Another Beginning

• THIRTY FOUR •

Maine

As I showed Alden the photos in the album, one photo got his attention. It was a photo of Nana Rose sitting on a rocking chair and she is holding both Enzo and Katie in her arms.  I remember when I took that picture.  The twins were only twelve weeks old then but they are already so familiar with her. She will come to visit us everyday, even after we came home from hospital, and the twins were happy every time she comes to visit. I remember one time when I was needed to go to New York for two days, she was the one who came along and took care of the twins in the hotel room, while I was working.

Nana Rose taught Enzo and Katie a lot of things too. She taught them how to be respectful to the elderly and to be giving and loving towards others. I know Nana Rose will always hold a special place in the twin's heart, sometimes I hear them singing their special song.

Alden lifted the album closer to his face to see the photo better.

"Hon, who is this lady?"  He finally asked. 

"Oh her, she's Nana Rose,"  I casually replied.

I miss Nana Rose.

"Okay, but who is she?"  He asked again, emphasizing on the who.

I wonder why the sudden interest with Nana Rose.

"Well Nana Rose is a very sweet lady who I met in the hospital while I was in labor and she was there when I gave birth to the twins.  She is a volunteer who cuddles newborn in the NICU.  When I was in labor, it took a few hours before Frances came because she was not in the city that time." I glanced at my hand, thinking of that day. I was really scared and have never felt so alone. "The hospital was short of volunteers that time, and Nana Rose was just getting off her duty then when she heard one of the nurses asking if the Neonatal Care have extra volunteers. She asked what help is needed and agreed to stay with me.  You see, she is doing this out of compassion to newborn babies and new mothers like me who does not have anyone to take care of them when they are in labor." Alden takes my hand and kisses it. "She took care of my needs like getting things such as water, ice, or magazines. She sat by me and held my hand while I am having contractions. In short, she was my support system that time."

As I look at Alden, I see tears forming in his eyes.

Is he crying? Why?

"I am so sorry hon that you have to go through that, alone. I am sorry that I was not there. I am sorry that I was not the one who held your hand when you are in pain." He kissed my hand again and started caressing it, looking at me, remorse etched on his face.

"It's all right hon. You didn't know. It doesn't matter now. What matters is that you are here and you stayed." I reached out to his face and cupped his cheeks, kissing it. I tasted the saltiness of his tears. "Why are you crying?" I asked.

"Because I regret not being there with you but also because I am in awe. Can I tell you something?" He tells me, sitting upright but tightening his hold on my middle.

"Of course you can tell me anything."

"You may not believe me, or find that what I am about to tell you is ridiculous but it happened and I really feel that God has orchestrated all these." He tells me, his eyes filled with tears but I can see pure happiness and love in his face.