Jason was engrossed in conversation with Warren when he suddenly noticed Grace bringing Chris downstairs. The sweet child was calling out “Dad” in his direction.
At that moment, it felt like his heart was breaking in two.
Jason reached out, wanting to hug the child, but Daisy gently patted his hand.
Daisy looked at him with confusion and said, “He’s calling for his dad. What are you doing?” Then she handed Chris over to Warren.
“Dad….” Chris reached out for a hug.
Warren placed him on his knee and asked, “Did you have a disagreement with your mom again?”
“Beat…” Chris said while gently tapping his own head.
“Did Mom scold you again?”
Little Chris babbled incomprehensibly.
Father and son were engrossed in their conversation, but Jason kept gazing at Chris as if he wanted to take him away.
“Hey, what’s wrong with you?” Daisy waved her hand in front of his eyes.
Jason grabbed her hand and asked, “Honey, do you think he’s cute?”
“Of course he is!”
“What about…” Jason looked at her expectantly.
“No,” Daisy scoffed.
Jason couldn’t help but let out a deep sigh as she played on her phone, thinking about their own future children.
****
Even though the wedding day was approaching, Penelope still had to attend her classes. She had a final exam to prepare for in addition to all the wedding arrangements.
During class, Bella leaned over and nudged Penelope with her elbow. She whispered, “Are you getting married?”
Penelope turned her attention away from the blackboard. “How did you find out?”
Bella took out a white wedding invitation from her bag and opened it. It had “Warren Duncan” and “Penelope Seinfeld” printed on the cover.
“Well… How did you get this?” Penelope was curious.
“My mom received it. She couldn’t take time off from work, so she asked me and my brother to go,” Bella explained.
Penelope had helped design the invitations, but she didn’t know most of the people who were invited. Grandma Duncan was in charge of that, and Penelope didn’t know Bella’s mother or their connection to her family.
“You don’t plan to invite any classmates?” Bella asked.
“You didn’t receive an invitation…?”
“What about them?” Bella tilted her head and motioned to two of their roommates sitting at the front of the class.
Penelope scratched her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
“We’re all good friends, and we’ve been roommates for a year. What’s there to worry about?” Bella reassured her.
Penelope explained, “It’s not that. I just didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I prefer keeping it low-key, especially at school.”
Bella insisted, “Regardless of what others think if our two roommates find out that you’re getting married but not inviting them, it might strain our friendships. They won’t complain, but they’ll probably feel hurt and left out.”
Penelope pondered this and then nodded. “You’re right. What you said makes sense.”
“Thank you. We all want the best for you,” Bella said, gently holding Penelope’s hand.
Penelope smiled and felt touched. She had encountered many people with ulterior motives, but her roommates were genuinely good and honest people.
Maybe that’s why society is stable and prosperous; there are more good people than bad ones.
When Penelope got home, she took out two wedding invitations and personally wrote the names of the invited guests. She then handed them to Linda and Lucinda with a solemn expression, hoping they would attend.
They initially thought it was a blessing card. “You’re getting married?” Both of them were completely surprised.
Penelope said, “Yes, the wedding is just two weeks away. I hope it’s not too late to invite you. I really hope you can make it.”
“Of course! We wouldn’t miss it for anything!” Linda exclaimed, giving Penelope a tight hug.
Lucinda joined in the hug. “It’s so incredible. Even though it hasn’t sunk in yet, we’ll definitely be there to celebrate with you!”
Bella calmly organized her notes and stole a glance at Penelope, who was smiling at her. Their friendship had grown stronger.
Rehearsal was necessary on the eve of the wedding, and there was an evening banquet as a warm-up.
Penelope was starting to feel the pain in her feet from her beautiful but uncomfortable shoes. Monica pulled out a Band-Aid from her bag and said, “Stylish shoes often hurt your feet. Just endure it. These shoes aren’t just beautiful; they’re expensive too.”
Penelope smiled, looked at her, and said, “Thank you for coming and for being willing to be my bridesmaid.”
“We’ve been friends for so long; I wouldn’t miss such an important day,” Monica replied, reaching out for a hug.
Monica hugged her back gently and then hurriedly left. “Don’t wrinkle your outfit. The party’s not over yet.”
Meanwhile, Asher was downing quite a bit of alcohol. He ended up getting sick in the bathroom and ran into Penelope outside.
“Are you okay?” Penelope asked, looking at him leaning against the wall.
Asher replied, “Yeah.”
Penelope handed him a bottle of soda and said with a smile, “All of this happened because of your idea back in the States.”
Asher squinted at her, asking, “Are you serious?”
Penelope nodded, “Yes.”
Asher jokingly suggested, “Don’t marry him. We can go back to the U. S. I’ll help you sneak Chris out of the country.”
Penelope burst into laughter.
Asher joined in, saying, “We’d probably get caught by Uncle Warren. Forget it, the odds are too high.”
Penelope stepped closer and hugged him. “Asher…”
“What is it?”
“Are you not gay? If you’re not, there are plenty of talented, single young ladies here tonight.”
Asher chuckled and reached out to touch her hair. “I like you. I don’t like anyone else.”
“Yes? Am I really that special?” She laughed with tears in her eyes.
“You are!” He tried to hold back tears as he hugged her tightly.
“Asher, are you crying?” She asked.
“I’m not. Why would I cry?”
“But why don’t you let me go back?” She leaned in to wipe her tears on his shoulders.
Asher was at a loss for words. Sometimes, missing the right moment in life was a regret.
Asher held her at arm’s length, and they stood face to face, smiling at each other. Their connection and understanding went beyond words.