Trouble in Paradise (Cass)

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

The sound of crying echoed through the bedroom and Carter stirred. Why did Lilly need to cry? Couldn't she just...not? The man groaned in his sleep and turned over. He felt his wife gone and sighed his contentedness. She was already on it! Only after Lilly didn't stop crying he knew that she wasn't getting the baby. Maybe she was out talking to Alyson and din't hear her? The cries were pretty loud.. Carter got up and went into the hallway but the lights in the living room were off and all was quiet. Was he alone? He went into the baby's room and hushed her, offering her a binky and tucked her back in, putting her mobile on before going to investigate.

When he got into the living room he realized Alyson was nowhere to be seen either. The mans brows furrowed as he realized the women were both gone. At first he was confused and then he grew worried. Where had she gone? Why hadn't she left a note or woke him? He made his way to the bedroom and grabbed his phone, calling her, but the room began to fill with the sound of her cell phone ringing. She hadn't brought her phone!

Carter had never been someone to overreact to situations in the past, but hew recalled a time not terribly long ago when he had woken in the middle of the night to find his wife missing, only she hadn't been his wife at the time. When he found her she was tied to two semi-trucks and had been nearly ripped in half due to a psycho stalker that had been following them.

The very thought made him ill. Had Dustin found them? He paced, not knowing who to call. Should he contact the police? Was it too soon? They wouldn't do anything unless she'd been gone twenty four hours. What else was there to do but wait?

Minutes ticked by like hours, but finally he heard the door opening and he stood, staring at it with pained, red eyes. When the women walked through the door his breath caught in his throat feeling both blinding rage and blinding relief. The relief slipped as he noted what she was wearing, though. Where the hell had she gotten that?! And why the HELL was she wearing it at three in the god damn morning!

His nostrils flared and his teeth clenched tight together as his fists did at his side. Other than her outfit she looked fine, and Alyson looked no more worse for wear. "Where were you?" He asked his voice a low growl in the otherwise silent room. "And why...are you wearing that." she looked hot but he was so angry he couldn't register sexy at the moment.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

It had taken time but Aly had finally calmed down enough so that Cassidy could get her back to their condo so that the girls could get changed and then Cass was going to take Aly to the hospital and make sure that the police were called. Although they hadn't been with those monsters for long it felt like an eternity and all she wanted to do was get home and hold her daughter. Actually, she wanted to take her daughter and Carter and move! She didn't want to live in the same building as those lunatics! Then again, after calling the police they'd be hauled away and she'd feel much safer.

When she opened up the door the first thing she saw was her husband standing there and he didn't look too happy. But she didn't want to get into it with Aly there, after all there had been enough fighting that night to last Cass a while and she was exhausted. "Go up to my room and find something warm, okay?" She told the girl gently and waited for her to agree and walk away before she shut the door, locked it and looked like she was about to collapse onto the floor herself.

Now to face the real danger, she thought and turned to look at Carter, not bothering to move closer since he didn't seem to make the effort either. That's when she knew he was pissed off when he didn't come rushing to her. "I know you're going to be angry with me, but maybe it can wait until another time? I have to take Alyson to the hospital and I'm exhausted and.." her words trailed off however as she felt the emotions that she'd bottled up leaking out finally. She'd been strong and even a little too brave that night and now that she was finally home and save it was her turn to let it all out. Cassidy's eyes began to moisten and soon the tears were streaking down her face, but she tried to wipe them away quickly.

"I had to follow her. I couldn't let her get hurt, could I? Carter, the man who took her lives right here in this building! And his freak of a sister made me put on this ugly thing." She couldn't wait to get the hell out of it and burn it. No, she was going to cut it up into little tiny pieces and THEN burn it! She'd like to put the ashes in a care package and have it delivered to that freak Prestine but she knew that would be asking for trouble.

"Is the baby asleep?" She had a strong feeling that Carter only woke because Lilly had woken him, and although she knew that the baby would likely wake up, she knew that he would take care of her if he was forced to. It wasn't that he didn't love her, he just didn't know how to act around her it seemed!

