Chapter 54: 16. A Wedding in Two Weeks

Chapter 54: Chapter 54: 16. A Wedding in Two Weeks

Elisha stepped out first, then turned back and reached his hand into the car. Henry took it without hesitation and stepped out beside him. Their fingers intertwined as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder for a moment, taking a deep breath before walking toward the grand entrance together, ready to face whatever awaited them inside.

The heavy oak doors swung open, and Elisha and Henry stepped inside without letting go of each other. Their fingers remained tightly intertwined as they walked side by side through the spacious foyer and into the sunlit living room.

The conversations stopped immediately as everyone turned toward them. Elisha’s parents, Henry’s parents, and the elders of the family were gathered around the seating area, their attention fixed on the two men walking hand in hand.

Elisha and Henry stepped forward and respectfully greeted their parents and grandparents. The elders returned their greetings with stiff nods, their expressions remaining serious.

Elisha then guided Henry toward the sofa and waited for him to sit before taking the seat beside him. He stayed close, his shoulder lightly touching Henry’s as they faced the family together.

The room fell silent.

Elisha’s grandfather, a deeply traditional and religious man, sat upright in his armchair. He stared at the two of them for several long seconds before finally speaking.

"I have heard more than enough rumors since yesterday," his grandfather began, his deep voice carrying across the room. "But I want you to tell me yourself, Elisha. What exactly is going on here?"

Elisha straightened in his seat and met his grandfather’s gaze.

"Grandfather, everyone," he began, his voice steady. "I know this comes as a shock, but it’s the truth. I love Henry. I have loved him for years, even when I kept those feelings to myself. I love him with everything in me."

His gaze moved across the room, briefly meeting his father’s tight-lipped expression before returning to his grandfather.

"I’m sorry if I’ve disappointed anyone or if this isn’t the life you expected me to choose. But I can’t keep hiding how I feel. Henry is the man I love, and he’s the one I want to spend my life with. There is no one else."

His grandfather listened without saying a word. When Elisha finished, he slowly turned his attention toward Henry. "And you?" he asked, his voice firm. "Do you feel the same way? Is everything Elisha just told us true?"

Before Henry could answer, Elisha quietly reached over and placed a reassuring hand on Henry’s knee.

Henry glanced down at Elisha’s hand for a moment, drawing comfort from the gesture. Then he lifted his chin and looked directly at the grandfather.

"Yes, Grandfather," Henry said, his voice steady. "He’s telling the truth. Every word of it. I love him just as much as he loves me."

His grandfather’s brow furrowed as he slowly shook his head, his expression filled with disbelief. "You’re both men. How can you have these feelings for each other? How could you possibly love another man?"

Henry swallowed, but he didn’t look away.

"We’re sorry," he said quietly. "But we love each other."

The room fell completely silent.

Elisha immediately reached for Henry’s hand and held it tightly.

"Grandfather, we’re really sorry," he said, his voice filled with emotion. "I know this is difficult for everyone to accept, and I understand that this isn’t what you expected from us. But please, don’t make us feel like we’re wrong for loving each other just because we’re both men. We love each other, and we’re happy together. Please think about our happiness before you make any decision. Don’t shut us away or try to keep us apart. Please give us a chance to love each other."

He looked around at the elders, his voice becoming more pleading. "I know our relationship may be difficult for you to understand, but Henry means everything to me. Please don’t take him away from me."

Henry squeezed Elisha’s hand and nodded. "Please," he added softly. "We’re not asking you to understand everything right away. We just want you to give us a chance. We love each other, and we want to be together."

Both men fell silent, waiting for their grandfather’s response.

Finally, the grandfather let out a heavy sigh and slowly shook his head. "Even though this goes against my religion and everything I have believed in all my life..." He looked between them. "What can I really say? Henry is like a son to this family. He isn’t a stranger to us. How can I simply tell the two of you to stay apart?"

He paused before continuing. "But I want to be certain about one thing. Do you both truly understand what you’re saying? Do you really love each other?"

Elisha nodded immediately. "Yes, Grandfather. We do."

His grandfather turned toward Henry. "And you, Henry?"

Henry met his gaze. "Yes, sir. We love each other."

The grandfather studied them for another moment before finally letting out a slow breath. "Then it’s settled."

Henry blinked, while Elisha’s face immediately brightened.

Henry’s father cleared his throat.

"Since you’ve both chosen to be together, we can’t have you continuing like this without making things official, especially now that everyone knows about your relationship. You’re both adults, and you already have everything you need to build a life together."

Elisha’s father nodded in agreement.

"That’s right. So here is the decision. Tell your friends and business associates that your wedding will be held two weeks from now. We’ll begin working on the invitations immediately and take care of the preparations."

Elisha’s eyes widened before a huge smile broke across his face. He turned toward Henry and excitedly shook his shoulder.

"Did you hear that?" he whispered.

Henry managed a smile and nodded, even though something in his expression seemed different.

Both mothers smiled as well. "Then that’s settled," Elisha’s mother said. "The wedding preparations start now."

"Thank you, everyone," Elisha said happily. He stood and greeted the family members one after another.

Henry followed, offering his own greetings and trying his best to smile.

The grandfather cleared his throat. "Now, tell me, which family will be collecting the bride price?"

Elisha answered without hesitation, "Henry’s family."

Henry’s mother laughed. "Then I’ll have to prepare a very long bride-price list."

Elisha’s mother smiled. "That won’t be a problem. Henry has always been like a son to me. I’ll pay whatever is necessary to make him my son-in-law."

The room erupted in laughter, and some of the tension that had filled the room earlier finally disappeared.

Elisha laughed along with them, but his eyes never left Henry.

Henry forced another smile before quietly getting to his feet. "Excuse me. I want to use the restroom."

"Go ahead, son-in-law," Elisha’s mother teased.

Everyone laughed again.

Henry smiled weakly and walked out of the living room.

Elisha watched him leave. Something about Henry’s expression bothered him, so he quietly got up and followed.

Henry didn’t notice.

He walked farther down the hallway until he reached a quiet corner. The moment he was out of sight of everyone, his legs suddenly gave way. He caught himself against the wall, pressing one hand against it as tears filled his eyes.

He lowered his head and began to cry.

Elisha stopped a short distance away, watching him in confusion. He had expected Henry to be happy after everything they had just heard. Why was he crying?

He closed the distance between them and walked over to him. "Pretty," he whispered.

The moment Henry saw him, he rushed forward and wrapped his arms around Elisha’s neck, burying his face against his shoulder as he broke down crying.

Elisha didn’t ask any questions. He simply wrapped his arms around Henry and held him tightly, one hand gently rubbing his back.

"I’m here, okay?" he murmured. "We’re in this together. Trust me."

Henry nodded against his neck, another sob escaping him.

"I love you so much, Henry," Elisha murmured. "Whatever is going through your mind, trust me. We’ll work it out. We have time, and we’ll figure everything out together after our wedding."

Henry took a shaky breath and nodded again.

Elisha gently pulled back and wiped the tears from Henry’s cheeks with the back of his hand. "Stop crying, pretty."

Henry sniffed and nodded. "Okay."

Elisha looked at him for a moment. "Are you hungry? Should I take you out to get something to eat?"

Henry gave a small smile through his tears and nodded. "Yes."

"Alright." Elisha kissed Henry’s forehead. "Let’s go."

Elisha stood and held out his hand. Henry took it, and they walked back toward the living room together...