2: Forgiveness

Katherine remembered the place vaguely. But she could remember everything about the day Nile's father humiliated her.

They walked until they came up to a big glass door with wooden panels.

“Timothy will be excited to see you guys,” Deborah beamed as she turned the knob and opened the door. “Timothy darling, look who is here to see you.”

Mr. O'Hare gasped when he looked up and saw Katherine and the others. “Wha... Wha..,” he coughed as he struggled to speak.

“Now, now, sweetheart. Don't be flustered,” Deborah said as she grabbed a bottle of water and raised it to her husband's mouth. He gulped down the water and took a deep breath.

“What is Katherine doing here?” He questioned.

“She's here to see you.” Deborah answered.

“Look, Mr. O'Hare,” Katherine began. “I don't understand why you're surprised. I got the letter from your lawyer stating that you needed to see me.”

“What? I didn't send any letter,” he answered. Katherine’s eyes landed on Deborah who looked guilty of the crime.

“It was me. I sent it,” Deborah confessed.

“Why would you do that?” Timothy bellowed, then begin to cough again.

A lady dressed in a nurse's uniform entered the room. “Alright, everyone out,” she ordered as she placed her stethoscope on his chest and began examining him.

Katherine, Taryn, and the children walked out of the chamber.

“Mom, this is so awkward,” whispered Nola.

“I knew they wouldn’t like us,” stated Nate. “When can we leave?”

“No one is leaving,” Deborah declared as she came up from behind them.

“Look, Mrs. O'Hare, I know you meant well, but this was a bad idea,” Katherine began.

“Just give me a few minutes, Katherine. I'll be right back,” she added as she rushed back into the room, leaving Katherine and the others behind.

Katherine sat in silence and disbelief in the sitting area of the mansion. How could Deborah put on such a-rouse knowing that Mr. O'Hare didn't like or approve of anything she did? In all honesty, Mr. O'Hare partially blamed Katherine for the death of her son. For years that was the case, and Katherine almost blamed herself, too.

Mr. O'Hare was not pleased to see her, and his disbelief was evident. Even on his sickbed, there was something domineering about him. Katherine looked over at the large couch to see what her children were doing. Nola was tapping away on her phone, while Nate was nodding and bopping his head to whatever song he was listening to on his phone. Taryn sat opposite Katherine with eyes trained as if waiting to see what her next move will be.

The door to the sitting room creaked open and Deborah entered. “He wants to see the children,” she smiled.

“Do you think that's a good idea?” Katherine asked as she stood. “I would rather not make things more uncomfortable or worse. I didn’t mean to upset Mr. O'Hare.”

“Trust me, Katherine, things can only get better,” she almost grinned.

“Well, I am coming with them,” Katherine said as she gestured for the kids to come to her.

“I will wait out here, Kat,” Taryn said.

“Alright,” Kat responded before ushering Nate and Nola to walk behind their grandmother.

They entered the room where Mr. O'Hare was in, and he sat up in his bed immediately. With his hands outstretched he gestured to the children. “Come and let me have a good look at you two.”

Nate and Nola glanced at their mother, who gave them a reassuring nod. They walked slowly towards the bed. Mr. O'Hare then took both of their hands in his and looked at them from head to toe. About thirty seconds flew by before a loud sob escaped the old man's mouth. He then gave his grandkids a warm embrace.

“What's wrong?” Deborah queried as she rushed to her husband.

“How could I have been so foolish? I missed out on the chance of forming a bond with my two grand children. All in the name of vanity.” He sobbed. “Now seeing them, they are both the splitting image of my son. I was a fool, and I was wrong for what I did."

It was obvious that the children were uncomfortable, so Katherine walked over to them.

“Please Katherine, I know I don't deserve any kindness from you, but I humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he said looking at Katherine.

Katherine saw the pain and anguish in the eyes of the sickly man. She also noticed the compassion in the eyes of her children, who were still holding on to their grandfather. She was a woman with a kind, loving and forgiving heart. She believed in a higher being and that karma is real. All her life she had been doing her best to do good, so that good will follow her. It took her nothing to forgive Mr. O'Hare.

“Nile always believed in forgiveness, and we were soul mates. I will honour him by forgiving you for all the wrongs you've done to me.” She stated.

“Thank you, thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Katherine,” Mr. O'Hare said.

Just then, the door flew open and Violet stepped inside along with their lawyer. The lawyer walked up to Mr. O’Hare’s bed and handed him some files. “I came here as soon as I got the call,” the lawyer stated.

Mr. O’Hare signed his signature on the documents.

“What's all this, Daddy?” Violet asked.

“Katherine has made me the happiest man. I can now go in peace. But before I go, I have some news to share about the inheritance,” Mr. O’Hare smirked at his daughter. He loved Violet with all his heart, but the woman was a lazy, no good princess whose only talent is to spend his money.

Violet was now excited because she knew she was going to get what she's been waiting for. Mr. O'Hare placed the papers he just signed inside of a large envelope. “Here I have the deed and licence to the Café and summer cottage.” Violet grinned from ear to ear, while Katherine and the others just stood and listen. “I have willed them to my two grand children, Nathan and Nola O'Hare,” he finished.

In shock, Katherine and the children’s mouth flew open. Violet's mouth also flew open, but she was not only in shock but the anger and disappointment she felt was raging inside her heart. “What?” Violet questioned. “I must be losing my hearing. Daddy, what did you just say?”

“I said my grandchildren will inherit the Café and the summer cottage.” He confirmed.

“So we are rich?” Asked Nathan.

“We are already rich, stupid,” Nola scolded.

“But now we are like rich, rich, rich, rich,” he grinned. Nola rolled her eyes and looked at her mother.

“Look, I don't even know what to say, Mr. O'Hare. All of this is a bit too much to process right now,” Katherine finally spoke.

“I know this is a lot to process, Ms. Katherine,” Timothy stated. “But it is deserving. My son loved that Café, and it was a part of him while growing up. It would have been his, so it is only fitting that it is handed down to his children.”

“We are so grateful. Nile would love this,” Katherine thanked him.

Violet shouted. “Unbelievable!” So loudly that Taryn rushed to knock on the door. Violet walked over and pulled it open.

Taryn was standing with a bewildered look on her face. “Is everything alright, Katherine?” She asked as she stood in the doorway.

“Yes, yes it is,” she smiled, “It's more than alright.”

Mr. O’Hare spoke again. “Would you all excuse us, my wife and I need to have a little chat with our daughter.”

“No problem Mr O’Hare,” Katherine smiled.

“Please, Katherine we’re all family here. How about from now on you call me Timothy.”

Katherine smiled sweetly as she, Taryn and her children exited the bedroom.