23rd DEC'19
02:00 PM
Harry's POV:
"The preparations should be completed by now, I reckon. These people are exhausting; they have been at it forever, and there's still tomorrow left," I mutter to the little bundle of curiosity and stinking poo. There is some positive though, she seems to be a fast learner. Olivia and I have reached an understanding that whenever I tell her to stop crying, she complies. If she doesn't, I won't teach her the skills and secrets of 'how to talk under 2 years of existence.' She has been very cooperative since then. Hmm, suspicious.
As Olivia and I make our way through the house, we encounter an array of decorations scattered in different directions. At one point, I notice a ribbon lying on the floor, and I'm left wondering if it was placed there by the enthusiastic couple. Their work ethic truly baffles me. We continue to muse as we quickly move through the house to find the couple.
We found them on the porch, Jack shoveling the snow from the floor while Emma adorned the roof with lights and decorations.
"Hey, Harry, need something?" Emma asked, concern evident on her face as she noticed us emerging from the front door.
"Oh, no, I'm fine. But Olivia has pooped again, and I was wondering if you have another pair of diapers. The ones you gave me in the morning have run out," I replied, a faint smile on my face.
"Follow me," Emma responded, her voice tinged with fatigue as she let out a sigh before walking further into the house.
Jack also smiled and nodded at me, and I returned the gesture, a smile spreading across my face. I noticed that I smiled a lot more nowadays compared to the almost pale face I used to wear at the university. I felt more relaxed, perhaps due to the positive people and the uplifting environment surrounding me.
As we moved through the house to Emma and Jack's room I paused outside, I mean going in would be quite rude...I guess.
Emma glanced back and noticed my pause, but she proceeded inside without saying anything.
"Come on in," Emma called out from the bed, gesturing for me to join her. She had placed a piece of plastic cloth on the bed for Olivia.
"She always seems remarkably calm around you," Emma remarked with a smile as I carefully laid Olivia down on the plastic cloth. Emma then got up and opened the window, revealing a light snowfall outside, likely for some fresh air to counter any odors.
I chuckled and explained, "Well, we've come to an understanding of sorts."
Olivia attempted to nod in agreement, adding a touch of amusement to the situation.
"Heh, I'm sure you have," Emma responded with a chuckle, finding Olivia's behavior endearing. She proceeded to prepare for breastfeeding Olivia after changing her diaper.
Emma's smile faded slightly as she spoke, "You do know Mom and Dad are coming today, right?" Her expression carried a hint of sadness.
"Yeah, I'm excited to meet them. It's been a while," I responded, my gaze fixed on the snow outside the window, deliberately avoiding direct eye contact with Emma.
The last time I met Emma's parents was at her wedding in 2016, three years ago. It wasn't the most pleasant experience, to say the least.
"Mom didn't mean what she said Harry. She cares about you a lot. She was heartbroken after you left." Emma reassured me, her voice filled with sincerity.
"I know. I wasn't in the right state of mind back then either, so it's nobody's fault. Let's just forget about it; it's in the past," I said, meeting Emma's eyes and offering a small smile.
However, I still remember that night vividly.
15th Oct'16
09:10 PM
New York
It was the night of the party and I was feeling more angsty than usual due to my previous failed experiments, declining health, and the pressure from the board to deliver results promptly. They had threatened to disband my team if we didn't produce significant outcomes.
The venue was a hotel floor, reserved for the occasion with the same old classic theme. People mingled, engaging in superficial conversations and wearing artificial smiles. They flaunted flashy jewelry and indulged in practices that I deeply despised.
So I moved away from everyone saving them some face and myself some sanity. to the balcony of course, to enjoy the champagne in solitude, more than I should have. There were a few of love-birds present but they were far better than those inside at least.
"I was wondering where you had slipped away to. It appears my suspicions were correct," a very familiar voice spoke from behind me.
"Very funny Kate." I chided her without looking back as I continued gazing into the night sky.
She came closer and leaned to the railing beside me while also gazing into the night sky filled with stars.
Tonight, she looked stunning in a black dress, complemented by elegant heels. Her brown hair was artfully styled in a bun, and she had applied just the right amount of makeup to enhance her natural beauty. Most prominently her green eyes reflecting the lights.
"What's the matter? Not happy that my daughter is getting married," my aunt said with a slight pout.
"Act your age sometimes, and no, I'm happy for Emma," I replied, managing to remain unruffled. Perhaps it was because she knew me so well; I could engage in conversations with her indefinitely without growing angry, unlike with other people.
I sometimes wonder if this would have been the nature of the conversations I'd have with my mother if she were still alive.
Maybe, maybe not. Who knows? She's no longer alive, after all...
"Thinking about your mother?" she asked, noticing my silence after our exchange.
I turned to look at her, taking a sip of my drink.
"Maybe you should be telling prophecies and reading minds as a side job. you'll do good, I say this from experience." I said smirking first time in who knows how long.
"Aww, don't make me blush." she said chuckling.
