The drive to the cemetery where Nile was buried was about an hour and a half from Aiden's and Katherine's home. Katherine thought it was a better idea if her mom and Mrs. Lewis came with them so that they could watch the babies while they visited Nile's graveside. Mrs. Riley and Mrs. Lewis hung back while Katherine, Aiden, Nola and Nathan made their way to the graveside. Even though it was many years ago, Katherine still remembered where Nile was laid to rest. His black and white headstone stood out from the rest, since it was made to look like a praying angel with a golden halo on top of its head. She remembered that there was also a small oak tree close to the grave, which was now a towering beauty. "There it is," Katherine motioned, directing Nola and Nathan who were walking closely beside them. Nathan had his backpack with him and Nola had her little trinkets, while Katherine carried a small purse that held hers. "It's so beautiful," Nola remarked as they got closer to the gra
TEN YEARS LATERChaos was brewing in the Windsor mansion as an eighteen-year-old Nola struggled to style her hair. She tried tirelessly to get the curls just right, but her hair wasn't having it today. "Dammit!" she snapped, throwing the curling iron down on the floor. "I'm gonna tell mom and dad that you said a bad word."Nola turned on her chair and saw her little sister, Adeline, trying on one of her bras. "Addy, how many times have I asked you to stay outta my stuff?" Nola rolled her eyes. "Please put my stuff down."Addy pouted and placed the bra back on the bed. "Nola, do you have to go away to college?"Nola's heart melted. "Hey, come here," she stretched her hands out for her little sister to come to her. The shiny, dark-haired little girl ran into the strawberry blonde-haired young woman's arms. "Come on, climb on my lap," Nola giggled as she helped her sister onto her lap. "I don't want you to be sad. I promise I will be back for summers, Christmases, and family holidays."
"Nathan, could you please pass me the peas?" Katherine asked as she laughed at something Nola said. "Here you go, mom," Nate said as he handed her the bowl with the peas. "So Nate, are you excited to start playing for one of the best college baseball teams in the entire US?" Dustin asked. "You know it, Uncle Dusty," Nate grinned as he chewed on his food. "We are so proud of you," Mrs. Riley announced as she cut into her baked chicken. "Thanks grandma," Nate nodded. "And your grandpa is proud of you too," Mr. Riley chimed in. "And don't forget grandma Debs, she's proud of you too.""Yes I am," Deborah answered as she wiped Kaden's cheeks with the napkin. Adeline laughed because she knew her brother didn't like being smothered. Deborah had been spending lots of time in the Windsor mansion ever since Violet took her life five years ago. When she realized Aiden was never coming back for her, something in her snapped and she just couldn't take it anymore.It was a sad time for Mrs. O
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 suppos
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.
Aiden Windsor stood before his large vanity mirror while he got dressed for a very important meeting. A meeting that he had been dreading. He was a busy man who didn't have time to stray from his job or his clients. But after putting off this meeting twice before, he just couldn't do so a third time. It wouldn’t look professional on his part. He threw on a white long-sleeved dress shirt and began to do the buttons. When he reached halfway, he paused and assessed his body. His eyes made contact with the scar that held so many memories. He used the tip of his fingers and began tracing the outline of the scar, which was like a small map of his past. Most people would feel ashamed to have a scar marring their body, but Aiden felt a sense of pride and honour to wear this scar that saved his life. He called it a badge of honour. He then remembered the letter that had been sitting in his drawer for more than two years. Every time he thought he had the courage to open it, he was proven wron
Katherine was now acclimated into her new job and surrounding. She decided to keep the Café, but she added a small bakery that would supply her and the community with delectable treats. It also served as a means of employment for neighborhood folks. Three months of success and she felt good about the changes she made. But she still felt like something was missing. One evening after work, she called Taryn, who was now running the bakery she left back in Wisconsin. "Hey, how was today?" Katherine questioned. Taryn chuckled before answering. "It's the same as yesterday and the day before, and the day before that." "So all is well?" Katherine asked. "Yes, Kat, all is well.""Okay good." "Kat, is something bothering you?," Taryn asked, as if she sensed the tension through the phone. "I ju..., I just," before Katherine could finish the sentence, she burst out in tears. "Oh no, Kat, what's wrong? Are the kids okay?""They are fine," she sobbed. " I just feel overwhelmed with everythi
