William's POV
I woke up this morning, and my heart skipped a beat on noticing Kate's absence. Although it was currently snowing heavily, I knew the snow was not enough reason to stop Kate from heading out, if she so wanted to.
Twelve years of marriage had taught me that about her.
I climbed out of bed the next instant, hoping she was within the environs of the house and that she hadn't gone to the hospital on her own to visit Stuart's grave.
"Kate," I called, moving close to the bathroom but there was no response, and no sign of her in the bathroom. I stepped out of the bedroom we shared and walked in the hallway, listening carefully for any sign of her, but there was none.
"Kate," I called again, opening the door to Stuart's room but she wasn't there. The room looked different from how it was last night.
The bed was neatly done and so were his belongings. She must have woken up a long time ago.
"William," Kate called tiredly behind me.
"Hey honey, how was your night?" I asked, turning to face her. She only shrugged tiredly with her eyes glued to Stuart's room.
"When did you tidy up this place?" I asked, in a conscious bid to start a conversation.
"Hours ago." She replied, curtly. She was obviously not going to bite the bait.
"You could have called me to help, you know." I added, determined to keep the conversation alive.
"He was my son … still is" She said, her voice trailing off.
"And mine too,"I replied, slightly irritated.
She retrieved a handkerchief from her coat pocket, and wiped her now teary eyes with it.
I looked more closely at her just then and noticed that she was fully dressed - as one preparing for an important occasion.
"Are you going out?" I asked.
"Yeah. To visit Stuart's grave. Do you wanna tag along?" She said, in a rapid manner.
"Of course. Was it necessary to ask?" I replied, maintaining my cool, although I hadn't been informed yet if Stuart's grave was successfully set up last night, and I was worried. Afraid of leading Kate to an empty spot in the graveyard; afraid of Kate finding out about my dealings with these dangerous people.
"Let's go," Kate said, after watching me for some time.
"It is snowing heavily."I pointed it out, but she wasn't bothered.
She led the way outside while I followed behind. When she got to the entrance, she stopped to pick some bunches of flowers which were lying on a stool.
"When did you get this?" I couldn't help but ask.
"Some minutes ago." She answered.
"You took the car?" I asked, concerned.
"No, William. I hiked to the place. It's the least I could do for my dear Stuart." She replied, tenderly.
"Stuart is dead, Kate. Do you know who isn't dead? You. You should consider looking after yourself now." I said, as calmly as possible.
Kate shot me a deadly stare that for a moment, I feared I had blown my cover.
"I'm sure Stuart would want that." I added when she didn't lower her gaze. This seemed to work as her hard stare was instantly replaced with a mild look.
"Go and get dressed, William. You will catch a cold, dressed like this." She replied, turning her focus back to the bunches of flowers that lay before her.
I walked back to the bedroom and quickly changed out of my pajamas. I wore the clothes that Kate already selected for me to wear, and headed back to the entrance. Kate sat absent-mindedly on the stool where there had been bunches of flowers. I guessed that she already placed the flowers in the car.
I reached for her hand, and when she didn't object, I gently pulled her into a warm embrace.
We made our way to the SUV outside, and as I got the door for Kate, I saw the flowers in the back seat of the car. I was right after all.
I took my position in the driver's seat and started the car. We hit the road in no time, while I secretly watched Kate relax somewhat in her seat. For once, since we lost Stuart, she wasn't crying or about to cry.
When we got to the shed where I had found her last night, I noticed the feeling of discomfort about her, and I was entirely grateful when she started a conversation.
"For some moments last night, I thought you wouldn't come for me." She said, with a sigh.
"You know I wouldn't do that, I had trouble finding my car keys, that was why I delayed," I replied, surprised at myself for being such a convincing liar, coming up with such a reply in a split second.
"There was a fast-moving van just in front of you. It scared the wits out of me." Kate confessed, watching behind her at the shed which is now farther down the street.
"I'm sorry about that. Words cannot express how relieved I was to see you safe." I replied, meaning every word.
"Too bad, we can't say the same for Stuart." She replied, on a sad note.
She was sobbing again.
"Honey, please stop crying. He is in a better place now, where there's no sickness or pain or even death. He wouldn't want you to be sad, always remember that." I consoled, hoping my words would help her feel better.
"It is easy for you to say all that. I never got to bid him goodbye. " Kate replied, amidst pitiable sobs.
"No goodbyes, Kate. We will see him again someday." I said. I was caught between patting Kate's shoulder and controlling the wheel.
"Yeah, no goodbyes." Kate agreed, sniffing.
"Now focus on the road before you get us killed." She added after some time, pulling my hand away from her shoulders.
I was thrilled to notice the smile that now radiated on her face. I couldn't help but grin sheepishly.
"I have a proposal," I said, carried away by the spur of the moment.
"Let's hear it then," Kate replied, with an unexpected cheerfulness.
"I was thinking…" I said, testing her patience.
"Not now, William. Out with it already." Kate protested.
"How about we make more babies, that way we can..." I was interrupted by a sudden embrace from Kate, who looked genuinely happy.
"Why did you change your mind now? " Kate asked, just as I pulled into the driveway of St Louis cemetery.
"It's been on my mind for some time now. My only regret is that Stuart wouldn't be here to see his siblings." I responded with a tinge of sadness.
"Thank you, William. I want that more than anything." Kate said, squeezing my hands fondly.
I helped her out of the car and led the way to the spot I described for Kate last night. With every step I took, my eyes darted around the surrounding area, in search of a recently set up tomb.
"The flowers" Kate called out so suddenly, and I almost jumped out of my skin in shock.
While Kate went back to the car to get the flowers, I hurriedly went in search of Stuart's grave. In no time, I saw the grave with an epitaph that read: Stuart, loving son and friend. Just as I heaved a sigh of relief, Kate came to my side, holding the flowers.
"William," She called, tucking her arm in mine.
On noticing Stuart's grave, she slowly retrieved her arm from mine and started sobbing again.
"Oh, Stuart." She lamented, while carefully arranging the flowers in a beautiful array on Stuart's grave.
While she cried, and I consoled her, I noticed the presence of three familiar men, moving in different positions towards us. The same men who had transported Stuart's body from St Louis, and who tried to run over Kate last night.
But why are they here? I asked myself, panic-stricken.
By the time Kate noticed the men, they were already a few feet from us.
She looked up at me, and I saw the fear in her eyes. With a quavering voice she asked,
"Who are these men?"