Chapter 23

Chapter 23


Brianna's pov

"Dad, please," I said, trying to keep my voice steady but failing. "I'm begging you to approve of my marriage to Logan King. I know you have reservations about his family, but I promise you, Logan is not like them. He really is pretty darn sweet and tender-and he loves me for who I am."

Nothing new. George Conners was my father, and I stood before him with my heart racing. I had long-awaited this moment and now making my case.

My father looked at me, a gaze cold and unyielding. "Brianna, I have already told you my decision," he said. "I thus will not approve of your marriage to Logan King. His family is not trustworthy, and I will never let you marry into a family who can do such a thing to you."

I felt a wave flow through me, a stream of anger mixed with desperation. I knew my father would not agree with the decision, but I had chosen to hope at least to one act of common sense.

"But Dad, you're being unfair," I said, voice rising. "By the fact that Logan is judged on that family's actions, that's not fair. Logan is his own person and deserves judging on his own merits."

Father shook his head. "I'm not gonna be changing my mind, Brianna," he said. "And I'm not gonna approve of your marriage to Logan King. Deal with it and get over it."

I could feel a lump rising in my throat because I realized my father would be immovable. Perhaps he would, in good time, grasp a bit of sense on this: the fact that he loved Logan and wanted to share the rest of their lives with him. But now the understanding dawned on me that my father was not going to approve, no matter what I said or did.

Taking a big breath, I shouldered a bit. I need to stand strong, not just for Logan but also for myself.

"Okay, Dad," I said, my voice firm. "I understand your decision."

The nice thing I'd want you to know is, I'm not going to quit Logan.

"I'll marry that boy, no matter what you say or do." 

My father became furious when he said, "You'll regret it, Briana," and that "You will regret marrying into a family like the Kings." 

I shook my head. "I'm not going to regret it, Dad," I said. 
“ I love Logan and I'm going to be happy with him . My happiness is all that matters here”

My father was visibly angry and he looked  at me with disgust "Get out of my sight, Brianna," he said. "I don't want to see you until you have come to your senses and realized that marrying Logan King is a mistake."

And so I stood there, my heart heavy with sadness and lost. I understood that my father and I would never agree on this matter, and thus, it would take a toll on our relationship.

But I was ready for the risk. I was ready to be ripped from anything to be with Logan.

I sat at the living room staring blankly to the television while my thoughts drifted to Logan and our wedding. Oh, I was so afraid of my father's severe disapproval that I had almost given up.

Then, suddenly, I heard steps behind me. 
I turned my body around only to find my father George corners standing in the doorway looking rather stringly at me 

“Brianna can I talk to you for a second?” he asked ,his voice low and serious
I nodded, a sense of dread creeping within me. Oh, no. What did he want to talk about this time?

He walked to the couch and sat beside me, inhaling deeply and staring at me straight in the eye.

"Brianna, I've been thinking a lot about your wedding to Logan King," he said. "And I have to admit, I've been wrong to oppose it." 

I felt it was tidal waves of shock and surprise coming to me. What was going on? The sudden change comes with my father? 

"I know that I have been very hard on you, Brianna," my father again continued, "but just because I feel that it is what is good for you.”

"I see it clearly now: Logan King is what will be best for you." 

"I don't understand it; the same father who was completely against my marriage to Logan-this is something new," I thought.

"Dad, what's going on?" I asked, too bewildered to read between the lines. "What suddenly changed?"

My father gave a small sad smile. "I have been thinking a lot about your mother recently," he said. "And I realize now that she would want my happiness and support for your decisions. And I am sure she would love Logan just as I am beginning to."

I stared at my father, suddenly feeling a lump in my throat. I had never before seen him so weak, so sincere.

“Thank you, Dad”  I said my voice shaking with emotion . Thank you for understanding and supporting me”

My father nodded, a small smile on his face. "Forgive me for taking so long to come round," he said; "but I'm glad I did-it made me realize that I want you to be happy, Brianna. And I know that Logan King is the man who can make you happy.'' 

I embraced my father and held him tightly. "Thank you, Dad," I said through his chest. "Thank you for loving me and supporting me." 

My father hugged me back and held me tightly. "I'll always love and support you Brianna," he said. "No matter what." 

Pulling away, I faced my father, filled with happiness and joy because I knew that this was just the beginning of several new chapters in both our lives. I had kept to myself wondering what the future would hold for me.

"I'm going to call Logan," I said and jumped off the couch. "He's riding on top of the world with this news."

My father smiled then, warm and genuine. "Go on, Brianna," he said. "Call Logan and tell him the good news. I'm sure you've gotten him antsy waiting to hear from you.”

I was bouncing with excitement, nodding in anticipation. I barely managed to keep from shouting the announcement to Logan-and planning could begin for the wedding.