Aiden was on his way to work. He wanted to reach at least two hours earlier than usual so that he could check the computers in his building to see if anyone was involved in this Ponzi scheme. He sat in the back of his limousine, busy returning emails and text messages while his driver Fabian took him to work. It was 6:05 am and Katherine got up and decided to take a run to clear her mind before starting her busy day, she also thought that it was about time she started taking care of herself more for the sake of her children, and exercise was the way to start. She knew she had to do something to take her mind off of her doomed love life and work and exercise always helped other people, so she figured she’d give it a try too.She had been running for around half an hour, when she reached the park. There was an enormous oak tree where she stopped and decided to do some stretches. Her muscles were already sore because they weren’t used to these vigorous activities. She was halfway throug
"Nathan, could you please pass me the peas?" Katherine asked as she laughed at something Nola said. "Here you go, mom," Nate said as he handed her the bowl with the peas. "So Nate, are you excited to start playing for one of the best college baseball teams in the entire US?" Dustin asked. "You know it, Uncle Dusty," Nate grinned as he chewed on his food. "We are so proud of you," Mrs. Riley announced as she cut into her baked chicken. "Thanks grandma," Nate nodded. "And your grandpa is proud of you too," Mr. Riley chimed in. "And don't forget grandma Debs, she's proud of you too.""Yes I am," Deborah answered as she wiped Kaden's cheeks with the napkin. Adeline laughed because she knew her brother didn't like being smothered. Deborah had been spending lots of time in the Windsor mansion ever since Violet took her life five years ago. When she realized Aiden was never coming back for her, something in her snapped and she just couldn't take it anymore.It was a sad time for Mrs. O
TEN YEARS LATERChaos was brewing in the Windsor mansion as an eighteen-year-old Nola struggled to style her hair. She tried tirelessly to get the curls just right, but her hair wasn't having it today. "Dammit!" she snapped, throwing the curling iron down on the floor. "I'm gonna tell mom and dad that you said a bad word."Nola turned on her chair and saw her little sister, Adeline, trying on one of her bras. "Addy, how many times have I asked you to stay outta my stuff?" Nola rolled her eyes. "Please put my stuff down."Addy pouted and placed the bra back on the bed. "Nola, do you have to go away to college?"Nola's heart melted. "Hey, come here," she stretched her hands out for her little sister to come to her. The shiny, dark-haired little girl ran into the strawberry blonde-haired young woman's arms. "Come on, climb on my lap," Nola giggled as she helped her sister onto her lap. "I don't want you to be sad. I promise I will be back for summers, Christmases, and family holidays."
The drive to the cemetery where Nile was buried was about an hour and a half from Aiden's and Katherine's home. Katherine thought it was a better idea if her mom and Mrs. Lewis came with them so that they could watch the babies while they visited Nile's graveside. Mrs. Riley and Mrs. Lewis hung back while Katherine, Aiden, Nola and Nathan made their way to the graveside. Even though it was many years ago, Katherine still remembered where Nile was laid to rest. His black and white headstone stood out from the rest, since it was made to look like a praying angel with a golden halo on top of its head. She remembered that there was also a small oak tree close to the grave, which was now a towering beauty. "There it is," Katherine motioned, directing Nola and Nathan who were walking closely beside them. Nathan had his backpack with him and Nola had her little trinkets, while Katherine carried a small purse that held hers. "It's so beautiful," Nola remarked as they got closer to the gra
Aiden adjusted his position on the bed, took in a deep breath as he prepared to tell Kat everything. His heart thumped at an increased rate due to the fact that his nerves were getting the better of him. He was both anxious and nervous not knowing how Katherine would take the information he was about to lie on her. "Remember I told you about the accident I was in years ago?" He began. "Yes, I do, the one that gave you the scar." "It gave me more than just a scar," he began. "That accident changed my life in so many ways. It made me realized that life is short and that in the blink of an eye things can change for the worst.""Everything happens for a reason, my love." "I believe so too. Fate has a way of proving that," he stated as he took her hands into his."I believe so too." "My donor left me a letter than I've kept for so many years without opening, and when I finally did, fate intervened.""Yeah?” Katherine began, already knowing where this was headed. "Who would've thought
