The idea was acceptable to him and he inquired, "Why not before the wedding?"
"No. It would be obvious to your parents that you are responsible for it."
Brian took a deep breath and stated, "You have a good point."
"Especially now that they believed that you are responsible for Valerie's disappearance."
"You are right. Thank you for always being there for me."
He tapped his back and responded, "Think nothing about it. She thinks she is smart."
Everything was fine until that morning when the thought of the big smooch crossed his mind.
"I got your point, Guy but let us not escape because she will still be a pain in the neck if she is still alive."
"I thought as much. I know what to do if the officiant says 'You may kiss the bride'. Dress up," he informed him with determination written all over his face and Leonard was happy.
At Jane's House
With the funds from Mr. Garfield and his wife, Magdalene, and her daughter bought a beautiful and expensive wedding gown and accessories. They began to dress up as soon as the hired makeup artist arrived. Nevertheless, they hired two classy cars and drivers. Due to their unacceptable lifestyle, they had little or no friends.
"We should be on our way," Magdalene, who was beautifully dressed, informed everyone, and they left.
As expected, no friends or relatives accompanied them to the court apart from the staff of the wedding planning company who served as her maid of honor.
In The Registry
Her wedding convoy took the city unawares.
"Who is getting married?" an onlooker asked her friend.
"I wish I knew. The publicity was poor," the other person responded.
"Poor? Was there any at all?"
"I thought as much but which city higher up would not show off the wedding of his or her daughter?"
"It baffles me."
Now, they arrived at the registry and the pressmen who followed the train were happy to report such a high-profile wedding. Jane and her mother welcomed the publicity because it was already too late to vilify Jane before Mr. Garfield and his wife who they feared might change their minds if they find out the truth about her. Nevertheless, the groom had not arrived and it was strange. That was the first time in history that a bride would arrive at the registry to wait for a groom.
However, the overzealous pressmen reported that as well while the bride was waiting in the car.
At Brian's House
His parents were set for the wedding and were waiting for them to join them in the foyer where they were waiting for them and taking photographs. At that point, Mr. Garfield's phone rang and he looked at the caller.
He smiled and informed his wife, "Alfred is calling."
A broad smile flickered across her face and she inquired, "Has he arrived?"
"I will find out," he stated and picked up the call, "Hello, Alfred," he greeted him enthusiastically.
"Hello, Frederick. I'm at the registry."
"Wow! I'm glad that you made it. Welcome to my country."
"It is my pleasure."
"We will be with you soon," he promised him.
"It is all right. Don't keep the bride waiting," he advised him.
"Oh, my God! Is she there already?"
"Certainly.".
"It is all right. Thank you for informing me."
"Don't mention it."
After the call, Mr. Garfield looked at his wife and informed her of their discussions.
"Ha! She must be a disciplined and punctual girl," she complimented Jane for being at the registry earlier than the stipulated time.
Nevertheless, her husband was hysterical and called out, "Brian, hurry and don't keep your bride waiting."
"We are here, Dad," he answered and his parents turned and looked at them.
"Wow! You look dashing," his mother complimented them.
They smiled happily and responded in unison, "Thank you for the compliment, Mom. Thank you, Mrs. Garfield."
"Congratulations, Son on your wedding."
"Thank you for the compliment, Dad," he answered with a false smile.
"Let us pose for a photograph," Charity requested.
"Okay, Mom," Brian answered and they began to take positions.
Suddenly, Leonard's phone rang and he looked at it.
"My father," he called out and picked up the call.
Mr. Garfield was attracted to and focused on him. Leonard spoke with his father and he got to know that Jane and her mother were at the registry.
"Inform Brian. He should not make her wait for too long. Okay?"
"I got you, Dad," he answered and his father ended the call.
Instead of informing Brian that Jane was already in the registry, he mumbled, "Let her continue to wait," and concentrated on the photograph.
At that point, an exquisite car drove into the compound. Due to the event, the security officers at the gate were mild with the guests. Nevertheless, they assumed that the two cute babies in the car were part of the wedding as the page boy and little bride.
Meanwhile, they had taken a few shots when the car stopped in front of the house and they paused. The driver got out of the car and walked to the back door. He opened it and held it for his client to get out.
Nevertheless, the client made the two children get out of the car first, and the family was mesmerized to see the lovely and lively children. Likewise, they began to run around freely as though they were aware that they were in their father's house before their mother could join them.
"Who are these?" Mr. Garfield who could not take his eyes off the children asked aloud.
"They could be a distant relative," his wife answered and waited for their mother.
Now, the guest got out of the car with the gait of a Lady Boss and grabbed the children, "Stop, dear," she said and they obeyed.
Brian and Leonard were also attracted by the children and were surprised when they saw their mother.
"Who invited them to the wedding?" Brian mumbled but Leonard heard him.
"We will find out," he squeezed his hand and encouraged him.
The visitor held the twins in her two hands, walked to them in the foyer, and greeted the couple whom she was seeing for the first time, "Good morning, Ma'am. Good morning, Sir."
"Good morning, Young Lady," they responded simultaneously with a questioning expression.
Afterward, she faced Brian. Though he had changed but she recognized him the moment she saw him.
"Good morning, Brian," she greeted him.
Like everyone, he was shocked to hear his name from a melodious voice with a strong British accent.
He looked into her eyes and responded, "Good morning, Young Lady. How may I help you?"
"I'm Valerie Miller and these are …"
Leonard had never met her but he had heard the name over a million times. At that point, he shuddered and looked intently at her.
Now, Brian had recognized her. He interrupted her and screamed, "Valerie? My Valerie?"
She fought back her tears and locked eyes with him. Nevertheless, Brian was euphoric and never bothered to stop his tears of joy from flowing.
"Yes. These are our children," she said and looked at the children.
Brian could not process many things at that moment but Leonard could.
"Ha!" He exclaimed and lifted the two babies who were happy to be lifted at once.
"What is going on?" Mr. Garfield asked while his wife was puzzled.
Brian walked to Valerie and attempted to pull her to his bosom but she resisted him.
"Your grandchildren, Mr. Garfield. You have grandchildren," Leonard announced cheerfully and even the inquisitive security men heard him.
Mr. Garfield looked at his wife and they were both confused.
"Children, meet Grandma and Grandpa," the excited Leonard said and handed the children to them.
Whatever, such children could not be resisted and they collected the babies from him.
"Grandma," the little boy looked into her eyes and called out while Charity was dumbfounded to hear a child address her with the title she never dreamt of having soon.
She looked at the boy again and saw a replica of Brian when he was two years old.
"Yes, my dear," she answered and held him closer to her chest.
At that point, Brian was kneeling and pleading with Valerie.