Chapter 126: Chapter 126

"We know that though she's gone, her memory still lives on and we are assured that she's now resting in the bosom of the Lord." the priest officiating the funeral session says, after reading out the Bible and everyone replies.

"Amen," in unison.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust," he concluded and made a crucifix sign on the casket

Rory steps forward and drops the flower in his hand into the already lowered casket and then steps back, his eyes swimming in unshed tears. Taylor takes his hand into hers and gives it a reassuring squeeze, this is indeed a trying time for him and he needed support more than ever.

Their honeymoon trip was cut short after they got a call that his mother, Melinda Gate, fell from the stairs of her home and died and they had to cancel the rest of three weeks they had ahead and return home to support and mourn with family. They didn't see it coming and so it hurts a lot.

After his recovery he spent most of his time with Taylor the woman he was planning on marrying and even after the wedding, they still did not speak much, she came and wished him a happy married life and though she emphasised her need to get a smaller house since there weren't so many people living in it with her in the current mansion. She told him she was willing to wait for him to get back from his honeymoon with Taylor before she brought it up... She is not able to anymore.

Phoebe steps forward and drops the flower in her hand into the pit where the casket lays as well and she's crying so hard and there's no one to console her but dad, who takes her into his arms and hugs her.

Taylor stare down at the casket in the pit and hated the sight of it. Melinda was never her friend, she was responsible for her mother's death and a great deal of pain she went through in the last couple of years, but still, she wouldn't wish her this at the very least. After Rory got better she approached her and told her she was sorry for the death of her mother four years ago and she explained how she never intended to kill her and only wanted to send a message. It didn't reverse the deed, but it made it easier for Taylor to let go, forgive and move on. She told her she had lived a life filled with nightmare ever since she did what she did.

Taylor told her it was time to heal and move on from the past because she was certain that would be what her mother would want. Melinda confessed that she had been protective because she didn't want her children making mistakes and as Taylor got to know her better, she realised she wasn't a monster as she'd earlier thought, she was just a woman and trying to protect her family and a mother trying to protect her sons.

She was a charitable person and has dedicated years to charity work, helping the less privileged across the world and she has done a lot of good.

Melinda's death hurts as well and is sudden because she was beginning to know her well and Reign would have loved to have a grandma around.

"My condolences to you, Rory," Keenan says, walking to where we are and Rory hugs him, holding him tightly and not willing to let go.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome."

They pull away and Keenan turns to Taylor and nods his head at her softly. As he steps back they notice Varisha beside him and she steps forward and shakes hands with Rory before doing the same to Taylor.

"My condolences, Mr and Mrs John Gate. This is really sad."

"Thank you," they say in unison.

Taylor who hasn't been acquainted with Varisha before takes advantage of this opportunity as it presents itself before her. She steps towards Varisha and takes her hand gently and they move on to talk, leaving Rory alone with Keenan.

"Once again, I'm sorry for your loss, Rory, it is really tough."

"I feel like she's paying for me not dying maybe they have to be a balance because you can't cheat death and I survived and she had to go."

"That's not what happened, Rory, she fell down the stairs," Keenan argues, dismissing his claim.

He shakes his head, "Yes, she fell from the stairs to her death, a house she's lived in for more than thirty years."

"You're overthinking, these things happen and we have no control over, at least we know she's at peace now." Keenan tries his best to console his friend.

She just wraps her arm around him, and he drops his head on his shoulder, "It's just sad and I feel if she had gotten the smaller house like she wanted she would still be here with us."

"You didn't know and it was out of your control."

"I guess you're right."

Taylor and Vary walk back to their husbands before Taylor begins to speak to them, "It's a difficult time, but we are happy you guys are here to strengthen us."

Rory nods and pulls his head away from Keenan and stretches his hand out to Taylor and knowing what he's asking for, she walks to him and takes his hand into hers.

He needs her by his side and there are a lot of people around paying their last respect but he just wants to be beside his wife now.

Four years later

Rory returns from work and makes his way into his room, it has been a very long and exhausting day for him and he longs for a lengthy rest even though the weekend is still far away.

He has been in charge of a lot of work, especially now that his father Henry Gate is thinking about retiring, following his seventieth birthday. Phoebe discussed their father's plan to retire and his need for his children to take over. Jennifer wasn't business-minded, she never has been since she was a child and so she was counted out and the responsibility is now left for Rory and Phoebe, Rory is assigned 50% of the running and Phoebe 50% and together they run it effectively. But taking over his father position while running his own isn't as easy as it seems. Most days he's disconnected and stressed the hell out and he would have asked for Taylor's assistance if she wasn't divided in her business affairs as well and most times she comes home late and exhausted. She started another branch of GoodFood her and at the same time, she's doing her consulting business all over the world. Rory can't complain, he wants her to get the best of everything and reach her highest goal.

He steps into the house and closes the door and as he makes his way into the room he sees Taylor sitting on the chair at the side of the room with a laptop on the desk in front of her.

"Hello, love," she greets, looking up from her screen at him and noticing the confused look on his face.

"You're home early," he pointed out his brow rising in scrutiny and he approaches her. For a few weeks now, she's stayed at work and closed later than he did so he is somewhat surprised that she's home earlier than he.

Maybe the confusing part was seeing her home earlier than usual, but he doesn't want to complain about it because he knows as much as he is surprised by this, he also loves it. Most nights when she'd return he would be already exhausted and tired and though he knew it was just for the meantime, he didn't want to get used to barely talking to her before going to sleep and most times he wants to pay her a visit at work, but he can't do that because of the much work that is before him, so he settles for calling and texting when he got the smallest time.

She nods and standing up and walking up to meet him halfway, "I closed from work and needed rest." she needs this rest more than ever especially in this moment of her life.

He wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her forehead, "How was your day?"

Smiling warmly she nods, she missed being held in his arms she missed the touch of his body against hers and hearing the steady beating of his heart.

"It was great, the doctor results came in," she begins to speak, looking up at his.

She'd called him earlier telling him she went on her usual check-up because of the dizziness and headaches she's been having in the past few days and how she was finding it hard to keep food down in her stomach. She suspected that it might be symptoms of pregnancy, but she didn't want to conclude all on her own and wanted the doctor to test her. Rory asked if he should come with her and she told him he didn't have to, it was just one of those minor check-up and he didn't have to worry himself she concluded.

"Okay?" his voice drops in its tempo and he carefully stares at her, "What does it say is wrong?" he asks and eagerly wait for her response.

"The headache and nausea are completely normal because I'm pregnant, five weeks pregnant," she answers happily in his arms.

His eyes widen, "Really?" he asks his heart leaping for joy a little.

She nods, her smiling making her cheeks hurt in turn. "Yes, we are having another baby, my love."

"Reign told me she wanted a baby brother for Christmas, and I told her to pray," he reveals and his eyes grow glassy as he becomes unable to control his emotions.

He also wanted another baby and though Taylor told him she also wanted another baby, she didn't tell him how soon and when Reign told him about her desire for Christmas, he knew that would take a miracle in order to happen.

"Well, you can tell her her prayers have been answered then? She would have a baby for Christmas," Taylor replies cheerfully.

'Both our prayers.' Rory mumbles under his breath.

"I know, but how will you cope with work and a baby now?"

He wanted then to have another child but he also had to be less selfish, because they were both two busy people and didn't want to put any pressure on Taylor's career because of what he wanted.

She reached up and stroke his cheeks, her eyes smiling at him, "I don't know, but it won't be that difficult because I have you beside me."

"Now and always," he replies and kisses her lips.