Rising From the Ashes

Kate was in a fire as a child. The scars she grew up with have her convinced she can never be loved. Tony, is a single father who can't see himself as worthy of much of anything. Can these two broken hearts find their way to healing eachother?

Kate stared into the mirror with her shoulders slumped. She could see the potential that could have been, the ghost of what she could have been if things had been different. If that fire had never ripped through her home when she was a child. The logical part of her mind knew she was more than her scars. Her mother, every time she had come home in tears because of the things her peers had said, reminded her that there was more to find beautiful than the skin. And for the most part, Kate let that knowledge rule her actions. However, some days, it didn’t matter what Kate knew or how hard she tries to remain positive, some days all she can see are the burn scars that cover her body. The ones that cover her legs and make something as ordinary as walking excruciating. Or the ones that ripple over her arms down to her hands and make something as simple as holding her morning cup of coffee nearly impossible some mornings. And then there are the scars over her face. Her large brown eyes are the only thing soft in the face that stares back at her from the mirror. If she looks long enough the eyes will swell with tears and she has consequently learned to not look for too long. Instead, she takes a breath, lifts her wig, and carefully arranges it on her head. Letting herself become lost in the task at hand so she won’t become overrun by the memories of the fire that did the same to her decades ago.

Kate picked her keys up from the bowl beside her front door they lived in. She slid into the driver’s seat and glanced at her reflection one last time in the rearview mirror.

“You’ve got this Kate.” She tried to tell herself despite the slight shake in her voice. “It’s just grocery shopping. Get milk, eggs, butter, and sugar. Maybe a few fruits and some meat and quick microwave meals. Nothing to fret about. You’ve got this. No one in the grocery store cares about some scars. Everything will be fine.”

As the engine turned over with a press of a button Kate told herself she believed it.

=-=

Hello Kate took Andrea to the park trying not to think about people looking and what they might think

Hope all is well with you

The two messages vibrated Kate’s phone. She honestly didn’t even need to look at the phone to know they were from Tony. Like her, he struggled with his self-image. His therapist had recommended he join a self-help group. From there he had joined an online forum that Kate was part of. They had talked on the threads and slowly moved to direct messages instead.

Of course, at first, it was talking about their trauma, then it began getting more personal.

And then they moved to exchanging phone numbers.

Kate’s phone buzzed as Tony decided to call her. He knew she had scars on her hands and sometimes texting was difficult for her so when she did not reply to his messages he often called and they would talk over the phone instead.

Sorry today is a bad day I cant talk on the phone

Kate texted Tony after hitting ignore to a call. She felt guilty for the action but the thought of hearing another voice in her room was enough to nearly make Kate panic. She had her blankets pulled tight around herself, the lights all off and her curtains closed tight. Her breath left her with shaky sounds while she stared at the dark room. She had left the house to pick up some groceries. It was a simple errand that was not going to take more than an hour or so. But while at the store a little girl, maybe five, had pointed at Kate and asked her mother about the scars marring Kate’s face and hands. It was not cruelly asked, nor maliciously thrown at her, but the statement had still left Kate crumbling beneath her depression. Kate had felt the panic attack climbing up to choke her so she had left her basket and gone home.

I understand Im here if you need to talk even if its just through text

Kate felt a choked sob release from her throat reading Tony’s message. She believed he was only so nice to her, so involved with her, because he did not know what she looked like. The only picture he had seen of her was her profile picture on the forum. One that was taken from the back while she was wearing a long-sleeved shirt and wig. Her hands were hidden beneath the wig. He knew she had scars, which greatly affected her self-image and self-worth. He even knew they completely covered her body. She had talked about that on the forum on occasion and in a bit more detail through their messages. But he did not know the complete severity of them and Kate was convinced if he did he would hate her, think she had tricked him into befriending a monster.

