After changing my clothes, I was walking towards the dinning room arm and arm with Becca. She was looking anxious and soon pouted at me. "You really won't tell me anything about what is going to happen at dinner?"
Her puppy dog eyes were very cute, but I wasn't going to back down on something so important. "You know that I'm the type of person who likes to share everything with my partner and keep no secrets, but you only have to wait ten more minutes and it will be much more impactful hearing it from your Father."
"Fine, you have always been really smart about these kind of things, so I'll trust you."
"Thanks, Becca. Also, remember that I'm also here for you now. It's not like how it was in the past when you didn't think you had anyone to rely on."
"Ok, I'll be strong no matter where the conversation takes us. I know you will be my rock and backup if I ever feel overwhelmed."
We walked the rest of the way to the dinning room in silent anticipation. Once inside, I could see Becca's Father sweating and figetting at the table. On the other hand, Becca's Mother was talking happily with Rob and Fern.
As we arrived at our seats, I greeted everyone. "Hello Family, I heard everyone had a good day!"
Rob, Fern, and Becca's Mother all waved at me merrily. Becca's Mother replied, "I heard that your day was also good. Thanks for bringing such money makers for my husband haha."
"Of course, I had to ask him for assistance for something steel related. He isn't a big steel tycoon for nothing haha!"
Becca's Father coughed to bring our attention to him. "Well now that everyone has arrived, I would like to have a chat before we have dinner."
Becca's Mother looked concerned. "Are you finally going to say what's going on with you? You have been figetting around awkwardly the whole time since you came back from the shop."
Becca's Father looked her in the eyes with an earnest face. "Yes, let me get straight to the point. Samantha, I love you with all my heart. You are the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I know I have not been showing you that the way I should, so I wanted everyone here to know that I will no longer have any concubines."
Becca's Mother's eyes opened wide in shock. "Why are you bringing this up? What are you going to do when you are on your long business trips?"
Becca's Father reached out his hand and placed it on his wife's cheek. "Because thinking about how much it would hurt for you to take a male concubine made me realize how much I must have hurt you all this time. I made a big mistake all these years and the only thing I can do now is right my wrongs and hope I can prove my love to you and become a better husband.
As for my long business trips, I will patiently wait just like how you patiently waited for me all these years. It will help me miss you and cherish you even more."
Tears started streaming down Becca's Mother's face. "Ted…you know…I also have been thinking a lot recently…I accepted you taking concubines as standard course for a noble woman. I believed that if I wanted to be a noble and for my children to get the advantages of being nobles, I had to sacrifice. I had to gracefully accept losing my husband to other women without making a fuss.
But lately, I realized that all these sacrifices I made to act like a true noble has brought very little real benefits. I should have fought hard for the things I valued without caring how people would think about me.
Thank you for bringing this up on your own, Ted. It proves that you care about me and are thinking about me. It was hard on me as I got older and couldn't shake the thought that you would soon grow unstasfied with my body…
I have been watching what I eat strictly for years. I haven't had anything sweet or fatty for so long… I also exercise at last 2 hours every morning before anyone wakes up to stay in shape. I always thought my one blessing was my body didn't change too much after giving birth to two children…"
Becca's Father was feeling very guilty hearing his wife's confession. "Samantha, I will love your body no matter how it changes with age! Because it is your body and no one else's. It's proof of us growing old together. From now on, don't worry about these things!"
Becca's Mother jump up and hugged his neck. "You really mean it?!"
Becca's Father patted her head. "Yes. I know it is hard to believe me now, so I will prove it to you by showing you how much I love your body every chance I get."
I coughed. "Alright love birds…I'm happy for you two, but leave all that kind of talk for the privacy of your bedroom haha."
Becca's parents both blushed furiously. "Sorry, it looks like we got a little too carried away."
After an awkward silence, Becca spoke up. "So you really decided to change Father? Is it because of Nick and our new laws? I have thought for a long time that you should have never taken concubines, but I can't go against your authority."
"I have talked a lot of this out with Nick and he supported my choice to make a drastic change. I hope this law of yours gets a whole group of noble husbands to rethink their choices to take concubine. In the end, it should result in happier and honest marriages."
"That's really great Father! I'm really happy you were open minded enough to see the error in your ways!"
Rob also chimed in. "I'm glad too. I was thinking I had to get at least a couple of concubines once I became the head of the family, but I really didn't want to because I only ever loved Fern my entire life."
Fern smiled and rubbed Rob's hand. "Thanks honey."