Harry and Ciara announced their engagement to their friends and family the next day. Harry had opted to go for a private proposal because he wasn’t so sure she would say yes. They had known each other for less than a year, and he wasn’t sure if it was enough for her to choose to settle down with him.
“I told you she would accept.” Jack stated while they played video games together one day.
“I don’t know what I would have done if she didn’t.” Harry replied.
“Well, let’s plan the wedding. When and where do you want it?”
“In the next six months. I haven’t picked a location yet. Maybe under the ocean.” Harry joked.
“Isn’t six months too far apart?” Jack questioned. He felt having to wait for the next six months before tying the knot was a waste of time.
“Nope. Besides, that’s how we want it.” Harry replied, ending the debate.
***
Karen packed some of her clothes into a bag and packed her baby’s clothes too. She rolled the box to the sitting room to wait for Jack’s arrival. She was travelling out of the city. After informing him of her decision, he had tried to talk her off, citing some reasons including that it was unsafe for the child to travel by that time. After a series of debates that spanned a few days, he had finally given in.
She heard his car drive in so she got up and started rolling her bags, meeting him at the door.
“Hi. So, you’ve got everything set for your journey?” Jack’s enthusiastic voice called. He was to serve as her driver for the day, taking her to the airport.
“Yep.” she answered.
“Hello little one.” Jack faced Jayden who was in Karen’s hands. He played with his hair as the little boy giggled.
“Seems he’s happy to see you.” Karen interjected.
“You know you can still cancel the trip right? Besides, he’s too young to start traveling now.” Jack tried his last attempt at convincing her.
“He is seven months and was already cleared for air travels. Besides, we are using VIP, so he’s safe. Karen pointed out.
“Alright then. At least, tell me where you’re traveling to.”
“No, no. I don’t want you snooping around.” she replied, earning a laughter from him. She locked the door as they stepped out.
The drive to the airport was a lively one. They engaged in short conversations. Most of it centering round the baby.
“Good bye till –”
“Till few months later.” she replied, and he made a face. She had also refused to tell him when she would be back. Only stating that she’d be back before Harry’s wedding. Harry’s wedding was five months away.
She stepped out of the car, waving at him as she walked towards the departure area. He heaved a sigh as he watched her disappear into the crowd of people. It was time to try living without Karen.
****
The venue was set and everything was in place for Harry and Ciara to tie the knot. The guests were seated as they waited for the arrival of the bride. Harry stood with the priest in front of the audience that consisted of friends, family and few selected well wishers. The tone from the piano went off, announcing the arrival of the bride. Harry arranged his suit again and stood upright with a smile on his face. Ciara walked down the aisle, hand in hand with her dad. She was dressed in a white long flowing gown and a white veil over her face and a bouquet of flowers in her hands. The entire congregation stood on their feet as they walked up to the priest. She smiled at her husband to be before turning to face the priest.
Harry was dressed handsomely in a blue tuxedo. His hair was styled perfectly as he stood in front of the priest with a heart warming smile. He stood beside his bride as the priest started the proceeding.
They exchanged vows and rings and soon the priest proclaimed them husband and wife.
Harry took the veil off her face before claiming her lips in a slow kiss. They broke the kiss, looked at each other and laughed before turning to face the audience. The atmosphere was full of joy and they all danced together.
“Congratulations, brother.” a happy Jack said, shaking hands with Harry.
“Thank you.” Harry replied before being pulled away.
The wedding was hosted in the grandest resort in Los Angeles, owned by Jack. It was a five star resort he had developed a few months ago. It had different water fountains, an artificial lake and flowers around it. Jack had given out the most decorated of all the areas to be used for the wedding and the wedding took place on a cool Friday evening.
After the wedding, Jack and Ciara flew to France for their honeymoon. They booked a suite in one of the most expensive resorts in Paris close to the eiffel tower.
**”
Karen had returned to Los Angeles to attend her best friend’s wedding. She arrived with little Jayden ten days to the wedding and helped with the final preparations. Jack spent most of his spare time with Jayden who had now crossed a year old and was practicing how to work. The spend most of their time bonding whole playing toy games.
“It’s now a week after the wedding, are you gonna stay around much longer?” Jack asked. The three of them were out on a family dinner.
“Ya.” She replied and he nodded. He wanted to say more, but he gave up, choosing to focus on his meal. After few scoops of his meal, he turned to Karen who was now feeding Jayden. “How did you celebrate his birthday?”
“Well, we went to the park, I got him a few toys and some other things.” She replied.
“Well, I have a birthday gift for him.” he stated, taking out a piece of document from his pocket. He handed the document to Karen and she opened it, scanned through it and turned to look at Jack in surprise.
“One hundred thousand dollars worth of shares in your company? Really?” Karen asked in surprise. Jack had given his son a hundred thousand dollars worth of shares in JN. Little Jayden was now a shareholder.
Jack nodded with a smile. “I realized, what better gift than this? You know, I’m a business man. This is only what I could afford.” he replied.
“Isn’t this too much?”
“It isn’t. You will oversee it until he is up to sixteen.” Jack replied. “By then, he might even own twenty percent of the company.” he added in a low voice.
__
True to her words, Karen stayed back at Los Angeles. Her fashion brand was still running perfectly, bagging collaborations with other brands within the country. After giving birth, she had taken some workout sessions in order to build back her shape and remain fit. She had been getting some modeling gigs, and needed to get back in shape fully.
***
“I need to speak with you, Karen.” Jack blurted immediately as he walked inside Karen’s home. She had given him a free hand for visits. His voice was barred with a sense of urgency.
“About what?” she questioned as she walked back to her seat. She had gotten up to go open the door for him after hearing the doorbell ring.
“About us.” he replied.