=-=

Tony waited with his phone in his hand for nearly a minute, waiting for the three dots to appear. When it became apparent that Kate was not going to be responding to him for now he carefully tucked the phone securely into his pocket so that Andrea, his three-year-old daughter, couldn’t accidentally damage the technology. He looked up, quickly scanning the playground to find his daughter. She was running, laughing, and enjoying life in the way only children could.

Tony smiled as he watched Andrea engaging in tag with the other children. The premise of this game from what Tony could tell from the screaming excitement was the same as the floor being lava though apparently this time it was some kind of water with sea monsters rather than a lava monster. Some days hurt more than others to look at her. She looked so much like her mother it was hard not to think of the woman when he looked at his daughter. He had loved her so much, there had been nothing he would not have done for her. Unfortunately, that had been the downfall of their relationship. He had asked her to marry him and she had laughed in his face. She had left him floundering in the world without her. He had not known what to do with himself. Then eight and a half months later a phone call from child protective services had informed him he had a daughter, the mother signed her rights away. She wanted nothing to do with the child but thought he might since, according to the note she left him, ‘he was so eager to have a family’. He had driven the six hours from his home town to the town Andrea had been born in. The first time he held her he had broken down as a sobbing mess. He had no idea how to be a father, his own had never been around to teach him, but he vowed he would do his best to shower the child with all the love he could to make up for the missing parent she would grow up without.

Nearly four years later Tony could not imagine life without the babbling child who brought light into his life.

Some days though, Tony was desperate for adult conversations. He tried dating. But more often than not it left a sour taste in his mouth. Everything was always fine at first when he had tried online dating. He would feel like he and the women he talked to connected well. But every time they met in person it was always ‘I think we’ll be better as friends’ or they just stopped talking to him. He liked those women better, he would rather they didn’t feed him the lie of friendship before cutting him off. At least none of them ever met his daughter. He could deal with his own feelings of heartbreak, he didn’t want to break her heart by having someone there one day then gone the next.

“Andrea!” Tony called to the small child who dropped from where she had been dangling from the jungle gym. Tony’s heart fell with her and he sighed with relief when she bounced right back up before rushing towards her father with her hands up.

Tony caught Andrea under the arms and swung her up into the air with a smile. “Ready to go home? Almost lunchtime.”

“Yes!” The small child cheered clapping her hands enthusiastically. “Crunchy butter and jelly!”

“Crunchy peanut butter and grape jelly.” Tony walked with his daughter on his hip towards his car. “With the crust cut off for the most beautiful princess in the world.”

Andrea giggled as Tony tucked her into her booster seat and buckled her up pressing a kiss to her forehead.

=-=

Kate reached out and wiped the steam off the mirror after taking a long hot shower. Her breath shook as she glared at her reflection. ‘I’m so ugly.’ She thought bitterly then took another shaky breath and closed her eyes.

“I’m not ugly.” She told the steamy room. “I’m kind. I’m strong. I’m brave.”

She opened her eyes and while she could not say she liked her reflection she was not slammed with the negative thoughts that plagued her so often. She had spent most of the day in bed trying to find her center again after her failed attempt to go out shopping. She took a shower hoping to make herself feel a bit better. Finishing her nightly routine she made her way to her bed again and picked up her phone. It was late.

Sorry about earlier thanx for being there I appreciate it

She sat the phone aside and reached for a book on her nightstand while crawling back into bed again when her phone buzzed.

Ur an amazing friend Im glad to help any way I can.

=-=

It had been weeks since Kate’s last bad day. Her and Tony’ relationship remained as steady as it had been before. Tony sat at his kitchen table responding to emails and forum messages, sipping his coffee while waiting for Andrea to wake up. He frowned at the screen with a glare for the date. Bringing his coffee cup up to his mouth he discovered it was empty again and he sighed before getting up to prepare another cup. Enough cream to just cover the bottom of the cup. Coffee poured in. Two spoons of sugar stirred in.

Andrea’s birthday was coming up and Tony felt lost for what to do for her. She told him she did not want another princess-themed party this year.

