CHAPTER 19 — a conversation with the father-in-law
Looking at Rob, who was staring at him as if he wanted to rip his skin off, Dante sighed in defeat. The tension around them was thick enough to cut with a knife. After all, what could he really do in a situation like this? The father already didn't like his daughter's boyfriend because he thought the guy was "taking" his daughter away… now imagine the rage of a father finding out that the same man was dating both of his daughters. It was the kind of thing most people would only see in a chaotic comedy movie, but here it was happening right in front of him.
Jasmine said, looking at her father with a firm yet nervous expression: — Dad, you don't need to worry. Amber and I are with him because we want to.
Amber confirmed immediately, stepping closer to her sister: — Yes.
Lenny, Kurt and Marcus whispered in the back, half-amused and half-concerned as they watched Rob's face turn red: — Poor Rob… had both daughters taken at the same time…
Seeing that Jasmine and Amber were still arguing with their father and the atmosphere was getting more heated by the second, Dante sighed, stepped forward, and gently touched Rob's arm, calling him to talk outside. He didn't raise his voice and didn't force anything — it was the calmness that convinced Rob more than the words.
Rob and Dante left the house, walking out the back door into the fresh air near the trees that surrounded the lake house. Jasmine and Amber watched the door with anxious eyes, clearly afraid something bad would happen. Sera looked at them and said with confidence: — Don't worry, they're just going to talk man to man.
Outside, Dante found a wooden bench under the shade of an old tree. He sat down slowly, waiting for Rob to sit too. When the father finally sat, stiff and tense, Dante looked at him and said: — I know you're mad at me. After all, no father likes his daughter's boyfriend when he's only dating one of them… especially in my case, since I'm dating both.
Rob replied angrily, crossing his arms: — Good thing you know.
Dante didn't flinch. Instead, he breathed deeply, kept his calm tone, and continued: — You lost a lot of time in their lives.
Rob stayed silent after hearing that, the words hitting him harder than he expected. His fingers curled into fists on his knees, but he didn't interrupt. There was truth in Dante's voice — a truth he didn't like facing.
Dante continued, leaning forward slightly: — And now, as a father who wasn't there for several important moments in their lives, are you going to demand that they break up with the guy both of them love? Love so much they don't even mind sharing with their sister? If you keep acting like this, you'll only push them away even more. After all, your father-daughter relationship with them isn't very good, right? Acting like this will only make it worse. And if you really want to see your grandkids and spend Christmas and holidays with them, you need to take a step back.
Rob sighed deeply, the weight of reality catching up to him: — I get it… but I still don't like you. And I still feel like punching you.
Dante gave a tired, defeated smile: — Well… even if I let you, you'd break your hand punching me because of my muscle density. I have much higher muscle density than a normal person, so if you punch me, you're definitely going to break your hand. But… you can try.
Rob looked at Dante's arms and chest for a moment and sighed. He wasn't stupid — that kid was built like a damn tank. Hearing that, Rob gave up. His foot already wasn't in good condition, and if he broke his hand too, he'd be done for.
They returned to the lake house, the atmosphere slightly calmer now. The moment they entered, Rob looked at his daughters and said: — My loves, as a father I couldn't be present in many moments of your lives, because of my own mistakes. So… if this is what you want, I support you.
Jasmine and Amber immediately hugged him tightly: — Thank you, Dad.
But Rob wasn't done yet. He still tried his last card: — But will this relationship even work out? After all, he's still young, and to have a serious relationship you need money. Otherwise, how are you going to live together?
Lenny and the others whispered again, shaking their heads: — So that was the evil plan of the dwarf to separate the lovebirds…
Dante, hearing that while sitting at a table, said sleepily as he leaned his head against his hand: — You don't need to worry about that, father-in-law… I'm like… super rich.
Everyone froze. For a moment, even the birds outside seemed to stop singing. All eyes turned to Charlie. He sighed, lifted his hand, and nodded: — Well, he's always been mature since he was a kid, like I said. He wrote several successful books, like Harry Potter, and others. So when it comes to money, he really doesn't need to worry about anything.
