Seeing her granddaughter walk into the room, Old Ashley was a bit surprised.
"Why do you want to sleep with me tonight? Does Lance know?"
"I haven't told him yet."
Deanna said as she sat on the bed, intimately linking arms with the old lady and coquettishly said, "Grandma, let me stay tonight."
Old Ashley felt a bit dizzy from her shaking but eventually agreed.
"Alright, stop shaking me. As long as Lance agrees, you can stay."
"Hehe, I knew Grandma was the best."
Deanna affectionately rubbed her shoulder against the old lady.
The old lady looked at her and then asked, "Tell me, what did you come here to talk about?"
"I have something I want your advice on."
Deanna didn't hide anything and truthfully recounted what Lance had told her earlier.
In the end, she leaned her head on the old lady's shoulder. "Do you think I should agree to this marriage now?"
"What do you think? Do you want to get married?"
The old lady didn't answer but instead asked Deanna a question.
Deanna frowned and pondered.
Did she want to get married?
Actually, her current relationship with Lance was no different from married life; they just lacked a formal title.
And speaking of titles, she thought of the two children.
She remembered how Emily had humiliated the children at the banquet, calling them bastards.
Thinking of this, Deanna made up her mind. "Grandma, I've decided. I want to get married."
"Are you sure? No regrets?"
Old Ashley raised an eyebrow and looked over.
Deanna nodded. "I'm sure. No regrets. After all, neither I nor the two children can continue to stay by Lance's side without a proper title."
"As long as you've thought it through."
Old Ashley gently patted Deanna's forehead.
Deanna leaned on the old lady's shoulder, her expression dimming as she thought of something. "I wish Mom were still here. She always said she wanted to see who I would marry."
Old Ashley fell silent at these words.
After a moment, she sighed and said, "Before the engagement, take Lance to visit your mother. She would be happy for you."
"I was thinking the same."
Deanna nodded.
And so, the grandmother and granddaughter talked until they gradually fell asleep.
In the middle of the night, Lance finished his work and returned to the bedroom, only to find Deanna wasn't there. He was a bit surprised.
He turned and went downstairs, calling Sam over to ask, "Where is Deanna?"
"Mr. Mercer, you're done with work. Missus asked me to tell you she's sleeping with Old Ashley tonight."
Sam relayed Deanna's message truthfully.
Lance was stunned for a moment before he understood, a look of helplessness crossing his face.
But he didn't say anything else and nodded. "Got it."
The next day, Deanna woke up early to wash up.
When she went downstairs, she saw Lance sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. She walked over with a smile and greeted him, "Good morning. Did you sleep well last night?"
"Do I look like I slept well?"
Lance put down the newspaper and looked at her with a hint of resentment.
Deanna was taken aback by his expression.
The reason was simple: there were noticeable dark circles under Lance's eyes.
"Hehe, it seems you didn't sleep well last night. Did you have a nightmare?"
Deanna blinked and asked knowingly.
Lance pulled her into his arms with a hint of annoyance. "Worse than a nightmare. From now on, you're not allowed to sleep apart from me. I've gotten used to having you by my side."
"I'll try," Deanna said mischievously.
Hearing this, Lance tightened his grip around her. "No trying. No matter what happens, you're not allowed to sleep in a separate room from me."
Deanna felt the pain from his tight grip and reluctantly patted his arm. "Alright, alright, I promise. Let go of me; you're hurting me."
Seeing Deanna's frown, Lance realized he had used too much force and quickly let go.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
He looked at her apologetically and repeatedly apologized.
Deanna wasn't angry. She nestled in Lance's arms and talked about last night's conversation. "I slept with Grandma last night to discuss our marriage."
Hearing this, Lance became nervous.
"What did Grandma say? Does she agree to our marriage?"
"Grandma has no objections but hopes we can visit my mother before the engagement."
Deanna briefly explained last night's discussion.
Lance nodded, "Marriage is a lifelong commitment, it's indeed time to meet your mother. Let's go this weekend."
"Alright," Deanna agreed.
Soon, the weekend arrived.
Early in the morning, after the family had breakfast, they set off for the cemetery.
On the way, Lance noticed Deanna's low spirits and held her hand, deliberately bringing up a topic to divert her attention.
"Yesterday, my father approached me and suggested that after we pay respects to your mother today, we should go home for a meal and discuss the matters of the children being introduced to the Mercer family and the engagement process."