Chapter 35: Chapter 35

"What?!" Kelly asked in surprise.

She almost choked on her food when she heard Nick's words.

"A double date," Nick answered with a clean and clear-sounding voice.

Kelly stared at her stepson with wide wide-bulging eyes. Is he her stepson or what?!

"Don't you think your dad will wake from his grave to scold you for such despicable silly thoughts?" Kelly coughed.

Her words and food felt like choking her to death. She pounded her chest lightly.

"Kate, are you sure he is Elijah's son and my stepson? Can he go suggesting blind dates and double at that? I don't even know what that means for sure," Kelly turned to Kate.

Kate just bit her lips, but they still cracked in her suppressed smile. She knew what Nick was talking about. They have been thinking about it, but they couldn't bring the topic out until today. They were planning for a weekend getaway. They were going to visit a place to enjoy the lovely view of mountains turning colorful due to tree leaves that turn to different colors. Maple trees turn red, Ginkgo trees turn yellow, while pine trees and other evergreens stay lush and green, making them a potent symbol of the persistence of life when other trees shed their leaves and grow barren during the cold winter months.

It was also a part of their celebration for Kelly's recovery. But as Nick and Kate were already a couple, they worried Kelly would feel out of place and decline their invitation to go. During the last time that brought Kelly to see Doctor Dion for a check-up. He had a guest in his office when they were invited to come in. They met another neurosurgeon, Ismael Grimett. Ismael is Doctor Dion's best friend. He lost track of time, being so dedicated to his job that he was still single in his late forties. And he was struck by Kelly's beauty. He asked his best buddy everything he could find about Kelly Eudovic, and he was intimidated by Nick's presence when he found out Kelly was a widow. Her stepson is so caring that Ismael had doubts Nick would allow his stepmom to marry or date another guy too soon. But Alfred urged him to try. Alfred assured Ismael that Nick was not that kind of guy.

To make his motive more clear and convincing, Ismael asked to have an appointment with Nick for lunch since the latter would not take dinner appointments as much as he could to join his family at home. And Ismael laid his intentions towards Kelly in front of Nick. Man to man.

Nick could tell without difficulty how Ismael was too eager to win his approval, and he felt a little funny.

"I really don't understand why you are telling me all of this and not my stepmom," Nick frowned with a smile on his face. He was honestly surprised ever since this man called for an appointment. Nick was not even able to recognize him at the start of their phone conversation until Ismael said he was there when Kelly had a check-up with Doctor Dion.

"I have known you are Kelly's stepson," Ismael replied.

Nick nodded to confirm his knowledge.

"And..?" Nick pried. His question wasn't satisfied with answers yet.

"And that would mean your dad was her late husband since she is a widow now..." Ismael paused again. He felt their conversation was turning so odd, and he was worried Nick would not like what he was trying to say.

"And..?" Nick asked again.

Ismael was feeling more and more overwhelmed with mixed emotions. The young man in front of him was so stunningly calm and poised, like whatever he was hearing was not so weird in his ears, while Ismael was feeling hot and nervous as if a fire was lit beneath his rear bottom. Yes, he was in a hot seat, but it felt more literal than an idiomatic expression. He decided to be courageous and ask this young man for his blessings to date Kelly, his stepmom. Oh, what in the world is he doing, right? All for love! And for love, he now has to bite the bullet and ask.

"Do you mind if I ask your stepmom to a date?" Ismael asked with his breath and heart hanging.

But Nick's response made him cough and choke.

"Not at all. But we have to be clear about one thing. She has to say yes for that to happen, right?" Nick stated calmly.

He will never interfere with his stepmom's personal decisions. She deserves to be happy, and if this good doctor is the right one, Nick was confident his dad would never mind.

"Of course, of course. And thank you so much," Ismael shook hands with Nick. They were in the middle of their meal, but it was Nick who was leisurely eating because the other guy was unmistakably tensed. Yet, Nick did not ignore his offer of a manly handshake.

Firm, assuring, grateful.

Nick was happy to see a new chapter on Kelly's life start with a promising and colorful future. He was excited to tell Kate about it. He was absolute that Kate would love and be ecstatic to hear this good news.

It's been a week since Ismael met with Nick, but he got into busy-like crazy schedules that he could not find the decent time to ask Kelly out. He could not make a wrong move in fear of spoiling his good start with her. So he did not want to ask her out just to end up canceling at the last minute because he became busy again. He wanted to finish his immediate tasks and ask for a few days' vacation leave. He received a call from Nick asking him if he would be available on a weekend so they could have a double date. He did not know about Nick and Kate's relationship then, so he just thought Nick would bring his girlfriend while he was with Kelly.

He checked his calendar and told Nick of what weekend he was available, and they agreed to book two rooms on the place. Nick suggested he would invite his stepmom and see what results he could get, and their setup would be a blind date. If Nick's move doesn't work, Ismael could do the invitation and still go to the same place they plan to spend the weekend.

Nick was happy to find out that Kate was not against his idea about letting their lovely mom get into a new love story. Well, if it works. Kate was so happy she even cried for joy. She confessed she was guilty of being happy with a man like Nick while her mom lost hers to an illness. She wished her mom would find a new love, but she was also worried it would not be as easy as her mind could conceive them. But when Nick told her about Doctor Ismael Grimett, she was greatly overjoyed. She also agreed with Nick's idea to have a weekend getaway with her mom and a date. The two young hearts were so thrilled and exhilarated with the mere thought that they could create a new memory with Kelly's found new love, but as it wasn't happening yet, as the ideas were still mere ideas, the young couple was also a bit hesitant.

"I am sure my dad would love to know that you are not left unhappy and imprisoned in a lonely relationship," Nick answered with astonishing confidence.

Kelly paused to stare at the two in front of her.

"Do you agree with his idea, Kate?" she asked her daughter.

"I do. I would love to see my mom happy with a man who would love her like Nick loves me," Kate's eyes turned from Kelly's eyes to Nick's, who was seated next to her.

The two lovebirds locked their eyes, and serene smiles painted their beautiful faces.

Kelly's heart felt warm. She can feel the genuine love of these youngsters before her. She wishes to have the same experience, a new one as she could no longer recall the ones she has had in the past.

"Okay! Let's do this double date then!" Kelly exclaimed with enthusiasm.

Nick and Kate were so delighted. They even clapped their hands in high fives as soon as they heard Kelly agreed to their invitation.