Family is Forever

Chapter 67-they're here!

The next day Ollie stood awkwardly at the arrivals gate at holby airport. Colette was at home with Zosia, Ali and little Ela. Ollie knew she would be telling them of Marta's arrival about now. He knew Zosia was doing a little better, she'd got dressed at least. He was exhausted, he'd barely slept. He'd crept up the stairs to the attic room to check on Ali every half hour. He'd cried when Colette rang him up and told him about Ali's planned suicide during his shift yesterday. So much so Jac told him to take a time out in her office, after rolling her eyes of course. He didn't know if he'd even recognise Zosia and Ali's grandmother he'd seen a few photos but in those Zosia was a teen and Ali was a toddler so they must have been about 13 years old. The flight from Kraków had just landed and the first few passengers were coming in. It was like the scene from love actually where everyone was kissing and hugging in the arrivals hall. Ollie knew who she was as soon as he saw her. She had Ali's green eyes and a look of Zosia too. He went up to meet her. "You must be Martha... hi... urm... cześć."
"Ol-EE-ver." She had a very strong accent "hello. I am Marta no Martha." She said sternly but her eyes were kind. "I no speak anglish good. To meet you is nice." Ollie racked his brain for the Polish Ali had taught him. "Miło cię poznać. Nie mówie po Polsku." He tried speaking slowly. He hadn't expected that she wasn't bilingual as although Ali and Klaudia were born in Poland, Ali spoke like a native and Klaudia had an accent but spoke word perfect English. He took Marta's case "dziękuję," she finally smiled. He took her out to the car. "Have you been here..to England before?" He asked her. "Two times, for Ania's wedding and, her funeral." Marta smiled sadly. The journey was silent so he put on the radio so it wouldn't be awkward.
"I have news." Colette smiled as she passed Ali a glass of orange juice in the kitchen. "Yeah?"
"Your Babcia is currently flying over the sea. She's coming to stay with you. Ali dropped the glass on the floor and it smashed. Her eyes filled with emotion. "My Babcia. Marta???"
"That's right." Collette replied. Ali broke into the biggest smile Colette had ever seen. She giggled. "Sorry about the juice." She bent to clear it up. "I'll see to that, you go get changed you've got orange juice all over your leggings." Colette smiled. As Ali ran upstairs Colette went into the lounge and told Zosia who was happy but had a rather more muted reaction than Ali.
"Ah cool. I should change the bed." She said while passing Ela blocks she was using to build and then knock down towers. "It's done." Colette smiled. "Cool thanks."
Ali, Zosia and Ela all talk to Marta in Polish
Ali came downstairs in her jeans and her favourite top. She stood by the window jumping from one foot to the other. "Natalia sit down." Zosia said but Ali continued to stand by the window. "They're here." She ran to the door and straight into the arms of her Grandmother. Marta put her arms around her granddaughter and they were both weeping. Ollie went and stood by the door with Zosia and kissed her gently. Zosia looked at her family members "they were always so close." Zosia smiled tenderly "yeah?" Ollie asked happy that Zosia seemed happy. "Babcia was like a mama to Natalia. Me and my mama went to Poland for Mother's Day one year. Ali was in the first year of school. They'd all made cards for their mamas but Natalia made hers for Babcia. When Babcia asked why, she said that the teacher told them that they should thank their mums for everything that they do like tucking the kids in bed, reading them stories, cooking the dinner and Natalia just told Babcia you do that for me not my mama so I made you my card. It was fine though. Babcia got her some paper and crayons and she made one for Klaudia too." Zosia smiled at the memory. Ollie was so happy to see her smile. "She's not like I expected." Ollie said "I expected a little old lady with a grey perm." He looked at Marta's short dark hair "she's a formidable woman. But so sweet behind it." Zosia smiled. Ali and Marta broke their embrace "Let's go inside, it's cold out here." Ali smiled in Polish. "And you call yourself Polish?" Marta teased back. As they went inside Ollie went and got Marta's suitcase from the back of the car. Marta gently embraced Zosia. "How are you doing Kochaine." She asked tenderly the tenderness caused Zosia to tell the truth "putting up a good face for a bad game." She used the Polish idiom. As they walked into the living room Ela recognised the Polish language. "Hi lady. I'm Ela." She smiled up in Polish. "Hello little Ela, I'm Marta." She smiled "she's not.." Marta looked at Zosia. "No she's our friends daughter, do you remember Colette?" At hearing her name Colette came in from the kitchen. "Hello Marta," Colette smiled "would you like a drink?" Ali translated for her Grandmother and told Colette she'd love some tea. "I'll put the kettle on and take Ela into the kitchen. Allow the three of you to talk." She said pointedly then looked to her daughter "Come on Ela, lets see if we can find you some biscuits."
"Chocolate ones?"
"We'll have to see what Zosia has." Colette smiled as her daughter followed her into the kitchen.
"Oh my girls." Marta said "if you needed me you should have phoned me. I was phoned by Oliver in tears last night, your aunt Aleksandra had to translate for me."
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to worry you." Ali looked at the floor.
"Natalia, I worry about you always. You as well Zosia. And Poland's not so far away. I know you are both sick so I worry about you and pray about you. When you spoke to me on Wigilia you told me you were ok. You obviously were not. I am not angry I love you." She leaned over to kiss Zosia's cheek then to the other side of her to kiss Ali's head.  "I love you both very much."