The healing - fiction- story Part 2

                            

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After three long years, the healing process finally started. George went to the deli and arranged a picnic basket. Then he took the girls to the park as he had many times before. After Danny died, they completely stopped doing things together as a family, so it was quite an adjustment to start functioning normally again. They had a lot to make up for, but the picnic was a step in the right direction. 

Each of them had their own way to cope with the loss, and they have grown so distant from each other, trying to cope on their own that it was quite a struggle to become closer again. The only difference now, was the fact that they all wanted to do something about the situation at home, or so they thought. It was Stella who suggested that they all go and see a therapist together.  

The first few times were great, as they went together as a family, but when the individual sessions began, it was then that all the old wounds were scraped open. Jenny deadly refused to go to the therapist, and they decided not to push her.  

Things at home became more difficult, and sooner than later, while fighting their own demons, things started to worsen. There were constant fighting and the uphill battle continued.  

Jenny slipped out most nights, and George and Stella felt as if she was excluding them from her life. At least the relationship between them had been restored, and they had a much stronger bond now,but it was as if they could not get through to their daughter, and daily, they felt her drifting further away. 

One night, Jenny did not come home at all. She mentioned that she had a new boyfriend but they have not had the opportunity to meet him yet. They were worried sick when she finally arrived. Stella and George tried everything they could to make the relationship better, and they felt guilty for neglecting her earlier.  They did not want to drive her further away, and they literally let her get away with murder. 

One morning Stella found Jenny on the floor in the bathroom. She just turned seventeen and at first Stella only thought that Jenny was drunk, but when it happened again the next morning, she realized what was going on. Stella started crying and felt like a total failure. She tried to talk to Jenny, but Jenny scrammed away and locked herself in her bedroom. They hardly saw her for the next few weeks, and they were about to give up trying when Jenny finally came to talk to them one evening. 

"I need to talk to you...." Jenny said. They were so happy to have a conversation with her that they didn't care what she had to say.  Stella made them all some hot cocoa and they all sat down in the living room. 

"I made a mess...I did a stupid thing, and now I have nowhere else to turn."

Both George and Stella knew that the only way to get their little girl back was to listen and not judge. 

"We've all done stupid things in our lives. We learn that way. We are glad you came to us, and we want you to know that it doesn't matter what happens, we will always love you and support you."

Jenny looked terrified but after taking a deep breath she said: "I'm pregnant."

Stella started crying. Not because of the sudden announcement, but more out of relief. For the first time in three years she felt like a mother again, and she held Jenny close to her while they were both crying. It became very clear that the father of the baby was no longer involved and they promised to help and support her in any way they could. 

It was going to be hard to go to school and be pregnant so George suggested that they explore homeschooling and Jenny was very excited about that. They had a long discussion, and they wanted Jenny to still have a life, so they suggested that they would look after the baby while Jenny goes to university. It was going to be difficult to have a baby in the house, but they both felt that they had space in their lives for a baby and that the baby would bring even more healing into the house. 

They all went together for her first ultrasound, and it was such a joyous moment when they heard the little heartbeat for the first time. The pregnancy went smoothly and Stella motivated Jenny to eat healthy and to make wise decisions when it came to the baby. 

The day when the baby was born, everyone was so relaxed and happy and they finally felt like a proper family again. It was a very sad and happy day all at the same time, and when Jenny held the baby in her arms the first time her whole lookout on life changed.  She suddenly realized how difficult it was for her parents to lose a child, and she understood much better.  Her mom was with her through the birthing process and she knew that her mother felt each and every pain with her.  She loved her mother, and she wanted to make up for all the bad and terrible things that happened in the last few months.  

When her father finally walked into the room, she smiled and she could see the love on his face that only a grandfather could have.  

"Hey dad...come meet Danny your new grandson...."

They all cried together and finally after four long years, this family has healed. 

-The End-

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