I hope you are enjoying this story. I love the Tucks and I hope you like the direction I'm taking with this.
Kathleen Parker never felt like she was living her own life. Everything had been decided for her by others.
Her mother died from preeclampsia just a few hours after she was born. Her father Henry blamed himself for this. He thought he could have done something to save her and it ate away at him everyday. He named her Kathleen after his wife, but called her Kate. He did the best he could for her, but his heart hurt everyday he looked at his little girl and saw his wife.
Her grandfather Charles (her mother's father) hated Henry. His daughter had married beneath her station when she married Henry. He despised him for taking her away from him. Charles was a wealthy business man in New York, and could have given his daughter everything she desired. But they day she married Henry he cut her out of his life. When he heard the news of her passing he tried to get custody of his granddaughter. In the hopes of saving her from that terrible life.
"Henry, how do you expect to make a life for her? If you let me take her she will have a chance."
"Charles, you know that's the last thing Kathleen would want for Kate."
"Well she's not here!"
This statement cut both of them deeply.
"And you are struggling to feed her."
Henry looked down at his sleeping daughter in her crib. The poor thing was just staying together. His father-in-law did have a point. He was barely able to buy milk for her and food for himself. If Charles did take her, she could have a shot, be something. Kathleen would want her to have that chance. Tears began to pool in his eye and blur his vision.
"Ok Charles. You can take her. But...Just let me say goodbye."
Charles looked worried but he knew this could be the last time they see each other. They both needed this. He nodded at him and left the room.
Kate looked up at her father and smiled. Henry smiled down at her and picked her up.
"Well, I'd like to say this is 'see you later'...but I doubt your granddad will let a bastard like me see you again."
Tears started to fall from his eyes. If watching his wife die in his arms broke his heart, then this was killing him. Kate started to cry in his arms. It was almost like she understood what her father was saying, but he comforted her.
"Shhh! It's ok...I'll be ok. You just need to be strong for me ok sweetie? Your granddad will give you an easier life, but it will also be very hard. Know that mommy and I will always be with you, even if you don't see us. We love you so much, we put all of our love into you. When you think of us don't be sad, because we lived the life we wanted. The only regret is we didn't get to share it with you."
He then kissed Kate on the forehead and rocked her until she fell asleep.
Charles gave Kathleen the life of a princess, but she never felt like she was living her life. Charles being a busy business man hired governesses for Kathleen and when she was old enough she went to the best finishing schools money could buy. Once Kathleen turned 18 she caught the eye of one of her grandfather's young partners. Jonathan was everything Charles thought his granddaughter needed, and what is daughter neglected to find. Jonathan had wealth, status and would take care of his beloved granddaughter. They were married without much protest. Afterall what did Kathleen know of love? She'd never experienced it. Maybe she could learn to love him...
Kathleen and Jonathan had recently moved to the town of Treegap New Hampshire. Charles had passed away and left everything to Kathleen and Jonathan. Jonathan had recently taken over Charles' company, and his first big decision was to purchase a logging company up here. They were settled in indefinitely. Jonathan had a large elaborate farm house built on the land. He often complained that it was "too far" away from civilization, but Kathleen had quite the opposite attitude. She loved being away from the bustling city of New York. Something so serene and quiet about Treegap.
"I'm off to check on the progress in the middle of nowhere! I can't wait until we can move back into the city. Something about this fresh air makes me sick….Kathleen….KATHLEEN are you listening to me?"
Kathleen looked up from the book she was reading, her favorite pass time.
"No John I'm sorry."
Jonathan walked over and roughly grabbed the book out of her hands and snapped it shut.
"You know I don't approve of you reading in my presence. Where you learned such a pastime I'll never know. Not an appropriate activity for my wife. She should listen attentively and respond to her husband when asked."
"I'm sorry John...I'll make sure it doesn't happen again."
Kathleen froze as her husband walked over and grabbed her chin forcing her to look at him in his cold eyes. His other hand found its way to her arm and squeezed it hard to emphasise his point.
"You better see that it doesn't."
Kathleen hated looking him in the eyes. There was always something behind them that shook her to the core. Something he could release but kept hidden just enough to scare her into obeying.
Jonathan left his wife in the living room to start his day.
"And Kathleen...be sure to take a walk around town today. People need to see how important I am in this town and showing them a pretty little thing like you makes them know I can get anything I want."
He walked out the door slamming it so he was sure it would make Katherine jump.
Kathleen watched him out the window climb in the carriage and drive away. A tear trickled down her cheek.
Is this the life she wants to live?
