Chapter 4: Martha My Dear

The doorbell rang later on that same afternoon. Kate called Rick, who was upstairs putting James to bed. It took Rick a few moments to go downstairs. When he did go, his whole face was tense.

"You okay?" Kate asked, even though she knew the answer to that question. That was his mother, sure, but she was also the woman who almost killed their son.

The woman who endangered their child's life. She had problems, it was perfectly clear, but who didn't? Whatever problem any adult could have, no child should pay for that. Nothing happened that day, but what if it did? No, she shouldn't think about that. She shouldn't think about what else could've gone wrong. If she did, she would never be able to forgive Martha. And someone had to. She needed someone to take her off rock bottom. She needed someone to see the Martha under all that bourbon. And so she would do. She had to hold on to the Martha who had raised the most amazing, brilliant, kind man she'd ever known. The Martha who had helped her to see the miracle James was. God, so much had changed in a year. Martha had changed so much. And they would bring her old self back. Kate grabbed Rick's hand and led him to the door. She slowly turned the handle and opened the door, which reveiled the elder woman. She was wearing a long blue dress, which contrasted beautifully with her hair and eyes. She was a stunning woman, especially for someone with such age, but her appearance revealed her problem. She had dark circles around her eyes, and her hands were shaking. She was skinnier, paler, and certainly didn't look healthy.

"Hello." She said softly. Her shaky hands held her purse and shawl.

"Hi, Martha." Kate said, sounding as cheery as she possibly could in that situtation. She elbowed Rick, knowing he would need more than a little push to be nice on that evening.

"Hello, Mother." He said, responding to Kate's no-so-subtle warning. "How are you today?"

"Fine. And you?" Martha asked, politely. She too, would have to be strong not to be rude. Rick had asked her to be sober, and it took all her strenght to do so.

"We're better now." Kate said. It was pushing it, all three of them knew it, but it didn't matter.

"So, can I come in?" Martha asked, softly. "Sure. Let's sit , and then we can talk." Kate said, smiling sweetly.

"Thank you, Katherine." The elder woman let Kate lead her way, sitting on the big burgundy couch. Kate and Rick sat on the armchairs, facing Martha.

"Martha, we want to help you." Kate paused to grab Rick's hand. "But you need to help us do that." She said.

"Okay. I'll do anything." Martha said, her eyes filling with tears.

"I have the number of the rehab clinic my dad went to.". Kate told her.

"I don't think that's necessary." Martha said. "I can take care of this."

"No mother, you can't. If you want to be back in our lives, we're more than happy to have you back. But you need to stop drinking, and it won't be easy. We can't have you as a danger to our kids. Are you willing to go?" Rick questioned. His face was a bright shade of red, and Kate tried to calm him down. There wasn't much she could do, but she was squeezing his hand and rubbing his back.

"I will." Martha cupped her face in her hands and sobbed softly. That reminded Kate of her dad, and she understood that it was hard for her as well. They had to stick together to take her out of that funk.

"Okay. I'll give them a call tomorrow. They'll probably be able to take you in on Monday, the latest." Kate said.

"Thank you. And thank you for allowing me back in your lives." Martha thanked them, and prepared herself to leave "I must go now. I have to pack, don't I?"

"You do." Kate said.

"Mother." Rick called.

"Yes?"

"You'll be alright." Rick said. He received a shy smile in return.

"You did great." Kate told him.

Author's Note: Oh my God, guys, you're making me so happy! The nice reviews are making me so elated. Thank you all for reading, and please, continue to do so!