The Substitute Bride

"Is everything okay? You seem so upset and bothered." As Autumn stared at Charles, she was amused by his expression somehow especially since he rarely showed his emotions in front of outsiders.

"I am fine," replied Charles briefly but she somehow did not believe him. He shook his head slightly, but he still wore a sad expression. "Actually, I am quite frustrated and overwhelmed right now. Chris grew up with me and now she is going to get married and move out to live with another man. It is hard for me to accept this reality in such a short span of time. All these years I knew this day would come sometime but now that it is here, I can't believe how time flew by us," he confessed his feelings and confided to her.

"But what if we have a daughter and she gets married someday? Would you still be so devastated?" Autumn joked with him to lighten the atmosphere.

"No. Autumn, please don't talk about this with me now. Let's change the topic. Every time when I am reminded that my daughter will leave us and live with another man someday, I feel as like a knife is piercing my heart. Just the thought of our daughter moving away is so unbearably painful," Charles responded with dripping emotions and honesty. He clutched his chest while speaking which amused Autumn and made her realize how emotionally vulnerable he was at the moment. She giggled, patted his shoulder to comfort him and then said,"Come on, Sam has arrived."

As soon as she finished her sentence, Sam opened the door and walked in with a bunch of red roses. He wore a big wide smile and his cheerful and happiness was reflecting on his bright face.

Chris, who had been always carefree, was now so anxious and bashful that she kept rubbing her hands together and asked Tina who was standing beside her,"Tina, I have been waiting here for a long while, but why isn't he here yet?"

"Don't be so nervous, Chris. Your brother is downstairs. Perhaps they have something to negotiate. I am sure he will be here soon," Tina comforted her.Just as Tina said that, there was a flurry of excitement in the vestibule a few minutes later. And soon Nancy's voice was heard. "Mr. Lin has arrived!"

Hannah stepped forward to ensure the door was closed. They were ready for Sam to pick up his bride.

Sam's groomsman was his classmate in college and they all knew each other very well, including Tina and Hannah. They began to knock the door as they reached Chris's bedroom. "Chris, open the door! We are here to pick you up!" They shouted from the outside alerting the girls of their arrival.

Upon hearing this, Chris smiled gently while Hannah responded,"Fern, Chris is here. But before opening the door, we have to check if you have enough red packets."

"Hannah, it's you again!" Fern's voice sounded rather helpless. "Hannah, why are you again? It seems that I run into you everywhere I go. Today is a red-letter day for Sam and Chris. Hurry up and open the door. Don't ruin their auspicious occasion," replied Fern sternly.

"Don't utter absolute nonsense. Just hand the red packet to us first. You

Gary as well as Edward were waiting with hopeful eyes for them in the hall.

Though Chris had come to accept and regard Edward as her father, she still called Gary as her grandfather and Charles as her brother. After all these years, those bonds were strengthened and could not be changed over night.

She was calling them that and it was hard for her to change now after all these years, while Edward also did not mind it at all as he actually appreciated them being there for her in the capacity they were.

Two round mats were arranged in front of the seat of honor where Gary and Edward sat. Autumn took tea for them and they began to serve the tea to Gary and Edward. "Grandpa, thank you for bringing me up. Please drink the tea," said Chris with gratitude.

"Grandpa, thank you," said Sam too. From now on, Gary was also Sam's grandpa as well. They were all one big family.

"Sam, Chris, I am so very happy and excited for you to start this wonderful chapter together." Gary smiled cheerfully since he was growing excited just anticipating this day for a long time. He took a sip of the tea and then took out two big red packets, handing to them. "Sam, you have to take care of Chris from now on. You have to keep her from harm's way at all time."

"Don't worry, grandpa. I promise you that I will take good care of Chris. She is my wife and I will be considerate to her. I won't wrong her ever," said Sam firmly and sincerely. He then took a glance at Chris who was moved by his determined and optimistic words and assured her with a wide smile. It all seemed so perfect and she wanted to cherish this moment for eternity.

Gary nodded with great satisfaction after hearing Sam's firm statement. In fact, Sam had won Gary's approval long time ago as he was just a brilliant, compassionate and charming man. Therefore, Gary felt relieved now that Chris was getting married to him. He would not have had it any other way.

Autumn took another two cups of tea for Sam and Chris, because it was time for them to serve the tea to Edward.