Through The Pain

Epilogue

Nate

It has already been five years since Catherine and I got married. I didn't wait any longer to propose to her when she told me that she loves me, that she loves us. Five months after I proposed, we got married as I do not believe in long-term engagement.

It was a simple wedding celebration with only our family and closest friends which there were not too many of them. I would have given Catherine a big and grand wedding celebration but Catherine doesn't want that saying that it was too stressful and I agreed immediately. My top priority is her comfort.

I still kept her as my assistant while assigning an intern to help and assist her. I had to tell everyone in my company about her condition though Catherine is against it. I told her that I need them to know so that they could help me look after her. And at the same time, I want them to be aware not of her having Fibromyalgia but be aware of the condition itself since not everyone is aware of it.

I want to prove that even if one person has a debilitating condition, they could still live and love and be happy like healthy people do.

I let Catherine work and do what she wants to do. I didn't stop her but I kept her back. I always tell her that I will be her rock and keep a balance in whatever she does.

My priority is to keep her happy without neglecting her health as well.

I found out about her mother's depression after getting the same condition and then she chose to end her life. That is what I am trying to avoid.

I will support Catherine with whatever she wants and at the same time making sure that she is not stressing or straining herself.

Catherine is a strong woman and I am proud of how much she managed to balance her work and her duty as a mother to my daughters and a wife to me.

"Good morning, Dad!" I heard Aenid greet me. I put down my coffee on the kitchen counter and face her. She is already fourteen now and has grown to be a beautiful young lady. My, how time flies fast. She kissed my cheeks and then went to help her mother and sister in preparing breakfast.

After Faye got food poisoned in school Catherine was very cautious with the food we ate. As much as possible, she wants it to be home-cooked. And she wants to be the one cooking them. I allowed it as long as she had the help and most of the time Aenid and Faye helped her.

"Good morning, Mom!" She greeted Catherine and embraced her from behind. I don't believe in favoritism but recently I am starting to believe that Aenid and Faye favor their Mom over me, which I don't mind.

"Good morning, baby," Catherine said and I laughed because I know that she is teasing her. As she grows up Aenid doesn't want us to call her baby anymore.

I watched as she pursed her lips. "Mom, I'm not a baby anymore," Nevertheless, she snatches the spatula from her Mom.

Catherine laughed and I swear I fell in love with her over and over again. She never failed to make me fall in love with everything she does. "You'll always be my baby, Aenid,"

"I don't mind being called 'baby' by Mom even when I grow up," Faye said standing on the footstool while whipping something on the saucepan. She is only eleven and already knows how to make breakfast provided, an adult is supervising her.

"See, she doesn't mind," Catherine pointed out before kissing Aenid and Faye both on their cheeks. "Now continue that, I need to sit," She said and that is my cue.

I immediately stood up from my seat and helped her take a seat. She waddled towards me cradling her protruding stomach.

"Are you okay?" I asked when I noticed her flinch. For years we have been together, I know with one look when she is in pain. And I know that she is now. "I told you we shouldn't have done this," I said as I helped her sit.