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"I know you're going to be angry with me, but maybe it can wait until another time? I have to take Alyson to the hospital and I'm exhausted and.." He was infuriated. She'd followed her! After everything they had discussed she had followed that moron woman back to her captor! He wanted to scream at her but he kept his composure for the most part, seeing how genuinely upset she was growing.

Carter had always had a soft spot for Cassidy. He didn't like seeing her upset, or hurt. He really didn't get much pleasure out of seeing anyone that way but he could often ignore it. That wasn't the case with his wife. He tore his eyes from her, not wanting her waterworks to affect that way he felt towards her. She'd been selfish following Alyson. Yes, he understood she wanted to keep her safe, but by following her she had risked her own life. She couldn't do that shit anymore! She had to think of him and for Lilly!

He listened to her confirm the words he knew already, not feeling sorry for her in the least, or Alyson. "Is the baby asleep?" He was practically snarling when he looked back up at her.

"Suddenly you care for her well being?" He retorted darkly. "Because of your stupidity you could have left her motherless tonight, Cassidy. Do you never think?" Tears burned behind his own eyes but he would never let her see that, not right now. "Is that what you want? Your child to be raised by a single father like you were? And what about me?" He gulped and shook his head.

"Just take her to the hospital." He grumbled. "I'll be in the guest bedroom tonight." He turned on his heel and stormed off, not wanting to hear anymore. Not wanting her pathetic excuses.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

"Is that what you want? Your child to be raised by a single father like you were? And what about me?" Cassidy knew that he was going to throw that at her before it even came out and although she wasn't going to agree with him she knew he was right. It was a careless thing to do but she had acted in the moment and she cared about her friend. She watched him until he was out of sight and then decided to head to the bedroom and make sure Aly found some new clothes okay before she picked some out herself. Going to the hospital looked like a bar maid was not an option.

__________________________________________________________________________

Cassidy spent the better part of the night at the hospital while the doctors checked out Alyson and spoke to the police. She had also needed to give her statement so they could do their investigation and she was assured that they would be going to that condo when they were done with the girls. By the time the police finally left and she was sure Aly was sound asleep she finally dragged herself out, hailed a cab and went home.

When she finally laid down in bed the light was already coming through the curtains into the room and she simply tossed and turned. The bed was cold and empty without Carter there but she knew she couldn't just go into the guest bedroom and curl up with him. He'd only wake up and the fighting would commence. She wanted to stall it for just a little longer and relaxed her body trying to get her mind to stop running through the chain of events that had happened the night before. It seemed like so long ago suddenly.

Not even two hours later Cass had to pull herself out of bed because Lilly was up and crying for attention. Picking her daughter up she headed down to the kitchen and set the baby in her high chair then dropping a handful of cheerios onto the tray to keep her busy while she put on a pot of coffee. That's when she realized she'd slept in the clothes she'd worn to the hospital and she looked like a mess, wrinkles and creases everywhere. Hell, even her hair was a little wild and she didn't care. "Aren't I a sight this morning," She mumbled and Lilly started to giggle and bounce, probably just happy to hear the woman's voice. That was definitely worth smiling over.

When she had her cup of coffee set on the kitchen table and a bowl of oatmeal for Lilly she sat down and started spoon feeding her the luke warm mush. That's when she saw that they weren't the only ones awake anymore and her eyes only glanced to the figure emerging for a second before landing back on the baby. "Good morning." She said in a distant tone as if she didn't know just where they stood yet. Now she was ready for battle.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

Carter had a hard time sleeping that night. He wasn't used to the guest bed or sleeping alone. Plus he was worried about Cassidy knowing she wasn't in. He dozed on and off until he heard her come in. Finally he slept but it was a troubled sleep.

When Lilly woke in the morning, it woke him too. He stayed in the guest room for a while, allowing Cassidy to tend to their daughter. He had thought maybe of intervening and letting her see what life would be like for Lilly if something happened to her, but it was passive aggressive and he didn't want to start the morning like that.

