Chapter 22

Griiq

As we stood in line to board the plane back to Vermont, my heart raced with anticipation. Harlow's hand felt warm in mine, a reminder of the love and connection we shared. The future stretched out before us, filled with endless possibilities and the promise of a life together.

Suddenly, a commotion erupted behind us. I turned to see Harlow's parents running towards us, their faces flushed and their breath coming in short gasps. They waved their arms frantically, trying to get our attention.

"Harlow! Griiq! Wait!" her mother called out, her voice carrying over the din of the busy airport.

We stepped out of line, confusion written across our faces. Harlow's father reached us first, placing a hand on my shoulder as he caught his breath.

"Don't go," he said, his eyes filled with a mixture of excitement and urgency. "You need to change your flight."

Harlow furrowed her brow, glancing between her parents. "What's going on? We have to get back to Vermont."

Her mother shook her head, a mischievous smile playing at the corners of her lips. "We have a surprise for you both. Come back to our home with us."

I exchanged a puzzled look with Harlow, unsure of what to make of this unexpected turn of events. Her parents had always been supportive of our relationship, but this sudden request caught us off guard.

"But what about the castle? And Grimsby?" I asked, my mind racing with the responsibilities we had left behind.

Harlow's father squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. "It can wait. Trust us, you won't want to miss this."

I searched Harlow's eyes, seeking her thoughts on the matter. She smiled softly, her gaze filled with love and trust. "Let's go with them, Griiq. Whatever the surprise is, it sounds promising."

My heart swelled with love for this incredible woman who had stood by my side through everything. I nodded, a grin spreading across my face. "Alright, let's do it."

We gathered our bags and followed Harlow's parents out of the airport, leaving the plane and our plans behind us. As we walked, her mother looped her arm through Harlow's, whispering excitedly about the surprise that awaited us.

The Florida sun beat down on us as we exited the airport, a stark contrast to the cool mountain air we had grown accustomed to. Harlow's father hailed a taxi, ushering us inside with a knowing smile.

As the taxi pulled up to Harlow's parents' home, I felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The house looked just as I remembered it from our last visit, with its pristine white exterior and immaculate landscaping. Harlow's hand found mine as we walked up the path, her touch a reassuring presence amid my uncertainty.

Harlow's mother greeted us at the door, her face beaming with happiness. "Welcome home, you two! Come on in, we have so much to discuss."

We followed her inside, the cool air a welcome respite from the Florida heat. Harlow's father stood in the living room, his arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. I swallowed hard, bracing myself for whatever was to come.

Harlow stepped forward, placing her hand on her hip. "Alright, Mom, Dad, what's going on? Why all of this now, when you didn't even show up at the dinner?"

Her mother's smile faltered slightly, and she exchanged a look with her husband. "We know we didn't handle things well, Harlow. We should have been there for you both."

Her father nodded, his expression softening. "We had a lot to think about, and we realized that we were wrong to judge Griiq so harshly. We should have given him a chance from the beginning."

A lump formed in my throat, overwhelmed by their words. Harlow's hand tightened around mine, and I knew she was feeling the same way.

"So, we decided to make it up to you," her mother continued, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "We have a very special gift for you both, something that we hope will show our support and love for your relationship."

Harlow's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "A gift? What kind of gift?"

Her father chuckled, shaking his head. "You'll see. It's being delivered as we speak."

I glanced at Harlow, my curiosity piqued. What could her parents possibly have in store for us? After everything we had been through, I couldn't imagine anything that could top the love and acceptance we had found in each other.

A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts, and Harlow's mother practically skipped to answer it. I heard muffled voices. My heart raced with anticipation, and I felt Harlow's pulse quickening beneath my fingers.

Her mother reappeared, a mischievous grin on her face. "Close your eyes, both of you. No peeking!"

I obliged, my eyelids fluttering shut as I heard footsteps and someone stood in front of us. Harlow's hand squeezed mine tightly, and she trembled with excitement.

"Alright, you can open them now," her father said, his voice filled with pride.

I opened my eyes, blinking against the sudden brightness. As my vision adjusted, I saw Harlow's father standing before us, a small velvet box cradled in his hands. Harlow gasped beside me, her hand flying to her mouth in shock.

"Dad, what is this?" she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

Her father smiled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "These, my dear, are the wedding bands of your great-grandparents. They have been in our family for generations, passed down from one loving couple to the next."

He opened the box, revealing two golden diamond bands nestled inside. The diamonds caught the light, sparkling like tiny stars against the rich metal. My breath caught in my throat, overwhelmed by the significance of the moment.

"We had them cleaned and polished for you both," her mother added, her voice thick with emotion. "We wanted you to have a piece of our family history as you start your new life together."

Harlow reached out with shaking fingers, gently tracing the intricate engravings on the bands. "Mom, Dad, I don't know what to say. This means so much to us."

I swallowed hard, fighting back the lump that had formed in my throat. "Thank you," I managed, my voice rough with emotion. "This is an incredible gift, and we will cherish it always."

Her father placed the box in my hands, his touch warm and reassuring. "We know that you two have been through so much together, and we want you to know that we support you fully. These rings symbolize the love and commitment that you share, and we couldn't be happier to see you wear them on your wedding day."

I looked down at the rings, marveling at their beauty and the weight of the history they carried. I thought of all the couples who had worn them before us, the love stories they had witnessed and the promises they had sealed. Now, it was our turn to add our own chapter to that legacy.

Harlow leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder as she gazed at the rings. "I can't believe this is happening," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "It's like a dream come true."

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. "It's real, my love. This is just the beginning of our forever."

Her parents watched us, their faces beaming with pride and happiness. They had come a long way in accepting our relationship, and their gift was a testament to the love and support they now offered us.

As we stood there, surrounded by the warmth and love of Harlow's family, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Despite the challenges and obstacles, our love had only grown stronger throughout the journey that had led us to this moment.

I looked into Harlow's eyes, seeing the same love and commitment reflected at me. These rings were a symbol of our unbreakable bond, a promise of the future we would build together.

"Thank you," I said again, my voice thick with emotion. "Thank you for accepting me into your family and for believing in our love."

Harlow's mother stepped forward, enveloping us both in a warm hug. "You are a part of our family now, Griiq. And we couldn't be happier to have you."