Forty Days Later
Although Henry had a lovely and fruitful honeymoon, and resumed his work, but he was worried. His wife was pregnant, but she had refused to contact her parents or pick up their calls. His joy would have been complete if there was harmony among the three families. However, it was only his parents who were aware of his wife’s pregnancy, and he disliked it. Meanwhile, he was careful to broach the matter. The last time he did, Harriet was outraged, and he resolved to let the matter be. Now that she is pregnant, he would not wish to stress her with such issue. That morning, he gave his Godfather a call, and when he picked, he greeted, “Hello, Henry. How are you?”
“Good morning, God father. I’m fine, but I’m bothered about the scuffle between my wife and her parents. I don't understand why she is taking it too far. After all, the wedding was not put on hold. I think we did not lose anything.”
At that point, Mr. Fields ran his hand on his head and advised, “Just be calm with her, especially now that her condition does not warrant any stress. She will get over it.”
“If you say so, Godfather,” Henry admitted and ended the call. Mr. Fields was gifted in settling feuds, but that one was beyond him. Harriet had not informed her husband that her anger was beyond the postponement of the wedding, and Henry felt it was as simple as that.
Nevertheless, Hon. David was not taking it lightly again.
“My daughter’s marriage should give me joy and not sorrow,” he cried out one morning before his wife.
“You are right. What do we do to put an end to this?”
“I am going to see Sir Taylor and his wife, and give them the details of all that happened. Whatever is the outcome, I am ready to take the blame.”
Now, his wife was hysterical and warned, “I don’t think it is appropriate to see Sir Taylor alone. I suggest that you go with someone that he respects.”
“I think you have a point. What if I go with Arthur? He was a good friend to his late brother, and still respects their friendship.”
“He is a good idea. Let us see how it goes.”
Hon. David gave Arthur a call at once, and they scheduled to meet at his house the next day. When he arrived with his wife, he narrated his predicament, and Arthur and his wife felt for him. Thereafter, he spoke, “Your daughter had every right to be angry, Honorable. Put yourself in her shoes.”
“I agree with you, Arthur, but how do we meet Sir Taylor and apologize to him?”
“I think that involving Chris is not necessary. It would only worsen the matter. If we get your daughter to let go, apart from her husband, nobody else would know that you likened her husband to a criminal. The matter would end within your family.”
Now, David and his wife exchanged glances, and accepted Arthur’s point, “Thank you for this, Arthur. We have not thought of it that way.”
“You are welcome. We will invite her and talk to her. I am certain that she would have a second thought.”
Likewise, David was joyous and spoke with an emotional voice, “I cannot wait to give my daughter a hug.” Then, he bent down to hide his tears and Nichole admonished, “It has not come to this, Honorable. The issue would be sorted out, before you know it.”
“Put yourself together, Hubby. Everything will be fine,” Cordelia consoled. When the couple left, Nichole put a call across to Harriet, and she was glad to hear from her.
“Hello, Mrs. Bailey. It is good to hear from you.”
“I'm pleased to hear from you, my dear. How are enjoying your marriage?”
“Everything is fine, Mrs. Bailey”
“I love that. I would be pleased to have lunch with you and your husband. What do you think?”
“Oh! I am highly honored. Will tomorrow be all right by you?”
“Yes, tomorrow would be all right by me. I await your arrival.”
“Okay Mrs. Bailey.”
Harriet resumed her work, and did not attach any meaning to the invitation. She informed her husband when he came to pick her, and Henry was surprised too. Nevertheless, he attributed it to the concert.
“I feel they wish to give a treat to those who supported them during the concert,” he pointed out, and his wife agreed with him.
“Oh! I should have known better. It means that there would many people at the lunch.”
“You are right.”
The next day, Henry got to work, and occupied himself with the thought of the lunch and his parents’ in-law.
“When will I have lunch with my parents’ in-law?” He asked himself.
“What if I ask Uncle Arthur to talk to my wife? I think she would respect him and forgive her parents,” he reasoned. The idea seemed good to him, and he smiled. At lunch, he picked his wife, and they headed to the Bailey Native Home. To their surprise, the security men at the gate were not as strict as they used to be, and they drove in. They expected to see many cars, but they saw none. They looked at each other in wonderment, and walked in.
“You are welcome to my home, Henry and Harriet,” Arthur greeted warmly when they walked in.
“We are honored, Sir,” they responded simultaneously.
“Kindly take your seats,” he said, and signaled them to a double couch. Before they could take their seats, Nichole joined them, and greeted, “Wow! Harriet and Henry, I am delighted to have you.”
“Good day, Mrs. Bailey. We are highly honored,” they greeted cheerfully, and took their seats. Now, Nichole looked at Harriet a second time, and smiled broadly. Then she fixed her eyes on her stomach, and called out, “Harriet. So soon?” Harriet showed shy, and admitted, “Yes Mrs. Bailey,” she said, while Arthur and Henry looked on happily. Meanwhile, Arthur caught the joke, and complimented, “That is good to hear. Congratulations once again.”
“Thank you, Sir. Thank you, Mrs. Bailey.”
Subsequently, the chef announced, “The lunch is ready, Mrs. Bailey.”
“Thank you,” Nichole appreciated and looked at her husband.
“Let us move to the lunch table,” he announced and got up, while others followed. They took their seats at the dining table, and had their dinner silently. Meanwhile, the guests were expectant. They hoped to hear the reason for the invitation, but they heard none. After a while, Nichole spoke, “Harriet, have you registered for your antenatal?”