California Dreaming

Ups and Downs

Katy's Point of View

I was still in the hospital with Hally. The operation was finally done and we would be able to go home next week. She only woke up 2 hours ago. "Hey babes, are you okay?" I asked her as I sat beside her bed. "I'm fine, Katy. I feel much more relieved" she replied back to me whilst staring into my eyes. "You should get some rest. I'll be here beside you, I won't leave you" I said to her as I started stroking her blonde hair. "Katy, it's okay. I just want to talk to you. Besides, I was able to sleep for a really long time a couple of hours ago" she said to me as she wore a smile on her face.

I smiled back at her. "I love you, princess" I said to her as I kissed her forehead. "I love you too" she replied back to me as she held my hand tightly. Tears welled up in my eyes. I didn't know why I was about to cry. Hally will be like my own child from now on. I still can't get over the past, it's been hard to move on from it but I'm glad that Hally's still here. "Do you want to visit West Virginia soon?" I asked her. "Yeah, soon. Is it okay if we visit for just a few days?" She asked me. "No problem, sweety. I know you miss Max." I said to her as I wore a smile on my face. She began to laugh for a bit. "Yeah, I also need to give something to him." She said to me.

"I'm sorry to ask this but, what was it like when my mom told you that you should take over me and be like my mother?" She asked me seriously. "I was shocked and at the same time, delighted. I didn't expect that your mother would put her trust on me. I was also nervous because I didn't know if I would be able to take that role properly. I was only 23 that time, I didn't know what it was like to be a mother but I had no plans ever of putting you into adoption." I said to her as there was great seriousness in my voice. "Was it hard to accept?" She asked me curiously. "No. I loved you very much, Hally just like your mother did. I would come over your parents house to help take care of you. Me and your parents were very close with one another. The moment your mother had you, she was beyond happy and you completed her life." I said to her as I continued to stroke her hair.

"Why weren't you able to get me back when my parents passed away? I was with Aunt Connie at that time." She told me. "I wasn't able to because I was so busy with my work. My career was getting better and I wasn't able to get you and take you with me to LA. But I was able to manage on visiting you from time to time. I felt so angry at myself for leaving you there. It was the biggest mistake I have ever done. At that time, I wish I could get you and bring you with me and even up to this year but I can't leave my career because it's important to me as you are as well. I did that because I know I wouldn't be able to take good care of you during those times. I'm really sorry." I told her as tears welled up in my eyes. I was trying hard not to let them fall. Those memories just came back to me. I hated myself for doing that to Hally, it was just terrible.

"Katy, it's alright. You're with me now and that's what matters most. The wrong things that you've done in the past, you made up for them. You're a great mother to me Katy. I know you are and I know you will always be. I don't know how to thank you for everything you've done to me because you treated me like I'm your own child. I know I am now since my parents passed away and you have full custody of me. All I can say is that I love you so much. I don't know what would have happened if you weren't here. Thank you so much, thank you." She said to me softly. Tears welled up in my eyes. I was trying hard to not let them fall but I can feel it slowly running down in my face. "I love you so much, sweety. More than you could have ever known. Always remember that I'm going to be here for you no matter what happens. Thank you for accepting me to be like your mother. I'm beyond thankful that you're here with me. I know that I've made a couple of mistakes and I left you but I will never let that happen." I said to her. I kissed her forehead and I felt the tears in my eyes fall down in my face. Hally wiped the tears off from my face with her hands. "I love you mom" she said to me as she stared into my eyes. She hugged me tightly, so tight that we'll never let go of each other. "I love you too, princess" I said back to her.