Chapter 23 - Grandmother, Mother or Both

Now that Darius had graduated, things were settling down and Delia and Duncan were spending more time together. He was her 'baby'.  He would be out of school soon and no doubt building his own life like his two older brothers. But for now she was happy to have him around. 

A lot had happened and Delia still wasn't herself. She was still gaining weight. The boys were indeed moving on and so should she. So in an effort to get control over her life she made a few decisions. No more walking around in her bathrobe and moping. She decided to give herself a makeover and start working out again. 

Delia got her hair styled and joined the local gym. She even met a nice man that was actually quite pleasant - but just friends for now. Anything more was out of the question.

Maybe she would take her free time and explore more of the contents the basement. She thought now she would be able to go through some of her mom's papers and journals she hadn’t yet found time to read in the past 35 years. Yes she was over 50 so it was time she dealt with her mom’s past and hopefully learned more about her grandparents, whom her mom never spoke of. Maybe the boys have relatives they don’t even know. And there is still that Vampire woman to deal with – or not. Thankfully, she hadn’t come around.

Daniel and Liana were doing well and very much in love. They were really getting to ‘know’ each other. With newlyweds, things happen and before long, after being really sick every morning, Liana found out she was pregnant.

Liana couldn't wait to tell Daniel.  She knew this was what he wanted.  He was thrilled and couldn’t wait to share the news. He had a large close family and wanted the same for the two of them.

They called Delia and said they needed to see her right away as they had some news to share. When they arrived and they told her, she couldn't have been happier.  She recalled being a grandmother was one of the first things she thought of when Daniel announced his engagement on that horrible night that changed her life forever.

Liana told her the baby was kicking and asked Delia to feel it. When Delia felt Liana’s baby kicking, a thought occurred to her; one not so pleasant. But she dismissed it as quickly as it came and congratulated the couple. She was going to be a grandmother and couldn’t be more excited.










A baby was just what they needed to bring things full circle and bring new life into the family. Maybe they will name it after Francisco. He would have liked that she thought.

Delia was getting more and more concerned about her weight gain. When Liana told Delia she was pregnant it hit Delia like a ton of bricks - the nausea, weight gain and the constant rumbling in her belly. She couldn’t possibly be pregnant. She had passed it off as the beginning of the change of life and not being able to keep her weight down as easily as before. But the signs were all too real.

She looked in the mirror and felt her belly.  It was hard and - it - it was moving...Delia knew right then that somehow she was pregnant. A quick pregnancy test confirmed that she was indeed pregnant. 

She even went to the doctor. When she had to say how old she was, she stopped filling out the forms. I can't put 55 on here she thought. They will think I am lying. So she put 41. The doctor confirmed she was already 7 months along. No wonder she felt so fat. She had heard of women being pregnant and not knowing it. Now she sort of understood. 

Regardless, how could she be pregnant. First of all she was too old to be getting pregnant, but more to the point, she had been a widow for more than a year now. And she had no other lovers. Could she have gotten pregnant just before Francisco died?  Maybe - but that was a year ago not 7 months ago.

Then she thought about the dream…Could it be?  Could she really have been with her husband’s ghost?  And even if it was a spirit, she couldn't possibly be able to conceive a child - could she? She did the math. It had been 7 months since her dream.  There was no other way.  She had never had a dream feel so real. Then the tears flowed again. Things just continued to get more and more confusing.

This was definitely something she couldn’t tell anyone. No one could know- they would never believe her. They might even think she had something to do with her husbands death. And the stigma the boys would have to deal with.  They would think she had an affair so soon after their father died.  She couldn’t do that so Delia started planning what she could do.

The boys were no longer boys. They were young men with passions and people that cared for them. She had to keep this baby, Francisco's baby. It was his; there had been no others. She had no choice. She decided she must leave town – leave her family – her boys and unborn grandchild - so she could raise another of Francisco's children. He would never forgive her if he knew – but then – no - there was no options. 

Delia began to tearfully pack up the contents of the basement and as soon as the baby was born she would leave town, but for now she was just going to stay in a hotel. She would write a letter explaining that she would be in touch but simply had to get away for awhile. She needed a fresh perspective and a new town would help her move on. 

They would understand and they still had each other. Cherry and Darius would be married soon and could have her house. The one she most worried about was Duncan. Her baby. But he would be fine too. They had a full family life with siblings and both a mother and father that loved them.  She survived on much less so she knew they would thrive without her. But those rationalizations made it no less painful.

She would leave them plenty of money and take just what she needed for a new start. She was terrified. It was almost like after her mom died and she was alone once more, but not for long. Soon there would be a new life that she would undoubtedly love - already loved - and would surely need her. It was the only way - the best way.

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