The shadow of the F-Poison conspiracy loomed large, and there was simply no time for Percival and Vivienne to entertain thoughts of wedding bells just yet.
Percival got it. He really did.
Sure, the GTO's weapon manufacturing plants and virus research facilities were obliterated. But he was under no illusion that this was the end.
As long as F-Poison was out there, peace of mind was but a pipe dream.
"Grandpa Jasper and Richard," Percival declared with reassuring confidence, "trust me, I will give Vivienne the most romantic, the grandest wedding the world has ever seen!"
Given the certainty in his voice, the two old men had no objections to offer.
They shared a silent moment before their gaze shifted to Karen, seated quietly to one side.
As Vivienne's mother, she naturally had a say in her daughter's nuptials.
Karen was lost in a hefty turkey sandwich when she felt her father's eyes on her. Hastily swallowing, she chimed in.
"Vivienne's right, and besides, there's still someone missing if we were to have the wedding now."
The room paused, puzzled. Zelda, curious as ever, asked, "Sasha, who are we missing here? Isn't Willa with you?"
Zelda mistakenly thought Karen meant Willa.
But Karen shook her head, nodding subtly toward Vivienne. "Her dad!"
Everyone's confusion cleared. They had never dared to ask Karen outright about Vivienne's biological father's whereabouts.
Even Melissa, despite her curiosity, had held back, fearing that Vivienne's father was no longer alive and that bringing it up might stir up painful memories for Karen.
To their surprise, Karen brought it up herself.
Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Zelda pressed, "Sasha, where in the world is Vivienne's dad?"
Karen just smiled, "I don't know yet, but when I find him, we'll have a good talk."
While everyone was still at sea about her response, they saw the happiness in Karen's smile and wisely chose not to probe further.
...
That night.
Vivienne and Karen lay in bed, taking the chance to really talk for the first time since their reunion.
The day's events had weighed on Vivienne's mind.
Truth be told, she, too, was eager to know who her father really was.
Neither Dorian nor Scott was her birth father.
Karen teased her daughter's nose, breaking the silence. "Are you wondering where your dad might be?"
Vivienne nodded, moving closer to her mother. "Mom, you didn’t get abandoned by him, did you?"
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