Chapter 9 Small Victories

It would be best for the children to meet Deanna at his house, on their own territory, so they would not feel uncomfortable in public. But before that, he sat down with them to assure them that what their grandmother had told them was not true. He explained to the older ones that they had not known about her sooner because he had to be sure that things would work out. Perhaps when they were a little older, he could give them the real reason.

Daniel was not sure if little Jonathan had fully understood the situation-he was the one he worried about the most out of the three. Ethan had no complaints about it; he told his father that it was his decision and he respected it. Naomi, being more timid, assured him that there was no problem and that she had not paid attention to the things her grandmother had told her. Both children trusted their father, but they also did not dare to contradict him.

To try to make the meeting more relaxed, they invited Susan, Harry, and Laura. Perhaps, surrounded by their aunt and uncle, they would feel more at ease and less rigid.

On the way to Daniel's house, Harry had told Deanna a little more about his nephews and niece. He saw her much more nervous than when she met her future husband, but he was convinced that she would get along well with them.

He warned her about Jonathan's difficulty communicating-that there was no particular reason, but that he loved music and that could be a method to approach him. He also told her about Susan, who was the middle sister; she already knew the details of their plan and would support them. So, she should not hesitate in front of her.

Deanna never imagined that a CEO's house could be so big, even for four people. Or that there would be so many people working in it. But it was logical-maintaining a place like that must take a lot of work.

Susan was the first to greet her.

"You must be Deanna, how are you? I am Susan."

"Nice to meet you, Susan, it is a pleasure to meet you."

Daniel was standing with the two older children, who did not take their eyes off her.

"These are Ethan and Naomi, my children." Deanna approached them.

"Hello! I am Deanna, nice to meet you."

"Hello." Both replied.

But were there not three? Suddenly a small figure ran out from behind a sofa to Harry's legs, who picked him up.

"And this, Dean, is little Jonathan."

He could not be a cuter child. With round, pink cheeks, a small nose, and large shining eyes, he went straight to Deanna's heart.

"Hello, little gentleman, nice to meet you." Jonathan smiled and hid his face in Harry's shoulder.

They went out to the terrace overlooking the park, where a table was already set up. Jonathan watched her very carefully, and every time Deanna returned his gaze, he blushed and smiled. The older ones hardly said anything, but they also watched her from time to time. Their grandmother had been right to tell them that she was too young for their father. Given Daniel's taciturn silence, Susan decided to break the ice.

"Deanna, it is a pleasure to finally meet you. Although Harry has tired of talking about you on more than one occasion, and Laura has too."

"Thank you, I am happy to be here and to meet all of you."

"Dad told me the truth, Daniel. It is true that Deanna is very pretty." Daniel's blood pressure dropped suddenly, and there was an awkward silence.

"Did you tell Dad that Dean is pretty?" Harry questioned him.

"Of course, he did, do not forget he has not met her yet, Harry." Susan exchanged glances with Harry; they very rarely had the opportunity to tease Daniel and they were not going to waste it.

"I only talked to him about a few things." He tried to justify himself.

"Dad was very happy because he said you were very enthusiastic about telling him how pretty Deanna is. I think he is eagerly waiting to meet her." Susan kept fueling the fire.

"Dad exaggerates." Daniel was starting to feel hot.

"It is good to know, Deanna also thinks Daniel is attractive." Laura added.

The children watched their father shift in his chair as if something were stinging him. And Deanna almost died of embarrassment. None of this escaped Susan's notice, and she realized that there was something more than a simple agreement. That was the factor she knew had to do with Dean, and now she had confirmed it.

"Kids, Deanna sings very well, did you know that?" Harry told them.

"It is true! She has a magnificent voice." Laura had heard her on more than one occasion.

"Jonathan likes music a lot." Naomi said timidly.

"And you, do you like it?"

"Yes, a little."

"Naomi likes books more." Ethan finally spoke.

"That is great. What do you like to read?"

"Many things, but especially fantasy series."

"Wolf and vampire stuff." Ethan was very clear.

"I see... Then you must have read the 'Black Moon' saga."

"It is my favorite! Do you know it?"

They began to talk about the five books that made up the saga, the characters, and the author. Apparently, Deanna also liked that type of literature. Both of them forgot where they were and who they were with, and simply continued sharing opinions. Finally, Harry interrupted them.

"Do you have any idea what they are saying?" he asked Ethan.

"Something."

"Oh! I am sorry, I got excited about being able to discuss it with another fan." Deanna apologized.

Daniel remained silent, only observing them. He had to be sure that his children were going to be okay. But suddenly Ethan interrupted the slight balance that was being generated.

"Our grandmother told us about you. She said that the only thing you want from my father is his money, is that true?"

"Ethan!" Daniel was not going to allow that behavior.

But Deanna was not intimidated by the question. It was logical that they were worried about their father.

"No, of course I do not want your father's money. I am not doing this for that purpose. I understand you have your doubts and I am glad you expressed them, but I can assure you that that is not what motivates me."

"We already talked about this, Ethan." His father told him.

"I know, Dad, and I told you I was going to respect your decision." Definitely, he is his father's worthy son, Deanna thought.

"It is fine that he wants to ask. They do not know me, and it is logical that they have doubts."

"Yes, Deanna, but that is no reason to be impolite." Daniel told her.

"He is not, he is worried about his father. There is nothing wrong with that." She replied.

Daniel was hardly one to lecture on politeness. But Deanna kept the comment to herself.

The encounter had turned out like everything up to now: halfway decent. Deanna refrained from asking why Jonathan did not talk at all, and Daniel silently thanked her-he was tired of having to explain it. Surely Harry would have already done so. The little boy looked at her all afternoon, both mesmerized and anxious, as if he wanted to tell her something.

These were two victories for her: the dinner and the meeting with his children. Maybe it would not be so bad after all.