“Hey Sue, come on in. it’s nice to see you”, Dick said moving aside for his sister to step in. “How is the latest dad doing?” she replied giving him a friendly kiss. “Floating in the air I guess”, he laughed as he closed the door. Dick’s home depicts the nature of his job; just walking in one will immediately know that an architect lives there. Designed to suit the right purpose and necessity than luxury - it has a touch that words cannot describe instead it looks like a dream house. It is like something out of the imaginary, unreal yet so obtainable. The house is filled with natural plants, sculptures of various shapes and sizes and colorful furniture that gave the house a welcoming feel. Susan just love the fragrance that lingers in the air when you walk in, inhaling and smiling, she said “I feel I’m way back in the Arizona”. Smiling at her wondering why she always does that when she comes in. A question he always wanted to asked but didn’t have enough nerves to bring back memories. “So tell me, how was your day?” he asked and announce her arrival to Amy. “Fine except that I got one hell of a scare today?” “How do you mean?” Dick asked. “I thought I saw Tony…you know Tony Alexander”, she said looking lost. “Anyway, I came to see to me treasures and where are they”. “Which Tony…please don’t tell me, the same one from college. Where, how, when…what does he want?” he puzzled. Saved by Amy’s entrance, Susan pretended not to have heard his question, “Hey Amy”; she said standing up to greet her favourite and only sister-in-law. “Hi Susan, I thought you wouldn’t be coming until later today. How was your day”, Amy asked. “Well, thought so myself, but I guess I had enough time on my hands so why not stop by and spend it with my treasures”. Knowing his sister, he let her off for now but he wasn’t so sure his sister is alright. Looking at her closely he saw that she looks a little pale and she had this air around her that he remembers so well. The very one she carries when she shaken by something or someone – which isn’t often - and yet she dares to face it. Her lower lips twitches especially when she smiles, only those who know her well enough will know that behind those tough and confident looks something is so wrong. “So where are they?” Susan asked. “Your treasures, of course, here we are” Amy said playfully. “You both aren’t in that league anymore; but maybe I could change my mind if you behave”, she laughed. “Hmmm, how easy to be discarded immediately those little pinkies show up in the picture”, Dick answered as he pick up the remote and position for his favourite show. Shaking her head at her obviously jealous husband, giving him a big hug she whispered into his ears, “You are the only real treasure I will ever know and what to know”. “Oh guys, you are killing me. So do you mind?” Susan said rolling eyes. With that they all burst into laughter. A day with her brother and family is exactly what she did need to keep her sane. She noticed Dick’s silence glares but refused to acknowledge them. He’s the only one, well except her mother, who really knew and understood what happened between Tony and her. And right now she can’t stand to go through the pain and the torture she thought wouldn’t never go away but over years she has been able to work with them yet seeing him today brought those emotion all rushing back which makes her feel she has though she has been ran over by a big truck. Obviously, those emotions never actually disappear; she only succeeded in subduing them. It was a matter of time. “Are you alright, Susan?” Amy asked looking concern bringing her back. “I’m fine just a little distracted – you know how work could get”, she replied with a smile, rocking one of the twins. “I don’t think that’s all. You want to talk about it?” “Ehen nay, why waste a beautiful day talking about problems that don’t matter when there are other wonderful things to talk about”. “Such as?” asked Amy raised an eyebrow as she robs the back of her other twin expecting him to belch. “Numerous…for a start, how does it feel to be a mother?” “I can’t seem to express my feelings in words. It’s overwhelming, Susan. I feel all of a sudden I want to protect, love and live all at once cause I have a good reason to, you know”, she smiled. “I’m sorry was a little carried away”, she giggled looking more of a girl that a new mother with her chestnut hair pulled back into a ponytail. She really looked good, having babies thus suit her well. “You shouldn’t be. I’m just glad my brother found you and married you. And I would like to say that I’m even luckier to have you as a sister-in-law”. “The feeling is mutual, Susan”, Amy answered. “So are you going to tell me what’s bothering you or do I have to coax it out of you?” she asked Susan seriously. “You aren’t going to give up, are you?” “That will be a big NO, so spill the beans or else I’ll drill it out of you”. Placing the twin back in her cot, she walked over to the window and signed heavily. “That difficult, eh?” asked Amy. Closing her eyes she nodded slowly. “It’s a matter of the heart?” “I loved him once….loved him with all my heart, Amy….”