C145 Threads Of Love

The lights in Alicia's bedroom remained on long after everyone in the Mooney residence had gone to sleep. She sat quietly in front of her sewing table, completely focused. Scattered around her were dozens of sketches, coloured pencils, measuring tapes, rolls of fabric, tiny crystal beads, silk ribbons and several books filled with clothing designs she had collected over the years.

The engagement was finally here. She wanted every stitch to carry her feelings. Her fingers carefully guided the expensive sky-blue fabric beneath the sewing machine as the soft humming sound filled the room. Every few minutes she stopped to compare the outfit with the sketch before continuing again. "This shoulder should be slightly narrower..." She adjusted the pattern. "No... Mike's shoulders are broader than this." She smiled to herself before carefully undoing several stitches.

For Mike's suit, she chose a luxurious sky-blue fabric that reflected elegance without being flashy. The lapels were embroidered with silver thread by hand, while tiny patterns inspired by Scottish roses decorated the cuffs. Even the inner lining carried a hidden message stitched in neat handwriting. Forever Yours. Only Mike would ever discover it.

Her own dress required even more patience. She carefully hand-sewed hundreds of tiny crystals around the neckline. Each bead reflected the bedroom light like tiny stars. The flowing skirt was layered with soft silk, while delicate lace flowers decorated the sleeves. Whenever she imagined Mike seeing her wearing it, she couldn't help smiling. "He'll definitely be speechless..." Her cheeks slowly turned pink.

After several more hours, she finally placed both finished outfits on separate mannequins. Standing side by side... Just like their future. Only then did exhaustion finally catch up with her. She stretched lazily before collapsing onto her bed without even changing clothes. Within seconds... She was asleep.

The following morning... Just as expected...

My phone was the first thing that disturbed her sleep. My call. The phone rang once. Twice. Three times. Finally, she answered. Her sleepy voice came through. "...Hello..." I laughed. "Good morning, Wifey." She rubbed her eyes. "Morning..." "You were sleeping again." She yawned. "I only slept a few hours." "I wonder why."

She immediately understood what I meant. "I was finishing something." "Our engagement outfits?" "Hmm." I smiled. "I can't wait to see them." "You'll have to," she replied playfully. "I've also decided something." "What?" "Since I'll be wearing your family's heirloom ring and necklace..." She paused. "...I'll buy your engagement ring myself." I laughed. "So determined?" "Of course." "My husband deserves the best."

Before I could tease her further, she quickly added, "Now let me sleep for another five minutes." "You've been saying that since yesterday." She giggled softly. "Bye..." The call ended before I could respond. Meanwhile... when i went downstairs, Breakfast had already become another family meeting.

The moment I walked downstairs, I immediately noticed my mother and father sitting together with notebooks and pens. I paused. "...Should I come back later?" Mary quickly waved me over. "No! Sit down!" The tone alone told me I wasn't escaping. I obediently sat. My father immediately looked at me with relief. "Wife... Mike is awake." He stood up. "You can ask him." Then he quietly moved away from the battlefield. Coward.

Mom immediately began. "Mike, what should we buy for your father-in-law?" She didn't even wait for my answer. "What about Grandpa Peter?" "Hmm..." She continued thinking aloud. "Grandma Georgia doesn't look like someone who is difficult to please..." She suddenly looked at me. "What do you think?" I blinked. "...Mom..." She asked another question before I answered the first. "What if Alicia doesn't like our family ring?" "What if she thinks it's old-fashioned?" "What gifts should we prepare?" "What colour flowers should.."

I finally understood why Dad had escaped. Breakfast wasn't breakfast. It was an interrogation. Every few seconds I nodded helplessly. "Yes..." "That's fine..." "I think she'll love it..." "I'm sure..." Eventually, I quickly finished eating. "I have to get to work." Without waiting for permission... I escaped. Behind me, I heard my father sigh. Then Mom turned toward him. "Quinton..." He froze. "...Yes?" "You answer the rest." His shoulders immediately slumped. There was no escape anymore.

Just as I opened the front door... Someone hugged me. "My child!" I looked up. "Aunt Valeria?" She smiled brightly. "You've grown up so much." She pinched my cheek. "You're getting engaged today. How could I possibly stay at home?" I smiled. "Aunt..." She looked at me. "Good luck." She frowned. "Good luck?" I simply smiled mysteriously. "You'll understand in a minute." Still confused, she entered the house.

Less than ten seconds later... Mary's voice echoed again. "Valeria!" "You came at the perfect time!" Valeria smiled confidently. "I came to help." Five minutes later... She regretted saying that. Mary had already asked nearly twenty questions. "What gift should we prepare?" "What flowers are suitable?" "What jewellery should Alicia receive?" "What if..." Even Valeria looked overwhelmed.

Then she suddenly remembered something. "Oh..." "What outfits are you wearing tonight?" Mary smiled proudly. "Our son bought them." Valeria blinked. "...Bought?" Mary immediately brought out the elegant sky-blue dress while Quinton unfolded his matching suit. Valeria gasped. "They're beautiful!" She gently touched the expensive fabric. "Alicia truly has amazing taste." Mary frowned. "...What do you mean?"

Valeria looked confused. "Didn't Mike tell you?" Both Mary and Quinton exchanged glances. "Tell us what?" Valeria laughed before taking out her phone. She showed them a picture of herself wearing the elegant red dress Alicia had bought. "Yesterday, Alicia paid for all our outfits." She smiled. "Chris and Mike refused at first." "But she insisted." "Then she dropped chris off and left in a hurry without coming inside."

Mary's eyes widened. "...She did exactly the same thing here." "She dropped Mike off and drove away without even coming inside." Quinton looked completely surprised. "So..." "It wasn't Mike who bought these?" Valeria shook her head. "No." "It was your daughter-in-law." Mary stared at the dress for several seconds. Then her face slowly softened. "Our daughter-in-law..." "She really is amazing." Quinton couldn't help smiling. "So that's why Mike insisted we shouldn't worry about money."

Valeria laughed. "You know my son." "He can't keep a secret." The three burst into laughter. After calming down, Valeria suddenly remembered something else. "You know..." "I've actually been wondering." "What kind of father Chris will become." Mary blinked. "...Father?" Valeria nodded naturally. "The boy already has impregnated someone." Silence.

Mary and Quinton stared at her. "What do you mean?" Valeria smiled innocently. "Didn't you know?" Both shook their heads. She laughed. "Remember when Alicia kept everyone busy teaching us how to cook?" "When David and Quinton were playing chess?" "And Chris flew to England?" Mary nodded. "Yes." "Well..." "He came back with more than souvenirs." She lowered her voice dramatically. "My son confessed last week." "He has a girlfriend..." "...and she's pregnant."

Both Mary and Quinton almost jumped from their chairs. "What?!" Mary covered her mouth. "Impossible!" "Chris?" "Our innocent Chris?" "He wouldn't..." Valeria laughed loudly. "I had exactly the same reaction." Quinton shook his head in disbelief. "So..." "That rascal actually became a father before getting married?" Valeria nodded proudly. "He certainly works fast." The three of them burst into laughter again.

Fortunately... Valeria couldn't remember Sarah's name. Otherwise... The biggest secret among the younger generation would have been exposed before the engagement even began.