Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 1036

1036 /1171

For years, it had just been me. After my mom passed, I didn't have any family left. Seeing all of you here today... I can't even describe how happy it makes me. I really do hope you’ll stay. Please, make yourselves at home. If you ever need anything or want to talk, just come to me.

Larry’s words were so heartfelt, Mrs. Lane’s eyes shimmered with tears all over again. Whatever awkwardness or distance there had been before, it was gone now.

Mrs. Lane quickly wiped her eyes and nodded. "Alright. We’ll listen to you, Larry."

Just like that, the bond between them felt a little tighter.

Larry didn’t have a housekeeper, so he made tea himself for his grandparents, aunt and uncle, and cousins. When everyone settled into the living room, he started asking about their lives—how things had been all these years. Ever since the Lane family left Cabinda, he hadn’t really kept up with them. He hadn’t gone out of his way to ask around, either.

Mrs. Lane squeezed Larry’s hand. “Your grandpa and I get by on our pensions. We’re not rich, but life is steady and peaceful. Your uncle’s a good, honest man. He and your aunt have a pretty solid relationship. They run a restaurant back home. Business is alright. And Calvert and Madonna, they both got into college here in Cabinda. We’re really proud of them.”

Calvert and Madonna Lane were Larry’s cousins, a set of twins who looked so much alike. They had features like their mom, Maisie, and something in their expressions reminded Larry of his own mother, which made him instantly feel close to them.

Mr. Lane chuckled. “They’ll be sophomores next term. The news from Cabinda, it was them who told us. If not, we wouldn’t have known anything about the Adams family at all.”

Larry smiled. “That means Calvert and Madonna can come over more often, right? We’re family—brothers and sisters. We should stick together. I live alone, and it gets a bit too quiet here sometimes. If you two come by whenever you can, I’ll have company.”

Calvert and Madonna had felt a little awkward around Larry at first, but seeing him reach out to them, they started to relax.

Calvert flashed a shy smile. “If you don’t mind having us around, we’ll definitely come over a lot, big brother.”

Madonna grinned, raising her hand. “Me too!” She was more outgoing, a bit like Audrey Williams, and Larry couldn’t help but feel happy. He pulled them both into a hug. “Now that I finally have family, how could I ever mind?”

Watching this, the older generation felt both comforted and a little emotional. But mostly, they were just glad. Their grandson finally had people around him again. And they could look forward to seeing him build a happy life, maybe even get married and have kids.