Sweet Sacrifice.
Epilogue.
Gusto stepped into the kitchen, where Grammi was preparing a light snack, just to herself for once. Gruffi was lying on his knees on the kitchen floor, trying to fix the sink.
"Gruffi, are you sure you're doing that right?" Grammi asked.
"Would you let me do my job?! I'm the handyman around here, I can fix everything in this home, if I want to!"
Gusto sat down at a small table in the kitchen. Gruffi looked over his shoulder to stare at the blue bear.
"What, no comment on my mood today, Gusto?"
"No, Grufforino. Not this time," Gusto replied, while staring blankly into space. Gruffi frowned and sent Grammi a concerned look. She nodded and Gruffi got up from his position on the floor, as they both sat down in front of the young adult.
"What's wrong, dear?" Grammi asked.
"I got a letter from Rose," Gusto whispered.
"And what did it say?" Gruffi asked as gently as he could.
"She's coming here within a few weeks."
"Well, that's great, isn't it?" Grammi smiled.
"I guess... I mean, of course I'm happy to see her, but I'm... uh... we're..." Gusto paused and then shook his head. He then finally looked at the two bears in front of him.
"I'm going to be a father."
"What?!" Gruffi and Grammi yelled.
"You heard me," Gusto said, sending them a little smile.
"How... what? When?!" Gruffi exclaimed.
"I think the 'how' kinda explains itself, Gruff," Gusto answered, trying not to chuckle. "But if you must know, it happened the first night, she was here."
"That was fast."
"Rose and I were never just friends and I think we both knew that."
"Well, we'll support you, Gusto. You know we will," Grammi comforted.
"That's not what concerns me, Grams," Gusto replied.
"Well, then what is it?"
"How am I supposed to be a great father or even just a father figure in general, when my own father was... you know, the way he was?" Gusto sighed, rubbing his forehead with his fingers. He was clearly overthinking this.
"Gusto," Gruffi said determined. "I'm sorry, but I have to destroy that thought in your head instantly. So let me ask you this: Have you ever hit a child or been abusive?"
"No."
"Have you ever thrown the first punch?"
"No, Gruff."
"And do you love Rose?"
Grammi and Gusto both looked at Gruffi, surprised that those words could actually escape his lips. Gusto's cheeks changed color, but he responded anyway:
"Yes, I do."
"Then you'll love your cub as well."
"Gruffi's right, dear. You are a warm, kind gummi bear and you're great with kids. Just ask Cubbi," Grammi continued.
"You're sweet, Grams," Gusto answered, now sending his two friends a bigger smile. He stood up from his chair. "I...uh, I guess I'm gonna go write a letter back to her." He walked towards the exit of the kitchen, but turned in the doorway to have a look at the two bears, who were still smiling at him.
"Thank you," he said.
Then he shut the door.
That's it! I hope, you liked it. :)
