Torren considered, "Whatever people say about her, she just ignores it, and lets it bounce off, or did she do it because she doesn't want to disrespect her family, but just supposes she can't handle the pressure with Candis and Jeff, and behaves like Dalia?'
Confusion and frustration began overwhelming his heart 'Oh my God, I don't want to put her in a position like that? I don't want her to become a rebellious person to misbehaves with others.
She already has a family that treats her badly and humiliates her publicly, and knowing Jeff and Candis, they won't hesitate to do the same. I care for her too much to have her go through that drama."
With all these questions bundled up, unable to control his emotions. He felt so distraught, crying out to the Lord, "Lord, I know she was hurt when her Aunt abused her in front of everyone, yet she ignores it and volunteers to assist her Uncle and Aunt. She takes her responsibilities seriously, and dear God, you know my Father and my children love her a lot. Hearing Tray called her Mummy. I know they have accepted her, my Lord. You know I like her a lot, and I know she likes me, but will she accept my proposal of marriage?"
Lying on his back, trying to soak in the thoughts of her marrying him, then the thought of her rejecting his proposal. "Oh Lord, suppose I am taking her friendship to another level, when she is not serious about me. Will I be making a fool of myself?"
I know what her Aunt did to her didn't push her to the brink to make a harsh decision, even though she was hurt. When I asked her to leave with me, she turned down my offer outright. She put aside her own feelings, needs and thoughts to accommodate her loved ones. I can see she enjoys her independence, and that's what I respect about her; she never allows anyone to manipulate or control her thinking."
An hour must have gone by before Torren decided to return to the house, getting no closer to an answer.
Concluding in his mind. 'If I continue to think about this matter, it will drive me out of my mind. I will just have to ask her, and whatever the answer, I will respect her decision, but I will do it when she is alone and in a secluded place.
Besides, I don't know if my family is ready to accept me being remarried. Recalling the way they were looking at her when Tray called her Mummy.'
Taking a few deep breaths once more, "Lord, you will show me what to do? The final decision is Yours, and I will accept it as your will for me. I don't want my children to go through what I went through. I like Shawney, but I know my children come first. I beg you to help me."
Opening the back door, hearing loud speaking, wondering who it was and what was going on?' Getting closer to the lounge, recognised Dalia's parents' voice. 'Why are they here?'
Listening to the conversation, trying to come to some clarity, and wondering why they were so angry.
When Dad's voice rings out, "Two years you all never took time to visit your grandchildren, and suddenly you feel you have rights?"
"Train, we are worried. Dalia told us what Torren went through with his stepmother; we don't want Torren to get involved with someone, and these children may have to endure the same ill-treatment. We are concerned, so don't try to take us out to be the bad ones here."
"For your information, Torren has no plans of getting married."
Gus continues to pursue his curiosity, "That's not what we heard."
Train angers boil, wondering which traitor sits like a poisonous snake. "And what have you heard?"
"If the truth be told, we heard some of the members of the family want to convince Torren to marry your guest who has been here."
"Well, Gus, I really don't care what you heard, and who relates this information to you? As long as my grandchildren are happy and Torren is happy, the family, the village, the city, could say what they want; I don't care.
I don't have to answer to you or my children. In fact, when I hear which one of them transfers that news to you? They will need to obtain a new mailing address.
Now, if you have any other concerns about my grandchildren, don't be; you never took any part in their upbringing, so there's no need for you to share your concerns.
I love my grand, do you think I will let some fly-by-night woman come to disrupt their life, get real."
Stepping through the lounge room, Torren walked directly to his Dad, "Dad, is everything alright? I heard loud-speaking?"
"Everything is fine, Son. There's no need to worry."
Looking at The Collin's, Torren asks, "Is something bothering you all?"
"Yes, Torren, my grandchildren's welfare."
"Nothing is wrong with the welfare of my children; in fact, my children are happy. What I want to know is why the concern now? When I was hospitalised and unaware of my children, you never were a bit concerned; so why now?"
"They are our grandchildren."
Hearing him laugh, Train looks at him. He is taking control of his anger; when he did speak, it was calm and in a collective tone.
"Mom, Dad, they were always your grandchildren, but you all never care to come and visit them, nor take them for a weekend. No one stopped you when I had completely forgotten them. Don't you think so? You should have come and taken them and ensured that they were well taken care of, but they don't know of your existence."