The Revenge of the Mute Wife by Melanie Paulson

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40: A Happy and Perfect Life Part 1

Time began to pass quickly, bringing good, bad, and sad moments that gradually changed the family. One good thing that happened was that after much reflection, Roger managed to make peace with his father, asking for forgiveness for all the stupid things he had done when he was younger. He also apologized to his little brother for being such a jerk.

Even though he didn't want to, Elliot reluctantly accepted the apologies because his wife convinced him that holding onto grudges wasn't healthy.

Unfortunately, the Peterson family only got to celebrate being united for a short period of time because two weeks after that reconciliation... George passed away of natural causes.

That was a tragic moment for everyone, one that shook his friends, reminding them of how precious and short life is. Those who suffered the most from the loss of their Grandpa George were Howard and Fiona. But their parents, uncles, and maternal grandparents showered them with love, explaining that death is part of life, and asked them not to be sad because their grandfather would be watching over them from heaven. That's why they should cherish the beautiful moments they had shared with him.

The one who suffered the most seeing George pass on to the other world was Jayden... because his own parents were of a similar age to him... and as ridiculous as it sounded... he wasn't ready to say goodbye to his parents.

After the funeral, Deborah noticed a slight change in her family's attitude, so she tried to keep everyone closer together and make sure they continued to have beautiful moments together.

That's why she organized a trip to the beach for everyone.

It was an unforgettable vacation filled with games and laughter.

"Sweetheart," Deborah called out one afternoon, taking advantage of the fact that everyone was napping to talk with Jayden since she had noticed that slight change in his personality. "Hey..." he greeted her, watching her sit beside him and imitate him by dipping her feet in the pool water. "How are you?"

"Good, though a little tired," he replied, smiling as he moved his feet.

"That's not what I meant."

"Huh?"

"I saw how the funeral affected you."

Jayden just made a face and looked away. "Sweetheart..."

"It's just that now I'm scared."

"Scared?"

"I thought my parents would be eternal, but..." he began to say, feeling his eyes fill with tears.

"Sweetheart, no one is ever ready for that... it just happens."

"But I don't want..."

"Son, it's part of life." At that moment, Jayden was startled. When he turned around, he saw his parents approaching him, so he quickly stood up and ran to help them walk.

At that stage of life, Eric used a wheelchair, and Samantha had a cane to help her walk.

"Mother, Father," Deborah followed her husband to approach the elderly couple.

"Jayden, as much as I want to keep living and see a great-grandchild someday," began Nicholas, who was still strong and didn't need help walking, "I know that life isn't guaranteed, so we'll enjoy life to the fullest." "Dad..." Now Deborah felt like crying, hearing her father speak like that. "Nicholas's right, son. I hope to see a great-grandchild, but if it doesn't happen... I won't be upset because I've seen you happy and creating your own family, fulfilling your promise to fill the house with kids," Samantha said.

guess.... I guess that was the least I could do, right?" Jayden replied sadly, looking at his mother.

"Son, don't be sad. When our time comes, it'll come, and I hope you don't mourn us too much," Eric said.

"Grandpa, grandma," at that moment, they saw their grandchildren approaching to hug them with tears in their eyes.

"Hey, don't cry about this," Nicholas said.

"But... it hurts... because Grandma Tati and Grandpa George are gone," said Nicole, hugging him.

"Yeah, we don't want you to go," Michael said, pouting.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

"I agree with the twins," Elizabeth said, hugging her Grandpa Eric.

"Hmm... please don't leave us alone," James said, hugging his grandmother.

"Oh... kids, I wish it could be that way and that we could be eternal, but we'll take care of ourselves to be with you for as long as possible," Samantha assured them. "Promise?" the four asked in unison.

"We promise," the three elders replied in unison, amused to see that their older grandchildren were also behaving like little kids.