The life of adults

Eva was surprised to say the least by Charlie's sudden kiss but she too had been waiting for that moment for a long time. She could confidently say that the moment had exceeded her expectations and fantasies. Even now she could clearly remember that moment, the sensation she had felt and her following shyness. They had already been dating for over four years and he had kept the promise of making it a memory she could never forget. Though they had shared plenty more kisses since that day, she could replay that first one so vividly, as if it had taken place just yesterday. But now was not the moment for her to let her thoughts wander as this was the moment where they would decide if she would not only have her first kiss with Charlie but also her last. So, today was an exciting day for them as a couple and as a person as she and Charlie had called the parents together to discuss an important matter.

Charlie had skipped many years of his education due to his gift. Though the school for the gifted had managed to make it less years than he would have skipped if he had gone to a 'regular' school, he had still finished a double major and minor at the age of twenty. Not just any major and minor but medicine and business school. Wanting to follow in the footsteps of his most beloved mother but wanting to participate in the family business as well, he chose the two studies that would allow him to enter both worlds. He had arranged matters so that he would be able to work three days a week in the hospital and two days at Westwood International HQ. Having found a perfect balance in his work life, he wanted to carry that balance over to his private life as well and that is where todays meeting came in.

With Jason and Jenny having had Charlie at an early age and Stephen and Susan having had Jason early as well, the matter of handing over the company was still something that was far into the future. With the way things were looking right now, the position of CEO would probably fall into the hands of his children or the children of one of his siblings instead of their own. For now at least Daniel had true interest and knack for the family business. He had taken over at Healer TE and the CEO there had moved up to Westwood International HQ in a position closer to Jason. So, Charlie could put his primary focus on practicing medicine without feeling guilty about not participating too much in the family business. A career that would be starting in two short months, after which he would start at the same hospital where Jenny was working. Curing and treating patients side by side with his mother.

Since Charlie would be entering the life of adults, he wanted to try and live on his own and he wanted to take Eva with him. But he knew that in order to have someone's underage daughter move in with him, he would need to prove that he was serious about her. So, today he had taken Eva with him to see both of their parents in order to ask for their blessing and their permission to get engaged. He had loved Eva for almost ten years and had been together with her for four. He was convinced that she was the girl for him and since their own parents had gotten engaged around the same age as the two of them, he didn't see any reason for them to not make things clear in the same way nor a reason for their parents to object.

And indeed, other than being taken off guard by the question, both sides were overjoyed in hearing that Eva and Charlie wanted to make their relationship official, official. They had seen their romance play out over the years and had been wondering if after three generations the promise to unite both families through marriage would finally be fulfilled. They didn't want to put any pressure on the two of them, so they silently watched and let things run their course whichever way they may go. But this was the best outcome they could have hoped for and neither party could think of a better person for their son or daughter.

After giving their blessings, the young couple headed outside to go on a date and leave the parents to discuss matters further. However, both Charlie's and Eva's parents were at a loss for words as they were still trying to comprehend what had taken place. All four of them were happy that their child had found a good person to love. They had known the person their child had chosen since the day they were born and knew their parents long before that. Becoming family with your best friends is something no one could object to but they did feel a bit of sadness on this joyous day.

Both of them had already gone through one child moving out and they knew that going through it a second time wouldn't be any easier and they would miss having their son or daughter around. Especially in the case of Elizabeth and Nick, who were one child away from becoming empty nesters. Sam had already moved out two years ago when he started college. He had moved in with Fiona and they were certain that their marriage wouldn't be too far off either. Meaning that they only had Anna left before all their children were grown and out of the house. But, if this was what she wanted, then they wouldn't be the one to stand in her way and Jenny and Jason though the same way when it came to Charlie moving out.