She did not tell him what she did want though. Just ‘I’m always a princess, Daddy. My birthday is special.’

Pulling out his phone while sitting back in front of his computer Tony typed out a message.

What do you do for a four year old girls birthday when she doesnt want princess themed again

Does she like animals?

Wants a pony told her theres not room in the back yard

What about a petting zoo?

Tony pulled up a new tab on his computer and typed in ‘petting zoo’, he never would have thought to go to a petting zoo. Once again he felt the pressure of not knowing what he was doing raising a little girl that was so precious to him try to drown him. How was he ever going to be good enough? How would he ever be able to understand what she was going through if he could not even think of something all children liked? Tony pushed the invasive thoughts to the back of his mind.

Theres a local one too I think I even know where it is

Ur the best

Glad I could help

Tony erased the ‘I love you’ he had typed out. He had stopped counting how many times he had written those words only to delete them. Kate may have issues with her self-image, he knew that from their talks, but he was convinced she was too good for him. She was kind and a good person.

‘Besides,’ Tony reminded himself, ‘who knows where in the state she lives.’

Have a good day

=-=

Tony carried his daughter from the car into the house. The petting zoo had been a beautiful brilliant idea. Andrea had loved every minute of it and loved all the different animals. Though now she was convinced more than ever that they could have a pony. She had told Tony, Mr. Nelson, one of their neighbors, had a dog bigger than the small pony at the zoo that she had fallen in love with. She told him she loved the animal no less than eight times that day. But the activity had worn her out and she had fallen asleep on the ride home.

Tony carefully lowered Andrea into her bed, tucking her in with a stuffed animal. He chuckled when he pulled the hay from her hair and shook his head. He kissed her forehead.

“I love you, Princess.” Tony whispered brushing her curls from her face. “Sweet dreams.”

He left her door opened a crack, if she woke up in the middle of the night she would panic if she couldn’t see the sliver of the nightlight in the hall. Then he made his way to his room and proceeded to get himself ready for bed. Once he settled in his own bed he smiled going through the pictures he had taken through the day. He rubbed his hand over his face as he contemplated sharing pictures with Kate. She was his friend. But at the same time he worried the pictures would be too personal.

=-=

Can I share some pictures with you?

Kate frowned at the message from Tony. They had shared memes and other images they had found amusing from social media with each other many times it was nearly as regular as asking how the other was doing daily. Chewing her lip lightly Kate wondered what he would be wanting to send her a picture of he would have to ask before sending.

A picture of what?

From the petting zoo

Andrea had a blast and because it was your idea I thought maybe youd like to see the payoff

Its okay if u dont want to see them

I understand it may be too personal

Forget I said anything

The nervous rapid-fire string of texts brought a smile to Kate’s face. She ignored the rest of the panicked backtracking vibrating her phone.

I’d love to see them

Three dots appeared beneath her message and hovered for a long minute while Kate held her breath.

Really?

yes

Kate smiled looking at the pictures. She had seen Tony in his profile picture on the forum. She decided it must be an older selfie. Silver streaked his temples in the petting zoo pictures that was not there in the profile selfie picture. And his smile. Kate’s breath caught staring at it. His daughter sat between his arms holding a bunny and leaning back against his chest. Her mouth opened in a wide grinning laugh that crinkled her eyes. Her hair, curled in soft ringlets, framed her face from pigtails. There were more. Andrea with wide-eyed excitement as a pony ate an apple from her hand. Her hugging the same pony. The little girl pressing a kiss to the side of a chicken’s head. Pointing excitedly to peacocks. The two of them making duck faces in front of a duck pond.

Andrea had the best time I cant thank you enough for the idea

Shes adorable

She has your smile

Luckily that’s all she got from me

I hope she gets your kindness

Not half as kind as you

=-=

Tony continued sending Kate pictures after that. It felt nice to have someone to share his daughter with. Someone that could share his joy and know how amazing the four-year-old was. Some days when he was feeling less self-conscious about himself than average he would send her pictures of himself as well.

