Naosa woke early the next morning, a habit ingrained by years of routine.
Alex was still fast asleep beside her, peaceful in the pre-dawn quiet. After showering and dressing, she heard movement upstairs and followed the sounds of morning.
Nancy was already bustling around the kitchen, preparing breakfast with practiced ease.
“Good morning,” Naosa greeted warmly. “Is there anything I can help with?”
“Good morning, dear. Did you sleep well?” Nancy asked with genuine concern.
“I’m an early riser at home,” Naosa said with a gentle smile. “So this feels perfectly natural.”
“In that case,” Nancy said, smiling, “would you mind doing the hash browns?”
Naosa tied her hair into a practical ponytail and began peeling potatoes with neat, efficient strokes. Nancy watched her technique with growing admiration.
“You’re remarkably efficient. Karen could learn a thing or two,” she chuckled.
“I really love cooking,” Naosa said, her voice warming. “Especially baking.”
──────────
Nancy grew thoughtful, then spoke softly. “I owe you an apology for yesterday. I truly am delighted you’re going to be my daughter.”
Tears gathered in Naosa’s eyes before she could stop them.
“Oh dear, I didn’t mean to upset you,” Nancy said quickly.
“No,” Naosa replied, brushing at her cheeks with a smile. “It’s the opposite. I lost my mother when I was six. I’ve missed her every day since. Hearing you call me your daughter—it makes me incredibly happy.”
Nancy stroked her hair and drew her into a maternal embrace. From the living room, Reginald returned from his morning constitutional and, pausing at the doorway, took in the scene with a quiet, deepening understanding.
──────────
As they finished the breakfast prep, Karen stumbled downstairs, yawning theatrically. Spotting Naosa, she stopped dead.
“What on earth is that?” she demanded, half appalled.
Naosa wore a hoodie emblazoned with Mind the Gap across the front.
She laughed, delighted. “Alex and I are going on a British-themed adventure today.”
Karen blinked. “What does that even mean?”
Naosa happily outlined her itinerary, but Karen scoffed. “I’d be mortified to be seen in public in that.”
“I thought it would be fun to dress like a local on my first visit,” Naosa said, genuinely puzzled. “But perhaps I misunderstood?”
“Are you deliberately mocking English culture?” Karen muttered.
At that precise moment, Alex walked in wearing an identical hoodie.
“Good morning, my beautiful,” he said, kissing Naosa with obvious affection.
Karen groaned. “Alex! You too? Please stop this madness.”
Alex laughed, unbothered. “It’s the first time in ages I’ve really enjoyed England.” He slipped an arm around Naosa, proud and cheerful. Karen was decidedly not amused.
──────────
As they were about to leave, Reginald spoke up unexpectedly.
“Wait a moment.”
Alex tensed, but Naosa turned to him with open curiosity.
“Hampstead Heath is particularly lovely this time of year,” Reginald said, uncharacteristically gentle. “If the weather holds, you can see all of London from Parliament Hill. There’s a long-established patisserie nearby—one of Margaret’s favorites. You’d like it.”
Naosa’s eyes lit. “Thank you for the recommendation. We’ll absolutely go.”
Reginald almost smiled, though the expression sat crookedly on his weathered face. After they left, he settled into his usual chair wearing an unusually peaceful look. Karen noticed it immediately. He had never looked at her with such gentle approval.
Fuming, she retreated to her room and called Jill to complain.
“If you cause any trouble for Nao, our friendship is over,” Jill said, cool and final.
Karen stared at her phone. Aren’t we supposed to be best friends? She stormed back to the kitchen. “Emily was infinitely better for Alex—wealth, style, intelligence. She wouldn’t be caught dead in that hoodie. And she wouldn’t drag him into this childish nonsense.”
Nancy’s patience snapped. “Enough. Alex has made his choice. Stay out of their relationship.”
“Fine,” Karen muttered. “I’m telling Cate everything.”
──────────
Meanwhile, Alex and Naosa went all in on their quintessentially British adventure. Despite the December chill, they rode on the upper deck of a double-decker bus, taking pictures with happy tourist enthusiasm. Everywhere they went, strangers were kind.
At a traditional fish-and-chips shop, the owner slipped them extra portions on the house. Naosa doused hers with vinegar, then coughed, eyes watering. “I assumed that was the proper British method!”
Alex laughed with her. Being with her made his hometown feel brand-new.
They wandered Hampstead Heath, then stood on Parliament Hill, admiring the sweep of the city.
At the patisserie, they bought an absurd number of sweets—everything looked irresistible.
“I love you more deeply every day,” Alex whispered.
Naosa blushed, radiant. “I’m completely happy.”
