Here we are again with a new fic nd a new adventure. Even the anniversary of Farrah's death has now passed by I still think of her, this fic is dedicated in her honor. We miss the heavenly Angel may she forever rest in peace. Our beautiful big sister, Jill...
This is set after all of my other CA fics including the Christmas one I'm yet to finish but will most likely finish for this Christmas! LOL!
Now enjoy and please R&R often, it keep me motivated to write more!
AJ5 ;-)
Chapter 1.
'Cate! Have you seen my…never mind found it!' Kelly called out from her room in Cate's Nashville home. Their few weeks together after Paul Factor had attacked turned into a few months whilst Kelly recovered from her gunshot wound and the two sisters re-built their relationship. Charlie and the other Angels hadn't seemed to mind allowing the sisters time to be together to reconnect.
Cate sat in the kitchen at the kitchen bar with Julie and Marcus who had both come down to visit for a few days.
'How long has she been packing?' Julie asked following Cate's look up to the kitchen ceiling knowing full well that Kelly's bedroom was upstairs.
'A couple of days, we keep getting distracted.' Cate smiled to Julie looking to her.
'More like you just keep putting it off.' Marcus noted as he leafed through the local newspaper. The two Angels looked to him smiling at the brink of laughing.
'You may have a point.' Cate admitted.
'You're not looking forward to her leaving huh?' Julie asked knowing the answer all ready, every time she and Kris called the two sisters from the office back in L.A they could hear how much fun and enjoyment the two sisters were having from being together and they loved to hear it, in their minds it was about time.
'I'm really not looking forward to it but the day was coming and we put it off for as long as we could but Kelly's more than fit to go back to work and Charlie has been more than generous in letting Kelly stay away from work for this amount of time.' Cate explained as she got down from the bar stool she was sat on picking up dirty dishes and putting them into the sink to be washed up later.
'Yeah, I kind of noticed we were down an Angel.' Julie teased.
'Yeah, sorry about that; speaking of Angels where is Kris any way, I tried calling her last night but no answer?' Cate leaned across the kitchen bar to Julie her arms resting across the page of the newspaper Marcus was trying to read.
'Arms.' Marcus said nudging Cate and pulling the paper, Cate smiled rolling her eyes as she moved off of his paper.
'I thought she told you? Charlie has her working a case.' Julie explained a confused look flashing through her eyes.
'Alone, he has her working a case alone? I think I know why she didn't tell me.' Cate said, as she stood straight again resting her hands flat on the bar.
'So do I.' Julie chuckled seeing the concerned expression on her friends face. 'Charlie assured us all that it wasn't a dangerous case, simple undercover work.'
'It's never simple, what's the case?' Cate asked still standing; she didn't like her family going off on their own on a case without back up ready somewhere.
'Kris is back in San Francisco, we were hired to do some checking on this woman's husband.'
'Divorce?' Cate asked surprised that Charlie was doing this kind of detective work.
'Not yet but this lady, Mrs. West, she's very wealthy and has been noticing a few things not quite right with the books. She wants us to check on her husband; Charlie didn't think it needed the whole team so sent Kris to do some checking.'
'Snooping.' Marcus said whilst still nose deep in his newspaper.
'Right snooping but we try not to call it that sweetheart.' Julie said to Marcus whilst reaching over to him and patting the top of his hand. 'She'll be fine Cate, stop worrying.' Julie turned her attention back to Cate.
'Who's worrying? I just wondered where she was that's all.' Cate tried to defend herself, looking at Julie's smirking expression she guessed it hadn't worked.
'Nice try.' Julie laughed.
'All right let's change the subject, how are the wedding plans coming?' Cate asked sitting back down again on the stool next to Julie. Julie turned to face her excited when they both looked up to the ceiling again as something banged on the floor. 'Kel, you OK?' Cate shouted up to her sister.
'Fine, fine carry on!' Kelly called back. Laughing Julie and Cate continued on.
'Well, we've been looking at few places to get hitched and there are some good places and then there's a great place.' Julie explained looking to Cate with a wicked grin. Cate could see from the look in Julie's eyes where this was headed leaning back she decided to play on it a little.
'Really and where's this great place?' Cate asked folding her arms across her chest.
'Well it's not too far from here and the owner seems pretty cool so we might be able to get a good deal.' Julie continued to explain as she traced little circles on the kitchen bar with her index finger.
'I don't know Julie, people round here can be fussy about such things, you might be better off having the wedding in L.A.' Cate teased. Marcus looked up from his paper to Cate knowing exactly what she was doing.
