1: Grandma Debs

Katherine hurriedly gathered her bag and laptop as she made her way to the door. She only had an hour and a half to get to the airport. “Nola, Nate I'm leaving,” she gave out as she grabbed the door knob.

When she got that letter from her late husband's family lawyer a couple of days ago, she was shocked and a bit worried about the urgency.

Her late husband's father, Timothy O'Hare, was terminally ill and on his dying bed, so he wanted to ask for forgiveness and make amends for what he did to Katherine and her kids. The letter also stated that there were matters about a will and inheritance that needed to be discussed in person.

Footsteps sounded as the two children ran down the stairs. Almost winded, Nola gave out. “We're here, we're here.”

“Good. Remember I have to pick up Taryn and Liam. Now let's go,” Katherine said as she gently shoved her two kids through the exit. She closed the gate behind her and then got into her car.

While driving, she began to ponder about this supposed inheritance the letter mentioned, because if her memory served her right, she could have sworn that years ago Timothy took Nile and the twins off his will.

Over the years, Mrs. O'Hare reached out to Katherine, but she never felt comfortable enough to bring her kids to see their father’s side of family. But Katherine would allow the twins to speak to them over the phone occasionally, but her herself hadn't seen any of them since Nile’s funeral. Deborah always promised that she would visit someday, but life never allowed that to happen. Katherine called the law firm that the letter was coming from and spoke to the lawyer in charge of this case. He had her contact Deborah, who was so excited that she was getting to see her grandchildren after so many years that she agreed to pick them up from the airport.

Katherine grew up in Wisconsin with her family, but when she met the love of her life, Nile on a road trip over eleven years ago, she moved to West Virginia to be with him. They got married a year after meeting and started a little family of their own. Nile’s father, Timothy tried everything to stop the ceremony from happening, but nothing can stop true love. At least that was what Katherine thought until life threw her a curveball. Two years after she gave birth to her twin boy and girl, she lost Nile in a tragic car accident. The pain was too much for her to bear, she moved back to her hometown in Wisconsin, where she has been running a small bakery/Café.

“I can't wait to finally meet grandma Deborah,” Nola smiled as she stared out the backseat window.

“I wish we didn't have to go,” whined Nate.

“Come on, Nate, this will be fun. Everyone is excited to meet you two,” Katherine tried to cheer him up.

“Then why didn't you bring us to see them sooner, you know, when we were younger? What if they don't accept us as a part of their family?” Nathan huffed.

Just as Nate finished his sentence, he looked up and saw his mother's reflection in the rearview mirror. Sadness was clear in her eyes, but Katherine tried to smile through it.

“I am sorry for waiting so long, Nathan, but I promise they will accept you. They love and can't wait to meet you two.” She half lied.

Nola saw her mother's pain and spoke up. “Lighten up, Nate, you know nothing happens before its time.” The girl was so mature for her age. In fact both of them were so mature even though they were only 8.

“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Nathan said as he plopped his ear pods into his ears.

Katherine looked at her daughter in the mirror and smiled, as Nola returned the smile and gave her an approving nod. Thirty minutes later, and they were on their way to the airport.

The stopped on the way to pick up Liam and Taryn. Taryn was Katherine's best friend and was travelling to Wisconsin with her for moral support. Taryn took over the driving, while Katherine sat in the passenger seat. Nola and Nathan remained in silence while their uncle Liam sat between them fiddling with his phone.

When they reached the airport, they said their goodbyes to Liam before they boarded the plane. The flight was almost two hours long, and the kids were more than happy about that. As soon as the plane landed, Katherine’s stomach was in knots.

“Don’t worry. Everything will be fine,” Taryn squeezed her hand and Katherine nodded and released her breath. She was so happy her bestie was there with her. She didn’t know what she’d do without her.

“Welcome to West Virginia kids,” Katherine smiled as they made their way over to the waiting area.

“I can't wait to meet everyone,” Nola beamed as she looked around.

“I'm hungry,” Nathan yawned.

“Well, we have plenty of food at home,” said a cheery voice from behind them.

“Deborah,” Katherine muttered. The elderly woman hurried over and before Katherine could get another word in, Deborah grabbed Katherine and gave her a huge hug.

