THE HONOR

He continues, 'If I am insistent, it is because I know what you can do, my son. It is because I know you can manage it all, son. You are great, Damian. The potential in you is greater than you know. And lastly, I want to feel you this close to me. To us. I have long missed this. I have missed my son for so many years," he wavered, pulling Damian for a hug.


Wow! I am warming up! I share the hug from here. And to the heavens, please, let this be a new beginning for them. I wouldn't ever want to see them fighting like the way I ran into them here.

'I am so proud of you, son. And I love you," Damian's father says after they break the hug..

'And I love you, father," wow! I love them too. I love this. ' And well, about your businesses, thank you for having so much faith in me, but I still find it a big challenge. I am fearful because, now more than ever, I wouldn't want to fail you. That will mean I will be managing four businesses at the same time, Dad. It is so overwhelming!"


His father smirks Damian's excuse off. 'My heart and my faith say that my son can do this. You can, son. And I am not abandoning you. I have done that for the better part of your life. Not anymore. I will work hand in hand with you and be here to provide you with the support that you will ever need," he said with so much confidence.

Damian nods. 'Alright, Father. I will see about."


His father smile, nodding his head. 'Hearing that much from you is enough, son. Take all the time you need, and remember, you are Mr. Riccaforte Jr. You have so much greatness in you. You can do this and much, much more; besides, Ellie is also here for you. The three of us can be such a great team."

I am definitely in. I am…

'Well, father, we might not really count my wife!" what? 'I think Ellie will soon be on leave. Or don't you want to be a grandfather soon?"

Excuse…what? I spring to my feet, but before I can say anything, his father speaks, inspecting my so-flat belly. 'Wait, son. Don't tell me she is already…."

'Hey! Slow down, father!" Damian cuts the old man's glee.

'You can't just stroke such a nerve in me and expect me to calm down. You know I have so long been waiting, son. So if there is nothing in there, please make an effort, okay? I am dying to hold my grandchild and give my blessings."

Ooh, my goodness! I will

'I will, father. Soon."

Okay, I think I will be heavily pregnant soon, huh! It seems like he is really determined to make that happen.

'I will count on you. But, I have just one request," his father adds, and that got our attention.

Request? Damian and I trade a glance, then we look at his father. 'Request?" we both chorus together.

He nods, 'I would like for you to name your first child after my best friend, Richard Riccaford, or if it is a girl, after the iconic woman, Mrs. Riccaford!"

I awestruck. I feel tears scorching my eyes. I want to cry, but tears of joy. He loved my father and mother that much that he is willing to change the tradition?

'But, why, father? I am not arguing your request. It is just, that is deep. Tradition has is otherwise." Damian spoke. I would have been the one to ask that because I am more curious than him, but I am just imagining how my parents are reacting to these news wherever they are. They must be so happy. If ever they had doubts, I am sure that they are now convinced that they left their precious daughter in safe hands.

'They had so much trust in you, son, especially Mrs. Riccaford. She never saw her daughter safe in any other man's hands in this world except you. Even when you left this place, she insisted that you be the one to wed her daughter. And she said that you are the only one who could love her daughter the way she deserves to be loved. Her words carry weight that I cannot explain even until now. So, I just want us to honor them in this way. I feel so much indebted to them."

My face is drenched in tears. Tears of pure joy. Without asking for permission, I run into his arms, hugging him like I would my father.

'And I right the decision!" His wife chimes as she strolls in, and in a moment, the four of us share a group hug.

A family hug. Because this is my family now. These are my people now. And with the same love that I loved my parents with, I will love them. For everything that I would have done for my parents, I will do for them. For everything that I was not able to do for my parents when they were alive, I will still accomplish them through these new parents.

I feel so much joy that I never thought I would ever feel ever since my father left. I know I forever have that gap in my heart for my parents, but the heavens have given me a banged-up compensation. I have always felt Mrs. Riccaforte's love, even before now. She always treated me like a daughter. She saw it as an honor for me to be married in their family. And now, it has come to pass. In their arms, I know I will never miss being their daughter. And I will be the best daughter they never had. Just like Dad trusted their son like the son he never had.

'Viva The Riccas!"

'Viva the Riccas!" we all respond to Mr. Riccaforte.

Long live us. This bond will surely never be broken.