CHAPTER 2 : OPEN YOUR HEART

Charlotte was crowling through house with Nicks hat on her little head , pretending that she is sneaking closer to wild horse and Nick followed her. All the time, they were whispering.

NICK: "Stay quiet, so we do not scare him away."

CHARLOTTE: "We won t. See how sleepy he is", said Charlotte pointing to Alex who was laying on the ground, snoaring – well, pretending that he is in full sleep mode.

Nick and charlotte were just few feets away from him when Alex jumped and grabbed Charlotte. Little girl screamed:

CHARLOTTE: "Uncle Nick, save me!"

NICK: "Sorry, BOM, nothing I can do – this horse is totally wild, probably mentally ill!', as he said that, Alex started to tickle Charlotte and she giggled trying to free, but she couldnt do it from laughing.

Claire was gaying through window when Tess came out of the bathroom wipping her hair with towel. She watched her sister and smiled. Claire turned around, noticing her smile.

CLAIRE: "What?"

TESS: "Nerver saw you in that nightgown."

Claire looked at her long white nightgown and smiled:

CLAIRE: "Brings lots of memories back.

Tess hopped on bed:

TESS: "Nice or bad?"

CLAIRE: "Very nice", she sat down on bed beside Tess "I wear it when I was in Melbourne three and half years ago", he winked to Tess and Tesss face covered with smile.

TESS: "Oooohhh, that!", she nudged her sister lightly "I wonder how did it all looked like! I wish that I was flew on wall in your hotel room!"

CLAIRE: "You recon that you would like everything – even to watch things afterwards…", asked Claire, with her eyebrows up.

TESS: "Claire McLeod Ryan!", they both bursted to laugh and layed down on pillows. They looked to the wall above them and stayed quiet for few moments. Than Tess said:

TESS: "Well, I am glad that you two ended up together, you are meant for each other!"

Claire smiled , still looking at the wall. After a minute, Claire asked:

CLAIRE: "Tess?"

TESS: "Mmm?"

CLAIRE: "What is going on with you and Nick?", she asked carefully.

Every time Claire tried to talk to her sister about Nick, Tess was always finding excuses. On the other hand, whenever Tess started to talk about her emotions, someone would showed up or call, or something would come up…Simply, they couldnt find right moment for sister – talk.

Now, they were alone, miles away from home and despite Claire thought that Tess will back up – she didnt.

TESS: "I dont know", she sat up in the bed.

Claire sat up, too, putting her hand on Tesss shoulder. Tess sighed.

TESS: "Ever since Dave came back and Nick and I broke up, we never had discussed that dissagrement", tess painfully closed her eyes , thinking of that time and how Nick thought that something still happens between her and Dave. And, when Dave left , it seemed to Tess that Nick never showed interest in being together again with Tess. Tesss eyes waterened on that memory.

TESS: "I mean, since Dave left, Nick had never tried to bring up issue about us being together again. I never loved Dave like I love Nick, but he is so stubborn and close, I cant reach him, Claire! How can I say what I feel when he wont listen? You cant just stop loving someone like that- I mean, he works with me, sees me everyday and if there is nothing ther", Tesss voice broke in tears "Than maybe he didnt loved me the way I thought he did!", she buried her face in her hands and sobbed loudly. Claire hugged her tightly and pulled her toward herself, leaning her sisters face on her shoulder. Tess cried uncontrollably, her whole body was shaking from it, but Claire knew she needed it, so she let her to cry it all out, hugging her and whispering to her:

CLAIRE: "Thats good. Cry it all out. Get it out of your system."

After 15 minutes, tess slowly started to calm down. Claire caressed her sisters silky hair.

CLAIRE: "Feel better?"

Tess blowed her nose and than replied:

TESS: "Much better. Thanx, Claire."

CLAIRE: "You are welcome. Now, wanna know what I think?"

Tess nodded.

CLAIRE: "I think he is scared."

Tess got confused expression on her face.

TESS: "Scared?"

Claire nodded.

TESS: "Of what?", she asked.

CLAIRE: "Of being hurt again."

TESS: "But, I didnt wanted to hurt him! It is all because he didnt wanted to listen to me, to let me explain!"

CLAIRE: "I know. But, put yourself in his shoes – what would you do if Sally comes back and Nick lets her to stay in his house?"

Tess protested.

TESS: "Thats not same."

CLAIRE: "How come?"

TESS: "They werent engaged."

Claire gave her a look.

TESS: Okay, I know it doesnt matter!", she looked to Claire, speechless.

CLAIRE: "So?"

TESS: "I would freaked out", she admitted.

Claire nodded and than said:

CLAIRE: "Thats right. However, I agree on one thing with you; you two must talk things out."

TESS: "Like he will listen!", she said tiredly.

CLAIRE: "Well, if you really love him, dont give up."

Sisters shared a look.

TESS: "You are right. You are right. I wont."