Jasmine said, genuinely surprised, her eyes wide: — You mean our boyfriend is the author of Harry Potter? I love that movie!
Amber nodded quickly, also impressed.
Becky who had been sitting quietly next to her mother, tugged lightly on Dante's sleeve: — Brother, can you give me your autograph?
Dante laughed softly: — Of course, princess, as many as you want.
She smiled brightly like it was the best moment of her day.
Jasmine and Amber, now fully aware that their boyfriend could support them if needed, started asking where they were going to live, if it would be with him, how things would work. Dante simply told them to decide whether they wanted to buy an apartment just for themselves, giving them the freedom they deserved.
Lenny walked over to Rob and said with a smirk: — Well, little man… your plan ended up bringing them even closer and making them even crazier about him.
Marcus, eating scrambled eggs on the couch, added: — Don't feel bad… at least you made up with them.
After all the confusion, Dante was finally sitting on the living-room sofa with Jasmine and Amber, each one leaning on one of his arms as if they were two affectionate cats. They asked him all kinds of curious questions about his life while Marcus, Erik and Kurt watched in pure jealousy.
— I've never felt so jealous in my life… you guys feel the same? — Marcus muttered.
Kurt tried to console himself: — He's going to have to deal with two PMS…
Marcus groaned dramatically: — Where did the justice of the world go? Young, rich, handsome, kind, knows how to cook… and now has two girlfriends!?
The conversation was interrupted when Lenny appeared with his suitcase. Erik and Kurt said quickly: — You're already leaving, brother? Right now that things got interesting?
Lenny replied with a shrug: — Sorry, guys, but the time Roxane gave me is up.
But when Lenny was about to leave, Roxane entered the living room and said with a playful smile: — You know, Lenny… I forgot how to skip stones, so now we'll have to stay a few more days to learn.
Lenny's eyes lit up instantly: — Darling, what do you want to do today? Anything.
Roxane answered: — I don't know… tell me what you liked to do the most.
Lenny scratched his head: — I don't know… a water park?
Roxane smiled brightly: — Then what are we waiting for?
Lenny froze: — Roxane… seriously?
— Yes — she replied.
Erik immediately bolted to get ready: — Then what are we waiting for!?
Dante heard that and raised an eyebrow: — A water park…? I've never been to one.
Jasmine held his hand and said: — Then we're going to take you to have fun!
Amber teased: — Even if it's not as fun as yesterday.
Bella looked at her brother, wondering why she found it so hard to ask Eduard out… he could connect with anyone so easily, whether for friendship or dating.
Sera looked at Bella and said: — Come on, sweetheart. Let's put on a bikini.
At the water park, the moment they stepped inside and Dante saw the crowd, his whole body stiffened. There were kids running everywhere, people shouting, water splashing nonstop — pure chaos. Dante remembered something very important: he hated crowded places. That's why he had never gone to places like that. Looking into Bella's eyes, the two siblings immediately shared the same silent thought:
"Get me out of here, please…"
But Dante forced a smile and looked at Jasmine and Amber: — Well… let's buy swimwear, guys. We'll meet later.
Jasmine and Amber grabbed his right and left arms enthusiastically: — Goodbye, Dad! We're going to buy swimwear!
Charlie looked at Rob and said: — My friend… they've already done everything they possibly could and couldn't do. There's no point trying to control it anymore. Now all that's left is to trust them.
Rob grumbled: — Easy for you to say…
Lenny teased: — Bob, just accept that you might become a grandfather… or are you afraid the kids will be taller than you?
Kurt added: — Well, he can wear high heels… just like that time when we were younger.
Rob complained loudly: — That wasn't high heels! It was an orthopedic shoe!
Roxane, watching her husbands playfully argue, told the girls: — We're going to get some sun.
Diane me, girls, Mommy here wants some time to herself.
And then they all headed toward the chairs.