Zander calmly walked up to Sophie's door.
When he knocked on the door, Sophie excitedly ran down and said, "I'll get it," and she opened the door and looked Zander up and down, gave him a kiss and told him how amazing he looked.
He handed Sophie the gift, noticed her dress matched her eyes and told her she looked even more amazing then ever, to which she thanked him and walked him into the living room, where her parents were sitting down.
"Mom, dad, this is my boyfriend, his name is Zander," Sophie said with a nervous smile.
"You have to be kidding me, you're dating Zander Elrod?" Mr. Grace said in a somewhat surprised and angry voice.
"Calm down hunny, didn't this young man just give you a nice promotion and take down someone who was stealing money from the hospital? Sophie obviously kept his identity a mystery so we'd form our own opinion of him. You look quite nice Zander, it's so nice to meet you we've heard so many good things," Mrs. Grace said with a smile.
Mr. Grace regained his composure.
"I apologize Zander, it's just the first time Sophie has had a boyfriend and for a second I thought the only reason you came to the hospital was to get on my good side. However, Attorney Frankfurt did mention after your parents passed, you visited all of their big businesses and met with the 'inner circle." Mr. Grace said calmly.
"You are the reason my dad got promoted babe, why didn't you say anything?" Sophie asked.
"He earned it and it wasn't really my place to tell. I just felt it would be good for me to meet my family's most trusted friends and when I met your Father it was pure coincidence and I'm glad I did. I got to know about my Mother before I was born," Zander said with a smile.
"Shall we have dinner? I can't wait to get to know you Zander, from what Sophie tells me, you're top of your class. Did she tell you she'd be joining you in school next week?" Mrs. Grace asked.
"She did, I'm happy for her, she deserves it. I know she's top of her class at her school so I just hope she doesn't pass me for top student," Zander said in a joking manner, to which Sophie laughed and said, "I'm coming for you," with a playful nudge.
"See dear, he's just like his parents, a very nice, respectful kid who went out of his way to look very nice and get her a gift," Mrs. Grace said to her husband.
"You're right and she looks so happy. I don't think I've ever seen her look so happy. Maybe that's why she dyed her hair and got those contacts," Mr Grace suggested.
They sat down to a wonderful dinner prepared by Mrs. Grace and Zander went and pulled Sophie's chair out for her, and as she sat pushed it in and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"Quite the charmer aren't you Zander?" Mr. Grace asked in a very serious tone, while staring at Zander.
It didn't go unnoticed by Zander or Mr. Grace that he received death glares from his wife and daughter.
"I had great parents who told me to do unto others as you want others to do to you. What kind of person would I be if I didn't follow in their footsteps while forging my own path, just as they encouraged me too?" Zander asked with a polite smile.
"Mrs Grace, your reputation as a Chef is respected in all of Harmonia, but that isn't enough of a compliment to say how amazing this dinner is. Thank you so much," Zander said with a kind, gentle smile.
"Thank you Zander, how are you holding up by the way? I'm sure this hasn't been an easy week," Mrs. Grace asked.
"It's had its ups and downs, but Sophie and my best friend Cyrus have been great. My parents' attorney left everything so neat and organized, so thankfully everything regarding that has been easy. The sad part is they haven't been able to recover the bodies, so I can't hold a proper funeral."
Zander finally spoke about his parents missing bodies, and a relief came off his chest.
Mr. Grace said, "goodness I'm so sorry Zander. Your mother and father were nothing but great to me. I can't imagine the pain you're going through right now, yet you still took the time to make sure everything was in order and you personally visited some of the toughest places to visit, I'm sure that was no easy task."
Ping, "Congratulations, you have impressed your loves parents and the system rewards you despite doubting you. Reward: Instant level up and stat points awarded for each category. You are now level 6," and Zander ignored the rest of the messages for now.
"Yes but I've met some great people doing so. I got to meet Jackson at the orphanage and the Johnsons agreed to let me buy him a cell phone. I mean to take him out soon. He's the 15 year old who's been there since birth and looks after all the new orphans. He considers the Johnsons his parents and doesn't want to leave." Zander said.
Mr. Grace stated, "Zander, I must truly apologize for my behavior from earlier. As good of a reputation as you have, if you ever have a daughter, you may understand, and tonight we made it about Sophie, so you'll have to come by soon and meet her brothers. They're at my wife's sisters tonight."
