Chapter 37:
Katherine Kavanagh died about a month after Carlos came to Seattle. He did get to see her once last time and grieve the woman that he fell in love with. Mr. and Mrs. Kavanagh was not happy that he had been given access to their daughter. They threaten to sue the hospital, but their son Ethan intervened and explained that both Katherine and Balitrane needed to say their goodbyes. Ethan knew that his sister was not long for this world. She was being kept alive on machines and he knew she would not want to live like this. He begged his parents to let her go and to donate her organs to those who could prosper with them. They fought him, but in the end, Ethan convinced them that this was the best course for Kate and the family.
There was no funeral service for Katherine Agnes Kavanagh, but a lovely yet rainy gravesite service. Only a few people were allowed, including the Christian Grey and his wife, Ana, and Mr. and Mrs. Carrick Grey. It was a short ceremony. Ana stood beside the casket before it would be lowered. Her pregnancy now evident at fifteen weeks with a small bump. She placed a single pink rose on the casket and then patted it softly. "Good bye, dear friend." She whispered. "I wish it had … I wish you were still here and happy." Ana wiped a tear away and let Christian lead her away. She looked up as she was being led to the limo. Standing far away from the tent that covered the burial site, was Carlos Balitrane. He was dressed in black with a dozen red roses in his hands. She placed her hand over her heart to show him that she hurt also. Christian also saw Carlos.
"He wasn't allowed." Ana started but the dam burst and the tears rolled down her face. She couldn't fathom the pain that Carlos must be feeling. She only knew that if she wouldn't be allowed to grieve for her loved ones that the pain would be unsurmountable. Christian picked her up and climbed into the limo with her. Taylor closed the door to give them privacy.
The sound of Ana crying made its way to the ears of the Kavanaghs. They knew that Ana had loved Kate even though Kate was sometimes unlovable. It broke their hearts to see the young mother in tears. Mrs. Kavanagh then spied the dark figure that loomed beyond the gravestones. She knew it was Balitrane, the man that she felt killed her daughter. She never believed his story that her Katie would attempt suicide. She didn't believe the police report or the hospital reports. For all she knew, Balitrane had paid off the correct officials to get away with his crime scot-free! After all, wasn't that what all rich men did? They had their affairs, their dirty little business deals and then they threw money at it to all go away! Mrs. Kavanagh stared at that man as if her glare would send him straight to his grave. "Someday …" She whispered.
"What was that, dear?" Mr. Kavanagh asked.
"Nothing." She fumed. She would remain silent yet plotting to bring the mighty Balitrane down. "Let's go home, darling."
After everyone left the burial site and the tent was dismantled and taken away, Carlos approached Katherine's flower covered grave. He placed the dozen red roses close to the silver marker that bore her name. A temporary marker until the real gravestone arrived. He fell to his knees before it and wept. In his other hand was a red ring box. He opened it to show her. "I wanted to marry you and give you everything. I loved you so much. I still love you." His sobs wracked his body. "Why, Kate, why couldn't you love me?"
"My sister was incapable of loving anyone but herself. That's the way she was taught." A deep voice declared. Carlos turned to see Ethan Kavanagh behind him. "We both were taught that way. I was fortunate that I relearned a few truths out in the real world. My sister never tried. She believed she was entitled to anything she wanted."
Carlos shook his head. "She loved me some."
"Just enough to get your attention and keep it." Ethan gave the man a sad smile. "Kate's death is sad, but far from a tragedy. She always had to win and she wouldn't stop until she got what she wanted." Ethan looked down at the flowers. "She would have destroyed you in the end."
"I don't believe that. She could have been happy with me."
"Yes, I know, could have, but would she? Kate was spoiled. If she saw something and wanted it, it was given to her. "She wanted Grey and when he didn't reciprocate her feelings, she was furious. The fury grew to obsession and then when she learned that her best friend was marrying Grey, my sister lost her mind." Ethan could still feel the anger that radiated off his sister as they talked about Ana being engaged to Christian Grey. Kate was so furious that Ethan thought she needed a sedative. She was throwing things, raging about punishments, thinking out loud the horrible things she could do to Ana. "She wanted to go after Ana, but something stopped her."
"Ana stopped her. They met in Seattle at Ana's office and Ana told her off." Ethan did not know this and was about to ask how Carlos knew. "Kate told me one night. She was drinking heavily and it came out. She cried and cried because she let a man get between Ana and her."
Ethan nodded. His eyes stared at the flowers. It was still hard to believe that his little sister was under all those flowers. "I loved her, I did, but she was difficult to love." Ethan squatted down next to Carlos. "Be very careful, Mr. Balitrane. My mother is on the warpath and she is adamant that you be made to pay for Kate's death. She blames you and she will not listen to reason."