'You know honey Cate's right, maybe we should have the wedding back in L.A. we could have the wedding ceremony in that little church not far from my clinic and then have the reception at the community hall that the church has, I think they throw it in as part of the deal of using their church for the wedding.' Marcus joined in with the teasing, Julie looked to Marcus eyes as wide as dinner plates stunned by what her fiancé was suggesting, she just had to be married at Cate's home, it had the perfect surroundings for the photo's and Cate had the best bar in town for a party, it was everything she and Marcus had been talking about and wanted why was he suddenly changing his mind now.
'Wait a minute.' Julie said pointing her finger between Cate and Marcus catching on to what they were up. 'Why you!' Julie called out swatting at Cate who laughed out loud along with Marcus.
'Julie, would you like to be married here at my home and have your reception at the bar?' Cate asked as she defended herself from Julie's swatting. Julie stopped mid swat and jumped up throwing her arms around Cate's neck overjoyed.
'Yes, yes please I would love that, I mean we would love that.' Julie quickly corrected herself as she stepped back from Cate looking to Marcus.
'You were right the first time sweetheart, but we would actually both love it Cate if you really don't mind.' Marcus added.
'I would be honoured to hold your wedding here and at the bar. Look let's talk plans and we can get started on contacting people, caterers, bands that kind of thing. Call it my wedding present to you both.' Cate smiled winking to Marcus as Julie threw her arms around Cate again thanking her. They stopped again when they heard another clatter from Kelly's room. 'Why don't we go down to the bar and make a start and get Kelly out of here before she breaks something.' Cate suggested. 'The bar is closed any way until later tonight so we'll have peace and quiet only the bar staff will be there later setting up.'
'Sounds great let's go.' Julie stood just as something else thumped on the ceiling coming from Kelly's room. 'What is she doing up there?' Julie asked a confused looking furrowing her brow. Cate laughed as she turned on her bar stool and hopped off it heading to the stairs and up to Kelly's room. Knocking lightly on the door as they entered Julie and Cate walked in to Kelly's room. They found Kelly sprawled across her suitcase trying to zip it shut, shoes and clothes sticking out from the edges.
'Having a problem?' Cate asked trying not to laugh. Kelly looked up to her little sister smiling a little.
'Funny, real funny want to help?' Kelly asked as she got up off the case.
'I tell you what I will help by buying you another suitcase later but right now we're going to the bar, come on grab your shoes and lets go.' Cate laughed at her sister.
'Sounds great, right shoes, where did I put…' Kelly groaned as she looked to the suitcase that was half zipped realising that she had packed her shoes, all of them. Cate and Julie laughed, walking up to her sister and slinging her arm around her shoulders Cate was still laughing as she spoke.
'Well at least it will be one less pair of shoes you need to pack!' Kelly hung her head shaking it as Julie and Cate continued to laugh out loud.
Cate, Kelly, Julie and Marcus sat at the private booth in the bar talking through plans for Julie and Marcus's wedding, Cate making notes throughout, jotting down who she would call, what favours she could call in to keep costs down for her friends.
'Julie this is such a wonderful idea, to have the wedding here, with all the room Cate has at her home and the bar here for the reception, it's going to be a great day.' Kelly enthused as she flicked through bridal magazines with Julie they had brought with them.
'That's the idea, I think Marcus and I knew as soon as we saw Cate's place that, that was where we wanted to get married, it is perfect.' Julie enthused, she was such the excited bride a side of Julie none of the Angels had ever seen before and wasn't sure if existed, although Julie was a model before a detective, she never really showed the girly side of her personality.
'Well we're going to make sure it's perfect for you.' Cate smiled to Julie and Marcus. 'I'll make a few calls and get some things organised. Have you decided on the actual date yet?' Cate asked running through her notes she realised they didn't have a date written down.
'We want a Fall wedding during the color change.' Marcus explained.
'Right so the first week of October?' Cate suggested pulling out the bar's diary from under her writing pad flicking through to the first week of October. 'Well, you're in luck because the weekend of that first week is free here at the bar and the house is always free.' Cate said circling her hand in the air as she spoke.
'So that would give us a little over a month and a half to get everything booked and organised.' Kelly noted. 'Not a lot of time to get a wedding together.'
'Oh we can do it, nothing is impossible for us Angels.' Julie smiled broadly before laughing with Kelly and Cate, the ringing phone drawing Cate away from the table. Cate was still laughing as she picked up the phone.
'Wild Angels, hello?' Cate cheerfully said down the phone line.
'Cate?' Cate recognised her older brother's voice straight away and knew there was something seriously wrong.
'Danny, what is it, what's wrong?' Cate quick fired at him as Danny began to speak Scotty walked through the bar's front door; Cate beckoned him over as she listened to her eldest brother.
'Cate it's mama, she's gone.' Danny said his voice cracking.
