Finding a Happy Ever After

Perhaps it was because she had so much on her mind. Every mile took her farther away from the home she had shared wit

ther's

of the journey talking about all the things he planned to do with Grandpa. From playing games

still has those funny slipp

rough the rearview mirro

hat look li

look like a duck, Charlie. T

understand fashion," Cha

g. "Fashion? Since when did

was bor

her head. "He

ealous," Char

wh

fash

a remarkable ability to turn even the most ordinary conversation into a comedy show. She wished she

driveway beside her father's por

e had apparently been enjoying the afternoon outside, but the moment he recognize

dre

had just announced that she h

oor and stepped out

y,

two seconds, Edwar

d voices shatte

AND

nd raced toward him. Edward immediately forgo

ttle bundl

he hugged them tightly, kissing the tops of their

ed. "Look at you! Have you both grown

s chest. "Of course,

heavens! When did that happen? Yesterd

. "Grandpa, I'm

the potatoes in my kitch

wasn

d at Tessie.

into laught

ief remains unidentif

tending to be offended. "I'm

d cheerfully. "That means

diately hugg

dding, G

ectionately before looking at the c

ack of time? Should I be buying school supplies, or have you bot

her head, s

summer holiday. Mom j

ned a little as he g

I s

. Instead, he returned his attention to the children,

m, her smile growing wa

y,

opened

y littl

not a baby

. I distinctly remember

AD

hing and pulled h

never change,

e had been desperately needing. Her father's arms had always been a sa

another moment befor

re you

drey answe

ed an e

oo

Dad.

g about you, cancel all my dramatic fatherly

ok. "You were planni

her involved a motivational quote, and the last one required me to

e gig

s hand. "Grandpa, can you

speeches are expensive.

head, laughing

ght, everyone. Why don't we go inside? I b

t the luggage

ren and I will m

house, with Charlie skipping ahead and Te

ng out the suitcases. She had barely li

dre

tu

arby, waving at her

greeted him. "I didn't k

ere permanently at the moment. I'm on work leave. I

ecame more serio

ught I'd come by and spend some time with her

ded sympat

that. I hope she

u. I hope

en glanced to

nally got tired of living in the city and decid

laughed

to see Grandpa. They missed him, so

smi

hrilled. That man talks about his grand

ats them like royal

will have to start requesting a

charge you an

bly charge me twice and cla

oth la

ck to your luggage," Nick

. See you a

off, and Audrey returned to the ta

was already waiting near the dining area

led. "Perfect timing

y sto

made

, I

n slowly lowered the s

ure you're feel

express

at suppose

I'm just s

rised

you mad

his chest as though she

own daughter dou

everal dishes had been arranged neatly. The food loo

rward to insp

ks good, Dad.

s jaw d

an, who made th

h pride that Audrey

mo

her eyes at

're a terrible c

d genuinely

entire plate of offense! You serv

the dining area with Charli

pointed

y. Your mother is insul

aised an

Mom was here, she used to sa

is mouth, then

oom of

ou entered the kitchen, so

an exagg

ried to make soup and somehow mana

t was de

was a coo

tive coo

er arms, enjoyi

he time you tried

e ceiling as if searchi

kes were per

that Mom used one to pro

asped wit

ou made roc

t rocks!" Edw

ars of laughter

ou make them agai

y. "This family has absolutely

y gri

You were a terrible cook when

ightened hi

king classes a

y bli

did w

ned new techniques, improved my skills, and dis

at secr

ghter anything before

urst out

antly. "Exactly! You see? My

ldren, shaking his head

s how you treat a hardworking grandfather who has s

smiled

Gra

k you, Tessie. At least

listen to Mom, Grandpa. She isn't

mouth f

arl

ked innocentl

dded in a

r when Mom bur

oward her daugh

nto the world, feed you, dress you, and love you with all my he

ped the tab

. Finally, someone understands t

udrey with a v

uch a great cook

d a warning f

push it

nding here, enjoying the fact that my coo

nodded s

od brings peo

" Edward

ed at the t

m being bullied in m

aid, pulling out a chair for

wn, shakin

t make this food, but I'll e

ded his ar

it. You'll probably

t get car

her fork, took a

ewed s

took anot

his expression growing more

?" he

d looked at him wit

ly, really ta

both hands

I KNE

his chair, looking far

you,

nted at hi

boy understand

te, unwilling to admit

It's

drey, I have created a masterpiece

lled h

er I write you

would be nice.

ing again, while Charl

s family as though he had just won the

m for a moment, t

ound of laughter filled the room without being inte

ed to face. There were still que

a surprisingly delicious lunch prepared by the man who had

hone

than enough fo