Two weeks had passed since Lucas proposed to Mary, and the couple was now fully immersed in planning their wedding. The big day was fast approaching next month, and although they wanted a simple ceremony, both agreed it should be memorable in its own special way. Invitations had to be designed, favors planned, and little details attended to—they wanted everything to reflect their personalities without being overwhelming.
Mary sat cross-legged at the dining table, carefully arranging the invitation cards she and Lucas had been working on for hours. Tony, Mary's energetic little boy, played nearby on the veranda, his laughter echoing through the house. The afternoon sunlight spilled across the room, warming the space with quiet domesticity.
Dylan appeared at the fence of Flynn's yard. Tony's face lit up immediately. "Big Brother Dylan"!" he shouted, running toward him as if he had been waiting for this moment. Dylan grinned broadly, carrying two large boxes brimming with carefully chosen gifts.
"Hey, little man!" Dylan greeted, ruffling Tony's hair. Tony couldn't hide his excitement, practically bouncing on his heels.
Dylan stepped inside the house, carrying two large boxes. Tony's eyes immediately lit up as he ran to him. Dylan set down the first box on the floor, and Tony tore it open eagerly, his eyes widening as he discovered the contents—an assortment of toys and school supplies.
"Wow! Are all of these for me, big brother?" Tony asked, clutching a robot toy in both hands.
Dylan chuckled. "Yep, all for you. Just remember to be a good boy, okay? Don't give your mom any trouble."
"Okay!" Tony shouted, already running across the veranda, making the robot soar through the air as if it were flying. Mary watched him, her smile soft and warm. "He really adores you," she said to Dylan, who shrugged with an amused smirk.
"That's the thing about kids—they know who spoils them," Dylan replied lightly, a teasing edge to his voice. But there was truth in it; he genuinely cared for Tony, always making time to bring joy whenever he visited their home.
Dylan moved to the second box and pulled out an electric massager. He knew Grandma Mina often complained about her aching back, so he had bought this specifically for her.
Dylan approached Grandma Mina, who was sitting comfortably in her chair. "Grandma, come here for a second," he said gently, kneeling slightly so he could reach her shoulders. She looked up at him curiously, unsure of what he was about to do. Carefully, Dylan placed the massager against her shoulders. As it began to hum, a soft gasp escaped her lips, and a delighted smile slowly spread across her face.
"Oh, this feels wonderful!" she exclaimed, lightly massaging her shoulders as relief settled over her.
Mary and Lucas watched the interaction, both smiling at Dylan's thoughtfulness. "He really thinks of everything," Mary whispered, her eyes following the genuine warmth of the moment. Lucas nodded in agreement, a quiet pride in his expression.
Dylan then reached into the box again and pulled out a collection of small dove figurines, around fifty in total. He looked at Lucas and Mary with a mischievous grin. "These are for your wedding. You can use them as giveaways—no need to buy anything extra."
Lucas laughed softly, clearly pleased. "You really thought of everything, Dylan. This will save us so much trouble."
Mary picked up one of the delicate figurines, turning it over in her hand. "They're perfect. Thank you." She looked up at Dylan with genuine appreciation. "You've made this so much easier for us."
Dylan shrugged again, pretending to be modest. "Just a little help from your favorite nephew," he teased, earning a soft laugh from Mary and a knowing grin from Lucas.
"Oh—right, Uncle. I also scheduled someone to fix the faucet in your bathroom. And I'm having a water heater installed so you won't have any trouble taking a shower," Dylan added.
"Oh, thank you, Dylan. Your uncle won't have to break his back fixing it anymore," Lucas replied cheerfully.
After handing out all the things he'd bought for Flynn's family, Dylan headed straight to Flynn's room. He found Flynn reading, quietly absorbed in his book. Dylan placed two shoeboxes in front of him.
"You're spoiling my family too much. They might get used to it," Flynn said without looking up.
Dylan knelt in front of him, gently pushing aside Flynn's worn-out sneakers and the old pair of black shoes he stubbornly kept wearing to school. He opened one of the boxes and carefully slipped the new shoes onto Flynn's feet to check the fit.
"If it's you and your family I'm spending for, I'll never feel guilty about spoiling you," Dylan said softly.
Flynn's cheeks immediately turned red at the comment—half embarrassed, half flustered. To hide it, he lightly smacked Dylan's head with the book he was reading.
"You're so cheesy," Flynn muttered, trying to sound irritated—almost defensive.
-
Meanwhile, Anna was completely immersed in the whirlwind of preparations for her upcoming wedding to Xavier, scheduled for the following month. Unlike a small, private ceremony, their wedding demanded meticulous planning—Xavier's position in one of the country's largest conglomerates meant that this event was under constant scrutiny, both from the media and from the high-profile guests they expected to attend.
From the moment she woke up, Anna's day was filled with a constant stream of calls, emails, and consultations. She scrutinized every detail personally—the guest list, the seating arrangements, the layout of the grand ballroom, and the lighting and floral arrangements. Each gown, for herself and the bridesmaids, was examined multiple times for perfection, with fittings scheduled down to the last detail. Invitations were not merely mailed; each one was carefully designed, proofread, and approved before sending.
Even the catering received her personal attention. Anna insisted on tasting every dish, ensuring that the menu reflected both elegance and the unique personality of the couple. She coordinated with the photographers and videographers, making sure each angle would capture the event flawlessly. Security arrangements and media coverage were also under her watchful eye—nothing could be left to chance.
While Xavier remained busy managing his company's operations, he trusted Anna to take the reins of the wedding planning. She did not disappoint. Every minute of her day was accounted for; no detail was too small for her careful attention. Whether it was confirming the arrival times of VIP guests or reviewing the décor at the venue for the hundredth time, Anna moved through each task with the efficiency and precision of someone used to orchestrating large-scale events.
By evening, she would sit for a brief moment, only to find her phone buzzing with another reminder, another adjustment to make. Yet, despite the exhaustion, there was a quiet satisfaction in her eyes.
A moment later, Anna dialed Wilson, her tone calm but brisk. "Please make sure the invitations are delivered to Flynn and Dylan," she instructed. "I want them to receive them personally."
A few days later, Flynn and Dylan received a neatly packaged envelope delivered personally by Wilson. Curious, Dylan tore it open first, revealing Anna's elegant wedding invitation. Flynn leaned over to peek, his brow raising as he scanned the details.
"Wait... this says the wedding is next month?" Dylan muttered, squinting at the date. Then he froze. "Flynn... this is the same day as Uncle Lucas and Aunt Mary's wedding."
Flynn looked at the elegant card. "What a coincidence," he said, raising his eyebrows in mild surprise.
Dylan shook his head. "I... I don't want to go. You know how I feel about attending their wedding."
Flynn placed a hand on Dylan's shoulder, calm but firm. "You still need to go. It's your father's wedding, Dylan. My dad will understand if you can't make it to his wedding."
Dylan looked down, conflicted. His pride warring with Flynn's gentle insistence. After a long pause, he finally sighed. "Alright... I'll go. Not because I want to, but because you said so."
Flynn simply took a deep breath and nodded at Dylan.