Mrs. Grace smiled, winked at Sophie and said, "not to mention how handsome you are. Sophie how did you ever manage to meet and win over this young man?"
"Leave her be hunny don't scare the poor girl, she's already nervous about all of this." Mr. Grace interrupted.
"See Sophie, that's why I love your father. One minute he's ready to throw your boyfriend out and the next he apologizes and defends you," Mrs Grace said with a laugh.
"So let's see this present of yours, I'm guessing she got that necklace from you as well?" Mrs Grace asked, to which Sophie turned beat red as she opened up a beautiful bracelet and read the note out loud and skipped the last part.
"Happy birthday Sophie, we share the same birthstone so I figured a bracelet with aquamarine would suit you. Because my parents devoted their lives to others, I thought a pearl Phoenix would be a fitting match [who is asking about you moving in me or you] she skipped, love Zander."
Sophie turned bright red and said, "thank you Zander, and I love you too."
Mr and Mrs Grace couldn't help but smile as they knew how hard it was for their only daughter to admit she was finally in love with a boy.
Mr. Grace asked, "so please tell me you haven't taken advantage of my," to which Mrs Grace cut him off but Zander chuckled and said, "no sir, I would never. She was actually my first kiss and she made the first move. My friend Cyrus was there with her friend Claire, and they laughed at how awkward it looked because neither of us had kissed someone before."
Sophie also laughed, remembering her making the first move but it being her and Zander that were giggling at Claire and Cyrus, but she didn't mind this version of the story.
Mr. Grace sighed a big sigh of relief and Mrs. Grace said, "I never knew my precious little girl would make a move on one of the most famous children to ever exist. I'm proud of you sweetie," she said with a smile.
As dinner finished they sang happy birthday and Sophie made a wish and blew out the candles. They went out to the family room and sat down to watch a movie.
Before the started a movie, Zander stood up and said, "As I said, my parents were quite diligent with Attorney Frankfurt and when I turn 17 on the 28th, I'll have access to everything. In the meantime, I met with Ella, their financial advisor, and the life insurance and personal savings my parents had been sorted right away, so I have one more gift as her new school will be quite far away, if you'll please follow me outside," Zander accounced.
Outside was the white SUV he had shown Sophie last night but she reacted in shock and awe like it was the first time, as it had a giant bow on it with the title and paperwork all sitting on the passenger seat.
"You bought our daughter a brand new car?!" both the Graces' said in shock.
"Yes, and it's not something I can really return seeing as how everything is in her name so please accept this gift. It's what my parents would have wanted. I don't know if Sophie told you but she did meet my parents. They absolutely adored her and didn't know she was your daughter." Zander explained.
Sophie realized why Zander left out the note from his Mom. It was easier on everyone to say he bought the car and she was thankful he didn't bring or share the note.
"She didn't mention it, but I have to ask, what are your intentions with my daughter?" Mrs. Grace asked.
Without hesitation, Zander responded, "to treat her like my father treated my mother. To always love, protect, and make sacrifices for, no matter the cost. To be by her side, to protect her, to watch her grow old, to get married and start a family and to make my own path in life by following the foundation of my parents. If there's one thing I know now, is the world isn't perfect like it was in the scriptures. Theo betrayed Solace and I'll do everything in my power to protect, love and cherish her. To challenge her to be better and for her to challenge me to be better. There's no one else I'd rather be with," Zander said with silver tears dropping from his eyes.
Mr. and Mrs. Grace didn't know how to respond to this, especially because his tears were silver, but Mrs Grace said, "I actually believe you, Zander," and Mr Grace said, as do I."
Sophie casually ran back up and jumped on Zander, who caught her with ease despite not seeing her coming, she kissed him and said, "it's beautiful thank you so much."
She also whispered, "let me tell them, I'm not going to ask, I'm going to tell them it's my decision. I'm an adult now," and Zander smiled as they returned to the family room.
Mr. and Mrs. Grace were kind enough to let Sophie snuggle up next to Zander, holding hands and laying on his lap while they watched a movie.
They went to call it a night before Sophie had one last thing to say.
Zander knew what was coming, and said a quick prayer, "I really hope this goes better than I expect it too."
"Mom, Dad I need to tell you something and I need you to trust me and be open minded about it, ok," Sophie confidently said as Zander's face was the one to turn red.