As the evening sun dipped behind the gentle hills of Greenwood, casting an amber glow over the landscape, Hampton Hemester Jr. gathered his family in the sitting room of the Hampton mansion. The room, filled with soft music and the warmth of golden chandeliers, quieted as Jr. stood to speak.
"I have something important to share," he began, his voice calm but filled with excitement. "Bella's parents are here. They arrived in Greenwood two days ago."
Gasps filled the room. His entire family turned to him, eyes wide. His grandmother, elegant in a pearl-trimmed shawl, leaned forward.
"My dear," she asked, "how did you manage to locate them?"
Jr. smiled and nodded respectfully toward her. "I asked the Ugandan ambassador to Greenwood for help. He was kind enough to assist me in bringing them here safely."
His grandfather, sitting in a high-backed chair with a cane resting beside him, clapped his hands once. "Well done, my grandson. That was both thoughtful and wise." He paused. "Where are they now? Does Bella know they're here?"
Jr. shook his head gently. "No, she doesn't. I wanted to surprise her. They're staying at the mansion you gifted me—the one you bought for me and Bella. I thought it would be fitting for them to have it for now as their private space. It's her wedding gift."
The room fell into a hushed awe, then slowly filled with smiles. Everyone turned instinctively toward Bella's portrait hanging on the wall. Though she wasn't present in the room, her spirit seemed to fill it.
Evelyn, Jr.'s maternal aunt and the First Lady of Maryland, broke the silence. "We must go and see them," she said, rising from her seat with purposeful grace. "They are family, after all."
"Yes," Jr. replied. "You should meet them. I haven't met them in person either. Not yet. I planned to meet them for the first time on the wedding day, alongside Bella. But I think it's only right that you welcome them."
Justin, Jr.'s paternal aunt and the wife of the Prime Minister of Octavia, chimed in. "I have two Ugandan friends who are staying here with me. They are familiar with the local languages. They might be helpful in making your in-laws feel at home."
Jr. nodded in agreement. "That would be great. There's also a man named Moses. He came along with Bella's parents. He speaks their native language—Lhukonzo—as well as fluent English. He's been helping translate."
Jr.'s grandmother sat straighter, her eyes bright with emotion. "I cannot wait to meet the parents of the girl who captured your heart. Bella is such a rare, pure soul—so full of grace, so kind. A girl who sees no race, no barrier. She was raised by remarkable people, and I want to honor them."
Old Mrs. Hampton, the family matriarch, spoke with gentle authority. "We shall go with a small group—five of us. Your grandfather, myself, your father, your mother, and Evelyn."
Jr. nodded in approval. "Perfect. Please meet them this evening. I'll notify Moses and make sure everything is prepared."
With that, Jr. stood and stepped outside into the cool evening breeze. He pulled out his phone and dialed Moses's number.
"Moses," he said once the line connected, "my family would like to meet Bella's parents tonight. I hope that's okay."
Moses's warm voice responded with enthusiasm. "Absolutely, sir. That would be an honor. I'll let them know immediately."
Jr. ended the call with a satisfied smile and walked back inside to finish his tea.
Across town, at the gifted mansion nestled between tall pine trees and blooming jacarandas, Moses hurried through the hallway and into the sitting room where Bella's parents were watching television. The room was peaceful, filled with the low murmur of news coverage detailing the grand upcoming wedding in Greenwood. Bella's mother and father sat quietly, watching images of the wedding venue flash across the screen—luxurious white tents, floral arches, crowds of guests, and prominently displayed pictures of Hampton Hemester Jr.
Unbeknownst to them, the man they were watching on TV—the one whose face graced every news headline—was soon to become their son-in-law.
Moses entered the room and greeted them in warm, respectful tones in their native language, Lhukonzo. "Mwamasowa wahi eyo," he said with a small bow, then continued, "Some of your daughter's in-laws will be coming to visit this evening."
Both parents looked up in surprise.
"There is something I probably shouldn't say, but I think you deserve to know," Moses added, his tone growing solemn. "Your daughter… she is about to marry into one of the most powerful families in this country—maybe even the continent. The name 'Hampton ' carries great weight here."
Their eyes widened with disbelief, their mouths parting in awe.
"Your daughter is blessed," Moses continued. "She is marrying a man who is not only wealthy and influential, but whose family has already shown deep respect and admiration for her. And for you."
Bella's mother covered her mouth with her hand. Bella's father leaned back slowly, trying to absorb the weight of the revelation. It was one thing to know your daughter was marrying someone special. It was another to realize she was joining a legacy.
Moses smiled gently. "Also… we are in the land of whites," he said, "So you should expect your in-laws to be white."
There was a pause as the family processed the information.
From the kitchen, Bella's Aunt Jolly—a warm, no-nonsense woman with a big laugh and an even bigger heart—called out, "Let's go and prepare ourselves! We can't let our daughter down. We may come from a rural place, but tonight we represent her dignity and strength."
The others nodded in agreement. Within minutes, the house transformed from peaceful quiet to a gentle flurry of preparation. Clothes were laid out, hair was brushed, and traditional jewelry was retrieved from well-wrapped bundles. They didn't need to pretend to be something they weren't—they only needed to be their best, for Bella.
As twilight gave way to evening, the anticipation rose.
Back at the Hampton estate, the visiting party was preparing to depart. Old Mr. and Mrs. Hampton were dressed in refined evening attire, accompanied by Evelyn, the First Lady of Maryland, and Jr.'s parents, all glowing with anticipation.
They didn't know exactly what to expect. But they carried open hearts and a shared purpose: to meet, to honor, and to embrace the people who had given the world Nyabosi Bella Williams.