Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

The car had just come to a stop when Ava, impatiently, opened the passenger door and stepped out directly. Frank noticed her urgency, slightly hastening his movements to reach her side, bypassing the car's tail and taking her hand, leading her inside.

Upon entering the living room, Ava immediately embraced Daniel and Emma tightly, saying, "Dad, Mom, | love you so much! Thank you for raising me. I'm married now." Sensing her happiness, the Turner couple simultaneously responded, "We already know it, my dear." Emma caressed her daughter's face, finally feeling reassured. She retrieved two red packets prepared in advance from the coffee table, handing one to each child, saying, "Take these. They are for both of you. | hope they will bring you guys good luck." Frank and Ava accepted the packets, expressing their gratitude. Frank tucked it into his pocket. This packet had a different significance; he had to take it by himself and later entrust it to the little girl when they went back to the bedroom.

Daniel held the marriage certificates his daughter handed over, his gaze fixed on the photo of the two of them. They looked well- matched, and his daughter's joy-filled smile warmed his heart. He nodded in contentment.

Frank, observant by nature, noticed the reluctance in his father-in-law's eyes. He reassured, "Dad, | promise I'll take good care of Ava. Don't worry." Daniel lifted his head, smiling, "Okay. Frank, you are a reliable young man. | believe you will take good care of Ava." He had seen how Frank treated Ava and was very content with him.

After lunch, Frank accompanied Ava upstairs for a nap. They had a busy morning, leaving Ava a bit tired and drowsy. They didn't chat for long; soon, Ava's eyelids grew heavy, and in no time, she drifted off into dreamland.

Once she was asleep, Frank neatly arranged the blankets and headed downstairs. He felt Daniel and Emma probably had some questions for him and voluntarily went downstairs to address their inquiries.

As expected, the Turner couple was waiting in the living room. Frank sat opposite them, sitting upright with legs apart, hands resting on his lap, displaying a prepared stance for their conversation.

Daniel smiled faintly, "Relax, Frank. Don't be nervous. | am not here to interrogate you or ask for promises. Your mom and | just want to discuss a few things with you about your future plans with Ava." Frank understood that his in-laws were asking about the wedding. He relaxed his shoulders and earnestly replied, "Well, Ava said that she wants the wedding to be held in two months from now." Upon hearing this, the Turner couple understood. Eva still had concerns stemming from an accident three months ago. However, they agreed that Ava's worries were valid; a wedding day involved numerous exhausting processes.

Yet, Emma reminded her son-in-law, "Frank, | have to remind you. You should keep an eye on Ava. Don't let her spend too much time browsing online. Some information isn't accurate. Many of the things online are expatiating It might affect Ava's emotions." Someone once said, "When you're unwell, never search online. If you don't check, you will be fine. If you do, it's either a terminal illness or imminent death." The information online often discourages people, making the sick feel that they do not have much time left in this world.

Hearing that, Daniel added, "Hmm, yeah. Ava loves surfing and browsing online. Undoubtedly, she's accumulated a lot of knowledge, but it also affects her, you know." "I've already blocked all those websites on Ava's computer. She won't see them anymore." Frank added, though even if she wanted, she wouldn't be able to.

The Turners exchanged satisfied nods upon hearing that. It was reassuring to have a son-in-law capable of handling technical matters.

Emma continued, "I think two months later works fine. It provides a bit more stability for the child. The wedding can be exhausting. Being cautious is good. Besides, preparing for the wedding also takes time. In two months, Ava will be three months pregnant.” Daniel agreed with a nod, saying, "Your mom's right. As for when to return to Athana, you need to make your own plans." Frank simply replied, "Okay. | will. Don't worry about it." Following this, the Turner couple didn't say much more. They trusted their son-in-law's capability to handle things. And therefore, there was no need for them to interfere or worry about anything. They could leave all to Frank.

When Frank returned to the room, Ava was still fast asleep. He approached and gently tucked her bare legs back under the covers.

months had passed; now, one month had gone by, leaving two more months. Time, neither too long nor too short, always had its way

swing, Frank considered smoking but reconsidered, opting to touch the diamond on the chair instead of his trouser pocket. Glancing at his

several times but Rose didn't pick it up. Frank frowned, looking at the note on

| didn't ignore your messages on purpose; I'm genuinely

you mocking me or what? It doesn't sound like you want to thank me." "What do you think, huh?" Frank asked. If his sister was

compared to the monumental fact that her brother and sister-in- law had finally solidified their relationship. "Hey, I just finished lunch, got some time on my hands. Need any advice or wisdom from your little

Frank didn't plan to inform Rose to avoid her causing a commotion and bombarding Ava with messages, which could trigger unnecessary thoughts. He advised, "If you can, try not to suggest all sorts of chaotic shows to your sister-in-law in the future. Just keep those for yourself." "Huh..." Rose

brother's words. She thought, "What he means? What's wrong with suggesting good shows? | did so out of good intentions. And Ava

brother is being kind of too nosy. Now that he's married, he thinks he's the boss, controlling even what shows her wife watches." "Bro, you've changed a lot it seems! Just because you got married to Ava, you think you're in charge and free to do anything. I'm telling you, that's not how it works! No girl doesn't binge-watch shows!" Rose felt she needed to pull her brother back; his patriarchal attitude was kind of too strong. He was too

the connection might have dropped. Seeing it was still active, she placed it back against her ear and continued, "Frank, listen carefully. Everything I'm saying is true. Ava's still young, enjoying shows is normal. You can't deprive a young girl of her hobbies. It's okay for a middle-aged man like you not to like idol s, but for us young, pretty girls, they're our thing, you know? Are you listening to me?" As Frank listened to the chaotic rambling on the

point. Let's end this, I've got things to do. Bye." Frank decided, unwilling to further engage with Rose, fearing she might bring up some

call, pinching the bridge

things directly with Athana and Rose at a later time. He knew that resolving their issues over

would he call her when there was something more serious to do? Even though it was daytime, to make it

frustration at the

Frank to be rather

seemed to be waiting for her son's call. "What's the plan?” "We're planning to hold the wedding in two months. We have got the marriage certificate today," Frank replied truthfully, not intending to

the time the little one turns three months old." "Okay, Grace, please

email later. You and Ava can choose which theme

the wedding plans ready. "Thanks, Mom." The call went silent for a few seconds before Grace spoke again, "Take good care of Ava. I'll oversee the initial wedding