Mother's Issue

Thelma was no longer crying. It dawned on her that if Caroline was handling her tribulation bravely then she must also do the same.

"Mother, please don't treat John differently, even though Joseph is his brother he had no idea that his brother is the evil one, he was also suffering inside and also a victim of his brother's evilness," Catherine pleaded.

Thelma nodded her head in agreement. "Okay, there's nothing to worry regarding that issue my child, I won't condemn John because his brother is evil. John is John and Joseph is Joseph...I know the difference," she said.

Catherine hugged her mother affectionately. "Thank you so much for your understanding, Mother. I feel so much better now that we had finally discussed this important issue, this has been bothering me for a while...but now...I can finally rest my heart from constant worrying. Mother now that it's all over...let's look forward to the church wedding," she said excitedly trying to expel the depressing air that surrounded them.

Catherine reached for her old phone from the bedside table and gave it to Thelma. "Mother, starting from now you must learn how to use a touch screen cellphone, don't worry because this mobile device is easy to navigate, Grace will teach you how to use it," she said.

Grace went to Thelma's side. "Don't worry, Auntie, I will teach you everything," she said.

Thelma and Grace stayed for another hour in the flat. Then they finally bid goodbye to Catherine and her babies and go back to Cavite City before sunset. John was not able to see her mother-in-law because he had a business meeting outside the building.

~~~o0o~~~

~ Susan's Mansion~

Susan brought infant dresses and toys for baby James and baby Angel.

Catherine was staring at the clothes and toys and smiled brightly in amazement at her mother-in-law's effort. It will be a few years before the babies will be able to appreciate the toys, but she was thankful just the same because Susan was keen on showering her grandchildren with material things as well giving them her unconditional love and care to exhibit her doting grandmother side.

She can very well see the happiness in Susan's face while babysitting the babies above the queen size bed.

Mike sat beside Catherine on the chair. "How are you, Cath?"

She looked at him. "I'm fine, Mike. How about you?"

Mike showed her a little smile. "Recovering..."

"Recovering from what?" she asked him.

"You know...from my achy breaky heart," he answered jokingly and laughed.

Catherine smiled at Mike. "Don't worry the right person will surely come in your life, just keep believing," she said.

"Okay, as you say so," he said. "By the way...the church wedding will finally happening two months from now, is there any chance my mother and I will be invited to the wedding? We really love to attend my brother's wedding," Mike said in a wishful tone.

Catherine scratches her head, she was having trouble finding the right words to say to Mike. Of course, she wanted to invite Susan and Mike but her mother-in-law Clara will also be there, she sighed, she was in a difficult situation. "Hmm...honestly I don't know what John's decision will be. You have to ask your brother, Mike, regarding that matter but if you ask me, I want you and mother Susan to be there to attend the wedding but my other mother-in-law Clara will also be there. Hope you understand my situation, Mike," she was asking for his understanding.

Mike drummed his fingers on his legs. "Okay, I understand your situation, Cath! I think there's no need for us to ask my brother John about the wedding, just to avoid burdening him. I will just convince my mother not to insist on attending the wedding so that trouble can be avoided," he said.

"I'm so sorry, Mike," Catherine said feeling guilty all of a sudden.

Mike smiled at Catherine. "It's okay, Cath. No need to say sorry, it's not your fault."

He rose to his feet and walked towards baby James, he picked up the toddler and carried him outside. "I will take baby James to the swimming pool area," he said to Catherine before he exited the door.

Catherine went to Susan's side.

"Did Mike pester you about attending the wedding?" Susan asked.

Catherine nodded her head. "Yes, Mother."

"Don't think too much about it. I mean, I already decided not to attend the wedding because Hector's wife Clara might accidentally know of the truth and I don't want to ruin the wedding day," Susan said.

"I'm so sorry, Mother," Catherine said feeling uneasy.

Susan smiled at her daughter in law. "Don't be sad, Catherine. I'm just thankful that I finally got to met my son and finally he acknowledged me as his biological mother, that is more than enough for me."

Susan continues showering affection on her granddaughter, kissing baby Angels pinkish cheeks, arms, and legs. She knows that once Clara will come back into the country, it will be hard for her to see her grandchildren again, only a few weeks left for her to enjoy the babies, she felt dishearten already. She loved and adored her grandchildren so much, she wants to see them always. She will be missing them terribly in the months to come, she becomes teary-eyed all of a sudden.