{CHAPTER TWENTY TWO}

                                      ~~~~~~~~

......FOUR MONTHS LATER......

'Oh, yes! Yes, Jackson, a thousand times yes! I will marry you.'

Jackson and I walked down to the beach, leaving our footprints on the wet sand. Holding hands, the sun's rays painted our skin in gold. I looked up at the sky, admiring the sun's beauty with my shades protecting me from its glare.

The ocean's calming melody blended with the sun's golden reflection dancing on the water. It was pure bliss, the moment when it struck me that this was indeed paradise, reveling in nature's beauty with my beloved. My chiffon gown flowed with each step as Jackson drew me near, our hands meshed, forging an unbreakable bond.

The beach, my sanctuary, much like Dad's, held a magical blend of sea, wind, and the warm sun. It was where I celebrated my eighteenth birthday with my family, a memory etched before Dad's departure, flooding me with memories.

Walking alongside Jackson, our eyes met, absorbing the profound peace his mere presence bestowed. This is a sentiment I've voiced before, and one that remains ever true; his company feels akin to being enveloped in heaven's warm embrace. Memories flooded back to our initial encounter, a time when his oddity initially caught me off guard, yet in that instance, I comprehended that my affection for him surpassed all temporal and spatial confines.

The ocean's beauty pulled us closer with each step, every footprint still marking our path. Bursting with excitement, I wriggled free from Jackson's grip and sprinted into the ocean. Catching my impulsive move, Jackson dove in, joining me in our playful water escapade.

His manly hair, peeking out from beneath his shorts, was now drenched and dripping with water. The moment felt surreal as we frolicked in the water, splashing it playfully. Soon, we found ourselves wrapped in an embrace that felt like a cosmic collision. Despite the crowd, it felt like we inhabited a universe of our own, where only Jackson and I existed, everyone else blending into the backdrop, insignificant in comparison to our connection.

The gentle touch of Jackson on my wet cheek, a reminder of the playful water splash, was soothing and deliberate, coaxing my eyes to close as I longed for his affection. In that fleeting moment, all I craved was a kiss; a kiss to encapsulate the months we had spent together as a couple. The months we've cherished held the sweetest memories, and I hoped that the kiss could rekindle the love-laden moments we shared. His hold around my waist grew firmer with each passing heartbeat, wrapping me in a shell of his affection.

My surprise reached its zenith as I blinked open my eyes. There stood Jackson, on bended knee, a glistening ring in his hand, his posture resolute in the moist sand. The sight jolted me, a gasp of astonishment slipping from my lips. Before I could voice a single word, tears brimmed in my eyes, the moment unfolding in front of me.

Was this real? Was the man of my dreams truly proposing to me?

Just like Mom always said, the most radiant day of her life wasn't her wedding day but the day Dad proposed— and when she embraced both Phil and me into the world. I truly understand her feelings now. Today might genuinely be the most magical day of my life.

"Every moment we've spent together, from each day to every week and every month, has been a treasure beyond words. I look forward to a lifetime of creating more of these enchanting moments with you as my beloved wife and partner," Jackson whispered, the ring gently opening as he remained on his bent knee.

This was it. This was the very moment of it all. I could sense the calm excitement beginning to kick in, and then the question popped in.

"Will you do me the extraordinary honor of being my wife, Hanna?" His words were a proof of sincerity, each one a tune of his deep and unwavering love for you.

"Yeeeeeeeee," I shrieked, my hands instinctively reaching for my red, flustered cheeks in utter disbelief. And in that charmed instant, the sun's golden glow tenderly embraced the gold ring, igniting it with a radiant sparkle of unmatched beauty.

"Oh, yes! Yes, Jackson, a thousand times yes! I will marry you." I exclaimed with excitement.

Stepping through the door, I glimpsed Mom and the nanny engrossed in a task, probably sorting out the trash. Their actions faded into the background as my excitement took center stage. Lisa was by Phil's side, assisting him with his assignments. The house hummed with activity, every member present, setting the room for the perfect moment to share my news with the whole family gathered together.

Their undivided attention immediately shifted to me, as if they had been eagerly awaiting my arrival. Lisa, seated next to Phil, quickly approached with a hint of sadness in her eyes, whispering, "I have something to tell you." Sensing her gloomy expression, I assumed it was related to Henry, which unsettled me that she still held thoughts of him. Dismissing her words, I focused on my news, deeming it more urgent at that moment.

