Chapter Ten
Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a heartache.
Tell me why, ain’t nothing but a mistake,
Tell me why…I never wanna hear you say,
I want it that way…
-BSB, I Want It That Way
Nick got up from Brian’s couch, his whole body cramped and tired. He had waited for Brian to come back home, but he didn’t return that night. The dinner was still in the refrigerator; the other guys had left after Brian failed to return after ten. Nick almost knew that Brian had spent the night at Catherine’s. Love always seemed to be against him.
Just as he entered the kitchen, the front door opened. Nick saw a blonde child entering Brian’s house. He was about to ask him where his parents were when Brian and Catherine entered last. Nick’s heart almost froze when he saw them holding hands.
“Hey Brian. Hi…Catherine.” He greeted them, giving them a smile.
Cat smiled back, relieved that Nick did not hold any more feelings for her.
“Who’s this little guy?” he pointed to Tommy on the couch, grinning at him.
“He’s my child, Nick. Tommy,” Cat replied, giving Nick a hug.
Nick couldn’t think of anything to say. Cat never told him about having any children, but then again, it was his fault. He never did ask.
Nick managed a smile for Catherine. “Looks just like you,” he said, and passed Brian a what-the-hell-is-going-on look.
Brian just grinned back, and mouthed the words ‘later’.
“Correction, Cat. OUR child,” Brian said, putting his arms around Cat.
“Huh?” Nick’s jaw dropped open.
“We’re getting married, Nick. Aren’t you happy for us?” Cat gushed happily, unaware of the shocked look on Nick’s face.
*Three months later*
Catherine turned around in front of the mirror, admiring her simple but elegant white wedding gown that Brian had chosen for her. She remembered what he had told her, “The gown is just like you, so simple yet so elegant and beautiful.”
Sarah, AJ’s girlfriend, ushered her back to the chair. Elle, Nick’s girlfriend, smiled at her and slipped the gloves on for her. “You look beautiful, Catherine.” Cat blushed a radiant pink.
The door opened and Brian popped his head in. “Hey, how’s my bride?” he teased as he dropped a kiss on top of her head.
“How come you’re not ready yet?”
“Oh, I’ll be ready in just a moment, thought I’d drop by. Oh by the way, the three of you look totally gorgeous.”
“But of course, Catherine’s the fairest of us all right?”
Brian gave a wink and seated himself beside Catherine.
“Is everything ok?” she asked Brian.
He smiled and took her hands in his. “Well, I guess so. I haven’t had anyone sending dried flowers meant for a certain Catherine. I think everyone is taking it quite…kindly.” Sarah grinned at him and applied a shade of red on Catherine’s cheeks.
The door opened once again, and Mrs. Thomas appeared from behind the door. “Mrs. Thomas! At last you’re here! Where’s the rest of…what’s the matter?” she asked concernedly, when she noticed Mrs. Thomas pale face.
“Catherine, I just received a call back home. Your father’s in the hospital. He’s dying of brain cancer and he wants to see you one last time.”
Catherine’s heels clicked against the hard white floor. Her wedding gown trailed behind her and her already made up face was streaked with tears. Her gloved hand gripped Brian’s tightly.
Mrs. Thomas stopped in front of a door. “He’s in there.”
Catherine stopped in her tracks and turned to Brian. “I-I can’t see him, I’m not ready…I don’t want anything to do with him…”Catherine took back a step.
“Cat…he’s still your father, and you’re still his daughter. His only daughter. I know you don’t want to have anything to do with him anymore, but just this once. He’s dying in there, Cat!”
Brian gently pulled her beside him and opened the door. No one was inside the room except for the frail looking man on the bed, with thinning hair. Looking at him, Brian couldn’t imagine that he was the one who had done all those unspeakable things to Catherine.
The strong smell of medicine hit Catherine hard as she stepped gingerly into the room. The man had tubes in and out of his body and the bed seemed so big for his thin and fragile looking body.
“C-Cathe-rine?” he whispered hoarsely, his eyes straining to see the couple in front of him.
Brian gently took her closer to the hospital bed. Catherine closed her eyes, not wanting to see him, afraid that any moment now, he might get up and pounce on her, but he didn’t. He lay still on the bed.
“Cat…I-I’m sorry.”
Catherine had to bend her head low to catch what he was saying. Tears continually flowed down her cheeks. Looking at him right now, she felt pity, sympathy and not fear and hatred. She felt so sorry for him, having to end his life like this.
“C-cat…do y-you hear? I-I’m sorry…f-for wh-what I did…I really am…” He drew in a sharp intake of breath and a moan of pain escaped his dry lips. “Wi-will y-you for-forgive me…before…I…d-die?”
Catherine’s grip on Brian’s arm tightened and she gave out a sob. She covered her mouth with her gloved hand and tried to hold back her sobs.
“C-cat…? Wi-will you?” he pleaded again, as a bout of nerve-racking cough attacked him.
Catherine looked into his pleading and sorrowful eyes. It was full of pain, unhappiness and regret. All her fears vanished as she stared into his eyes. Catherine leaned down and whispered her answer into his ear.
He struggled to smile at her. “I-I’m glad…” he whispered, before heaving his last breath.
Catherine hugged Brian and burrowed into the warmth of his arms, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. She didn’t know why, but it seemed as if a heavy weight had been lifted off her heart.
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