Chapter 2-3 - Adopted into a Modern Family

Chapter 2 – Acceptance and Destiny

The silence in the car was almost absolute, interrupted only by the sound of tires gliding smoothly over wet asphalt. The sky was tinged with a grayish hue, and sparse drops of rain still splattered the windshield. Los Angeles traffic flowed slowly that Saturday morning, as if the outside world were oblivious to the whirlwind of emotions inside the Pritchett-Tucker SUV.

In the driver's seat, Cameron's grip on the steering wheel was slightly unfocused, his eyes fixed on the road. Mitchell, beside him, had his arms crossed, his gaze lost in the cityscape gliding past the window. In the backseat, Grant watched them both, feeling the residual tension from the previous morning's conversation still lingering, but there was a difference now. The initial shock had passed. The panic had subsided.

"I was thinking..." Mitchell broke the silence, still without looking back. "If you really want to do this, we... we'll support you."

Grant blinked a few times in surprise. He'd expected resistance for weeks, maybe until the very last moment before leaving.

"Really?"

Cam sighed and, for the first time in hours, smirked.

"Well, look... It makes sense, doesn't it? You've always been the most athletic one in the house. From the day we adopted you, we noticed you enjoyed physical challenges. You were the one who climbed trees, ran faster than anyone in the park... Not to mention your obsession with action movies."

Mitchell looked at her husband with a raised eyebrow.

"Does that explain you enlisting? The fact that he likes 'Die Hard'? Because in that case, I think we should be more worried about Lily, who spent the entire month obsessed with 'The Hunger Games.'"

Grant laughed, shaking his head.

"I'm not just an action movie fan, Dad. I've always liked the idea of challenging myself physically, of testing my limits. Remember the laser tag tournament?"

Cam's eyes widened, clearly reliving the memory.

"The laser tag tournament! Oh my God, how could I forget?"

Mitchell rolled his eyes.

"Oh, right. That glorious moment when my son decided he needed a detailed tactical plan to defeat a bunch of eight-year-olds."

"And it worked, didn't it?" Grant replied with a smug smile.

"It worked." Cam nodded. "You played like you were leading a special operation. And I was so proud, even when those parents came to complain that you were 'taking the game too seriously.'"

Grant shrugged.

"I took it seriously because it was important to me. And this is, too."

Mitchell took a deep breath and turned on the bench to face him.

"If this really means that much to you, then we won't be the obstacle in your way."

There was a moment of silence, and then Grant smiled, relieved.

"Thank you."

Cam, however, still looked worried.

"So... what exactly is the plan? You've already signed the contract, right? But how does it work? Are you going to regular training, or is there something specific you want to do?"

Grant hesitated for a second before answering.

"I want to be a Ranger."

The answer seemed to shock both parents simultaneously. Mitchell opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it, frowning. Cam blinked a few times before letting out a long sigh.

"Oh. Sure. Couldn't it be something simpler, like... I don't know, army cook?"

"Cameron," Mitchell scolded, though his expression also showed concern. "Grant... This is serious. Rangers aren't regular soldiers. They're special operations. High-risk combat missions. Are you sure about that?"

"Yes."

The answer came out firmly, without hesitation.

"The contract I signed already sends me straight to RASP."

Mitchell frowned.

"RASP?"

"Ranger Assessment and Selection Program," Grant explained. "It's the training that prepares me to join the 75th Ranger Regiment."

Cam ran his hands over his face.

"Okay, wait. So you're going straight to elite training?"

"Exactly. I'm not going through the same basic training as other recruits. Since I signed a specific contract, I'm going in with the intention of becoming a Ranger. If I pass RASP, I'll be sent straight to an operational unit."

Mitchell looked at Grant as if trying to find some doubt in his face.

"And if you don't pass?"

Grant shrugged.

"Then I'll become a normal infantryman. But that's not going to happen."

Cam let out a humorless laugh.

"You say that like it's easy. Grant, do you know how many people drop out of this training?"

"Yes. I did some research. I know it's hard. But I'm ready."

Mitchell exchanged a quick glance with Cam.

"And when are you leaving?"

"Next week."

Silence returned to the car, but this time it was different. There was no longer shock or panic. Just the reality that Grant was leaving.

Cam was the first to break the silence, his voice a little choked.

"Then we only have a few days to spoil you."

Grant laughed.

"If that means you'll make my favorite meal every day, then I won't complain.

"Honey, I'm already planning a feast."

Mitchell smiled sideways, but then sighed.

"We're going to miss you, Grant. So much."

Grant looked at them both, feeling the tightness in his chest grow.

"I'm going to miss you too."

The silence this time was filled with understanding. They didn't like the idea, but they accepted it. And that was all Grant needed.

Chapter 3 – The Announcement

The sound of silverware clinking against plates and the lively chatter of the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker family filled the dining room of Jay and Gloria's house. The table, long enough to seat the entire family, was laden with food: typical Colombian dishes prepared by Gloria and a selection of roast meats Jay had prepared on the grill. The smell of spices and grilled meat wafted through the air.

Grant looked around, taking in every detail. The way Luke and Manny were heatedly arguing over some video game. Alex was engrossed in her phone, only occasionally looking up to offer a sarcastic retort. Hailey, beside her, idly chewed on a piece of bread, laughing at something Cam had said.

