Chapter 124

It was my wedding day and that should make me nervous. But the idea of joining my life with Hana’s didn’t scare me. Not anymore. I found the idea of living without her far scarier. The only ones who knew about it were Jason and Wictor. They would be meeting us in the afternoon at the courthouse where we had booked a time with the judge. After that we would go to set up for the ‘housewarming party’. I liked how we had planned our wedding. The focus would be on the commitment and the most important persons in our life would be there to share it. My first marriage had been similar, but it hadn’t had the sincerity to it. It had been something Mandy and I checked off a checklist. I took a deep breath as I parked outside the prison. Today was the beginning of my new life, that was how I saw it. And I didn’t want to go into it with unfinished business. I was alone in the visitors room. It wasn’t visitation day, but I know someone that had made it possible. As Simon was led in, I could see the change in him. His usual self-confidence was not there and he didn’t even make a face as he sat down opposite me. As he wasn’t considered a high risk prisoner, we could sit at a regular table. No need for a sheet of glass between us. I wondered if I would have preferred the glass.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hi.”

“How have you been, Simon?” I asked. He shrugged.

“It is what it is. It’s been a while since we talked,” he said.

“Yeah. After the last time I figured we both could use some time to cool off.” And I was afraid of how you would react, I added to myself. Simon just nodded.

“How are things with the Russians and the Chinese?” I asked.

“They keep us separated. The Russian has one block, the Chinese another and they have placed me in the neutral one,” he told me.

“That’s good.” He shrugged again.

“Your mother comes by to see you?” I asked.

“Yeah. She and Rich are having some issues. But she still comes by as often as she can.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope they sort it out.” To my surprise, I meant it. I was probably soft-hearted on a day like today. “And your girl, Jess?”

“She dumped me. There are no loyal women in the world today,” he hissed. His old self reared its ugly head and I got a reminder that his demeanour was not a real change, but a forced one.

“I’m sorry.” There was a pause as I tried to find the words.

“You didn’t come to ask about my visitors. You have enough pull to get a look at the visitors log,” Simon commented.

“True. I came because there are things I need to tell you, things we need to clear the air about.”

“Hana,” he told me.

“Yes. I know you have it in your mind that Hana’s and my relationship is about us trying to get revenge on you. But believe me when I say that’s not true. I love her. It’s that simple. And she loves me. Would I have preferred that she wasn't your ex-wife? Yes. Mostly because I hate to know what my own son did to her. But in the end, it doesn’t matter,” I told him.

“If you are expecting to keep her, you need to up your game, old man. Hana needs someone to lead her.” I laughed.

“No, son. She is fully capable of leading herself. Did you know what she has done with the money you gave her? She has opened a bakery. And it’s a success.”

“Well isn’t that cute. You actually sound proud of her.”

“I am. And I’m proud of the fact she has agreed to become my wife,” I told him. For a moment he just looked at me as he mouthed the word ‘wife’.

“You are getting married?”

“We are. This afternoon, actually.”

“Did you come to rub this in my face?” he asked.

“No, Simon. I told you. My relationship with Hana has nothing to do with my relationship with you. I came here because I don’t want you to hear it from someone else. I still would like to work on our relationship. And if it’s too soon, I understand. But I’m only a phone call away,” I said. He huffed in a way that reminded me of myself.

“Is that it?”

“No.”

“Of course it isn’t. What else is there?”

“We are going to have a baby.” Simon had been looking down at the table. But now his eyes shot up and met mine.

“Hana’s pregnant?” he asked.

“Yes. She’s due in the middle of June,” I told him.

“That is gross. My half sibling will be younger than my child,” he told me. It was the first time I had heard him mentioning his child. “Aren’t you ashamed of that?” he then asked.

“Not even a little. It’s one of my greatest joys, actually. It’s humbling to know I will be a father again.”

“You want a do-over? Make something better than the son you have?”

“Simon! No. The baby is not a replacement. It is its own person. I love both of you.”

“But you didn’t love my mother like you love Hana,” he accused me.

