82 The Understanding

Calvin glared at his nephew; but he also knew Gordon was right. He already regretted what he'd done. He hadn't stopped to fully count the cost before he made such a gamble.

"Take tonight for everyone to calm down and join us for dinner tomorrow evening. We can work through this like adults." Gordon reasoned.

Calvin nodded and stood to leave. Gordon walked out with him.

"Calvin?" Amy's sweet voice called from the floor above. He looked up to see her standing at the banister.

"Amy!" He called out.

"Calvin, I love you. But I can't come home right now." She said.

"I know." He said solemnly.

She slowly descended the stairs and came to stand before him.

"But it doesn't make being apart from you any easier." She said, tears falling.

He pulled her into his arms and held her, gently rubbing her back.

Gordon and Charlotte stood aside but Charlotte decided to speak.

"Why don't you both stay tonight? It's already late. It's obvious the two of you don't want to be separated. What happened was a mistake but it doesn't have to keep you apart if you don't wish it."

Calvin and Amy looked at each other.

"If Amy is alright with me staying, then, I'll stay." He said respectfully.

She nodded and smiled. They went upstairs together.

"Hard to believe there was a time that he would've been unwelcome here." Gordon said. Charlotte shuddered.

"Don't remind me. Of the men in the Zhou family, the only one I'm interested in is you." Charlotte said.

"Do you want to take me upstairs and prove it?" Gordon asked her. She took his hand and laughed.

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"I didn't bring anything with me. Not even a change of clothes or pajamas." Grace said softly.

"Hey, don't worry. I can raise you just fine. You can wear some of my clothes for tonight and we'll take care of the rest tomorrow." Daniel told her.

It was late. They had eaten dinner and watched movies together, and as they were going to bed Grace realized she had nothing but the clothes she wore.

Daniel handed her one of his sweatshirts and she headed to the washroom for a shower.

When she came out of the bathroom, Daniel was sitting in bed grading papers. He looked up at her and smiled slowly.

"You won't need to buy pajamas. That shirt will be just fine!" Daniel told her as he admired how he could see her shoulders and eternally long legs.

She blushed and came to sit beside him on the bed.

"I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you. I know you weren't planning on marrying me so soon." Grace apologized.

"You don't need to apologize. I love you and could never leave you in a home where you were being hit." He said, some anger still in his voice when he thought about it.

"I'm used to it. Dad uses his hands to communicate. Mom got worse than I did after we left, I guarantee it." Grace said with sadness in her eyes.

"Why did I not know about this when we dated before?" Daniel asked.

"I thought it was normal. When I went abroad I met people from many places and backgrounds and I learned not everyone lives like that." Grace explained.

"Not everyone here lives that way either. I promise you, I will never put my hands on you in anger. I won't slap or hit you." Daniel spoke seriously.

"I know. I think your gentleness and kindness is one of the biggest things about you that attracted me in the beginning. I felt safe with you too." She told him.

"Yeah, until I broke your heart. I was an idiot." Daniel said.

"I won't deny being heartbroken, but please don't feel guilt for the rest. You aren't the reason I was hospitalized. I was depressed for a long time before I met you. Clinical depression isn't always cut and dry." She explained.

"I at least should have been there with you. I should have been supporting you while you were receiving treatment." Daniel said.

"You didn't know. I didn't want you to know. I made Andrew promise not to tell you. I didn't want you to blame yourself or feel sorry for me. And, I was a little embarrassed. I thought I was supposed to be strong enough." She admitted.

"You got treatment when you needed help. That is brave and strong. So many suffer silently. You reached out, and look at you now. I'm proud of the woman I'm marrying." Daniel told her.

"I love you, Daniel." She said as she leaned in to kiss him.