"Mom, thank you so much for tonight, I feel like it's my birthday... it's one of the happiest day of my life. I love you mom! And I only want them also on my birthday, mom." Ingrid cupped her child's face and kissed both on his cheeks. Her heart swells in happiness, too, knowing that her son is happy.

"Sure, let's invite them on your birthday. I love you more, son. Let's eat." They all looked at them and the couples were also smiling looking at them.

The dinner went smoothly and all of them ate their fill and was full. They enjoyed the wine the Briggs brought, while Clark was served with milk. Lance kept gazing at Ingrid and tried to have one on one conversation with her, but oftentimes he would be interrupted by Cliff. He would always barge in to their conversation without even being solicited any ideas from.

The night pa.s.ses so fast that they never noticed that it's already late at night and Clark doze off. He climbed to his mother's embrace and fell asleep. The Briggs then bid farewell to the Howards and went their way.

But before they go, the Briggs couple kissed the child on the cheek while Clifford cupped the boy's face and stopped himself to kiss also the boy on his cheek.

...

Days pa.s.sed before Ingrid's injury totally healed. Her parents were the ones who take care of her while she still can't walk. But despite that, she still spends time with them by touring them around the city. Lance also accompanied them and volunteered to a.s.sist her on their tour.

In one of their tours, Lance invited her for a dinner for two.

"Ingrid, I know it may sound absurd, but can I invite you over a dinner tonight? I mean, it's a date. It's just the two of us." Lance gathered all his confidence just to invite her for a dinner. He knew that he could be rejected especially in her situation now that she can't fully walk.

"It will be fancy dinner, you wearing a beautiful dress..." Ingrid thought about it for a while and listened to him. "..because I have something to tell you..." he finally said.

"Hmm, you can tell me now so that you will not go all the trouble preparing something nice or whatever..." Ingrid suggested practically.

"Uhm, since that we'll leave the day after and we will never know when we will see each other again. So, I want to leave a lasting impression to you. And besides, what I will tell you is befitting only for a lovely dinner." Lance has already predicted that Ingrid would make subtle excuses to reject his invitation.

"hmm, okay..." Ingrid decided as if she is meeting with a client. What's more she's been looking hanging out with someone for the past days but Liane is not around. So she decided to grab this opportunity.

'Yes!' inwardly Lance jumped up and down because of victory but his outward seems calm and composed.

"Thank you so much."

...

"How was it, Lance, did she consented for the dinner date?" John Howard inquired.

"Yes, uncle John, after convincing her, she accepted my invitation. I was almost rejected at first, though."

"That's good, that's good! Remember, it's all up to your performance alone and not me backing you up. I don't want to lose my precious daughter again, Lance. Is that clear?"

"Very clear, sir." Lance is celebrating inside. Because he knew that he has her father's support.

"I could not guarantee you that she will marry you in the end. Especially now..." John Howard looked away and he saw his wife coming.

Then Rose went to her husband's side.

"What are you two talking about?"

"It's Ingrid. He has already invited Ingrid for a dinner tonight and our daughter agreed."

"Oh my! Really, Lance? That's good. Hope that she will reciprocate positively to you." Rose eyes lit up with excitement. "...but how about Clifford? Isn't he something that we should talk about to, too?" she looked at her husband inquiringly.