“Later?” Daniel questioned.
“Yes, for dinner at Omma and Abeoji’s.”
“Yes, I know we are all having dinner, but what about my lunch?”
“Go get some,” Samuel countered.
“I gave you my physical labour. You are supposed to reward me with pizza. I’d like the mushroom pizza from Ferrolli’s.”
“I’m not buying you any pizza. Much less gourmet pizza. Go home.”
“Yeah, you are. Otherwise I will tell Omma.”
“Are you a child?”
“No. I’m hungry. Fine, I won't tell Omma. I will just tell my new sister how you are treating me. Hannah! Hannah!” He yelled. She stifled her laughter.
“Stop all that screaming in my house. Fine, I’ll get you the stupid pizza.”
“And bread sticks?—”
“Yeah, and I have just the place to put them.”
Hannah giggled at their antics. Despite the way they teased each other, she could tell the brothers shared a good relationship. It made her feel warm, the way Daniel instantly treated her like family.
“I’ll see you two later.” Daniel called. He took his time leaving, despite the death glares his brother sent him. After his last bite, his brother practically pushed him out the door. It seemed to only make Daniel move slower.
“Finally, we are alone.” Samuel declared. He looked wolfish. Like he was ready to devour her, but that would have to wait.
“We need to head to the store, so I can pick up something to take to your family’s house.”
“You don’t need to.” He told her as he circled her waist and placed a kiss on her neck. Hannah quickly pulled out of his hold.
“Of course I do. I’m going to meet your parents.”
“You’ve already met my parents. It isn’t a big deal.” He reached for her hand, and she pulled away.
“Samuel! There is no way I’m showing up empty-handed to your parents' house.”
“Fine,” he groaned.
Hannah was glad she insisted on getting them a gift. Also, she had taken care to select her outfit. She’d asked her husband what she should wear to meet his parents. “It doesn’t matter. Just be comfortable.” He’d instructed. He was of no help to her. So, she asked. “Well, what are you wearing?”
“Jeans and a dress shirt.” She couldn’t bring herself to dress that casually to meet his parents. Instead, she selected a navy-blue maxi dress with a matching bolero jacket. They looked like ‘that couple’, their outfits matched in colour. It made her wonder if it was too much the entire ride to his parents’ place. Hannah had been praying about it for years. She struggled deeply with what others and the Lord thought about… well, everything about her. She wished she could be more like her new husband. The man moved through life unaffected by what others thought.
As they pulled up to the Cho’s house, she noticed several vehicles parked in the driveway. It made her feel apprehensive. “Are your parents expecting other guests besides us and your brother’s family?”
“Not that I am aware of.” He shrugged. She had prepared herself to spend time with the immediate family. Not tons of people. Hannah willed herself to relax. It wasn’t working. Samuel opened the car door for her. He took her hand and helped her out. They didn’t head inside right away. He cupped her jaw. “Everything will be just fine. You have nothing, and I mean nothing, to worry about. They will adore you.”
With those few words, Samuel accomplished what she couldn’t with her self-talk. A wave of reassurance washed over her. He pressed a kiss to her temple, and she was ready for the evening.
Samuel’s mother and father greeted them at the door. Both were warm and welcoming. His mother had drawn her into a tight hug. “I’m so glad to have another daughter.” It was so much more than Hannah had hoped for.
Everything was so much more. As it turned out it wasn’t a little gathering. Somehow their mothers had gotten a hold of each other. The gathering was more of an intimate reception celebrating their nuptials. Both their parents, siblings and their families, a few aunts, and uncles, were in attendance. Even her godmother and a few close family friends attended.
When she received the invitation, Hannah was concerned her parents would feel badly that the Chos would host them first. However, her mother had seemed unbothered. It had made Hannah feel like her mother hadn’t cared. Hannah should have known better. Their mothers looked thick as thieves. They had reached out to each other and planned a beautiful evening.
The two had even ordered a wedding cake. It came in two flavours, his favourite and hers. The lemon cake and mousse complimented the apricot beautifully. Just like their families did. Hannah couldn’t be happier with how the night turned out. She even got to have a formal dance with her husband.