And then there were Phil and Claire, exchanging knowing glances as they served Joe and Lily. Jay, at the head of the table, sipped his whiskey, watching everything with that serious, fatherly gaze. Grant felt the warmth of his family around him, and it made everything a little harder.

He took a deep breath.

"I have something to tell you."

The serious tone in Grant's voice caused the conversation around the table to gradually cease. All eyes turned to him. Mitchell and Cam exchanged a glance, knowing what was coming, but remained silent.

"What is it, honey?" Gloria asked, frowning.

He cleared his throat.

"I enlisted in the army."

The sound of silverware clanging against plates was almost simultaneous.

Alex froze, his eyes wide. Luke stopped mid-chew, as if he'd forgotten how to swallow. Hailey, beside him, blinked several times, processing the information.

"What?" Claire was the first to speak, her voice wavering between shock and disbelief.

Phil, holding a bowl of mashed potatoes, carefully placed it on the table before turning fully to Grant.

"Are you serious, champ?"

"Yes."

The silence settled like an invisible weight over the table.

"Since when?" Alex asked, his expression a mix of confusion and anxiety.

"I've been thinking about this for a while. But I officially enlisted this week."

Luke shook his head, still looking dazed.

"But... why?"

Grant smiled slightly.

"Because I want to. I want a purpose, I want to challenge myself."

Claire ran a hand over her face, taking a deep breath.

"Grant... This is dangerous. Very dangerous."

"I know."

Gloria, who always had a strong opinion about everything, looked genuinely concerned.

"Mi amor... Are you sure about this? Isn't it too late to change your mind?"

Before Grant could answer, a small weight slammed into his leg.

Joe, who was sitting next to Gloria, hugged Grant's calf tightly, his big, round eyes shining with concern.

"Are you leaving forever?"

Grant felt a lump in his throat, but smiled softly. He bent down to the little boy's level.

"No, champ. I'll be back. I always come back."

Joe bit his lip, clearly trying to understand what that meant.

"Promise?"

Grant held up a pinky finger.

"I promise."

Joe hesitated for a second before intertwining his pinky with Grant's.

The commotion at the table continued. Claire and Phil were visibly shaken.

"Grant, we've known you since you arrived in the family. You've always been so responsible, so protective of everyone. You helped raise these kids." Phil gestured, pointing to Alex, Luke, and Hailey. "It's like you're one of our own."

Claire nodded, her voice breaking.

"You feel you have to do this because... because you feel you owe us something? Because, my love, you owe us nothing."

Grant smiled, shaking his head.

"It's not about that. You've always been amazing to me. But this is my choice. I want this."

Hailey, who had been quiet until then, finally spoke up.

"And what exactly are you going to do in the army?"

Grant hesitated for a moment.

"I signed up to be a Ranger."

This time, the silence was almost complete. Jay, who had been watching until then, raised his eyebrows in acknowledgment.

"A Ranger?" Manny asked, his expression showing genuine concern.

"Yes."

"This isn't just the army. This is special operations!" Alex exclaimed, clearly alarmed.

"I know."

Claire and Phil looked at each other, completely speechless. Gloria looked close to tears. Cam took a deep breath, trying to remain calm.

Jay, however, smiled.

"Well, now I'm impressed."

Everyone turned to him, surprised by his reaction.

"Grandpa?" Claire looked at him, as if expecting Jay to be just joking.

"What's wrong? The boy's following a difficult but honorable path. I know what that's like."

"You served?" Grant asked.

Jay nodded.

"Marines. But what you want to do is a little different. Rangers have their own missions."

"So... are you proud?" Grant asked, a little hesitant.

Jay raised his hand.

"A lot."

The tension at the table eased a bit, but the worry was still palpable.

Manny, always the most emotional, frowned.

"I just... I don't want anything to happen to you, man. You've always been around to give me advice, to help me. I see you as a big brother."

Alex and Luke nodded in agreement.

"Me too," Alex admitted.

"Same," Luke added.

Grant felt the weight of the moment, but smiled.

"And I'll always be here for you. I'm not disappearing."

Hailey finally reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

"Just don't do anything stupid, okay?"

Grant laughed.

"No promises."

She shook her head, laughing weakly, but there was still concern in her eyes.

Claire took a deep breath and looked at Mitchell and Cam.

"Have you two accepted this yet?"

Cam sighed.

"Believe me, we went through every possible phase before we got here."

Mitchell nodded.

"In the end, we realized we could only support you."

Claire looked at Grant, her eyes filled with emotion.

"Your parents may have accepted this, but I'm your aunt. And you're as much mine as they are."

Phil nodded.

"And mine too."

Grant felt his heart tighten.

"I know."

Claire took a deep breath.

"So, if this is your path, we'll support you. But know that you'll always have a home here."

Grant smiled, feeling a mix of emotions he couldn't even describe.

"Thank you."

Jay raised his glass.

"To Grant. A true Pritchett."

The family looked at each other, still a little hesitant, but one by one, they raised their glasses as well.

And for the first time, Grant felt that everything was exactly as it should be.

Chapter 2 - Chapter 2-3