The Acceptance

There was a brief silence after Tony’s response to the question of his wife’s death. It made the atmosphere in the living room a bit gloomy.

“We also know that you have children,” said Laura, steering the conversation away from its depressing detour.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Tony said without missing a beat. “I have a daughter, who is around Kate’s age, and a son who is two years younger.”

“Do you still want to marry my daughter?” John asked him point blank.

“If you would let me, yes,” Tony responded without hesitation.

“Why would you want to marry a girl who is the same age as your daughter?” John inquired almost angrily.

“First of all, Mr Harrison, your daughter is not a girl,” Tony began in a level tone. “Your daughter is a young woman who has found herself in a sticky situation which has indirectly affected you and your wife. I grew up in a small town too, so I understand how little things can get blown out of proportion until life becomes unbearable for everyone involved.

“I am aware that your position at the church might be jeopardized if your daughter’s situation is publicized. I also understand that once that happens, it would be impossible for any of you to live a normal life here afterward.”

“Are you saying that you only want to marry Kate just to save us?” Laura asked dubiously.

“To be honest, I wasn’t thinking when I offered to marry her,” Tony confessed. “It just seemed like the best solution at that moment.”

“And it isn’t anymore?” Laura asked cautiously.

Tony looked at Kate and said, “I could give her some money to go somewhere else to start a new life there and have her baby in peace. But a solution that indirectly makes her an outcast from her community and family, isn’t a real solution, is it?”

Kate returned Tony’s gaze unblinkingly. She knew that he was giving her a second option because he knew that the idea of marrying him didn’t sit well with her.

Still, Kate couldn’t deny that Tony had made a valid point. If he gave her money to get out here and start her life elsewhere, she couldn’t show her face in Sommerville with a baby bump without raising the same questions that she and her family didn’t want to answer. That would defeat the whole purpose of leaving in the first place.

Most importantly, Kate didn’t want to live in hiding like a fugitive.

“What’s in it for you?” Kate asked Tony boldly. “You can’t simply just want to marry me to save me. What do you want in return?”

“The chance to have a real family again,” Tony answered frankly.

“What do you mean?” Kate asked him.

“I wasn’t the best husband or father in my younger years,” Tony confessed. “I was too busy building my empire and expanding my wealth until I was sure that I had more than enough. But when I reached that point, my children had grown and I had missed out on those formative years of their lives. When I was finally ready to be an attentive husband to my wife, she died.”

“Oh, boy,” John muttered and Laura sighed sympathetically.

As for Kate, she didn’t know how to react. It seemed as if Tony’s motive for wanting to marry her was genuine and not predatory or entirely selfish.

Tony continued to address Kate, “If by your parents’ approval, you agree to marry me, I promise to be a good husband to you and a loving father to the baby. I know this might sound ridiculous, but I feel this is God’s way of giving me a second chance to correct the mistakes I made in the past.”

The last part of Tony’s speech caught John’s attention. As a man of faith, he liked how Tony inferred that the present situation might have a divine undertone to it.

“Well, Mr DaCosta. I must say that I find your honesty quite refreshing,” said John. “But I cannot hide my reservations concerning the age difference between you two. It’s a bit unsettling for me.”

Tony nodded his head slowly and said, “I understand what you mean, Mr Harrison. I would probably feel the same way if the roles were reversed.”

“So, what now?” Laura asked hopefully with her eyes on Tony.

Tony looked at John, waiting for his response. John looked at Kate, waiting for her to say something. She didn’t.

John slowly rose to his feet, pulling Laura up with him, and he said, “We are going to excuse the both of you now so that you can talk and arrive at a decision. Kate, sweetheart. I want you to know that I'll support you no matter what you decide."

"Thanks, Daddy," Kate said softly, feeling comforted by her father’s reassurance.

Laura didn’t say anything but Kate could see the silent plea in her mother’s eyes as she followed her husband out of the living room.

When they were finally alone, Tony looked at Kate and smiled warmly at her.

“It would be nice for me to live the rest of my life with you beside me,” Tony said tenderly. “But it would be nicer if you’re truly happy, even if that happiness means you refuse to marry me.”

“You don’t even know me. What does it matter to you if I’m happy or not?” Kate asked him in annoyance.

“Because something as precious as growing a life inside of you shouldn’t be a source of misery,” Tony explained softly. “This should be a season of joy for you and your entire family, but instead, we are here trying to do some damage control because of a townful of ignorant people.”

Kate chuckled before she could stop herself. Tony was right. The vast majority of Sommerville’s population was downright ignorant.

There was nothing left to say. Kate’s mind was made up. She sat up straighter in her chair and adjusted her shapeless dress around her knees.

“I believe you have a question to ask me,” she said with a straight face.

Tony looked relieved. He got up from his seat and approached Kate. When he got in front of her, he lowered himself to one knee and extended his right hand to her, as if he was making a request.

“Will you marry me, Kate Harrison?” He asked with a hopeful smile on his face.

Kate placed her left hand in Tony’s extended hand and said, “Yes, Anthony DaCosta. I will

marry you.”