The kids were thronging Leah, each wanting to occupy her thighs. Pamela just stared at them, not knowing if she should scream at them or simply scold them and order them to take a seat on the sofa instead.
But what surprised her the most was that Leah Hayden was happy. She was eager, trying to sit all four on her thighs.
"Aunt Leah, aren't you going to tell them to go away?" Pamela stuttered. These kids are something else. They can be so annoying and they should be cautioned when the need arises.
"Hell no!" Leah snapped. She raised her head and glared at Pamela before continuing "I don't get you, Pamela, you want me to send them away from me when they are the only thing I have left?" She asked.
"You still have me and Pamela" Louis interjected. He is happy with his mother's cheerful expression. He had been worried sick about her after the incident of the previous evening.
He would call the servants and Mr Greg to check on her and sometimes they tell him she'd shut herself in her bedroom or sobbing quietly.
He would have come over earlier but the actions of Fred Meyer had kept him busy all day, coupled with the gymnastics he had with Pamela earlier. So sweet to be merged body and soul with the one you love.
"I don't think I can trust you anymore Louis. You knew your father has been a cheat all these years and you kept mute about it? I have never seen or heard a son cares less about his mom like you did" Leah queried.
Leah kissed the kids and sent them to the servants to look after them. She needs to talk to her son and the kids are still too young to meddle with such things.
"You have to believe me, Mom. When I knew about Celina Delmark, you had poked my heart with your senseless deal with Miranda Alvan. So I decided to be quiet.
I wanted you to understand what Pamela went through when she knew about my intimacy with Miranda. You should have a taste of your inhumane treatment towards her…"Louis Hayden explained.
Leah's eyes welled up with tears. She glanced at Pamela. The latter bowed her head fiddling with her fingers like a teenage girl. She understood better now.
She has a perfect feeling of what Pamela went through. She even pulled her hair back then and wounded her heart. The young woman went through hell all because of her.
And at that time, she was pregnant with her grandson. How was she able to stay up with her sanity intact when she knew her fiancé was with another woman?
On those cold lonely nights, how did she cope, imagining her man under the quilt with another woman? This is enough to send a woman crazy.
More than anyone else, she understands that feeling just as Pamela did. But despite that, Pamela's case was more pathetic than her.
She'd met a few strong women in her life but Pamela is rating top among the strong women. She didn't say anything but took a few strides towards her and took her hands.
Pamela raised her head and locked eyes with Leah Hayden's tears filled eyes. The older woman sniffled and swallowed hard. Then Pamela's eyes immediately went cloudy.
"Pamela…" Leah said when her voice choked. She was sobbing profusely. She doesn't know how to express just how sorry she was.
She pulled her hands off to go and hide her face when Pamela pulled her back and hugged her. The two women were now sobbing on each other's shoulders.
Louis sighed helplessly. Women and tears: they are just inseparable.
"Please forgive me.." Leah pleaded, amidst tears. She found it difficult to let Pamela go. Especially now that Alice is back, how can she ever be able to face her best friend?
"It's alright, Aunt. It's in the past now" Pamela stuttered, sniffling. Everything she went through back then passed through her memory in a flash and she shook it off.
She must not dwell in the past. She must move on with her man and her kids. Her life is with Louis and the kids and she intends to live it to the fullest.
"Thank you Pamela, thank you" Leah stuttered. She pulled away and wiped Pamela's tears away. She smiled and cupped her face.
She turned and glanced at Louis. He was still carrying Ethan and she beckoned to him to come closer. She told him to hold Ethan firmly with a hand.
Louis did and she took Pamela's hand, placing them on Louis' "You have my blessings, both of you. Get married and stay happy together, forever…" Leah blessed them and kissed Pamela's temple.
She tiptoed and kissed Louis' temple as well. She was so happy. She wants them to get married as soon as possible.
"Thank you Aunt," Pamela appreciated, beaming with joy. Finally, she's going to be happy with Louis. She'd always wanted his mother's blessings.
That was the singular reason she refused Louis' suggestion that they get married before going to Middletown City back then. She wanted Aunt Leah's blessings, and now, she'd gotten it.
"You should have done this a long time ago. We would not have gotten so much mess to clean up. After so much has gone wrong, you decide to give us your blessings. If it weren't for Pamela…"Louis was complaining when Pamela went to him and forced a kiss on him.
She has to stop him. Louis is still displeased with his mother. They've gone past this stage. Let the past be buried and start the day anew. She'd given them her blessings, that's the most important thing here.
Pamela kept kissing him and Leah sighed softly, came over and took her grandson. These lovers should not get carried away and let her grandson slip off.
She took Ethan just as Pamela brought the kiss to a pause. "Don't say anything about the past, Louis. I know that you hate it that you got involved with Miranda Alvan.
What we should be thinking about is going to see uncle Ellis and seeking his blessings. I really want to be married to you soon" Pamela whispered, circling her hands around his neck and looking up into his charming grey eyes.
Louis chuckled and said "You want the blessings of an adulterous man?"