Chapter 71
Daniel
We arrived at my childhood home and pulled up the long driveway.
I take her hand and lead her into the house.
The housekeeper, Mrs Bell, greets us as soon as we walk in.
I introduce Anu to her, and she pulls her into a hug, welcoming her.
She tells me my dad is in his office. Anu stays close to me, even as she looks around the massive house that my mom decorated.
My dad hasn’t changed a thing since she died.
Before I can knock on the door, it flies open.
He probably heard us coming, or Mrs Bell told him we had arrived soon as we pulled up.
“My fiancé,” I say, taking Anu’s hand, with my mother’s ring prominently displayed.
Tears fill his eyes. “The future Mrs Daniel Wyler. You are just as stunning as my son described”. He says as he looks at her, the joy of meeting her is apparent, he has been hopeful for this day and it’s now here.
Anu smiles at him but doesn’t let go of my hand.
My father waves her proffered hand away. “Welcome home.” He pulls her into a hug.
“I’m so happy to meet you.” She replies
She lets go of my hand and hugs him back.
“Congratulations, son. I’m thankful for this day.” He hugs me. I feel him holding back the emotions. We pull from the hug. “Come on, let’s look at the garden. Mrs Bell is excited about the wedding. She has been talking to service people all morning.” He excitedly says
“Please, tell her I said thank you,” Anu says.
“She would be thanking you for agreeing to marry my boy,” dad says.
We spend the next hour talking with my dad before I take Anu back to Jordan’s place. On our drive, Andrea is blowing up her phone to the point, she hands the phone to me.
“Daniel, she’s going to be your wife in a few hours. Right now, I need her, so everything can go smoothly. Stop wasting time and bring her over,” she commands.
“Yes, ma’am,” I say. “We’ll be there in twenty minutes,” I confirm before hanging up and handing the phone back to Anu.
“She’s on a roll right,” Anu says.
“Yep, and sounds like I might be in trouble if you are not there in twenty minutes.” She laughs, and I weave through traffic and lights.
We get to the door and Andrea practically drags Anu away from me.
“You can kiss her at the ceremony,” she says, walking away with Anu.
Jordan comes closer.
“Told you she would be all over this,” Jordan says. I nod, and smile at the undertone of Andrea can be too much.
“See you later?” I ask.
“Of course. Andy has tasked me with walking the bride, so I better be there, or she might have me arrested for failure to show up,” Jordan says, making me chuckle, and I believe it too.
“Thanks,” I say, turning to leave. I want to see Anu again, but Andrea will probably say no.
I get in my car and drive back to my dad’s place. I already had my outfit in the car before we left.