Bound To You For A Lifetime

Before she returned to her boyfriend's place, Clara made sure to drop by the Cooper's. She hadn't seen them since she left their home last year.

"You've grown even more beautiful since the last time we saw you," Joy said as she twirled Clara to have a good look.

"Thank you aunty. The condition over there was pretty good to me," she smiled brightly. "Uncle isn't home?"

Joy sighed. Ever since he got to know Flora's side of the family, he willingly became an adopted father-in-law. The only thing left for him to do was change their family name from Cooper to Jenkins.

"He's hanging out with his new friends. I hardly see him these days myself."

Clara nodded understandably. No one could control Greg. Seeing how Joy was looking at her with slight pity in her eyes, she decided to come clear.

"Aunty, you don't have to worry anymore. I have a boyfriend now, and I have moved past my feelings for Frank. Now, he's just my older brother."

Joy didn't rush to speak. "When your mother birthed you, my joy knew no bounds. I knew my son wouldn't have a lonely childhood because he gained a new sister. Your mother and I didn't mean for things to get complicated."

"Now I understand. Growing up around such an excellent man, it would be abnormal if I didn't feel anything for him. I am happy that he found his own happiness, and I have found mine now."

Joy's mood improved when she heard that. She hugged Clara, "aunty is also glad that you're in a happy place now. The next time you're around, you should definitely spend some time with Flora. I feel like both of you would get along well."

The pair spoke for quite a while before they separated.

...

At Flora's home, the atmosphere was very bubbly thanks to the rivalry between Janet and Frank.

"Those old geeks may think you sing better, but I rule over scrabble in this house," she teased Greg who had just lost to her for the third time that day.

Greg rolled his eyes at her before taking his seat next to grandpa Jacob.

"Aye! Just don't mind her. After all these years with her, I have just resigned to my fate of being the wife and her the husband."

Everyone laughed.

"So Flora, what's the progress between you guys?" Janet whispered to her.

"We just hangout, watch movies, eat, and talk until we fall asleep."

Janet placed her hands around Flora's shoulders before giving her a very good shake.

"And you're satisfied? What is the benefit of having a boyfriend when you cannot tease him until he reaches breaking point?"

Flora who was getting dizzy from all the shake didn't understand her grandmother's words.

"What do you mean?"

Janet sighed, "as the granddaughter who takes after me the most, you are slow to m.a.t.u.r.e in the ways of womanhood."

Seeing the confusion in her eyes, Janet pulled her up to a secluded place, "come! Let grandmother instill in you the ways to put your man's heart in a cage."