Recap:

“Hey, Mom!! What a nice surprise!?!” I smiled and went to hug her. Immediately I smelled her lavender perfume and relaxed. I always used to hug my Mom when I was depressed (mostly because of bullying). Ahh, Instant recharge.

“Dawn honey! Just came to see you. I did promise you pecan pie for delivering food today.” She replied and waved a bag in appreciation.

I smiled it was so long that I ate my mom's goodies. To be fair... 6 to 7 hours is a long time to live without my mom's baked deserts.

Danny sat down at her feet, looking at the bag in her hand. I looked at him suspiciously.

“Ohhhh Ma... You know me sooo well.” I snatched the bag off her hand before Danny could make a leap for it. Danny looked at the bag, now secured in my hands, then at me and then again at the bag. I folded my arms keeping the bag secured and narrowed my eyes at him.

My Mom rolled her eyes, “You kids are so greedy...” I ignored my Mom and glared at Danny.

“Don't you think young man, that I don't know where you have been today??? You have been at Night Hill, then at family home (my parents’ house), then I gave you chocolate cookie as snacks this afternoon??!!!” I stated and raised my one eyebrow.

Danny looked chagrined and looked down. “Really Dawn! It's ok if he eats.... I mean, how could you starve your own child??!!!” Mom held her hand on her heart and spoke horrified. I rolled my eyes at my mom's antics, already used to her melodramas.

“Ma, Chocolate is not good for him. And he eats too much of it...” pausing, I looked and pointed at Danny, “You need to go on a diet. Where you only eat greens!!?!”

Now it was Danny turn to look horrified. And boy, how he horrified he looked!! I can't remember seeing him like this. He looked like a statue, not even breathing, his tail dropped.

I chuckled, “I am just kidding!” and shrugged. On that, Danny let out breath he was holding and sat down. Seems that putting him on greens is more horrible than living without chocolate.

My mother let out a deep laugh and consoled Danny, “Don't worry baby!! Just come to Grandma, I will take care of you” and patted him.

Danny smiled showing his full teeth. His tail waving up a hurricane, he let out excited barks. “Really, Mom!!” I rolled my eyes.

“Really, Dawn.... Let me spoil my grandchild!!” She looked offended that I could suggest otherwise. I shrugged off. It was much easier to do it. I just want to make and eat my Miso Ramen and sleep. Sleep...

Maybe I will see Yum Yum.... Ah... Adam tonight while he sure as hell would be seeing someone else. I chuckled lightly. Such is my luck. Remembering my ex, made me pause.

I can't still believe I am still depressed about him. He doesn't deserve it.

“Still thinking about him, huh??” I looked over and saw my mother paused at the kitchen table, a sympathetic look on her face. “Isn't it odd? He dumped me!! I mean, who does that? And who dumps a bride over a phone call? You don’t dump your boyfriend or girlfriend over the phone… Let alone your bride… the one whom you proposed. The one you wanted to spend your life. At least have the decency to do it to my FUCKING face. He could have done it personally…” I paused to get my emotions under control. “We had already started preparations and it cost a bunch. Only when we were on the verge of finalizing my wedding dress, he calls up at the boutique...” I pause to pour water and switch the stove on and start cutting spinach, “Not even my cell phone, I might add. First point. He doesn't even has the decency to personally tell me, but informs me on call. If he would have come to me, at least I could have punched him just once… You know... Just to let out some steam. Not even bothering to answer my calls afterwards. Second point.” I add the spinach pieces to the boiling water stir it and put on a lid. “And idiot doesn't even bother to give his share for the expenses we did on his behalf. Third point. Because we had agreed to split the bills.” I finished and let out a breath. I felt my hands shaking, whether in anger or despair. I lifted my hands over my eyes, adamant not to cry.

“Ohhhh Honey!!...” My Mom rushed towards me and hugged me tightly. I left her arms around me.

Then the dam broke. Days and days of crying in my house and never showing tears in front of my family. All washed away.

I cried.... I cried like a baby. Ma held me until we slumped down, still hugging me. “Dawn, I know you are strong. I know you, baby. I know you will fight and fight and fight, until you cannot get up. And you will still crawl, to fight back. But...“ My Mom held my face and lifted it up, to meet her eyes “But there are times when even the strongest needs someone. Your family was and is here. We will always will be here... So don't fight alone… Because we will fight with you…”

She paused to smile brightly with tears in her eyes “Also, I most definitely kick ass better than you!!” I laughed aloud and swiped my tears. After a long time, since Peter's Call.... I have felt this Good. I guess it is right what they say. You don't choose your family. They are the God's gift to you....

Hey Guys & Gals,

First, I want to thank all my subscribers. I would love to hear your thoughts about the concept of “Family”. It is the main concept on which I what I have built up my story. Particularly, on how it helps people by being their support system in their times of need.

Not only that, a family doesn’t always consist of only our parents or siblings. For some, it could be their friends. For others, it could be their work colleagues. For some, their support system are the ones who depend on them like for elderly (for them, it is their children & an extended family of grandchildren… I love big families). It can be anyone.

I think with our stressful life, we sometimes forget to appreciate them.

So please… Thank them… Not for what they have done or will do for you. But, just for being there for you… Always.

I want dedicate this chapter to “ZD Extreme” & “TOTO” for their support. Thanks Guys…

Until next chapter…

Soo Long…