A Wife For My Brother

Deanna did not like what Harry was proposing at all. He had to be crazy to have such an idea.

"What you are telling me does not make any sense. Did you hit your head before coming?"

"I know, but we need your help. I do not know who else to ask."

Harry's girlfriend, Laura, was saying nothing, but she was getting more and more nervous. The situation of both was not good: they were still studying, they were young, they were madly in love, but they neglected themselves. Laura had confirmed her pregnancy barely three days ago.

"Believe me, I understand you, Harry, but no one is going to believe it. They do not even know me in your family."

"But I talked to my brother and he has agreed. Please, Deanna, help us."

Laura dared to intervene with her eyes full of tears:

"We would not ask this of you if it were not something so important for us. Our families are very strict about it. They will not let Harry marry me if his older brother is still single. And my family will not allow me to keep the baby if I am not married."

Seeing Laura so distressed made Deanna begin to doubt.

"I cannot believe that even to this day they continue with those old rules. But I do not know your older brother except by photograph."

The proposal with which they had arrived was simple: for Harry and Laura to be able to marry, Daniel-who had been widowed five years ago-had to remarry. Deanna was Harry's best friend and the only option they had left.

"Neither do I believe it. It seems we continue living in the Middle Ages. It is all I could think of to solve it, and Daniel is willing too."

"But what is your family going to say? Will they agree? Am I just going to show up one day and announce to them that I am your brother's future wife?"

"We can figure that out as we go. The important thing is for you to marry as soon as possible; then we will, and we can have our baby."

Deanna had to be as crazy as Harry because this whole demented idea began to seem viable to her. She had a lot of affection for her friend, and seeing poor Laura so distressed about her baby on the way finally made up her mind.

"Fine, but..."

"Are you serious, Deanna?! This is great!"

"Wait, Harry..."

"You have saved us, friend! You are the best! Laura, we are going to get married!"

"Harry! Wait, please... At least introduce me to your brother first."

"Of course! I will arrange a dinner so you can meet him. Just the four of us."

Laura started to cry without consolation. She was so happy that she could not stop. Harry hugged her and kissed her face with great affection, trying to comfort her. Truly, those two were very much in love; they were endearing. It was a pity that they had to resort to devising such a crazy plan to be able to stay together.

This made Deanna think that she had put herself in the lion's mouth. What kind of family has these kinds of traditions and respects them to the letter? But she could not refuse such a request. She had known Harry since he started studying at the University of Art; they immediately became classmates, sidekicks, and ended up as good friends.

It was a bit difficult for Laura to accept her as her fiancé's friend at first, but over time she realized that they loved each other like siblings. The three of them began to share a lot together, despite having such different origins.

Harry and Laura came from wealthy families, a traditional elite with complete generations of successful professionals. Deanna, on the other hand, had been raised by her mother and grandmother, and she was the first in her entire family to step onto a university campus.

In fact, she had a part-time job in a clothing store to be able to afford some expenses and not burden her mother so much with the costs of sending her to study in the capital. Deanna had shown a natural talent for singing-perhaps inherited from her father, whom she did not know-and both women decided to make one more effort to give her the possibility of having a higher education.

Harry and Laura, on the other hand, did not have to worry about trivialities like money, although it cost him a lot to convince his father to let him study music instead of being a lawyer, doctor, or businessman like his brother. But since Daniel was already in charge of the family business, he was more flexible with his youngest son.

"My family cannot find out," Deanna told them.

"Why?" Laura asked her.

"It is just the three of us. I do not want them to think that this marriage will last forever and then see me divorced. I promised them I would finish my degree first."

"Do not worry, friend, we will keep it as discreet as we can."

The baby on the way would arrive in less than eight months, so they had little time before it began to show on Laura. They had to speed everything up. Once Deanna and Daniel concluded the wedding, they were going to "romantically" elope to seal their love. They would return after the child had been born, and no one could say anything about it anymore.

Then, Deanna and Daniel would declare that they were not compatible and would separate, as if nothing had happened. It was the most normal thing in the world, right? Many couples dissolved after living together for a while because they discovered that they did not really get along so well. No one would be hurt or harmed, and Deanna would gain a nephew or niece to spoil.

"I will call my brother to tell him the good news and see when he can meet with us."

"Does he know who I am?"

"Well, he knows I would ask a university friend. It did not make sense to tell him it was you because he does not know you either."

"I see."

