C198 Shouldn't It Be Your Home

The drive back to the Mooney residence was peaceful. The city lights blurred past the windows as the black sedan glided through the quiet streets. None of us spoke for several minutes. Grandfather Peter rested his eyes, while Grandma Georgia occasionally glanced at me before looking back outside.

My thoughts, however, never left the hospital. Although Alicia had smiled and assured me she was fine... The image of her collapsing... The blood... Her frightened expression... Those memories refused to leave my mind. I silently clenched my fists. "Nothing can happen to her." "Nothing can happen to our child." Just then... My phone vibrated. Mom. I answered immediately. "Hello, Mom."

Mary's worried voice came through almost instantly. "Mike, how is Alicia?" "I heard from Valeria that she was admitted to City Hospital." "Is my daughter-in-law alright?" I smiled helplessly. Even though the news had spread so quickly... It only showed how much everyone loved Alicia. "Mom, don't worry." "She's safe." "The doctors have already treated her." "There isn't any danger anymore."

Mary finally let out the breath she had been holding. "Thank goodness..." "I've been worried sick." Quinton's voice sounded faintly from beside her. "Is she alright?" Mary covered the receiver for a moment before replying, "She's stable." I could almost picture the relief on both their faces. Mom returned to the call. "Mike..." "When are you coming home?"

I hesitated for a second before answering, "I'll explain everything when I arrive at Alicia's home." After comforting her a few more times, we ended the call. The moment I lowered my phone... I noticed Grandpa Peter and Grandma Georgia staring at me with strange expressions. Grandma Georgia tilted her head. "Did you just say..." "...Alicia's home?" I blinked. "Yes?"

She folded her arms. "You two are already husband and wife." "You even have your marriage certificate." "So why are you calling it Alicia's home?" Grandpa Peter nodded in agreement. "Shouldn't it be your home now?" Realizing how my words had sounded, I quickly scratched the back of my head. "No, Grandpa." "I didn't mean it like that." Grandma Georgia raised an eyebrow. "Then what did you mean?"

I smiled awkwardly. "If I had simply told Mom that I'd explain everything when I got home..." "She would've thought I meant the Smith residence." "So I only wanted to make it clear that I was going back to the Mooney residence." For a second... The two elders looked at one another. Then both burst into laughter. Grandpa Peter shook his head. "You nearly made us think you still felt like an outsider."

I smiled sheepishly. "I already consider myself part of this family." Grandma Georgia reached over and gently patted my shoulder. "Good." "Because this family already considers you our grandson." Warmth spread through my heart. Before I could reply... My phone rang again. Unknown number. I frowned. "Who could be calling at this hour?" Without thinking much, I answered. "Hello?"

A familiar gentle voice came from the other end. "Mike..." "Congratulations." I froze. "Sarah?" A smile slowly appeared on my face. There was only one person who could have given her my number. I sighed. "Chris..." "That brother of mine really can't keep a secret." Sarah laughed softly. "I knew you'd guess." "He called me just now so excited." I shook my head with a helpless smile. "No matter how old he gets..." "He'll never change." "If keeping secrets were a profession..." "He'd be unemployed."

Sarah laughed even harder. "What wrong with him telling his wife." "He was just happy." "I could hear it in his voice." I smiled. "I know." "He treats Alicia like his own sister." "And hearing she's pregnant probably made him forget every promise he'd ever made." Sarah chuckled. "Exactly." Then her voice became gentler. "I'm really happy for both of you." "You've both gone through so much." "You deserve this happiness."

Her sincere blessing warmed my heart. "Thank you, Sarah." "I'll tell Alicia you called." There was a brief silence before she spoke again. "Mike..." "Can you tell me which room she's in?" "I'd like to visit tomorrow." I smiled. "It's already late." "Get some rest first." "I'll send you the room number in the morning." She laughed. "Alright." "But don't forget." "I won't." "And Sarah..." "Hm?" "Take care of yourself too." "My little niece is counting on you."

Sarah laughed brightly. "I will." "You should take care of my future nephew or niece as well." "We'll talk in the morning." The call ended. For a few moments, I simply stared at the dark screen. Then I turned toward Grandpa Peter. "Grandpa..." "What room is Alicia staying in?" He smiled knowingly. "You really were too worried to notice." "VIP Ward." "Room 512." I nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

Before I could put my phone away... Grandma Georgia leaned closer with sparkling eyes. "You know..." "I love hearing stories." "So..." "Tell me." "Why is Sarah calling you this late at night?" Grandpa Peter laughed. "Wife..." "Let the poor boy breathe." She waved him off. "Shhh." "I'm asking something important." I couldn't help laughing. "It isn't anything mysterious." "Sarah is carrying Chris's child." "And Chris couldn't keep today's news to himself." "He called her immediately after leaving the hospital." "She simply wanted to congratulate us."

The smiles on the elders' faces slowly faded. Grandma Georgia frowned slightly. "So..." "The Wood family knows?" I shook my head. "No." "Only Sarah." "And Chris." "Chris told his wife." Peter nodded thoughtfully. "That's understandable." But Georgia still looked worried. "What if Samantha or Ben manipulate Sarah?" "They're both clever." "They may use her against your family."

I answered without hesitation. "Grandma..." "Sarah spent years studying overseas." "She knows how to think for herself." "Besides..." "The people she trusts most now aren't those who manipulate others." "They're us." "She's become part of our circle." "And Chris would never allow anyone to hurt her." After hearing my explanation... Georgia slowly relaxed. "I suppose you're right." Peter smiled. "Trust is something built over time." "And from everything I've seen..." "Sarah has already chosen where her heart belongs." I nodded quietly.

Outside... The familiar gates of the Mooney residence slowly came into view. The black sedan rolled through them before coming to a gentle stop. As I stepped out of the car and looked back toward the distant city skyline... Only one thought remained in my heart. Tomorrow... Everything in our lives would be different forever.