#4 The Suitcases

Lily ran along the edge of the conveyor belt, searching for their bag. She remembered that they had tied a bit of bright cloth on their suitcase to distinguish it from the other black suitcases. As they watched, Lucy tiredly thought, "Two kids, one really big suitcase, one moderately pregnant belly which all needed to go down the escalator and to the train. She wondered how much the tickets were now. Did she have to pay for the kids? The last time she was in Chicago seemed so long ago. Lily started jumping and down screaming "There is our bag. Get it mami. Get it! Apurate! Hurry! As Lucy stepped forward to haul the bag off the belt, a voice behind her said, "I'll get it."
She looked up and saw her brother-in-law , Phil, sweep the bag off the belt with a grin. "We thought we'd surprise you". He nodded his head and she saw Martha approaching. She looked around for the girls and found them behind her, clinging to her skirt , suddenly shy.
"Look Lily, look Cilla it's Aunt Martha"
Martha knew children and didn't crowd them. She pulled two little wrapped gifts out of her bag and did what any good aunt does: Bribed them with gifts for a hug. It worked and while the girls were occupied with hugs and presents, she turned to Phil. She hugged him and started to thank him, but as soon as she felt the strength in his embrace, she dissolved into his arms and much to her surprise, burst in to tears. The trip had been so hard and the relief of having some help blindsided her emotions. She wept for a moment in his embrace, then took a breath and tried to smile.
"Hey I'm happy to see you too. Are you ok? Is there another suitcase? We were going to bring the car, but we have no car seats. Should we get a cab.?"
Lucy said "I promised Lily the train. It will be great now that you guys can help me with the girls. She tore Martha away from the girls and their new coloring books long enough to hug her
"Martha, you are a godsend. I'm having culture shock or something."
Surly little Pricilla took an instant liking to her Aunt Martha and cooperated with hand holding and careful steps down the escalator. Lily, loath to leave Marta, took Lucy's hand and Phil followed with the suitcase. Lucy's felt her burden lightened, at least for the moment and practically floated onto the train.
Phil settled into a seat beside Lucy and as the train pulled out, commented " I half expected to see my brother standing there with you."
"That would have been great, but he has so many things to finish up. I didn't want to wait any longer because of the baby."
"When do you think he will come? Your baby won't wait forever."
Lucy laughed, "I sure hope not! I think he should be able to leave in a month. Six weeks at the latest."
"Is he the same Lucy?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know driven, perfectionist, so serious about every thing?"