LOVE IN PARIS: Married To My Brother-in-law-Chapter 37: Heirloom

As the low hum of the car engine filled the air, Yvette glanced out the window.

The fading light of the afternoon cast long shadows across the road as they moved farther away from familiar streets. Trees, houses, and fields zipped past, but none of it looked like the way home.

She turned her head towards Zeke who was calmly gripping the wheel with both hands.

His expression was calm, though his focus was fixed on the road ahead.

" Zeke". She began softly, her voice breaking the comfortable quiet. "Where are we going? This isn’t the way home."

Zeke glanced over at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We’re making a quick stop. I’m taking you to my uncle’s place."

Her brows knitted in confusion. "Your uncle’s? Why so sudden ? You didn’t mention anything about visiting him and i didn’t even had the chance to prepare anything. It’s my first time meeting him, how could I show up empty-handed".

His smile widened slightly, a hint of mystery in his eyes as he calmed her. "Don’t worry. Your presence is enough of a present".

Yvette leaned back into the seat, her curiosity piqued but also slightly anxious.

"Relax. I already told you not to worry". Zeke wrapped his hands around her’s.

"I’m trying to". Yvette sighed. "This is your fault".

"I know, I know okay but you need to relax. Uncle James isn’t gonna tear you apart besides haven’t you met him already several years ago, you were just a kid back then and I could remember you whining in your twinny voice for Uncle James to carry you". Zeke laughed and Yvette slapped his palm, her cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment.

She did indeed have a faint memory of the man , he was a silent man who always kept to himself but apart from those years of the two families living together, she hadn’t had the chance to meet him again.

Even despite dating Manuel for years, she was only acquainted with his mother only and didn’t know any other members of their family.

She relaxed in her seat and decided to enjoy the sceneries to pass time and ease her nervousness.

Soon , the car rolled to a stop and Zeke opened the car door for her holding her hand. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

It was now late into the evening and the sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a soft amber glow over the countryside as Zeke walked her down the narrow path that led to his uncle’s house.

Scanning the surrounding, Yvette could only nod. Uncle James was still that man she could distinctly remember.

The air was crisp, scented faintly with the musk of pine trees that grew tall around the rural property. The small cottage ahead was modest but well-kept, a reminder of simpler times, with its sloping roof and well-tended garden.

Zeke gently squeezed hee hand as they approached. "Relax, no one is going to make anything difficult for you. Instead they’ve been awaiting your arrival since I informed them we were coming or they’ll definitely come up to the city unannounced and you’ll feel even more scared and anxious at that" .

"Hmm". Yvette could only mumble.

"Uncle James is the closest family members I have from my father’s side. I don’t get well along with others, except occasional meeting at family assembly.

"Back then after my parents death, Madam Lorenzo didn’t stop at anything to make my life difficult and even painted me as a jinx before Grandfather, she was afraid I would covet the family’s property but if only she knew there was only this one lady I covet".

"So Uncle James took me in as his child since he had none. He and Aunt Kathy took good care of me and made sure I didn’t lack anything and even helped me manage the properties my late mother left me until I came of age ".

"Wow. That explains it then". Yvette sighed, caressing his palm.

"Explains what?". Zeke laughed.

"Back then, I remember I used to see you around though it was for a limited amount of time and I always wanted to play with you too but then Aunt . . Madam Lorenzo told me to stay away from you or I’ll be infected with your bad luck and several bad occurrence will happen to me and my family".

"So?". Zeke probed.

"So I stayed away from you". Yvette completed. "You can’t blame me, I was just a kid back then and guilible".

"Of course I don’t blame you". Zeke smiled, tucking a strand of stay lock behind her ears. "Angelo also said the same thing when we met in Paris, he was so surprised because it turns out he and I had never crossed path at all despite living in the same property for years".

"You’ve suffered so much". Yvette sighed despondently stopping to look at his face.

"I had Uncle and Aunt with me ". He replied as he embrace her. "So I really didn’t".

The moment they crossed a turn, they saw Uncle James a middle aged tending to the flowers.

Uncle James immediately cleaned his hands and rushed to them with a broad grin. "Ezekiel, Yvette. Good to see you two ". He smile, his arms wide in welcome.

"You’ve been doing so well. I see ". Zeke grinned.

"And you finally brought her home, I’m so glad". Uncle James grinned as he smacked his shoulder playfully before whispering. "I thought you weren’t going to have the woman you loved in this lifetime". And Zeke giggled.