'Danny, what do you mean, I don't understand what you're saying.' Cate did know, she understood completely what Danny was saying but until he said the words, until they crossed the telephone lines she couldn't believe it, it wasn't possible.
'Mama died Cate, she'd gone. Cate?' The phone line had gone quiet, as Cate had covered her mouth with her hand looking away for a moment from Scotty to then turn back to him with tears standing precariously in her eyes. Scotty held his hand out to Cate mouthing the question of what was wrong, watching from the booth Kelly excused herself from Julie and Marcus joining Scotty and Cate at the bar looking to Scotty for an explanation only to receive a shrug of the shoulders.
'How?' Cate managed to say her own voice beginning to crack.
'Her heart, she had a heart attack.' Danny explained, Cate could hear he was crying as he spoke.
'When Danny?' Cate continued to ask questions.
'Last night in her sleep, we were here having dinner with and spent the night, she went to bed early not feeling too well and…' Danny couldn't finish his sentence he didn't need to. 'Come home Cate, you and Scotty please just come home, we need you both here.'
'We will Danny, I'll put Scotty on the next flight out and I'll follow soon after, I have to make a couple of calls, I'll be there as soon as I can, tomorrow.'
'All right, I understand tell Scotty we'll meet him at the airport.' Danny said before saying his goodbyes and disconnecting the call. Cate slowly hung up the phone and held her gaze on it.
'Cate, Cate what is it, what's happened, is it Becca, Tessa, what?' Scotty ran off questions as fast as Cate had done to Danny. Cate turned to her younger brother taking hold of his hands.
'It's not Becca or Tessa, Scott.' Cate began to explain, it then began to dawn on Scotty.
'No.' Scotty began to try to back away from his sister not wanting to hear what she had to say next. 'No, she can't be no. No Cate, please…' Scotty continued in denial as he backed away from his sister to the centre of the room Cate following him still holding on to his hands. Cate raised a hand to Scotty's face cupping his cheek in her hand.
'Mama's gone Scotty, she passed away last night.' Scotty shook his head as tears began to streak down his face, his knees giving way under him he fell on to his knees Cate slipping down with him holding him tightly as he wept, Scotty's strong arms wrapped tightly around his older sister as he continued to weep. Kelly sat on one of the bar stools watching them stunned as the news that Bette, dear sweet Bette was gone, Julie and Marcus joined Kelly at the bar as they witnessed what was going on. Julie reached out lightly touching Kelly's shoulder. Kelly turned to the contact tears dropping to her lap.
'Kelly, what is it, what's happened?' Julie asked shocked to see the tears.
'Cate and Scotty's mom has died, Bette's gone.' Kelly cried as Julie quickly swept in wrapping her arms around Kelly holding her as she cried.
After the first initial shock Cate managed to get Scotty to the office to sit him down and explain that he was to take the next flight out to Mustang where Danny and Tessa would be waiting to collect him.
'And you'll be there tomorrow?' Scotty asked still lost.
'Yeah, I'll get things squared here make sure our managers know what's going on and I'll be home tomorrow.' Cate explained as she pulled the Rolodex closer to her. Watching her brother for a moment, as he sat not moving just staring blankly at the coffee table she got up from behind her desk and sat in front of him. The brother and sister looked at one another for a moment before hugging each other tightly.
'I can't believe she's gone.' Scotty whispered into Cate's ear.
'I know, neither can I.' Cate agreed as the pair broke from each other. 'Now come on we need to get ourselves together just for a little while, let's get through this the way mama would want us to.' Cate smiled a watery smile to her brother brushing the tears from his face. 'Get yourself home and packed and I'll be there to pick you up for the airport in about half an hour or so.' Scotty nodded as he stood up and headed for the office door, he paused for a moment as he reached for the door handle.
'I'll be there as soon as possible tomorrow, I will.' Cate promised, nodding Scotty opened the door and left, Cate took a few deep breaths before moving on standing up she walked back behind her desk and sat down flicking through the rolodex for her managers numbers, coming to them she pulled out the first and dialled the number.
Kelly entered the office wanting to check on her baby sister. Cate was just finishing the second of her phone calls to her bar managers making sure they both knew what to do, which they did of course but Cate being Cate liked to make doubly sure. Kelly sat on the couch beside the desk waiting for Cate to finish her call, which didn't take long. Cate hung up the phone and left her hand on it for a while.
'How are you doing?' Kelly asked, it seemed like such a dumb question, how could Cate possibly be doing her mother had just died. Cate looked to her sister as if she hadn't realised that she had entered the room.
