"We're here, Ian!" Tyler cheered.
Ian, however, didn't make any expression. Instead, he looked outside the window of the car and saw the house that both he and his aunt would be living in.
"I heard that his house is big inside, Ian. That would be great for you to run around the house, right? Even the backyard is a reasonable size." Tyler helped Ian out of the back seat of the car. "Isn't this exciting? Now we just need to get the luggage from the trunk."
Tyler and Ian both walked to the back of the car and looked in the opened trunk. They had all their personal belongings inside, especially Ian's favorite teddy bear that was passed down to him from his late father.
Sadly, about three months ago, Ian's parents both died in a car accident on their way to a trip. Tyler was caring for the happy Ian at the time, but after hearing the news, Ian stopped talking. After filling out files for adoption, Tyler became Ian's new mother.
"Here is your little teddy, Ian!" Tyler passed it to Ian.
Ian took the bear and looked closely at it without saying a word. He then nodded his head as a thank you.
"Great. Now head inside. Aunty Tyler will be bringing in the luggage, alright?"
Ian then released his hand from Tyler and walked into the house. The house was pretty big compared to what the two of them lived in back in New York. The house was big enough for Ian to run around and play, but Ian didn't feel in the mood to do that. Ever since he lost his parents, he had been going through depression. His aunt has been doing all she could to help bring up his spirits, but it didn't seem to be working.
"Ian! Here is the first box. Open it up and see what's inside." Tyler brought in a box.
Ian opened the flaps and saw his belongings inside.
"Wow! It's your things! Want to bring it up to your room? It's on the second floor, the second door after climbing up the stairs, alright?"
Ian then took the box and ran upstairs. He opened up the door to his room and saw how empty it was. He then put the box near the door seal and then took out his things.
Inside the box was his shirts, shorts, jeans, and his baseball mitt. He took out his baseball mitt and glanced at it.
"Sorry for not having any beds or shelves yet, Ian. I'm pretty sure they will be coming tomorrow." Tyler said passing by Ian's room. "You can leave your clothes in the box until we get you a dresser, alright?"
Ian then looked at his glove again, and Tyler noticed it. "Oh, is that the glove your dad gave you? Want to play catch after we finish settling in?"
Ian then shook his head.
"Ah, I see. You must be tired. I'll take out the memory foam beds for us to sleep on tonight, alright?" Tyler smiled. "Well, I need to finish up bringing in the luggage. Continue getting used to the new humble abode!"
Ian then stood there wondering what he should do. Dinner would be soon, so he decided to just gaze at his glove for the time being.
***
"Phew. Finished unpacking. Ready for dinner, Ian?"
Ian came walking to the table and took his plate. He then made his way to the kitchen.
"Here. One hamburger for you. Are you sure you can finish this whole thing?"
Ian nodded his head.
"Alright then. Let's eat."
***
After dinner, Ian was ready for bed.
"Oh, are you going to bed now?" Tyler looked up at Ian. "Good night. I hope the bed is comfortable."
Ian then went up to his room and fell asleep. However, in the middle of the night, he had the urge to use the bathroom. Even though he tries to act strong, he still needs someone to help him to the bathroom.
Ian then walked downstairs and saw his aunt laying her head on the table. He wondered if she was alright.
He walked up to her and tugged on her shirt. When he did that, she lifted up her head and looked at Ian with tears in her eyes.
"Oh, Ian. Is everything alright?" Tyler wiped her tears away.
At that moment, Ian realized that even though Tyler was a grown up, she too has feelings. Ian may have lost his mom, but Tyler lost her sister also.
Ian then hugged Tyler's waist. "I'm sorry, aunty Tyler!" Ian cried.
"Huh? Sorry for what?" Tyler was shocked that Ian finally spoke.
"I need to use the bathroom!!"
***
"Feel better now?" Tyler asked after Ian walked out of the bathroom.
Ian then nodded his head. "I'm sorry, aunty Tyler."
Tyler then kneeled to reach Ians height and patted his head. "Why are you sorry?"
"I wasn't talking for a long time. I was sad that mommy and daddy died, but I knew you were more sad. I didn't want to talk because I knew I would end up crying." Ian teared up.
Tyler then gave Ian a motherly smile. "Ian, you don't have to feel sad about crying. It's a normal thing to do. Also, bottling up all those feelings inside isn't healthy. So let's cry together, alright?"
Ian then gave his aunt a big hug and nodded his head.
"You want to know what your mommy showed me when your grandpa died?"
"Uh-huh." Ian wiped away his tears.
"Here, let's go outside fof a bit."
Tyler and Ian then walked outside and looked up at all the stars.
"Mommy, daddy, and grandpa are all up there right now. Here is what we will say to them: We are doing fine and surviving."
"I'm doing fine, mommy and daddy! Aunty Tyler is taking good care of me!" Ian yelled up at the sky.
"See? Now mommy and daddy won't be worried if we are doing alright or not. I will do my best to take good care of you, alright?"
Ian then smiled at Tyler. "Yeah! I will do my best to make aunty Tyler happy also!"
"Thanks, Ian. Let's head to bed now, it's getting late."
"Okay."
The two of them went safely to bed. What lies instore for these two?