C173 Our Own Future

Dinner was every bit as delicious as the aroma had promised. The table, which had been filled with lively conversations moments earlier, gradually became quiet as everyone focused on enjoying the meal. Every now and then Peter would nod repeatedly while taking another bite, his expression making it clear how much he enjoyed his granddaughter's cooking.

"This is excellent," he declared proudly. "My granddaughter's cooking gets better every single time." Georgia smiled as she looked at Alicia. "I told you years ago that your cooking would one day win someone's heart." She then turned to me with a teasing smile. "It looks like I wasn't wrong." I chuckled. "I've already surrendered, Grandma." Everyone laughed.

Mark calmly took another bite before speaking. "I have to admit..." He glanced at me. "Mike, you've chosen well." I smiled respectfully. "I should be the one saying that, Father." "I was fortunate enough to marry Alicia." Alicia lowered her head shyly while pretending to focus on her food. Peter immediately laughed. "Listen to this boy!" "He knows exactly how to make my granddaughter happy." The warm atmosphere continued until everyone had finished eating.

After the dishes had been cleared away, Mark wiped his hands with a napkin before looking at all of us seriously. "There is something I'd like us to discuss." His tone immediately caught everyone's attention. He looked first at Alicia, then at me. "You two fit into this family so naturally." He paused briefly. "Which made me think..." "If you can fit in so perfectly..." "What is stopping the Smith family from moving here as well?" The room fell silent.

Peter's eyes suddenly brightened. "I like that idea!" He nodded enthusiastically. "Exactly." "This mansion is far too quiet." "If Quinton, Mary, Mike and Alicia all lived here, imagine how lively it would become." Georgia smiled in agreement. "The house would finally feel like a real family home." Mark continued, "There are enough rooms." "Everyone would have their own space." "There would be no need to buy another apartment."

I exchanged a quick glance with Alicia. She was already looking at me. Without saying a word, we both seemed to know exactly what the other was thinking. Alicia smiled gently. "Dad..." "I understand why you're saying that." "And honestly..." "I love being here." She looked around the dining room with affection. "This house holds so many wonderful memories."

She then reached for my hand beneath the table. "But..." "I still want a home that belongs to Mike and me." Mark frowned slightly. "Why?" "You'll always be welcome here." "You won't have to worry about expenses." "And you'll never be lonely." Peter nodded repeatedly. "That's right." "My granddaughter..." "Wouldn't it be wonderful if four generations lived together?"

I smiled respectfully before answering. "Grandpa..." "It really would." "But every family also needs a place they can call their own." I squeezed Alicia's hand gently. "We've only just begun our married life." "There are still many things we want to experience together." "Waking up together..." "Decorating our own home..." "Building our own memories."

Alicia nodded in agreement. "I still plan to come here almost every day." She smiled warmly at her grandparents. "You'll probably get tired of seeing me." Georgia laughed. "Impossible." Peter pointed at both of us dramatically. "So you two planned this together?" We both smiled. "Not exactly," Alicia admitted. "It just happens that we think the same way." Mark leaned back in his chair and sighed. "I suppose that's what marriage is." "Two people thinking about the same future."

He looked at me. "So..." "You're determined?" I nodded respectfully. "Yes, Father." "But that doesn't mean we're leaving the family." "We'll visit often." "And once we have children..." I smiled. "I'm sure they'll spend more time here than they do at our apartment." Peter immediately laughed. "There!" "See?" "I knew you'd eventually bring my great-grandchildren here."

Georgia smiled brightly. "As long as those children call me Great-Grandma often..." "I'll forgive you." The room erupted into laughter once again. Mark finally smiled and nodded. "Very well." "I won't force you." I smiled "But before any apartment is purchased..." "let me discuss this idea with my parents first." I looked at Alicia before she nodded. "That's fair." I added "I'll speak with Mom and Dad tomorrow."

Peter folded his arms dramatically. "If Quinton disagrees..." "Then I'll personally choose the best apartment in Edinburgh." "I refuse to let my granddaughter live somewhere ordinary." Alicia laughed. "Grandpa..." "I trust your taste." "Good." Peter smiled proudly. "Then that's settled." The conversation gradually came to an end, and everyone relaxed once again.

A short while later, I checked the time before standing up. "I should head home." Almost immediately, the cheerful atmosphere changed. Peter looked at me in surprise. "So soon?" Mark also looked up. "It's already late." "Why not stay here tonight?" He smiled lightly. "You're already family." "You can stay in Alicia's room." Alicia's face instantly turned bright red. "Dad..." She looked too embarrassed to even meet my eyes.

Georgia quietly covered her mouth to hide her smile. Peter nodded seriously as though it were the most natural suggestion in the world. "Exactly." "You two are already married." "There shouldn't be any problem." I couldn't help laughing awkwardly. "I'd love to..." "But tomorrow is my very first official day at Lucia Goods." "I want to be fully prepared." I scratched my head. "And..." "I didn't bring any clothes."

Mark nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense." Peter sighed dramatically. "Fine." "But next time there won't be any excuses." I laughed. "I'll remember that." Alicia stood up. "I'll drive him home." Everyone nodded. "Drive safely," Georgia reminded us. "We will." Hand in hand, Alicia and I walked toward the front entrance before getting into her Maserati. The mansion slowly disappeared behind us as she drove onto the quiet evening road.

After several minutes of comfortable silence, Alicia suddenly slapped her forehead lightly. "Oh no..." I looked at her curiously. "What happened?" "We forgot." "What?" She smiled helplessly.

"We completely forgot to ask Grandpa about our marriage ceremony." I couldn't help laughing. "After all that discussion..." "We still forgot the most important question." She laughed too. "I blame you." "Me?" "You distracted me." I raised an eyebrow. "How exactly?" "You kept holding my hand." I smiled innocently. "I don't regret it." Neither do I."

She glanced at me briefly before returning her attention to the road. "We'll ask Grandpa tomorrow." "If I forget again..." "You remind me." I nodded. "Deal." The Maserati continued through the quiet streets as the two of them enjoyed the peaceful drive, both looking forward to the exciting new chapter that awaited us at Lucia Goods and, hopefully, to finding the perfect place we could finally call home.