Finally, he found his voice again.
"Well, Father," he said quietly, the sincerity in his tone unmistakable, "it is very clear that you are enormously excited about this, and rightfully so. I can hear it in every word you're saying, and honestly I understand why."
He paused briefly. "And I want to say thank you. Genuinely, thank you for going to those lengths, for personally delivering that invitation before you even traveled, for wanting so badly to make sure that this wedding would be something truly extraordinary and memorable. That means more to me than I can properly express right now."
There was a warmth in his father's response, but Richard pressed forward before the conversation could shift entirely into celebration.
"But Father, before we go any further, I need to report something to you quickly. Something happened this evening that I think you need to be aware of, especially now that you're telling me a guest of this magnitude will be in attendance."
