Here's the promised chapter that has been kept for soo long! Without any further ado...

Chapter 9

Kate walked down the corridor until she got to room with a little tag that said 'Susan McGregor' on it. The door was shut. Kate put her hand on the handle. She paused as she closed her eyes for a moment. Then she turned the handle and walked in.

The room was like any other. A bed, bedside table, a chair and a window. There was a small group of people around the bed. Ryan was standing at the back and was the only one to notice that Kate had entered the room. He gave her a quick smile and then turned to try and get the group of peoples' attentions. They were making quiet a lot of noise. He wasn't very successful.

Kate meanwhile was standing there getting more nervous by the second. Ryan came over to her.

"Who are these people?" Kate whispered.

Ryan turned and replied softly, "Well the man in the grey suit is your mother's neighbour, the woman in the jeans and shirt is one of the people who is looking after your sister. Obviously she isn't at the moment." He paused with a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't know the other person." He was looking at a young man in his thirties. He had black hair and blue eyes.

Kate clenched her fists. "I didn't come here to 'take a ticket and wait to see her." Kate's nervousness was forgotten as she watched the scene on in anger. "For goodness sake!" She yelled.

Everyone stopped and turned to look at her.

"This is a hospital for goodness sake. So unless there is business that is pressing can you leave." Kate was angry and right now she didn't care if she was rude to these people.

"And who the bloody hell do you think you are!" The young man fumed back at her.

Kate opened her mouth to answer when a small, frail voice spoke, "Katelyn? Is that really you?"

Kate glared at the man then turn to look at the woman in the bed. She looked nothing like the woman Kate could remember. Kate remembered her mother to be strong, tall and full of life. The woman in the bed was like a shadow of her.

Kate spoke softly, "Yes its me." She hesistated not sure on how to address her. "... Ma'am."

The young man opened his mouth. "You're Katelyn McGregor." He sneered. "Oh thank God! Everything is going to be alright." His face was twisted in hate and anger. "You think you can waltz in here and order people around. You haven't seen your mother for years and you come waltzing in here like nothing has happened. You've got some nerve!"

Kate stared at him, then smiled sweetly at him but her eyes flashed with anger, "And who might you be?"

"I'm your mother's partner, John. That's who I am."

Kate raised an eyebrow. "Well you are young enough to be my brother. You're about 33 yrs old and you expect me to give you respect. What an earth have you done with your life? Probably nothing. Unlike you." She paused and Kate's eyes narrowed in anger. "I protect you, from people who, want to do harm to you but do I get any thanks for it? No. Now!" Kate snapped. " I want to see my mother, whom I haven't seen for a while, so unless you have something constructive to say get out." Kate waited with her eyes narrowed. When he didn't move, her voice lowered dangerously. "Now, and anyone else who is not needed here. Out!"

John's face was pulled into an ugly expression but he turned to Kate's mother in the bed. The woman gave a small nod and he got up and left. The rest of the group followed. Leaving Kate standing in front of the bed.

Kate took a deep breath to try and calm down.

"You know Katelyn you didn't have to do that." The voice was still soft. "Come to me, I want to see what you look like."

Kate moved softly and slowly to the side of the bed. Susan opened her eyes and she gazed at her eldest daughter. She reached out and took Kate's hand.

Kate slowly sank into the chair beside her. "Mother? What happened to you?" Kate's eyes were riveted on her mother's form.

Susan smiled softly and her eyes closed. "Time Katelyn. Time. I did some stupid things when I was younger and I do regret them. One of the things that I regret the most is, you." Her eyes opened but Kate could tell it was a strain for her.

Kate stared back at her stunned. "Me? Why me?"

"Katie? Don't you remember when we were in England? When I use to take you out to the local playgroup and we'd used to play together?" Kate nodded silently.

"I was soo proud of you then. You were the smartest thing I'd ever seen." She paused then, "But what changed? I keep asking myself that, even now. I think it was because you looked soo much like your father. He was the first man that made me feel special. I thought we were meant to be but, it wasn't." She paused and took a deep shakey breath. "I pushed you away Katie. I'm soo sorry for that. I know I should have kept my promises but I didn't. In the end I couldn't look at you because I could see the heartbreak in your eyes and I couldn't bare it. Katie?" Her voice had dropped to a soft whisper, her voice pleading.

"Yes?" There was a pause, then, "Mother?"

"I love you soo much. Please forgive me. Even though I haven't seen you for years I have been following your life. Katie?"

Kate leant closer. "Yes?"

"I'm soo proud of you. You are everything I hoped you would be. Someone confident, someone kind, someone who is passionate. Katie, when I grow up..." There was a small smile on her face and her green eyes sparkled. "I want to be just like you." Her smile faded and her eyes fluttered closed.

"Mother? Mum?" Kate's voice shook. Tears fell down her face. Kate hadn't realised that she was crying. She wiped them away. She watched her mother never once letting go of her hand. Her mother's chest rose up and down. The monitor bleeped at a regular pace. She was asleep

Kate sniffled then leant to talk into her mother's ear softly. "I forgive you mum. I forgive you."

A/N: I would dearly love to know what you guys thought of it. Do you honestly think it could happen or not? Did I keep Kate in character? What did you like or hate?? What could I have done to impoved it? Please let me know, it would be appriciated. Thanks,

Fantasy

She squeezed her hand once more then she placed her mother's hand on the blanket then stood up and exited the room.