"But you should not worry about that, he will surely like you. He is not as 'difficult' as everyone says."

"What do you mean by 'difficult'?"

"My brother-in-law is a bit... special. But Harry is right, he is not so bad once you get to know him," Laura tried to lighten things up.

"Why do I suddenly feel like I am getting into terrible trouble?"

Harry and Laura looked at each other and smiled. It was true that Daniel was somewhat complicated in certain aspects, but he was a person with a good heart. Perhaps a little strict and diametrically opposed to Deanna's cheerful and carefree personality, but he was willing to help them for the sake of his future nephew. Although he had made a fuss when he found out, he would not allow anything to happen to his brother, his sister-in-law, and much less the child.

"By the way, you do know that Daniel has three children, right?"

"What?!"

"Yes: Ethan, Naomi, and Jonathan."

"Weren't those your sister's children?"

"No, Susan is not married yet."

"Oh, my God!"

"You will be a great stepmother."

"Do not push your luck, kid, lest it break."

"You cannot back out now, you already said yes."

"Try me."

Laura was happy, very happy. She watched them fight as if they were two small children and could not help feeling very lucky. Deanna was more than willing to do this for them. She was going to be a mother, and the man she loved would marry her. She only hoped that everything would go well and that Daniel would behave like a gentleman.

That night the three of them went out to dinner together at the food stall near the university that they used to frequent quite often. Deanna and Harry were able to drink a few beers... too many because they ended the night almost dragging themselves to take Deanna back to her apartment and then take a taxi.

Once in her apartment, the "Mighty Dean"-as Harry called her-fell like a rock onto the bed. She had no idea of everything she was about to experience just for trying to help her friends.

Daniel Crusher had been a widower for 5 years. His wife had died from a heart condition shortly after giving birth to their youngest son. She left him alone with 3 kids and a deep sadness in a house that suddenly felt too big.

He had no intentions of remarrying, even though he was one of the most eligible bachelors and was known to have had a few brief relationships. He could raise his children alone, or at least that's what he thought.

And then his younger brother comes along, backs him into a corner with a completely unthinkable proposal. When he found out why, he exploded in fury.

"How can you be so irresponsible?!"

But Daniel couldn't leave his brother and Laura to their fate. Much less abandon the little one on the way. Behind the ice shield he'd built around himself, there was still a warm-hearted man.

"Who is she?" he had asked.

And again, he hit the roof when Harry told him about Deanna.

"But if she goes to university with you, that means... she's your age?"

"Yes, she's 25 like Laura and me."

"Harry, are you insane? I'm 15 years older than her."

"She's the only one who might agree to this, Daniel. I don't know anyone else who would do it."

Not only did he have to marry a woman he didn't know, but she was 15 years younger than him. A college student he'd never seen in his life. This would be a disaster.

"Mom's going to have a heart attack, you know that."

"You can handle her, you've always gotten your way when you want something, even when our parents oppose it."

"This is different, Harry. You think they'll accept me suddenly marrying a younger woman, who nobody knows and who studies with you?"

"At least you can tell them I introduced you."

Daniel wouldn't have too much trouble imposing his will, but the story had to be believable. She was a very young woman for him and that wasn't his style. His brother was really putting him in a tight spot - there were too many things to justify.

He'd only officially dated two women in all these years, and only because of his mother's insistence that his children needed a mother figure. One of them hadn't had a problem with his three kids, but Daniel didn't like her. The other he didn't like either, but she made it easy because she had no intention of becoming anyone's mother. The rest of the few women were just casual or fleeting things of no importance.

"I need to meet her at least. Have you talked to her?"

"Not yet, I will this afternoon. I'm sure she'll help us. Thank you, brother, thank you."

"You better become an exemplary father and start getting your act together."

"Of course I will, Laura and our baby deserve nothing but the best."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Things had been very different for him and his late wife. Although they married young, like Harry and Laura, Daniel had already finished his studies and started working in the family business.

He'd been very responsible and dedicated since childhood. While other kids his age played sports or games, he learned languages. While his classmates traveled around the world, he took math and statistics classes. He had incredible discipline for someone so young.

He always behaved like a gentleman, was austere and conservative, and followed family traditions to the letter. Thanks to that, his parents rarely forbade him anything, and he was able to marry his high school sweetheart at a young age.

They were a happy family; his wife balanced Daniel's somewhat cold and strict character. They harmonized perfectly, were an adorable couple. Then came the children and with them more happiness. That's why when Emily died, his whole world collapsed.

