The Diary of Joy

Surprise visit

8. Joy,  the year of the Phoenix

Dear Angel,

You will be surprised to learn that after everything that had happened with mom and aunt Linky, they did manage to make up. However, aunt Linky did have to promise never to tell us any bedtime stories, which is sad news for us.

Now, that I have satisfied your curiosity about that, let me tell you about the things that have happened today. You might find them surprising because honestly, I was shocked by what happened to say the least.

It was just a regular day when we heard that there was someone at the door. Since mom was nearby cleaning the house, she hurried off to answer the door.

When she finally opened the door, the cloth she was holding fell from shock as her hand went to cover her mouth in surprise.

My siblings who were playing nearby and I hurried towards her to see what had her in such a state of shock, and to our utter surprise, we saw grandmother and grandfather standing on our doorstep.

"Hello, Lyna," Grandfather said.

I am not sure how long grandfather and mom hadn't seen each other for. All I know is that he was a mom and dad's wedding, but I have never seen him talking to mom. As for grandmother, I think she hasn't spoken to mom since mom told them about her relationship with dad.

"Good afternoon. May we come in?" Grandmother said stiffly.

"Oh, yes! Yes, of course, do come in." Mom said.

It was clear that mom was so shocked by the visit that she even forgot to invite them. Who wouldn't be? They haven't contacted her for years!

I can't understand how anyone can stay angry at their children for years. I mean mom and dad sometimes get angry with us, but their anger doesn't last long.

Besides, they get angry about the bad things we sometimes do, not for who we are. The same can't be said for my grandparents.

Anyways, as mom opened the door wider with shaking hands and gestured them in, my siblings and I went to stand closer to her, ready to protect her if necessary. After all, they could have come to insult her or complain about us, you never know with them.

That was why dad's appearance came as a relief. We, the children, made room for him to stand next to mom, hugging her comfortably as we lead my grandparents to the living room united as a true family that we are.

"Please, have a seat," Dad said the moment we entered the living room.

I could see a shadow of something cross grandmother's face, discomfort maybe, but she said nothing. It was nice that she could for once control herself.

As they settled comfortably, I decided to play the host, knowing that this was all confusing for mom and dad and that the adults might need some alone time.

"Would you like something to drink?" I asked formally.

"Tea would be fine, my dear," Grandfather said.

Grandmother nodded her head in agreement. It seemed to me as if she was afraid that if she spoke, she would say something wrong, and it was nice to see that she was trying not to do that.

"Come help me," I told my siblings.

"But..." Mischief started to say.

"Come on all of you. I can't carry all the cups by myself. I need your help! Let's go!" I told my siblings.

Finally, they understood what I was trying to say, and followed me to the kitchen hesitant to leave mom with our grandparents. But I knew that, as long as dad was with her, she would be fine.

Of course, we had the tea ready in minutes, and I could carry it alone, without any problems, but we decided to linger in front of the door with my magic keeping the tea warm and our ears focused on the conversation inside.

"It's nice to see you both, but I don't understand. To what do I owe the pleasure? Did the children do something wrong?" Mom asked.

"No, not at all. We did. Lyna, we came to apologize for everything. To you as well, Van. Didn't we, my dear?" Grandfather prompted grandmother.

"Yes, we have seen the error of our ways and..." Grandmother started to say, and then she stopped.

"We are sorry." She said so quietly that my eavesdropping buddies and I could barely hear her.

"Excuse me?" Dad asked, pretending not to have heard her.

As far as I could tell, he just wanted my grandmother to repeat it loudly. And I agreed with him, mom deserved to hear those words. She had been waiting for years.

"We are sorry for the way we treated both of you." Grandmother said, loudly.

"And..." Grandfather encouraged her.

"And we feel terrible for the way we have treated your children, our grandchildren, and wish to make it up to you all." Grandmother said.

It was clear that it cost her some effort to spit out those words, but she did it, so I guess it counts for something.

Although, if I were my mother, I would have told them to thank you but it's too late. Goodbye.

"Could you ever find it in your heart to forgive us?" Grandfather asked.

"Father, I have forgiven you for how you treated me long ago. However, I can't forgive you for how you treated my children. They did nothing to deserve your reproach and you have treated most of them like they didn't even exist, and even Joy you treated like she wasn't your real grandchild." Mom said.

Tears prickled my eyes as she said that. She was making it clear, once again, that she was an awesome mother.

"What can we do to change that?" Grandfather asked.

"You can do your best to earn their forgiveness, to accept them. Once you receive their forgiveness, mine shall follow." Mom said.

"Very well, that sounds fair. How about you Van?" Grandfather asked.

"I stand by my wife and what she said. If you make it up to our children for what you have made them go through with your rejection, you will have my forgiveness as well." Dad said.

"How are we supposed to do that? Get their forgiveness?" Grandmother asked bitterly.

"It's simple, treat them kindly and show the same love and kindness you would have shown had you had full-blooded fairy grandchildren." Mom said.

Grandmother was about to say something else, but I decided this was a good time for us to make an entrance. Honestly, I think I was saving her from her sharp tongue.

"Here you go, freshly brewed tea," I said a bit too cheerfully in my effort not to appear as if I had been listening in on their conversation.

"Thank you, my dear. Would you mind sitting down? We have something we want to talk to you about." Grandfather said.

We all nodded our heads and sat down.

"Your grandmother and I are very sorry for not being better grandparents, and we promise to try harder and become better if you let us," Grandfather said.

"Okay, but no more awkward dinners, please!" Chatterbox was the first one to say.

I nudged him firmly, and he stopped talking, noticing that it might not have been the right thing to say.

"Very well. We are ready to allow you to make it up to us as long as you promise not to speak badly about our parents." I said.

"I promise," Grandfather said immediately.

"I promise." Grandmother said after a gentle nudge from grandfather.

And that is how a new age started for us. I don't know what it will bring us, but hopefully it will be good.

Until next time,

Joy