Chapter fifty-seven: Epilogue


Thomas's hand on her shoulder causes her to jump. "It's alright Kate." He assures her as he guides her into the house. "Let's convene in the library."

Kate can only nod. She cannot believe what's just happened. Thomas guides her towards his chair and guides her into the chair. Thomas had cancelled the ambulance and her father had ordered the men to take Anton's body back to his home. Kate was still in shock over how this whole thing had gone down today.

"Here, let's sit you down."

"How much more do I have to take?" Kate suddenly shouts, causing Thomas to still in place. Kate holds onto her belly as she sits down into the chair. "God, I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that."

"It's alright Kate." He assures you. "You're upset and understandably so."

"You're handling this whole thing very well." Polly states as she shuts the library door behind her father. "You've had quite a shock."

"Let's all sit down." Her father sighs as he sits down. Kate refuses to sit down and Thomas stands beside her. Polly moves to sit by her father. "There's something you don't know Anton."

"What is it that I don't know?" she crosses her arms. "That he's apparently been having sick feelings for me for years? How did I not see this? It all makes sense!" Thomas grips her shoulder firmly. "The obsessive behavior, the hatred towards any man who dared to look at me! I thought about it but brushed it aside because he was my brother!"

"Kate," her father sighs. "he wasn't your brother."

Kate stares at him in shock. "What…the…hell?"

"His parents had been murdered and I couldn't leave him in the streets. So, I took him to Mexico with me."

"Why didn't you tell me this?" Kate demands. "Why keep this a secret?"

"Because you two were family." He inhales deeply. "I didn't want him to feel like he was anything less than family."

"Did you adopt him?"

"I've been trying to adopt him for years, it's been extremely difficult. Especially since he appears to have been born out of England and we still haven't found his birth certificate." He exhales. "He was a troubled boy Kate and I did try to help him. I always knew you'd be alright, but Anton, he needed help. Had I noticed that he had feelings for you, I'd have moved him out of the house. But my blindness caused you so much pain."

Kate shakes her head as a tear dribbles down her cheek. "I didn't see it either. It wasn't your fault." She inhales deeply. "I understand, now, why you always took him under your wing. I don't blame you for trying to work with him. it's just…God, all those years."

Her father cleared his throat. "I am sorry, Kate. Don't waste any tears on him. you have a good man who loves you, two children who need you and a family here. Nothing should disrupt your focus on that."

"I won't." Kate knows she's lying as she stands up from the chair. "I need a hot bath." She heads towards her father's seat to kiss his cheek. He smiles faintly. "I'll be back down for supper later."

"Alright." he pats her arm comfortingly. "Don't worry about it Kate, tomorrow, it will be as if nothing happened."

Kate nodded with a fake smile on her face. "Of course." However, as she turns to leave the room, the smile falls from her face and she knows it's going to be a while before she can adjust to this turn of events. Right now, she needed some privacy so she could cry alone and in peace.


Hours later,


The bathroom door clicked open, causing her to look up with a gasp. There stood Thomas. she sniffled and turned aside, vexed that found her crying. She wiped her eyes, frantic to find some control.

The water stirred in her tub, caused her to look up in surprise. Thomas, had gotten into the bathtub, fully clothed, aside from his shoes. he studied her face carefully as he reached for her and pulled her into his side. She exhaled and clung to him as he placed a kiss on her shoulder. "I've got you."

"I'm sorry."

Kate, you've always been there for me when I needed you. now, it's my turn to be there for you." Kate exhales deeply as he pulls her against him. "You'll be fine in time. Tonight, will just be the hardest."

"God, I can't put the whole thing out of my mind." She plays with his tie before removing it. "You really should have removed your clothes before climbing in here."

"You needed me now, not in a few minutes."

"How can I feel bad when you're around?" she asks. "I've got a lot to look forward to in the future. There's so much about to happen. I just need…a few days to mourn and then, hopefully forget." She shuddered. "I can't believe that he really tried to kill you in front of me."

"Kate, there's something I need to say." he says gently. "as you know, there were two other women in my life. They both loved me. I loved one well and I didn't love one enough, but…it was nothing like this." He said softly as he ran his hand down her arm. "Not like us, not like what we have. I can't see either of them threatening to end their own life to save me. I love you, so much, my wife."

"And I love you." Kate wraps her arms around his neck as he kisses her. again, those feelings of comfort and love cover her like a comforting blanket.

"Don't ever, threaten yourself like that again, promise me."

"I promise."

"Good." he kisses her again. "Let's get you out of this bath now. It's getting cold."

Kate shakes her head. "No. I want you to make love to me."

He shakes his head. "No. you're upset Kate."

"Yes. I am upset and disgusted with myself. But I want and need to feel something." She could see that he was resisting. "I need to feel you." she ran her hand down his arm. "I need you inside of me, Thomas."

"Well," he carefully begins to undo his wet shirt. "I have to get out of these first, love, then-

"You'll give me something to think about during dinner?" she asks with a smile, possibly the first smile that's been genuine since this afternoon. "Besides, who says we have to leave the bath right away anyway?"

"As my wife requests. Now, give me a hand with these and we should still be able to make it in time for the second course tonight."

They weren't.


Shariebery: I couldn't get it done yesterday, but 14 hours is still better than 14 days!

Idcam: Well, she does have her moments of usefulness.