Chapter 23

An array of luxurious cars filled the entrance of California City's civil Bureau. It was obvious some important people would be tying the knot that day.

Alicia and her parents stepped out of the car. The whole Collins family was waiting outside the doors of the Civil Bureau but the groom was no where to be found.

"Oh my god, you look so breathtaking Alicia", Ria said approaching the James family.

"Are you trying to give my brother an heart attack, Sister Alicia", Stacy said looking at Alicia

"Oh she is blushing", Ria said and they all laughed

"Stop Ria you are teasing my granddaughter", Grandma Collins said and pushed her two grandaughters away.

"God bless you my dear, you look so beautiful", Grandma Collins said looking at her Alicia.

"Yes mom, she looks so gorgeous I can't take,my eyes off her", Kisha said

"Why isn't that brat here yet", Grandpa Collins said getting impatient.

"He will be here soon, dad", Anthony said calming his father.

"Oh my goodness, who is this angel here. So beautiful", A young man in a pair of blue suit said.

"Are you flirting with your sister in law right now", Ria said spanking Johnny's head.

"Oh my god. Superstar Johnny", Alicia exclaimed seeing her idol.

"So my sister in law is a fan of mine. So cute", Johnny said with a dreamy look on his face.

"Are you a fool Johnny. Who chose your outfit for you. If you are wearing a suit what is Nathan supposed to wear then", Kisha said glaring at her younger son

"Oh goodness. I have been blessed with such stupid grandsons. The real groom is missing and a guest is here dressed like the groom", Grandma Collins lamented.

"You better go find a change of outfit before I have you stripped naked right now", Grandpa Collins said looking at his grandson.

"Just let him be uncle, its already time for us to go inside", Andrew said.

"Where is Nathan, why don't you call him up Kisha", Grandma Collins said.

"Sure mom, Kisha replied and was about dialing his number when a black Rolls Royce Phantom drove in front of the entrance.

"Here he is", Ria said and the car door opened

A black shoe was spotted first and then a man dressed in a Black suit and white shirt with a black overcoat stepped out.His face was expressionless and non chalant as he scanned the people in front of him.

"Are you going to a funeral Nathan, who attends his own wedding dressed in black from head to toe", Kisha said looking at her son.

"Just let him be Kisha, its already a blessing he is here. If you ask him to go change his outfit he definitely won't come back", Grandma Collins said

"Hello Chairman James , Hello Ma'am", Nathan greeted Alicia's parents ignoring his mother's comment

"Why so formal dear. We are family now so you can call us Mom and dad", Andrew said.

"Sure", Nathan replied

"You are already late Nathan. Here this is Alicia, Alicia this is Nathan", Kisha introduced.

"We already met", the both of them said in unison

"What, when", Julie asked

"At the airport"

"At the mall", the both of them chorused again

"All the family members looked at each other and Ria asked

"Can you two be precise where did you meet",

"We met at both places", Alicia said

"Oh, so cute", Stacy said.

"There was nothing cute about their meetings. They fought during both times" Ryan said and Nathan glared at him

"It must have been my stupid grandson at fault right" Grandma Collins said looking at Alicia

"Yes madam. So right", Ryan said again

"Prepare your resignation letter when we get back to the office Ryan", Nathan said not bothering to look at his deceitful secretary.

"Let's go in everyone, we are already late", Julie said and they all entered the hall. Thirty minutes later the marriage was done.

"Finally we are family Julie", Kisha said and hugged her

"Welcome to the family Alicia", Grandpa Collins said looking at Alicia

"You don't have to worry about anything. If this idiot here says anything to you, you can throw him out of the house.

"If he shouts or yells at you. You can shoot him we will handle the police" he added

"Yes Alicia you are permitted to do anything" Anthony said

"And if you don't want to do anything to him, just report him to us. We will throw him out of the Collins family and change his surname for him", Grandma Collins added

"Why do I have a feeling you will be in trouble soon brother", Ria whispered in Nathan's ear.

"Not just in trouble sis, I feel like he will either get thrown out of the family soon or sent to Jail", Johnny said

"Or worse, killed", Stacy added

Nathan glared at his three siblings threateningly and they all kept quiet.

"Hello" someone yelled and they all turned to see the source of the voice

"Sarah, Susan, when did you guys come to California Kisha asked her nieces

"They have been in California for five days now, mom", Nathan revealed and Susan and Sarah glared at him

"What", "where have you been then", Grandma Collins asked her grandaughters

"At aunt Julie's place", Sarah said

"So why didn't you come to see us", Anthony asked

"We were going to, uncle", Susan said

"Wait a minute, so Sarah and Susan's maternal cousin is now my sister in law. So cool", Johnny said

"I have to go back to the office, grandpa I will get going now", Nathan said

"Do you want to be struck by lightning boy", Grandma Collins said glaring at him

"If you go to the office who is going to take Alicia to your house", she added

"We will take Alicia to his house grandma, let him go", Ria said

"Okay then you can leave" Grandma Collins said and Nathan left

"Wait Nathan, we will walk you out", Julius said and he and Justin followed him out.

Outside the Civil Bureau

"I have a favor to ask of you Nathan. I know this Marriage was sudden to both you and Alicia but can you please take care of my little sister.

"She can be childish at times but she is a good person" Justin added

"I promise I will try my best", Nathan said

"Thank you", Julius and Justin smiled and Nathan left.

"I think we should get going", Julie said and turned to Alicia

"Take of your self baby. As from today don't forget there is another name added to your previous one. You have a responsiblity towards your husband, and your in laws, try to uphold them and I know you can do it"

"I will mom, take care of yourself as well", Alicia said

"Take care of your self Pumpkin. I will miss you", Julius said with misty eyes

"I will brother, you too", she said and Julius nodded

"Where is Justin", she asked him

"He is over there", Julius replied and pointed to a tree in front of him

Alicia went over there

"What are you doing here brother", she asked and stood in front of him. Justin quickly cleaned his eyes and said "nothing, just recieving some air"

"Are you missing me already", Alicia asked him

"No, not at all. Why will I miss you, now there is no one to disturb me or take my things", he said turning his head away

"Are you sure", Alicia asked turning his head to look at her, and Justin hugged her crying

"I am going to miss you baby, I am going to miss you so much"

"I will miss you too brother", Alicia said hugging him back

"Take care of yourself and come visit us okay" he said

"I will brother, take care of yourself too", she said and he nodded

"Come on, lets go every one is waiting", he said wiping his tears and they both went back. After a while Alicia saw off her parents and brothers.

"You should also go back now mom", Ria said to her parents

"We will Ria. Take care of yourself Alicia", Kisha said and left with her husband and in laws.

After they had gone Alicia left for her new home with Ria, Stacy, Johnny, Sarah and Susan. She looked out of the new home thinking about her new life.