It was already past two in the afternoon when they got out from the bed. Jia hurriedly prepared a late lunch for them. When Jim followed her in the dining room, he was already with Jian who was still sleeping in his arms. The child slept on his own when he saw both of them sleeping together.
"I'll take you somewhere later."Jim said without looking at her.
His eyes were in Jian's tiny body in his arms. This child may not be his real son but he couldn't find the difference in his heart. If it would not be an act of selfishness to hide his true identity, if learning the truth later would not cause him too much pain, he would never dare to let him know his real father. He was fully aware that many children got into rebellion and rage when the truth would be revealed later in their adolescence or adulthood. He wanted to set his mind about the truth, anyway, he would fill him with his love. Just as a real father.
Why? It was him who first carried him into his arms. It was him who first laughed when he first learned to smile. It was him who giggled everytime he moved inside Jia's womb. It was him who first got excited to become a father!
He lifted Jian up and kissed his forehead, an act that drew out Jia's tears again! She turned away and brushed it off. She was just so lucky enough to find someone like him.
Without a word, she proceeded to cutting food for him as Jian was in his lap. Her heart overflowed with love and gratitude.
Later, Jim asked the two of them to change.They were going out as he said. Without questions, they excitedly obeyed.They were already used to Jim's surprises during his days off from work. Today would be another great day!
After a few minutes, Jim parked in front of a tall building. The moment Jian looked out of the window, he began jumping in excitement! From where they parked, Jian saw immediately the facade of a playroom. He began pulling Jia out of the car.
"Mom, hurry up! Don't be a turtle.".
Jian immediately got inside while Jia was filling out an admission form. Before she finished, she turned to Jim.
"Where are we going to wait? "
Jim did not reply but ushered her outside with an arm around her shoulder. She just allowed herself to being led out, not looking around nor asking where they were going. She kept on talking about Jian's activity while he was away but Jim was not really listening. He just kept on nodding and smiling, inappropriately most of the times. Her chit-chats was like a music to his ear. He was like merely listening to the sound but not really understanding the lyrics.
Soon, Jim opened up a door for her.
They were soon ushered inside by a smiling lady and seated them in a soft and comfortable couch with a glass table in the center.
"Dr. Wayne, you are finally here. And so this is Miss Jia, your beautiful bride! " A woman came out from a room and greeted them.
Jia suddenly fidgetted but she quickly managed a smile. She wondered who she was and where they were at the moment. She was busy talking and did not mind at all where they were going.
The woman understood her confusion as she stole a glance at Jim who just leaned back and smiled in amusement.
"Miss Jia, they all call me Miss Max, as I am Maxine Yee. I will be very happy to assist and guide you as to your tastes and preferences for your wedding stuff and arrangement. We can also give our suggestions, if you like. We have lots of designs for you to choose to..." Miss Max spoke eloquently but Jia got suddenly dizzy that she turned pale.
Jim understood more than anyone else so he quickly intervened. "Miss Max, this is quite a surprise to her that's why..." He paused and laughed a little as he encircled an arm around her waist and pulled her to him.
"Can we have a little more time to talk? "
"Sure, sure..just tell me if Miss Jia is ready."
Jim looked at Jia tenderly. He held her hand for a little while before speaking up.
"Jia, if you are still not ready, I am willing to wait. I don't want to force you into the marriage if you do not like." Jim said sadly.
Born with abundant onion skins inside her soul, her tears came racing down from her eyes again.
"Jim, did I not say I want to spend a lifetime with you? There's no such thing as I am not ready."
"But I don't need this kind of marriage."
Jim was confused. "What do you like? "He stared at her with unblinking eyes.
"Please take me and marry me, Jim..but not this way, not with glamour and fancy wedding.."
'The Promised Weddings' was the most famous wedding planning company of the city. Most of the socialite family, the ellite and wealthy chose this company to arrange their most memorable day into an unforgettable and perfect, fairy - tale setting.
For Jim, Jia deserved all the best thing he could offer but for Jia, these were all too much for a nobody like her.
"Jia, what do you mean? " He thought she would be the happiest woman in the face of the earth to be surprised with this glamourous wedding set up.
"Just take me to the marriage bureau and get us a marriage certificate. What matters most is for us to be legally called husband and wife. "
"Jia, every woman dreams of a fancy wedding and I want to give it to you. And I want our son to march down the aisle bearing our wedding ring. " Jim's eyes lit up.
"If you are an exemption to them, I myself, dream that kind of wedding."