The President’s Mistake A Tale of Love and Regret by Carly Glover

Nathaniel struggled to maintain his usual serious demeanor for the camera.

Smiling for the photo was proving quite challenging for him.

"Could the groom please smile again? Alright!"

"Don't be so nervous, bride!"

"Lean your heads together, that's it! Smile! Perfect!"

Click! The marriage certificate photo was finally taken.

With the photo affixed and the steel seal pressed, the process was complete.

Nathaniel clutched the marriage certificate tightly, examining it with great care and a goofy grin in the corridor. He was overjoyed, reading the certificate over and over.

Frey, eager to leave, pulled him out of the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Once in the car, Frey took the certificate and examined it.

The reality of being married to Nathaniel began to sink in, leaving her feeling a mix of emotions.

She smiled and said, "Nathaniel, you keep one copy, and I'll keep the other."

"No!" Nathaniel snatched the certificate from her hands, keeping both copies together in his possession.

He looked at her earnestly. "I'll hold onto the marriage certificate."

Frey found his insistence amusing and slightly frustrating. "I should keep it."

"I'm afraid you might lose it!" Nathaniel hugged the certificate protectively, his determination clear.

Frey wanted to laugh and protest but chose to let it go. "Fine, if I don't keep it, how about posting it on social media?"

"I'll post it, and you can reshare it!" Nathaniel's stubbornness was endearing, and he was adamant about keeping the certificate close.

Seeing his resolute behavior, Frey decided not to argue further.

As the evening approached, Koen anticipated a romantic celebration.

Perhaps a candlelight dinner, a boat ride, or some other gesture of love.

But Nathaniel had a different plan. "Mr. Nathaniel, where are you heading next?"

"We're going to East Saeville Nursing Home. We'll stop by a flower shop first so I can buy a bouquet."

Frey was surprised by this choice. She hadn't expected Nathaniel to visit the nursing home where her mother, Linda, was staying. It was a thoughtful gesture, though O somewhat unexpected.

Nathaniel was focused and attentive as he selected a bouquet from the shop. The shop assistants, recognizing the couple, excitedly took pictures and shared them on social media.

"Wow! Look who I spotted!"

"Mr. Nathaniel and Ms. Frey buying flowers at our store!"

"Ahhh! I'm so excited!"

"Mr. Nathaniel is so handsome, and Ms. Frey looks like a movie star."

The video quickly went viral, spreading across social media.

BA

After picking out a large bouquet of roses for Frey, Nathaniel turned to the clerk and asked, "What kind of flowers are suitable for oldero people?"

The clerk, curious, asked, "Are you referring to someone close, like an elder or a friend?"

Nathaniel replied calmly, "It's for my mother-in-law."

Frey stared at Nathaniel, astonished.

The acknowledgment of her mother as his mother-in-law was both surprising and touching, given their complicated past.