An all round grazie prego for the reviews and in return here's the next instalment.
(A year ago)
There seemed to be no cure for her depression, other than drinking and it invariably lead to some sort of argument.
He didn't want to be selfish in making this all about him, but her deteriorating state was having a serious affect on his stress levels. Never the less he worked his hardest to help her, though his efforts only seemed to make things worse and in the end he was left with no choice but to make that final break. A move to hopefully make her finally realize and admit that she had a problem and thankfully it worked in the end.
"I'm going to do this for us Jack."
It was her vow, her promise but time slowly wavered Jack's decision to invest in the belief that they could still be together, especially when all it did was bring back the memories.
Still, Kate refused to relent to the pain or temptation for that matter because she truly believed that they could get past this and come out stronger.
(End of flashback)
A lot had changed since then. The biggest one of all being the new woman in Jack's life, but instead of feeling hurt and betrayed, Kate accepted it as a consequence for her actions. Besides they were divorced so he had the right do what he wanted.
Beep, beep
"Dr. Austen, I have a Mrs. Pace here to see you, should I…."
"I'll be down in a few minutes Jane." Kate declared, so clearly caught up in her thoughts that she didn't even realize it was almost lunch time. Not that she was in the mood to eat anyway, but the one thing she did need now was a friend.
"You did what?"
Kate almost chuckled at her friend's almost animated reaction. It came as no surprise though because Claire was their biggest supporter from day one. The blonde firmly believing that Kate was still the perfect woman for her Brother.
"Kate you've got to talk some sense into him."
"No." was Kate's simple, interrupting reply and Claire was surprised by the change in her friend.
"No?" Claire repeated it in sheer disbelief of Kate giving up so quick and easily, "what do you mean no?"
"As in I'm not going to get in the way of his happiness." Kate made it clear and Claire looked at her like she was talking crazy.
"And I know what you're gonna say, but I've seen it for myself Claire, he does care about her."
"So you're just going to give up?"
"I'm not going to hurt him….." she vowed, looking up from her coffee mug and exuding the utmost determination in her tone and shimmery gaze, "not again".
"What happened wasn't your fault." Claire tried to persuade her, just like she always did whenever this subject came up.
"Either way it still doesn't condone the hell I put him through."
"We're all allowed to hurt Kate, especially when it's the loss….."
"Can we just talk about something else please?" Kate pleaded, still not emotionally strong enough to handle it.
"Fine" Claire reluctantly relented with a sigh, for the time being cause she was determined to rekindle what she felt was "fate".
"So how's Aaron?"
"As hyper as a 3 year old can be." Claire answered, admittedly hesitant at first about investing in the specific change of subject, mainly for Kate's sake.
"I can't believe he's 3 already." Kate marvelled.
"I know. I was telling Charlie the other day that Aaron's gonna need his own room soon."
"Especially with this one on the way" Kate added, implying towards Claire's fourth month old baby bump.
"Charlie's convinced it's a boy but of course I'm saying different." Claire revealed. "I need someone on my side to win the arguments." She added making Kate smile.
Even through what it suddenly reminded her of.
He didn't expect such an extravagant display for a simple engagement party, but then remembered that Kathy's taste was nothing short of that.
After being with Kate for so long, he'd grown used to living a low key lifestyle. The kind where appreciation was shown through emotional and physical sentiment rather than lavishing on expensive gifts.
Kate's selfless nature was one of the things he loved, much like she had done for him a few minutes earlier.
The least he expected was for her to be angry, specifically with the insults and accusations from Kathy, but with it all she chose to give him the benefit of the doubt and still respect his relationship with Kathy, even encourage it amazingly.
It was just a shame that Kathy couldn't do the same.
"Honey bear!" came the sudden call followed by the unexpected hug he found himself being engaged in.
He responded somewhat to her gesture of affection, still reeling from the things said in their latest argument. His defence for Kate only worsening the tiff, but he was sick and tired of Kathy blaming her for everything. He was also beginning to tire of her constant orders in controlling his every right and move, especially when he was at work.
"What?" Kathy questioned in sight of his weary gaze and demeanour.
"So we're okay now?" he asked, baffled by this woman's ability to erratically switch emotionally.
"C'mon Jack….." Kathy urged, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a light kiss upon his lips before continuing on, "I don't wanna fight with you."
"I don't want to as well Kat but you can't keep blaming Kate for everything that goes wrong."
"Okay."
"Okay?" he checked, not entirely certain of her sincerity but willing to take her following nod of confirmation.
"Good, cause I invited her to the party tonight."
"That's nice." Kathy replied, forcing Jack to only assume that she was up to something.
"Okay spill it."
"There's nothing to spill." She defended herself, opting to leave it at that but Jack wasn't done.
"Kat" He warned not wanting any funny business, especially if it involved Kate.
"Fine, if you must know I have someone I'd like her to meet." She revealed with an obvious implication, eliciting a surprised, "oh" from Jack in response.
"So who is he?" Jack then asked, trying his best to not be bothered by the situation.
Just at that moment Kathy's focus and presence was suddenly pulled away by one of the party planners, leaving Jack unanswered and also left to absorb what he'd just been told and how he felt about it.
Not good.
Next Chapter: A party to remember...