BK 5 - Chapter 45 - Xavier and Kate's Letters
Xavier couldn't move. She was his mate. How was he going to tell her? He didn't know what to do.
"Are you okay?" Kate asked as she stepped back. She didn't understand what those weird tingles were, but they made her feel good. Xavier always made her feel better. She had been in love with him since they were children, but she never felt like she was good enough for him.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Come inside." He said, opening the door. Kate turned to him once she was inside.
"I know this is selfish, but will you sit with me while I read my letter? Have you read yours?" She asked, biting her lip.
"Of course I will. I haven't read mine either. If you'd like, we can read them together. I was going to go out to Grandma Valerie's flower garden to read mine." Kate smiled sadly.
"That's a good place. I remember spending so much time out there with her, planting her flowers. I can't believe she's gone, and I didn't get to say goodbye." Kate started crying, and Xavier's heart broke. He didn't hesitate to wrap his arms around her. She clung to him.
Xavier stroked her long, blonde hair. She was small like his Aunt Lisa, and he felt huge compared to her. He looked into her watery brown eyes when he pulled away.
"Grandma Cat has your letter." Xavier took her hand and pulled her into the family room. A few people smiled and spoke to Kate, but she was only focused on how good it felt to have Xavier holding her hand.
"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so glad you could come." Grandma Cat stood up and hugged Kate. Xavier reluctantly released her hand.
"I'm so sorry about Grandma Valerie. I wish I could have seen her one last time." Kate said, crying on Grandma Cat's shoulder. She had been raised in one of the group homes after her mom almost killed her at the age of two. She had been high and thought it was a good idea to put Kate into boiling water to see what would happen. She had been in the hospital for months, and when she was released, Grandma Cat and Grandma Valerie had taken her in and took care of her wounds. She split her time between several houses and had always felt like one of the family. Kate had no memory of her mom or what happened. All she remembered was the love from the people who raised her.
"She loved you so much. Do you want me to sit with you while you read your letter?" Cat asked, but Kate shook her head.
"No, thank you. Xavier and I are going to read ours together." She replied. Cat looked between the two of them and hid her smile. The look in Xavier's eyes told her all she needed to know. 'It looked like another couple had been joined together.
"That's good. Let me get your letter." Cat pulled Kate's letter out of the bag and handed it to her. She kissed both hers and Xavier's cheeks and whispered a little encouragement to her grandson.
"Don't be nervous. I think this is going to go better than you think." Xavier's face turned red as he smiled.
Kate took his hand as they headed outside. Even if he didn't want to be more than her friend, she needed to feel those weird tingles that made her feel better. They sat on a bench in the middle of one of the flower gardens. Neither said anything for a few minutes.
"You know, out of everyone here, I always felt closest to you. Not only are we about the same age, but I just liked being near you. You always made me feel safe." Kate kept her eyes on the flowers as she spoke. She hadn't seen Xavier in a while, and for all she knew, he may have a girlfriend or may only see her as a sister or cousin since they were raised together. He took one of her hands and held it between both of his.
"I always felt close to you, too. I had a crush on you from the time I knew what it meant to have a crush." Xavier glanced at her from the corner of his eye.
"Had a crush? You don't anymore?" Kate asked, biting her lip. She did that when she was nervous. Her heart raced while she waited for his answer.
"I still do, but I understand you may not feel the same way." Before he could finish his sentence, Kate threw her arms around him and kissed him. It was a first kiss for both of them, and they were equally shocked by her actions. They began moving their mouths at the same time. It wasn't a deep kiss; it was a gentle, shy kiss, and their faces were red when Kate pulled back.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself. I've always had a crush on you, too. I was too scared to say anything, though." She said, looking down at their conjoined hands.
"Don't apologize. I've wanted to kiss you for years. That was my first kiss, and I'm glad it was with you." Kate looked up at Xavier in surprise. How had no one ever kissed him?