Kate smiled as she flipped through pictures Tony had sent her. She laughed when she got to her favorites. Tony and Andrea had ice cream cones and were making faces at the camera. The next picture was a bit blurry, Tony had told her he had considered deleting it but had decided he couldn’t do that, it was too amusing. Andrea had shoved her cone into her father’s face when he had taken the picture smearing the dessert across his cheek and he had managed to capture his complete surprise.

Then Kate noticed the background for the first time. She squinted and zoomed in on the logo in the background. Her breath caught in her throat as she noted the all too familiar logo of her favorite ice-cream shop. Tony had talked about the difficulties of moving to a new state at one point. Telling her he had done it to have better schools for Andrea once she started attending more than daycare. Kate had sympathized, while she still lived in the same state she had been born in she had moved to a new city years ago to have better access to doctors. But she had never imagined that they had moved to the same city. Kate’s hand shook. She knew she had never noticed Tony when she had gone out, but that didn’t mean he had not seen her.

Kate brought a hand up to her mouth. What if he had seen her, not knowing it was her, and had been disgusted by her? Kate could not respond to any messages for the rest of the night. Instead, she sat beneath a hot shower spray and cried. She never even acknowledged the ringing of her phone, letting it go to voice mail.

=-=

Im sorry I upset u

How can I make it up to u

Kate flinched reading the messages from Tony. She had not been able to respond to the messages in nearly a week. The longer she took to reply, the more messages he sent, the more her guilt built and the worse she felt. Taking a shaky breath Kate closed her eyes and slowly typed a message.

Sorry Im trying to cope with things

It is not u

I just learned something and don’t know what to do with the information

Maybe I can help

If u want to talk

Which I guess u dont since u havent so that was stupid to say

Sorry

Kate stared at the three dots floating beneath Tony’s last message. She was not sure what she could tell him. Should tell him. She did not want to hurt his feelings, she knew he tried hard not to judge other people, but he had also never seen her. At least not that they knew of. She was still convinced it was possible he had and recognized her as the monster she believed herself to be.

I just care about u

A lot

I dont like thinking about u being upset

If i had been the cause of ur distress Im not sure how I could cope with it

I love you Kate.

U dont have to feel the same

Im sure you don’t

Who falls in love through text messages and phone calls right

Kate’s breath caught in her throat and a choked sob released from her throat as she read the words. Over and over. Tony thought he loved her. Sight unseen. Suddenly every time his breath caught and there was a pause in their phone conversations took on more meaning. She licked her lips. She reread his last text again before jumping as another one came in. She had not even noticed the dots.

I really do understand that u wont feel the same way and thats okay ill be fine with just friendship

Kate wiped at her eyes to clear the tears from her face.

=-=

Tony wanted to sink into the ground and disappear. He had spent nearly a year stopping himself from sending those words to Kate. He could not even say for sure how long he had loved her. Just that it was longer than he cared to admit. When she had simply stopped answering him he felt like his world was crumbling around him. He tried to keep himself under control. Sending her his normal daily messages inquiring about how she was doing. Some pictures of Andrea. He could not bring himself to be in the pictures, worried she would see something in his expression he could not hide. Especially when Andrea had begun to ask why he was sad.

No.

Tony felt his heartbreak. He tipped his head back as three dots appeared beneath the message. He was sure Kate was going to be telling him to never contact her again. She wanted nothing to do with him now. No one could love someone like him. Hearing the ding he looked down at his phone to accept the last nail in the coffin of this relationship.

I love you too

Tony’s breath caught in his throat as he stared down at the message he could barely bring himself to believe. His fingers shook and he hit the small phone icon by Kate’s name before bringing his phone to his ear. He expected it to be sent to voice mail.

“Hello.” Kate’s voice sounded like she had been crying.

“Kate.” Tony breathed the name as if it was a prayer. “Hi.”

