Saying Goodbye

The day that Laura was released from the hospital was also the day that the press learned of Timothy and his family's presence in Bern City. The whole family had gone to walk out of the hospital with Grandma Laura and by the time they left the press was there vying for photos of the twins and Laura after her long coma.

Tim's bodyguards ruthlessly shoved the cameras back allowing the family to enter their car. Tim knew that by tomorrow the children's faces would grace every paper from here to Norde City. There was no stopping it now. Tim took Mia and the children back to the hotel where the bodyguards once again earned their wage getting them inside. Tim took Caleb with him and Laura to Barrett residence so that she could pack for their return to Norde City tomorrow.

Laura looked out the window at the house that to her mind she had only left two weeks ago. But it was as if somehow her heart knew that she had been separated from it for a very long time. Barrett residence had been her home for the last fifty some years. "In that time, she had stoically stood beside a husband that was never in control of his urges whether they be drink, gambling, or women. Laura had done her part to protect her husband and accept the way things were in hope of raising her son to be a better man.

Laura had hoped her son would have the control and the character to be the man that his father had not been. She had once again born stoically the knowledge that her son was a philanderer as woman after woman had to be dealt with. Paying them off so they would disappear quietly after an abortion. When her son asked her to help deceive his wife Sharon and replace their dead child with Timothy, she had been furious, but her son had promised to change his ways if he could keep his son.

At first, she had resented Timothy, but the boy had been uncharacteristically kind and good. He had been ordered and unwilling to skirt rules in a way that his father had never been. Laura had loved the boy despite herself and found that to her he was legitimate. Tim had offered his love to Laura without question, always having a kind word to spare for her. When Timothy had gone on to college, he had been the best sort of man and Laura had known that there was finally a Barrett that would pass on the name, and it wouldn't be to the child's detriment.

When Tim left college and joined Barrett Group, he was ready to take on the world and after two years he was all but running the corporation, but her son hadn't kept his promise. He had managed to father one other child and now wanted to share her darling Timothy's inheritance with this usurper. Laura hated her son when he told Tim the truth about his identity, something he had promised never to do. Hector was dying but had a child that needed protection so suddenly Timothy had Luna and Asher to deal with.

Timothy was devastated. Everything he thought to be true was a lie. He had come to Laura and asked her if she knew. She couldn't lie to him and told him the truth. Tim had screamed at her then asking why she would lie for his father, to him. She told him that to her he was the legitimate son of Barrett Group. He was everything that was good and right and not to lose sight of that, but Tim was hurting. He was drinking heavily and took off on his motorcycle and crashed into a tree.

Timothy had been in a coma for three months when Laura decided to change his fortune. She sent out invitations to all the most eligible ladies for marriage and no one would have him. Laura had a sweet nurse that was the absolute kindest girl she had ever met. No family or money to speak of but a truly good soul. Laura asked Mia if she would help save her grandson and marry him. Mia had hesitated only a moment before agreeing and signing Sharon's prenup without complaint, asking only that the family pay her uncle's hospital bills.

Tim had woken shortly thereafter but he was massively changed. He had become cold, hard, and distant. He was always working and if he was around, he was abrupt and difficult to be around. Mia had borne his indifference with true grace always committing herself to pleasing the impossible man. Laura had grown to love the girl the way she did Timothy and truly believed if the pair had any hope of happiness in this life, they would need each other to accomplish it.

"Grandmother, are you ready to get your things?" Tim had been loath to disturb his grandmother when she seemed so deep in thought but after five minutes waiting, he began to worry. Would she change her mind?

"Yes, Tim I am ready. I don't want to live here anymore. I bet on you and Mia a long time ago and I won't change my vote now." Laura replied, her voice strong and sure. Tim smiled and held Laura's hand as she climbed out of the car.

When they walked into the house Timothy was instantly glad that he had brought the cleaning crew back in. The house was clean and returned to its former glory. Sharon and Veronica were in the front sitting room with two other ladies that he didn't recognize. The younger woman eyed him in a way that made him uncomfortable. His grandmother's sharp tongue made and appearance for the first time in years.

"Keep that look to yourself girl my grandson is spoken for." Laura snapped.

"Don't worry Grandma Laura, I am blind to any woman but my wife." Timothy told her quietly and she patted his arm.

"Mother, is that really you? You've come home to us!" Sharon cried.

"A very temporary set-back I assure you." Laura said, looking at Sharon with disdain. The idea that this woman had nearly killed one of the twins made her blood freeze like ice.

"What do you mean, mother?" Sharon asked.

"I am moving in with Timothy and Mia in Norde City. You can keep Barrett residence to yourself." Laura headed up the stairs with Tim's help and Caleb followed behind. Sharon stared after Laura and Timothy, not sure what was happening or whether she should fight against it.

Two hours later Laura's bags were being loaded into the car while she watched disinterestedly. There were many things of hers still here, but she would have them packed and moved in the future. For now, the bags she had packed held everything she needed.

"Are you sure you really want to live with Tim and Mia, far from your home mother?" Sharon asked for the fourth time in as many ways.

"Yes, their home is a happy one filled with the laughter of children and the promise of more. Why would I stay here and miss that?" Laura finally answered. To that Sharon had no response. Laura climbed into the car without another word and glanced at the house only once before turning her gaze to the future.