Chapter 392 - Felix's father-in-law

Jeff is in JoAnna's room giving himself a pep talk in front of a mirror. "OK, Jeffrey... You can do this! He is just a man. Go and ask him what you need to ask and tell him what you have to say. When you hear his point, your brain will work brilliantly as usual and come up with a great response! And he will love you! And call you 'son'!"

...

Sophia got a message on her phone from Edward. "Dad wants to talk to Felix." Sophia mumbled, and sent a response that Felix will find him in few minutes.

JoAnna heard Sophia. "Dad had a talk with Jeff last night. Jeff was depressed after that, but he recovered quickly."

"Oh..." Sophia was rearranging her memories for few seconds. "Dad spoke with Felix when I told him that we are dating. And at work they interact without any issues. I wonder what this is about." Sophia got up to get a towel for Felix.

Felix got out of the pool right in front of Sophia. As soon as he stood in front of her, she wrapped towel around his back, while holding corners in her hands. Sophia admired his body while her eyes followed a drop of water which fell from his hair on his shoulder, rolled over his collarbone, down the chest and abdominal muscles before merging itself with lingering water low below his navel at the edge of his swimming trunks.

Felix didn't move. He smiled while Sophia enjoyed the view, confident in the effect of his body on her.

"If you move, I can get a nice view also!" JoAnna teased Sophia from the lounging chair.

"This is not for you!" Sophia wrapped towel around Felix. "Dad wants to talk to you."

…

Mr. Joe, the butler, led Felix into the study room where Edward waited for him.

"Mr. Hill..." Felix greeted him.

"I thought I told you to call me dad." Edward gestured to the chair across his desk.

Felix smiled and nodded while sitting in a chair.

Edward observed that Felix is tense. "No need to be nervous. I wanted us to chat in private, now that you are engaged to my angel, and are expecting a child. I would like to know about your plans, and if I can assist you in any way."

Felix relaxed a bit, but not completely. This is his Sophia's father, and he is not sure how to interact with him. He lost his father figure when he was young. "Mr. Hill... I mean, dad..." Felix corrected himself when he saw Edward frown. "We are looking to get a house. Something with more space and a backyard... We found one promising property in Seattle, and are considering making an offer..."

…

At the party, JoAnna and Sophia got Sarah's attention, and she swam close to them.

"Do you plan to get out of the water?" JoAnna was frustrated that Sarah only thinks about her fun, and not about the guests that filled up the playhouse and pool area.

"I don't want to." Sarah sulked. "Look how many people are here! I don't know half of them!"

"Sometimes we need to do what we don't feel like doing." Sophia reminded Sarah.

Sarah smirked. "That applies to you two who are all grown up and ready to get married. I'm not there yet. I want to be selfish and have fun!"

Aiden nudged her from behind. "But this is your birthday party. Let's get out of the water."

"It's my birthday party I didn't ask for!" Sarah threw piercing gazes at JoAnna and Sophia.

"But still… you got it. How about we go and give those Klark sisters a chance to show us why they got here." Aiden spoke in Sarah's ear.

Sarah softened up. "That got my interest. OK. Let's get out."

JoAnna and Sophia were impressed by Aiden's ability to coax Sarah.

Sarah got her hands on the edge of the pool and was out up to her waist when Aiden pulled her down in the water. "Let me get out first and bring you a towel."

JoAnna and Sophia laughed seeing that Aiden is not letting anyone see Sarah. She had a swimsuit cover over her bikini, but it was wet and stuck to her body completely.

When JoAnna and Sophia saw how outraged Sarah is while looking around at the females ogling at Aiden who was carrying towels, two of them laughed until their bellies ached.

…

Jeff finished with his pep talks, and other mental preparations and was heading to find Edward. He spotted Edward and Felix exit the study room. 'Ah! He got future-son-in-law talk as well!' Jeff was hopeful that Felix got his share of scolding. Jeff's mood got worse than earlier that morning when he heard them talking.