'Managers are all set to look after everything, a ticket is booked and ready for Scotty today and tickets for us tomorrow…' Cate was about to continue when she stopped herself looking to Kelly worried. 'I'm sorry I should have asked you, did you even want to come with…' Kelly cut her sister off before she could finish her thought.
'Of course I'm coming with you, I've all ready been on the phone with Charlie, I hope you don't mind that.' Kelly checked to which Cate shook her head. 'He said he would call you tomorrow some time in Mustang, he sends his love and sympathies.' Kelly explained.
'I guess I'd better get used to that huh?' Cate asked her sister as she turned her large leather desk chair so that she faced her sister a little better. Cate leaned forward in the seat resting her arms on her thighs.
'I'm afraid so sweetheart.' Kelly warmly smiled as she got up and knelt in front of her sister taking a hold of her hands. 'It'll be OK.' Kelly smiled reassuringly, Cate smiled back to her sister nodding slightly.
'Are Julie and Marcus still here?' Cate asked changing the subject readying herself to get up.
'They are but Cate it's all right they understand.'
'Come on let's go and join them, I've got to go and get Scotty any way and get him to the airport.' Cate turned from Kelly as she stood up and walked around the other side of the desk to the door. Kelly watched her seeing her sister shut away her emotions again, Kelly knew instinctively what her sister was doing and knew she had to be prepared for the fall out that was bound to come. 'You coming?' Cate asked snapping Kelly out of her worried thoughts, nodding Kelly followed after her younger sister.
Julie and Marcus looked up as the two sisters walked out of the office and came to sit at the booth with them again.
'I'm so sorry Cate, we both are.' Julie expressed taking Cate's hand and squeezing it showing how much she meant by her words. Cate nodded smiling.
'Thanks, now pick a date.' Cate demanded. Julie and Marcus looked to one another then to Kelly who had no explanation for them.
'Cate with what's just…' Marcus began to protest the thought of continuing to plan the wedding any further.
'Look you two, mama always said to grab onto life with both hands, it'll slip through just one.' Cate smiled thinking back to when her mother had said it to her first, hearing her mothers voice in her mind made Cate smile, warmth rushing through her. 'So just grab hold and pick a date.' Cate insisted pushing the bar diary in front of them to the week they had spoken of in October. Julie and Marcus looked to one another and then the diary both pointing to the same day. 'All right, Saturday 27th October it is.' Cate smiled writing the occasion in the diary making the date official. 'Start putting the plans into action.'
'Cate we really don't have to do this, you don't, we can get somewhere else. You need to be with your family and…' Julie began to protest worrying that her friend was ignoring what was really happening by staying busy with something else.
'Julie, mama loved each and every one of you Angels and wouldn't hear of anything getting in the way of yours and Marcus's marriage, not even her. Start planning and putting into action.' Cate smiled taking Julie's hand this time and squeezing it. 'I've got to go and take Scotty to the airport to catch his flight.' Cate excused herself. 'Marty should be here in the next few minutes, he's our night manager, so you can stay here as long as you like he has his own keys and everything. I'll see you back at the house.' Cate explained as she began to leave the bar.
'Kelly…' Julie began to say something to Kelly worried about Cate when Kelly cut her off.
'I know Julie, I know. Don't worry just plan like she says to and I'll keep an eye on her. I'm going to go with her, I'll see you later.' Kelly quickly exited after Cate.
At the airport Cate and Kelly walked with Scotty to his gate.
'So, I'll be there tomorrow, we both will be Danny just asked that you go back today I said I'd follow and I will.' Cate explained again for what felt like the hundredth time.
'I know you will sis.' Scotty quietly said smiling slightly as he hugged his sister goodbye.
'You've got everything haven't you?' Kelly asked as she hugged Scotty next. 'You only have to call tonight and we'll bring anything you may have left tomorrow.'
'I know you will thanks, but I have everything I need. I'll see you both tomorrow.' Scotty waved as he walked through to his flight. Kelly and Cate turned and started walking back out of the airport to the car.
'I thought I'd cook tonight.' Kelly said breaking the silence that had followed them from the airport in to the car and the drive home. 'Cate?' Kelly gently nudged her sister's leg.
'Sorry Kel, what did you say?'
'I thought I'd cook for us tonight, what do you fancy?'
'I'm really not that hungry Kelly.' Cate smiled to her sister speaking softly and calmly.
'I'll fix us something filling and yet light OK, you need to eat and keep your strength up, it's going to be a long haul these next few days.' Kelly smiled warmly to her sister planning in her mind what she could cook up that was both filling and light.
Kelly wasn't wrong from the time she and Cate arrived in Mustang, Texas up to the day before the funeral the family home, Bette's home, was constantly full of people coming to visit to pay their respects to the family. Being the two eldest and available of the children Danny and Cate had so much paper work to look through and things to organise. The doorbell rang again as Danny and Cate had only just settled in the study again to look through and organise business papers, they both groaned at the sound of the bell.