──────────
That evening they set out the pastries for everyone. Reginald and Margaret said little, but both seemed genuinely pleased. They might not always share the present, but they still shared the same beloved memories.
──────────
The next morning, while Naosa helped Nancy in the kitchen, Reginald summoned her to his room.
Military medals and wartime memorabilia filled a glass case with proud precision. He showed her a framed wedding photograph. “This is the moment I mentioned yesterday.”
“Lady Margaret is luminous,” Naosa said reverently. “And Colonel Reginald—you look so distinguished.”
He studied her. “I’m told you said you’d postpone marriage if anyone in this family objected. Do you still stand by that?”
Naosa nodded without hesitation. “I have professional commitments for another two years. But if someone still opposes us after that… I’ll wait until I earn everyone’s blessing.”
“How long are you prepared to wait?” he asked.
She smiled, gentle and steady. “Please live a very long life, Colonel.”
He grunted, almost approving. “Well. Then I suppose I can’t die before I’ve seen what my foolish grandson looks like as a proper groom.”
──────────
That evening, Alex’s older siblings—Nicholas and Catherine (Cate)—arrived with their families. Nancy and Naosa worked in easy tandem to prepare for the larger crowd. Alex hovered until Nancy shooed him out of the kitchen.
Nicholas and Cate had no idea Alex was engaged. Cate had even planned to introduce him to a woman for “useful business connections.”
As guests arrived, the house buzzed. Nancy announced a casual standing buffet to keep things simple.
Naosa helped Margaret choose her plate while Alex prepared food with careful attention; the three of them ate quietly together in the dining room. Soon Simon called them into the living room for introductions.
Alex introduced Naosa as his fiancée. Nicholas, surprised but warm, offered congratulations. Cate glanced at Karen, who only shrugged.
Cate followed them back to the dining room, barely containing her temper. “You got engaged with no consultation?” she hissed.
She’d made promises to a business acquaintance, and now her plans were ruined. Alex tried to explain, but Cate pushed harder. “We already have a meeting set for the 26th. This woman is very interested in you—your career could benefit. It’s the smart move.”
He’d always been wary of Cate’s manipulations, but he faltered under the pressure. “Nao… do we have plans for the 26th?”
“We do,” she said kindly. “But you can change them if you need to.”
“What were they?” he asked.
“I wrote it all down as part of your Christmas present,” she said, eyes dancing. “Shall I get it?”
She returned with a small, beautifully wrapped package.
“May I open it early?”
Inside was a worn first edition, clearly valuable.
Alex blinked, masking disappointment. “A genuine first edition… this is remarkable.”
His forced enthusiasm was obvious; he wasn’t a collector. Naosa watched him, amused—exactly the reaction she’d expected.
“You don’t seem thrilled,” she teased lightly.
“No! I love it,” he insisted, still struggling. Cate smirked.
Naosa’s smile deepened with quiet amusement. “I marked my favorite passages with sticky notes,” she explained, her voice brightening. “You’ll find them meaningful.”
With a small, knowing grin, she opened to the first marked page.
On a small sticky note, written in her graceful handwriting:
“There is meaning in being truly present—now.”
She turned a few pages farther. Another note read:
“Whatever happens, wherever we go… I’ll walk beside you.”
Then another:
“Let’s keep finding joy in the small things—and share them.”
A few more pages later, he found:
“See it with your own eyes. Feel it with your whole heart.”
Finally, near the very end of the book, a last note waited for him:
“Alex, I love you completely. —From Nao.”
Between the pages lay two long paper slips.
Alex went still. Naosa’s smile turned luminous. He stared, speechless.
She pressed a finger to her lips; he swallowed his shout of joy, then pulled her into a fierce embrace and kissed her.
“Did you like it?” she asked, hopeful.
“Like it? I’m losing my mind. How am I supposed to respond to this?”
Nicholas and Cate looked lost.
“My plans for the 26th are set,” Alex said to Cate, absolute now. “I won’t be changing them.”
Cate bristled. Nicholas, curious, asked to see the book.
He flipped through carefully. At the final note, he clapped Alex on the shoulder, grinning. “Brilliant. No man alive wouldn’t treasure this.”
He returned the book. Tucked beside that final note were two hospitality tickets to a Boxing Day Premier League match—some of the most coveted seats in the country.
Naosa beamed as Alex stared in wonder.
“I love you beyond all measure,” he whispered.
She laughed, joyous. “I’m radiantly happy.”
──────────
On December 26, they went to the match together in perfect harmony. At home, the O’Neills watched the live broadcast—only to see the couple front and center on the screen.
The entire family shouted in unison, “What?! How did they manage that?!”
──────────
© 2024 reminise. All rights reserved.