I had a light dinner before bed that night, but Gabriel didn’t work in the room. He walked into the study. He had texted that the family was having a meeting in the study, and he was going to sort all the bills before coming to bed, as everyone was leaving the next day.

I had no idea whether he slept in or not, but it was his kiss on my eyelids that woke me the next morning.

“Hi darling, come have your bath and get ready, we don’t want to be late.”

I stood up immediately, kissing him good morning on the cheek and hugging him very tight, still with my eyes closed.

He smiled, calling me sleepyhead, carried me into the bathroom, and tried to undress me. I open my eyes fast, hit his hands playfully, and shoo him away.

After breakfast, we took time to have smiles with everyone. I felt loved and accepted. We were one of the few ppl to leave.

It wasn’t long after our return to the city that Gabriel professed his intentions to officially meet my people to ask for my hand in marriage. I informed my parents, and we scheduled the last Saturday of the month.

I have fully accepted him, and we were committed to making it work.

Having spoken with Dad and Mum, Gabriel came to visit bearing gifts. He was surprisingly attentive and calm, like he had learnt this in school.

I was proud of how he handled it. Mum was taken with him, and Dad admired him. They decided to call him son. Dad said he’d communicate with him when he should bring his people for the introduction.
Lunch was served, and we chatted a while before he left.

Gabriel respected Dad so much that they’d chatted about politics, cricket, business, and architecture. He said he felt like he was with his father. Being an only child and an orphan. Although his extended family never made him feel the lack, he still warmed to my father like he found a new dad. It was beautiful because my father started referring to him as his son.