If it's fate

Part 29: catch up

My heart is beating so fast at this point. I'm not scared but I don't know why I'm so nervous.
"Ken, Sam... Mera sent a photo like long ago, Leo was drying a plate... there was a girl in the photo. I think it was Candy." Karl says.
They all stare at me. I feel like I'm going to explode.
"Wait... yeah it's her..." Samuel says.
My family is confused.
"What is going on, what do you mean?" My dad asks.
"What photo?" Marco asks.
Leo's dad takes out his phone and scrolls through his phone. He finds a photo and shows it to my dad. Ella and Marco look at the photo.
"Wait... you two, know each other?" Marco asks.
"More than that," Leo says.
I kick Leo underneath the table. My legs barely reached.
"Ouch," he says. "Let's tell them!" He says.
I look at him for a while.
"Tell us what." My dad says.
"Actually... my girlfriend is Candy," Leo says.
Everyone freezes.
"Dad, don't be mad, I would've told you, but.." I say.
My dad doesn't say anything.
"No way," Leo's dad and my dad both say. They look at each other smiling.
"Henry, remember in our teen years. We said we should make our kids marry each other."
"And I said, if it's fate," my dad says smiling.

"Woah, so Leo, what do you find in my sister," Marco asks.
"Is that a good question or are you insulting me," I say looking at Marco.
"She's her," Leo says.
(A phone rings)
I look around to see who's phone it is.
"Hello, Kendrick Emerald Speaking... alright... I'll be there..."
(Hangs up)
"I'll have to excuse myself. Work is calling." Kendrick says getting up. "Pleasure to meet you all, have a great night," he finally says departing.
"It's already very late, he works this late?" Marco asks.
"Yeah, he doesn't have to but he wants to. He's a workaholic." Leo's dad says.
"Can I ask what you do?" Marco asks Leo's dad.

"They have a well-known academy for officers or such. It's said that officers and such that come from this academy are the best of the best. They are also well-known businessmen. Make records everywhere." My dad says.
"Henry, thank you, you compliment us too much already. You are highly successful also. A well-known and famous architect. Famous for creating many buildings now. Your works are always masterpieces ." Leo's dad says.
"Thank you, Karl, but I try my best." My dad then says.

The food comes and we eat. They totally forgot about me and Leo. Good thing. I thought my dad was going to explode and go crazy. Good thing that he knows Leo's family.
"When should we set the wedding date?" Karl asks.
"Should we do it before, her stomach gets any bigger," Samuel suggests.
"Next week..." my dad suggests.
"Dad isn't that too soon, my wedding took months of preparation," Marco says.
"It's fine... we will have lots of help," my dad says.
"How about 2 weeks?" Karl says.
"I think that will be enough time." My dad says.
"Yeah, why need so much time, just have a small wedding..." Karl says.
"Right, in our times, we just signed papers and did something simple." My dad says.
Karl and my dad talk like it's their wedding. They don't ask for Samuel or Ella's opinion. We all listen to them.
"Okay, 2 weeks from tomorrow," my dad says.
"Okay," (they shake hands)
"We are going to be in-laws," Karl says.
"In-laws," my dad says happily.

(Later, Still eating)
"Karl, it's been so long, how many kids do you have?" My dad asks.
"I have three. Leo, William, he's 16 and Stephanie, she's three." Leo's dad says.
"Ohh, there's a big gap between your second and third," my dad says.
"Yes, I remarried." Leo's dad says.
"How long ago?"
"Five years ago... we didn't have a wedding just signed some documents. It's been a long time, Henry. It's good we can catch up." Karl says.

"Guess who I married?" My dad says.
"Susan? Bethany? Wait, Catherine? Catherine right!"
"Did you know my mom?" Ella asks.
"Yes, we all went to the same high school, she was a year older, but all the boys liked her."
"Did you like her?" Marco asks.
"Of course, but I knew Henry liked her, so I gave up on her," Karl says.
"Who's Susan, Bethany... is there more?" I ask.
"Yes, many more," Karl says grinning.
"Dad, were you a player?" I ask.
"Nooo, it was more of Karl, all the girls liked him."
"Henry, we are the same," Karl says. Karl and my dad started laughing.
I look at Leo, he's smiling. "I wonder where he gets his genes from." I thought.
Samuel and Ella get up.
"We are going to talk outside," Samuel says. They walk out.
"Oh right, you're in the army Marco?" Leo asks Marco.
"Yes I am, I'm currently on a break, I have to go back in the winter," Marco says.

"Impressive, you are young and amazing, look at those muscles," Karl says.
"Thank you, I try my best," Marco says.

"How about Leo, what does he do?" My dad asks. 
"He's still new, so he's just a sergeant. He's got a long way to go..." Karl says.
Samuel and Ella come back into the room.
They sit down and we keep eating and talking.
My dad and Karl speak the whole time. We all just listen and speak here and there.