Dreams, Memories & Keys

Chapter 11 - Visitors

Susan flew to New York after work on Friday, October 2nd, only six days following her birthday dinner out with Zack, Kelly, and Milly. She arrived late enough she took a taxi home from the airport. It was the middle of the night when Susan let herself into their New York home. Leaving her luggage downstairs in the hall, she went up the stairs as quietly as she could, changed into her nightclothes and slipped into bed with Greg. He stirred as she snuggled up against him, wrapping an arm around him while he slept.

Greg opened one eye. "Welcome home," he whispered, returning her embrace.

"Thank you. Good night," Susan whispered back, content to fall asleep in her husband's arms.

c

Greg awoke early the next morning to find Susan sleeping soundly beside him. It felt like a dream when she came home in the middle of the night and joined him in their bed. But as he more fully awoke, he knew it was right. Susan was home. He held her close, feeling her steady breathing as she continued to sleep. Greg smiled in contentment to have her home, kissed her on the top of the head and slid from their bed. He and Jessie were attending the early service at their nearby Temple that morning, with the intent of spending as much of the day as they could with Susan afterwards.

c

When Susan woke several hours later, it was to the sound of Greg and Jessie returning from Temple and carrying her luggage up the stairs.

"Oh, good morning. Thank you for doing that," Susan told them, meeting them at the top of the steps, still in her night dress.

"Good morning," Greg replied, coming to kiss her cheek.

"Good morning Mama," Jessie told her with a hug. "We are glad you are home."

"I am too," Susan assured her, going to kiss Jessie next. "Are the two of you coming or going?" she asked after observing how they were dressed.

"We are returning. Jessie and I have attended the earliest service possible at Temple and are planning to spend the rest of the day with you, in whatever way you would like," Greg told her.

"Also ... we want to celebrate your birthday," Jessie told her. "Because we missed it again."

Susan smiled. "I would like to celebrate with you too, though I did have a very nice birthday dinner out with Zack, Kelly, and the baby last weekend."

"Did you go out for Mexican food?" Jessie wanted to know.

"As a matter of fact, we did," Susan told her. "Milly can smile now. She's working on holding up her head, and was very good, considering this was probably her first time at a restaurant."

"It sounds to me like you are enjoying being a grandmother," Greg remarked.

"I am," Susan told him. "You get all the fun of being with and interacting with a baby, without the mind-numbing tiredness or constant care."

"Which is very similar to what Shelly said after her recent visit to California," Greg told her.

Susan smiled. "It sounds like the kids really did appreciate her being there."

"Because of their finals, Mama?" Jessie asked.

"Yes," Susan told her.

"So, they managed to successfully complete the summer term?" Greg asked.

"It sounds like it," Susan replied. "They started fall term classes while I was in California. That so far is a bit more challenging because Kelly is taking more than one class."

"How many is she taking?" Jessie wanted to know.

"Three," Susan answered.

Jessie frowned slightly. "I have six. It seems like she should be able to do three, even with a baby."