The Family Meeting

Rose glanced nervously at Jude before the two of them got down the Maybach. Jude turned to her, helped her to unbuckle and leaned into her, kissed her briefly.

"Are you nervous?"

"Hell yeah. Of course I'm nervous! You have not even propose me!" Rose blurted out without thinking too much as she was too consumed with nervousness. Jude chuckled merrily. He really didn't think her soon-to-be fiancée would react that way. And in a cute way. He pinched her cheek.

"I will, soon!" Rose was speechless. Goodness! What had came over her a few seconds ago? Her cheeks reluctantly turned crimson. Jude had stepped out of the car and walked to the other side and opened the door for Rose.

"Come, they are waiting for us." He gestured in a gentleman way. Rose drew a very long…long breath and slowly placed her hand on top his as she let him lead their way to the entrance of Imperial Hotel. Once they were entered the lobby, a waiter brought them directly to the Imperial Banquet Room 5 where their family members were awaiting for them.

With a hand on her waist while another one in his suit pants, Jude drew Rose closer to his side in an intimate way. The smiles were plastered on their face as they strode together into the room. The scene indeed beautiful and drew the attention of those who were presented.

"There they are!" Mr Townshend exclaimed excitedly. He turned to Mr Smith, a broad grin plastered on his face and started to brag to him, "They sure look a match from a heaven! Look, my son is handsome and definitely is a perfect gene for you Smith." Mr Smith practically rolled his eyes upon listening to the way his old pal bragged about his son ever since they arrived.

"I know… I know… You don't have to keep on bragging." Mr Smith muttered. Mr Townshend laughed looking at the way his old pal react. The two madams were both speechless looking at the way the men reacted at first. It was only then Mrs Smith chuckled while Mrs Townshend smiling and shook her slightly.

"Good evening, mom, dad, uncle and auntie." Jude greeted each of them politely while bowed his head slightly, showing the filial side of his. Rose followed suit and greeted them and smiled. Jude swiftly pulled a chair for her next to Mrs Smith and took his seat next to her. Four elders looked at the two of them that made Rose to blush. Underneath the table, Jude gentle squeezed her hands as if to channel his warmth to her so that she will not becoming nervous. Rose glanced at her and smiled gratefully. The way she smiled indeed made him to feel extra warmth flooding into his heart and soul.

Then the family banquet began and they had actually talked about a lot of memories. Jude and Rose were both stunned upon hearing their talks. So their parents were actually friends? Mr Townshend and Mr Smith both served the same platoon back then. It was then Rose recalled how her dad had casually called Jude as a 'Townshend punk' when she was expressing her intention to call off her engagement with Devon. So, there's another layer that she never knew before.

"Do you still remember back then when we talked about if fate have it that our children will tie to each other?" Mr Townshend asked. Mr Smith had a smile on and nodded his head slightly before answering him, "Of course I do."

"It is indeed a fate that the two children getting to know each other and falling in love," Mrs Townshend chimed in.

"Ah… indeed a fate. But I think we should ask them regarding their feelings towards each other." Mrs Smith voiced her opinion and glanced at Rose, while patting her arm gently. Rose bit her lip. Deep within she was having an unspeakable turmoil.

"Dad, mom, uncle and auntie. Rest assure, the two of us indeed love each other, right honey?" Jude turned to her all of sudden that she instinctively kicked him under the table. Uh… don't call me 'honey' just yet… She silently pleaded him. Jude's lip curved upward as he could perfectly understood the meaning behind her eyes. In the end, Rose relented and nodded her head in shy.

"See? My son indeed is a romantic man! He even started to call your daughter 'honey'. Youngsters nowadays indeed more romantic than us." Mr Townshend all smiling and of course, he was proud as he was able to brag about his own son to his old comrade. What made him even thrilled was that his son finally got himself a woman to settle down!

"Anyway, since we are all here, let us talk about their engagement and marriage." Mr Townshend said and looked serious. Mrs Townshend smiled encouragingly while Mr Smith was taken aback slightly and Mrs Smith raised her eyebrows. Both of them actually were surprised. Engagement and marriage? Both of them turned to the quiet Rose, eyed her with curiosity.

"Well… mom, dad. Jude and I had discussed about this and we are both really in love. We wish to settle down." She glanced at Jude briefly before looked at her parents. Mr Smith took a deep breath while Mrs Smith smiled encouragingly. She loved her daughter. She really wish the best for her. And she was the only left of her. So, she really wished to see her to live happily.

"Mom will always support you. No matter what. Even if someday the two of you go to your own way, remember that you still have your father and me." Mrs Smith uttered her words clearly. Rose was momentarily stunned. Jude cleared his throat.

"Auntie, I will look after her with all my heart and soul. Please rest assure about it." Jude held Rose's shoulder in a protective manner. Mrs Smith smiled. She knew how capable Jude was and she too, thought Jude would be the best choice for her darling girl. Mr Smith also smiled encouragingly at the two of them.

"Please help me to take care of her since you know what had happened to her before." That was all that he could tell him.

"I will uncle," Jude promised him with a big smile on his face. Rose's lips curved upward watching the way he responded. Deep in her heart, she could felt warmth and sincerity, but she thought to herself that she needed to guard her own heart. It was still early to judge. But since the things progressed towards this direction, she could only follow the flow.

"Sis, brother James, you don't have to worry. If my Jude dare to hurt Rose, I'll kill him myself. So, don't worry." Mrs Townshend promised them before she turned to lovebirds.

"So, Jude, Rose, have both of you think of the date for your engagement party?" Jude and Rose exchanged the glances with each other.

"We both would like to leave that to you to decide." Jude answered them truthfully. Rose pinched his thigh. He quickly caught her hand and held them tight. He smirked at the way Rose pouted her lip. If only the elders were not presented, he would kiss her right there and then.

"That will do too. Then let us old folks help you young people to find a suitable date." Mr Smith agreed readily.

"My... my... I am so happy tonight that my son has finally set his heart to marry and settle down. Not only that, he has his eyes on my best comrade's daughter! Here, cheers comrade!" Mr Townshend was totally elated at the way the fate had brought his son and his best pal's daughter together. While the party involved could only looked on and sighed inwardly. Fate... Fate...