. “…and he let you go”. “I really don’t know if that’s what really hurts anymore. He just left, he let go without any explanations or anything. But seeing him today… I just don’t know. I didn’t expect to react to him like I did”. “Is that what’s troubling you or there’s something else?” asked Amy knowing that she is having a tough time explaining the war going through her. Amy has always known Susan to put other peoples’ business before hers and not at all surprised she is in this dilemma. “I really don’t know and it frustrating, you know”, she said coming to sit with her on the bed deep. “Is it that or the fact that you love to be in charge of things?” Amy smiled. “Do you love him?” Nodding her head slowly and then she realized what Amy was asking she stood, shook her head vigorously and answered, “No, no…not anymore at least”. Giving her a lopsided smile, Amy simply walked up to her and replied “You alone can work this out, you know and the earlier you figure out what you want, the better. You can count on my support, whatever you decide to do”, Amy said finally patting her hand. “Thanks. So tell me, what you are planning to name these little angels”. “Henry and Henrietta, we both like the names, well not after so much deliberation”, she laughed. Repeating the names and letting it rolling on her tongue like someone testing the uniqueness of a new wine. “I like it too, I’m so glad to the opportunity to be an aunt again. I only wish…..” she trailed off. “You wish what, Susan. I wish you weren’t this stubborn”, Amy stated. “You also think I’m stubborn?” smiled Susan “As a mule, believe me. You can’t hide your feelings, Susan. It reflects in your eyes. I can see your heart in your eyes. That’s why Dick thinks you need to be protected all the time, you know. He’s so worried and wants you to be happy”. “I’m so very happy contrary to what all of you think. I have you, Dick, mum, Dora, Chico and good employees. So tell me, what else should I ask for?” she answered giving her a weak smile. “You ask for L-O-V-E, a man of your own that will love you like Dick is to me. I know you Susan, you are built for love. Your other name should have been LOVE. You have so much of it on the inside and you are suffocating because you need to give it away…..” she said honestly. “…Please stop it, stop it”, cried Susan sitting herself on the Grandma rocking chair not too far from her. “You are too strong, Susan, please for the love of God let someone take of you”, Amy pleaded. “I…I’m…I wish I could do it” she cried even more. “No one will ever hurt you again. Please just listen to your heart it will lead you home”, she said hugging her sister-in-law. “It’s just that I can’t believe my heart will still react to him this way. I thought it was over and now…” she replied. “We never understand the matter of the heart and that’s what makes it beautiful, do you think”, Amy said giving her a reassuring smile. Simply nodding her head, she wiped her tear-stained face and said, “You should be working as an FBI agent, you sure know how to drill for information”. “Believe me, I was very soft with you compare to how I drill your brother”, Amy answered seriously mimicking a military officer. “Oh dear, my poor brother”, laughed Susan. Holding Amy's fragile hands, Susan said "You know, I feel so grateful to God every time for giving you to this family. You are such a blessing to every one of us and I wish to let you know we won't take that for granted". "I know that and it's not only you guys. I'm extremely lucky to have you all in my life", she stated giving her a heartfelt hug.
Susan spent most of the day with her brother and his family. They gave her a new sense of security. The more days she spent with her brother’s babies, the more the longed for a child of her own.
As the days turn to weeks, Susan found herself spending more and more time with the babies. Almost all evenings, except if there was a meeting or a business she needs to close, she was always with Amy and the babies. Dick was sure that has much as his sister loves to spend time with the babies, he was so sure Susan was trying to avoid bumping into Tony again. Whatever happened the day she saw Tony, his sister was not prepared to do the same again. But he knows that if she wants to talk about it, she will and God help you, you had better listen. “What, why the smile, brother”, Susan asked playfully. “Nothing, just loving you”, Dick replied. “Oh Dick, I love you too, so much”, she cried, touching him gently on the cheek. “It will be okay, whatever it is, it will be okay”, he said truthfully as he cupped her hand. “Thanks, I do appreciate what you are doing”, she said quietly. “I’ve got to go. See you all tomorrow but I think Mum, Dora and Chico will be arriving without me. I have to finish up some documentation by tomorrow. Won’t be late, promise”, she said as she picked up her handbag. “You late, ha, I am yet to see that day. Just want you to take good care of yourself, ok?” “I will, promise. And kiss the three for me”. “Sure thing, bye”, Dick said as he walked her to the door and gave her a parting kiss.