We talked like that for sometime, rebuking each other chuckling and smiling.
"You know your mother is here with your siblings, right?" Katelyn mentioned after some time.
"Oh, please, Kate. She is NOT my mother and they are NOT my siblings, they will never become my family." I declared firmly, refusing to entertain any further arguments.
"I understand that you don't see her as your mother, Harry, but you need to approach this with more maturity. You could try to make friends with her. She's a good woman and a good mother, trust me, I know," Kate urged.
"Your mother was my sister. Do you think I would want another woman to replace her? Just give Jessie a chance," she justified her statement.
She kept talking about how good Jessica moon was, how wonderful it would be if I just talked to her, how wonderful it would be if we just played pretend.
A pounding headache returned with full force, as if a long-lost brother reuniting for the first time. Irritation and annoyance simmered within me.
"Katelyn, I didn't leave my work and come to the wedding just to listen to your preaching," I replied, my annoyance evident in my words.
"Harry! Stop behaving like a child. You're an adult. Don't you think your actions should reflect that?" she retorted.
At this point, all the couples and bystanders had left us alone.
"Why can't you just accept that I don't want someone in my life? Every time I meet you, it's the same thing over and over again," I expressed, frustration lacing my voice.
She shook her head as she listened to me, her expression suggesting she believed my thinking was flawed. "Living with bitterness is not the answer, Harry, nor is ignoring that the problem exists."
"I'm not ignoring any problem! There is no problem to begin with," I replied, feeling bewildered by her statement.
"You live in the memories of your mother. You need to get over it. It's doing you more harm than you think," Katelyn said gently.
"Like you people have, gotten over it, replacing her with someone else. Completely disregarding her like she never existed," I retorted, my words filled with a mix of frustration and sorrow.
"Think before you speak, Harry!" Katelyn replied, her voice tinged with anger and a hint of tears in her eyes.
I pursed my lips together and looked away from her gaze, directing my attention towards the bustling cityscape.
We remained silent for a brief moment, both feeling the weight of our heated exchange. I noticed that my drink had also run out.
"Harry, listen to me-" Katelyn began, but her words were interrupted by the opening of the door behind us. We both turned our heads at the sudden sound, our eyes falling upon a bridesmaid who had entered the scene. Her gaze briefly scanned the area, coming to a stop at Katelyn.
"Uh, Emma was asking for you," the bridesmaid informed briskly.
"Tell her I'll be there in a moment," Katelyn replied, attempting to delay her departure, likely to continue our conversation.
"She'll go with you. Our talk here has concluded," I interjected, stopping the girl who was about to leave. She looked back at me with surprise, then turned towards Katelyn for confirmation.
Ignoring their exchanged glances, I began walking away from the awkward scene, leaving them behind.
"Anna was the kindest soul I've ever known in my entire life, Harry, and I've met a lot of people. Seeing that her death has hindered you so much, she would have been greatly saddened, perhaps even angry. She would probably tell you to be happy without her," Katelyn interrupted my walk, her words piercing through me.
A lump formed in my throat at the mention of my mother being angry with me.
"Tell her to say this to me personally, then I'll remain happy for the rest of my life," I said, my voice cracking with emotion. Without waiting for her reply to my request, I stormed out of the venue, needing some time alone to gather my thoughts.
"Harry, Harry!"
"Huh?" I snapped out of my thoughts and responded to my cousin, who was repeatedly calling my name.
"Are you okay?" Emma looked at me with concern.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit exhausted from the day, that's all," I lied, mixed with a hint of truth.
"I've prepared a room for you downstairs. Your belongings are already there. Go and rest. There's still some time before Mom and Dad arrive," she informed me kindly.
I noticed that Olivia was fast asleep, so I gladly accepted Emma's offer. Thanking her once again, I made my way downstairs, searching for my designated room. Eventually, I found a door with my name attached to it, indicating that this was the one.
Entering the room, I observed that it wasn't as grand as the one I had at the hotel, but it exuded a cozy and welcoming ambiance, which was more than enough for me. I settled onto the bed, allowing my thoughts to drift towards the possible scenarios that awaited me during my upcoming interaction with Kate.
Yesterday, Emma and Jack had successfully persuaded me to stay at their place for the rest of my time in New York. Although I hadn't officially checked out of the hotel yet, some of my belongings still resided there. After all, who would refuse the convenience of having a free chauffeur and a car at their beck and call? As exhaustion took its toll on me, I surrendered myself to the blissful embrace of sleep, allowing it to transport me to the realm of dreams.
23rd DEC'19
06:00 PM
As the evening approached, the house became filled with decorations, creating a lively atmosphere. Each of us had our assigned tasks, with Emma busy in the kitchen preparing ingredients for dinner, and Jack out to pick up Emma's parents. Meanwhile, Olivia and I opted to watch TV, ensuring we didn't interfere with the others' preparations.
