Love Unexpected

Match together

Back in the hospital room, the atmosphere was heavy with the weight of unspoken thoughts and the seriousness of the conversation. Kurt lay in bed, his once-strong frame now frail and weakened by his illness. George stood by his bedside, his expression etched with concern, while Leonor sat close, her hand gently resting on Kurt’s arm, offering silent comfort.

George broke the silence first, his voice low and uncertain. "Kurt, are you absolutely sure about this? About wanting Jake to marry my daughter, Ashley?" He looked at his old friend with a mix of hesitation and respect, knowing that this was not a decision to be taken lightly.

Leonor, who had been quietly absorbing the conversation, turned her gaze to her husband, her eyes searching his face for any sign of doubt. "Kurt, George is right. We all know Jake... he’s a playboy. I’m worried he might not take this marriage seriously. What if he can’t commit to Ashley the way she deserves? What if it ends up causing more harm than good?"

Kurt’s chest rose and fell with a weak sigh, his breath slow and labored. He turned his head slightly to face Leonor, his eyes softening as he looked at his wife. "I know, Leonor," he began, his voice raspy but filled with the same determination that had carried him through life’s challenges.

"But Jake needs someone by his side—someone who can help him maintain the status of the family, someone strong enough to stand by him through the ups and downs. He needs a partner who can balance him out, and I believe Ashley could be that person."

Leonor listened, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She understood her husband’s reasoning, but the thought of Jake marrying someone he had never even met was unsettling. "I understand what you’re saying, Kurt," she replied, her voice soft but laced with worry. "But Jake and Ashley have never even met. How can we expect them to just... step into something like this? A marriage requires more than just a sense of duty. It needs love, respect, and understanding. How can they build that when they’re practically strangers?"

Kurt’s face tightened slightly as he absorbed her words, he turned his gaze to George, who had been quietly observing the exchange. "George," Kurt began, his voice even weaker now, "Is Ashley here in the country? I need to know if she’s available to meet Jake."

George nodded slowly, his own expression serious. "Yes, Kurt. She’s here. She’s staying at a hotel in the city. But... I haven’t told her about this yet. I wanted to speak to you first, to make sure this is truly what you want. I can’t just spring something like this on her without any warning."

Kurt sighed again, this time a sound of weariness rather than frustration. "I understand, George. But tomorrow, I want Jake and Ashley to meet. It doesn’t have to be anything formal right away—just a chance for them to get to know each other, to see if there’s any potential for them to connect."

Leonor, who had been quietly absorbing her husband’s words, finally spoke up, her tone more resigned than before. "Maybe... maybe they could have lunch together first, as a family," she suggested, her voice trembling slightly. "It would give them a chance to talk without any pressure, and we could be there to support them. I could ask our personal chef to prepare something special and bring it here to the hospital. We could all have lunch together tomorrow."

Kurt turned his head slightly to look at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. "That’s a good idea, Leonor," he said softly. "It would give them a chance to meet in a more comfortable setting, without feeling like they’re being forced into something."

Leonor nodded, feeling a small sense of relief that there was at least a plan in place. "I’ll make the arrangements. I’ll ask the chef to prepare something nice, something that will make the day feel special."

Kurt smiled weakly, his eyes closing briefly as if the mere act of smiling was draining. "Thank you, Leonor," he murmured. "And George... I’ll expect you and Ashley tomorrow. It’s important that we make this happen soon."

George sighed, running a hand through his graying hair, clearly still processing the gravity of what was being asked. "Alright, Kurt," he finally agreed, "I’ll talk to Ashley tonight. I’ll explain everything and make sure she understands what’s at stake. But... please, try to rest. You need your strength for tomorrow."

Kurt nodded weakly, too exhausted to say more. He closed his eyes, signaling the end of the conversation.

Leonor gently squeezed his hand, her own heart heavy with the knowledge that this might be one of their last plans together as a family.

George stood there for a moment longer, watching as his old friend drifted off into a fitful sleep. He then turned to Leonor, his expression one of mixed emotions. "I’ll go now," he said quietly, not wanting to disturb Kurt’s rest. "I’ll speak to Ashley and make sure she’s prepared for tomorrow. But... Leonor, are you sure about this? I know Kurt is determined, but we have to think about what’s best for both Jake and Ashley."

Leonor looked up at George, her eyes filled with sadness and uncertainty. "I’m not sure of anything right now, George," she admitted, "But Kurt is right about one thing—Jake needs someone who can ground him, someone who can help him carry the weight of the family legacy. If Ashley is that person, then maybe this could work. But... it’s hard. It’s so hard to know if we’re making the right choice."

George nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. "I’ll do everything I can to make this as smooth as possible," he assured her. "But let’s not force anything. If Jake and Ashley don’t feel a connection, we can’t push them into something they’re not ready for. We owe them that much."

Leonor nodded, appreciating George’s wisdom. "Thank you, George. You’ve always been a good friend to Kurt, and to me. Let’s just take it one step at a time and see where it leads."

With a final nod, George left the room, leaving Leonor alone with her thoughts. She looked at Kurt, still resting peacefully, and a tear slipped down her cheek. She prayed silently that tomorrow would bring some clarity, some sign that they were making the right decision.