The cemetery was quiet all around.
Deanna brought Lance and the two little ones to her mother's tombstone.
"Mom, Gregory, Chloe, and I have come to see you."
As she spoke, she wiped the dust off her mother's tombstone.
After finishing, she introduced Lance. "Mom, this is Gregory and Chloe's biological father. We plan to get engaged soon, so we came to tell you."
"Hello, Olivia. My name is Lance. I am Deanna's fiancé. I will take good care of her and the children."
Lance stood solemnly in front of Olivia's tombstone and made his promise.
After he finished speaking, the two little ones obediently stepped forward to call their grandmother.
Later, after paying their respects, they gathered their things and descended the hill.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Mercer family mansion.
Samantha and Logan heard the commotion from the courtyard and knew their son had returned. They happily got up to greet them.
As soon as they stepped out of the entrance, they saw the two little ones getting out of the car, their faces lighting up with bright smiles.
"Gregory, Chloe, you finally came. Let me hug you."
Samantha opened her arms and ran towards the two little ones.
Logan followed closely behind, not wanting to be left out.
After some greetings, they all sat on the living room sofa.
Samantha started the conversation with a smile at Deanna. "Lance should have told you the purpose of today's visit?"
"He did. What are your thoughts on this matter?" Deanna nodded and asked in return.
Samantha didn't beat around the bush. "That is a big deal and a joyous occasion. Lance's father and Old Mercer all agree to have a grand celebration. Firstly, to publicly acknowledge Gregory and Chloe's identities, and secondly, to warn certain people."
Hearing this, Deanna understood that the couple knew about what happened at the banquet that night.
Seeing their protection of her children, she naturally wouldn't refuse.
"I have no objections."
Deanna smiled, expressing her stance.
Seeing this, Samantha widened her smile. "Since you have no objections, let's discuss some specific details."
She signaled a servant to bring a calendar and placed it in front of Deanna with a smile. "We've marked some good days here, but haven't decided yet. Take a look and choose a day for the banquet."
Deanna picked up the calendar to check.
The Mercer family had chosen many good days, ranging from next month to summer of the following year.
Deanna looked through it but couldn't decide on a date.
Having never done this before, she put down the calendar and looked at Logan and Samantha. "Do you have any preferred dates?"
"We do have two preferred dates: the fifteenth and twenty-eighth of next month," Samantha replied honestly.
Hearing this, Deanna made her decision. "In that case, let's choose one of these two dates. Is that okay?"
"Of course. How about the fifteenth? It gives us enough time to prepare."
Samantha suggested, looking at Deanna for approval.
Deanna was about to agree when Lance's deep voice interrupted.
"The fifteenth won't work. It's too short notice for me to prepare."
"How is it not enough time? It's only the twentieth now; we still have more than half a month."
Samantha frowned, thinking her son was being difficult.
Lance noticed his mother's displeasure but insisted. "For me, it's not enough time. I plan to announce my engagement to Deanna at this banquet, so there's a lot to prepare."
"Announce your engagement? Why didn't you tell us earlier?"
Samantha looked surprised.
Lance held Deanna's hand and smiled. "I hadn't proposed successfully before, so I couldn't tell you."
Hearing this, Samantha and Logan glanced between the two.
The little ones looked curious.
"Daddy, when did you propose to Mommy? Why didn't we know?"
"Because you weren't there."
Lance raised his eyebrows and continued to his parents. "I hope to hold the banquet on the twenty-eighth."
Seeing her son's determination, Samantha didn't object.
"The twenty-eighth is fine. Since you're announcing your engagement, we need to revise our plans and guest list."
She listed the details needed for preparation.
Deanna and Lance listened attentively.
Logan occasionally chimed in.
Finally, Logan seemed to remember something important. "Since you've decided, let's invite Deanna's grandmother for a formal family dinner to discuss the betrothal gifts."