The family gathered at the living room. All are sitting comfortably at the luxurious sofa which is made only for the comfort to the owner."Ingrid, dear, how"s your arm now?" it was Rose, Ingrid"s mother, who asked the moment they all sat. But her expression transcends more than that of concern but of anxiety and uneasiness, as if she wanted to ask more. Something unusual.
"I think it"s okay now, but I still need to have an extra care. Don"t worry mom, I have the best nurse in the world…" she looked at Clifford"s side and then squeezed his hand that is intertwined to hers.
But Rose is not convinced. She pursed her lips wanting to say something which did not slip to Ingrid"s watch and she knew her mother deeply if she has something else to say.
"Mom, do you have something else in mind?" Rose" eyes moved to John who"s just quiet in the corner.
Clint and Helen looked at each other as well, confused on Rose behavior.
"Go on, Rose.." Helen encourages.
"Uhmm… sorry to say this, but I think Clifford can"t attend to your needs as you thought, dear." Rose bravely said.
"Mother? What do you mean by that?" Clifford interjected.
"Son, I know how busy you are with your businesses and seeing my daughter"s situation now I think it"s wise enough that I should take good care of her. It"s been ages since the last time I took care of her and I misses doing it so…"
Rose eyes are lit up with yearning and affection which Ingrid missed half of her life. Part of her wanted to agree to her proposition but part of her says there"s more to her mother"s wishes.
"That would be great, mom, so does that mean you"ll stay here for awhile and dad would leave the country alone?" Ingrid smiled warmly at her mother but uncertainty flickered in Ingrid"s eyes.
Rose eyes wavered.
"Nope. We"ll leave together for Vienna until your injuries healed and by that time you can come back here in Diamond or until it"s already safe for you to live here again."
The room fell silent.
Clifford clenches his hands and is hurt by his mother-in-law"s words. He felt like he was incapable to protect his very own wife and son from harm and that it appeared to his mind that somehow, somewhere, Rose Howard blamed him on what happened to them. Although, he understands fully well that Ingrid"s mother needed a.s.surance from him and only wishes well for her precious daughter.
"Mother, I a.s.sure you, I can take care of your daughter. I will do the best I can to protect her and my son, Clark. I understand perfectly of your fears and that you only want to make Ingrid be safe of which that"s what I needed and intended to do. Just trust me with this one, please?"
Much pleading bore in Clifford"s voice which he never did in his entire life and his gaze pierced through the woman"s core. The thought of being away from his wife makes him out of breath.
"Please don"t take away my wife…"
"Mom… I think my husband is right, we barely married each other and we haven"t spent our time together properly as husband and wife when this happened. And we haven"t... uhm consummated our marriage." She shyly said the last sentence and they held their breath at what they"ve heard.
Then she continued, "Besides, I"ve been independent ever since so I can take care of myself and my family, Clifford won"t forsake me, I know how capable he is…"
Rose did no longer speak her mind. Clifford seized Rose fears. She was surprise how sharp Clifford can be because he caught her fright about Ingrid and for partly blaming him for the mishap that had happened to her daughter.
"Ahh, Rose…" Clint b.u.t.t in. "…I would agree to what our children had said, not because Clifford is my son, but then they"re still starting anew, let"s give them a chance to prove themselves and if they fail, that"s the time that we should step in… to help them, to guide them..."
Then John Howard cleared this throat. "Rose, just let them be. As much as I want also to bring my daughter back, but she"s already married now. There"s nothing we can do about it. But promise me young man that this incident won"t happen again because if it does, I will no longer ask you or my daughter"s permission to take her and Clark to Vienna."
"Certainly, sir. You have my word." Clifford vowed sincerely.
"Grandpa, my birthday will be next month, can I go to Vienna then?" Clark suddenly speaks up.
All of their gazes fell to the child who sat between Clifford and Ingrid.
"Oh yeah, right... how could I forget?" Ingrid blurted out. "...do you like to celebrate your birthday in Vienna?"
The child"s eyes lit up. "Yeah!! That"s awesome mommy and we"ll bring Tristan, too..."
"Of course, son, whatever you desire..." Clifford then ruffled the child"s hair.
"How about we open the resort in the same day of Clark"s birthday celebration?"