Chapter 10
The first thing Anna noticed about Nora Bates' home was the warmth. She felt welcomed the moment she stepped inside. It was full of little knickknacks and many photos on the walls. Anna smiled as she came across a photo of John as a child. They had just entered the home and she already felt at home.
John led her toward the living room where his mother was sitting. She automatically stood and walked over to Anna. Before even saying something, she wrapped her arms around Anna and held her tightly.
"It is so good to finally meet you," Nora gushed. Then she dropped her arms and took Anna's hands within her own. Her eyes searched around them. "Did you not bring those precious girls of yours?"
"Not today, Mother," John answered, as he bent over and kissed Nora's cheek.
"Maybe next time," Anna added.
"Of course," Nora said with a smile. "Come, sit, sit!"
Anna did as she was ordered. She took a seat on the couch and John set down next to her. He placed his hand on her knee and gave it a loving squeeze. Nora sat in her chair and smiled. Then she made a face as a thought passed through her and stood up again.
"I forgot the tea!"
"I'll get it, Mother," John offered. "You sit."
"You're a good boy," Nora gushed, sitting back down. John disappeared into the kitchen leaving Anna alone with Nora. Anna was often speaking to new people, so she rarely got nervous. However, she was today. She wanted to make a good impression.
"Your house is lovely," Anna told Nora.
"Thank you, Anna. Has my boy been treating you and your girls well?"
"Absolutely," Anna said with a bright smile. "My girls adore him. My youngest, Gracie, is always right by his side."
"And how old is she? John has told me, but I have forgotten."
"Gracie is three. And my oldest, Arya, is seven," Anna replied. "I am so blessed to call them mine."
"Ah, yes, children are a blessing," Nora agreed. John came in then with a tray that had a pot of tea, cups, and biscuits on it. He sat it down on the coffee table in the middle and then began to pour them each a cup of tea. As he handed them out, Nora pinched his cheek. Anna watched as John blushed in embarrassment. "This is my blessing."
"Mother, please," John said, shaking his head.
"What? You are. Am I not allowed to be proud of my only son?"
"Yes, but…."
"All mothers are proud of their children," Anna added with a wink. John sat back down next to her and made a face, which only made Anna laugh.
"Exactly," Nora agreed. "Who is watching after your mother today, Anna? She must be so proud of you. Two beautiful girls; a big, expanding company."
Anna inhaled and shrugged her shoulders.
"We have a weekend nurse who watches her. It can change who is caring for her. I use a company."
"Oh," Nora simply said, taking a sip of her tea. "And you're okay with strangers coming into your home to care for your mother?"
"Mother…" John began to warn, but Anna didn't mind the question.
"They aren't strangers. It's a reputable business. I have interviewed every place that works with my mother. I have two small children in my house. I don't want anyone unsavory near them."
"Of course not," Nora said, trying to show that she wasn't meaning to sound rude with her question. But Anna wasn't bothered by any of it. She had heard worse.
"My mother and I don't get along like you and your son do, but I do my best to make sure she's well taken care of."
"You're a good daughter," Nora stated. Anna only nodded. She didn't need words of affirmation about her choices when it came to her own mother. She was only doing what she believed to be the right thing to do. Even though she had a rough past with her mother, she couldn't let her die alone in a home somewhere.
"John," Nora then said to her son. "Go back to my room and get the photo album. I want to show Anna the pictures from when you were little."
"Mother…"
"Oh yes," Anna agreed with a smile. "I want to see little John." John heavily sighed, but did as his mother asked. Anna's eyes followed him down the hallway until his disappeared into one of the rooms. She felt a hand on her knee and turned to see Nora glancing at her with very serious eyes.
"I don't know what happened with your mother," Nora began. "But I can tell she really hurt you." Anna let out a shuddering breath. "Do you mind if I give you a piece of advice?" Anna shook her head. "Forgive her." Anna opened her mouth to speak, but Nora continued. "She probably doesn't deserve it, but for your own peace of mind, before she's gone, forgive her. It'll take so much weight off your shoulders to let that hurt go."
Anna's eyes grew watery with fresh tears.
"You don't have to be close with her. Boundaries are important, especially in toxic relationships. But I can see that hurt in your eyes and you need to let it go. You will be so much happier in your life."
Before Anna could answer her, John was back with the album in his hands. Nora dropped her hand from Anna's knee and sat up, smiling.
"Yes, perfect!"
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After they met with John's mother, they went for a walk around her home. It was a lovely little area with little shops at the end of the street. Anna had been quiet, worrying John. He wondered what his mother could have possibly said to Anna. He hoped she hadn't ruined what they had begun. His mother meant well, but she could overstep where she shouldn't.
"Anna, if my mother…"
"No," Anna quickly said, stopping and shaking her head. "She just said what I needed to hear. She's a wise woman." John's lips quirked up.
"So my mother didn't ruin this for us?" Anna laughed then.
"No, she didn't. I actually…well, I actually have something important I want to say," Anna began. She shifted slightly on her feet. "This is hard for me. I've been burned so many times, but you make me feel something I haven't felt in a really long time."
"What's that?"
"John, I love you," Anna blurted out then. "I know it may not be proper for me to be the one to say it first, but I have never been much for doing things in the traditional way." John felt his heart swell. He stepped forward to be closer to Anna. His hand cupped her cheek and he smiled.
