Ch 32

The party was in full swing when the doorbell rang. Bette and Tina looked at each others knowing that the moment was upon them. Bette squeezed Tinas hand reassuring her and looked around her to see if Alice and Dana have emerged from their hiding place or not.
She whispered in Tinas ears and said, Tina you better go and get Alice and Dana because I dont want either of us to have to explain or tell them the whole thing again. So please go and get them out no matter what.
Tina had a smile on her face; she squeezed Bettes hand back.
Tina: Ok Bette I think it is better if they hear it first hand, I will go and get them.
Bette: Thank you darling. Are you sure you are up to this?
Tina: Bette I will be all right as long as you are on my side.
Bette: Tina baby I am not going anywhere, no way I am here forever.
Tina: B I love you.
Bette: T I love you more.
Tina left the living room heading to the bedroom seeking Alice and Dana. She was feeling lifted and somehow excited and not scared at all. She was sure of Bettes complete love and devotion to her and her children. Bette took her time in answering the door and walked slowly dreading the whole thing. The doorbell rang again. Bette opened the door and saw smiling Mary and Daniel standing holding a wine bottle and a bunch of flowers each. Bette smiled at them and kissed Mary on the cheeks first then kissed Daniel.
Bette: Oh I am so glad to see you both, come in please, come in. I have a big surprise for you.
Mary and Daniel looked at each others and wondered what has Bette in store for them.
Mary: Oh Bette you are full of surprises what is it?
Daniel: Bette it is not what we know?
Mary: What? What is it that you two know that I dont know?
Bette: Never mind that now. I have a bigger surprise than that.
Daniel was intrigued what could be bigger than having a baby he thought to himself.
Bette: Here come inside and see for yourself.
Mary and Daniel walked inside and to the living room and saw all of Bettes friends their and her sister Kit.
Alice and Dana were there too. Tina walked over and stood next to Bette and held her hand.
Bette: Mary, Daniel this is my family and friends. And this is my wife to be Tina.
Mary and Daniel exchanged pleasantries with all the girls and were a bit surprised to see Tina back with Bette.
They remember Natasha telling them something about Bettes previous partner but they didnt know that she was back. That was interesting
Mary: Hello Tina it is really good to have finally met you. Natasha, our sister, told us about you.
Daniel: Yah she told us so much about you but she forgot to mention how beautiful you are.
Bette: Well Natasha didnt get to meet Tina Daniel, but you are right she is beautiful, isnt she?
Tina was blushing now and felt embarrassed by Daniels compliments.
Tina: Thank you Daniel, Mary, I am flattered.
Bette took Marys hand in hers and Tina took Daniels hand in hers and the all walked towards the centre of the living room where Jack was still sitting.
Bette: Mary, Daniel here is your surprise.
Jack looked up and jumped off the sofa as if been bitten by a bee or something. Mary and Daniel looked at each others and couldnt believe their eyes. Jack covered his eyes and started to cry. He couldnt believe his eyes either. Bette and Tina held each others hand tightly and stood their watching the drama unfolding not withholding their tears either. Bette spoke with broken voice.
Bette: Mary, Daniel this is your big brother Jack Jubraan. Jack this is your sister Mary and your young brother Daniel Jubraan.
Jack was very upset now and he couldnt hold it. He rushed form his side and took Mary and Daniel in his arms held them tight and started kissing them and they all cried together tears of joy and happiness. Bette and Tina looked on with tears in their eyes too and joined in with the Jubraan family hugging them and kissing them too. The scene was very tense and full of emotions and it took the rest of the girls by surprise and they were all wandering what the ***** has happened?
Alice and Dana walked over to Bette and Tinas side and stared at them with wide eyes and with hundred of questions on their minds.
Jack, Mary, and Daniel regained their composure still not believing their eyes. What a massive shock to the system that was?
Jack: Mary my god you still look the same. And you Daniel my dear young brother, oh my God how much Ive missed you all!! I have been looking for you for such a long, long time. Oh my God I am so happy to see your two again. Bette, Tina thank you. Thank you so much for inviting me here tonight to meet my long lost family. Oh my God I still cant believe it!
Bette: Jack we are sorry to have kept you waiting to see them but you know why. Anyway, this is the first day of the rest of your life with them so you better start by telling them everything like youve promised.
Tina: Well not just yet, you can spend sometime with your family first. We are not going anywhere.
Jack: Thank you Tina you are very kind.
Mary: What is it Jack what are you not telling us?
