Only The Strong Survive (Sequel to Survival)

Chapter 38- Fearful Hope

"How's my favorite grandson?" Mrs. Corona exclaims, opening her arms wide as Aidan runs into her waiting embrace.

"I'm your only grandson," he laughs, his voice smothered by the hug.

She brushes his hair and lets him go.

I smile at her and embrace her too once I put my bag down.

Ms. Corona gives me a tight hug and tucks a loose strand of hair from my forehead. She gently tugs at my side braid and gives me a warm smile in return.

"How have you been?" She asks, her hazel eyes inviting and genuine.

I take a deep breath and nod at her, "I've been great, Mom"

She squints at me and was about to say something when the front door opens again. Rapunzel come striding in, wearing a lilac cotton dress, her hair in a long ponytail.

When she spots me, she gives me a hug and looks me up and down. "You looks good. Something seems different about you. It's like you're....glowing."

I frown at her and laugh, "Glowing?"

"Yeah," Rapunzel answers and greets her mom, while handing her a container of what smells like  parmesan cheese.

Mmmmmm, pasta.

Mrs. Corona walks back into the kitchen, leaving Rapunzel and I alone for a second.

She drops her bag on the couch next to mine and adjusts her beige cardigan. "It's strange but there's a glow around you. Are you pregnant again?"

My eyes widen and I hastily shake my head. "Definitely not pregnant. One child is all I can handle at the moment."

Rapunzel chuckles and starts to move towards the kitchen. "Sorry. You're just radiating youth and spirit. I thought I'd ask."

I watch as she disappears into the kitchen. For a while, I stand there, pondering my thoughts and then make a move to step in to help with the preparations for dinner.

***

An hour later, everyone was seated out in the backyard eating barbecue that Mr. Corona grilled.

It was a peaceful family dinner. We stayed outside eating and talking until the afternoon sun bang to sink and the sky began to fuse beautiful colors of blue and purple indicating the end of yet another day.

I miss this. Ever since Rapunzel and I moved out, we don't have dinners often like these anymore now that we live separately. However, we still try our best to have family dinner once a week––maybe more.

Aidan and I may live on our own, but I refuse to be one of those children who as soon as they move out they never see their parents again.

The Coronas have done so much for us that to cast them aside from my life would prove to be impossible. I love them very much. I think about the opportunities they have given me and I will be forever grateful for them. The fact that they never gave up on me moves me in such a way I can't describe. They didn't have to make me a part of their family and yet they did. They made me feel loved when I didn't think it was possible to have people care about me.

I owe them everything. I am who I am because of them and their selfless deeds and encouraging nature.

When dinner was over, I help clear the table.

I was washing dishes when Aidan comes running inside and tugs on my pants. "Can I have ice cream?"

With a plate in my hand, I look down at him and say, "Sorry, baby, I don't think we have ice cream."