“Did you mean it?”

“Of course. I love you.” Tony kept his voice low worried he would be choking on his own emotions if he did not keep his voice at a steady controlled level.

Kate sobbed into the other end of the phone. “You don’t even know what I look like.”

Tony let his lips curl up. “I don’t need to.”

=-=

Over the next few months, Kate lost track of how many times Tony said he loved her. She looked for him every time she went out but had not yet told him about how close the two lived to each other. Worry that he would take one look at her and shatter her heart into a million pieces as she fell more and more in love with him every day. But she also did not think it was fair that she knew what he looked like when he did not know what she looked like. He said it did not matter he loved her completely regardless.

Kate wanted, desperately, to believe him.

Kate stared into her mirror as she arranged her wig, insuring her shirt covered as much skin as possible. She pulled the turtle neck up as high as it would go and let the cuffs half cover her hands. She had decided they should see each other face to face. Just not in person, just in case it went as poorly as she expected it to go. She finished her preparation before opening skype and making the call.

Kate watched Tony’s face as he answered the call. His smile faltered as he took in the scars she could not hide. Kate felt panic rising to choke her. She blinked back the tears that were threatening to burst. She knew she was a monster and now he was going to confirm it. A slow smile spread across Tony’s face.

“Hello, Kate.” Tony’s smile made Kate think of sunshine and ice-cream on a hot summer day. “It’s good to see you. How’s your day been?”

=-=

A few weeks after their first skype call, having had video calls nearly daily, Kate nervously chewed on her lower lip while waiting for Tony’s call to come in. She had decided to tell him what she knew about how close the two of them lived to each other. She had met Andrea over the videos. The child had asked invasive questions. Tony had tried to curb them into something more polite. Kate had answered the questions in ways she hoped were child appropriate. The first couple calls with Andrea had ended quickly. Tony would always call her right away and soothe her while Kate cried. She fell asleep to the sound of his voice more than once. The child had adapted quickly though. She did not seem to care about the scars after her questions had been answered. She was far more interested in convincing Kate to help her convince her dad to let her get a pony.

Her phone chimed with the incoming video call. Kate answered and gave Tony a shaky smile. She did not even worry about wearing a wig or if her arms were exposed with him any longer.

“Hello, Love.” Tony greeted with a bright smile that faltered as he looked at Kate. “What’s wrong?”

“I’ve got something to tell you.” Kate continued worrying her lower lip between her teeth. “And I don’t know if you’ll like it or not. You might be mad.”

“Rip it off like a band aid then?” Tony’s face fell. He knew their relationship could not last. Long-distance relationships were rough at the best of times, but two people that had never even met? He knew it was too good to last. “I promise to remain calm.”

Kate stayed silent for a moment, memorizing the face she loved so much. Hoping she would get a chance to caress his cheeks and feel the stubble she could see. “We live in the same city.”

“I understand. I won’t try to chan-“ Tony jerked suddenly as Kate’s words sunk into something that had meaning that was not what he expected. “We what?”

Kate could not stop the wet laugh that burst from her lips if she tried as she watched the confusion dancing across Tony’s face while he tried to come to terms with what she had said.

“We live in the same city. That picture you took of you and Andrea at the Soda Fountain? It’s my favorite ice-cream parlor.”

Tony blinked slowly with his mouth hanging open as he stared at her. Slowly letting her words sink in.

“Say something. Please.” Kate was shaking as she stared at the screen. If Tony had not blinked she would have worried the call froze.

Slowly Tony’s lips turned up into the smile Kate had learned to love. “We live in the same city?”

Kate nodded her head and dropped her eyes. “I’m sorry I kept it a secret for so long. I just… I was scared.”

“I’m not angry, or even upset.” Tony soothed smiling at the woman he loved. “I was just wondering what you’re doing this Friday evening?”

“Oh um… probably just watching some shows with new episodes released.” Kate blinked at the change of subject.

