Jr sat down in the lavish sunroom of the Hampton Estate, surrounded by timeless elegance and the soft aroma of fresh flowers. The morning drizzle had stopped, and a golden hue from the rising sun filtered through the tall glass windows. His mother, Roland Hampton, and his grandmother, Old Mrs. Hampton, sat across from him, both women sipping on their morning tea and enjoying a rare moment of peace.
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his tone serious but filled with a quiet excitement. "Mom, Grandma… I want to talk to you about something important."
Old Mrs. Hampton, ever the matriarch, lifted her eyes from her teacup and peered at him with gentle curiosity. "What is it, my child?"
Jr looked at both women, letting the moment settle, then said with unwavering conviction, "I want a grand wedding with Bella. The kind of wedding the world will talk about for years."
There was a stunned silence for a second. Roland blinked, her lips parting in surprise. Then, suddenly, her face broke into an expression of pure joy.
"Oh, my son!" she exclaimed, clapping her hands together in delight. "Congratulations! Ooh, leave everything to me! You know I'm into cosmetics and fashion—I'll make sure Bella looks like royalty on that day!"
Old Mrs. Hampton placed her hand over her chest, her eyes brimming with emotion. "You've decided wisely and at the right time, my son," she said with pride. "I've lived long enough to see this day, and I thank God for that."
Roland was already brimming with plans. "We have to involve your aunts—Evelyn and Justin. You know how much they adore you."
Jr chuckled softly and nodded. "Yes, of course. I want everyone involved."
"You realize this is going to be an international event," Roland said, eyes gleaming. "Evelyn is the First Lady of Maryland, and Justin is the wife of the Prime Minister of Octavia. With their connections, this wedding will be the talk of not just our country but the whole world."
Old Mrs. Hampton smiled knowingly. "It will be a celebration of love and legacy."
Jr felt a wave of comfort wash over him. These women—his pillars of strength—were fully behind him. He could already envision Bella walking down the aisle, radiant and confident, beside her daughters and family.
"Since we're starting wedding plans," Roland continued, her thoughts already racing, "I'll need to be with Bella often. Her skin needs to glow even more, and she'll need to be trained in walking in heels, posing for the press, and handling public appearances."
Jr laughed, warmed by his mother's enthusiasm. "I'm leaving all that to you, Mom."
Old Mrs. Hampton reached out and took Jr's hand in hers. "I'm blessed that you've made this decision while I'm still alive. It's all I ever wanted—for you to find someone who brings you peace."
The room filled with a quiet joy—a sense of shared anticipation that something truly beautiful was about to unfold.
---
Meanwhile, across town at the Ferguson residence, a different kind of conversation was taking place—one heavy with fear and regret.
Natasha's father, Mr. Ferguson, sat stiffly on the edge of a mahogany armchair, his face pale and lined with worry. Across from him sat Jr's father, Mr. Hampton the second., a stern but just man who had served in several political and military capacities before retiring.
Mr. Ferguson's eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep. His hands trembled slightly as he spoke. "Please, I beg you as a friend… talk to the President. Ask him to pardon Natasha. She's still my daughter."
Hampton the second. frowned, not out of anger, but disappointment. He sighed, his voice calm but resolute. "Ferguson, your daughter's crimes are unforgivable. You know that."
"I know, I know…" Ferguson whispered, looking down. "But she's still my child."
"She wasn't just making petty mistakes," Hampton the second. said, leaning forward. "Your daughter allied herself with known criminals—people who committed atrocities. Crimes against humanity, Ferguson. This isn't just about politics or rivalry. This is about justice."
Ferguson's eyes welled with tears. "I warned her. Many times. I told her to be careful with the company she kept, to stop making enemies in high places… but she wouldn't listen."
Hampton the second.'s expression softened just a little. "I know you tried. You're not to blame for her decisions."
Ferguson lifted his head, desperation in his voice. "If it were up to you… just you… would you pardon her?"
Hampton the second. paused. Then he shook his head. "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. My father—Jr's grandfather—is still the elder voice in our council. And President Carter is a man of justice first. Jr himself has already made his position clear. There are too many victims to ignore."
Ferguson looked like a man crushed under invisible weight. He began to shake slightly, his breathing shallow. The reality of what was to come was sinking in.
"I only wish…" he said in a broken voice, "I could have done more."
"I know," Hampton the second. said, standing slowly and placing a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And I'm sorry. But it's out of our hands now."
The silence that followed was heavy. There were no more words, no promises, just the quiet truth hanging in the air between two fathers—one preparing for a celebration, the other facing unimaginable loss.
---
Back at the Hampton Estate, laughter had replaced tension. Roland was on the phone with Evelyn, already making arrangements for bridal stylists and international media coverage. Old Mrs. Hampton had started listing out traditional blessings and ceremonies that needed to be included. Jr, meanwhile, stepped outside onto the veranda, feeling the cool breeze of the late morning kiss his skin.
He looked out over the estate grounds, which shimmered with raindrops in the soft sunlight. Everything felt aligned, as though life had finally decided to grant him peace.
His phone buzzed.
It was a message from Bella.
"The girls and I are still in bed… It's so cozy. Last night was unforgettable. I love you."
Jr smiled, his heart full. He typed back:
"Get ready for a fairytale wedding, my love. The world is about to witness something magical."
And as he looked out into the distance, the path ahead no longer felt uncertain. It was bright, clear, and full of promises.