Suddenly, the sound of a car parking outside caught our attention. Emma hurried to the door, and I stood up, placing Olivia on the couch, eagerly waiting for the arrival of our guests. The hallway echoed with the pleasant sounds of conversations and laughter, growing louder as they drew closer to the door. After a short while, my Uncle David entered the living room. He was an elderly man, well past 50, with a short stature standing at 5'7". His plump body seemed to be a constant companion. He was adorned in an expensive-looking jacket and pants, exuding an air of sophistication. However, even with his refined attire, his brown hair, now streaked with grey, remained unkempt, suggesting that he paid little attention to his appearance. As soon as his eyes met mine, a bright smile illuminated his face, and he approached me, ready to embrace me.
"Harry!" my uncle exclaimed in his gruff voice. wrapping his arms around me tightly.
"David, how are you?" I inquired, returning his enthusiastic embrace with a smile.
"I'm good, it's wonderful that you're here. It's been years since we last met," he replied, a genuine smile gracing his face.
"Olivia, I didn't see you there. My, how you've grown so much in such a short time!" David exclaimed, noticing his granddaughter. He gently lifted her from the couch, his eyes filled with affection, and began engaging her in animated conversation.
I also greeted Aunt Bell with a warm hug. We didn't talk much, but I could sense that a long conversation was just around the corner.
The rest of the evening unfolded with laughter and conversations filling the living room until we were called to the dinner table. We enjoyed a delicious meal and indulged in delightful desserts.
After bidding each other goodnight, everyone retired to their beds. I found myself sitting alone in the living room, engrossed in checking work emails, when Kate approached me.
"Can't sleep?" Kate asked me with a smile.
"No, I was just waiting for you," I replied, shutting my laptop down.
"Oh, reading minds now, are we?" Kate teased.
Smiling broadly, I replied, "Yep, learned from the best."
"I'm sure you have. How is your body holding up?" Kate asked with genuine concern.
"It's fine, I won't be dying anytime soon," I joked.
Seeing her glare at me, I couldn't help but burst into laughter, and soon Kate joined in. We talked about various topics, enjoying each other's company for some time.
Noticing that she was avoiding the topic of my mother, I couldn't help but ask, "What happened? Are you not going to talk about my mother today?"
"You misunderstand, Harry. I don't wish to make you angry or sad on purpose. It's just that I don't know how I will face your mother once I meet her again and tell her how I didn't try enough to help you when you needed it. She will be angry with me, you know," she explained, her face filled with a sad smile.
"So, this is why you're doing it? Out of guilt?" I asked, trying to keep a straight face.
"No, Harry. I love you with all my heart, but I also promised Anna that I'd take care of you. Taking care of someone requires being tough on them and making sure they face their problems head-on. And Harry, you need all the support you can get. You need a mother figure in your life, and Jessica is perfect for it, if you accept her, that is," Kate replied with her warm and caring voice.
"But I don't need Jessica. I already have you, don't I?" I replied with a grin on my face, feeling the warmth of her words filling my heart.
"You'll always have me," she said, her voice filled with love and reassurance.
After that, she dropped the subject temporarily, and we continued talking for much longer.
"It's getting late. We'll continue tomorrow," I said, smiling, as I noticed Kate shifting uncomfortably on the couch.
"Sure," Kate replied, stretching her stiff back. "Couches and chairs are a bane for us young people," she continued, with a hint of humor in her voice.
"Yeah right, young people like you, no doubt about it," I said teasingly.
"Oh, come on, I'm not even 50 yet," Kate pouted.
"With your face, I'm more inclined to believe you than not," I replied, a hint of confusion on my face. Emma turned 28 this year, which means Kate gave birth to her in 1991. If Kate is "not 50 yet," that means she gave birth quite young.
"What is that face you're making? Just so you know, both your mother and I gave birth at the same age," she said, mock anger in her voice. Again somehow reading my mind.
"Interesting information you gave me there. After all, you don't share these things often," I said, accusatory tone lacing my words, not expecting any confirmation as always.
"Well, there are several reasons for that," she hesitated to continue.
"Care to tell me what they are? After all, I don't even know if my maternal grandparents existed or not," I pushed her, a frown forming on my face.
"I-uh," she hesitated once again. "Wait here, I'll be back in a second," she said with a serious expression that she rarely wore, and went towards her room, I supposed.
After a few minutes, she returned with a small box in her hands. The box had an old and regal look, made out of wood that added to its antique charm.
"This is a relic of the past that both Anna and I wished was buried with us, forgotten forever," Kate said, looking at me with a serious expression, referring to whatever lay inside that box.
"We both had one. I took the one Anna had after she died. I do not wish to pass mine to either Emma or Edward as I'll take it to my grave. But Anna did not have the chance to decide."
"Inside this box is our past. Now, I'm giving you a choice. Take it away and bury it where nobody can find it, or open it and keep it forever with you," she explained. With those words, she placed the box and a key on the table and left for her room, leaving the decision up to me.
To open or not to open..