Slowly he came out, watching form a distance as she did the morning routine with their daughter. "Aren't I a sight this morning," she said and Carter had to admit she was. She was beautiful even with messy hair and clothes. She looked tired which satisfied him to some degree. He made his way towards the kitchen slowly, catching her attention.

"Good morning." She said and he could tell she was walking on eggshells unsure what sort of mood he was in. It satisfied him also, glad she understood he was angry at her still.

"Morning." he offered back softly, pouring himself his own glass of coffee. He set it down and took a seat near his family and sipped the coffee, letting silence, other than Lilly's yammering, take over. "I think you should take Lilly to visit your father for a few days." He offered, his eyes downcast. "He hasn't seen her since she was born and Jenny's been itching to see her, too. And you."

His eyes moved back to look at her. "I think some distance would be good for us right about now." His tone was hurt, and it was clear he wasn't happy with her. Things hadn't been great lately. They hadn't been bad, either, but this made a part of Carter snap a little. He was tired of worrying. He swore things would change when they moved west, but they hadn't. He was tired of his heart aching for her. It wasn't what he wanted, and he was hurt that she had done this to him again.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

"I think you should take Lilly to visit your father for a few days." What? "He hasn't seen her since she was born and Jenny's been itching to see her, too. And you." Cassidy eyed Carter while he spoke, feeling a build up of anger and frustration that made her want to throw oatmeal at him. "I think some distance would be good for us right about now." The spoon that she had been using to feed Lilly clattered down onto the tray and she looked at her husband with such anger in her eyes. "Distance?" She asked trying her best not to raise her voice with the baby right there.

"You want distance? How about you go back there then? Because I have a store to run and believe me, it would be much easier for you to pack up and go than the two of us." She was glowering at him now. He didn't want her to go on a mini vacation to take a break or to feel better, he wanted her to go AND take their daughter so that he wouldn't have to watch her! It had nothing to do with her father or even Jenny wanting to see the baby.

"You know, you could have at least asked if I was okay! You could have acted like you cared even a little bit instead of just going to your default of being angry at me." She shook her head at him as if he were a child that she had to scold. He acted like one sometimes!

"Maybe I acted careless, but dammit Carter! I wasn't going to let that girl just get herself killed. I wouldn't be able to live with that kind of guilt if I could stop it, and the fact that you could.." she trailed off and just shook her head again. She was way too angry. "Maybe we will go," at least then she wouldn't have to see his stupid angry face, "I'll make arrangements for us to stay with someone later on." She couldn't stay at her father's, his place was too small. And as much as she loved Jenny she didn't want to stay near Carter's parents, but there was always Owen or Landon she could call up. She was sure Carter would love that!

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

He was feeling the anger build in him as she started to grow irritated. It didn't help that neither had gotten a decent nights sleep. He had no problem being the one to go home, but he thought maybe she would be more upset if he was the one to say he was leaving rather than offer her the opportunity instead. Leave it to Cassidy to turn things around on him.

"You know, you could have at least asked if I was okay! You could have acted like you cared even a little bit instead of just going to your default of being angry at me." Carter was really starting to lose it. Was she serious? Did she honestly think for one second he didn't wonder if she was okay?

"Maybe I acted careless, but dammit Carter! I wasn't going to let that girl just get herself killed. I wouldn't be able to live with that kind of guilt if I could stop it, and the fact that you could.." She stopped and he had to stop himself from overreacting. Lilly was still there, after all, and he was angry that she would choose now to fight with him, knowing he couldn't fly off the handle in front of the baby. "Maybe we will go. I'll make arrangements for us to stay with someone later on."

Carter had genuinely considered slapping his wife before; until now. "I told you not to get involved. I've been telling you since you started whining that you wanted to search for her, did I not?" He growled, his tone low and harsh. "I have bent over backwards to keep us safe. I moved across the country from everyone we knew so we could try and escape our past. I started a practice here, a life, and have drove myself mad with domesticity, something I swore I would never do, for you. For us. For Lilly so she could have a chance at a normal life. What do you think my first thought was when I woke up to find you gone, Cassidy? You didn't bring your phone, you left no note... you were just gone. Can you recall any other time that may have happened? And where were you?" He growled, knowing she knew full well where he had found her.

