Summary: This story takes place ten years into the future. The characters in this story are as following; Will Vandom, Susan Vandom, Irma Lair, Anna Lair, Tony Vandom, Tom Lair, Taranee Cook, Theresa Cook, Lionel Cook, Peter Cook, Elizabeth Hale, Harold Hale, Lillian Hale, Chen Lin, Joan Lin, Hay Lin, Cornelia Hale, Cassidy, Emily, Yan Lin, Mira Lin, Kadma, Halinor, Chris Lair.

The girls have grown up and married, hoping to live happily ever after. But sadly, as reality tells us, there is never a happily ever after. Now the girls must live without a husband and an unborn child. Can they deal with this and still find true happiness? Or is their world forever lost in darkness?

PS: For my good buddies Cassidy the Water Sage and Cassidy Herrera, I added Cassidy to this story. She is a main character, so she goes under the whole summary. Unborn child? (wink, wink, nudge, nudge)

Chapter 5: Hay Lin's Tears

Yan Lin placed the final dishes into the sink and whipped her brow with a rag.

She was really getting too old for this kind of labor.

Just then, there was a scream. A scream of joy.

Yan Lin shot out of kitchen and gasped.

Hay Lin was standing at the door way, being hugged by her parents and Mira. She notice her grandmother and smiled.

"Hey Grandma," Hay Lin said in a hoarse rasp. It sounded like she had been crying earlier.

"Hay Lin," Yan Lin gasped as tears of joy fell down her cheeks.

"Hi Grandma," Hay Lin greeted.

"We're so glad you came home," Chen laughed.

"Me too," Hay Lin said. Tears ran down her eyes as she said, "'Cause I'll be staying here again."

"What?" Joan asked. "What about Eric? Neither of you went bankrupt, did you?"

Hay Lin shook her head sadly. "Eric won't be joining us."

"What happened?" Yan Lin demanded.

More tears fell down her granddaughter's cheeks as she said, "He's dead, Grandma. He died in battle, when a suicide boomer blew himself up."

"Oh," was all the former air guardian could say.

"He was shipped off four months ago. I got the news of his death three days ago."

Yan Lin, Chen, Mira, and Joan were silent for a moment.

Then Chen lifted his grown daughter's chin and said, "You can stay here as long as you'd like Hay Lin. It's not every day your husband dies in a suicide bombing."

More tears fell down Hay Lin's cheeks. "Thanks Dad," she choked.

Chen held his daughter close.

It was silent again, the only sound was of Hay Lin's soft sobs.

Then, she stirred and mumbled, "There's something I need to tell you guys."

Joan arched an eyebrow. Mira asked, "What is it, Hay Lin?"

For a moment, Hay Lin's lips broke into a gentle smile and she answered, "I'm going to have Eric's baby."

Yan Lin gasped.

"His baby? How-when did you find out?" Chen asked urgently.

"The day before he was shipped off. I'm four months pregnant, as of today."

"Then congratulations, Hay Lin!" Joan said with joy.

"At least you have his child to remember him by," Mira pointed out.

Hay Lin nodded and rubbed her belly. "But this child will be born without a father. That's the bad thing."

"All will be well, Hay Lin," Yan Lin reasoned. "You have nothing to worry about."

"Thanks again, everyone," Hay Lin whispered. "I feel lucky already."

"You were always the lucky one of the family," Chen said.

Joan, Mira, and Yan Lin nodded their agreement and gathered around for a group hug.

"But there's one thing we need from you," Chen said, breaking the moment.

Hay Lin widened her eyes in surprise, but she didn't say a word. She knew what was coming.

"You need to work in the restaurant until you're in your eighth month, okay?"

"Chen!" Joan snapped. Hay Lin raised her hand to stop her mother.

"It's okay, Mom. I understand. I shouldn't just sit here and do nothing. It's only fair," Hay Lin reasoned.

"But still," Joan tried to say, but Mira just shook her head.

"You heard the kid. She made up her mind. Let's just leave it as that," she said.

Joan sighed but nodded.

Chen smiled and clapped his hands together. "Great! Then let's get cracking. We have a lot of cleaning up to do before dinner rush."

The others followed Chen to the kitchen.

"It's good to have you back, Hay Lin," Yan Lin said to her granddaughter.

"Thanks, Grandma," Hay Lin said, returning a smile.

Perhaps she could have her happily ever after.

But one thing was certain.

It would take a long time before it was even in sight.