Chapter 106 CHAPTER 106

Chapter 106 CHAPTER 106
Gabriel Morgan

I step out, open the door for him, and hold his waist as we walk inside. In the kitchen, my mother is talking with my mother-in-law. My father-in-law is in the living room, watching the news.

"Ah, you're here," my mother-in-law says, approaching. "Well? How was the chemo? Any news? Did the doctor say anything?"

I look at Ethan. He takes a deep breath.

"I have something to tell you."

The atmosphere changes in the exact same instant. My mother, my mother-in-law, and my father-in-law grow tense. Ethan takes another deep breath… and then smiles.

"The next chemotherapy session will be the last."

The silence falls heavy.

Before anyone can react, I pop the champagne.

"Surprise."

No one moves.

I look at Ethan, confused.

"Love… did they freeze?"

Then my mother-in-law brings her hand to her mouth. Her eyes fill with tears.

"My son…" Her voice falters. "My son…"

She rushes forward and wraps him in a tight, desperate hug, crying without holding back the sound. My father-in-law approaches right after, hugging both of them tightly, his face hidden against his son's shoulder.

"Thank you, my God…" he gives thanks, emotional. "Thank you for not abandoning our boy."

My mother joins them, running her hand through Ethan's hair, also crying.

"I knew it," she says through tears. "I knew you were going to win."

Ethan sobs, squeezed between arms, love, and faith.

I hold the still-open bottle, feeling my hands tremble.

My father-in-law's words pierce right through me. I begin to cry too, unable to contain myself with so many emotions in just one place.

I approach them, still with the champagne bottle in hand, and enter the hug, wrapping around everyone as best as I can, my free arm squeezing Ethan against me. The tears come down without me trying to stop them.

We stay like that for a few seconds, or minutes, I don't know, until I feel something cold dripping down my fingers. I look down and notice the liquid splashing onto the floor.

Ethan lets out a choked laugh in the middle of the crying.

"You hugged us with an open champagne bottle," he says, laughing. "You're getting everything wet."

I wipe my face in a hurry with the back of my hand, still emotional.

"The emotion was so great that I didn't even think," I confess.

The laughter spreads. First low, then looser. The mood shifts. The weight gives way to something light, almost in disbelief.

Pure love.

Little by little, the hugs undo themselves. Ethan takes a deep breath, running his hand over his face.

"And there's one more thing," he comments, catching everyone's attention.

I look back at him, surprised.

"Another piece of news?"

He stares at me for an instant, his eyes shining, and then holds my hand.

"Gabriel and I are getting married." His voice comes out firm. "Knowing that I am cured now made me certain… I can dive headfirst into everything."

My mother opens a huge smile and begins to clap her hands, emotional.

"You can count on me," she says excitedly. "If it depends on me, you two get married tomorrow."

She moves closer, already enthusiastic.

"Where do you want to get married?"

Ethan smiles, loops his arm around my waist, and leans against me with natural ease.

"On the beach," he answers with a big smile. "We are going to get married on the beach."

My mother opens a huge smile, the kind that lights up the entire face.

"Then everything is perfect," she comments excitedly. "I have a house near here, on the beach. A quiet place, great for resting."

I cast a suspicious look at her, but my mother simply ignores it, as if she didn't notice.

"You already have the location, the beach, a house to gather everyone, food, space to celebrate…" she continues, excited. "Now all that's left is to decide when."

I turn my face to Ethan, waiting for his answer. My heart races, because if it depended on me, we would get married in two days.

He stares at me for an instant and smiles, as if he read exactly what is passing through my head.

"It can be after my last chemotherapy. In fifteen days. And since I get tired and sleepy afterward, better two days after the session."

My eyes widen, feeling my chest accelerate with emotion. My mother smiles, satisfied, already with that look of someone who is planning everything mentally.

"Perfect."

I am certain that, in that exact second, she has already chosen colors, flowers, and even the table layout.

"Mom," I intervene. "Ethan and I want to choose some things. The flowers, the decoration, the food…"

She laughs, shaking her head.

"Of course you can choose. My wedding present to you is to pay for everything."

Ethan and I widen our eyes at the same time.

"Mother-in-law, I appreciate it, but…" he begins, trying to be polite.

"No more words," she cuts in firmly. "This is my present. Seeing my son get married is a huge step."

Then, she points out naturally:

"Richard can go with Gabriel to choose his suit. Clara and I will go with Ethan to choose his."

My parents-in-law nod in agreement, calm, which draws a smile from me. Apparently, my mother's decisive way won everyone over.

"Now," she completes. "Let's drink this champagne, because it has been dripping for a while."

I lift the bottle in the air, drawing general laughter. Ethan's mother grabs the glasses and returns, and I pour for everyone. When Ethan notices that his glass has juice, he pouts immediately.