**Diary Entry A Familys True Measure**
*”Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.”*
*”Here we go again. Will you hold this over me forever?”*
Tanya and Oliver had been married for ten years.
Tanyas mother had remarried when she was three, and her stepfather, Nicholas, had raised her as his own. Her younger brother, Thomas, wasnt his by blood eitheronly her little sister, Natalie, was. Yet he never treated them differently.
When Tanya married Oliver and moved in with him, Natalie was just eight. Oliver took to Nicholas straightawayno surprise, really. The man could chat earnestly with anyone, whether a child, a teenager, or a grown man. He spoke to them as equals, finding common ground effortlessly.
Oliver had no complaints about his mother-in-law either, but it was Nicholas he bonded with, soon calling him “Dad.” His own father had passed long ago. His mother had gone to stay with her ailing mother in the countryside and never returned, leaving the house to him.
Tanya and Oliver renovated the place with Nicholass help. Her mother grumbledwhy would anyone leave the city for a village?
*”Mum, its a proper town. There are even five-storey buildings in the centre!”*
*”You live in a cottage. That makes it the countryside.”*
Ten years passed. Their son and daughter grew up. After university, Thomas stayed in the city, far from home. Natalie married, but with no place of their own, they rentedpaid for by her parents.
*”Let them stay with us,”* Nicholas told his wife.
*”Fine, but we need to talk.”*
*”About what?”*
*”Why did you change jobs?”*
*”Weve discussed this. The kids earn their own keep now. I cant manage two jobs anymorenot after my illness. Expenses are lighter.”*
*”Natalie needs a flat.”*
*”She has a husband.”*
*”Dont forget, youve lived in my flat your whole life.”*
*”There you go again. Will you hold this over me forever?”*
*”Choose! Work to buy her a flat or leave!”*
*”What choice is that? Work myself to death?”*
*”Then Ill file for divorce. Go. Youve got that house.”*
*”The house? Have you seen it? Its practically ruins.”*
*”Dont care. You refused to sell it.”*
Silently, Nicholas packed the bare essentials.
*”Take everything, or Ill bin the rest.”*
*”Weve spent our lives together. You retire next year. Im sixty-three.”*
*”Shouldve married someone younger. No decent man wouldve taken me with two kids in tow.”*
*”Is that what you think of them? Ill go. Ill collect the rest later.”*
*”Mum, wheres Dad?”*
*”You know hes not your real father.”*
*”What does that change? Hes my dadthe only one Ive got.”*
*”Weve separated. Natalie and her husband are moving in.”*
*”What? Wheres Dad?”*
*”Back in his village.”*
*”And Natalie agreed to send him there, weak as he is? How could you?”*
*”Why do you care?”*
*”This isnt right. Does Thomas know?”*
*”Why bother him? Hes miles away.”*
Oliver, overhearing, slipped out to call Nicholaswho rarely carried his phone. By luck, he answered.
*”Were not here for your money,”* Tanya said. *”When were you going to tell us?”*
*”None of your business!”*
Oliver returned, gripping her hand. *”Lets go. Kidsin the car. Were fetching Grandad.”*
Nicholas met them by the crumbling cottage.
*”Grandad, does a wicked granny live here?”* the grandchildren teased.
*”No. She stayed in the city.”*
Tanya and Oliver laughed, though Nicholass heartache was plain. Hed been glad to see them but didnt want to burden them.
*”Why did you come?”*
*”How could we leave you here?”* Oliver said. *”Pack your things. Youre coming home with us.”*
Nicholas didnt cry, but tears came anyway.
Days later, they returned from holiday to find Tanyas mother in their house.
*”Mum, what are you doing here? Wheres Dad?”*
*”I came to check on the place,”* she said breezily. *”And whos this stranger with a dog?”*
Oliver stepped in. *”Where is he?”*
*”Natalies taken my flat. Ill live here now.”*
*”Not a chance,”* Oliver said firmly. *”Time to leave.”*
They found Nicholas back at the cottage, the little dog curled beside him.
*”Youre back?”* he said weakly. *”Im fine here.”*
*”No, youre not. Get in the car.”*
Nicholas stayed with them after that. His ex-wife never reappeared. Thomas visited them, not her.
One day, Thomas announced, *”Were moving closer.”*
*”Good.”*
*”Buying a house?”*
*”No. I want land.”*
*”Ive got some,”* Nicholas said. *”If you like it, build there.”*
*”Your land, your home,”* Thomas insisted. *”Youll live with us.”*
They bickered light-heartedlyno one wanted to share him.
Natalie turned up much later, sent by her mother.
*”Dad, Im your only daughter. Did you build this new house?”*
*”No. Its Thomass.”*
*”On my land?”*
*”Yours?”*
*”Im your blood. That land should be mine.”*
*”No. Youll get your mothers flat. Thats all.”*
Nicholas stood firm. *”You forgot me. But Ive three children who didnt.”*
**Lesson:** Blood doesnt define familylove does. And those who cherish you will always find their way home.