"And you’ve grown so pretty and well behaved too , not the chubby little girl from my memory". He turned to face Yvette who was clinging to Zeke, her face flushed scarlet.

"Don’t embarrass me, Uncle". She mumbled and he laughed.

"Come on, let’s get inside. Kathy’s all up in anticipation". Uncle James ushered them into the cottage.

As they reached the front porch, the door creaked open before they could even knock.

His aunt stood in the doorway, a small, delicate woman with a smile that lit up her face. But there was a flicker of surprise in her eyes upon seeing Yvette.

"Come in, come in". Aunt Kathy smiled and then turned to her husband. "When did you start keeping things from me huh, you didn’t tell me my little boy is finally bringing home his dream girl".

Aunt Kathy said warmly then she rushed inside as if suddenly remembering something, her hands fluttering nervously as she quickly waved off a small trail of smoke from the burning musk incenses that was sitting on a small table by the door.

Without a word, she hurried to blow it out, her actions subtle but purposeful. "I forgot already". She scratched her head .

"It’s okay today Aunt". Zeke smiled and she did too, ushering them further into the room.

Yvette glanced at the two of them curiously wondering why Aunt Kathy had suddenly snuffed out the incense the moment they arrived and she wondered if there was a custom or tradition she wasn’t aware of .

The thought puzzled her, but she decided to let it go for the moment.

"I already made your favourite dishes". Aunt Kathy smiled as she led them to the dining table, her voice laced with affection. "I didn’t know you would be bringing Yvette over so I guess she’ll have to make do today, is that okay by you Yvette?".

"Sure Aunt. I’m not a picky eater, anything is just alright". Though surprised and confused that she knew her name even without an introduction, she replied earnestly.

As if replying to her surprised expression, Aunt Kathy smiled as she poured her a cup of juice. "Though I haven’t met you before, but let me tell you your name is very popular in this household. Back then , a certain teenager was so in love that he mentioned your name even in his dreams".

Aunt Kathy giggled and Uncle James sat beside her after emerging from the room, now fresh and clean. "Don’t tease our couple or Yvette will be scared away, can’t you see someone is also shy?". He laughed.

"Okay, I won’t tease them any further. I was just saying". Aunt Kathy smiled.

Yvette couldn’t help the smile tugging at the corner of her lips a she gazed at Zeke, he was indeed shy placing his focus on the food and not daring to look up her her and she could also notice his ears which were tinged crimson. She also smiled and focused on her food.

After eating, they passed the evening in a lively conversation. They talked about the town, about old stories from Zeke’s childhood, and the little moments that made up the fabric of their lives.

Aunt Kathy ,always the conversationalist, leaned over to Yvette at one point and said, "You must take good care of him, dear. He has no one but us . And we’re not as young as we used to be."

Her voice carried a gentle seriousness that lingered in the air and Yvette nodded, touched by the sentiment but also feeling the weight of those words.

As the evening wore on, laughter and warmth filled the room and Yvette soon found herself relaxing more, enjoying the company of Zeke’s family. There was something comforting in their closeness, the way they all seemed to blend together as though no time had passed.

Toward the end of the evening, just as the sun had fully set, casting a deep indigo light outside, Aunt Kathy stood up and disappeared into the back room.

She returned holding a small, velvet-lined box in her hands. She opened it slowly, revealing a delicate bracelet, intricately carved with symbols that Yvette couldn’t fully recognize, though their meaning seemed deep and significant.

The bracelet had the unmistakable air of something ancient, passed down through generations.

"This," She began, her voice low and reverent, "has been in our family for generations. It A to your husband’s late mother, and it’s passed down to the women in our family when it’s time and now I’d like you to have it."

"I... I don’t know if I should...". Yvette hesitated, glancing at Zeke for reassurance.

He smiled, his eyes soft as he reached out and gently touched her arm. "It’s yours now, Yvie. You’re part of this family. This belongs to you."

"You don’t have to say anything,". Aunt Kathy said gently. "Just wear it. Cherish it. And know that you’re part of this family now, always."

Aunt Kathy smiled and reached for her hand, gently slipping the exquisite bracelet onto her bare wrists.

"Thank you". Yvette whispered. "I’ll treasure it."

Zeke , who had been watching the exchange silently, couldn’t help but notice something as Yvette’s fingers brushed against the bracelet: her hands were bare. No ring.

It had never bothered him before; they had never made a fuss about it since they weren’t used to each other previously but now as he looked at her wearing the family’s heirloom, he realized it was time.

Time to give her something of his own, something that would bind them not just in the quiet ways they already shared but in a way that everyone would recognize.