"Kate and I had a consensual relationship." Carlos started, but Ethan shook his head.
"My mother does not accept that. She is out for blood." Ethan stood to his full height as did Carlos. "Don't ever underestimate my mother. She is dangerous especially if she feels trapped or cornered. Kate, I think got that trait from her."
"I bought this ring for Kate when we were in Paris. I was going to formally propose to her the day that she walked into the ocean." He sighed heavily. "She just walked into the ocean. She waved at me, smiled, and … walked … into … the waves were bigger than usual that day. She went under and we searched frantically for her. We did, I swear, we … all my men, we were in the water looking for her." Carlos dropped the ring box with the ring still in it and walked away mumbling that they did all that they could do.
Ethan picked up the box and sighed heavily. It was a lovely ring and Kate would have loved it. Ethan started to walk the opposite of the man who loved his sister, but changed his mind and caught up with Carlos. They were silent as they walked to Carlos' vehicle. Ethan opened the door for Carlos. "I'll be in Seattle for another day, then I have to return to New York." He handed Carlos his business card that proudly stated Ethan J. Kavanagh, Psychiatrist with his telephone number and clinic address in New York City. "If you need to talk, to vent, call me." Ethan then held out the ring box.
"Keep it and give it to your daughter when you have kids. Tell her it's from her Aunt Katherine. Let some happiness come from that."
"I will, Mr. Balitrane." Ethan offered his hand. "Don't hesitate to call me."
"Thank you, Dr. Kavanagh." Carlos replied then Ethan closed the door. Carlos looked down at his hands. "I'm ready to go now." He said to his driver. "To the airport. I'm going home."
Life went on in Seattle for the Grey Family. Christian and Ana were busy with their businesses, Teddy, and getting a nursery ready for their second child, which they learned was going to be a girl. Ana was excited, but Christian was already worried about boyfriends, bodyguards, and which all-girls school their little princess would attend. Ana would laugh at him and tell him that he was being silly.
Carrick and Grace were in grandparent heaven when told that Ana was expecting again. They decided that they would slow down a bit and enjoy their grandchildren and each other.
Mia settled on a career in clothes. She bought a small boutique, found the merchandise and went into business dressing ladies from all walks of life. She called the boutique "Jolie Dame", or in English, Pretty Lady. Her goal was to dress all women, no matter their station in life, to feel their own special beauty. Within a few months, Mia was considering expanding her shop. Jolie Dame was a huge success in Seattle, not only for the lovely clothes, but for the encouragement and belief that Mia and her staff gave every customer.
Elliot was still dating around looking for Miss Right but always finding Miss Right Now. His construction company was so successful that he had to hire a fourth crew so he could keep up with the projects. He loved his life, enjoyed being closer to his little brother and he was a wonderful uncle to Teddy.
Cammie and Roz was busy with four children, their girls Gwen and Gabby and their twin boys, Gregory and Geoffrey. Cammie was in her element caring for the children and Roz was still the ballbuster of GEH!
The Kavanagh Family fell apart in the months after Kate's funeral. Her father was outed as being a Senior Casanova with another family on the side and her mother decided that she was taking over Kavanagh Media and she bought out her husband and gave him a divorce. Kavanagh married his much younger lover and they decided to move with their two boys to Key West. The first Mrs. Kavanagh implemented the first of many plans to bring down Carlos Balitrane and his international empire. Her poison pen would harm his reputation and the truth of how her daughter died would be the final nail in his coffin. Ethan refused to be a part of his parent's new lives. He felt betrayed because his dad loved his two boys from his mistress more than he ever loved Ethan and Kate. He decided to not be part of his father's life. He also decided to stay clear of his mother and her need for revenge. He couldn't stand by and let an innocent man be vilified and ruined. Ethan kept in constant with Carlos and together they were able to keep Kavanagh Media at bay! Only time could tell if his mother would come to her senses and put away these thoughts of revenge. Until then, Ethan was Team Carlos and he would do anything to protect his friend. There was also another reason, his new friend was the older brother of the woman he loved. Maria Balitrane walked into Ethan's life and stole his heart. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever saw and within days of meeting, he was ready to propose. Maria was his eternal love. She was his now and his future.
Carlos was amused at his friend Ethan when he was introduced to Maria. Any fool could see the sparks flying between the two. He knew that there would be a Balitrane/Kavanagh wedding soon. He hoped that Maria and Ethan would want to marry in Europe so he wouldn't have to return to the United States, especially Seattle. His heart was not healed yet. He was still mourning Kate.
