Chapter 34: Chapter 34

A thick silence filled the whole room.

A very tensed, awkward, or uncomfortable silence seemed to have cloaked the three of them.

And each one has different interpretations to it.

They had their heart hanging in a deep and bottom-deadly cliff-like state of feelings. One was scared of how others may react to it. Someone was also clueless on how to express or state its mind about the revelations that popped out surprisingly. The topic must have been in their minds for quite a while now, but it still came like a guest unannounced.

Leaving every one of them lost for words to say in response right away.

Kate has her heart pounding like crazy. She was scared at how her mom would take Nick's confessions. She was also hoping deep within her for a positive reaction from her mom, whom she had known to be strict with her regarding relationships with a man romantically or sensually.

Nick felt like, instead of a soft mattress and bed covers, he was sitting on pins and needles. He was no longer sure about his timing. Was it the right one of when to let Kelly know about his intentions towards Kate? Wouldn't his action cause more trouble to a recovering patient like her? But then again, there was no way he could take his words back. He has to stand firm in his claim and declared affection for Kate, mainly because it concerns his future and happiness. He broke the silence with a soft inquiring voice.

"Mom...?"

Kelly was blankly staring at the ceiling until she heard the young man calling out for her. She could tell in his tone that he was wrecking nervous but still being brave to face someone with respect. Kelly moved to sit instead of lying on the bed. Kate followed her mom's movements. She sat facing her mom while Nick was behind her. They were like a couple asking for blessings from an elder, and they were actually. The only difference is the formality that they were all seated on a bed inside her mom's bedroom.

"Mom...?" Kate also called out. Her face was filled with anxiousness and fear.

Kelly cleared her throat, and as she could not stand to stare in their faces for long, she looked down and took a hand of each youngster into her hold, making Nick move closer to Kate's back, almost hugging her in a way.

"I have to tell you something first," Kelly paused, still looking down at their hands below.

Kate and Nick did not say anything. They squeezed their hands in Kelly's hold to express that they were listening.

"I cannot remember many things. I cannot remember almost everything," Kelly's smile turned painful. "I feel like I am an impostor and pretending to be your mom," she turned to Kate. "And your stepmom," she turned to Nick. "I regret such feelings, but I can feel deep within my heart I am very sure you are both too precious to me," Kelly's tears started to fall from her eyes and landed on the back of her hands.

"I can see how this young man cares so dearly for you, and I am happy to watch both of you live in joy," Kelly smiled looking at Kate, still with tears in her eyes. Then she cleared her throat, took a deep breath, and spoke with evident clarity.

"So, if you are asking for my blessings..." she paused for a breath again. "Yes, I give them to both of you with all my heart."

Kate hugged her mom tightly, sobbing again. This time, it was even louder than earlier. All her fears and worries disappeared into thin air like bubbles popped in one blow of soft wind. She was so relieved that her mom agreed with them being together, not as siblings but as lovers. Her heart was overwhelmed with so much relief and ease that their coming forward about their feelings did not cause any chaotic results. She was also relieved that she did not have to be so secretive to her mom, it bothered her too much, but considering her mom's state, she could not dare displease her.

"Nick, love my daughter. And Kate, love my stepson, okay?" Kelly could not help smiling at her words.

She was thinking, love indeed moves in mysterious ways. Who would have known a love would sprout from somewhere unexpected? Yet, here she is, witnessing two young hearts filled with joy knowing their respected elder granted them blessings.

"Please guide us, mom," Nick kissed Kelly's hand with so much regard for her as his mom, stepmom and mom-in-law all in one. "And thank you so much. I was mad at Kate when she made my dad sad about rejecting the adoption before I even met her, but when I saw her at our first dinner together, I was half relieved she did not grant my dad's wishes. I felt sorry for dad, but I was happy for myself."

Nick opened his heart to Kelly with Kate listening.

"Everything happens for a reason," Kelly answered with a serene smile. "This word seems to have rooted somewhere in my heart."

Nick's tears clouded his eyes.

"My dad used to say those words," he uttered with a smile painting his handsome face. "I don't know how he came out telling you those words, but I notice his words always turn to be correct." Nick chuckled.

Kate was still in her mom's bosom listening to their conversation. Her sobs had ended, but she was too grateful to her mom that she did not want to let go of her just yet.

A sound of growling stomach came out loudly. It was impossible not to get heard.

It was late in the afternoon, and as they were busy in the morning, they missed lunch.

"Someone's hungry," Kelly voiced the fact out. "We better get up from the bed and raid the kitchen."

Nick and Kate could not help roaring in merry laughter. Kelly made herself sound like she wasn't the one who had her tummy grumbling.

"Nick, we better get mommy dragon fed," Kate bashfully exclaimed. "She might turn us into ashes if not into ice if we keep her waiting."

"I'll go ahead of you both," chuckling, Nick hurriedly walked out of Kelly's room to fix them anything to eat.

It wasn't dinner time yet, so a quick-made snack would do. And Kelly cannot move around fast yet, so Nick suggested he would make the food while Kate walks with her. He could have suggested bringing the food into her bedroom, but Nick chose to have their snacks in the kitchen as the doctor advised them to let her move around.

In a blink of an eye, it was time for Kate to go to college. Nick graduated from his studies, and while attending the family business, he did not bother getting a license since he owned the company. Instead, he assisted Kate in her studies. He became her private tutor, a moment they could also share time with each other with more productive results. Kelly did not mind their actions and closeness, she can tell they have set their own boundaries in respect to her, and she is happy they do not hide anything from her. She sometimes makes jokes on them to make her busy with a grandchild soon, but the two made a vow to let Kate finish her studies first.

Kelly has recovered into a renewed and jollier personality. According to her neurosurgeon, Doctor Alfred Dion, Kelly may have the case of a permanent memory loss. The complications of her head being severely injured and associated with the removal of some brain tissues surrounding the tumor located so close to her hippocampus added to the possibility of her memory being permanently lost. Yet, it did not make the family sad, not even the patient herself. They have agreed and decided to create new memories from that day on. Kelly was like a butterfly born out of a caterpillar. A beautiful one at that. She even entertained silly jokes about her going on dates.

She went back to work but was not in the hospital anymore. Nick appointed her as the head supervisor in the office, whom everyone should respect as they did to his dad and him.

"Mom, what do you think about a double date?" Nick asked during dinner on a Wednesday night at home.