Chapter 6

"Andrew, Julie you guys are here to give us the feedback over the alliance right, we already spoke to Nathan last night and he agreed, even though it took a while to persuade him. I wanted to call and inform you but Kisha said you guys were coming today so I decided to tell you in person"

"Did Alicia agree as well" Grandma Collins asked anticipatingly and everyone turned to look at the James couple.

"Yes Aunt we have spoken to Alicia" Julie answered "Then she must have agreed right",

"Why am I even asking of course she must have agreed that's why you came right". Kisha said and Grandpa and Grandma Collins laughed in happiness.

"Finally, Jonathan its happening I wish you were here to witness it", Grandpa Collins said with misty eyes. He was really missing his old friend today.

"Hey dear, today is meant to be a day of joy and not tears and even though Jonathan is not here with us he is in our hearts and am certain that he is very happy about this wherever he is", Grandma Collins said to her husband.

"Mom is right dad so no tears", Kisha said and everyone smiled. Kisha turned to Julie and asked

"Does she want to meet him Julie, that stupid son of mine refused a meeting saying he is busy but if Alicia wants one we will set it up don't worry"

"You don't know the kind of favor your family is doing us by getting Alicia married to Nathan, Andrew. After everything that cursed girl did to my grandson he has become a shadow of himself, the only thing he ever does is work, work and work, up to him he would never come in contact with women again let alone get married but how can we let him be alone his whole life because of a girl that couldn't value him. I knew Alicia when she was a child and she was such a bubbly and sweet little girl who could bring a big smile on anyone's face on ever the saddest of days, she was such an happy pill and I trust your upbringing and character a lot to know Alicia must have grown into a beautiful, sweet and responsible young lady right".

"She definitely is the kind of girl our Nathan needs in his life and I promise you we will take good care of your daughter and never let her be subjected to any injustice because we know just how much you love her. We will love and cherish her just as much if not more. The Collins family will be forever indebted to your family Andrew, you are making a huge sacrifice by giving your beloved daughter to us and whatever our family has done for your family so far can never compare to what you are doing for ours. Thank you so very much" Grandma Collins said with her hands folded and years in her eyes. The James couple were speechless they had never thought this alliance meant so much to the Collins family.

"No aunt please don't fold your hands in front of me and you don't have to say all that" Andrew told her.

"Let her say it Andrew, you don't know how badly my son needs someone like your daughter in his life", Kisha said with misty eyes.

"But Kisha Alicia..." Andrew was saying when Julie held his hands and shook her head at him indicating him not to say anything. Alicia didn't agree with this alliance at first too, I guess they both have the same reaction since they have never even met before and now they are getting married"

"But I am sure that if the both of them give the relationship enough time, patience nurturing love will certainly grow between them abd you don't have to be so thankful to use Kisha and certain that our daughter can never find a better man than your son for herself and she most definitely can't find a better family too". Julie told them and looked at her with raised brows wondering what exactly she was saying.

When did Alicia agree she had bluntly rejected the alliance so why was she Julie saying all this.

"So Alicia does not need a meeting, does she" Ria who had been quiet the whole time asked

"No Ria she doesn't want one then what are we waiting for we should get them married as soon as possible, before they both change their mind", Ria added with a smile.

"That's right Ria, the both of them will definitely not agree to a wedding banquet right now so they should just get thier marriage certificate and move in together they can have their wedding ceremony later when they are both ready, what do you all say" Kisha said excitedly.

"That's a good plan mom", Ria said. "Well the sooner the better why don't they go and get the certificates in one week's time since they don't want to meet anyways", Grandma Collins said.

"One week" julie shouted, "Yes julie is it too early for you" Kisha asked. "No not at all its okay" Julie answered awkwardly. "Then its set then my daughter- in law will be brought home in a weeks time I can't wait", Kisha said happily. "Yay, I will be getting a sister in law in one weeks time, we can go shopping together, cook together and so many things. I am so excited I can't wait to meet her Aunt Julie" Young Stacy shouted excitedly. "Me too sis I think we should move to brother's house for a few days so we can get the whole house ready and nice for our new sister in law" Johnny said. "Perfect idea John we will do just that" Ria replied him and everyone smiled.

Andrew looked at his wife perplexedly "what exactly just happened did my daughters wedding just get fixed for a weeks time without her consent, Alicia is going to roast us dead today" he thought. "Get enough rest then Uncle, since everything is finalized then we will get going now" Andrew said

"Why don't you spend some more time with us", Grandpa Collins asked,

"Let them go now dad they still have to give the news to Alicia". Anthony said.

"Oh that's true you can leave then Andrew we will all meet at the civil affairs bureau's office in one weeks time then, bye" Grandma Collins said

"Bye aunt and goodnight" Julie and Andrew said and they both left.

After they entered the car Andrew looked at Julie "what just happened in there honey we came here to reject the alliance but you didn't allow me to speak and now the wedding has been fixed for one week time exactly how are we going to convince Alicia" he asked her.

"We have to find a way to convince Alicia honey, the Collins family was so excited when they thought Alicia agreed too the alliance how could we have shattered their hopes and dreams like that by telling them Alicia rejected the proposal and that too after everything that family had done for us, if not because of that family our entire family would have died fifteen years ago in that bomb blast Andrew, that family gave us a new leash of life we can't repay all of their kindness with wickedness Andrew think about it. We have to tell the whole story to Alicia and find a way to convince her and sure we will be able to its not like she loves someone else. Let's go home we only have five days to convince Alicia, I just hope she agrees", Julie told him.

"I hope so too, I really hope do because its going to be impossible to call off the alliance now that we have gotten this far", Andrew said starting the car.

"Don't worry, we won't have to call off the alliance or don't you admit that Nathan is perfect for our Alicia, he is smart, mature, caring and intelligent. And if he could have loved the girl that broke his heart so much then he must be a loyal and faithful man so he definitely wouldn't break our girl's heart and he is rich too our princess will never suffer anything and I can assure you the both of them will grow to love each other we just have to get them married first". Julie said

"Okay honey, let's just hope we are able to convince Alicia", Andrew added and continued driving. They both got home a few minutes later. Andrew parked the car and he and Julie both looked at each other before entering the house.

"We are back", Andrew said on entering the house "welcome back daddy, welcome home Mom" Alicia stood up and hugged both her parents before going back to her TV.

"Thanks pumpkin, where are your brothers" Andrew asked her.

"They are in their rooms dad", she replied.

"Maria" Julie called one of their maids. The girl came running "Welcome sir, madam you called me"

"Thank you Maria" Andrew answered

"Could you quickly go call down Justin and Julius for me, tell them they have to be down now", Julie told her "Okay sir, I will be right back" Maria said and ran upstairs.

"What is it dad", Alicia asked her father.

"Its about your marriage to Nathan Collins my dear", Andrew answered his daughter.

"I already told you am not ready to get married dad"

"I know you said it Alicia but we can't reject it you have to try and understand the situation we are in right now, baby", Julie said.