Daniel Crusher had been a widower for five years. His wife had died of a heart condition shortly after giving birth to their young son. She left him alone with 3 children and a deep sadness.
He had no intention of remarrying, although he was one of the most eligible bachelors and was known to have a few passing relationships. He could raise his children alone, or so he thought.
Then suddenly his younger brother arrived to put him between a rock and a hard place with a totally unthinkable proposal. When he found out why, he exploded in fury.
- How can you be so irresponsible!
But Daniel couldn't leave his brother and Laura to their fate. Much less abandon the little one on the way. Inside the ice shell he had created for himself there was still a man with a warm heart.
- Who is she? - he had asked him.
And again he'd screamed his head off when Harry had told him about Deanna.
-But if she's going to university with you that means... she's your age? -
-Yes, she's 25, like Laura and I...
-Harry, are you insane? It's 15 years difference -
- She's the only one who can accept this, Daniel, I don't know anyone else who would agree to do this...
Not only did he have to marry a woman he didn't know, but she was 15 years younger than him. A college girl he'd never seen before in his life. This would turn out to be a disaster.
-Mum's going to have a heart attack, you know that.
-You can handle her, you've always asserted yourself when you want something, even if our parents are against it.
-This is different, Harry. Do you think they'd accept me suddenly marrying a younger woman, who no one knows and who's studying with you? -
-At least you can tell them that I introduced them to you-
Daniel wouldn't have too much trouble imposing his will, but the story had to be believable. She was a very young woman and that wasn't his style.
He had only dated two women, officially, in all those years and only at the insistence of his mother who wanted her grandchildren to have a mother figure. One of them had had no problem with him having three children, but Daniel didn't like it. The other didn't like it either, but she made it easy for him because she had no intention of becoming anyone's mother.
-I have to at least meet her, have you talked to her yet? -
-Not yet, I'll do it this afternoon. I'm sure she will help us. Thank you, brother, thank you.
-You'd better become an exemplary father and start settling down.
-Of course I will. Laura and our baby deserve nothing but the best.
-I'm glad to hear that.
For him and his late wife things had been very different. Although they had married when they were still young, like Harry and Laura, Daniel had already finished school and started working in the family business.
From an early age he was very responsible and diligent, while other children his age were playing sports or games, he was learning languages. While his classmates were travelling around the world, he was taking mathematics and statistics classes. He had a very strong discipline for such a young boy.
He always behaved like a gentleman, was austere and conservative and followed the family rules to the letter. Thanks to that his parents rarely forbade him anything and he was able to marry his teenage sweetheart at an early age.
They were a happy family, his wife balancing Daniel's somewhat cold and strict character. They were a perfect match, a lovely couple. Then came the children and with them more happiness. That's why when Emily died their whole world fell apart.
Daniel had no choice but to devote himself to his three children and his work, he couldn't fall apart. He was now the only pillar left standing.
His sister helped him the first year with the children. But as in everything else in his life, Daniel proved himself capable of being a good single father. Perhaps a little strict and inflexible in some ways, but very loving.
-I'll let you know as soon as I talk to Deanna.
- Why are you so sure she'll accept? -
- Because she's Deanna...
- What does that mean? -
- That she's like that, she doesn't hesitate to support you or be there for you when you need her. She's a great friend.
-I see... -
- Just... Do you think you could be less you? -
- What are you talking about? -
- You know, less... cold and serious. She's a great woman, Daniel, but you're gonna scare her off with your expressions...
- That's ridiculous, Harry.
Actually, he was quite the gentleman, but he had a tendency to be a bit... rude at times, without realising it. It was just the way he was. He'd been given a nickname that no one dared say in his presence: 'Iceface Crusher'. And he had a reputation in the business for being ruthless and righteous.
This had to work no matter what, they were running short of time. Harry arranged for the four of them to meet at his flat to work out the details and come up with a plausible story. Now that his friend was also on board, if he crossed his fingers and had a lot of faith, they still had a chance.
- Does she know about the children? -
- Yes, I mentioned them to her more than once... I think so. Anyway, you won't have a problem with that -
- We'll have to make rules about the children as well -
None of them had any idea what their little 'play' would entail, or how it would affect the lives of 'Mighty Dean' and 'Iceface'. But the wheels were already in motion, the trickiest part would be getting both parents to accept the new daughter-in-law without much questioning.
Deanna prepared that night as best she could. She wore a black dress and low, but somewhat elegant shoes. She didn't have a lot of clothes that would make a good impression, but she had to at least try to make Daniel like her. She was a little nervous, but she pulled out all her optimism and left for Harry's flat.
For his part, Daniel also chose to wear something not too smart, a little conservative, but not too revealing of his age. Unconsciously, he was trying to adjust to his new 'partner'. He felt a little... squeezed by the fact that she was so young; maybe she would see him as an old man and wouldn't want to go on.
What had Harry meant by being less himself? He didn't see anything wrong with the way he was. He was a successful man with well-educated children and well respected in his social circle. His image was neat, serious and admired by many. He had a good position and was an excellent match for any woman. Harry was very wrong... wasn't he?
Before leaving, he passed by little Jonathan's room, who was already asleep. He picked up some toys that were on the floor and stared at him for a few minutes. He thought that Harry's son or daughter would have both parents together, Jonathan had already forgotten his mother's face and could barely communicate with him. He didn't know what else to do for his son.