Chapter 6
Samuel was pleased with how the events of the day played out. How could he not be? He had gotten what he wanted since he was twenty. Hannah was his wife. It didn’t come about under the most perfect of circumstances, but she bore his ring and would be carrying his name. In time, they would have the union he always dreamed of. He just had to be patient and loving to win her over. There was also the matter of him leaving the past in the past.
Once they were inside the cabin, and the cake was safely on the counter, Samuel turned his sights to calling their parents. It was his suggestion to call her parents first. He felt it would be more real to Hannah once her family was made aware of their nuptials. They sat beside each other as she placed the call. He’d hoped she would place the phone on speaker, but he didn’t want to derail her from her task. She was already skittish enough. Thankfully, his father-in-law had a booming voice. The speaker wasn’t needed. Once he heard her voice, the man morphed into an adoring father.
“How is my baby girl?” he asked.
“I’m good, Daddy. I was hoping I could speak to both you and Mommy.”
“Sure thing. Minerva, pick up Hannah is on the phone.” Her dad bellowed. Hannah pulled the phone from her ear for a moment and smiled. It took some more summoning before both of her parents were on the call. While Mrs. Wilson wasn’t as loud as her husband, he could still hear her. Her mother had barely finished her greeting when Hannah cleared her throat. Unlike her parents, he had a front seat to her nervousness. He squeezed her knee.
“I have something to share with you both.” The seriousness of her tone seemed to place her parents on alert.
“Go ahead.” They both instructed.
“Earlier… Earlier…” She stopped and tried again. “Earlier today I got married.”
Silence. Hannah seemed to be holding her breath.
“Congratulations dear,” Ms. Wilson finally spoke. Mr. Wilson joined his wife in wishing her well.
His wife looked shocked at her parents’ declarations. He wasn’t sure why she dropped the volume of her voice. After all, he was sitting right beside her, but she did. “You aren’t upset?”
“You are a grown woman, dear. Why would your father and I be upset you married Samuel?” Interesting. Hannah hadn’t said it was him. However, he was pleased that her parents came to the correct conclusion. “It would have been nice to have been invited, but that is alright we can have a get together later.”
“Where is Samuel?” Her father asked.
“Right here,” she squeaked. He took the phone from his wife and placed it on speaker.
“Hello, Pastor Wilson.”
“Pastor Wilson. None of that. It’s Dad. Congratulations, son.” Samuel could barely acknowledge his statement and the older man continued. “You take care of my baby girl. Baby girl, you take care of your husband. Oh, and stop caring what other people think. Like your Momma said, you are grown. Be happy! Now go on and enjoy your honeymoon. My woodworking competition is coming on in five minutes. Minerva, you have anything else to add?”
“Welcome to the family, Samuel. Tell me when you two will be back and you all can come over for a celebration dinner.”
Once the call was done, Hannah sat there looking shell-shocked. “Why do you look like that didn’t go as well as it did?” He asked her.
“I guess, I had a whole rebuttal prepared about how this was what was best for me. They just accepted it. Correct me if I’m wrong, I didn’t tell them I married you, did I?”
“Well, I am glad I was the forgone conclusion. Why? Were there other contenders?” He hoped he was successful at keeping his tone playful.
“No, of course not!”
“Good. Then we are one down. One more, to go.” He pulled out his cellphone. Taking a hold of Hannah’s hand, he squeezed it reassuringly. Of course, his Omma was the one to pick up the phone, his Abeoji avoided the communication device. He was more of a face-to-face man. Samuel was certain he wouldn’t appreciate hearing the news by phone, but given the circumstances, it left them with little choice. The newly married couple couldn’t wait to let their board know. Samuel had no intention of cutting their time together short, by returning to tell everyone in person. So here they were.
The moment his mom picked up, he asked for his father to pick up. Once his father was on. He advised they were not alone on the call, and he would speak in English. Unlike Hannah, he had no nerves in announcing his news. In fact, he did so with a great deal of pride. “Omma and Abeoji, with great joy I have called to inform you that Hannah Wilson and I have gotten married.”
“Cong—” His Omma began but was cut off by his Abeoji speaking in Korean. Hannah turned worried eyes in his direction. Her body stiffened. While she didn’t understand the words being uttered, he most certainly did. His Abeoji was lighting into him about his discontent over the situation. Samuel was furious. He’d never admonished his father previously. However, he felt the man’s behaviour warranted his ire.
“Abeoji, as you are aware my new wife doesn’t speak Korean. You switching to a language she doesn’t speak is impolite.” Samuel scolded in Korean.
“My apologies, Hannah,” His father immediately switched to English. “The news of Han-uel making another rash decision caused me to forget my manners.” Beside Samuel, Hannah listened aptly. He squeezed her hand. She gave a barely formed smile, which didn’t reach her eyes. “Please note, this is not a reflection of you as a choice. Rather, this reflects my concern as a father for a son who does not think through his actions.” As his father continued to speak, sadness crept into Hannah’s eyes.
