Chapter 33 – Bad News, Good News, and Kitty MewsMarried life appears to suit Elysia and Judd well. It's been a year and a half since their wedding and they still act as if they're on their honeymoon.
They've bandied about the idea of moving to their own place, but so far it is nothing but talk. To be perfectly honest I would much rather they stay here, at the very least until they have their finances straight. Then again, Malcolm and Darlene still live in the downstairs apartment and they have been quite well established for several years now. The arrangement suits us...I admit, we've been living as a cohesive family unit for so long that it would be hard for us to split up.
Who would have thought, an Alto and a Landgraab not only living under the same roof, but as the best of friends? Though, don't ask Malcolm how he felt when my father was holding Devon during the wedding. He is still rather leery around my parents, and understandably so given what they tried to do to him as a child.
Speaking of Devon...
My youngest nephew turned five a few weeks ago! Things have been so hectic around here that we just plain forgot to have a birthday party for him. He said he didn't mind (though Darlene still felt bad). Devon is a pretty laid-back kid, as quiet and mellow as his sister is brash and hyperactive. One of his favorite pastimes is curling up on the couch with a good book and reading the afternoon away.
His other favorite thing is hanging around with his grandpa.
Geoffrey and Devon share a good friendship, something that I wish that Elly had been able to experience early on in her life. She never really knew Jack, sadly, and it was only in her late teens that she began to have any sort of relationship with my father.
As we discovered not too long ago, however, that relationship will sadly be short-lived.
We received some not-so-wonderful news from my parents a few weeks back. Remember how Elly offhandedly mentioned that my father was looking frail? Apparently her observation was spot-on.
My father is dying. They don't know how long exactly that he is expected to live, but Doctor Wolff has given him a year at most.
Talk about surreal.
Now I must face the reality that my father won't be around for much longer...and for the first time in my life I actually
care. For the first time ever I can hold an amicable conversation with him (though don't get me wrong, he still has a sharp tongue). He, like my mother, has mellowed over the years, and now that he has the knowledge that time is limited, it seems that my father is cherishing every moment he spends with his family.
The news rattled Elysia a bit, needless to say. She is hoping that, at least, he will be around long enough to meet the newest member of the family.
(Elly and Judd have
finally told the rest of the family so now I can make the official announcement.)
A few short days after my parents revealed the news we discovered that Elysia was pregnant.
Ethan and I were simply ecstatic. Neither of us expected it so soon (and frankly neither did they) but everyone is looking forward to meeting the new little one. Elysia is three months along and only barely starting to show. I cannot believe it...I'm going to be a grandmother!
All right...I'm ready to cry now.
Everything seems to be going well with the rest of the family. With the recent retirement of Darlene's boss she has been moved out of the classroom entirely and into the Principal's office. Great news for Darlene and Malcolm, not quite as great for Iris. Now she
really has to make sure that she is on her best behavior at school.
Darlene has taken it upon herself to teach Iris the game of chess in hopes of improving her discipline. So far it seems to be working; her grades have improved and she has learned to channel her energy in more productive ways. They are considering enrolling her in a martial arts class once she hits high school, but that is still very tentative at this point.
Not long after Elysia and Judd tied the knot we got word that Lisa was engaged to none other than her wingman.
Say hello to the soon-to-be Mrs. Lisa Bachelor.
We still aren't hearing much from Arlo, unfortunately. What little we do hear comes through Ian, since he still refuses to talk to Ethan or Darlene. From what it sounds like he's more or less married to his job and isn't seeing anyone or doing much of anything else.
Ian is doing quite well. As it turns out he is quite talented in the kitchen and has already risen through the ranks at the Diner to become the executive chef. Better yet, he recently signed a contract with the Cooking Cable network for six episodes of his own show. He isn't even twenty-eight yet. How impressive is that?
Naturally, though, most of our focus has been on Elysia and our coming grandbaby. The other day I took her out shopping for maternity clothes and to start looking at cribs and other baby supplies. We met Judd and Ethan at the park for a picnic after the fact and unexpectedly encountered an old friend.
“
Mrow?”
We turned around and saw a very familiar cat walking behind us. Was that
Rembrandt?
“Remmy-cat?” Elly bent down and put her hand out for the cat to sniff. “Is that you?”
The cat licked her hand and brushed against her. Gently Elysia took the elderly feline into her arms and held him.
“Hey there buddy...aww, I've missed you, big guy!”
The old tomcat was purring like mad in Elly's arms. I couldn't believe it—it really
was Rembrandt. He had to be at least eighteen by now, if not older. Ian must have been putting life fruit in his kitty chow or something.
After a few minutes of cuddles Elly carefully placed Rembrandt back on the ground. He meowed once, then turned tail and ran back in the direction of home. Seeing the cat again reminded me of Judy...and just how much I missed her. I know that she would be just as excited for the coming of her first great-grandchild and probably would have jumped for joy with the news.
Who knows...perhaps she actually did.
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(A/N: Thank you all again for reading!)
