After her husband’s death, a 20-year-old woman and her 3-month-old son ended up on the street…

Seeing her daughter-in-law with the baby and an unfamiliar man, she turned pale and clutched at her chest. Come inside, Gregory said hesitantly. We need to talk.

In the living room, where John’s memorial had been held not long ago, a tense silence settled. Mindy sat holding Alex in her arms. Andrew sat close beside her, ready to step in if needed.

Opposite them sat John’s parents, his father looking shaken, his mother pale. Why did you come? Dolores finally broke the silence. To ask for money? No, Mindy replied calmly.

I have money. John made sure Alex and I would be taken care of. What do you mean? Gregory frowned.

Mindy briefly explained the contents of the safety deposit box, the apartment, and the insurance policy. With every word, Dolores’ expression darkened. I don’t believe it, she said sharply when Mindy finished.

John would never have done something like that behind our backs. But he did, Andrew interjected, taking out a folder with documents. And he asked me to help his family.

I’m Andrew, Mr. Smith, John’s friend and colleague. Here are the documents. You’re welcome to look through them.

Gregory tipped the folder and began examining the papers. His hands trembled slightly. Everything is legally sound, he noted, passing the folder to his wife.

And the handwriting in John’s letter. I recognize it. Dolores looked at the documents with suspicion but said nothing.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Why did you come? She asked again, but without the previous aggression. Do you want to punish me? To show me how wrong I was? I came because of Alex, your grandson, Mindy replied quietly.

He’s a natural part of John that remains in this world. I don’t want to deprive him of his grandparents or you of your grandson. As if sensing the importance of the moment, Alex suddenly smiled a toothless smile and reached out his little hand to Dolores.

Something shifted in the elderly woman’s expression. May I, may I hold him? She asked uncertainly. Mindy hesitated for a second, then carefully handed the baby to her mother-in-law.

Dolores clumsily took her grandson, but her hands remembered how to hold a baby. Long ago, she had held little John the same way. Oh God, he’s so, she whispered, steadying the baby’s face.

Just like Nikituska at this age. Gregory stepped closer, standing beside his wife, gazing at his grandson. Tears welled in his eyes.

Exactly like John, he confirmed in a trembling voice. Alex, pleased with the attention, gurgled and grabbed his grandfather’s finger with his tiny hand. Strong grip, Gregory smiled through tears.

He’ll be strong, just like his father. Andrew gently touched Mindy’s arm and nodded toward the kitchen. They left the elders alone with their grandson and stepped into the next room.

Looks like the ice is breaking, Andrew whispered. But be careful. Never leave Alex alone with them until you’re sure they can be trusted.

Mindy nodded. She didn’t feel any satisfaction in watching her mother-in-law’s defeat. If anything, she felt sorry for this woman, who had lost her only son and nearly lost her grandson too, all because of her own pride and unfairness.

Half an hour later, they returned to the living room. Dolores, now a bit more at ease with the child, was softly humming a lullaby. When she noticed them entering, she looked flustered and handed Alex back to Mindy.

Thank you, she said quietly. Thank you for coming. I… I don’t know what came over me back then.

Grief clouded my mind. I understand. Mindy nodded as she took the baby.

We all lost John, and it’s hard on all of us. You can come home, Gregory suddenly offered. Your room is still there.

We’ll help with the baby. Mindy shook her head. Thank you.

But we have our own home now. John made sure of that. But you’re welcome to visit whenever you’d like to see your grandson…