Is this destiny?

JoAnna saw that Jeff is at his limit. She stood up and smiled while glancing at Elanor and Oscar. "If you don't mind, I will sit on the other side, with Jeff." She walked to the other side of the table and sat on the chair that Jeff pulled out for her. Jeff sat next to JoAnna, held her hand in his and flashed a victorious smile at his parents.

Both Elanor and Oscar frowned at Jeff. Maids stepped in and swiftly re-arranged plates and utensils.

"You don't need to be so selfish..." Elanor scolded Jeff. "You are with Anna all the time. And this is the first time you brought her here. Of course, we want to get close to her and get to know her. You two will leave tomorrow, we don't have much time. Don't you think that you are suffocating her?"

Jeff didn't respond.

"It's OK, Nori..." JoAnna started.

"Mom" Elanor corrected JoAnna.

JoAnna smiled. "Mom... I love being with him. He is not suffocating me." JoAnna looked at Jeff lovingly, he returned her gaze.

Jeff glanced at his mom. "If you are planning any more outings with Anna, include me."

"Me also", Oscar added.

Elanor looked at Oscar with surprise on her face. Jeff faced his father with a frown.

"What? I don't get to spend time with my daughter-in-law?" Oscar sounded offended.

Elanor smiled, surprise was still evident on her face, "No, no... You will not be left out."

"What's with your behavior?" Jeff grumbled at Oscar.

"What? Can't I be happy with my daughter-in-law? With her by your side I don't need to worry about the future of the company!" Oscar laughed. "Because of her, you made record profits in only few weeks. I can't imagine what you will do in months or years!"

Jeff's frown softened. He nodded to his father in approval. Now he understands why his father is so friendly. It is related to the profits, after all.

"In years? They should have a family... right?" Elanor excitedly looked at JoAnna.

JoAnna shrank in her chair while blushing.

"It will be however she wants." Jeff dotingly said and kissed JoAnna's hand.

Elanor nodded in approval.

"We watched your proposal." Oscar looked at Jeff.

Jeff raised his eyebrows indicating to his father that he is listening.

"It was... modest." Oscar finished.

"It was done based on Anna's preferences." Jeff explained.

"You asked her in advance? Oh! That spoiled the surprise!" Elanor scolded him.

Jeff rolled his eyes. "Of course, I didn't. I spoke with her sisters. I wanted to do something else, but her sisters told me that JoAnna would prefer it like that."

"I see..." Oscar was in thoughts. "I like her even more. Modest... that is rare these days."

JoAnna smiled, "Oscar, you..."

"Dad", he corrected her.

JoAnna took a deep breath, 'These people are overwhelmingly friendly!' She smiled, "Dad, you are praising me too much. I just prefer to share my happiness with few people who I know are sincere, instead of sharing it with hundreds who can't wait to see me trip."

The more Oscar and Elanor talked with JoAnna, the more they liked her. JoAnna also thought that they are very nice people. Elanor was similar how Jeff described her, warm, welcoming and chatty. But Oscar was nothing how Jeff described him. JoAnna decided that later she will ask Jeff about it. Why would he tell her that his father is distant and not friendly when he is such a warm and welcoming person?

Jeff was happy that JoAnna was sitting next to him and didn't mind her talk with his parents. As long as he gets to be next to her, they can talk as much as they want.

After dinner they went to the patio which is facing the garden and enjoyed desserts and beverages. Oscar was curious about JoAnna's education. He wanted to know details related to the University she is attending and her residency. Oscar mentioned that White corp. has a department which is focusing on medical research and suggested that she considers joining there. JoAnna thought how this pair of father and son have similar mindsets.

Elanor caught a chance to ask about wedding plans and was delighted to hear that it will be a beach wedding.

...

Later in the evening, Elanor and Oscar are in the bed, getting ready to sleep.

"She is a nice girl, isn't she?" Elanor looked at Oscar.

"Mhm." He confirmed.

"I think they are a very good match."

"Mhm." Oscar agreed with her.

Elanor scooted next to Oscar. "I'm glad you two will join us tomorrow."

Oscar extended his arm, making space so that she rests her head on his shoulder. Elanor was happy to feel his arm on her back. "We are going to Country Club for brunch. I'm certain that there will be number of young ladies who will not approve that our Jeff found his companion."

Oscar frowned, "You think someone will try to harm them?"

Elanor nodded with a solemn expression, "You don't know how desperate some of these girls are. And I don't even want to think what they are capable of... I'm not concerned about Jeff, but I want to keep an eye on Anna and make sure everything goes without problems. Having you there is a great support."

Oscar nodded in agreement and placed a kiss on Elanor's forehead.

"Oh, did you see how they are looking at each other? I can tell that they are crazy in love." Elanor drifted off to memories. "Does that remind you of someone?"

"Who?"

"Come on..." Elanor playfully pushed him. "I didn't know that you are so old that you forgot how you used to look at me."

"Who are you calling old?" Oscar's expression was icy, but his eyes were gentle. "And why did you say like it was in the past? I'm still looking only at you."

Elanor's expression teased him. Accepting her non-verbal invitation, Oscar leaned over Elanor and kissed her few times before his lips moved over her cheek to her neck.

Elanor giggled.. Not long after, her giggles were replaced with gasps and moans as Oscar proved to his wife that he is not old and that his passion for her is still burning strong.