thanks for the support. ♥