Going Back

Opening Up (Kate)

I kicked my shoes off as I softly closed the door behind me, careful not to wake the kids. Tonight has certainly turned out to be one of the most abnormal evenings of my life thus far. I'd attended an after party with my rock star parents and their band. I'd met my brothers. I'd introduced my children to my biological mother. That was enough emotional turnover for a lifetime.

The babies were sleeping soundly, Pierce in the oversized chair and Olivia in her bassinet. I'd had several drinks and I'd be lying to myself if I said I handn't become a lightweight recently. By no standards was I drunk, and I certainly wasn't ready to go to sleep.

I changed into some more comfortable clothes and removed my makeup, remembering what Dad said about Stevie staying up late. I gave Livi a quick bottle when she stirred and she dozed off immediately after. The kids were completely out and Lindsey was in the next room of the suite so I grabbed a bottle of wine and the baby monitor and quietly closed the door behind me.

I stood at her door and took a deep breath, knocking timidly. She answered it quickly, her face brightening into a smile she saw me.

"Kate, hi, come in," she opened the door and I entered, looking around- mostly at her. Her hair was loose and she wore a robe with no makeup on her face. She looked so very, well, normal.

"I brought some wine," I began. "I thought maybe we could chat? I know it's late but I heard you're a night owl."

"Of course. Come in," she took the wine and grabbed two glasses as I looked around casually and then followed her to the balcony.

"The boys are on the roof in the hotel pool. It's just me tonight. I'm so glad you came by, Kate."

Maybe Lindsey was right. She seemed so loving, so welcoming.

"I know tonight was probably somewhat overwhelming for you," she continued, "but I hope it wasn't too much. Has Linds spoken to you about the media?"

I shook my head. "Not really. He said he's pretty sure that it's won't be a big deal since the kids didn't come out with me and since I didn't acknowledge you. That maybe they'd just think I was a friend or something. He said they kind of leave him alone."

She shrugged her shoulders a bit, staring into her wine. "All valid points. But I also just want you to be extra conscious of who's around you. I don't want your life to be disrupted because of us. Is there good security at your house?"

I chuckled a bit. "Stevie, there's barely assigned parking at my condo. Security is not a thing. But don't worry, Dad's on it. I have the keys to his house if we need to be somewhere private for a while and he provided me with the phone numbers for security, hired cars, all kinds of stuff. My life isn't like that though."

She smiled kindly, and though it was easy to see that her fears weren't erased, she changed the subject. "Tell me what it's like, then. I'd really love to know."

And I did tell her. I chatted openly with her, unlike the last time. I told her about my job, my little apartment, how I walked home from the hospital most days. I told her about having the kids and how much Pierce loved going to the beach. She sat and listened intently, soaking in every word of what I was saying to her. And even though to me my life seemed rather simple she listened with such adoration that I couldn't help but to feel important.

She was quiet for a moment, staring out into the city lights. "Lindsey told me what Brian said to you when you called the house. You have to believe me when I tell you that I never said that. That I would never want you anywhere but close to me."

I could that she was becoming visibly emotional. She'd never said that? Any of that? Then why would her husband lie about it?

"I- I don't understand." And I didn't. "Does he hate me? Is it because of Dad? Am I making this all too much for your marriage?"  

"No, Kate, no. None of this is your fault." She moved a little closer to me, almost as if to calm me because she could sense I was close to running away- and I was. "I can't tell you why he did those horrible things, and I'm not sure I could ever understand even if I knew." She sighed a bit. "Things have been bad for Brian and I for years. We've been separated a few times and honestly I'm shocked he was even home long enough to take your phone calls. But it's over now. I've filed for divorce and I can assure you that he's not going to come between us again."

"Oh," I was taken aback at all of this news. "I'm sorry to hear that."

"It was a long time coming, Kate. I'm just sorry that all of this had to happen to you first."

I shrugged my shoulders. "It's not your fault. And just because it was a long time coming doesn't mean it doesn't hurt." I told her about Tyler. That he'd given up on us and I'd been served papers to end our marriage as well. I told her about his complete abandonment of the kids after he'd left. That he'd virtually fallen off the face of the Earth. "I think that's why Pierce is so close with Dad," I added. "Those two absolutely adore each other. And he's helped me so much, he took me to his lawyer and helped me with the kids. It's been great."

She listened intently and nodded.

"And he'll help you through this as well," I added. "And so will I. It's pretty obvious that he's still very protective of you."

"What do you mean?" She asked. Surely she knew that Dad loved her. She must just be playing coy with me. 

I just smiled. "Riiiiight. Like you guys could ever hate each other."

She gave me a curious look but I didn't have a chance to continue.

I heard Olivia begin to stir on the monitor, unsure where the last 4 hours had gone. My relationship with Stevie had grown by leaps and bounds tonight. "I better get back across the hall before she really starts crying," I told her, standing to gather my things.

She followed me to the door. "I'm glad you're here, Kate," she told me, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, "and I hope you know how loved you are."

I gave her a half smile, staring at my feet. "Goodnight."