Ryder reassured her, "If I got married, then you will have one more person to love you. She would be the one to love you and care for you, just like me."
Emerson's eyes widened with hope, "Really?!"
Ryder confirmed in a firm voice, "Yes!!"
The next day, after lunch, Akai and Grandma Grace were engrossed in a movie in the living room. "Haha!! That one was good!" Grandma Grace exclaimed, delighted by the romantic scenes in the classic film they were watching. "Yeah..." Akai agreed with Grandma Grace. Grace was indulging in old movies from her era, and Akai, with no other plans, had joined her grandma for a movie afternoon.
When the doorbell rang, Akai got up to answer it. "Who is it?" she asked from behind the door, peeking through the peephole. But when she opened the door, she found no one. Suddenly, a voice shouted, "Surprise!" startling Akai so much that she took a step backward.
