Autumn is a second spring

23. In-laws

Kao was sweating bullets as he sat in front of his father-in-law. He could feel Thas's piercing gaze on his skin. He was greatly regretting visiting his in-laws without his husband.

He glanced at Fluke, who was sitting on the other side. That little prick wasn't even trying to ease the situation, which was within his expectations as he knew how scared Fluke was of his father.

"What brings you by?" Thas asked emotionlessly.

Kao gulped nervously "I just heard that you and Mom are back and wanted to visit you."

"If you are here to visit us, you should have brought our son and grandson along with you these things," Thas said pointing at the heap of gifts that Kao had brought for them.

 "Well, Dad... Earth did want to come, but~"

"Just tell us why you are here. You wouldn't have shown up at our place with these many gifts." Thas said with a scoff as he interrupted Kao midway.

Remi who walked into the room, smacked her husband's hand slightly. "Stop intimidating the kid and come have your food." She then looked at Kao. "Kao, son you too. I had P' Sa make your favourite Pot stewed duck soup for you. Come on, get up."

The four of them settled on the dinner table. The couple sat at the head of the table.  Fluke sat on the right side, adjacent to his mother while Kao sat opposite him, adjacent to Thas.

Once everyone was seated, the maids started bringing in the food. It could practically be called a mini feast as the Siripongthons didn't want to disregard their son-in-law's visit.

Thas was sulking after being reminded by his wife in front of the kids.

"Kao, dear, you should have brought Earth and Art along, we really miss them," Remi said as they ate. She hadn't met them in a long while.

"Earth is out of town, Mom. He went to Jakarta for a business trip. Art is in the school. He only comes back on weekends." Kao answered.

Thas snorted at Kao's answer. "You couldn't wait to send that little kid away" He mumbled.

Remi smacked her husband again. "What your Dad meant to say was that we all think that Art is still too young to be put into a boarding school."

"I know, Mom." Kao smiled at the concern the couple was showing towards his son despite not being his biological grandparents. "We have already discussed this matter with him and Earth has convinced him to transfer schools for next semester."

"Good. Good." Remi beamed. "Have you found a school for him then?"

"Khrab Mom. The school that Leah and Lyra are attending is quite good. They even have a football team for the primary schoolers. I think it would be the best option for him." Kao knew that Art loved football and wanted to be on the school football team someday. He was more than willing to lay the foundation for his son.

Remi smiled in satisfaction.

The dinner session came to an end with small talk between Kao and Remi while Fluke and his father silently ate their fill.

After lunch, Kao was still not showing any signs of wanting to leave. How could he leave when his objective hasn't been met? 

He dragged Fluke along with him and followed Thas to the indoor garden. 

Thas treated Kao as thin air and concentrated on reading a book. Remi could only shake her head in resignation seeing how childish her husband was acting.

"So, tell us Kao," Remi said as she handed over a cup of herbal tea that helped in digestion to Kao. "What's with all the gifts?"

Kao smiled in embarrassment. He wasn't expecting that his gifts would give him away. "That I... Em... I want to marry Earth."

Pfft! Fluke sprouted out the tea.

"Fluke!" Remi glared at her son.

"Sorry mom, it was an accident." Fluke grabbed some tissue and started wiping off the tea droplets that he had spit out. He was just caught off guard by Kao's words.

"What do you mean by you want to marry Earth? Aren't you two already married?" Remi asked for clarification. 

"We are married legally. But we never had a proper wedding. You all know how much Earth loves weddings and I want to give him a grand one. I came here to ask for your permission." Kao said with a smile.

Thas snorted again. "First take out baby boy and run away to get married and now you are here to ask for permission! Talk about having a thick skin."

He felt that Kao was too old for Earth. Plus the fact that the Dechaphatthanakhuns didn't value his son made him more hostile towards his son-in-law.

Kao however didn't take any of those words to heart. He knew how much his father-in-law loved Earth, despite not being his real father. "Dad, Mom. I am really sorry that Earth and I had a shotgun marriage back then. But I really want to make up for it. Please give me a chance."

Before Thas could say anything else, Remi held him back. No matter how terrifying Thas was to others, once his wife said something, he wouldn't dare disobey that. His wife was the empress and the empress's words were final.

"Kao, about the wedding, you know that our side is not the only ones who need to give permission. Your family..." Remi found it awkward to ask about the situation at the Dechaphatthanakhuns' end.

"Don't worry about my family, Mom. It is all settled." Kao grinned widely.

"All settled? What do you mean?" Remi asked.

"My family has already agreed. Khun Yaay had always liked Earth. Dad didn't have any objection about us and as for Mom... she is just putting on a front. Since Khun Yaay agreed, she wouldn't make it difficult for both of us." Kao agreed.

Remi smiled feeling relieved. Kao's family's attitude towards the marriage had always been a matter of concern for her. 

"Khun Yaay would like to have you two over to our mansion as Earth's Dad and Mom," Kao added.

Remi was over the moon to hear that. Not because she was dying to meet the matriarch of the Dechaphatthanakhuns but because them going to the family as Earth's parents, would literally mean that Earth was being officially accepted as a member of the family. It was equal to acknowledging Earth's position as the official partner of the head of the family.

"When did she say that she wanted to meet us?" She asked eagerly.

"Actually, I have been planning to formally propose to Earth in a few weeks. Would it be possible that you guys would be staying here then?" Kao wasn't sure about his in-law's schedule. He hoped that their stay would last longer this time around.

"Of course, we will be here for a few months. Don't worry about that. Just take your time." Remi was really excited. "You should really give him a good proposal. You know he loves romantic stuff."

"I know, Mom. I will give him the best proposal." Kao promised.