Stay With Me - A KathNiel Story

Chapter 38

Rommel came back into the living room carrying a tray of drinks, handing them out to his family and Karla went to say something but she cut herself off when she saw Kath.

"Oh, sweetheart... how are you feeling?" She asked and Kath ran her fingers through her hair.

"Strangely better, now that I know who did it... that I won't have to see him again..." Kath trailed off, her eyes landing on Rommel. "What is it?" She asked.

"The police called an hour ago. JC is pleading guilty, so there's no need for a trial. You don't have to go to his sentencing hearing or anything, but he's looking at facing serious jail time for sexual abuse and bodily harm that led to the, um... death of your son." Rommel said and Kath blinked back tears, slowly nodding her head.

"The police don't need him, do they? M-My baby... they're not gonna dig him up, are they?"

"No! No, baby, of course not." DJ raced to her side, kissing her temple and he wrapped his arms around her. "He can rest in peace now that he has justice... and his Mommy can enjoy this pregnancy knowing she's safe and cared for, and she's hopefully happy," DJ said and Kath looked up at him.

"I am happy."

"Good." DJ breathed, pecking her lips.

"I was thinking we should all go out to dinner tonight, cheer ourselves up - we can get the biggest and most chocolatey desserts they have," Karla said and Kath bit her lip.

"I've never been to a restaurant before."

"Really?" Rommel asked, surprised.

"My parents called them sinful," Kath said and DJ kissed her temple.

"Then we're all honored to be with you on your first trip," DJ said softly and Kath cracked the smallest hint of a smile before she turned to Miles.

"Is Richard coming?"

"Oh, um... I don't think so... he hasn't even tried to call me since what happened today. I think we're kinda done... too much drama since as Mandy's his sister and everything... I don't blame him for it being too much for him." Miles said sadly.

"Hey! You'll find the perfect person for you - whether that be a man or a woman, you'll find the perfect person." Karla reassured her and it made Kath happy to see how supportive Rommel and Karla were, how accepting they were of Miles's sexuality. They believed her, too, instantly when she said that JC was the man who'd abused her. They never questioned her about it or took their son's side, they hadn't asked her many questions about her past either, wanting to know more about her. DJ and Miles were exactly like their parents, it made it hard to believe that JC could have done what he did when he was surrounded by a family like the Padillas. She had no doubts that it was JC, though, and he'd even admitted it - Kath was just relieved it was finally over, she felt as though a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. It wasn't crushing her anymore.

"Yeah... anyway, you want me to help you get ready, Kath? You can help me pick what to wear." Miles said and Kath hesitated, not wanting to be away from DJ but he motioned for her to go and the two girls went off upstairs together.

"I think we're gonna turn the office into a playroom," Karla said to DJ with a smile on her face and DJ chuckled.

"I hope we're not living here by the time the baby is born, Mom... I aim to have our own house as soon as possible." DJ said and Karla smiled.

"I know! But you'll come and visit and what do two retirees need with an office anyway?" Rommel said and DJ chuckled to himself, shaking his head. He knew it would be useless arguing with them about it. He was glad he had his child to focus on, it was stopping him being completely consumed with rage.

=

Kath closed her eyes, letting Miles do her makeup for her. "I'm sorry about Richard," Kath said quietly and Miles shrugged her shoulders, working on Kath's eye makeup.

"No, it's okay... if he can't even so much as call after all that happened today, then he can fuck off out of my life." Miles said simply. "Today's just been... so long." She admitted and Kath nodded her head.

"It's strange to think that you went to your morning classes at University today and here we are, twelve hours later and so much has changed," Kath said.

"I know, it's crazy... you want me to paint your nails?" Miles offered and Kath opened her eyes.

"You can paint nails?"

"Oh my Gosh, I have so much to teach you." Miles handed her a bag she'd gotten from her car that was overflowing with just nail polish and Kath looked through it all, amazed. Miles wasn't surprised that Kath was so clueless about the world around her - she grew up without a TV, without friends or social life and then was homeless before she'd even had the chance to explore those things. "You know I'm your friend, right?" Miles asked and Kath looked up at her.

"Yes... I've never had friends before, but I know you and DJ are mine."

"Good," Miles said with a small smile, that Kath mirrored.