A week had passed since Katherine and her babies were released from the hospital. She felt overwhelmed on most days, but she was grateful for having her husband, her parents, and Mrs. Lewis by her side. Miss Polly had moved back home to Scotland to be with her sick mother, but she sent her best wishes. Taryn and Dustin were still on their honeymoon, but they couldn't wait to come home and meet the babies. They wanted to cut their trip short, but Katherine insisted that they stayed and enjoyed their getaway. Mr. and Mrs. Riley were at the Café overseeing things. Mrs. Lewis was upstairs checking on the babies, while Aiden and Katherine enjoyed a nice quiet lunch in the dining room. "They are fast asleep, and they are the cutest little beings I've ever seen. I realize that Kaden is trying to take the mittens off his hands," Mrs. Lewis stated as she entered the dining room."He wants to suck on his fingers like I used to do when I was small," Aiden explained. "And Adeline sleeps with
"I can't believe I fainted after seeing my child being born," Aiden expressed as he cradled his children in both of his hands. Six hours had passed since Katherine gave birth, and she and both babies were doing well. She was now laying in bed resting, while Aiden sat in a chair holding the sleeping babies. "I can't believe it either," Katherine remarked. "Taryn and Dustin will find this amusing when I tell them." "Dustin isn't gonna let me live it down," Aiden shook his head and smiled. A knock sounded on the door. "You have visitors," Dr. Murray announced as she entered the room. Mr and Mrs. Riley were walking behind her with huge smiles plastered on their faces. "Oh, my sweet pea," Mrs. Riley gushed as she walked over to her daughter. She rubbed her head and then caressed her face. She then turned her attention to Aiden and the babies. "They are beautiful," she cooed. "Shhh, you don't wanna wake them," Aiden whispered. "They are so adorable. I could just eat them up," Mrs. R
The drive over to the hospital was agonizing for both Katherine and Aiden. It felt like they had been driving for hours, even though it was approximately a fifteen minute drive. When they got to the facility, they were taken to a private room that was reserved for Katherine. Doctor Murray was already there and waiting since Aiden had called her earlier. Once they had gotten their room, Dr. Murray made sure Kat was comfortable with what was to come next, even though this was her second time experiencing labour. "Now that you're all set up, we have to check how dilated you are," Dr. Murray said to Katherine, who was wincing in pain. "The contractions are a bit far apart, but they still hurt like hell," Katherine stated as she adjusted herself on the bed. Aiden was right by her side, holding her hand every step of the way. He watched as the doctor began to probe Katherine. They both noticed how Dr. Murray's eyebrows were raised in curiosity and Aiden got a bit worried. "Is everyth
Katherine stood beside her best friend, admiring her in the mirror. She could tell that she was nervous, but she looked absolutely beautiful in her wedding dress. "Just breathe, Tar," Kat encouraged her. "I am breathing, but I think this dress is too tight. It's cutting off my circulation," Taryn fussed."Are you sure?" Katherine asked as she began to gently tug on the back of the dress. "Maybe I should've chosen a different dress." "Nonsense, this dress was made for you, literally." Taryn's dress was a silk satin fit and flare that hugged her body from her chest to her hips, then flared from her mid-thigh, creating a sexy yet sophisticated look. "I think I'm gonna be sick," she gave out as she scrambled towards the bathroom. Katherine followed behind her and found her knelt over the toilet. "Listen, I'm way too big to be walking this fast," Katherine breathed as she caught her breath. "Sorry," Taryn managed to say before hurling again. "Let it out, sweetie, let it all out,"
Dustin had been waiting for a big break in his career. For the past couple of months, he had been investigating a case that meant a lot to him. A long while back, he got information about a suspected pedophile and since then he had been obsessed with solving the case. The man's name was Donny Perez, but the evidence wasn't much, so he needed something to stick the nail in Donny's coffin. "Everyone, please stay in position," Dustin ordered over the police radios.He was parked in a neighborhood across the street from a lemonade stand. The chief got his nineteen-year-old niece Sarah to work undercover. She was posing as a vendor selling lemonade to help out an animal shelter. Even though Sarah was nineteen, she was really little because she has a trait of dwarfism. She was well-equipped to do the task, and they had police posted all over the neighborhood. Dustin and his partner watched as a few persons came up and purchased their refreshing cups of lemonade. He checked his watch, and