“I didn’t. And I shouldn’t have married your mother. I should have found a way to co-parent. But I was young and easily persuaded to do ‘the right thing’. Hana is the love of my life, I know you don’t want to hear that, but it’s true. I’m not going to turn this into another argument, and I’m not here to defend my actions. I’m here because you should learn about this from me. And I meant what I said. Call me if you need me. If it’s just to talk or if you need something. I will always be there for you, son,” I told him and got up from my seat. Simon remained seated. As I walked past him, I put my hand on his shoulder. As I was driving home, I had mixed feelings, like most of the time I saw Simon. It felt good to have told him, and I chose to focus on that. As I walked into Hana’s old apartment, it was almost completely empty. As my place had already been sold, we had chosen to use her apartment to get ready in. But as we were officially moved into our house, the only things in her apartment were our change of clothes and two folded chairs.

“Hunter?” Hana called from the bathroom.

“It’s me,” I confirmed. She came walking in only her underwear and with curlers in her hair. “Sexy,” I said as I pulled her to me and kissed her. I couldn’t help but to have a feel of her body as well. She giggled and swatted my hands away in a playful way. Then she looked at me. “It was okay,” I said before she had a chance to ask.

“I’m happy it was okay,” she told me and gave me another kiss. “If you jump in the shower, you will just have enough time for us not to be late.”

“How big are my chances of me getting you to join me?” I asked.

“Slightly below zero. I have already done my hair and makeup. I’m not doing that again, not even for you.” I laughed as I walked into the bathroom. When I got back out, Hana was slipping into her dress. It was the first time I saw it. She had wanted it to be a surprise, and she turned around and took my breath away. The dress was simple. White lace with a deep V neckline and empire waist. The short sleeves were sheer and in the white lace that made up the bodice, small, baby-blue flowers were embroidered. As the bodice went to the skirt, the flowers became fewer as lace gave way to tulle. The skirt was simple but flowed lovely over her belly to show off the little bump. The dress was sweet and it was perfect for my Hana. “Hunter?” Hana asked and came over to me. It wasn’t until she wiped a tear from my cheek that I noticed that I was crying.

“You are so beautiful you make even an old grump like my cry,” I told her, and my voice was cracking. She gave me a brilliant smile.

“Thank you. You look very handsome. I’m happy we will have Jason with us so I can rely on someone to keep the other women away from you,” she told me and gave me a soft kiss.

“I wouldn’t see them anyway when I have you by my side,” I said.

“Smooth,” she giggled. “I need help zipping my dress,” she then told me and turned her back to me. I gently moved her black hair from her back. I was afraid of messing up the soft waves she had created. I zipped her up and placed a kiss on her neck. She turned back around and took my breath away all over again. “I have something for you,” she told me and produced a small box out of nowhere.

“What is it?” I asked as I took it for you.

“That’s not how gifts work, silly. Open it,” she told me. She looked giddy. I opened it and on a small pillow an old fashioned pocket watch was displayed. The outside was engraved with a swirling pattern and had my initials in the middle.

“It’s beautiful, thank you,” I said.

“Open it,” she said. I carefully picked it up and pressed the button to make it swing open. On the inside of the lid was a picture we had taken after the first ultrasound of the baby. I had my arm around Hana and we were both holding up the black-and-white picture the nurse had given us as we looked at each other. We looked happy, and I loved the picture.

“This is amazing,” I told her.

“I knew you would like it. You are always wearing suits, so you can pull off a pocket watch,” she said. I kissed her and then put the watch in my pocket.

“I have something for you as well,” I told her and got the jewellery box. My gift was nowhere near as thoughtful as hers. But I hoped she would like it nonetheless. She opened the box and looked down on the diamond necklace. It was made up of a row of smaller brilliant cut diamonds. At the front centre there were two big diamonds and in between them, a medium diamond. I looked as Hana took it in and saw how close to tears she was. “No crying. You will ruin your makeup,” I told her and kissed her. She nodded and did her best to hold back. I helped her put it on.

“This is too much, Hunter.”

“Nothing is too much for you, sweetness. Are you ready to go?” I asked and when she nodded I helped her on with her coat.

Wictor and Jason waited outside the courthouse. They both gave Hana a hug and shook my hand.

“Ready to do this?” Jason asked.

“Ready,” I told him. We found the courtroom and waited outside until we were called. I could feel myself beaming with pride as Hana stood by my side as we exchanged the generic vows. She looked happy and that made me happy. We sealed our union with a kiss. Wictor and Jason made a ruckus and both Hana and I smiled. We drove to a park where the photographer waited.

“Ready to go home?” I asked Hana.

“Yes. I’m looking forward to seeing all our friends,” she said. I knew everyone was waiting on us and I was looking forward to sharing the news of us getting married with everyone.