Page 17 of Unpermitted Love

“Don’t look so worried. It’s going to be okay, Anna. I promise. Are you ready?”

“As ready as I'll ever be.” Hal takes my hand and kisses it. I take a deep breath and we get out of the car.

Hand in hand, we walk to the house and knock on the front door. Mr. Gilmore, the butler, opens the door with a bright smile on his face, obviously unaware that all hell is about to break loose.

“Hello Mr. Torres … Miss Wilson. Everyone is waiting for you inside.”

“Thank you, Harry.” Hal tightens his hold on my hand and we walk briskly inside.

The room goes quiet as soon as we appear. Everyone who matters is here. Tasha's eyes darken and fixate immediately on Hal. Jeff looks at us both expectantly and says, “Welcome to you both. It’s been a while!”

My parents are visibly confused. Only Olivia and her husband, Jesse, smile at us.

“Alright, now that Hal and Anna are here, perhaps we can get down to the reason for this meeting,” Jeff says authoritatively and nods at us.

I squeeze Hal’s hand and he turns to me and smiles. All my nerves dissolve away as I stand boldly beside my man.

“Anna and I are in love and are going to get married,” Hal said with a strange quietness.

Tasha shakes her head while Jeff looks unfazed. My parents and sisters gaze at us in disbelief.

“What did you just say?” Tasha asked.

“Tasha, I'm in love with Anna.”

“Tasha … Mom … Dad … I know this must be shocking for you, but Hal and I are in love. If you truly want me to be happy, you won't object to this.” I steel myself for what I’m about to say. “And even if you do, it won't change anything. But I want all the petty squabbles and prejudices to end. It's never done any of us any good.”

Hal steps in front of Tasha, who was still shooting thunderbolts at us with her eyes.

“Tasha, I know that I hurt you deeply in the early years of your marriage to my dad. I am deeply sorry for that. Back then, I was hurt and thinking only of myself and my own pain without considering your happiness. I carried that hurt with me for years until it became a huge rock of bitterness between us. And I admit now that you've been a wonderful wife to him. You’ve brought him happiness. Can you find a place in your heart to forgive me? Can we please start over?”

Tasha went hot and cold before breaking down into tears. Hal pulls her close and they hold each other tight.

The look on Tasha’s face; she’s speechless for the first time ever. She looks at me and I can see the concern etched on her face.

“And you really love him?” she asks me.

“I do, Tasha. I really do. Hal is a good guy. I don’t understand the issue here.”

Tasha lets out a huge sigh.

“Hal, I appreciate your apology. Maybe if you’d offered one sooner, we could have avoided all of th …”

Jeff coughs and shoots Tasha a look. She immediately backs off, holding out her hands. There’s an uncomfortable silence that fills the room as we wait in anticipation as to what Tasha may say next.

“Look, I'm sorry too, Hal,” She begins looking down at her hands, then looks up at her husband. Jeff prompts her further with a nod of his head. “…For all the lies and evil things I said about you. If I’m being completely honest, I was angry and jealous. You’re so like your Mum, Hal, which, in some ways, is partly why I’ve been terrible to you too. I’m sorry. Please forgive me.” Tasha looks up at Hal.

Hal nods. “I forgive you.”

The atmosphere in the room instantly changes and I feel a small weight get lifted.

Jeff was quiet for a while, then eventually says.

“I have waited so long for this day to come. Finally.”

I go to my parents and they nod their approval with a smile.

Hal walks over to me and my dad.

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