Epilogue

EPILOGUE

As Katherine and Gerald climbed into the carriage, the anticipation of the evening’s dinner with her parents hung thick in the air. The gentle sway of the carriage as it trundled down the streets of London provided a soothing backdrop to their thoughts.

As they settled into their seats, Katherine couldn’t contain the news any longer. She turned to Gerald, her heart pounding with excitement and nervousness.

“Gerald,” she began, her voice filled with a mix of joy and apprehension. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Gerald raised an eyebrow. “What is it, Katherine?” he asked, concern flickering in his gaze.

Katherine could see that he expected the news to be either shocking or harmful. She couldn’t wait to burst his bubble.

Taking a deep breath, she met his eyes, her hands trembling slightly in her lap. Before she could open her mouth, he reached out to take a trembling hand in his own.

“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.

His eyes widened in surprise, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, he was speechless, his mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions.

Finally, he found his voice, his face breaking into a wide smile. Katherine was unsure if the shimmer in his eyes was from his tears.

“Katherine, that’s wonderful news!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with joy. “I can’t believe it! I am going to be a father!”

Katherine nodded, tears of joy welling up in her eyes as she pictured them holding a little baby.

“I could not have asked for a better man to be the father of my child.” Katherine smiled, cupping his cheek with her free hand.

As Gerald smiled back at her, tears rolling down his cheeks, she couldn’t help but feel that regardless of what might happen in the future, she knew she had a safe haven. And its name was Gerald Chambers.

“You will be the most beautiful mother London has ever seen.” Gerald smiled as he wiped the last tear from her cheek.

* * *

“Mama,” Katherine spoke as she reached the front door of her childhood home.

Prudence was already standing in the doorway, awaiting them. For a while, she stared at Katherine blankly.

Katherine felt her heart sink to her stomach like a boulder. She had hoped that her mother would be happy to see her.

But just as she thought about retracing her steps, her mother wrapped her arms around her, pulling her into a warm embrace.

“Oh, Katherine!” Prudence exclaimed, her face buried in the crook of Katherine’s neck.

For a moment, Katherine stood completely still, not daring to move a single muscle. But then, slowly, she wrapped her arms around her mother’s smaller frame.

She couldn’t think of a time in her life when her mother had hugged her like that, but she now she wished she could experience it more. She could only hope that this wouldn’t be the last time she would feel her mother’s arms around her.

“Enough, Prudence,” Peter called from behind, causing her eyes to fly open as she let go of her mother.

Her father sounded stern, and for a moment, a shiver of anxiety ran down her spine.

But as Prudence backed away and smiled at her husband, Katherine knew everything was fine. Her father had just grown impatient in his wait to embrace her.

Katherine threw her arms around his wide neck, basking in the love that she had missed all these years.

“We missed you,” Peter said as he gave her a tight squeeze. “And we are deeply sorry for how we had acted toward you.”

“We promise, dear Katherine, to never turn our backs on you ever again. Your father and I took a long time to contemplate our actions, and we found ourselves in the wrong. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive us once more.” Prudence smiled, linking her arm with Peter’s as they both looked back at Katherine.

Katherine noticed Gerald was looking at her, awaiting her response just as eagerly as her parents were. She gave him a nod, a silent confirmation that their child would indeed grow up knowing their grandparents.

“Thank you, Mama. Thank you, Papa. There might be no greater pleasure in the world than having your full support.” She smiled as she held onto Gerald’s hand, giving it a slight squeeze as she looked back at her parents. “I thank you for your kind apology, and I apologize on our behalf as well. I hope we can be a family once more.”

“Of course, my dear.” Her father smiled, his mustache twitching as he did so. “And I must say, I have grown fond of not only you but of His Grace as well. Welcome to the family, Your Grace.”

Katherine looked down at her feet, holding back the words that bubbled up her throat.

We are not the only ones who are to be welcomed into this family again, Papa. There is a new member on its way.

She smiled inwardly. She would have to tell her parents of her pregnancy, but she would wait for the right moment. She didn’t want to relive the events of the night they had announced a false pregnancy to quash the rumors.

“Thank you, My Lord,” Gerald said with a nod of his head. “I am more than pleased to be part of the family. I have never felt more welcome anywhere in my entire life.”

The four shared smiles, no words being said but a feeling joining them all together. Katherine felt Gerald squeeze her hand once more.

“Come in, come in!” Peter exclaimed as he ushered them inside.

Some brief small talk about the weather followed as they made their way through the corridor. Katherine smiled as she looked upon the halls that held her childhood memories.

“Do take a seat,” Prudence said once they had all gathered in the dining room.

Polished cutlery had already been neatly placed on the table, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air.

As they settled around the table, Katherine felt a sense of warmth and familiarity wash over her. The sight of her parents sitting across from her, their faces filled with love and acceptance, filled her with a peace she hadn’t felt in years.

Peter poured glasses of wine for everyone, but Katherine shook her head, declining the offer with a small smile.

“No, thank you, Papa,” she said softly, her hand instinctively resting on her stomach. “I’ll skip the wine tonight.”

Peter looked at her in confusion, his brow furrowing slightly. “Are you feeling unwell, Katherine?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.

Katherine smiled at him, her heart pounding with excitement. “No, Papa,” she said, her voice filled with joy. She had to bite her tongue in order to prevent herself from blurting everything out all at once. “But I have some news to share with you all.”

Her parents exchanged curious glances, their eyes filled with anticipation.

Gerald reached out and took her hand in his, his own excitement plain in his eyes.

“What is it, Katherine?” Prudence asked curiously.

Taking a deep breath, Katherine met her parents’ eyes, her heart racing with anticipation. “I’m pregnant,” she announced, her voice brimming with emotion.

For a moment, silence fell over them as the words sank in. Then, Prudence let out a squeal of delight, her eyes filling with tears of joy.

“Oh, Katherine!” she exclaimed. “That’s wonderful news!”

Peter’s face broke into a wide smile, his eyes shining with happiness. “Congratulations, my dear!” he boomed, reaching out to squeeze Katherine’s hand. “I’m going to be a grandfather!”

Gerald beamed with pride, his heart overflowing with happiness. “I couldn’t be happier to embark on this journey with you, Katherine,” he said, his voice filled with love. “We’re going to be parents.”

Tears of joy welled up in Katherine’s eyes as she looked around the table at her family. At that moment, surrounded by her loved ones, she felt a sense of overwhelming gratitude for the blessings life had bestowed upon her.

As they continued to dine, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and joy as they shared stories and reminisced about the past. And as Katherine looked around the table at her parents and her husband, she knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together, as a family.

The End?