Proposal To Make Changying 'A Donati'

"It seems you have enchanted my family," Joseph turned his attention back to Changying. "Each of my sons has told me of your good qualities and my wife believes your love for my son is deep and abiding."

"I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage," Changying said softly. "Despite my work on family projects I know very little about you and your home here on the farm."

"Do not worry about that, it is our way until we are sure of the people we would welcome into our home and family. I do not seem like an ogre to you, do I?" He asked with another chortle.

"I think that the man who raised Wang must be a wonderful role model" she answered in a roundabout way.

"Very diplomatic," he said acknowledging that he too was beginning to like the girl.

"Ah and here he is, with his head in a book as always," Joseph announced as Wang walked toward them.

"These are fabulous I had no idea you were this advanced," he looked up seeing her anxiousness as he pursued the books she had created.

"You left me with an excessive amount of free time over the last week," she said with a grin. "It was a bit of a rush to do the printing, and it's not perfect. I am sure your new company will be able to make them look better, but they have the general feel I was thinking would work and give your father an idea of what we were doing with all of that information." She had emphasised the word "We" giving Wang his share of credit for the books he held in his hands.

"Here Papa, look at this," he passed the volume that had the history of the table from most recent back to the original table.

Changying stayed silent as both men poured over the two volumes at length murmuring amongst themselves about the graphics and the idea of a volume for each table throughout history to tell a little more about more than just the head of the table. She held her breath each time they glanced up at her wishing they would say something directly to her so she could explain her work to them.

"This is very impressive Wang," Joseph finally put the books down.

"I had very little to do with it except to approve her suggestions," he admitted. "I had no idea that this was coming. I am as impressed as you are with the idea of the volumes. I had only seen the research for the table history," he tapped a book. "I had not seen the graphics as yet though she mentioned to me on the phone and I gave her the go ahead to do what she thought best. We can discuss any changes and editing that need to happen, but I like what she had done so far."

"I did try to explain my vision and in your absence I showed them to Dante and Emilio to get their opinions before I brought them here to show you both," her anxiousness for their approval showed in her voice and face.

Joseph considered her again. She had gone ahead on the project alone but had sought out the approval of the Donati men despite obviously having a keen eye for detail and a very clever idea of how to present so much information in an easy to read streamlined manner. He was impressed by her on many levels at that moment, but she would still need to undergo the trial. It was family law, and he would adhere to tradition. She would learn that this family had one Master and they each served him for the common good.

"Do you plan one of these extra volumes for each table?" Joseph asked, "Or just the first out of respect for Giambattista Donati?"

"I had thought to do each table," she said quietly. "It will take some time though as the family becomes obscure from time to time, particularly during the world wars."

"I understand. I would like you to continue despite the hardship of finding information. I can give you some names of older family archivists to contact in Italy and see if they have any new information," he seemed to consider her. "First though we must discuss Wang's request to make you a Donati through marriage."

"A Donati?" Changying squeaked and looked wide-eyed at Wang.

"I have told you more than once that I planned to marry you, and you seemed quite happy about the prospect. This is how we do it in my family, I will explain everything once I have Papa's blessing to do so, I am bound by tradition until he gives us his blessing," he took her hand and smiled softly. "I love you Changying, and I want a future with you as part of my family."

"I love you too," she whispered unsure of why she was speaking so quietly. "As long as you are in my future I will be happy." Wang looked at his father expectantly as she finished speaking.

"Are you sure Wang?" He asked solemnly. "If you are both are determined to marry, she must endure the trial as all others have before her but it will be harder for her because she is not from a table and doesn't understand our ways."

"I am sure and confident of her answer," Wang said equally solemnly as Changying's mind raced around the word trial.