While the protests outside of the Stevens household was being dispersed, Jen Decker was pulling a lasagna out of the oven. She carefully brought it over to the table and set it down in the middle. Jen then looked over to Tad, who had been sitting on the couch while she had been working on dinner.
“Tad, would you do me a favor?” Jen asked. “Would you mind helping Claire downstairs for dinner while I set the table?”
Tad nodded and got up from the couch. “Sure thing mom,” he said. He walked out of the living room and up the stairs. He walked down the upstairs hallway and opened the door to his mom’s room to find Claire sitting on the edge of the bed.
“Oh, you’re already up,” Tad said. “That’s good. Mom wanted me to help you downstairs for dinner.”
“Thank you Tad,” Claire said with a smile as Tad walked over to the bed and helped her to stand up. She took a few wobbly steps before mostly regaining her balance.
“I’m glad that you’re okay,” Tad said as he helped Claire to the door. “I haven’t seen my mom this happy since my dad died…”
Claire nodded silently. “You...you do know that I’m not trying to...replace him...right?”
“Of course I know that,” Tad responded as they began to walk down the stairs. “No one can replace my dad though.”
Claire nodded again. She was quiet for a few seconds before asking “If your mom and I were to get married...you wouldn’t be against the marriage, right?”
Tad shook his head as the two of them stepped into the living room.
“I’ll give you both my full love and support,” he said with a kind smile. “You love my mom, and my mom loves you just as much. I see no reason that the two of you shouldn’t get married.”
“Thank you Tad,” Claire said softly.