“My decision to marry Hannah was not rash. In fact, my actions were made with a great deal of thought. I can confidently say it is a decision I am most pleased with.” Samuel barely kept his tone respectful.
“In that case,” His father paused, “your mother and I welcome you into the family, Hannah. We are certain you will be an excellent addition.” Samuel felt his father’s about turn had more to do with his Omma. Although she had remained silent, Samuel was certain she wasn’t pleased with his Abejoi’s reaction. She was probably staring daggers at him. Hence his quick turn about.
“Yes welcome, Hannah. It is nice to have a new daughter.” Like Hannah’s mother, Samuel’s mother mentioned having a dinner for them when they returned.
When the call was done. Hannah pulled her hand from his. “Ready for some cake?” She sighed.
Samuel followed her to the kitchen. “Sure.” He stood beside her as she plated the cake. Only when she had finished, did she address what was on her mind. “Will your father be okay with us?”
“Yes. He has questioned my decisions since I walked away from the church to become a singer. That wasn’t what he wanted for me. So naturally, it bothered him. Our family doesn’t believe in the concept of ‘in-laws’. For them, you are their daughter now. I promise as they get to know you better, they will adore you as I do.” The worry which creased her brow did not completely disappear. However, she seemed to relax a bit.
Sitting across from each other they ate their cake. Hannah seemed deep into her thoughts, so he allowed her the time and space to think things through. Eventually, she let him in on her thoughts. “I know the retreat…” she spared him with a glare. “…was to be for ten days. Are we going to remain here for all that time?”
“I hope you agree to stay here. It is the perfect environment for us to connect. Before we left, we worked on getting on the same page in our leadership role. I think it will benefit us to do the same as a couple.”
For the first time since he knew her, Hannah’s expression became so closed off, it was hard for him to read it. He wasn’t going to guess, so he asked.
“It’s just that I agreed to all of this so quickly. Now, so many of the questions I should have asked are going through my mind.”
“Well, the nice part of being a couple is you don’t have to work through anything alone, anymore. Tell me what you’re concerned about. I’m certain we can work things out together.”
“I sold my house. So, I’ve been living in an apartment. Where will we live?” She blurted out.
“I have a townhouse. Without traffic, it is about forty-five minutes from the church. We can live there until we find something more suitable.”
She sat straighter. He could see the wheels turning in her head. “I have some proceeds from the sale of the house, as well as other funds. I had to give some to Jeremiah. But anyway, the point is I have funds I can contribute.”
“While I appreciate your offer. I can take care of the purchase of the house.”
“I was hoping for someplace with a lot of space.”
“We can look at property and you can decide what you would like for us. As long as we have a large kitchen and garage, I’m good. But like I said, I have the purchase of the house covered.”
Hannah shared the amount of the proceeds from the sale of her house. “Jagiya money isn’t a problem for me. Invest, spend, do whatever you want with the money from the sale of your house. I have more than enough to take care of us.”
Hannah shook her head. “I don’t want you to spend everything getting us a house. I can help.” His new wife was cute.
“I have more than enough. A considerable amount. I have way more money than you do.”
“You don’t know that!”
“I do. I spent a decade performing. Unlike my contemporaries, I barely spent what I made. I ensured I had shares in merchandising. The money I earned was heavily invested and made money for me. I’m still getting royalties every time my music is played. That is just what I earned. It doesn’t take into account my inheritance. The cellphone company my grandfather founded. One moment.” His goal was to be completely transparent with her. Let her know money wasn’t a worry. Grabbing his laptop, he placed it on the table. He logged into his account.
“Are you serious?” She asked when he turned the laptop towards her.
“Very. I’ll set up a joint account you can access.”
“You don’t have to.”
“But I do. What’s mine is yours. What else do you have on your mind?”
“So, you really don’t need your salary.”
“No. I had planned to donate most of it. Perhaps you can help me decided where it will be of best use?”
Hannah looked at him in awe. “I wasn’t expecting that. Well, I guess we have covered finances.”
He nodded “We have.”
“Anything else you would like to go over?”
“Not right now. It’s been a hell of a day.” Her hand flew to her mouth, and she looked horrified.
“It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone about your potty mouth.”
Throwing her hand up in frustration, she voiced her concern. “I don’t know what’s the matter with me. Lately, I’ve been struggling with my language.”
All humour disappeared. Samuel didn’t like the way she was beating up on herself. “Hey, take it easy on my wife. You’re only human. Saying hell, shit, ass—” She wisely covered his mouth. He would have run through them all. He licked her palm. Hannah pulled it back. “There is nothing wrong with some colourful expressions. There is a time and place for everything.”
Samuel certainly had plans for her to use some colourful language, but he wouldn’t address it with her now.
“Um, okay. It’s been a day. I’m exhausted.”
“I’ll clean all this up. You go get ready for bed.”