Zarah

I listened to Jason's message over and over again.

He sounded as miserable as I feel.

He has been calling me everyday. Leaving me sweet messages. Just asking how I'm doing. Saying that he misses me. He continuously reminds me that he's still waiting until I'm ready to see and talk to him again.

But his last message was different. He sounded desperate. He was pleading.

He said he's leaving for New York for a few days, but he didn't say why.

I shrugged. He probably has some business to take care of.

Am I ready to see him?

Do I want to see him?

Yes.

I sighed. After our last conversation I've been doing a lot of thinking. About everything. I thought about how sincere and honest he sounded when he apologized. I can see regret written all over his face... His eyes. I also thought about what Ara said to my sister about forgiving the ones we love.

"People makes mistakes, what's important is that we realize it, and we make amends..."

Isn't that what Jason has been doing?

"He's here now. He wants to be with you." Ellie said.

Yes, he does and he's shown you that in every way he can, I told myself.

It's your turn now Zarah. What do you want to do?

***

"Aunt Zarah, aunt Zarah" Lia ran to me.

"Hi, love bug!"

"You come to see my babies?"

I laughed. "Yes, and you of course."

She grinned up at me.

"Where are the munchkins?"

"They're here," my brother came strolling into the family room with the twins.

I rushed over and cooed at the twins.

"We always come second these days," he muttered.

I laughed. "Hi, big brother."

"Hi! It's okay. Go back to admiring my perfect twins," he said grinned down at the twins.

I laughed. Mass is so in love with his kids it's wonderful to see.

The twins started getting fuzzy and started crying.

"It's actually past time for their nap," he said.

"Let me help you EJ," Ara started to say.

"No cara, it's okay. I've got this. You visit with my sister. Lia will be daddy's helper today, right princess?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" She said excitedly. "Mommy you'll waits for me right?"

Ara chuckled. "Yes baby. I won't start baking without you," Ara said and kissed her chubby cheeks.

"I'll see you in a bit Zarah bear!"

"Later, big bully," I retorted, earning a chuckle from my brother.

Once they were gone. I turned to Ara.

"Wow, 3 kids under the age of 4. How do you do it?" I asked Ara.

She laughed and shrugged. "I love them. I love taking care of them. Besides, I have your brother and he's amazing with the kids. He helps me out a lot. Specially with the twins and the night feedings. Lia too. She always wants to get involved. She's such a good mommy and daddy's helper. It's tiring you know, but once you see the smile or hear their laugh, you forget all about it."

I smiled and nodded.

"But hey, enough about the kids. How are you doing?" She asked.

Immediately, tears welled up in my eyes.

"Oh, Zarah," she said as she came over to me and hugged me.

"What's wrong?"

I then told Zarah about what happened between Jason and I, over a year ago.

"Oh god, Zar. I had no idea. I mean, I suspected that something must have happened between you two, for you to be avoiding each other. I didn't know it was because he said all those cruel things to you. I don't understand. The way you two looked at each other that night..." She trailed off.

Why is everybody saying that? The way we looked at each other? I must have looked at Jason like a lovesick puppy, but he didn't return the feeling.

"I can't believe Jason said those things," she shook her head in disbelief. "But the papers... The two of you..." She said in confusion.

"I know. I... I... I don't know. When I saw him again, everything came back full force. The anger, the hurt, the humiliation. So I thought I'd get back at him. Make him fall in love with me, but this time, I'm the one who's going to walk away."

"Oh Zar..."

"I know. It was stupid. What I didn't consider is how I felt for him. How much I still love him in spite of everything. I lost to my own game..."

Ara gave me a sad smile. "You were angry and hurt..."

"Yes. I was. I've been cruel Ara. He apologized to me. So many times. He showed me how sincere he was about everything. But, I hardened my heart to him. I acted like I have forgiven him and that all is forgotten, when the truth is..."

"You're scared," she cut in.

I look at her...

She smiled sadly. "You're scared that once you give your heart to him again, he's going to hurt you again."

Oh god... Yes.

I nodded. "I never wanted to admit that. It was a lot easier to hold on to my anger than admit that I still loved him and I'm afraid to trust him with my heart again." I wiped away the tears that rolled down my cheeks. "He broke my heart, Ara. I don't want to ever feel that kind of pain again," I said.

"I understand, but you can't let that fear win, Zar. You won't ever be happy if you continue to live in fear. Look, I can't tell you what to do, when it comes to Jason. But if you love him then take a leap of faith. Take a chance. Risk it all."

"I don't know if I can..." I sobbed.

"What's the alternative? To be safe but alone? That's not living, Zar. That's existing. I want to believe that love is worth all the pain and heartbreak in the world. Don't let one bad experience scare you away from happiness, Zar."

I sobbed and hugged her.

Massimo

So, what did you and my sister talk about? I didn't say anything because of Lia, but you two seemed emotional," I asked Ara.

"EJ..." She groaned.

I know that sound. She doesn't want to tell me.

"Cara..."

"Mass what your sister and I talked about is... Girl talk okay?"

"Was it about Jason? I swear if that asshole did something. If he..."

"EJ, stop!"

"So it is because of Jason. Damn it!"

"Mass, look I don't want you to meddle..."

I try to say something but she shook her head and continued talking.

"... I know she's your sister, and she's mine too. You know I love her. But you have to let them figure this out. You have to respect Zarah's wishes. She doesn't want us to get involved, especially you."

"But she talked to you," I argued.

"Yes, to ask for advice. Look it's a woman thing," she said cheekily, throwing my own words back at me about the 'it's a man thing' speech I have her.

Damn. My wife knows how to get to me.

"Fine," I grumbled. "Is she okay though?"

Arabella smiled. "I think so... She's smart and kind. She knows what to do."

I nodded. "I'm just worried. I'm worried about both of them."

"I know honey, but we can't interfere. Let's just give them the chance to fix it between them. Let's just be there for the both of them. It wouldn't help for you to get all protective and get mad at Jason or your sister. That won't be helping the situation. Just be there for your sister and your best friend, just like how they were there for you... For us when we were going through a difficult time," she said.

I sighed and smiled down at my wife. she always knows just what to say. She has the biggest heart, I have ever known. She forgave despite all my short comings. "You're right. I love you, sweetheart."

"Love you too, EJ."

I kissed her and showed her exactly how much I loved her.

Zarah

I walk inside Jason's building.

"Is Jason in?" I asked the man in charge.

"Yes Ms. Anastasi."

"Would you let him know, I'm here to see him. Actually, no wait. I want to surprise him. Is there any way..." I trailed off.

The man, smiled. I look over to his name tag. Calvin...

"You're in the green list Ms. Anastasi. You may go up."

I looked at him in surprise. "Green list?"

He smiled. "I have strict instruction that the people in the green list are allowed entry, no questions asked."

"How did you know who I am?"

"Your picture ma'm and you were with Mr. Henderson a little over a week ago. He added you to the list that same day."

Picture? What?

"I don't know the code to his private elevator..."

"Here ma'm," he said handing me a card. I looked at it and it has my name and picture on it.

Ok... This is not weird at all. I thought to my self. How did he even get a picture of me?

"Just tap the card on the screen and it will grant you access to the elevator," he said.

I nodded. "Okay. Thank you."

"You're welcome Ms. Anastasi."

I head to the elevator and I tap my card on the screen. The doors open immediately and I step inside.

My heart is pounding in my chest.

The doors open and I step inside Jason's place.

He was standing there wide eyes. Looking at me.

"Hi," I said.

"Hi."

I walk over to him slowly, and he met me halfway. I didn't get a chance to say anything because he crushed me to him.