Thea went to the site the next day. Grace and Granny never left the house.
And then, just as they expected. Cody came to visit that day when Thea was away. Grace asked Cody to take a seat as she poured him some coffee. Her hands were trembling as she did that.
Thea was the only thing that mattered in her life. Grace couldn’t imagine how she would live if someone took her girl away.
Granny was also sitting on the couch. The poor old lady had been crying for days. To not make Thea suspicious, she had locked herself in her room.
Cody noticed the look on the two women’s faces. He took a deep breath and began, “Grace, Mrs. Todd, I know how you guys feel. You guys brought Thea up. And you are her mother and grandmother. No one can ever change the fact. I didn’t come here today to take Thea away. I’m here to tell you guys there’s no need to be scared. Uncle Drew and his wife told me they wouldn’t forcefully take Thea away if that makes you two uncomfortable.”
Grace looked up in surprise. Granny took in a sharp breath, “Are you telling the truth, boy? They really said that?”
Cody smiled, “Of course. Uncle Drew is a gentleman. And his whole house is full of good people. They said they owe you for bringing Thea up as such a great person. They are grateful. They will never do anything to harm you.”
Grace and Granny exchanged a look. They were so surprised, but they were also a bit incredulous.
Were they really thinking that way?
Cody cleared his throat, “However… There’s one thing we’d like to know. We heard you found Thea in a hospital. Thea disappeared after a sudden flood took her away. We’d been looking for her for years, but we never found her. Would you please explain to me what happened? We really want to know.”
Grace cleared her throat, “Of course. You guys have the right to know. I… I lost my first daughter 15 years ago in that hospital. I met Thea in that hospital, and I fell in love with the girl immediately. The doctors and the nurses told me that the girl was found on the riverbank. They had posted news about the child for days, but no one came to take her back. She was still in a coma, and she was so helpless. I couldn’t leave her behind … So I decided to take care of her. And then… I just adopted her, and she’s been my daughter ever since.” Grace grabbed a tissue to dib under her eyes, “Thea got a serious head injury. She couldn’t remember anything when she woke up. I didn’t know how to explain anything to her because I knew nothing about her past. So I told her that I was her mother. She thinks I was her mother, and she’s been such a great daughter. She’s the sweetest child on earth, I really… I really didn’t know that.” Grace broke into tears, and she couldn’t continue anymore.
Thea was her life.
She couldn’t imagine life without her.
Cody sighed and put a hand on the poor lady’s thin shoulder, trying to comfort her.
He also felt bad that Grace had to go through this. She was such a kind woman.
Cody thought for a while and tried to explain this from Thea’s perspective, “Actually… It’s a good thing that Thea’s parents found her. Mrs. Todd, won’t you be happy if more people come to love and care for Thea? Uncle Drew and Fritzi have been as heartbreaking as you are during the last 15 years. They feel so happy that they finally found their daughter back. I believe Thea will also be happy to know them.”
“I know. I know that very well.” Grace nodded, “I won’t stand in her way if she wants to return to her parents. I know how it feels when you lose your baby. And I will never do something so cruel to someone else. I just… I just need time.”
Cody dropped his gaze. He didn’t know what to say anymore.
This poor woman was already doing her best.
“I will call Mr. Weston a couple of days later. I really don’t know how to bring this up with Thea. Would he explain everything to my girl by then?” Grace asked.
“Of course,” Cody said compassionately.
“That will be nice,” Grace forced out a smile through her tears, “Thea has gone through so much growing up. She really needs someone who can take good care of her. Of course, Mr. Weston and Mrs. Weston are her real parents. They will definitely take care of her better than I could ever do.”
“Mrs. Grace, please don’t say that,” Cody looked into the woman’s eyes steadily, “You’re a great mother. Thea loves you so much, and nothing in this world would ever change that.”
Grace nodded as she used her handkerchief to cover her mouth. Cody sighed and gave her a hug.
It broke Cody’s heart to see Grace like this. Moreover, what Grace said also made him feel sad.
Had Demi gone through a lot growing up?
No wonder that girl was always so tough and positive. How could she even endure all those hardships if she was not positive enough?
Cody sighed, secretly swearing to himself that he would never let anyone hurt Demi again. She had gone through enough hardship in her childhood life.
From now on, he would protect her and cherish her. So she could always be happy and smiling as she should be.
****
Thea was a bit surprised when she, her Mom, and Granny were all invited to Weston’s house.
She was even more surprised that the Bradley family was also there. The two families were sitting in the parlor, all looking up, when they were led into the huge room by a maid.
What the heck was happening? That was Thea’s only thought.
She wanted to ask Cody, but Cody was standing quite far.
Grandpa Weston suddenly stood up from the couch, supporting his weight on his walking stick, “Can you take a walk with me, Thea?”
Thea suddenly had a weird feeling. She looked at her Mom. Her Mom only nodded in agreement.
Thea took in a deep breath and nodded.
She needed to figure out what was really going on and what’s the reason why these people had been acting so weird recently.