On the Doorstep

Katherine

She took a deep breath and lifted her hand. Her breath hitched in her throat as the door slowly opened. Stevie's eyes drifted into her aunt's warm green eyes accentuated by taupe eyeshadow. The older woman rarely changed. Most thought she was out there because of the tarot card readings and other unconventionalities, but Carmal Nicks was one of the sincerest and most loving ladies that Stevie had in her life. Carmal's rosy pink lips curved into an inviting smile as she leaned against the doorframe. "I had the feeling I'd be seeing you, Stephanie," the older woman spoke softly. She invited her niece inside the home and embraced her.

Stevie closed her eyes and held onto her aunt, breathing in the floral scent of her perfume. She nestled her chin against the silky ivory fabric of Carmal's blouse and sighed gently, remembering her reason for the visit. "Aunt Carmal," she whispered. "I need to see Kat."

"I don't think that's the best idea, Stephanie," Carmal told her bluntly and released her oldest niece. "Would you like a cup of tea?" she inquired as she walked towards the kitchen. "I have Silver Needle."

Stevie felt her temper flaring, listening to her aunt ramble on about the tea. She followed behind her. "I need to see her. You can't protect her from everything."

"I can try, Stephanie. Have a cup of tea then you can see your sister."

She huffed in frustration, stomping out of the kitchen. Stevie pushed her hair back and stood at the base of the stairs, looking up. "Kat! Katharine!" Stevie yelled.

Carmal grabbed her niece by the elbow, giving her a seething glare. "Stop," she growled. She knew she wouldn't be able to block Stevie from seeing Katherine. When her oldest niece set her mind to something, it was done. Carmal let go of her and softened. "Tee, be easy on her. She's in her room."

"Thank you," she mumbled and jogged up the stairs. She didn't want to be easy on her. Her sister had abandoned her child. Stevie couldn't fathom giving up a piece of herself the way her sister had.

Upstairs, Katherine wiped the fog off the bathroom mirror and frowned at her appearance. She looked too worn and weary to be twenty-five-years-old. Her usually vibrant eyes were dull and tired, and her skin was pale. She ran a brush through her tangled chestnut hair before placing it back into a loose bun. Kat cursed and winced at the pain in her breasts, placing a cold compress until the aching subsided. She wanted to be normal again instead of feeling like a stranger in her body. With a grimace, she slipped into a firm bra and a clean gown, pulling on a long sleeved pink and burgundy robe. She flinched at the sound of the bedroom door slamming shut. Katherine slowly walked out of the bathroom and observed her older sister. She was unsure of what to say to her or what Stevie would say to her.

Stevie faced her sister, eyes surveying over the younger woman critically. She noticed Katherine's face was still puffy from pregnancy and her abdomen was swollen. Kat cleared her throat and pulled the two-tone robe around her, stuffing her hands into the side pockets. "Oh, Kat," she murmured sympathetically, all her anger vanishing the more she gauged her sister. Katherine had been alone for all these months. She wished she had come to her for help. Stevie closed the distance between them and circled her arms around her little sister, hugging her tightly.

She didn't utter a word and shuddered at the show of affection. She detached herself from the embrace, walking to the window and gazing out at the mountains. Katherine felt the reality of her decision. She'd been silly to think she could drop her daughter off on her sister's door and not have to see Stevie. She knew she had made the right choice for Skylar. Stevie could give Skylar all the things she wouldn't be able to. "Why are you here?" she asked quietly.

"You know why, Kat! You had a baby and left her at my door," Stevie answered, peering at her sister's back.

"Steph, you don't need to remind me," she said, fiddling with the curtains. "I know what I did."