'I'll get it.' Kelly called out allowing the pair to go back to what they were working on.
Kelly opened the front door to reveal the Angels, Sabrina, Jill, Tiffany and Julie.
'Hi.' Kelly smiled tilting her head to one side as she stepped back letting her friends into the house each Angel as they passed her hugged Kelly. Closing the front door Kelly followed after her friends through to the lounge taking a seat in the armchair opposite Sabrina.
'How's the family holding up?' Sabrina asked.
'About as well as can be expected, Danny and Cate are in the study now going through business papers, Scotty is with Tessa helping her with Becca and the baby. It's all a little manic but they all seem to be coping.' Kelly smiled weakly to her friends who returned the smile.
'What about Cate, how's she doing?' Jill asked concerned for her young friend.
'Like I said Jill, she's doing as well as can be expected.' Kelly repeated, Jill nodded then leaned forward to Kelly from her seat on the sofa.
'So how is she really doing?' Jill probed, knowing Kelly was holding back. Kelly leaned back into her chair and sighed heavily she knew one of them would ask and see through her answer and somehow she knew it would be Jill, she knew Kelly and Cate too well not to see through Kelly's mistruths.
'She's doing what she does best, what we do best.' Kelly smiled tilting her head to one side as she spoke of herself and her sister. 'Bottling up her emotions and not letting them go anywhere or let anyone in, right now not even me. Cate just keeps working, finding something to do, keeping herself busy.'
'She's accepted it though right, the passing of her mother?' Tiffany asked as concerned as the others.
'She has Tiff but it's more about the being without a parent again I think.'
'Really?' Sabrina asked not convinced to which Kelly nodded.
'I think so yeah. Where's Kris?' Kelly asked suddenly realising that the younger blonde Angel was missing from the team.
'She's still away undercover on that case.' Julie explained.
'Still, I thought it would have been finished by now.' Kelly looked to Julie confused then to Jill who only shrugged her shoulders.
'Charlie said Kris was right in the middle of the case and couldn't be pulled from it without the entire case falling through with her departure.' Jill explained for her little sister's absence. 'She'll be upset when she finds out, angry too.' Jill concluded.
'Hey everyone.' Cate appeared leaning against the wall at the entrance of the lounge. The Angels turned each one smiling warmly to Cate, she could see the sad look that everyone who came to visit had. Jill was the first to stand and walk over to her friend wrapping her into a big hug.
'I'm so sorry honey.' Cate returned the hug before they broke apart with Jill still stood beside her with her arm around Cate's waist.
'We're all so sorry Cate.' Sabrina spoke up for the room of Angels. Cate looked to each of them about to say something when the telephone rang. Cate looked down to the ringing phone in front of her on the small table, sighing she picked up the phone answering it. Jill sat back down with the others still watching Cate as she spoke with who Jill believed to be a family friend on the phone who was most likely giving their condolences.
'It's been like that since we arrived.' Kelly explained sounding tired herself Sabrina noted.
'All right, thank you for letting us know.' Cate finished the call hanging up the phone and leaned back against the wall. 'Danny!' Cate called out for her older brother.
'What's wrong?' Kelly asked turning round to her sister.
'What is it Cate?' Danny asked a split second later as he entered the room.
'Bobby will be at the funeral tomorrow that was his lawyer on the phone to let us know.' Cate explained. Danny hung his head and took a deep breath before sighing heavily.
'Will he at least be wearing a suit not an orange jump suit?' Danny asked lifting his head again looking at Cate.
'The lawyer said he would be dressed appropriately but would have his hands cuffed, they'll most likely cover his hands with a jacket. They're only letting him attend the burial, they don't trust to let him in a large group of people.' Cate finished explaining.
'Great, just great. All right well, everything is organised and filed in the study so I'm going to go home and I can send Scotty back here if you like.' Danny suggested.
'Why don't you let him decided where he wants to be right now Dan? He's not a kid anymore.' Cate smiled as she stepped forward hugging her brother. Danny chuckled slightly at Cate's comment as they hugged. Turning on his heel Danny picked up his jacket and car keys, waved to the Angels as he headed for the front door.
'We'll see you here in the morning then.' He said quietly looking to Cate who slowly nodded moving forward opening the door for him.
'Tomorrow morning, look sharp now; you know mama would want us at our best.' Cate smiled running her hand through her brothers hair, smoothing it in to place rather than the ruffled look it had, had for the past hour or so. Danny hugged his sister once more before he left.