Daniel had no choice but to focus on his three children and his work; he couldn't fall apart. Now he was the only pillar left standing.

His sister helped with the kids the first year. But as with everything in his life, Daniel proved capable of being a good single father. Maybe a bit strict and inflexible in some ways, but very loving.

"As soon as I talk to Deanna, I'll let you know."

"Why are you so sure she'll accept?"

"Because it's Deanna."

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"That's just how she is, she doesn't hesitate to support you or be there when you need her. She's a great friend."

"I see..."

"Just... could you try to be less... you?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You know, less... cold and serious. She's a great woman, Daniel, but you'll scare her off with your expressions."

"That's ridiculous, Harry."

In reality, he was quite the gentleman, but he had a tendency to be a bit... rude sometimes, without realizing it. It was simply his way of being. They'd given him a nickname that no one dared say in his presence: "Ice Face Crusher." And he had a reputation in business for being ruthless and rigid. He was always serious, rarely smiled, and tended to say what he thought regardless of how it might be received.

This had to work somehow, they were running out of time. Harry arranged a meeting for all four of them at his apartment to finalize the details and come up with a plausible story. Now that his friend was also on board, if he crossed his fingers and had enough faith, they might still have a chance.

"Does she know about the kids?"

"Yes, I mentioned them more than once... I think. Anyway, she won't have problems with that."

"We'll need to set rules regarding the children too."

None of them had any idea of all that their little "theatrical production" would bring about, or how it would affect the lives of "Mighty Dean" and "Ice Face." But the wheels were already in motion, the most complicated part would be getting both parents to accept the new daughter-in-law without too many questions.

That night, Deanna got ready as best she could. She put on a black dress and flat but somewhat elegant shoes. She didn't have many clothes that would make a good impression, but at least she had to try to get Daniel to like her. She was a bit nervous, but she drew out all her optimism from within and left for Harry's apartment.

For his part, Daniel also chose to wear something not too elegant, a bit conservative, but that wouldn't give away his age too much. Unconsciously, he was trying to adjust to his new "partner." He felt a bit... pressured by the fact that she was so young; maybe she'd see him as an old man and wouldn't want to continue.

What had Harry meant about being less himself? He didn't see anything wrong with how he was. He was a successful man with well-educated children and was highly respected in his social circle. His image was impeccable, serious, and admired by many. He was in a good position and was an excellent catch for any woman. Harry was very wrong... right?

Before leaving, he stopped by little Jonathan's room, who was already asleep. He picked up some toys from the floor and stood watching him for a few minutes. He thought about how Harry's child would have both parents together, while Jonathan had already forgotten his mother's face and could barely communicate with him. He didn't know what else to do for his son.

Daniel was the first to arrive at the apartment. He had been there sometime in recent years, but this time Laura's presence was noticeable in small things throughout the house. It was evident that they had been sharing the place for a good while.

For some reason, he felt nervous. This situation was very similar to when his mother set him up on dates with her friends' daughters, only this time he came of his own free will. Perhaps because this was the first time that the one waiting for approval was him.

A few minutes later the doorbell rang. It was Deanna. As soon as he saw her cross the threshold, he knew that all of this would be more difficult than he had thought. She entered with a huge smile and, in a few seconds, filled the place with her energy, as if she radiated a kind of warm light. Her hair was loose; her abundant caramel-colored mane covered her shoulders.

Daniel's first reaction was to stand up immediately, as if pushed by an invisible force. Seeing him, Deanna did not hesitate to approach him and stand in front of the tall, black-haired man.

"Nice to meet you, I am Deanna. Are you Daniel?" And she extended her hand with another smile.

"Nice to meet you, Deanna. I am Daniel, Harry's brother. It is a pleasure," he took her hand to shake it and felt that warmth radiating.

Laura came in with some drinks and snacks, and both women greeted each other. The atmosphere felt a little awkward, but Harry, with his usual chattiness, began to prepare the ground to alleviate the tension a bit. This meeting had to be a complete success if they wanted the plan to work. And it was, only not as they had planned.

"So you study with Harry and Laura," Daniel probed.

"Yes, we know each other from the university."

"And what do you study?"

"Opera singing."

"Mmmm..." Daniel replied with a hint of... disapproval?

Harry had warned him, he had warned him.

"Mmmm, what?"

"Nothing."

"You must have something to say, besides 'mmm'."