"That was my first too. I had always wanted my first kiss to be with you. Can you tell me why I feel all tingly when we touch? I never felt that before." Kate squeezed his hand. Xavier knew he had to tell her, but it was best to do it after they read their letters.
"After we read our letters, would you like to have lunch with me? I have some things I need to tell you, and it's best if we do it alone." Xavier looked into her dark brown eyes, which were almost identical to his.
"Okay. If we need to be alone, why don't you come to my apartment, and I can cook for us, or we can pick up a pizza?" Kate silently pleaded that he would say yes. She hoped that even though they had to say goodbye to Grandma Valerie, maybe today was the start of something between her and Xavier. He smiled and chuckled lightly.
"Pizza sounds good. Do you still eat it with pepperoni, green olives, onions, and extra cheese?" Kate smiled widely.
"Yes. Are you still going to pick the olives off?" She asked. Xavier kissed the back of her hand and shook his head.
"Not anymore. I started eating my pizza like that because it made me feel closer to you." He responded. Kate's heart felt like it was going to explode. They had both been too shy to admit their feelings to each other, but at least they were able to now.
"Do you want to go first, or do you want me to?" Kate asked nervously. Xavier put his arm over her shoulders, and she rested her head against him.
"You can go first." He said. Kate slowly opened her envelope and pulled out the folded piece of paper. Her eyes began watering as soon as she saw Grandma Valerie's handwriting.
*Dear Kate,*
*As I write this letter, I can't help but think about when I first saw you. You were so small yet so resilient, with the most beautiful smile always on your face. For being such a young child, you had a fighting spirit. That was one of the things I loved most about you. You were always part of our family from the minute we brought you through the door. I wish I could live forever to see all the amazing accomplishments I know you will have. Sadly, my day to join your Grandpa Roger has come*.
*I know you've always had a soft spot for Xavier, and he has for you as well. Please let this old woman rest in peace and go get your man. I have a feeling that you and Xavier are meant to be together. I saw it when you were just little kids spending every minute together. A connection like the one the two of you share only comes once in a lifetime. You, my little angel, will have a long, happy life filled with love. I love you so much, sweet girl.*
*Love,*
*Grandma Valerie*
Kate sobbed against Xavier while he stared at the letter in shock. How had Grandma Valerie known about them being mates even before he did? He wrapped both arms around Kate and held her tight. He was going to do what his grandma had said. Make sure Kate had a long happy life filled with love.
"Was she right? Are we going to be together?" Kate asked, looking up into his eyes. As sad as the letter was, the part about Xavier made her happy. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.
"Yes, she was right. I want to talk to you about that later. Are you ready for my letter?" He wasn't looking forward to reading his grandma's goodbye.
"Yes." Kate was sure her heart was going to beat out of her chest. She couldn't wait to find out what he wanted to talk about. He said Grandma Valerie was right, and they were going to be together. She snuggled against him as he opened his envelope. Xavier took a deep breath before reading.
*Dear Xavier,*
*I know if you're reading this letter, then I didn't get to tell you goodbye the way I had planned. You are going to be an incredible doctor, and the women and children in the group homes are going to be so grateful for you treating them where they are.*
*My heart aches as I write these final words to you. You were always my little loving teddy bear. You have such a big heart and care so deeply for others that sometimes you put yourself last. For once, I want you to put yourself first. I know how you feel about Kate. I want you to find her and tell her how you feel about her. She cares for you, too. Knowing that the two of you will have each other fills my heart with happiness.*
*Remember that I will always be there with you. If you're in the garden, I'm the gentle breeze caressing your cheek. You will have Kate by your side, but I'll be watching over you, too. I love you so much, teddy bear.*
* Love,*
*Grandma Valerie*
Xavier couldn't hold back as the sobs shook his body. Grandma Valerie had always called him her teddy bear, and seeing those words shook him to the core. Kate held onto him as she cried, too. She was glad they had each other and was ready for whatever he had to say as long as it meant she would have him forever.
