Lilly: fidgeting hey dad! why isn't Paul my grandpa?
"Well sweetie, Paul is your step-grandpa." I say.
Lilly frowns, trying to process this information. After a moment of silence, she looks up at you with a confused expression.
"But... isn't step-grandpa just like a pretend grandpa?"
"well honey" I sit next to her. "Paul is not your biological grandfather."
she tilts her head in confusion
"What do you mean? Then who is?"
I look at her. "Well, he isn't my Dad either."
Lilly looks confused huh? so why are they married then?
I look at her What do you mean honey?
looks up at you, still fiddling with the necklace around her neck
Well... it doesn't seem right, does it? He lives with us, he eats our food, he plays with us. So why isn't he my grandpa?
"Because he never married your grandma." I explain to my daughter.
Lilly's brow furrows in confusion as she tries to understand.
"Wait, so...he's been living with her all this time, but he's not her husband?"
"Well kiddo, it's because he isn't actually your grandfather." I sit down next to you.
Lilly looks at you with a mix of surprise and disappointment, processing this unexpected answer.
"Wait, so he's not related to us at all?"
"Because he's not related to us by blood." I look at her seriously.
Lilly pouts slightly, crossing her arms over her chest. She looks up at you with a mix of confusion and annoyance.
"But everyone else has two grandpas. Even Ava has two. Why can't I have two?"
"well" sighs heavily "I'll have to show you..." takes out some family history books and shows pictures of her ancestors
leans forward, her expression shifting from confusion to interest as she looks at the pictures
woah... so your telling me that i don't actually have a grandpa named Paul?
sitting next to her on the couch Well, that's a bit of a complicated story, sweetie. You see...
leans against you, listening intently yeah? what kind of complicated story?
I look at her. "Well sweetie, it's because Paul is not related to us. He married your grandma."
Lilly ponders this for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly as she tries to make sense of the situation.
"Wait... so he's like a step-grandpa or something?"
I look at her curiously Who do you think he is then Lilly?
she looks at you seriously, trying to figure out how to explain
Well... I know he's married to my grandma, but I don't know if he's actually her husband or just someone who lives with us. Like a family friend or something.
I scratch my head That’s a good question.
Lilly tilts her head slightly, a pout forming on her lips as she gazes up at you.
crossing her arms "yeah... why isn't he? it doesn't make sense..."
I look at her and smirk. Well, he's not related to us by blood. He's more like an uncle.
she furrows her brow in confusion, trying to make sense of it all
so he's not my real grandpa? then why does everybody call him that?
I sit next to her and sigh. Well... I wish it were that simple. But he's not your real grandfather.
confused, she tilts her head
What do you mean? Paul is so nice to us. He acts like a grandpa should. He even reads me stories and plays games with us sometimes.
frowning That's a question for your mother, sweetie. glancing at his watch She should be home soon.
pouting But I want to know now!
I look at you with a serious expression. "Well, it's not exactly that simple."
raises an eyebrow, clearly wanting a clear answer okay, then explain it to me.
i look at her and sigh. Well, it’s complicated. You see…
Lilly looks up at you with innocent, expectant eyes, clearly wanting to understand the situation better
leans in slightly, still looking up at you go on, tell me.
I sit next to Lilly and take her hand. "Well, honey, it's because he's not related to us by blood."
Lilly furrows her brow in confusion. "But why did grandma marry him then? Shouldn't she marry someone who's related to us?"
She looks up at you with innocent eyes, still holding your hand tightly.