"Nothing... I respect artists very much."

"Perhaps we should eat now," Laura said, trying to change the subject.

They had to contain Daniel before he showed his special character. They knew Deanna would not stay quiet either. The best thing was to try to stretch out and delay the imminent clash.

Dinner passed in a pleasant chat. It seemed that Daniel and Deanna had found a turning point, until the "topic" arose.

"We must do this as quickly as possible. You do not know how grateful we are that you can help us," Harry said.

"It is true, thank you from the bottom of my heart," Laura added.

"I will cover the university expenses for the year that we are married, in compensation for having to pause your career," Daniel shot out without further ado.

"What do you mean pause my career? I am not going to pause my career."

"You will definitely have to. I cannot be married to a university student, it would not look good."

"I do not want your money."

"It is not about that. You are about to make a sacrifice and it must be compensated."

"How nice to know that it will be a 'sacrifice'."

Harry and Laura looked at each other. The delicate line had broken.

"I have three children, you know that, right?"

"Of course I know."

"Good, because we must establish rules for you to interact with them."

Deanna looked at Harry, who replied with resignation. Inside, he was praying that his friend would withstand what was left of the night and not regret it. Daniel seemed to be trying to close a business deal and not a wedding.

"Another thing you must respect is that at home we have coexistence rules that work wonderfully and we cannot... change them."

"Where do you live? In a military base?"

"I hope it will not be difficult for you to adapt, despite your evident disinterest in everything I tell you."

"It is not disinterest, but I can hardly adapt to anything with that 'military' attitude."

"Military? It is just a little discipline... And you cannot dress like that anymore," he pointed to her bare knees.

"Ah! It is a convent, not a military base."

"Guys, please..." Harry intervened.

But from then on, everything went downhill. The conditions that Daniel tried to impose received a contrary response from Deanna. She was not being nice at all. It was strange, he was usually polite despite being displeased by something.

"These are minimal aspects that I need you to comply with if we want this facade not to raise suspicions. You are not exactly the type of woman I would date."

"Well, thank you? I understand what you are saying, but not the way you are doing it, as if you were trying to close a contract."

"I will talk about that with my lawyer tomorrow, the prenuptial agreement. It will be a fake but legitimate wedding, and we must cover that too."

"So let me recap: I have to comply with rules and leave the university. I suppose you must have a manual on how I should interact with your children, and I must change my way of dressing. I understand the prenuptial agreement perfectly."

"Good, I am glad we reached an agreement."

"What agreement? That is only what you want, but I also have my conditions."

"What would those be?"

"Since I cannot continue at the university, I will take one day a week, at my discretion, to attend private singing lessons."

"Fine, I will cover that expense."

"I do not need you to do that, I have a job."

"Which you will have to quit, so I will cover the expense."

Deanna was about to explode; she only contained herself because Laura was looking at her with large, worried eyes. She gave the impression that she was begging her for patience. Deanna took a deep breath.

"Very well... since you are an ATM with legs, I also want a room in your house, just for me, that functions as a music room."

"I can do that... is that all?"

"For now, I guess so."

They fell silent without looking at each other. Harry and Laura had been unconsciously holding their breath while watching them argue.

"Tomorrow I will speak with our parents so we can have a family meeting and I can introduce her. I trust that Laura will be able to help her adjust to the situation," he spoke of her as if she were not in the same room.

"Good," Harry said and shot a furtive glance at Deanna, as if trying to apologize. He was already hearing her in his head complaining incessantly about Daniel's attitudes.

This guy was incredible; he showed no hesitation in expressing himself without filters, as if everyone were his employee and should follow his orders.

"I will leave then," Deanna said. She could not stand it anymore.

"Let me call you a taxi," Harry told her.

"None of that, I will drive her home."

"I do not think that is a good idea, Daniel."

"Why not? In a few weeks she will be my wife, it is the most normal thing in the world, Laura... Let us go."

He simply stood up and waited by the door for her. She resigned herself, said goodbye to her friends, and they left. They did not exchange a single word the entire trip until they arrived at her building.

"Do you live here?"

"Yes... Well, thanks for bringing me. Good night."

And that was it. She got out of the car and disappeared inside the building.

Daniel remained for a few more minutes looking at her and then thinking. If he did not manage to mold her a little to his standards, no one would believe the story. She was a combative woman who did not keep quiet, she had that all-curly caramel hair, large expressive eyes, a warm smile... What was he thinking?