I interrupted her abruptly, not wanting any news to overshadow what I was about to reveal. Walking past Lisa cautiously, hands clasped behind my back, I tried to conceal the ring to prevent them from glimpsing it too soon.

"Surprise, I got engaged," I blurted out, causing them all to stop their activities instantly as I disclosed the significant news.

Lisa, who stood a few steps behind me, approached and took hold of my hand, where the ring shimmered. Mom and the nanny, who had been watching me from the entrance, also made their way towards me, a blend of surprise and joy detected on their faces. As for Phil, he remained unfazed since my arrival, deeply absorbed in his schoolwork. What can I say, he truly inherited that trait from Dad.

"What! Stop teasing me, Hanna," Lisa exclaimed, her hold on my hand steady, a flicker of belief in her voice. This whole situation must have felt like a fantasy to her, especially since Jackson and I hadn't been together for very long. The shift in her expression from initial sorrow to genuine happiness for me was crystal clear.

"When did this happen, Hanna?" Mom asked, a hint of amusement in her voice as her gaze shifted to a puzzled countenance, wrapping me in a warm embrace.

"Congratulations, Hanna," the nanny beamed, her face lit up with excitement and joy as if it were her child getting engaged. Despite being Mom's age, she never failed to show us respect. I approached her, gently taking her hand, and softly replied, "Thank you," with a heartfelt tone.

I then went over to Phil, sitting down next to him on the couch, and gently inquired, "Phil, your sister just got engaged, and she's thrilled. What would you like to say to her?" I knew it might seem a bit odd to share my engagement news with him, given his young age. However, to my surprise, he leaned in, planting a dear kiss on my cheek, and softly muttered, "Congratulations," before returning to his homework, his gesture filling my heart with warmth.

Lisa and I never did get a chance to have a private chat amidst all the proposal buzz. I could feel she was bursting with questions for me. With everyone envisioning my big day, Lisa, like the rest, seemed to overlook whose wedding it was. I was set on planning it my way, with my dreams and desires taking center stage.

As I mentioned his upcoming visit in three days for all of them to meet him, knowing none of them had met him yet, my words were directed at Lisa, who had always expressed a keen interest in meeting him.

The day crawled closer unexpectedly. I briefly offered to assist the nanny with the trash they had planned to take out before my arrival. With Mom tending to Phil's bedtime routine and Lisa preparing to depart, I saw a chance to accompany her out, like hitting two targets with a single arrow. As she exited through the gate, I couldn't embrace her with the trash bag in hand, so we exchanged waves of goodbye.

As I approached the trash bin to dispose of the bag, a sharp pain beneath my foot made me grimace. Stumbling upon a heart-shaped gold necklace on the ground, I pondered its unexpected presence. Perplexed as it didn't belong to Mom or me, I quietly mused, "Could this belong to Lisa?" Knowing her distaste for gold jewelry, the thought lingered in my mind between discarding it or holding onto the fascinating find.

After a moment of deep thought, I resolved to dispose of it. Yet, just as I prepared to let it go, the necklace slipped from my fingers, fracturing into two pieces and unveiling its secrets. Retrieving it, I was struck with instant shock at the sight before me.

In a moment of sheer disbelief, I gasped, "She had a son!?" My eyes fixed upon it for what seemed like an eternity. Engrossed in that moment, the hurried footsteps around me drew my attention. Looking up, I saw the nanny briskly pacing, her brow furrowed, eyes scanning anxiously, clearly in pursuit of something. It dawned on me instantly that the necklace was the very item she was desperately seeking.

Raising the necklace, my voice tinged with anticipation, I exclaimed, "Searching for this?" Her eyes widened in shock upon seeing it. Drawing closer, her demeanor shifted, as if she was caught in a moment of secrecy, clutching onto a concealed truth.

"Oh, what a relief! I feared it was lost," she sighed, her hand trembling as she took the necklace from me. Her blinking betrayed the unrest within.

"No need to worry. I knew it belonged to you the instant I saw you in the image," I reassured her with a smile. Closing the gap between us, I tenderly rested my hand on hers. "Just curious, are the people in that photo your family?"

Her countenance shifted from concern to solemnity as she let out a profound, gentle sigh before responding, "Indeed, the man on the left is my husband and the little one..." She paused briefly before continuing, "is my son."

