The Visit

"Gordon?" Charlotte asked one morning about two weeks later.

"Yes?" He immediately looked up from reading the finance section of the newspaper. He gave her his undivided attention. According to the articles he'd been reading about romance and relationships, women wanted to know their man was listening attentively when they spoke.

"Gordon, could we go visit my mom and sister soon? They haven't met you yet." Charlotte asked.

"Clear my schedule for the end of the week and we'll take a long weekend and spend time with them." Gordon promised.

"Thank you so much!"

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"Mommy, I have something to tell you." Charlotte said later that day on he phone with her mother.

"Charlotte? My good daughter, I'm glad you called. What is it that you need to tell me?" Mary Xia asked.

"Mommy, I am married." She said softly.

There was a long silence on the phone.

"Mommy? Say something." Charlotte cried.

"How is it possible? Who is he? You've never mentioned a man. Do I know him?" Mary asked.

"You haven't met him yet, but he wants to meet you. He's...he's my boss, Gordon Zhou." Charlotte explained.

"Charlotte!! What do you mean marrying him? His family is far above ours. This can't be a good match! Good marriages are made with this who are close your own status. Otherwise he'll tire of you one day, and then what will you do?" Mary was upset. She was a very traditional woman who believed people should know their place and not seek to climb where they didn't belong.

"Charlotte, did he get you pregnant and now he's being responsible for you?" Mary could accept this.

"No, Mommy. There's no baby yet. Gordon is a good man. I promise you will like him very much." Charlotte tried to persuade her.

"Aiya! How will our small home welcome him? It is not fit for him to come!" Mary panicked.

"Mommy it's fine. He won't despise our home. Have Cora sleep with you and we'll share my old room. Everything will be fine." Charlotte assured her.

"Everything alright?" Gordon asked as he walked on the balcony in their bedroom, where Charlotte was sitting.

She looked at him and smiled but he could still see the anxiety on her face.

"My mother. She is afraid for you to come to our home because it's very humble." Charlotte said.

"Don't worry. I am coming to show honor to my mother-in-law, not to look down on her." Gordon said.

Charlotte stood up and wrapped her arms around him.

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They arrived Thursday around lunchtime. Many of the neighbors starred at the Bentley that stopped in front of Mary Xia's home.

William opened their door and Gordon stepped out, then reached to help Charlotte out.

The door of the house opened and a younger version of Charlotte helped a weak middle aged woman come outside. The woman was wearing a long silk scarf to cover her bald head. She looked much older than she was, but Gordon could see the resemblance to Charlotte and Cora and knew that she had once been a very beautiful woman in her own right.

"Mommy! Cora!" Charlotte squealed. Instead of releasing Gordon, she pulled him along as she hastened to bridge the gap between her family.

Charlotte gently pulled her frail mother into her arms. Gordon swallowed hard when he saw Mary try to disguise her pain in order to hug Charlotte. He mad an immediate decision.

Cora hugged Charlotte next.

"Sister I'm so glad you came." Cora tried to hold back tears. Charlotte's fell freely.

"Why are you two crying on a happy occasion? Let's go inside so that I can properly greet my son." Mary said as she reached for Gordon.

"Young man, will you help me inside?" Mary asked.

He nodded silently as he supported Mary to go inside her home. He helped to a comfortable looking chair and even tucked a blanket around her after she had sat down.

Charlotte watched him with a loving gaze. Mary observed all of this and felt her anxious heart lighten. Her daughter had chosen a good man and it seemed there was already love there.

Gordon then hugged Charlotte to himself and pulled her down on the sofa beside him. Cora sat down in another chair and William brought several packages inside.

"Mother, sister, we have brought gifts for you. I also bring you the bride price." Gordon said as he pulled a packet from his suit coat and placed in Mary's lap.

Her eyes widened when she realized how much it contained.

"It is too much!" She cried.

"Nonsense. Charlotte's worth to me is far beyond any amount I could give you. And I understand you are in need of medical care. It can be very expensive." Gordon explained.

Mary's countenance fell when Gordon mentioned medical care.

"Mommy?" Charlotte asked, having seen her reaction.

"It's nothing." Mary said.

"Mommy, you can't hide it from Charlotte. It isn't right!" Cora protested.

"Cora! Keep silence before your elders!" Mary scolded.

"What is going on?" Charlotte asked.

"Mommy's doctor said that she's no longer responding to treatment. She has three to six months." Cora's voice faded to a whisper.

"What?! No, that can't be. It can't!" Charlotte began to cry.

Gordon pulled her closer as she cried. He was even more determined in his decision now.

"Mother, Charlotte and I have another reason for this visit. We plan to bring both of you back to Beijing to live with us. You may live in our villa with us, in another of my properties, or I will buy something for you closer to the hospital. I will also give you a driver and car to help with getting to medical appointments. The hospitals there may have other treatment options for you." Gordon announced.

Charlotte looked at him in pleased surprise.

"No, no. We can't impose on you in such a way!" Mary cried.

"No imposition. I own several properties that have no one in residence. There are also a dozen bedrooms in our villa not in use. I have five different automobiles and can't use all of them at once." Gordon reasoned.

"But even if we came, I cannot afford the treatment there." Mary argued.

"As your son it is my responsibility to pay for your treatment. You must let me perform filial piety." Gordon insisted.

"And besides mommy, Gordon's mom wants your opinions on the marriage ceremony. We have our license and are legal, but we won't have the ceremony without you." Charlotte added.

Mary held up her hands in surrender.

"Alright, alright. We will come. But it will take awhile for me to get this house ready." Mary agreed.

"My people will take care of that for you. When we get back you need only tell them where you want things." Gordon said.

"Charlotte, you have found a most excellent son for me." Mary said.