Chapter 3: Who Is Getting Married?

"We're home," Wren yelled as she jumped out of the car, leaving me behind with Lionel who only shook his head to hide a smile.

The cheek wasn't even going to wait for me. Typical Wren!

After several minutes her parents came out of their mansion. Without even a glance at Wren they rushed forward to greet me.

"Oh my, you've grown up well, Wes," Aunt Cara mused, taking in my appearance and squeezing my arm.

I had to drop my luggage as Uncle Tim shook my hands vigorously. "How was your study, son?"

"It was great, Uncle Tim," I replied. My eye caught Wren sticking her tongue out at me before stomping inside the house.

The commotion caused by my aunt and uncle alerted my parents and soon they too came bounding out. My dad gave me a nod before reaching over to pat my back while my mom hugged me with tear glistened eyes.

Both my uncle and my dad took my luggage while my aunt and my mom steered me towards my aunt's house. My family and Wren's lived right next to each other. My dad and my uncle owned their own companies and instead of choosing to live in different estates they opted to buy mansions in the same neighborhood. It was so they could be close to our grandpa Joe.

We were soon all gathered into the big living room. I knew my family was going to throw a party as soon as I got back but I didn't know it needed the two families organizing it.

I was sitting alone on one sofa. The two head of the families were on another while my aunt and mom sat on the armrests beside each of their husbands.

Finally my grandfather, well, he was technically Wren's grandfather and my grandfather's best friend but I've known him for such a long time that not calling him gramps would sound even weirder, came walking in with Wren helping him.

I stood up and helped Wren to sit him down.

Wren walked over and sat next to me deliberately elbowing me as she did. I glared at her but she had an innocent look on her face.

"What's going on?" I whispered to her, jutting my chin towards our elders.

"I don't know," she replied, shrugging her shoulders.

I was becoming a bit suspicious about our gathering. Wren obviously had no clue to what was going on and so did I.

"Is there something going on?" I asked, and spotted my mother and aunt giving a look at each other. Instantly, my skin crawled. I knew that look wasn't going to bode well for me. My dad and uncle just cleared their throats and turned away from us.

"Wren, dear, why don't you go bring Wes some tea," Grandpa Joe suggested with a wave of his hand.

I watched Wren stand up and give me a shrug before making her way to the kitchen.

"Grandpa Joe, is there something you need to tell me?" I repeated trying to gauge their odd behavior. What were they keeping from me?

"Son, you know when your grandfather and I served together in the war we made a promise to each other," he began, pushing himself to sit straighter.

I nodded my head. I knew this story by heart.

He continued. "Back then each of us were married and had a child along the way. We promised each other that if the other one made it out alive, they will look after the other's family."

"I know grandpa, you used to tell me and Wren this story when we were younger," I said with a slight chuckle as I reminisced.

"Yes. But what I didn't tell you was that we made another promise to each other. Your grandfather and I had a very close relationship even though we weren't blood related. It was his last will that we make that relationship closer when our children were born."

My ears perked up. "What are you saying grandpa?" I asked not understanding.

"Your grandfather and I wanted our children to marry but that couldn't happen because we both had sons."

"I don't understand what that has to do with me," I told him.

"It was your grandfather's wish to join our two families. I've already talked it out with your dad and your uncle and they have agreed to let you get married."

I chuckled with disbelief as I finally realized what he was telling me.

"This is some sort of joke right? Mom?" My mother pursed her lips and turned away when I looked to her. "Aunt Cara? Dad? Uncle Tim?" My questions were met only with silence.

"It's not a joke, Wes," Grandpa Joe stated in a firm tone.

"Isn't that illegal, Wren is barely eighteen? I don't know if you guys are aware but I could go to jail for marrying a minor and I'm not saying that I am going to but I'm just putting it out there," I told them and patted myself on the back for it. Surely they would have to reconsider now.

"Actually, a minor can get married if the parents give consent," my dad interjected crushing my earlier thought of victory.

I sat back in defeat. There was no way they would go against what grandpa Joe decreed. His word was the law in our family. "Wow, you guys really thought about everything, huh? Does she know?" I asked mildly disappointed by the lack of disagreement coming from the matriarchs.

The elders all shook their heads. I couldn't believe it!

The atmosphere was tense before Wren finally came in with the tea tray, oblivious to whatever has been planned out for both of our future.

"Here you are, grandpa," she placed his cup on the coffee table. "Be careful it's hot."

She handed me my cup and sat down, placing the tray on her lap. "So what is going on?"

"Wes is getting married," Grandpa Joe said abruptly. I gasped. I knew he was blunt but seriously he just threw that out there without hesitation. I hung my head in defeat. Was this what it felt like being taken to a slaughterhouse?

Just like how I expected, Wren laughed hysterically. "Wes...married? Is this a joke? Seriously grandpa, those two words do not belong in the same sentence."

Aunt Cara walked over to Wren and grabbed her by the shoulders shaking her. "It's not a joke, Wren."

"Well, then who is he marrying?" she asked still giggling as she wiped away tears.

Aunt Cara turned her gaze away before replying. "You. He's marrying you, Wren."

Wren's giggles continued after a few seconds before Aunt Cara's words finally sunk in.

"Wait- what?" she asked, brows scrunching up in confusion.

"Wren," I start, beginning to get frustrated as well that I was being pushed into a marriage much earlier than I wanted. "Grandpa Joe and our parents are saying that we are going to be married."

"But-but why?" she cried, tears starting to spill from her eyes. "Mom? Dad?" she questioned, turning to her parents.

I reached over to comfort her but she pulled away from me.

"And you," she stood and pointed a finger at me. "Were you in on this too?"

"What no…Wren-"

"Is that why you had to come back? I can understand Mom and Dad and Uncle Eric and Aunt Lynn being in on this…this scheme…but you?" she said accusingly.

"It's not like that at all." I tried to explain but she had cut me off.

"Oh really? I suppose it's also the reason why you bought me this ring as a gift. I don't believe this." Wren finally stomped off upstairs.

I watched Wren's retreating figure before turning my attention back to the living room. "Well, that went well," I commented.

The elders all turned to glare at me.

I shrugged. "You guys really didn't think this through, did you?"

***