Tony nodded his head as if he had suspected as much. “Would you like to go to dinner with me?”

=-=

Kate nervously stood outside the restaurant she was meeting Tony at. She had stared down at the toes of her shoes peeking out from beneath the ankle-length skirt she wore. The button-up blouse covered up most of her scars and the wig she had chosen with hair long enough to cover her face and neck when she hung her head and nervously rolled her hands around each other. Kate jumped when a hand lightly touched her shoulder and she jerked her head up.

“Sorry, Kate.” Tony had a soft apologetic smile as he looked at her. Her breath shook but she smiled as best she could trying not to notice the looks the people passing by sent to them. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“You’re fine. It’s good to see you Tony.” Kate shook slightly but took the arm Tony offered her.

Kate slowly relaxed and was able to forget about the other people as their date progressed. They had a busty waitress with ample cleavage showing and clear skin that made Kate want to claw her own skin off. Many other women in the restaurant were gorgeous but not once did Tony look at any of them. Kate had his undivided attention and the knowledge soothed the worry Kate had not realized was trying to choke her.

Their conversation flowed as smoothly as their message conversations had. At one story Kate even snorted her apple cider. They laughed until their sides hurt.

Tony walked Kate to her car after.

“May I kiss you?” Tony asked her tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before cupping her cheek. Kate bit her lip for a moment then gave a small nod. Tony’s lips were soft against hers as they shared their first kiss.

=-=

Months passed with Kate and Tony spending more time together. The guest room in Kate’s apartment had all but become Andrea’s room. Andrea loved Kate’s wigs. Kate was nervous around the child more often than not but she also looked forward to seeing the child who would wrap her arms around Kate in a hug and sloppily kiss the woman’s scared cheek.

It had been different to think about someone else before herself. Kate spent more time in the store than she ever had before, looking over snacks to stock in the house. She barely even noticed the looks of other shoppers as she picked healthy snacks for the child that took up nearly as much of her thoughts as the child’s father did.

They spent plenty of time at Tony’s house too. Andrea assured Kate that Mr. Nelson was just a grumpy old man who did not like anyone but his dog when the man had nearly brought Kate to tears with a calloused comment while walking by with his giant fluffy dog. Andrea gave Kate one of her stuffed animals to help soothe the woman. Kate swore she felt her love for the child grow a bit more that day.

Kate and Tony sat on the couch in her apartment with Andrea laying across their laps as the all watched a newly released to streaming animated movie. Tony’s fingers brushed along the back of Kate’s ear with his arm around her shoulders. She leaned her head against his shoulder and softly stroked Andrea’s hair. Her own wig packed away as she sat in the loose sweats that she wore as pajamas. Andrea turned her head to look at Kate with a confused frown.

“What’s wrong, Princess?” Tony smiled softly down to his daughter.

“Are you my momma?” Andrea asked Kate causing both adults to choke on their breath.

“Andrea, Princess, I’ve told you… your momma… she had to go away.” Tony tried to shield his daughter from the truth as much as possible.

Andrea was silent with a frown staring at her father. “You leave. For work. But you come back.” Andrea’s gaze swung back to Kate. “So momma could have left and come back?”

“Sweetheart,” Andrea tucked her hair behind her ear. “I’m not your momma.”

“Oh.” Andrea deflated slightly and Kate could not stop herself from scooping the child into her arms and cuddling her close. “But I do love you. So very much.”

Andrea snuggled against Kate as the woman rubbed her cheek against the child’s own. “I love you too Kate.”

Tony reached out and pulled the two into his own embrace and held them tightly. “I love you both so much.”

=-=

“I’m sorry if Andrea made you uncomfortable last night.” Tony apologized the next morning, his daughter still asleep in her room while he and Kate made breakfast.

Kate gave a small smile. “It’s okay. I’m just sorry if it brought up painful memories for you and that she doesn’t know a mother’s love.”