A soft smile graced my lips as she concluded her words. They exuded such happiness in the necklace image, and the adorable baby's smile could illuminate anyone's day, especially with his charming little headwear embroidered with 'Mommy.'

Yet, I was taken aback. She had claimed she had no family, and we assumed it—she had never mentioned visiting anyone or having friends since she moved in, except for frequent breaks. Given that she does have a family, the question crept in; why hasn't she ever introduced them to us?

.
.
.
.

Unless she had some hidden secrets...

Before another word could escape my lips, she swiftly interjected, "I miss them," her voice strained as she fought back tears. With a gulp, she continued, "My husband passed away, and my son, my little one..." The gravity of her words weighed heavily on her as the tears she had been holding back finally streamed down her cheeks.

I drew her close, wrapping her in a comforting embrace. She reminded me so much of mom. Witnessing her tears pained me deeply as if seeing Mom cry. I shared in her sorrow, the agony of losing a loved one, yet I felt a pang of regret for not recognizing the depth of her hidden grief all this time. My heart ached for her, and before I knew it, a tear slipped down my cheek.

After offering comfort, she mentioned her wish to help Mom inside. I watched her elegant steps as she made her way indoors, wiping away a tear from my cheek.

Her story stirred memories of Dad, unleashing the tears I had brushed away to flow freely down my cheeks as I wandered and eventually found solace on a bench in the garden.

A soft voice called my name from behind, "Hanna," and instantly, I knew it was Phil, urging me to quickly wipe away my tears.

I reached out to him, guiding him to sit beside me. "Phil, why are you here? It's getting late. Shouldn't you be in bed for school tomorrow?"

He squinted his face in a childlike manner, dismissing my words, and gently murmured, "Hanna, are you gonna leave me? Just like Dad did?"

My heart shattered into a million pieces as those words reached my ears. Phil, still so young, caught me off guard by longing for and thinking of Dad, even though he never had the chance to meet him. Despite the love Mom and I showered on him, attempting to fill the void left by Dad, I realized it wasn't enough.

"Why do you ask that, Phil? You know I could never leave you," I reassured with a gentle smile.

"But you're getting married soon," he mentioned softly.

I figured it out. He didn't want to see his sister leave, and I wasn't ready to say goodbye to him either. As I pondered the situation, I realized that bidding them farewell was something I wasn't quite prepared for.

The thought of Jackson not thriving well and me being unprepared to bid farewell to my family made the notion of Jackson and I residing here after our wedding incredibly appealing. Additionally, there stood another separate building adjacent to ours, constructed years ago by Dad to serve as a guest house for one of his business partners who had fallen victim to con artists. Surprisingly, to this day, they never showed up, leaving the building unoccupied. Hence, I found it a brilliant suggestion for Jackson and me to take up residence in that building, given its proximity to ours.

After mulling over that brilliant idea, my excitement had me biting my lips before turning to Phil and asking, "What if I stay even after we get married?"

I could see the confusion in Phil's eyes, "How could that work? My teacher drummed into us on family portrait day that a lady should move in with her husband after the wedding."

My laughter soared at Phil's words, bubbling with excitement. Even though my engagement didn't rattle him, there he was, making a fuss and being adorable about missing me.

"Oh, Phil. Your teacher was spot on, but hey, love doesn't always play by the rules, right? If they're both on board, then the man can move in with the lady."

"So, would Uncle Jackson accept moving in with you?"

Honestly, I wasn't completely sure myself, but the only hurdle was convincing Jackson to move in with us. All I could do was hope he'd agree. The empty building next door seemed like a perfect fit in case he felt uneasy about living with my family. I didn't want to pressure him into it, as I didn't want him to feel uncomfortable after our discussions over the months. I made it clear that his circumstances didn't faze me, and I wasn't concerned about his financial situation. But the real question was; how was I gonna convince him?

"He would love it, I'm certain," I simply had to provide a comforting response.

We shared a deep connection, discussing his studies and school until he drifted off to sleep in my arms. In one way or another, I was determined to persuade Jackson.

Thinking back on the necklace and nanny episode, it dawned on me that I had interrupted her while she was sharing the story about her son. But the tears she shed made it painfully evident that he too had departed, mirroring the loss of her husband.