The Bad Boy Returns

Chapter 54: The Way Things Were

KAT'S POV

"How are the wedding plans going?" Moving towards the couch I take a seat beside Shane's leaning form, across from his mother. There are several variations of sheer pieces of lightly colored cloths lying around the room. Bundles of different types of flowers, thrown around the living room, with table cloths in many different shades of blues and violets. It looks like a wedding magazine exploded in the house.
As soon as we got there she was frantically running around the house, looking like a madwoman.

"Well, kind of hectically actually!" She sighs, exasperatedly throwing her arms up at the mess that is currently invading her home. Sitting up, Shane drapes his arm across the back of the couch, reacting to his mother's destress.
"Yeah, we couldn't tell." He says sarcastically. I bump his knee, widening my eyes at him. He mouths 'what?' putting his hands up. Jennifer doesn't seem to notice though.

"Everything feels wrong. It's the wrong color or the wrong size! Maybe it's a sign!" She sighs before shaking her head. "I don't know I just want to get it right this time. I get a second chance at love and I don't want to screw it up."
I have never seen her act this way. My whole like she's always been this calm and relaxed women. Always put together.

"Mom, I don't think Dad cares about that stuff, he loves you and will love you even if the flowers are purple instead of white." He rolls his eyes, moving his hands animatedly. I shake my head at him, trying to hold back a smile. His eyes flash to mine before looking back at his mom.
She looks unconvinced as she listen to her son's words, her eyes widening at his words.

"Look, I know you said you didn't want to make me work but, I'm your maid of honor it's my job so put me to work. You can't handle all of this on your own." I offer, really wanting to help her.

"I'm sure I can even get Shane and Alex to pitch in." I add, receiving a half surprised glare from Shane, turning his head quickly. I look back at him, raising my eyebrows sternly. 

"Yeah! Of course we'll help with all of this stuff." He says, with reluctance in a slow tone.
Her face lights up as she grabs my hand quickly, a smile on her face.
"Really? Honey, you are a lifesaver!" She stands, making Shane and I spring up with her. "Let me go see what you can do. She is an amazing girl Shane!" She shouts as she races upstairs, leaving Shane and I standing in the mess.
"She sure is." I hear him mumble, as he looks over at me with raised eyebrows as he shakes his head.
I give him a sheepish smile.

"Kat, I don't know the first thing about setting up a wedding!" He whispers not so quietly, glaring at me.
"You don't have to, you guys will just set things up, help put things in their places. It's not that hard." I look up at him as he sighs.
"Why are you doing this anyway, she said you didn't have to." He mentions and I shake my head in response.
"I don't know, she just really wants this to work and she's right she gets to remarry the person she loves and that day should be perfect, even in the most superficial ways." I explain.
He smirks as he places his hands on both of my cheeks, tilting his head to the left as he looks at me. "You sap."
I turn my head, glaring up at him as his smirk widens.
"Shut up."

•••••••

After weeks of contemplating and consideration I finally gained the courage to go visit my mom, per my fathers request a while back. I feel like I can't get past it, or get on with my life until I see her. So whether I want to or not, I need to do this for my own sake at least. 

"Are you sure?" When I first brought it up to Shane he wasn't too excited about he idea. 
"Yeah...no, but maybe it'll go really well and if it doesn't at least I can say I tried." I explain, grabbing my things and heading past my dad and to the front door as he follows me. "Okay, be careful." He kisses my cheek, his hand on my back. I nod before waving to my dad as I leave.

I arrive at the Greenville Rehabilitation Center, standing outside of the two glass sliding doors, not able to move. It shouldn't be this hard to go see her. I try to pull myself together as I watch people pass by me walking into the center.
I shake my head and force myself to walk through the two large glass doors, finding a homey place. It seems like a quaint, nice place. I saunter right up to the front desk to meet this nice older woman, her dark curls framing her tanned skin as she smiles up at my presence. "Hi, my name is Danica can I help you?" Her arms sit calmly on the desk. "Uh, Hi, I'm just here to visit." I stutter, never having down something like this before.
"Okay, just sign your name here." She nods, pushing a sign in sheet in front of me, handing me a pen.
"Who will you be visiting with today?" She asks me, taking the clipboard back.

"Elaine Cutter." 

"And what is your relation to her?" She asks. 

"I'm her daughter." I answer simply. 

"Okay, follow me." We walk down the hall.

"How is she?" I ask, curious. 

"She's doing a lot better, I know about the whole situation and let me tell you, she is really improving." I nod, not sure how to react.

" You know she talks about you all the time, I feel like I know you." Danica chuckles, turning the corner. 

"Does she...?" I mumble, following her lead. 

"Oh sure! All the time." She stops in front of a cream door with decorative leaves drawn on it.

"Elaine? Your daughter is here to see you." She opens the door to reveal a cozy room, almost like a really nice hotel room with better TV.
My mom turns quickly from her spot at the table staring at me in shock before smiling widely.
"I'll leave you two." Danica gestures to the door, exiting the room.

"Kat, it's great to see you." She stands up, her arms out as she moves towards me. I flinch away from her, backing away slightly. Hurt flashes across her face.
"Well, take a seat." She gestures to the chair across from her's. I reluctantly sit down, watching her. She seems like a completely different person. She has a freshly cleaned face, instead of her usual bought of smeared makeup and she doesn't smell of alcohol and dirt.

"I'm so glad you came, I was hoping after my conversation with your dad, you would come see me." She smiles at me like we've been doing his for years.
"I didn't come for you. I did this for me."
She nods in understanding, her smile fading. "I understand, I made your life really difficult and hurt you."

"Damn right you did." I couldn't help but snap, cutting her off. This not how I wanted to start this visit but I wasn't able to stop myself.
"I'm sorry, I didn't come here to yell or fight with you." I sigh, trying to stay positive.

There is a long pause as I try to word what I wanted to say carefully. Really thinking this over.

"Are you really better?" I finally say, scrunching my eyebrows.

"I'm getting there." She sighs. "I'm really trying." She need genuine as she tells me.

"I've been thinking for the past year and half about everything and I really want my mom in my life." I finally admit to her and myself for the first time. Her face lights up at my words.
"Only if you are willing to really change. I won't go back to the way things were." I tell her. She stands up quickly and I follow suit. "I will do better, I will."
"I want to have a relationship with you mom, I do, but it's going to be on my terms. I will visit you and if I really feel like you are better, then when you get out I'm willing to try again." I explain my terms.
She nods telling me that she understands. "I will do my best, I won't let you down."

I make my way towards the door, feeling some kind of weight lifted from my chest. I hold the door open as I stand half way between it. Turning to her I nod my head, a small hopeful grin on my face.
"I'll see you next week,mom."