Chapter 4

Richard sat nervously in the elegant living room of his penthouse, waiting for his teenage children, Isabella and Lucas, to join him. It had been several months since he had proposed to Evelyn, and he knew it was time to share the news with his kids. He loved them dearly and wanted to ensure they felt comfortable and supported during this significant life change.

As the siblings walked into the room, Richard smiled warmly at them. Isabella, the older of the two, had her mother's bright blue eyes and a warm, compassionate spirit. Lucas, on the other hand, took after his father with his dark hair and a curious mind that was always seeking knowledge. They were his pride and joy, and he wanted them to be happy for him.

"Dad, you said you wanted to talk to us about something important?" Isabella asked, her gaze curious and attentive.

Richard took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. "Yes, Isabella, Lucas, there's something I need to share with you both. You know how much I love you, and you are the most important people in my life."

Both teenagers nodded, sensing the seriousness in their father's tone. "Of course, Dad," Lucas replied, exchanging a glance with his sister.

"Well, you see," Richard continued, "I've met someone who has become very special to me. Her name is Evelyn, and she's an incredible person. We've been spending a lot of time together, and I've realised that I want to spend the rest of my life with her."

Isabella’s eyes widened with surprise, but she managed a smile. "That's wonderful, Dad! We're happy for you."

Lucas, always the one to ask questions, spoke up, "How did you meet her, Dad? And what does she do?"

Richard chuckled, appreciating his son's curiosity. "I met Evelyn at a charity event. She's a talented chef and works at one of the finest restaurants in the city. She's also passionate about positively impacting the world, just like we are."

As Richard shared more about Evelyn and their relationship, he noticed that Isabella’s initial surprise had turned into genuine happiness for him. Lucas, too, seemed to warm up to the idea, intrigued by his father's new love interest.

"Is she nice, Dad?" Lucas asked, his voice tinged with earnestness.

Richard nodded, a soft smile on his face. "Yes, Lucas, she's very kind and caring. You'll like her, I'm sure."

Isabella chimed in, "When can we meet her, Dad?"

Richard hesitated slightly, feeling responsible for handling this moment with care. "I was actually thinking about introducing her to you both soon. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable with the idea first."

Isabella nodded, understanding her father's concern. "That sounds fair, Dad. We trust you, and we're willing to give her a chance."

Lucas added, "Yeah, we just want you to be happy, Dad."

Touched by his children's maturity and openness, Richard hugged them both tightly. "Thank you both. Your happiness means the world to me, and I promise to make sure you're comfortable with everything as we move forward."

As the days passed, Richard spent more time with Evelyn, growing more convinced that she was the woman he wanted to marry. He felt a sense of contentment he hadn't known in years, and he was eager to share his happiness with his children.

Finally, the day arrived when he felt it was the right time to introduce Evelyn to Isabella and Lucas. They agreed to meet at a casual restaurant, wanting to keep the atmosphere relaxed and easy-going for the kids' sake.

As the four of them sat at the table, Richard couldn't help but notice the nervousness in Isabella and Lucas’s expressions. He reached for Evelyn's hand, seeking comfort in her presence. She smiled warmly at him, reassuring him that everything would be alright.

"Isabella, Lucas, I'd like you to meet Evelyn," Richard said, introducing them to his fiancée. "Evelyn, these are my wonderful kids, Isabella and Lucas."

Isabella extended her hand, offering a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Evelyn."

Lucas nodded, a hint of shyness in his demeanour. "Yeah, hi."

Evelyn returned their greetings with genuine warmth. "It's lovely to meet both of you. Your dad has told me so much about you."

Throughout the meal, they engaged in light conversation, getting to know each other better. Evelyn spoke about her passion for cooking and her dedication to charitable causes, which seemed to resonate with Isabella’s love for volunteering at a local animal shelter. Lucas, meanwhile, shared his fascination with technology and his dreams of becoming a software engineer.

As they parted ways that evening, Isabella and Lucas seemed more at ease with Evelyn. Richard felt a sense of relief, hoping that their growing bond would lead to acceptance and happiness for all of them.

Over the next few weeks, Evelyn spent time with Isabella and Lucas, finding opportunities to bond with them over shared interests. She supported Isabella in her volunteer work and even taught Lucas some basic cooking skills, which he found surprisingly enjoyable.

As their relationship deepened, Richard noticed that Isabella and Lucas were becoming more open to the idea of their father's engagement. He felt a renewed sense of hope, knowing that he was building a family with Evelyn that was founded on love and understanding.

One evening, after a fun day of outdoor activities with Isabella and Lucas, Richard and Evelyn sat on the penthouse terrace, gazing at the city lights below.

"I'm glad they seem to be warming up to you," Richard said, a touch of vulnerability in his voice. "They mean everything to me, and I want them to be happy about our engagement."

Evelyn placed her hand on his, offering reassurance. "It takes time, Richard. They've been through a lot, and it's only natural for them to be cautious. But I can see that they care about you deeply, and they want to see you happy."

"I know," Richard replied, looking into her eyes with gratitude. "And I want them to be happy too. I want us to be a family."

Evelyn smiled, her love for him shining through. "We will be, Richard. We'll take it one step at a time, and I promise to support you and your children in any way I can."

As they held each other close, Richard felt a sense of excitement and trepidation about what the future held. He knew that building a family would require patience, understanding, and love. And as he looked at the woman by his side, he knew he had found a partner who was willing to navigate the journey with him.