"If she wanted to go get herself killed that was her prerogative. You tried to talk her out of it, I heard you. She is not my concern, Cassidy. You are. Then you come strolling in wearing God knows what..." He shut his eyes and swallowed. "I was glad you were alive, glad you were unharmed, but god dammit I was angry and had every right to be."

He ran a hand over his face. "But nothing I say matters, because you're always right, aren't you." It was a rhetorical question. "I think you were right. I think I should be the one to head east for a while. You have your business. In fact, maybe I should take Lilly." He said coldly. "My mother would love some time with the baby, and frankly I should learn to care for her more on my own since you've made it clear you have no interest in keeping yourself safe for the sake of either of us." He pulled his phone out. "I'll make the arrangements now. She and I can be out of your hair by supper." He began poking on his phone, finding a deal on airfare.

[CASSIDY MERRYWEATHER]

Not only was Cassidy deprived of sleep she was just so spooked by everything that had happened that it wasn't helping her temper. She was so angry that he would say such things about her, did he seriously think that she didn't care about her family?! She knew what they had been through and god was it a nightmare! She was happy with how their life was now but dammit she wasn't going to let someone get hurt!

Cass picked the spoon up off of Lilly's tray and chucked it, oatmeal and all, at Carter in a fit. "There's a difference between worrying and actually saying you were worried! And don't you dare talk to me as if I don't care about my family." She wanted to throw something sharper than a damn spoon at him!

"None of this would have happened if we hadn't run into each other, and right now I really wish that never happened!" She snapped at him and stood up from the table, picking the baby up into her hands and placing her on her hip. She was still trying to keep her voice down so it didn't sound too bad, but Lilly had caught her throwing the spoon and now she was trying to fling the oatmeal that was on her hands everywhere and managed to get it all over Cassidy's clothes and her face. But Cass didn't care she just glared at her husband before she picked up the bowl of oatmeal and brought it to the sink and set it inside.

"You don't even know how to care for your own daughter! I'm not letting you take her anywhere without me. You'll end up leaving her in the damn airport!" Cassidy said a lot of things when she was angry, and most of the time she was just trying to hurt him because he seemed to not be phased half the time when she was angry. She was glad they had bumped into each other in New York, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten their beautiful Lilly.

"Just go by yourself. We don't need you here." She choked on the words and her eyes welled up with tears, but she didn't want him to see her crying! She was just so hurt by her own words, knowing they were wrong, but she couldn't take them back now. She headed towards Lilly's room since she'd have to change her and clean her up. She was clinging to Cassidy's hair with her oatmeal caked fingers, so Cass was going to need a shower too.

[CARTER MERRYWEATHER]

"None of this would have happened if we hadn't run into each other, and right now I really wish that never happened!" She snapped. He'd been livid before that since she'd thrown a spoon full of oatmeal at him, but her words were far sharper than anything she could have thrown. Was that how she felt? He knew she was likely acting in a fit of rage but she had hit him below the belt. After everything he had sacrificed for her.. after everything he had done to build a life for her.. he had given almost everything he loved up so he could have a life with her! And now she claimed she didn't want any of it?

But the insults didn't stop there. She continued with her attack on his parenting style. It was true Carter could have tried harder to be a better parent, but he did what he could when he could. He never exactly had a good example, but he was ten times the father his father had been. He at least attempted to pay attention to Lilly sometimes. He would change diapers now and then and do feedings. Sure, they were few and far between but he was certain his father had never changed a soiled diaper in his life, and he'd had two children.

"Just go by yourself. We don't need you here."

He stood there, not sure if he should be hurt or angry. He was a little of both. "Well, if that's how you feel.." He gulped, watching her storm off. He stood there for a moment, dazed. Finally he moved his feet, going to the bedroom and changing before making his way out the front door, slamming it behind him. If she wanted him gone, he would do just that. He went down to the garage and got into his car, since he'd learned how to drive once they'd moved west, and went to his office. He could get some work done before his flight, which he still needed to book. He was sure there would be a red eye available to New York sometime that day.