Friday, continued …Before James could further respond to what Yao Tan said, Alecia entered the lounge area wearing an cream dress with flowers around the hem. Yan Tan, reached to the side of him and picked up the flowers he placed there earlier before handing them to James. James turned and handed them to his bride, and the left to head to the Civil Administration Bureau.
Alecia and James headed to the elevator, and waited for Yao Tan. James quietly asked "Alecia have you made up your mind as to where we should spend tonight. I know my preference, but what do you want to do?"
"While I would like spend as much time with my brothers tomorrow on our birthday, there is no way I want to spend our wedding night with my family. I have two bags packed, one for tonight and one for our trip to Australia. Uncle Yi has already organised with Dad for the bulk of my luggage to go with your family tonight to Australia."
"Hotel then? I do not think I could stay with Hou Yi"s family tonight. Giving you want you want tonight is the best I can do given how rushed obtaining our marriage certificate is."
Alecia nodded and then lent into James, while they sat there waiting for Yao Tan to return. When he did, they headed into the elevator and to the foyer, waiting for a car to come and take them close to the Civil Administration Bureau.
As they walked into the plaza out front of the Civil Administration Bureau, James and Alecia saw who was waiting for them. Hou Yi and Anna, Amanda, Hou Jang, Du AnLing, Deng Xi, Hou Yi"s grandparents, Rosemary, Rebecca, all the children, Alecia"s brothers, and another couple who looked the same age as Hou Yi"s parents and they were unknown to James.
Alecia"s brothers however did not seem to be impressed that they were there, which Yao Tan immediately responded and with Amanda"s help dragged the two of them away for a few minutes. It could be easily heard that they were being reprimanded for trying to spoil Alecia"s day.
Alecia walked over to the couple, dragging James with her, and as they arrived she said in English "James, this is my dad"s parents." Continuing, however in her native tongue Alecia continued "Grandfather, Grandmother, James does not speak our language, but his sister" with that she was pointing to Anna "who is married to my Uncle Yi does, and I would suspect that he will soon learn, particularly with my help."
Grandmother Yao continued "Alecia, while I indulge you with your name, I have to admit when your father told me what you did yesterday, I was surprised. While you are so much like him, I never thought you would stand up to him and bluntly give him two option, given how much he has always tried to protect you. Congratulations girl."
"In speaking to Amanda, who introduce my to your soon to be sister-in-law, and your Uncle Yi, I soon figured out that your young man wants the best for you. Now, while I did not bring it for you, I have at the ancestral home for you a number of family heirloom jewelry pieces. I will bring them to you tomorrow."
"Traditionally they should have gone to Amanda, but she told me when she and your father got their marriage certificate that she wanted them to be kept for you. Your grandfather and I also want to give the two of you some additional money, as I understand your young man is finis.h.i.+ng off his university degree."
"He is grandmother. He only has a few months on a nursing degree, to become a nurse like his sister, and one of his sister"s-in-law."
"An unusual choice for a man."
"That does not bother me grandmother."
"Now sweetheart, you should not be here talking to your grandmother. I would suggest that you need to rescue your husband-to-be from your grandfather who looks like he wants to debate a number of things with him."
Meanwhile, as soon as Alecia started talking with her grandmother, her grandfather in English started to interrogate James.
"Young man, why should I let you marry my granddaughter?"
"Grandfather Yao, I do not think it is a case of you letting me marry your granddaughter. She and her father had an argument before he agreed, and anyway she had made up her mind as to what she wanted to do. I love her and her decision gives me my heart"s content."
"Well how are you going to support her? I cannot let her go to just anyone."