Chapter 61 - Closure
Trey got out of bed before Cat and went into the other room. He wanted to set up a few things before she woke up. First, he called the realtor to see if they could see the house, and she agreed to meet them at two.
He then called the cemetery to verify that Emma's remains had gotten there safely and that the plot was ready for Cat to do her planting. They told Trey that everything went smoothly and the headstone would be placed this morning. As he disconnected the call, Cat came out of the bedroom.
"I've got some good news. Your mom's site is ready for us, and her headstone will be placed today. Also, we can meet the realtor at the house at two. I'll text Aiden the address so he and Kitty can meet us there." Trey smiled as she ran over to him.
"Do you know what this means? Today I can put my past to rest, and we're literally opening the door to the future. After you text Aiden let's get the flowers and bushes. I want to have plenty of time to plant and make sure everything is perfect for my mom. Maybe now she can truly rest in peace." Cat hugged Trey, thankful that he had suggested bringing her mom here.
"You're right. Everything is coming together. Let's pick up some food while we're out. We can have a picnic breakfast with your mom." Cat loved this idea. They could eat while visiting her and then plant everything around her site. It would be a perfect way to welcome her home.
Trey texted Aiden with the address of the house and the time to meet them. He and Cat then left to go to a local nursery. They got lilac bushes, rose bushes, and multiple flowers. Afterward, they stopped at the market and picked up food for a picnic, including muffins, fresh fruit, cheese, and apple juice.
Cat was delighted that she could see her mother after almost twenty years. Even though she was gone, she would be close enough for her to visit and talk to whenever she wanted. That meant more to her than anything else.
"What are you over there humming? It sounds familiar, but I can't place it." Trey put his arm around her with a grin when he saw her face blush slightly.
"*A Whole New World by Peabo Bryson and Regina Bell.* I was thinking that ever since I met you, you've shown me a whole new world. It's been magical from the first moment you came into the hospital. Although, maybe a song from *The Lion King* would be more fitting." Cat raised her eyebrow as Trey laughed, and their two lions growled softly.
When they got to the cemetery, Cat got teary-eyed seeing her mother's grave. The headstone was dark grey and had hummingbirds etched on it. Under her name, it said Loving mother, taken before her time. Gone, but not forgotten.
Cat ran her fingers over her mother's name and smiled. She felt her mother's presence all around her. She knelt next to where she was buried and began talking to her.
"Mom, I know it's been too long since we've talked. I have thought about you and dreamt about you so many times over the years that it has become painful. Our time together was cut short because of the evilness of another. Even though I was only six, if I had known you were still alive, I would have found a way to see you. I have wished so many times that you were still alive and trying to get to me. I hope now, at least, you can rest in peace knowing that I'm doing okay." Cat stopped and took a breath as the tears began welling in her eyes.
"I met an amazing man named Trey, who happens to be a werelion. I know it's crazy, but I'm also a werelion. My lioness's name is Saira, and Trey's lion's name is Atlas. We are engaged to be married. I never thought that was possible. With all the bad things I grew up with around me, I thought I would be alone forever. I know you always told me to be brave, and you said I was strong, but when Trey found me, I was broken."
"The last thing I ever wanted to do was let you down, but I didn't fight when I was little. I was too scared and didn't think I had anything to live for. I didn't care what happened to me. After I met Trey, he showed me how to love and be loved. He pulled me out of the darkness that was threatening to take over and showed me how it was to live in the light."
"That's all I want to say for now. Trey and I are going to make it pretty here for you with your favorite flowers. We brought breakfast, too. I love you, mom, and I promise to come to see you often." Cat had tears running down her face. She felt as though her mother was with her and heard what she said. A peacefulness washed over her that she had never felt before when talking about her mom.
Trey looked at Cat with tears in his eyes. Her words to her mother had been so heartfelt that they broke his heart, but at the same time, he knew this was exactly what she needed. He walked over to her as she stood up and held her as they both cried.
They eventually laid a blanket on the ground and ate their breakfast. Cat talked about the house and her plans for the group home. She didn't speak directly to her mother again, but she was constantly looking at her headstone like she was including her in the conversation.
After they had finished eating, they began planting. Cat placed a lilac bush on either side of the headstone, hoping they would grow around it and the flowers would cover her mother. They planted the rose bushes next to the lilac bushes but far enough away that they both had room to expand.
Cat then laid the flowers around the rest of the site so everything would be evenly spaced. After she had everything how she wanted, they planted those as well. When they were done, it looked like her mother was buried in the middle of a flower garden. Cat used her phone to take a picture. She wanted to show Valerie the next time she had a session with her.
After they had cleaned everything up and Cat said goodbye, they headed home to change clothes and wash up. She was somber, but she felt better. She had finally been able to do something for her mother and felt like she'd gotten closure.
Trey kept glancing at Cat as he drove. She was quiet, but he understood why so he didn't say anything. He was still worried about things from the past, sneaking up on her and pushing her back. However, she had shown him many times that she was stronger than the ghosts from the past. It didn't stop him from being ready to swoop in and save her if needed.
Cat stared out the window, thinking about her mother. All the memories of when she had been a child were suddenly flashing through her mind. The happy times while her mother was still with her before her cancer diagnosis was the only memories she would let in. Those days had been the best of her life until she met Trey.
She looked over at him and saw the concern in his eyes, so she smiled at him. Cat knew he worried about her, but that went with the territory of their life together. She didn't mind him being overly protective; she loved it. That showed her how much he loved and cared for her. She moved over so she could lean on his shoulder.
She smiled to herself; her life had been very different before she met him. She hardly remembered the fearful woman she was just a few months ago, but that woman was still there. She was the driving force that made Cat want to be happy. In spite of the fear and doubt, she had come out on top to embrace love and happiness.