'That she would, see you in the morning Lil' C.' Danny called back.
The rest of the evening passed without incident, the Angels unloaded their luggage from their rental and got settled in their rooms as they were all staying in the family home with Kelly and Cate. As everyone turned in Cate was the last to go up to bed, she hadn't been sleeping well any way the last few nights so going up to bed later than the others didn't bother her too much. She sat in her mother's chair in the family room just off from the dining room completely lost in thought, she didn't even hear Jill walk through the house but jumped when she felt Jill's hand on her shoulder.
'I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you, I called you a few times but you didn't seem to hear me.' Jill apologised as she sat on the floor in front of Cate.
'It's all right Jill, I was just lost in deep thought.' Cate smiled to her friend.
'Deep thought or memories?' Jill asked.
'A little of both perhaps, don't be so worried Jill I'm doing ok, really I am.' Cate said but even she didn't believe her own words.
'What about seeing Bobby again at the funeral, will you be all right with that?' Jill asked crossing her legs.
'Even if I wasn't Jill it doesn't matter, it's not about me tomorrow; it's about burying our mother. Bobby has every right to be there, she was his mother and he did love her and mama continued to visit him in jail even when he would yell and scream at her to leave him alone, she would go back the following month.' Cate explained rubbing her eyes they were soar with tiredness.
'She was a wonderful woman and mother Cate' Jill reminisced 'and grandmother.' Cate smiled nodding.
'That she was.' The two friends fell into an easy silence as they thought back. 'Well I suppose we'd better get some sleep for tomorrow, it's going to be a long day.' Cate bounced her hand on the arm of her mother's chair as she stood up and started heading to the stairs.
'Cate.' Jill called after her as she got up herself following her friend. Cate turned to Jill looking to her expectantly for a question or something instead she was pulled into another strong Jill hug.
'I love you kiddo and I'm right here whenever you need me.' Jill said as she held onto Cate who had raised her arms returning the hug.
'Thanks Jill, I just need to get some sleep right now though.' Cate broke away from Jill smiling to her appreciatively as she returned to heading upstairs to her room. Jill followed after her watching her worried.
The morning came with a sharp slap as Cate splashed cold water on to her face to wake herself up. The Angels were spread out in the house taking turns to use the three bathrooms that were in the house. Cate was one of the first to get washed and dressed so that she would be prepared to greet the family and mourners that were first coming to the house before going on to the church. Cate heard the doorbell ring; she knew it would be her brothers, Tessa and Rebecca. One of the Angels would let them in as Cate continued to get dressed. Her black pantsuit was laid out on her bed her white blouse with a single red rose detail stitch on its front right hand side. As Cate dressed and prepared for the day there was a small knock on her door as it opened Cate turned to her door and smiled wide as her niece walked into her room.
'Hi Aunt Cate.' Rebecca greeted her aunt slowly in a small voice walking in to her room.
'Hey sweet pea, you look beautiful.' Cate greeted her niece who was dressed in a floral patterned dress.
'It was Grandma's favourite dress, Mama thought I should wear it, Grandma would like that.' Cate picked her niece up realising as she did her niece was getting older and heavier.
'That she would sweet pea, Grandma would love that you are wearing this dress today.'
'I heard Daddy say to Mama that Uncle Bobby would be there today.' Rebecca tucked her head onto her Aunt's shoulder. Cate walked over to her bed sitting them both down on to it.
'He will be there Becca but you don't need to be scared or worried at all. We'll all be there and Uncle Bobby won't be there long, I promise.' Cate brushed her niece's hair back over her shoulders as she spoke to her. Rebecca smiled broadly to her Aunt before throwing her arms around her neck. Hearing her mother call for her Rebecca jumped down from her Aunts bed and ran out of the room just as Kelly stepped in dressed in a fitted black dress.
'Everything OK?' Kelly asked as Cate flopped back on her bed.
'Yeah, fine just getting ready.'
'Is Becca all right?' Kelly sat next to her sister resting her hand on Cate's knee. Cate turned her head to look at her older sister.
'She knows that Bobby will be at the funeral and was scared, she is scared.' Kelly looked away for a moment back toward the bedroom door the little girl had just run through.
'Well you can't blame her for that after what happened.'
'I know, she'll be OK, we'll all be there.'
'How are you going to be?' Kelly asked turning back to Cate studying her face as she answered.
'I'm going to be fine, he's only there for the burial what harm can he cause, he lost his mother too Kelly.' Cate pointed out as she sat up, Kelly sat closer to her sister putting her arm around her pulling Cate into her.
'Just don't forget you lost your mother too.' Kelly softly said as she rubbed her sisters back gently. A light knock on the door disturbed the sisters, looking up they saw Sabrina stood in the doorway.
