Chapter 1 01

"Mommy," Nicole shouts, jumping on the bed. Kathleen laughed, "Happy birthday, baby." She said to the elated kid, after having a long laugh. Nicole's face pops back to the camera, with Lucas's face.

"Are you coming home?." Lucas asked her and she scoffed, "Are you kidding me?. It's my daughter's birthday." Kathleen told him, it was the craziest question ever.

"Once I'm done with the board president, I'll be flying out immediately."

"Okay. Take care." He said, then hung up. She turned around to look at her P.A.

The young girl opened a file and said, "Madam, you have a meeting with Mr. Carlos and.." Kathleen feigned a yawn, interrupting the young girl with an amused look.

"Sandra, today's my baby's birthday. Cancel my schedules and prepare, we're going to Sequim now." The girl nodded immediately.

"Yes, ma." She answered and turned to leave.

"Did you buy her gift?." Kathleen asked, standing up and adjusting her gown.

"I ordered a few minutes ago, ma'am."

"Okay."

Sandra walked out of the office with her phone, dialing a number immediately.

***

Arriving at the airport, and walking out to see Lucas standing by the car which was supposed to take her home.

Reaching her cheek, he pecked her and opened the door for her.

On their way home, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh my God!. I'm so tired." Lucas looked at her, she had gone for months and was even planning to extend her return if not for her daughter. She had been working nonstop for three years now and had become so successful. She is the sole owner of the business and the family looked up to her a lot. However, she was not the same woman he knew five years ago, her personality had changed a lot.

"I know right?. We're all happy to receive you. Nicole can't wait to see you." He told her and she laughed, "She must be angry. I didn't come to her school for her dance performance. How was it?."

"Spectacular. I wish you were there to see Nicky." Kathleen felt proud, she held her head high and scoffed, "I know you will always fill in for me. Thank you, Lucas."

"What are friends for?. I would, always." He replied to her and she smiled at him and looked outside the window. There was silence in the car until they arrived at Houston's Mansion.

Back in the car, Kathleen could hear the loud music coming out of the mansion. Seeing the front porch, decorated with ribbons and balloons, was a beautiful sight to behold.

"Jordan has done it well. It's beautiful." She acknowledged, stepping out of the car and walking in, her eyes searching for Nicole.

Instantly, her eyes met her playing with Henry, jumping on top of Henry for a balloon that he held high in one of his hands. Kathleen watched her for a while struggling but Henry was stronger than her. Then, Nicole got angry and what she did next made Kat's eyes widen, she stumped on him angrily and Henry shouted and threw the balloon on the floor, limping and tending to his leg.

"Nicole," Kat yelled her name and she turned. A smile crept into her frowning face as she ran and jumped on her mom's body. Kat carried her up and twirled her around in the sitting room.

"Mommy. I missed you." She cackled and Kat kissed her cheek. "I missed you too. Happy birthday, Nicole." Kat told her and kissed her again, then turned to Sandra who handed her a red box. Nicole giggled happily, trying to tear the red ribbon wrapped around it open and Kat pushed it away from her reach.

"Wait, baby girl. Patience. This isn't the time to open your present." She stated and Nicole looked disappointed. "Come on. Let's go and see granny." Kat turned her around and they started walking upstairs.

Kat stood by the door, seeing her grandma in her wheelchair, reading the newspaper with the medicated glass on her eyes. The old woman looked up, then smiled sweetly.

"Kathleen, come in." She opened her arm as Nicole jumped into her spread arms.

"Good afternoon, granny." Kat greeted her, and her smile widened.

*You're home." Lillian was old, she is in her late seventy-nine and also stronger than most. Grandpa died on April 16th, 2018, two years after Kat left. She finished school on 2 October that same year. It wasn't easy for Lillian after he died but she's gradually getting over him. Though she would sometimes read his favorite newspaper like she was doing now.

"I came not too long ago," Kat told her.

"I have something to discuss with you." What could Lillian want to discuss with her?.

There was silence. She leaned forward, and took Nicole out of Lillian's separated legs, "Nicole, go outside and play with Henry, okay?. "

The young girl nodded and hopped away immediately. Kat sat on the bed and looked at her grandma.

"What is it that you want to discuss with me?."

"You're not getting any younger, Kathleen. You're grown up now, you have all you wanted, you're pretty and intelligent but don't you think it's time to give Nicole a father?." Kat blinked at her question.

"A father?."

"Aren't you old enough to get married?. You've practically rejected all the suitors I and your grandfather arranged for you, even the ones that are still coming, and yet you don't find them worthy?."

Kat rolled her eyes, "I just don't like any of them," Kat said to her.

"Well said!. I've thought about it and I think you should consider dating someone who knows you too well, someone who was there when you needed him, someone, ready to build a home with you." And Kat was confused.

"Who might that be?."

"Lucas."

Her eyes widened, "What?." It was the craziest she ever heard.

"Lucas is like a brother to me, why the hell did you think of that?." She asked with disbelief.

"I'm just suggesting the one made for you. It is left for you to do the needful." And that left her in thought.

She thought about it for a while, "Have you told anyone this?." She asked Lillian.

"No."

"Then keep it. Don't you say something like this again? Lucas is like a brother and would always be a friend to me. I'll wait for more suitors, just be patient." Kat promised her and Lillian didn't say any word later on.

***

Since granny told Kat about this, She had been restless. She does not understand why she kept declining her numerous suitors who were ever ready to take care of both her and Nicole.

She had never felt so disturbed in her life, especially when she remembered when Lillian said she should get a father to her baby. Was it not what she expected?. She can remember how it was, growing up as a child without a father or a mother. She knew the importance of having both parents in a kid's life. But she didn't want to get married out of love.

Kathleen walked to her wardrobe, she took out a picture of a young beautiful baby boy, sleeping peacefully in his crib. Hot tears rolled down her eyes, although she didn't get to see the baby alive after she gave birth to him, she still felt that motherly love towards him, she felt attached to the baby.

She's always kept this picture and only got to see it on Nicole's birthday because it was also his birthday. She's always reminded herself to see him every year.