Tony paused his mixing of the pancake batter. His heart pounded in his chest as he looked up at Kate and lightly chewed his lip before setting the bowl aside and walking over to where Kate was setting the table. “Would it be bad?”

“Would what be bad?” Kate turned to look confused at Tony who reached out to lightly take her hand and stroke her cheek.

“You said yourself, you love her… would it be so bad to be her mother? Give her a mother’s love?” Tony’s heart was beating so hard in his chest he was surprised Kate didn’t seem to see it.

“I… I don’t have the faintest idea how to be a mother.” Kate could feel her heart throbbing in her throat trying to choke her.

“You can’t be any worse of a mother than I am a father.” He reached into his pocket and opened a small box that made Kate gasp. “And I think you’d make the perfect wife for me.”

Kate lifted her wide gaze to meet Tony. “What… You just…”

“I’ve been carrying this around in my pocket since our second date.” Tony grinned sheepishly stepping forward and cupping her face. “Will you marry me?”

“But... Andrea?” Kate’s hands shook. She had always wanted a family of her own but had honestly never thought it was something that would be possible. She had never thought she would find someone who would love her the way she loved Tony.

“You’re already the closest thing she has to a mother.” Tony leaned in to whisper as if parting a deep secret. “I heard her at the park one day, a kid commented on your changing every day. Andrea did not correct the kid calling you her mom. Just called him rude for not minding his own business.”

Kate chewed her lip staring up into Tony’s eyes. She could feel his hand shaking against her cheek. She remembered him telling her the last person he had asked to marry him had left him with the wonderful girl sleeping in the other room. Kate’s breath caught as she thought about the child. She already knew she didn’t want a life without the two of them in it.

“Wat’s for breakfast?” Andrea interrupted rubbing her eyes as she dragged her teddy bear into the kitchen. She wrinkled her nose at the two adults. “Are you two giving each other cooties again?”

Kate laughed looking at the child while Tony took a breath to steady himself while clicking the box closed. Kate walked over and knelt down in front of Andrea. She reached out and lightly tucked a tangled curl behind her ear. She looked down at the bandage on the girl’s arm from where she had tripped and skinned her elbow. She had cried something horrible until Kate had ‘kissed it better’. Kate thought about the booster seat in the back of her car, the toys littering her living room, and the couple out on her balcony. She remembered the feel of her mother’s arms around her when the woman had comforted her so much.

“Do you remember last night when you asked if I was your momma?” Kate asked. The child nodded her head. “Would it be okay if I became your momma?”

Kate blushed as she heard Tony’s breath catch behind her. Then her arms were full of the enthusiastic child clutching tightly to her.

=-=

Andrea looked over to the woman in the hospital bed and closed the photo album she had. She reached out and stroked the old woman’s scared skin.

“It’s okay momma.” Andrea sniffed as she stared down at the woman barely clinging to life. A heart attack had taken her father from the two women nearly three years ago. Andrea had watched as her mother’s health declined rapidly since. “I know you love me. You can go be with Daddy now though.”

Andrea leaned over and kissed the woman’s forehead, the family album of photos clutched tightly to her chest. They had their ups and downs. She had gone through the same teenage phase all her peers had gone through, where she knew more than her parents. Even when they were angry with each other and Andrea had spat hateful mean spirited words at Kate, the woman had always made sure Andrea knew she was loved.

Even after telling Kate she was not her real mother, drinking under aged at a party Kate had been the number Andrea called when a boy had tried to corner her. Andrea had decided to look for her birth mother. Kate had held Tony together and helped piece together the shattered heart the woman had left Andrea with.

Kate had been the one there for Andrea through every heartbreak. Had convinced Tony that riding lessons would not be the worst compromise to getting Andrea a pony. Andrea still went riding and now ran a horse rescue with her own husband.

“I hope I’m half as great of a mother as you were, mom.” Andrea whispered to the woman whose breath was coming slower and slower. “I’m going to make sure they know who you were. And how great the love you and daddy had for each other was.”