'It's time.' Sabrina quietly said it was all she needed to say the sisters knew exactly what it meant. The hearse had arrived it was time to go to the church.
The service seemed to pass so slowly Cate and her brothers with Kelly, Tessa and Rebecca sat in the front row of the church. Kelly sat next to her sister holding her hand throughout as Cate rested her free hand on Scotty's arm his hand covering hers.
'A man is placed upon the steps, a baby cries
and high above the church bells start to ring
and as the heaviness the body oh the heaviness settles in
somewhere you can hear a mother sing
Then it's one foot then the other as you step out onto the road
how much weight? how much weight?
then it's how long? and how far?
and how many times before it's too late?
Calling all angels
calling all angels
walk me through this one
don't leave me alone
calling all angels
calling all angels
we're cryin' and we're hurtin'
and we're not sure why...'
Before Cate knew it they were outside at their mothers graveside her coffin being lowered into the ground. Next a small box with earth in it was offered to the family each taking a small handful and tossing down to the coffin even Rebecca was offered the small box, Tessa knelt beside her daughter helping her guiding her in what she should do. People soon began to disperse from the burial site heading back to their cars then back to the family home for the wake. Cate stayed beside the grave Kelly beside her who raised her hand gently up her sisters back resting her hand on Cate's shoulder.
'It was a beautiful service Cate.' Kelly quietly said as she looked over to the people congregating around Cate's brothers and sister-in-law. 'I'd better go and help your brothers and Tessa, looks like they are getting a little overcrowded over there.' Cate looked up to where Kelly meant and nodded slowly. 'Take your time, we'll wait for you.' Kelly gently kissed the side of Cate's head as she walked down to where the others were as Cate stayed where she was, feeling a presence beside her Cate didn't have to look up to know who it was.
'Hello Bobby.' Cate calmly greeted her brother who stepped out from the shadows he had been stood in with police guards throughout the burial. He didn't respond to his sister just stood beside her looking down to the grave, Cate turned to look at her brother, he hadn't really changed much, if anything he looked better he'd obviously been working out, Cate could see that from the way he held himself as he stood beside her. 'I'll leave you alone with mama.' Cate spoke up starting to turn away to leave her brother peaceful time.
'If only you would have done that sooner.' Bobby grumbled in a low gruff tone. Cate stopped in her place but began to walk on; this was no place for an argument or angry words, not today. 'I'm talking to you.' Bobby said a little louder, Cate stopped again and turned back to face him.
'And I'm choosing not to take the bait Bobby, I won't fight with you not today Bobby.' Cate stood to her fall height as she spoke.
'This is your fault; this would never had happened if you hadn't of come into our lives. We'd still be a family if it wasn't for you.' Bobby seethed facing Cate she could see the anger and hurt burn in his eyes.
'We still are a family Bobby, you might not like it but we are.' Cate continued to stay calm, as she spoke not wanting to rise to Bobby's taunts and accusations as much as she might want to. Before she could move or think about what was happening Bobby threw himself at her, his hands that were supposed to be cuffed were free as he jumped her knocking both to the ground through the white wooden chairs that were set out. Cate couldn't help but cry out in pain as she fell through them with Bobby on top of her. In the same split second Cate looked up to Bobby he brought down his fist connecting with Cate's cheekbone.
'It's your fault!' Bobby screamed at her as he hit her again in the same place, Cate did what she could to protect herself when the police guards finally stepped forward pulling Bobby roughly off of Cate, he still managed to kick Cate in her side as they pulled him away, at the same time Kelly and the rest of the Angels with Marcus arrived on the scene.
'Get him out of here!' Julie yelled at the police guards shouting over the top of Bobby's rants. Cate rolled herself to her side and slowly began to pick herself up; Kelly was beside her in an instant helping her.
'God Cate, are you all right?' Kelly asked slipping her hand under Cate's arm helping her up and seating her in one of the chairs that wasn't knocked over by the attack.
'Where's Becca?' Was Cate's first question and concern.
'What?' Kelly asked trying to look at her sister's face.
'Becca where is she, did she see any of that?' Cate asked again anger in her tone.
'No, no she and the family have gone back to the house all ready.' Kelly explained as she brushed Cate's hair back away from her face revealing a cut on her face along her cheekbone where Bobby had hit her. 'You're bleeding.' Kelly said as she took a clean handkerchief from her purse carefully putting it to her sister's face, Cate wincing as it stung.
'Let me take a look.' Marcus stepped in covering Kelly's hand with his own taking the handkerchief and slowly peeling it back to look at the cut tipping Cate's head back slightly so he could see it properly. 'Well you won't need stitches but it needs cleaning. Cate?' Marcus looked to his friend who was all of a sudden very quiet. 'Cate.' Marcus called his friend again, Cate looked up to him snapping out of her trance like state.
