A Proposal

The entire room stared at Joe with a mix of emotions. For Clara, she was in utter disbelief. Although what he said was by no means false, the simple fact that there was no reservation in announcing it for the entire world to hear left her at a loss for words.

Seated across from Clara was her mother. A fact that still didn't entirely make sense to Joe. He still couldn't believe that this woman whom appeared only slightly older than Shianne was old enough to be a mother.

Her initial reaction was shock but it soon left a teasing expression on her face. The fact that the two had arrived together as well as the subtle gesture of pulling the chair out for her daughter all made sense now. This boy that stood before her had fully captivated her daughters heart. A task that she believed would be impossible.

As for her father...the High General's face appeared to be in deep thought. His widened eyes slowly shrunk into a glare. It was as if he was trying to see straight through Joe's very being.

Without saying another word, Joe proceeded to the remaining empty seat. He gracefully seated himself across from the High General and simply waited for any other person to open their mouth. He didn't know what came over him in that moment and initially he believed it could ruin his entire goal for this dinner. Now, he was impatiently waiting for fate to open her mouth. Was he to be doomed, blessed, or unaffected by his statement.

"Clara, have I not told you since you were old enough to walk that you shouldn't keep secrets from your mother?"

With a teasing smile, the only other woman in the room broke the silence. Gazing across the table to determine just how much approval this boy had from her daughter, she was answered with only a meek nod. The cold and stoic daughter she had grown used to was reduced to a typical teenage girl and that concept elated her.

"Seeing that you still understand that, is he the reason you were so against this dinner this morning?"

Joe curiously looked to his left at the newly shy girl trying to understand why she would be against this dinner. Was she worried about what her parents would think of their relationship considering their difference in social status? That thought left his mind quicker than it formed. In his eyes, that was not even an option.

"Yes mother."

"Were you worried that we would scare him away?"

Immediately following that question, Clara jumped to her feet and leaned across the table towards her mother.

"I was against it because I didn't know who was going to be here and I didn't want it to be anybody other than Joe!"

Realizing what she had just done, Clara slumped back into her chair trying to evaporate from existence. For the first time since Joe essentially disregarded his entire existence, the High General's face expressed his thoughts. 'Just how deep did this boy dig his way into my daughter's heart?'

"I'm confused. Why would it matter if I was here or not?"

"She didn't tell you?"

Shock once again coated the mother's face. If her daughter wanted so badly for this boy to be the person seated here then why would she not tell him the reason her father arranged this meal? Seeing the nod confirming that Joe was left in the dark about the entire subject further served to confuse the mother.

"Here I thought that she told you and that was why you two came together. I thought that you had already told you and that you agreed. Especially after learning about these feelings she has for you."

"Ma'am, you're only serving to confuse me further."

"Forget that formality, just call me Elizabeth."

"In that case, Elizabeth, could you explain to me what the purpose of this dinner is on your end?"

"The way you worded that would imply that you also have a motive for being here. Either way, I will leave the explanation to my husband considering it was he whom organized this gathering."

With all eyes turning his way, the High General had to quickly gather his thoughts. After some brief consideration, he resolved himself to continue with the original purpose of the dinner. Only he would be revealing it far sooner now than he had planned originally.

"Tell me boy, what would you say to becoming the son-in-law of this countries highest military official?"

Clara's jaw opened as she could not believe that her father had been this blunt about his purpose. Elizabeth simply smiled at her daughters disbelief. Joe, however, adapted the sternest look his face had ever worn.

"I have no interest in being the son-in-law to somebody so powerful."

Now it was the parent's turn to drop their jaws. Looking across the table, Elizabeth saw a deep sadness sinking into her daughter's very existence. Just as rage was about to burst from every pore in her body, Joe spoke again.

"How do you feel about being the father-in-law to the strongest High General this country will ever see?"

Silence again filled the room. Clara's sorrow seemed to vanish as if it had never existed to begin with. In it's place was an unconditional love for the man in front of her. Every worry she had until this point left her as a tear slowly made it's way down her reddened cheek.