all my heart
by unique
chapter 9

    "I, Cassandra Marie James, solemnly swear to take you, Kevin, as my beloved husband... for
    better or for worse... in sickness and in health... for richer or for poorer... Till death
    do we part..."

    "I, Kevin Scott Richardson, solemnly swear to take you, Cassandra, as my beloved wife... for
    better or for worse... in sickness and in health... for richer or for poorer... Till death
    do we part..."

    The priest smiled. "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife... my
    children, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Richardson... you may kiss the bride."

    Everyone cheered as Kevin took Cassie into his arms and kissed her sweetly and gently.  Her
    arms went around his neck, pulling him closer.  Anne Richardson dabbed at her teary eyes
    with a handkerchief.  AJ, Nick, Howie and Brian shared a smile and a look as they watched
    the happy newlyweds.  And little Tyler pushed in between his mom and dad, smiling up at them
    happily.

    It had been a month since Tyler and Cassandra had been released from the hospital.  Kevin
    and his mom helped Cassie plan the perfect wedding, and now... they were living it.  Kevin
    and Cassandra were now married... and they were happy.  Everyone knew about Cassie's
    condition, but they didn't care.  Seeing how happy Kevin was, they knew it was worth
    whatever heartache would come later.  Anyone could see that Tyler, Cassandra, and Kevin made
    the perfect family.

    The crowd soon exited the church, and it was on to the reception. Everyone toasted to the
    new couple, wishing them every happiness.  They danced, they laughed... they loved.  To
    Kevin, it was a perfect day and nothing -- absolutely nothing -- could ruin it.  He looked
    over to where Cassie sat beside him at the side table.  She met his gaze and smiled.  He
    smiled back and held her hand warmly.  This was what he wanted... and he wouldn't have it
    any other way.

    ~ *********** ~

    Three months later...

    "Dad! Guess what!" Tyler said loudly as he came into the house. "You'll never guess what
    happened at school today!"

    Kevin stepped out into the foyer, looking grim. Tyler stopped short as he saw the look on
    his father's face.  He looked around for his Mama, but didn't see her.  He looked back to
    his father, suddenly afraid.  He shook his head slowly, as if denying what he already
    thought he knew.

    "Where is she?" Tyler's little voice asked, "Where's Mama?"

    Kevin came closer to his son and knelt down, holding out his arms.  Tyler backed away
    slightly, not wanting a hug.  He wanted his Mama.  He knew she was sick because both she and
    his dad had explained to him about her sickness..  But she had been feeling better... at
    least, that's what he had thought.  She had looked happy when he had left that morning...

    "I'm sorry, Champ..." Kevin swallowed past the lump in his throat. "I'm... so sorry..."

    Tyler felt the tears gather in the corner of his eyes and he shook his head slowly. "No...
    Dad... she can't be... she promised me! She promised me she would never leave me! No!"

    "Tyler..." Kevin said gently, pulling Tyler into his arms. "It's okay... Mama didn't leave
    you..."

    Tyler clung to Kevin and started to cry. "Noooo... Dad.... I want my Mamaaaa...."

    Kevin heard the pain in Tyler's voice and would have given anything to take that pain away
    from his son, but he was feeling his own too.  He had come home from the studio just two
    hours ago to find Cassie lying in bed... she had passed away in her sleep.  He tightened his
    hold on Tyler as he remembered the way she had looked...  She was still beautiful to him.
    Hot tears filled his eyes and slid down his cheeks.  Even though he had known this day would
    come, it didn't lessen or stop the pain that came with it.

    "Mamaaaa...." Tyler wailed into Kevin's shoulder. "I want Mamaaaaaa...."

    "I know you do, Tyler..." Kevin said softly, blinking at the tears that blurred his vision
    slightly. "I know you do, buddy.... so do I... but... she's still here with us... she loves
    us, Tyler.  She'll always be in our hearts, okay?  And I'm still here for you, Tyler... it's
    me and you..."

    Tyler nodded slightly, but he continued to cry for his Mama.  Kevin understood the pain of
    losing a parent, so he just let Tyler cry.  He held onto Tyler for what seemed like
    forever.  Somewhere during that time, the ambulance came to take Cassie to the morgue.
    Kevin realized he would have to prepare a memorial service... but that didn't matter right
    now.  What mattered was that his son was hurting, and Kevin had to help him.

    After the ambulance left, Kevin picked Tyler up and tucked him into bed.  Sure, it was only
    five in the afternoon, but Tyler was exhausted.  Kevin stayed with Tyler until his swollen
    eyes drifted shut.  Kevin kissed his forehead and dried the last of Tyler's tears away.
    Slowly, he got up and went towards the master bedroom.  Staring numbly at the bed, he
    remembered the nights he and Cassie had shared there.

    Of course, they couldn't have done much beyond kissing, but Kevin had had the joy of holding
    her in his arms and waking up to her smile every morning.  Now, he wouldn't see her smile
    anymore.  Moving as if he was underwater, he lay on the bed and touched her pillow gently.
    Bringing it to him, he inhaled deeply and caught the scent of her perfume.  He closed his
    eyes and just remembered her...  The tears that came were inevitable, but he ignored them as
    he clung to her pillow tightly.

    What seemed like hours later, he sat up again and picked up the phone.  He had to tell
    everyone... he had to plane the service.  Life had to go on... for his sake, and Tyler’s.
    When he was about to dial, he spotted an envelope propped up against the lamp.  He picked it
    up, recognizing Cassie's handwriting.  Fighting the emotion that filled him, he turned the
    envelope over and opened it.  A letter fell onto his lap and, with trembling fingers, Kevin
    picked it up and started to read.

    Kevin's eyes filled with fresh tears as he read Cassie's words... but they weren't as sad as
    before.  He smiled slightly as he finished the letter, then held it to his heart.  He looked
    up as if he could see into the heavens and sighed deeply.

    "I love you too, Cassie..." He said softly. "I will always love you..."