"I know this was a very impulsive decision but now that we are married, I feel very lucky and blessed. Rachael is talented, smart and beautiful. Who wouldn't feel lucky after marrying such an amazing woman?" Every word Andrew had said was true and genuine, it wasn't something he was narrating just to convince Rachael's family.
Michael, who had been silently listening, placed both his hands on Andrew's shoulder. "Welcome to the family." He hugged him and beamed, "I am so happy. This calls for a celebration."
Pulling away, he embraced his daughter. "I am so happy sweetie, thank you so much."
"You are not mad?" Rachael asked.
"Of course not, why would I be mad? Marriage is a happy occasion. Yes, I did have a wish of walking you down the aisle and giving you away but that can still be done." Looking at Reeta who was equally delighted, Michael exclaimed, "Honey, we have to start making preparations for the wedding. Since they are already married, we shouldn't delay the wedding."
"Oh—I call maid of honor," Emma stated.
"What the hell is wrong with you people?" George frowned. "Dad, how can you be okay with this? I do not accept this—"
"What is wrong? They are legally married, it really doesn't matter if you or anyone doesn't accept it," Michael remarked.
"But—"
"George, I am sorry you had to find out this way." Rachael approached him and grabbed his hand. "I know you are worried about me but Andrew and I are already married. No matter under what circumstances this happened, we are a couple now. This is the beginning of a very important chapter of my life and I want my brother to be there for me. So can you please accept it and give us your blessing?"
She understood he was worried about her. After what had happened with Oliver, he had become extra protective. He didn't want her to get hurt again.
"Fine—" George sighed and hugged her. "But if he ever bullies you, I'll break his bones."
"You have my permission," Rachael chuckled.
"Alright, enough hugging and congratulating. We have a wedding to plan." Michael was super excited. He couldn't wait to throw the most amazing and grand wedding for his only daughter.
Not having the heart to tell her father their plan of not having a wedding, Rachael looked at Andrew.
Understanding what she wanted him to do, Andrew sighed. How was he supposed to tell his overexcited father-in-law that they didn't want a wedding? But he had to do it.
"Uncle Michael, can we postpone the wedding for now?"
"What? Why?" Michael frowned.
"We want to keep it low." Andrew ended up repeating what Rachael had told him.
"Why do you want to keep it low? You don't want anyone to know about the wedding?" Reeta inquired. She was concerned.
"It's not like that, everyone will know about our marriage but we don't want a wedding for now—" he tried his best to find the most appropriate words to explain himself.
Michael frowned and snapped at Rachael. "This is you, isn't it? You are the one who doesn't want a wedding, not Andrew."
Rachael was dumbfounded. How did her father know this?
When she did not say anything, Michael scoffed, "So it's really you. I cannot believe my only daughter is taking away my right to walk her down the aisle."
"It's not Rachael, it's me," Andrew stepped in for his wife's rescue once again. "With Grandma in the hospital and so many things going on, I feel this isn't the most appropriate time to have a wedding. It hasn't been many days since I came back and there are a lot of things going on in the office too. If we have a wedding now, I will always be swamped and distracted with work."
"Fine, but the wedding is postponed, not cancelled." Taking Andrew's situation into consideration, Michael decided to agree to postpone the wedding. His wish was for his daughter to marry Andrew. Since that had already happened, he was okay with everything else.
"So now what? You will be leaving?" Emma asked.
"I guess." Rachael pursed her lips. Amidst the chaos of getting married and telling her family about it, she had completely forgotten about the fact she had to leave her house and family. This made her feel very overwhelmed and sad.
"You will leave today itself?" When she nodded, George sighed, "I am going to miss you so much."
"Why don't you stay here for the night? I'll pick you up tomorrow in the morning." Though Andrew couldn't wait to take her home, he had to consider her emotions as well. She was leaving her home and family to come and live with him. It wasn't easy for her.
….