“It's so good to finally see you after all these years. You haven't changed a bit," Deborah raved as she gave Katherine a kiss on the cheek. Taryn smirked, she was definitely stunned by the pleasantries. Deborah and Katherine had always been civilized to each other, but the hugging and kissing was a bit too much.

“Only a little bit,” Katherine stated as she fiddled with her brunette hair. Which was now shoulder-length and curly, far from the straight waist-length hair that Mrs. O'Hare was used to.

“This suits you well,” Mrs. O'Hare praised Katherine's look.

“Thank you,” Katherine cleared her throat.

“And this must be Taryn,” Deborah said as she turned her attention to Taryn.

“I'm a higher,” Taryn joked and Mrs. O'Hare noted. “Nice to meet you, Miss Deborah,” Taryn smiled and the old woman pulled Taryn in for a hug as well.

“I’m so glad you could come, Taryn. Any friend of Katherine is always welcome at my home,” Deborah squealed as she pulled away from the hug.

Katherine used her hands to steer the two children in front of her who were hiding behind her a few moments ago. “Deborah, this is Nola and Nathan, your grandchildren.” Katherine introduced her kids.

“Oh, my precious babies,” Deborah cried.

She huddled both Nola and Nate in a bear hug. She embraced them as if she never wanted to let go.

“I'm so elated to see you two finally after so long. My, look how big you have gotten,” she said as she stepped away from the embrace to admire her grandchildren.

"I'm happy to finally meet you, Miss Deborah,"said Nola.

“Please call me grandma Debs.”

“It's nice to see you, grandma Debs,” Nola and Nathan said in unison.

Katherine beamed from ear to ear when she saw how happy her children were. Keeping them from their father's side of the family was not her intention, but she could not bear the thought of having her kids being in a place that reminded her so much of the love that she lost. She swore to herself that maybe one day she would muster the courage to go back to Virginia, and that day came when she got that frantic phone call from Deborah.

“Come on everyone, the car is waiting outside,” said Deborah as she held on to the hands of her grandchildren.

***********

One and a half hour later, and they were pulling up to the O'Hare Estate. Unpleasant memories flooded Katherine's mind. She remembered how Timothy chastised her and called her poor in front of the rest of Nile's family. Nile's sister Violet giggled and smirked as Mr. O'Hare's harsh words sunk in. Mrs. O'Hare was upset with her husband, but she didn't dare show it too much. Mr. O'Hare was a dominant ruler, and he made it clear.

The large oak door swung open, and Violet's luscious blonde hair was the first thing Katherine saw, then the heavy matted lipstick that stained her lip. She dressed the same as Katherine remembered, in tight leather pants, crop tops and ten-inch stilettos.

“Welcome, welcome, welcome,” she greeted as she sauntered down the steps.

“Mom, who's that?” Nathan grinned appreciatively.

“That's your aunt Violet,” Deborah answered.

“Oh,” Nathan sounded disappointed and Katherine chuckled. It was obvious her son was a ladies man like his father.

“It's so great to finally meet my niece and nephew,” Violet uttered as she stood before them. “My, my, you two are the splitting image of your father.” Her eyes widened as she took in the twins’ features.

“This is Nola and Nathan,” Deborah smiled.

“I'm your aunt Violet, but you can call me aunty Vi,” Violet beamed as she gestured for a hug.

The children were hesitant for a bit. “Go on, give your aunt a hug,” Katherine urged. They hugged their aunt awkwardly.

“It's good to see you Katherine, you look fantastic,” Violet said as she raked in Katherine's appearance.

“Thanks Violet. This is my best friend Taryn,” Katherine introduced.

Violet turned her attention to Taryn and gave her a small smile. “Nice to meet you, Karyn,” Violet smiled and extended her hand.

“It's Taryn, with a T,” Taryn returned the smile and shook her palm.

“Oops, my mistake.”

Taryn realized in that moment that she wasn't going to get along well with Violet, but Katherine knew how she was and how to deal with her.

“Come now, let's go inside,” Mrs. O'Hare urged. “Timothy is waiting to meet his grandchildren.”