Everyone enjoyed the delicious dishes chosen by the couple thanks to Enuna’s help in making the selection. The nerves that Serenity and Alden had been feeling gradually cased as the conversation at the table flowed. Katherine shared some embarrassing stories about Alden, while Marcos reminisced about nostalgic moments with Serenity.
Valerie understood how difficult this situation was for Marcus, but she admired the grace with which her husband was handling it—especially with Maximus sitting right beside himn. Every time Marcus called Serenity Serene while sharing memories, Maximus would lower his gaze. Valerie couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty. Their. relationship hadn’t worked out, but she knew he could have been a good father–she saw it in the way he treated Laura from time to time.
As the incredible dinner was coming to an end, Alden stood up with a glass of wine in hand, drawing everyone’s
attention.
“Well, I think most of you already know why we’re here tonight. Serenity and I love each other, we’re happy together, and our little family is growing. We used to be three, and soon, we’ll be four.
Before that happens, we’ve decided to get married. Just as promised Serenity’s father, I’m a man of my word, and I want her to have the best wedding possible,” Alden said nervously, extending his hand to help Serenity stand.
“Mom,” Serenity said, looking at Valerie, who was seated beside her. “Dads…” she added, glancing at the three men who, in one way or another, had been part of her life–past, present, and future. Finally, her eyes landed on Marcus.
“We’ve decided to get married on November 1st.”
Everyone looked at each other in shock. The time frame was incredibly short to plan a big wedding.
“Serenity…” Valerie said, taking her daughter’s hand. “That’s not much time…”
Serenity looked at her, smiled, and said, “No, Mom, it’s the perfect amount of time. It’ll give us just enough time to organize everything. Besides, if we really think about it, the most important people in our lives are already here, in this house, at this table. The only ones left to invite are Matthew, Frederick, Theodore, and Grandpa Magnus.
“We don’t need a huge wedding filled with people we don’t even know. Our real family is right here. Maybe I’ll reach out to Aunt Regina, but other than that, everyone who truly matters is already here.”
“Alden, my son, don’t forget to invite Ignatius. He’s been such an important person in your life. I know he’s in Portugal right now, but he could make time for this. You still have enough time to fit into his schedule,” Katherine said gently.
“I know, Mom! I’ve already thought about that,” Alden said with a smile.
“Well, if they’ve already made up their minds, I don’t see why we should argue with them,” Peter said casually.
“Serenity, if you’re sure this is what you want, then I don’t see any problem with it. Whatever you need, you have
my support,” Marcus said from his seat.
Valerie took his hand and looked at her husband. She knew saying those words wasn’t easy for him, but she couldn’t have been prouder. He was handling the situation with grace, and that was all that truly mattered.
“Thank you, Dad!” Serenity said with a bright smile.
“Well, congratulations, kids! This is a big step, and I know you’ll have a strong, lasting marriage,” Maximus said, feeling proud of the couple.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0897
It was clear that Alden and Serenity were getting married for love—something that was becoming Increasingly rare these days.
Maximus felt a mix of emotions he didn’t quite know how to process. Seeing his daughter about to get married brought back memories of his own marriage to Mary. Most of those memories were painful, filling him with guilt and making him feel small.
Diana noticed something was off with him. She reached forts hand, squeezed it gently, and whispered:
“Are you okay?”
He looked up at her, met her gaze, and smiled.
“Yeah, I’m fine…”
It was a lie a painful lie, one meant to cover up the guilt that had just hit him like a ton of bricks.
–
Katherine stood up and proposed a toast to the young couple. Everyone else followed, raising their glasses enthusiastically to celebrate the occasion.
After a few more toasts, they all returned to the living room, where small, casual conversations began to unfold.
Without meaning to, Laura couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy toward her sister. She had always dreamed of a dinner like this, of meeting a good man like Alden, of having a fairytale wedding. But life hadn’t turned out the way she had imagined as a child. She forced a smile and pushed those thoughts aside–she couldn’t allow herself to envy her sister.
‘I’m a strong woman. One day, I’ll be as important as my father. My daughter needs to be proud of me.‘
She repeated these affirmations in her head as a form of comfort.
Maximus noticed the shift in his daughter’s expression and walked over to her.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” he asked with concern.
“Nothing, Dad…” Laura said, quickly putting on a bright, cheerful smile.
“Are you sure?” Maximus asked again, studying her carefully.
“Yes, completely,” she replied calmly.
“Your face says otherwise. What’s going on?” he asked as he wrapped an arm around her.
Laura hesitated for a moment before finally admitting:
“I would’ve liked a wedding like this… I always wanted to meet someone who would propose to me… but that’s never going to happen.”
Maximus felt a tightness in his chest at her words.
“Why would you say that?”
“Dad, I’m a single mother. Everyone knows that men don’t go for women like me,” Laura said sadly.
“Laura!” Maximus said firmly. “Never think that having a child makes you worth any less or that it makes you different. Everyone makes mistakes in life–some bigger than others—but a baby is not a mistake. It’s not something to be ashamed of. A baby is a wonderful gift.
“Have you ever thought about how many women would give anything to have a child but can’t?”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 0997
“No…” Laura munnured, lowering her gaze.
There are many. And if life gave them the chance to be mothers, they wouldn’t care in the slightest whether they had a man by their side or not.
“So get those ridiculous thoughts out of your head. Just because you don’t have someone right now doesn’t meant you won’t find love someday. Look at me–l’in the worst on in the world, and I found peace with Diana. If someone like me could find someone who accepts me just as I am, then you, my love, will absolutely find someone who will love and accept you, with everything that makes you you. And when that day comes, you’ll remember this conversation and realize I was right.”
“Thank you, Dad.” Laura looked up at him, her eyes shining “When did you get so good at giving advice and making people feel better?”
It was exactly what she needed to hear. Strangely enough, in that moment, both father and daughter had soothed wounds they didn’t even realize they shared.
“Come on, let’s go join the others before they start giving us weird looks,” Maximus said, wrapping his arm around Laura’s shoulders as they walked over to where Serenity was.
