Adrien knew many problems in the world, loss in business, working hard to get where you are, traitors where you work, and many much.

But abuse by someone, specially parents wasn't something he ever faced. Even he ever heard one or two cases of abuse, mental, physical or sexual, it wasn't something on which he too much thought or invested his mind.

For him, cases of abuse was always among gypsies, or low lives and all. What he never predicted was that his wife, his Emerson could be the one abused by her parents, who are millionaires, big business people.

And the depth of the situation, the reality didn't sink in him untill he hear Emerson talk with Grandma Rose.

The pain she felt...

He realised it wasn't Emerson who was shielded from real problems of the world, but it was him who was shielded from the outer world. It was too much for him to handle. It was far worse than loosing millions of dollars in some deal, not that lost any.

The frustration, pain, anger , guilt overwhelmed him, and for the for the time in bis life since he was 8 , tears dropped from his eyes for Emerson.

~~~~~~~

"We can discuss this later Adrien, Grandpa didn't look good last night. I want to check up on him." She whispered, looking behind him.

Adrien sighed , and he was sure he heard crack of something breaking in him.

He nodded and Emerson leaned forward, and wiping a tear on his cheek and giving him a peck, she left for Henry's room.

Emerson knocked on the door but when no one answered, she went inside.

What she saw made her heart clench.

Henry was sitting on the floor, his back against the bed and staring into space.

But his eyes held pain. Like someone had slashed his skin and poured salt on it.

"Grandpa, are you okay? " Emerson asked softly.

He didn't reply , but a tear left his eye.

Emerson's concern grew. She couldn't handle another person's health going downhill. Doesn't matter if it is mental or physical.

"You know Grandpa, no matter how much cloudy it is, the stars still exist, even if they are invisible, that's the universal truth, and the same way, if a person truly loves you, they will understand your intention behind your actions no matter how much you failed? " She asked him.

Henry's slouched figure froze.

He turned to look at her with glassy eyes. He couldn't believe she remembered. The day of Gabriella's funeral.

"The person who truly love you will always be there to support you, even if you can't see him or her, like the way we can't see the stars in daylight and sun in night, but they exist. They will always exist." She said softly, bit loud enough for Henry to hear.

"You know Grandpa, a teenage girl of merely 14 or 15 years saw an old, but powerful looking man sitting in park, looking so pained, grieving the loss of his better half. She wished to console the man, make him happy again, because she could see he too was once happy. What she didn't expect was to the man to comfort her, like she was his own blood. Like she mattered, and always will. And I am still indebted to the man Grandpa. For his love, even for a day, and for the kindness and care he showed." She told him.

Henry couldn't control and his shoulders shook as he sobbed loudly.

"How can you say that sweets, I caused you pain. I took the chance of love from you, how could I... My Gabriella, she would really be disappointed. You must be hating me. You should be hating me. Why are you saying these things to me ? Why are you trying to make me feel better when you should punish me instead." He asked, and in his words you could now realise how much he was bearing on his shoulders.

" You know Grandpa, no matter how much of an ass your grandson is, he is still a good man? " She tried to joke.

Henry cracked a half hearted smile at that.

" I believe he is faithful. I know he is faithful. From checking on me behind my back to see if I am safe, to following me to a different country to make sure of the same, even if he knew I could handle myself... He didn't show, tried to hide his best, but he cares. Really. His actions behind me shows it more than how he acts in front of me, not wanting to show his gentle side. I don't regret marrying him Grandpa. He, he is a good man, he is good for me, just the time and place was wrong. The way he cares even if doesn't show anyone, always checking your medical reports to see you are okay, always looking out if his parents are happy..." She smiled softly.

"He may not know, but I know so much about him. His real side, not the one he shows to the world. And it isn't new that Stone family has got real good genes in the department of looks. So do you really think a girl, who really craved love and care all her life, could not fall in love with such a man? " She said while staring right in his eyes.

Henry's lips parted open in shock, not being able to believe what he heard.

His little sweets, the girl whom he thought was an angel sent by his Gabriellla the moment she reached heavens, whom he unknowingly hurted, loved the dumbass of his grandson.

He could see she loved Adrien. In her eyes, which had adoration and love for him, he could see it all.

He still couldn't believe it.

~~~~~~~

Henry sat on the bench in the park, dressed in black, his figure slouched in defeat.

'Why did you leave me like that Gabriella, why did you? '

The love of his life for so long, his other half, his soul mate, his best friend , his everything, was gone.

He felt like something in his heart died, broke down, never to be fixed again. It was too much for him to handle. Even after 50 years of togetherness, he couldn't go more than a day or two without her, how was he going to live the rest of his life with out her?

He was so deep in grieving and pain, he didn't realise a small girl, a few years younger than his grandson sitting beside him.

He felt a small warm hand touch his shoulder and startled by the warmth and comfort it gave, he turned so fast it was a surprise he didn't get a whiplash with his age. The aura around her felt like his Gabby was there.

When his eyes met with brown doe eyes, instead of sharp green eyes, reality seeped again in him.

He half heartedly rose a questioning brow towards the girl, not in the mood of being disturbed by anyone, even if he could see the girl was innocent and kind hearted just from her eyes.

She gave him a small smile and offered him a small box of sweets.

"No matter how much cloudy it is, the stars still exist, even if they are invisible, that's the universal truth, and the same way, the person we love would may not be visible, but they will always be with us, their love would always be with us, no matter what." She said sweetly.

He could feel something stabbing inside his chest. The little girl, reminding so much of his Gabby to him was so painful. But he felt like the part which died inside him with Gabby, was sent back by Gabby herself in the form of this little angel.

"So wise for such a small age hmm?" He asked her in a fatherly tone making a small blush rise on her cheeks.

But she just gave him a small smile in return.

"Your clothes, they are for someone's funeral aren't they? That's why you are sad? " She asked him.

He sighed, a painful look crossing across his face. He gave her a nod.

"You must love him or her so much. I don't know what it feels like. But I know the person who loved us is always there, no matter what." She said with a smile.

Henry tilted his head towards her.

"And who is that person for you? Someone who is always there no matter what?" He asked curiously, and thinking his one was in heavens now.

She gave him a shy smile.

She didn't have anyone, but she flet inside her, that their is some one. Probably God, but there had to be.

Her parents might not be, but someone is.

Pain flashed in her eyes thinking about her parents, family.

Henry saw a flash of pain in her eyes.

She turned to him and gave him a small smile .

"Someone." She answered.

Henry gave her a smile.

Vowing to himself to protect the girl, the angel Gabriella sent for him.

"And what is your name sweets? Mine is Henry." He asked.

She gave him a smile.

"Emerson. But sweets too sounds good."

************

Ciao,

S. A. D.