Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Chapter 21

   It didn't take long to finish the uncompleted items in the downstairs of
the house and soon we were able to move in.  True to Jennifer's promise,
the first night she had to make love in the shower.  That was something
else as the shower wasn't one of those big 2 person ones you see in some of
the TV shows - this was a simple one person shower.  Somehow, thought, she
managed to get both of inside the shower and making love.  It took a day or
so for some of my muscles to recover.

   As soon as we knew we were close to being able to move in, we'd let
Martin know and asked him to set the wheels in motion for a meeting with
Jennifer's dad's family.  Martin told us that he'd made contact with
Jennifer's mom's family and they would like to meet us as well, but
separate from the meeting with her dad's family.  Martin agreed to set
things up and we agreed on a couple of dates that would work for us.

   A week or so later Martin called with the dates and locations but
indicated that if we were comfortable, he'd play chauffeur for us.  We were
only too pleased to have that happen since I'd never lived there and
Jennifer hadn't lived there for years and had never driven there.

   A call to my ex-wife resulted in a meeting being arranged with my
ex-wife happy that she'd get a chance to meet Jennifer.  I'd filled her in
on how we met and the fact that there was a significant difference in our
ages - in fact both of my sons were older than Jennifer.  Mary (my ex) told
me she had no problem with the age difference as long as we were in love.

   *****

   Finally our trip to meet Jennifer's families - and mine of course, was
underway.  We'd arranged for our `cabin sitter' to look after things and
once she was settled in we headed out to Jennifer's home town.  Martin met
us at the airport and as promised, acted as our chauffeur.  Before dropping
us off at the hotel he told us he'd pick us up the next morning.  The hotel
Martin had booked us into was very nice and our suite had a nice view of
the river.  Once in the suite I sensed that Jennifer was quite anxious.

   I sat down in one of the easy chairs and motioned Jennifer to come and
sit on my lap.  Cuddling her for a bit seemed to relieve some of the
stress. "Are you going to be okay?" I asked.  "We can cancel if you want."

   Jennifer relaxed and gave me a kiss.  "Wally, I guess I'm jumping at
shadows.  From everything Martin has told us, Dad's family is anxious to
meet us.  I guess I should just relax and just take things as they come."

   I hugged Jennifer and reminded her of my earlier statement.  "Remember,
if things start to get to the point where you feel uncomfortable, we can
simply make our excuses and leave."

   *****

   Just after lunch the next day Martin arrived to take us to the meeting
with Jennifer's dad's family.  When we walked in the door to the room where
the meeting was to be, Jennifer was delighted to see a banner reading
`Welcome Jennifer and Wally'.  We'd only just got into the room when a
middle aged lady came over with arms open inviting Jennifer to come for a
hug.  Jennifer stepped in and was enveloped in the woman's arms.  This soon
became a group hug as one after another, all the women in the room came and
hugged Jennifer.

   While women were hugging, the men came and introduced themselves and
shook my hand.  After a few moments one of the older men asked if everyone
would take a seat and I saw two ladies escort Jennifer to a seat between
them.  Once everyone was seated, the man moved to where he could face
Jennifer directly.

   "Jennifer, many of us had given up hope that we would ever see this day.
All of us here owe your parents an apology for the manner in which we
treated them when they married.  We've come to realize that their love for
one another should have been the only thing that mattered.  We hope you
will accept our apology on their behalf."

   I could see Jennifer start to cry and she nodded her head.  I was about
to go to Jennifer but she saw me and said "It's okay, Wally." then turning
back to the family spokesman answered him.  "I heard about the reasons
behind the original problem and I understand.  I was very apprehensive
about coming here today but the reception Wally and I have received has
made it clear that my fears were unwarranted.  Yes, I accept your apology."
I saw the ladies on either side of her reach around to hug her.

   We spent the next hour or so getting to know the family members present
and I saw more than one individual with a tear in his or her eyes as they
spoke to Jennifer.  Finally we said our goodbyes and left to go back to the
hotel for a rest.

   Martin had dropped us off at our hotel after confirming the time for the
pickup in the evening for the second family meeting.  I felt drained,
emotionally and as I looked at Jennifer, I could see she was in a similar
state.  I took her by the hand and after shedding our outer clothes, lay on
the bed and cuddled on another.  I'd asked for a wakeup call and I was glad
I had as we both fell into a deep sleep.

   The wakeup call roused us and we each headed off to have a shower then
get dressed.  After a light supper in the hotel restaurant, we went with
Martin to the second meeting.

   This meeting was, as I had expected, much more reserved.  We were
treated very politely but I could tell that there were still some
reservations about Jennifer's parent's marriage.  Jennifer sensed this also
and went directly to the lady who appeared to be the matriarch of the
family.

   "Naani, my Ammi loved her Shohar very much.  I hope you will allow me to
be part of your family," Jennifer said.  (*** see below)

   I was astounded!  Where did she learn to speak Urdu?  The lady was also
astounded to hear herself addressed in her native tongue, even though it
was just a few words.  The fact that Jennifer had taken the time to learn
even a small part of Urdu seemed break the barriers.

   "Poti, can you speak a lot of Urdu or just a few words?" the lady asked
Jennifer.

   "Naani, I can only speak a few words - just how to address you.  I'm
sorry that I did not have time to learn more," Jennifer replied.

   Jennifer's Grandmother's face broke into a smile and took Jennifer's
hands and held then for a long time.  I could see that she was impressed
that Jennifer had taken the time to learn to speak even a few words in
Urdu. The acceptance of Jennifer by her Grandmother seemed to affect all of
the other family members and each of them came and spoke to Jennifer and as
she learned what their relationship to her was, she addressed them using
the Urdu title.

   After an hour or so, we asked their understanding as we were quite tired
and would like to go back to our hotel and rest.  The family was very
understanding and after promising that we'd come back and visit again, we
left.

   (*** The following are the meanings of the Urdu word: Naani -
grandmother, Beti - daughter, Ammi - mom, Shohar - husband, Poti -
granddaughter)