A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust

After paying their respects to Kermit, Calliope and Silas made their way back to the old family house.

The place was still packed with stuff, including some belongings from Calliope's three brothers.

Calliope texted her brothers to let them know she'd be sorting through their things, since they didn't have time to come back themselves.

Silas had brought a small crew along, so the actual heavy lifting got handed over to them while Calliope took a breather.

It was getting late when the mayor, Neil, showed up with a few of the neighbors. They'd heard Calliope was back in town and came by to see her.

"Callie, girl! You're finally home! We missed you like crazy!" someone called out, grinning from ear to ear.

Neil, an older guy with a kindly but serious look, walked up to Calliope. "Callie, about the house... have you made up your mind?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm.

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly, if you don't want it torn down, I can try to think of another way. I don't like the idea of demolishing it either. When I called, it wasn't to pressure you into anything."

Calliope smiled softly. "I know, Neil. You're attached to this place too. But if the town needs to build that new road, the house has to go. I'm okay with it. Grandpa always said if it helped the town, he'd be fine with it too. Besides, we hardly ever make it back here anyway. It's sad, but it's just time."

Neil's eyes got a little misty. "Once it's gone, you kids will probably visit even less, huh?"

A neighbor piped up, "Yeah, we're really going to miss having you all around, Callie!"

"Don't be a stranger, okay?" another neighbor added. "Bring your husband next time!"noveldrama

"And he looks like a real catch! Callie's always had the best taste in men!" someone teased, and everyone burst out laughing.

Calliope laughed along, introducing Silas to the little crowd.

Silas, usually so reserved and intimidating, suddenly turned into the perfect son- in-law-smiling, polite, shaking hands with everyone.

"Such a good kid!" an old lady cooed.

Neil clapped Silas on the shoulder. "This might be your first trip here

and Callie's granddad isn't with one

us

anymore, but you're family now. You're one of us."

Then Neil pulled out an envelope-fat and a little crumpled-and handed it to Silas.

Everyone looked like they weren't exactly rolling in cash, but the envelope was stuffed full.

"This is from all of us," Neil said warmly. "Callie's like a daughter to this town. That makes you our son-in-law."

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Silas blushed and shook his head, trying to hand it back. "Oh, that's really not necessary. Just being welcomed means the world to me. I can't take this."

bet

Neil frowned, crossing his arms. "Now you can't give back a gift. it's given! It's not about the money; it's about being part of the family."

“I—I just.......” Silas stammered, looking helplessly at Calliope.

Calliope quickly took the envelope from Neil and pressed it into Silas's hands. "Thank you so much," she said, smiling at everyone.

The whole group cheered up at once.

"That's more like it! It might not be much, but it's from our hearts!"