The Royal Contract

"How are you, Dad?" Dani walked closer to his bed while her mother fed him on the other side.

She just had an informative discussion with his doctors. They notified her that the operation was successful, and they did not observe any complications after the surgery.

They were predicting his fast recovery as long as her father would follow their directives while recuperating. They expected full recovery and long life for her father if he watched his diet and stress level.

"Great. Did you not hear? I am a new man." Ethan jokingly said, which earned him a mild slap on his shoulder from her mother.

"You are an old man who needs to watch what he eats and does, or you will die very soon if you keep abusing your body." Laura interrupted him with her sermon.

After hearing what the doctors told them, she could not help but worry. His operation did not guarantee his long life. It only provided an extension. 

The rest would still be up to his lifestyle if he wanted to live long. But he had not been a few days in this hospital, and he was ready to explode.

"You worry too much. I will not die that easily." Ethan said confidently in front of his wife and daughter.

However, he was not as convinced with that himself. But he did not want his family to go through another traumatic experience like that. He also learned a valuable lesson from this event in his life. 

He was not invincible. No matter how much money he had, he could be subject to death anytime and anywhere. There was nothing his power could do about it.

"You will not die if you follow all the doctors' recommendations." Laura insisted, knowing how stubborn Ethan was with regards to his health. It had always been his last priority in the order of things.

Laura could sense that since he woke up, all he could think about was the condition of his company. But he was careful around the subject in front of her.

"I think you two need to stop bickering and relax. I have two good news that might both cheer you up. Do you want to hear about it?" That temporarily shut her parents for a few seconds.

"What is it?" Laura asked excitedly. Coming from her daughter, she could only guess that it would be something special.

"I already booked you two in a week vacation on this relaxing island where you two can have your time to relax." She looked at her mom, who seemed to be looking forward to their trip.

"They would also be conducting specialized therapy sessions specifically for your condition. It will help for your faster recovery." She directed her statement to her father, who only smiled for her mother's benefit.

But she could only guess that was not the news he was hoping to hear. She could already see the anxiousness in his eyes to ask questions about his company but knew not to do it in front of her mother.

"You said you have two news. What is the other one?" Nothing could escape his father's sharp mind. It would seem that the operation and the anesthesia did not affect his cognitive abilities.

"Perfect timing." She announced when she heard the door open, and Alex entered the room. "We have something to tell you both." She grabbed Alex's hands as he stood beside her to give her support.

She could see her mom staring at her, trying to read the situation. Her father, on the other hand, laid back on his bed quietly, waiting for their breaking news.

"Are you pregnant?" Her mom clapped her hands frantically, jumping to her conclusion. It was clear that it was the first thought that came to her mind when she saw the entwined hands of Alex and her daughter.

"Mom, stop that. I am not pregnant. We just decided to move the wedding to an earlier date." She finally spilled out the news to her parents, who sported a beaming smile on their faces upon hearing what she said.

She could tell that her mom and dad were both ecstatic with their plans. Her mom especially, since she had been harassing her about having grandkids soon.

"Don't worry, Laura. I also want kids soon." Alex winked at her, assuring his future mother-in-law that they were on the same page on this.

He was still slightly shocked by the way he was acting since he reunited with Dani. He would never dream of getting married and thinking of having kids several months ago.

Now, all he could wish for was to marry the girl of his dream.  Then, he could not wait to have three bundles of joys with her, remembering their last conversation about kids.

"At least you are marrying a sensible man." Ethan agreed with Alex's statement.

He wanted a new heir. Someone who would continue his legacy. Although Alex already agreed to safeguard his company. He still wanted a new lineage that would take over what he had worked hard to build.

"Stop that. You are as bad as my parents. Let us concentrate first on getting married." She pinched him on his waist to remind him that he should be at her side and not working against her.

"Ok, but you can't blame your parents for wanting a cute baby in their arms." Alex continued to tease her as her parents watched their exchange.

"Fine. Mom, can you join me outside in the gift shop I saw downstairs? I want to buy something for the nurses who put up with my father's insanity." She looped her arms around hers and dragged her outside the room.

She only did that to give her father some time to discuss his company with Ethan. She knew that despite her mother's concern, she believed that hearing some good things about the company would help him in his fast recovery.

She also believed that Alex could use the expertise of Ethan in running his company. They still needed each other, and she would help in any way she could.

"What do you have in mind?" Laura asked, but she was hesitant to leave her husband. 

She already suspected the Alex wanted her out of the room. But she knew that she could not decline her daughter's request. All she could do was to go along.

Anyway, it was a good time for the two of them to bond as mother and daughter. At the same time, they could discuss the wedding preparations.

"You are the expert in this. I will leave it up to you." Dani replied to her mother, having no idea of what to buy. 

Although, it would be nice to show their appreciation to those hardworking people in the hospital who took great care of her father. She never liked being in a hospital, but the doctors, nurses, and other hospital staff devoted their lives to caring for these sick people.

They deserved recognition for their efforts. It did not need to be anything too expensive, but something that would show their devotion to their job was truly valued. 

"Ok. Let us see what we can find." She heard her mom answer her.

It was a spur-of-the-moment thought that she did not plan but indeed a good idea.