"I love you, too."
"Truly? You aren't just saying it because I did?"
"No," he assured her. "I've been wanting to say it for a while now, but I worried I might scare you off." Anna laughed and he could see happy tears in her eyes. "I love you, Anna. I love your girls. I want to be a part of your lives."
Anna's hand came up and over his. She closed her eyes.
"I would love that too," she then murmured, her eyes opening back up to meet his. "My girls love you, John. You have shown them love in ways their father never has. I know it's a big ask to care for them, when they aren't…."
"They are part of you, Anna. Why wouldn't I love them and care for them? You three are a package deal and one I feel fortunate to get to be a part of." He could feel the sides of his eyes crinkling up, as they did when he was happy. Anna licked her lower lip. "May I kiss you now?"
"Yes," Anna whispered. John bent forward and caught her lips with his own. In that moment, he felt whole.
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That evening, Anna made them all dinner. She even included her mother. They went downstairs and ate the meal as a family. Her mother seemed overjoyed to have her visitors. And for the first time in a long while, her mother seemed lucid in the moment remembering her girls and that Anna was a full grown adult.
Once dinner was over, Anna sent John up with the girls to watch television so that she could speak with her mother. As they disappeared upstairs, Anna rubbed her hands together and stepped forward to her mother who was engrossed in one of her shows. She sat down next to her and waited for the opportunity to speak. This may be her only chance. Her mother's bouts of lucidness were growing further and further apart.
"It was nice," Martha then began, looking toward Anna.
"What was nice?"
"Dinner tonight," Martha clarified.
"It was," Anna agreed. "I probably should have had dinner with you more often." Martha took in a shuddering breath and then reached across to take Anna's hand within her own. Tears immediately pooled in Anna's eyes.
"I wasn't a good mother, Anna," Martha admitted, her own eyes full of tears. There it was. The words Anna had never heard before. Her mother had always made excuses for her behavior and why she chose her husband over her children. A tear slid down Anna's cheek and she pressed her palm against her face to catch it. "I should have done better for you, for Laura. I could have real relationships with my five grandchildren, with my girls, but instead I am just a problem for you both to deal with. I am fortunate that you haven't just thrown me in some home."
A few more tears slipped from Anna's eyes. How had her mother known what she was going to talk with her about?
"Mum," Anna said, turning her hand so that her fingers could lock with her mother's. "I forgive you. We…we can only move forward now. We can't change the past."
"I wish I could."
"Me too," Anna murmured. With her free hand, she wiped her face. Then she bent forward and hugged her mother. "I love you."
"I love you, too. I know I don't deserve your love, but I am grateful for it."
Anna pulled away and sniffled. She gave her mother a weak smile and then sat with her until her show had finished and her mother had fallen asleep.
Then Anna made her way upstairs. John and the girls were sitting on the couch watching a Disney movie. Anna was impressed. Usually, Gracie would only watch Peppa Pig. Anna went to take a seat next to them and Gracie climbed right into her lap.
"What are you watching?" She asked them all.
"A classic," John answered. "Toy Story."
"Ah," Anna kissed the top of Gracie's head. She was rubbing her eyes and Anna knew she would be out soon. "How did you convince her?" She quietly asked John.
"Arya wanted to watch it and I told her there was a pig in it like Peppa," John replied.
"Smart," Anna said. Then she gave him a kiss. But then she pulled back, realizing it was the first time she had kissed him in front of her girls. Thankfully, Gracie didn't seem to notice, but Arya did. She eyed the two of them carefully.
"So, are you two like a couple now? A real couple?"
"What's the difference between a couple and a real couple?" Anna asked, amused. Arya brightly smiled.
"Well, a real couple says I love you and they kiss and they snuggle," Arya explained.
"Would you like us to be a real couple?" Anna prodded. Arya excitedly nodded.
"Yes! Please! John is so fun!" Anna and John laughed.
"Yes," Anna then honestly told her daughter. "We are a real couple."
"Good," Arya stated. Gracie then yawned and her little eyes began to flutter closed.
"I'm going to take her on up to bed. Arya, not much longer until your bedtime either. Why don't you go ahead and tell John goodnight and then go on up and get on your pajamas."
"Oh, alright. Goodnight, John!"
"Goodnight, Arya. Goodnight, Gracie."
Arya then wrapped her arms around John's neck and kissed his cheek.
"Be nice to my mummy."
"Oh I will, little darling, I promise, I will."
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While Anna was putting the girls to bed, John went down to the basement to check on Martha. She was still asleep and likely would be for a few more hours. When he made it back upstairs, he found Anna curled up on the couch. He went to sit with her. As he sat down, Anna crawled over on top of him and straddled his legs. Her hands came to play with the hairs on the nape of his neck.
"I should probably let you go," Anna playfully mused. "How does it look for me to be taking advantage of one of my workers?" John chuckled, leaning forward to capture her lips with his own.
"I'm alright with it," he murmured against her cheek, before he kissed her more deeply. Anna slid back slightly, resting her head on his forehead.
"Will you stay with me?"
"Forever," John promised. Anna's lips curled up into a smile.
"I meant, in my bed, with me."
"Yes," he replied, his hands sliding up under her shirt to rest on her bare hips.
"Good. I want us to be a 'real' couple and I need to snuggle with you at nighttime."
"I'd love that."
"Me too."
To be continued...
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