Growing up

Previously:

A new family was formed; slowly but surely their grief diminished and new pictures were taken...

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Edna and Harry found a new zest for living once the anguish of losing their only child diminished. Not totally, mind you, but having to take care of their youngest granddaughter and try and give her the best life they possibly could, helped snap them back from grief much more quickly than any medicine or therapy ever could.

There was a batch of freshly baked cookies cooling on the counter and Edna was enjoying the wonderful scent as she worked her way through a basket of ironing when an unexpected knock sounded on the front door. When she made her way down the hall and saw the afternoon visitors, she thought how lucky it was Stephanie was at Mary Lou's house playing. Angie Morelli was standing on the porch, dressed in all black and with her mother-in-law, Bella, in tow.

Mother to Mother, Edna saw the grief etched into her face, the lines around the elder Morelli's face making her appear older than she was, and quickly made the decision to have them come in for refreshments.

Edna ushered the women into the living room and settled them onto the sofa and then brought them some cookies and iced tea while Harry looked on.

Instead of saying what he really thought of the Morelli family, Harry also made the women feel welcomed, even though it was the last thing he ever wanted to do.

It was because of a Morelli that everyone in their family, with the exception of Stephanie, was no longer among the living and Harry held nothing but contempt for the lot of them...but then he noticed the bruising on Angie's face had started to fade and she was certainly keeping up the appearance of a grieving widow, yet there was also a hint of relief emanating from her entire being that Harry couldn't help recognize.

Angie's quiet voice broke the silence that had settled over the room as they tasted the treats and sipped the tea. "Edna, please forgive our intrusion. But we felt compelled to stop by your home and express our sorrow over what Anthony did. I've sold our home, and I feel that it's for the best that we move away from Trenton." She cut her eyes to her Mother-in-law. "Bella made the suggestion and I can't help but agree."

Harry sat down his glass of tea and wiped his hands on a napkin before responding, "Just as Edna and I have had to start over with Stephanie, we totally understand you doing the same thing by moving away. I can only hope we all find peace in our hearts and souls in the coming years ahead. I do feel that our children are the future, and one day everyone will appreciate the sacrifices made on their behalf."

Angie's house became home to a new family as the Morelli's left town a few days after the visit to Harry and Edna.

And life continued on for both grieving families, one far away in another state.

Now both were teary-eyed seeing their granddaughter standing in front of them in the outfit she'd picked out for herself, ready for her first day at her new school.

There were brand-spanking-new Keds on her feet that Edna had helped Stephanie decorate. They'd used a packet of markers and drawn the Wonder Woman symbol on the sides. She'd tamed the often unruly brown curls of her hair back into a little ponytail and blue jeans and a t-shirt the color of her eyes completed her outfit.

Although he'd never been a morning person, Harry had slipped out earlier to get her the 'special occasion' treat both he and Edna agreed upon. Negotiating with the girl led both grandparents to think, she'd maybe be a whip-smart lawyer someday. She had opinions on anything and everything under the sun.

Mary Lou and Shirley had shown up just as breakfast was finished, and along with their parents all walked to the school, just down the road.

Each parent took note of what their daughters were wearing and marveled at the differences. Stephanie with her jeans and Keds, while Shirley donned a cute dress and her shiny black 'church' shoes her mother deemed necessary for the first day of school. Mary Lou's outfit was close to Stephanie's but her shirt was fire-engine red to go with her matching red tennis shoes. Mary Lou tended towards matching clothes and shoes, just like her mom.

As they made their way towards the school, Harry reflected on the recent moved they'd made, deciding the house Helen had grown up in was too small for the new blended Mazur family. They bought a three-bedroom house close to the school, thinking they needed to have Stephanie down the hall instead of right next door to their bedroom, especially since she often had her two best friends over for sleepovers and the three girls could get exceedingly loud. And who's to say what the teenage years would bring? Harry shuddered a little at the thought that his cute little granddaughter might one day want to bring boys over. Thank God that was years away.

Excited chattering was heard from the girls as they got closer to school. Slowly the parents held back just a little. It was a significant occasion on so many fronts. Needless to say, Harry had brought their camera so he could capture the moment of the friends going off together.

