by Clare Revell
He caught his breath as his parents walked over to his bed. His mother was crying and his father’s eyes glistened.
“Don’t leave me,” he whispered. “I need you here.”
Caitlyn glanced over at the nurse. “It’ll be too many people…”
“It’s fine for a few minutes,” the nurse assured her.
Hayden’s throat constricted as his parents reached his bedside. What did he say to them? They appeared the same, yet so much older, careworn. Were they as worried about his reaction as he was over what they would say?
His father gripped his mother’s hand and cleared his throat. “We weren’t sure you’d see us. It’s been so long.”
“It has,” he whispered. “Why did you leave me?”
A sob escaped his mother, her tears flowing faster. “S-s-s-orry…”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.” Hayden felt as though he was a child again. Trying to explain it wasn’t him who killed the puppy, or pulled up the flower bed, or tipped bleach into the goldfish pond. It hadn’t been him who first flushed his mother’s kitten in the toilet before hanging it on the washing line by its ears.
“We know now. Tony told us years ago that he’d seen you do all those things. He convinced us you were evil, really evil. Then when Rafe died, Tony said you’d done it deliberately and would kill us for not believing you. We didn’t want to send you away, but didn’t think we had a choice. And once we told the care system what we thought had happened, well, they told us it was best you stay there. ”
Hot tears pooled under the bandage covering his face. A huge sob welled up inside him. “I’d never…”
“We couldn’t get you back from care, we tried a couple times. The lies and hurt Tony spread escalated. Initially, we did what we thought was for the best. We had no idea…” His father swallowed. “I don’t expect you to forgive us…”
Hayden held out shaking arms. He just wanted a hug, to be told everything would be all right. “Please…” Then he was enfolded in their arms and for the first time in a long time, he felt whole. The rift Caitlyn had started to heal, was finally mended.
12
A huge tree filled the hallway. Music echoed from the ballroom where another tree stood. Hayden shook his head. Caitlyn had gone overboard on the Christmas décor, but he had to agree, the house was better for it. Lights shone in every room, and he dreaded the bill come January. He stared in awe at Caitlyn, standing next to him, her yellow dress shining like gold in the light. “Are you ready for this, dearie?”
She giggled. “I think so. We have enough food to feed an army, even though we won’t need it. Pastor Nolan is due any moment.”
“I see you’re wearing your yellow dress.”
She reached up and straightened his yellow ascot. “It matches your tie.” She grinned and lifted the hem of her gown. “As tempting as it was to wear my boots, I didn’t. Instead, I splashed out and bought new shoes to match your blue frock coat.”
“You bought new shoes? Without being forced?” He raised an eyebrow. “Are you trying to make it rain?”
Her laughter rang like a bell as she ran a fingertip over his mask. “A white one this time?”
“I ordered it to match the white shoes you’re not wearing.” Hayden reached into his pocket and pulled out the brown packet. “This is for you.”
Caitlyn took it, her eyes lighting up. “But I haven’t got you anything.”
He kissed her gently. “Open it.”
Eager fingers tore open the package and she gasped as she held up the ornament that matched his. “It’s even got my name on it.” Her smile lit the entire room as she hugged him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He squeezed her back.
Caitlyn hung it alongside his. “There. Always together and never apart.”
He glanced over at his parents. “Seems we have a lot to be thankful for this year. The police rang this morning. Tony changed his plea to guilty. It’s over.”
She gripped his hand. “So many lost years.”
He nodded. “But we can start over. Thanks to you.” The doorbell rang. Hayden sighed. “I really should bring the servants back. I’m getting tired of answering my own front door.”
“Lazy toad,” she teased. “It won’t kill you to get up and let people into the house occasionally.”
“Let’s hope not.” He walked to the door, needing the cane to counteract the cast he still wore. Another month and that should be gone. Then the physio to build up the muscles would begin.
Frank Hosier stood on the doorstep. “Mr. Shade…”
Hayden took a deep breath. “Come in. And I think you should call me Hayden now, as I’m married to your daughter.”
Caitlyn crossed to his side. “Father, Auntie Naomi… Hayden, did you organize this?”
“Yes, dearie, I can be sneaky, too.” Hayden stood back as her father wrapped his arms around her.
The other guests arrived and made their way to the chapel. Hayden stood with his father at the top of the aisle. The relationship was still new, almost eggshells at times, but he wasn’t throwing away this second chance he’d been given with them. The library now contained photographs of him and his parents as Caitlyn had suggested.
“Thank you, for showing us grace,” his father said.
“It’s a commandment to forgive,” Hayden replied. “One I actually enjoyed following. We were both wrong, a lot of resentment, and…”
“…mainly on our part. We should never have listened to Tony. Let him take us away and let you be taken into care. We had no idea the system would be so unforgiving, that Tony could be so manipulative.”
Hayden shook his head. “It’s all in the past. This is the future now. One family, with Caitlyn as my wife. Things are changing. No more shadows. Only light.”
The music began and Hayden turned to watch Caitlyn almost glide up the aisle on her father’s arm. As she reached him, he held out a hand.
She took it and smiled. “Hi, handsome.”
Hayden broke with tradition. He gripped her waist and spun her around. “I love you, Mrs. Shade.”
“I love you more, Mr. Shade.”
He pulled her close and, ignoring the chapel full of family waiting for the wedding blessing to begin, kissed her. His bride was his and they’d never be apart again. No more monster, no more beast, just him and the beauty he called his wife.
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