19 My responsibility to ensure her happiness...

Giving them a glance, Austin finally revealed what he wanted to tell them by muttering, "We want to ask for your daughter, Katherine's hand for our son, Ethan.."

To say that, both Reno and Sophia were completely shocked would be an understatement.

They just kept gazing at the Jones couple with total bafflement in their eyes as if they weren't able to believe what they had heard just now.

It was not the shock for getting a marriage proposal for their daughter Katherine because they were well aware about their daughter's capability of impressing everyone.

But what amused them more was the state of time!

How could they just propose a marriage for their son when their father had just passed away few days ago?

It really amazed them to the core at how easily they were saying this!

However, like everyone else, they were not someone to judge other people easily. So they thought to give them a fair chance to explain themselves for this massive decision of them..

"What did you just say? You want Katherine to marry your son, Ethan?" Reno asked, finally breaking the silence that was prevailing between them.

Austin shared another glance with Lisa who nodded at him affirmatively, making a small smile appear on his lips.

Averting his eyes towards the other couple, Austin said, "Yes.. We want to make Katherine Ethan's wife and daughter-in-law of our household."

Furrowing her eyebrows in puzzlement, Sophia finally asked out loud about her queries to them, "I don't want to offend both of you. But I can't also stop my mind from getting all the negative vibes right now. So I'll be quite direct to you as this matter is solely related to our daughter, Kathy..

And being her mother, it's my responsibility to ensure her happiness. We also know that our daughter can win everyone's heart no matter if she has met the person only for once. So please don't lie and tell us, exactly why do you want her as your son's bride..

It's just been only few days since uncle Joseph has left us. We all should be mourning for his death. Isn't it quite practical? And you both being his son and daughter-in-law would grief more than anyone of us...

I'm not saying that you should always live in the past only but the thought of asking Kathy's hand for Ethan at this period of time, is also not fitting quite well with the situation.."

Ethan who was just listening to this whole conversation without saying anything, felt his heart getting tightened suddenly. But he just kept silent, knowing that he had to do it to fulfil his grandfather's last wish..

Lisa coughed a little before plastering a sad smile on her face and explained everything to them, "We too are grieving like you all. If not less, then more than you. But we're also bounded to do whatever we're doing right now..

Actually, before Dad died, he left a letter for all of us. There he wrote that he wanted your daughter to marry our son. It was his last wish for us to hold our children's wedding as soon as possible. He said we shouldn't mourn over his death for too long because it'll make him sad and he'll feel guilty for leaving us like this..

So to make the already dead man happy, we need to fulfil his last wish. We don't want to pressurize either of you. But we just thought to keep this proposal to you as we also liked Katherine as much as our Dad loved her for Ethan. Now it's completely on you to decide, exactly what you want for your daughter."

After Lily, Austin too decided to assure the couple and muttered, "I know what you must be thinking now. After all it's about your daughter's future and you know us for a few months only. So it's basic for you both to worry for her life after her marriage with Ethan..

But you can be rest assured in matter of your daughter's future. She'll be treated like a queen in our family. She'll be pampered ten times more than here. In fact, taking care of her feelings, Ethan decided to take a transfer here. He'll be working for the subsidiary branch of his office here..

They will be living for few months here and when Katherine will be finally comfortable in staying with us, then only they'll shift to New York. So, you'll not have to worry about her comfort also. Even, you can meet both your daughter and son-in-law wherever you want and we too will keep visiting them from time to time.."

Reno and Sophia shared a look between each other, completely impressed with their concern for Katherine.

They were prioritising her wishes and comfort first before taking any kind of decisions and it made them very happy.

Getting a positive nod from his wife, Reno looked at them and said, "We'll be very much happy to give our daughter's hand to you. A family who thinks about a girl's priority and her parents' consent more than anything, can be considered as the best home for our princess..

Actually Kathy will be the lucky one to be the daughter-in-law of your house. But we can only agree after getting Kathy's approval on this matter. If she agrees then it's very good but if not, then we're very sorry; we really have to deny the marriage proposal."

Austin nodded his head and said with a smile, "Yes.. Kathy's consent is the most important thing for now. After all, it's her future we're talking about."

Giving them a small smile, Reno diverted his attention towards Ethan and asked in a low yet firm voice, "Ethan… Can I have a few words with you alone?"

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[P.C.- Please read the full creator's thought..]