'Yeah, let's go back to the house we can slip in through the back.' Cate decided for them as she stood up Marcus supporting her, which Cate gently brushed off.
'I thought he was meant to be cuffed.' Sabrina said to the police guard after they had secured Bobby in the car they had brought him to the service in. Sabrina was angry as she stood in front of the guard her arms folded across her chest, Tiffany stood behind her with one hand on her hip the other holding onto her purse that she bounced on her thigh annoyed.
'He must have slipped them somehow, we apologise for the disturbance, we're taking him back now. Please pass on our apologies to the family.' The guard smiled tipping his hat to the Angels as he made a quick exit before Sabrina or Tiffany could respond.
'Oh I think I'll do more than that.' Tiffany said so that only she and Sabrina could hear.
'Going to call Charlie?' Sabrina asked watching the police vehicle leave.
'You can, I'm going to call a few friends in the governor's office.' Tiffany nodded to the idea as she turned and headed to the car that was waiting for them with the rest of the team to go back to the house.
'Are you all right?' Jill asked as she took her seat next to Cate in the limousine. Cate took tissues from the holder in the car and dabbed at the cut on her cheek as she felt blood roll down her cheek.
'I'll be fine Jill.' Cate replied offering no more to the conversation and Jill didn't push knowing her friend too well to even try pushing her now.
'What did the police have to say for themselves?' Jill asked as the rest of the Angels and Marcus got into the car.
'That Bobby must have slipped his cuffs somehow.' Sabrina answered with a disgusted look on her face.
'Not likely.' Julie noted.
'Don't worry, we'll get it sorted.' Tiffany said nodding to Julie as the car started driving them back to the house.
'Don't bother guys.' Cate spoke up as she looked out the car window as they drove along.
'But Cate we can't allow Bobby or those guards to...'
'Just let it be.' Cate said finishing the conversation.
As they arrived at the house Cate with Kelly and Marcus headed around the back of the house as the rest of the Angels went in through the front door doing their best to distract the rest of the household as Cate went upstairs to clean up, it almost worked if it hadn't been for Cate's brother's knowing full well there was something going on as they didn't see their sister so headed up stairs to find her, which they did in the large bathroom with Marcus.
'What the hell happened?' Danny asked first as he entered in to the room.
'Calm down Danny.' Cate said motioning with her hand for her eldest brother to keep his voice down.
'Bobby.' Danny worked for himself. 'Bobby did this didn't he?' Danny asked all ready knowing the answer. 'Damn him.' Danny swore low under his breath.
'Look I'm ok Danny really, Marcus is just cleaning it up now, I'll get changed and be downstairs in no time with y'all. You'd better get yourselves down there before others notice.' Cate suggested trying to keep her brothers calm and keep up appearances.
'I think they'll notice that Cate.' Scotty said pointing to the cut and redness around her cheekbone.
'I know, we'll just have to say I banged it on the car door or something, they'll believe that.' Cate reasoned just as Kelly arrived in the doorway with a clean blouse for her sister.
'This one OK?' Kelly asked, Cate looked up and smiled nodding as she stood up to leave the bathroom.
'It's fine thanks.' Cate took the blouse from Kelly and headed back to her room.
'You guys go back downstairs I'll keep an eye on her.' Kelly offered, the three men agreed heading out of the bathroom and back downstairs. Kelly took a deep breath as she headed back to Cate's room walking in and gently shutting the door behind her. Cate had all ready taken off her blouse that now had bloodstains on it and tossed it across a chair in her room. Stood in front of her closet with the clean blouse on Cate pushed hangers with clothes on back and forth as she looked for something.
'Need any help?' Kelly offered.
'No thanks, just looking for a waistcoat.' Cate replied as she pulled out what she was looking for showing it to Kelly as she placed it on the bed. Sitting on the bed herself Cate finished buttoning her blouse then put on the waistcoat and buttoned that also stopping for a moment just to breathe. Kelly stepped forward sitting beside her sister putting an arm around her sister's waist.
'You sure you don't need any help?' Kelly quietly asked. Cate leaned into her sister resting her head on Kelly's shoulder, closing her eyes for a moment Cate just took calming steady breaths drawing strength from her sister before she got up and headed out of the room and back down to the guests. Kelly took a moment for herself before she followed after.
'Callin' all angels
callin' all angels
we're tryin'
we're hopin'
we're hurtin'
we're lovin'
we're cryin'
we're callin'
'cause we're not sure how this goes'
Song = 'Calling All Angels' by Jane Siberrywith K.