"Girls! Turn around and smile for me," Harry said once the sign for the Elementary School came into view.

As the three best friends were prone to do, several shots were taken. Each girl made a funny face, having learned that crossing your eyes with your tongue sticking out is a sure-fire laugh from others.

With their arms wrapped each other's waists, the trio finally settled down long enough for Harry to get the perfect shot of the girls.

He made sure to get a shot of each one of them with their own parents and then Mary Lou's Mom took the camera so they could have their own picture with Stephanie. She was sandwiched between her grandparents and they all smiled from ear to ear, cementing another day in their new lives.

"And that's your mom's first day of school, Alex. Even then your God Mother Mary Lou and their best friend Shirley were fun to be around," Harry told his Great Grandson.

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"This one," Alex said pointing at a different picture.

"Ah yes, that was a very special day indeed. You see little man, this is what happened that day..." Edna's voice said to the men in her life.

"Your Mom always wanted to be a super hero at Halloween, ever since she found the comic books that we had here at home. I always heard that Wonder Woman had her lasso of truth, the tiara that helped save others, and sometimes went by the name Diana Prince. I about had to tie your mom down to eat dinner that night, luckily she didn't have school the next day so she could enjoy the treats she got from homes around here."

"This is the year that the three girls finally got to go Trick-or-Treating together with all of the parents at the same time. Usually Mary Lou and Shirley's dads were working, but not that year. Your mom is Wonder Woman, see her bracelets we made? That right there is Mary Lou, she wanted to be a spy growing up, so she's wearing all black. Now, Shirley wanted to be Raggedy Ann, that's why her hair is in braids and she's wearing those striped stockings."

Alex said, "Those are the bestest outfits ever."

The knocking on the door brought Harry and Edna's picture time to a halt, for today at least. Opening the door after looking through the peephole, Harry undid the locks on the secure door to let in his granddaughter Stephanie and her husband, Ranger.

Both the Manoso's got hugs from Harry, then Edna as everyone saw Alex put the photo album away in the 'special place', as he called it.

"Daddy, did you know Mom was Wonder Woman for trick-or-treat? What did you want to be?" Questioning his dad, Alex had to look way up to see his face.

Picking his son up and going back to sit on the couch, Ranger told his first-born child, "Let's see, I always wanted to be Batman. He was in the Justice League with Wonder Woman and Superman."

Both father and son shared the same grin as Stephanie snapped a picture with her Grandma's new camera.

Another memory was made for the Mazur/Manoso household.

"Ella sent dinner for us, why don't you, Daddy and Grandma and Grandpa go get cleaned up while I get it out of the car ?" Steph asked her son.

"Oh boy! I hope she made those cookies like I get here," Alex said leading the way to the bathroom for clean up time.

Laughing at her son's comment, Stephanie merely headed out to the family car thinking to herself, 'Are you watching from up above? I've grown up and your Grandson, Alexander Franklin Manoso, is such a joy. I miss you every day and I hope to raise my son the way you raised me, Mom and Daddy, with love and a lot of laughter.'

After Steph and Edna had the dishes put away and the coffee was brewing for the adults, Alex brought over a different album.

"Just one more story, please?" He asked his mom this time.

Nodding her head with a smile on her face, everyone held their breath as Alex pointed to the first picture and said:

"Who's that little girl that sorta looks like me?"

Bringing Alex closer to both of them, Ranger had his arm around his wife with his son sitting between them.

It was time for introductions.

"Alex, that little girl is me. This is my Mom, Dad and my sister Valerie. Remember we told you about the special angels watching over our family here?" Steph asked her son.

After a nod of his head, she continued on telling him, "Meet your angels, Alex Manoso. Grandma Helen, Grandpa Frank and Aunt Valerie. Just like everyone in this room loves you, so does everyone from heaven."

Yawning, Alex softly said to his parents, "That's nice to have someone watching over us, just like Daddy's men do."

Crawling up and putting his head on his daddy's shoulder, everyone was at peace hearing their 'little man' breathing in and out lost in slumber.

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A/N.

All characters are property of Janet.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for leaving your thoughts in reviews.

See you next week. Thanks to my silent Beta who makes it all the better.