Chapter 33: Chapter 33

Kate's sobs had subsided at the words Nick had said. She realized he was right. Her mom had just recovered from months, unconscious in a hospital bed, but she had a blunt force trauma that got her head injured, causing her to undergo brain surgery. The only good thing to consider about it is that the injury left the patient no choice but to remove the tumor—also a life-threatening matter. Kate realized she might give her mom distress if she let her emotions flood out in one go like a dam just broke. But she stayed there in her mom's embrace. With Nick next to her.

The whole place became quiet. Calmness, peace, and tranquility filled the entire ambiance. Tears flowed silently. But they were tears of joy.

"I am so sorry I cannot remember so many things," Kelly uttered softly.

Her voice was too low, but the two, Kate and Nick, could hear her clearly every word she said. They did not say anything. They missed listening to her voice that they wanted to let her keep talking about anything she wanted to say.

"I am not sure when I can get my memories back, but I can feel you both too close to my heart," she was frightened with the thought that she wouldn't get to remember everything in a short while. "Would you guys mind if you remind me of who I am to you and how did I use to be?" Kelly asked with uncertainty.

"Of course, let's start with the basics," Kate answered cheerfully. "My name is Kate Taylor. He is Nicholas Eudovic, and you are Kelly Taylor Eudovic," Kate pointed at each with its name.

Kelly frowned and asked.

"Why do we have different names? I mean last names?"

Nick stayed silent. He let kate do all the talking while he nods his head when he agrees with what Kate says.

"I was born before you got married to your fiancé, who died in an accident, so I carry your maiden name. Nick here, is your stepson, child of your late husband, Elijah Eudovic. So you have the same last names. Your husband passed away to illness just more than a year ago," Kate cautiously stated.

Kelly nodded her head.

"Did my husband treat you well? Why not change your last name legally? I guess as a mother, I should have fought for that," Kelly felt disappointed somehow.

Kate grinned sheepishly.

"You did. You tried to talk me into agreeing to his wishes to adopt me and become his daughter legally, bearing his last name, like you and Nick, but it was me who always declined," Kate bit her lips.

Kelly moved her head back to gaze at Kate's face.

"And why would that be?" Kelly asked in disbelief.

"Ahhhmmm..." Kate stuttered.

"Yeah, Kate, why did you reject my dad's wishes to adopt you again and again?" Nick asked teasingly.

Kelly was smiling at how Kate was responding. She was a sight to behold with an amusing shade of pink cheeks that she was trying to hide from both Kelly and Nick.

"Well, at first..." Kate paused. She could not speak as smoothly as someone with confidence. But Nick butt-in before she could continue.

"At first? Does it mean there are few reasons?"

"Will you just listen?" Kate glared at Nick.

Kelly was enjoying watching them banter. One was obviously teasing the other, who was too sensitive not to react defensively.

"Uh-kay, okay... go ahead then," Nick smirked. He was holding his mirth, or he might split his sides laughing at her cutely aggrieved and silly defensive face.

Kate turned to her mom and answered her question proudly.

"I didn't want to officially or legally rob my real father with his rights on me as his daughter, so even if I did not have the chance to bear his name, I did not want to carry somebody else's," she held her mom's hands as if to add more sincerity to her words. "But your husband, Elijah, has been very kind to me ever since, and it did not change even on his last breath. He loved me like his own daughter like you loved his son as your own," Kate's voice held so much emotions. Annoyance from Nick's teasing earlier vanished like it never happened.

"I am happy to hear that," Kelly replied with a teary-eyed smile.

Nick was amazed at Kate's reasons. He did not know that one before. But there was also a pinch in his heart. Kate did not know that her mom was a victim of rape and that she was the fruit of it. Her dad did not die in an accident. Her mom, Kelly, did not know who the guy that raped her was, so she told Kate that made-up story. Nick looked at Kelly's reaction. He was shocked to see a serene look on her face.

Kelly was happy and proud to have a daughter like Kate. She was thinking, Kate's decision not to accept the adoption was great respect to her dad, and may his soul rest in peace. He would be proud that the daughter he left on earth is proudly bearing his pride and is pleased to be his daughter. Kelly was sure in her heart that Kate must have resembled her dad's personality, kind and respectful even with the fact that he is gone. His legacy will remain in Kate. As a parent, she is proud of her daughter. She expressed her appreciation.

"Your dad must be so proud of you," Kelly playfully pinched Kate's cheeks as she praised her. "I am proud of you. I am glad I did not decide about the adoption on my own. Apparently, I made you decide about it, Kate Taylor," the mother grinned, foreheads abut with her daughter.

Nick was astonished at how things were turning positively. Kelly may have forgotten about her past, but it also included forgetting the most tragic ones. With how she was reacting about the topic concerning Kate's father, Nick could tell she has no grudge regarding the person.

No fear. No hatred. No negative response!

Now he wishes she does not regain her memory anymore. How he wished they could create new ones with only happiness and manageable conflicts, non-traumatic ones if issues would pop out of nowhere.

He decided to be bold and push farther.

"I wish to hear the other reasons. How about you, mom?" Nick casually asked.

"Yeah, what other reasons did you have?" Kelly was reminded to ask.

Kate turned beet red. Her skin became warm. Kelly felt her turning hot all of a sudden as their distance was indeed close.

"Kate...?" Kelly called out softly. "Honey, are you okay?"

Nick noticed Kate's predicament. And since he is the guy, he gathered he should be first to confess his feelings.

"Mom, before Kate answers that, can I tell you something? She might need time to gather her thoughts," Nick turned the spotlight towards him.

Kelly got a bit confused. But when she was in a coma at the hospital, a few days before she finally made her eyes to open and her body to make slight movements, she could hear the playful conversations of these two. But she has forgotten about it due to the crisis of her memory loss. But now that this girl is blushing beet red in front of her, unable to say something, and this guy is eager to rescue her, Kelly felt silly to see these two as lovebirds, a cute pair at that! Yet, she did not say anything. She waited for Nick to speak, and she was sure Kate would do the same after him.

"I like Kate. I like her personality. I like her beauty and pretty much every little thing about her, I am sure of that. And like is not the accurate word, I love her, and I have been waiting for the right time to tell you all about my feelings for her and ask for your blessings," Nick paused to breathe. He did not notice that he was feeling such great enthusiasm and eagerness to confess his heart's contents that he blurted out with zest.