Edward patted Felix on the shoulder. "Don't forget, son, if you need assistance I'm here."

"Thanks, dad." Felix smiled.

"Go and find Sophia, I'm sure she is missing you." Edward smiled.

"Yes, dad. Thank you."

Felix walked away to the playhouse, and Edward was about to return to his study.

"Mr. Hill..." Jeff called him. "Can I have few minutes of your time?"

"Sure." Edward entered his study and left the door open, indicating for Jeff to follow him.

Jeff was reluctant to speak, but he was already there, and there are issues he needs to put in the open and clear them out. "Mr. Hill, I noticed that you are treating me and Felix differently. I want to know why."

"He gives me confidence that he will take good care of my angel." Edward didn't sugar coat his response.

Jeff was shocked by implication that he is not taking care of JoAnna and did his best not to show it. Still, he needed to confirm. "And I don't?"

"My previous answer answers this question as well."

Jeff's heart fell. "You don't think that I will take care of Anna... can I know why?"

"Felix showed that he will defend Sophia no matter who comes at her, even if he will suffer because of that."

"I defended JoAnna from her mentor." In Jeff's mind, as long as he shows that he is ready to defend JoAnna, he did his part. Right? How can her father say that he will not defend her?

Edward had a rough guess of Jeff's thoughts, and decided to explain. "Correct. But you did that for yourself. You see, Felix also became physical when a man was about to assault Sophia. He saved her, yes. But he did that for himself, to protect what he felt that belongs to him. That action had no negative effect on him. In the similar way you used your power to get Anna out of Dr. Light's reach. That action didn't have any negative consequences for you. That together with your reputation, is not giving me confidence that you will act to protect JoAnna in a situation where you might suffer."

For some time, Edward observed Jeff who was obviously at a loss. "Let me be honest... I don't have anything against you, but I don't favor you, either. You can say that I'm neutral. If my Anna wants to marry you, I will not stand in your way, but don't expect me to be thrilled about it."

"What made you accept Felix, if it's not a secret?"

"His mother does not approve of Sophia. He severed ties with her."

Jeff nodded. His mind was processing and organizing information he just heard, when Edward spoke again. "Since I choose to be honest, there is one more thing about you that is troubling me. I know that you had a previous marriage arrangement while you pursued JoAnna. It made me question your motive and your morale."

Jeff froze. 'It's not that it's not true... but how come he knows? Did JoAnna tell him?' Jeff shook that thought away.

The important thing is that he needs to prove that he will put JoAnna in front of his interests, and then Edward will accept him. He needs to do this for JoAnna. He knows how happy she is because there are no obstacles, and everyone supports them. Jeff will not allow Edward to think badly of him. "I want to make sure I understand this correctly. If I prove that JoAnna is my number one priority, above my own interests, you will accept me as your son-in-law?"

"Yes." Edward's response was straightforward.

Jeff was troubled. "What if that situation does not arise? Is there another way?"

Edward shook his head. "If you think that Anna will not be in a tight situation soon, then you don't know her very well. All three of my daughters tend to get into trouble easily."

Jeff stood up and nodded in understanding. "Thank you for your time."

Before Jeff moved, Edward asked. "Why is this so important to you?"

Jeff looked Edward in the eyes solemnly. "It's important to Anna."

Edward gave a small nod.

Jeff turned toward the door and left the study room, unaware that his last sentence earned him a spot in Edward's good book. Not enough to call him 'son', but enough for Edward to see that Jeff is willing to lower himself in an effort to make JoAnna happy.

Jeff went back to JoAnna's room. He didn't want to return to the party, not yet. He sat on the sofa and thought about his conversation with Edward. He clarified that he is not jealous of Felix because he is treated better. Jeff is upset at himself because he is not at that level. If Edward treated Felix in the same, distant way, Jeff would accept that as normal. But seeing how Edward treats Felix, showed him that something like that is a possibility. 'It's been such a long time since I've thought of myself as… lacking.'