Daniel: You know how happy we are to have met you and seen you again really. You dont have to tell us now if it is too upsetting, we can understand.
Jack: No Daniel I will tell you. I will tell you all what has happened and then it is up to you judge me. I am not going to hide or lie anymore. It is time for the sake of my children, Tina and Bette and for your sakes too.
But first tell me Mary. How is mom and dad? Are they still alive and do you see much of them?
Mary: Well yes they are still alive and kicking. They are going to be so happy to see you again, I am sure of it.
Although we dont have much contact with them but we know where they live and Daniel and I go with our children to visit them from time to time. They are doing fine. But I am so sorry to tell you that our little sister has sadly passed away, but she has a beautiful little boy with Bette and his name is Sasha.
Jack: Oh yes I am sorry Mary I know about my little sister and her boy. Bette has told me everything about her and about her heart problem. I am so sorry to put you through this again Mary and you Bette too. You were very kind and loving to my sister and I thank you again for making her happy and for devoting your life to Sasha. You are a wonderful woman. We all are lucky to have you in our lives.
Bette: Please Jack dont thank me. I loved Natasha and still love her and I love our little boy more than my life itself. It is I who was privileged and blessed to have met your sister Natasha. And now I want to thank you for bringing love back into my life again by letting go of Tina and the children, Beatrice and Melvin.
Thank you Jack really. You have made me the happiest woman alive.
Bette looked at Tina and touched her hand tenderly and kissed her lightly on the lips. Tina was moved to tears again so was everyone watching and listening. They all have known Natasha and known how much shes meant to Bette and they all love Sasha and dote on him. And now they are so happy that Tina is back as well in Bettes life and everything is going to be fine, just fine.
Mary, Daniel and rest of the girls were a bit puzzled and had the look in their eyes. They wanted to hear the whole story and know all the details of Tinas disappearance and sudden appearance too.
Alice: Hold on a minute here. What is it you are not telling us? This whole thing has so many holes in it and I for one would like to hear the whole drama details from A to Z, so someone better start talking!
Bettes stomach knotted and her throat felt like a stone. She looked at Tina and Tina looked at Jack. Jack looked back at them and he knew that it was time to divulge all and to tell the whole story. He stood up in the middle of the living room twisting his hands and wiping his sweaty forehead.
Jack: Please everyone I have something to tell you all so can you come here and sit down. This might take sometime and dont want anyone to be uncomfortable. Is that ok with you Bette?
Bette: Jack it is, take your time.
Jack: And you Tina are you comfortable with me talking?
Tina: Yes Jack, go ahead.
Jack: Thank you Tina, Bette.
Jacks heart skipped a beat. This is it. No hiding now. The moment he dreaded the most in his life is upon him. Oh My God. Jack started calmly to explain what happened to him when he was a boy, then he went on telling them about his life as a grown up man living on his own, and then carried on and on until he came to the part where he knocked Tina down and nearly caused her death.
That is when the whole room erupted. Alice started by shouting abuse at him followed by Dana. Kit was upset and couldnt believe what she was hearing. Mary wanted to defend her brother and Daniel stood up wanting to leave. It was chaotic, hysterical and nearly got out of hand if it wasnt for Tinas calm. She stood up and firmly shouted at all of them.
Tina: Sit down all of you, please. Alice, Dana, please calm down. Daniel please dont go! Please I beg you all to calm down and give Jack a chance to speak. This is not easy by any means, not on him and not on me. So give him a chance to finish and then you can have your say. Drink anyone?
Bette looked at Tina supporting her and feeling very proud of her for handling the situation very well. She stood up and went to the kitchen to fetch more wine. When she came back everyone was waiting for her as if they were dying of thirst. She refilled their glasses and made her way back to Tinas side gave her a quick kiss and sat down next to her holding her hand in hers firmly.
Jack began to talk again and this time the room was silent. But deep down Alice was boiling and she wanted to smack him one. Kit was angry with him too and she wanted to give him a piece of her mind. Marina was feeling sorry for him, but she couldnt forgive him yet. Mary and Daniel were absolutely gob smacked and couldnt believe what has become of their brother. Jack carried on talking and explaining to them what, why, how, and when hoping that they will not erupt in his face again and worrying mostly about his sisters and brothers reaction the most. His stomach was twisting and turning and his heart was fluttering and he couldnt keep his sweating under control. Every now and then he would look at Tina beseeching her to carry on but Tina wasnt going to do that. He promised her and Bette and he has to keep his promise no matter what. It took him all evening before he finally said and now here we all are.