asked sternly.

Hugh dropped his head in shame. “I’m sorry, Grandpa,” he said quietly.

“I apologize for disappointing you and Gran. But I didn’t have a choice… Please come in. I have to tell you something that I don’t think I can keep from you any longer.”

Hugh got them some tea and biscuits as they settled in, and then he revealed his story…

It turned out Hugh was expelled for his absenteeism.

He was too afraid to reveal the truth for fear of being chastised by Jeff and Ellis, so he kept receiving the money they sent him and rented a small house with it.

Later, in order to stay afloat, he began working a couple of low-wage jobs. The true tragedy struck when his girlfriend Natalie became pregnant recently. He was planning to finish his degree, but he couldn’t return to university since he needed to continue working to support her and their child.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you guys…Like, I really didn’t want to, but I had no choice but to continue working.

Nat isn’t home right now…she’s at work, and we’re both doing our best to support our child. I’m sorry, I’ve been a terrible person to you both.”

“Well, there’s no doubt about that,” Jeff said firmly. “You lied to us, Hugh, and we’re upset about it… However… we’re also proud of you.

At least, I am…”

Ellis and Hugh exchanged confused looks, unable to grasp what Jeff was saying.

“You’re proud of me? But why?” Hugh asked him.

“Didn’t you just say you took parental responsibility for your child, Hugh? Trust me, if I were in your circumstances, I would have been concerned about how to go ahead.

But you gave up everything for it, Hugh. That’s why I’m so proud of you!”

“What’s the point, Grandpa?” Hugh said sadly. “No matter how hard we try, we just can’t seem to meet the expenses.

Nat is six months into her pregnancy, and she’s still working. Then there’s the delivery expenses and everything else…I don’t know what to do now…”

“That’s why you should never keep secrets from your family, Hugh,” Jeff said and patted his grandson’s shoulder. “You see, we don’t have any funds to help you with your studies right now.

We actually borrowed the money for your final semester. But we can help you with your child…”

“What? You took a loan?” Hugh was almost teary-eyed.

“That’s okay, Hugh,” Jeff consoled him.

“We’ll figure out how to repay it. But we suggest you move in with us…See, you can at least save up on the rent if you stay with us. And well, we’d like to talk to Natalie as well about it.

Right, Ellis?”

“Your grandfather is right, Hugh,” she smiled. “You are our grandchild, and while we’re upset with you, we still love you.”

“Thank you so much! I love you guys!” Hugh said and embraced them.

“I’m so sorry again for letting you down and disappointing you. I am very sorry…..Nat will be home soon. She’d be so happy to meet you two!”

“We love you too, darling.

Now let’s wait for Natalie to be back home, okay?” Ellis said, patting his back.

When Natalie returned home, Jeff and Ellis suggested the same idea to her. She was delighted to meet them and thanked them for stepping in to help them.

Jeff and Ellis lived with Natalie and Hugh at their home for over a month until Natalie got a transfer to Hugh’s hometown.

Once there, Hugh began looking for better jobs while Ellis and Jeff started their own small homemade bakery business, with Ellis in charge of the baking and Jeff in charge of the delivery.

The whole family managed to produce a solid monthly income and paid off the loan they had taken out for Hugh’s college. Meanwhile, Hugh began working part-time while attending a local college to complete his degree.

He worked hard to secure a scholarship, and it paid off.

Two months later, Hugh and Natalie welcomed their baby, Ava, and Jeff and Ellis stepped in to look after her while Natalie and Hugh were busy with work.

It took four more years for Hugh to be well settled to look after his family independently, but he did it. He got a good job when he graduated, and he even returned all the money he’d borrowed from Jeff and Ellis, who continued to run their bakery business.

Later, another good news knocked on the Jenkins’ doorstep, when Natalie and Hugh welcomed triplets.

What can we learn from this story?

Never ever hide the truth from your loved ones. If only Hugh had shared his problems with Jeff and Ellis before, they could have helped him much earlier.
Together as a family, we can do the unthinkable.

Together as a family, Jeff, Hugh, Ellis, and Natalie managed to thrive through the worst financial crunch, and they overcame it.
Love and home are where family is. Ellis and Jeff took in Hugh and Natalie, and the younger heads agreed that it was the best decision they’d ever made because they got both love and support from them.