Disclaimer: I do not own Dark Angel. I just borrow James Cameron's characters and play with them!

Family Buseniss

It was a lovely April day. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and the flowers all over the country began to bloom. It was one of those days where people strolled through the parks of the city or sit under trees to read a good book. Yes, most of them just enjoyed the first sunny day of the year. It seemed as if, the good weather, -that very unusual for Seattle, Washington. The People of Seattle were all in a good mood.

Everybody had a good reason to be in a good mood, everyone, but Lucas Wenden jr.

Not even the good Weather could cheer him up. Grieved he stood before his window and observed the final preparations for the party that his father would give tonight. A party that would probably change his life forever. Lucas would meet the girl, that he had to marry. Emilia Delouise. An arranged marriage his father has provided for him.

Lucas was from a respected and very wealthy family arranged marriages were nothing unusual in the circles in which he has grown up. These marriages had nothing to do with love, far form that, it was all about the societal positions of the families. Lucas had seen the girl only once or twice at a garden party and that just from a distance, he wasn't very pleased with what he saw. She just didn't have that special something he was searching for. Lucas was sure, that Emilia was a wonderful girl, but she wasn't the one, he pictured himself getting marry to.

So, Lucas was from a socially prominent family of wealth and good standing people. who thought only about themselves, their money and all their possessions, in addition he was very handsome, charming, courteous and very intelligent. Every unmarried girl would have loved to be Lucas bride, but Lucas wasn't ready, just not yet! Not until he just found the one. Off Cause, she had to be beautiful but the woman he would marry also had to be intelligent a even match to him, he doesn't want a air head at his Side.

He was so lost in thought, that he didn't noticed, his father entered his room and watched him in silence. After a while, his father cleared his throat to get Lucas attention.

Lucas turned around and saw his father sitting in the arm-chair near the fireplace, watching him.

"Father, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in." Lucas said. He was embarrassed that his father had seen him in such a vulnerable moment, although his father had told him again and again that a Wenden was not allowed to show any weakness.

"I've noticed" Mr Wenden said amused. He had never seen his son like this. It was like he was his mind were million miles away. Mr. Wenden had to find out what was going on with Lucas.

"Do you want to tell me whats going on, son?" Mr Wenden said in a more gentle voice.

Lucas hesitated before he answered his father "It's nothing, father, don't worry." Mr. Wenden didn't want to push his son any further. He knew how stubborn, Lucas could be, Mr Wenden had no doubt, that his son got that from his Mother.

"I wanted to talk to you about the party and about the girl you are going to meet tonight!" Mr Wenden, waited patiently until Lucas answered him, but he didn't. "Lucas let's talk openly, I want to know what you think about the idea of a engagement with Marcus Delouise daughter!?" Lucas ran a nervous hand through his hair, but didn't answer right away.

"Lucas, what is your decision?"

"Father, Emilia is a nice girl, but I really ... I can't marry her. This marriage wouldn't work out." He took a deep breath, and sat across from his Father. Mr Wenden raised an eyebrow and smiled at his son. He had never mentioned the name of the girl that Lucas should meet tonight. Mr Wenden wondered why Lucas thought that he would marry Emilia. ~Maybe he do not know that Delouise, have another daughter?~

Well, if Lucas thought he had to marry Emilia, than he would let him think that, until he meet, the girl he had chosen for Lucas.

"And why can't you marry the girl?" Mr Wenden, asked calmly.

"Father," Lucas took a deep breath and looked into the fire. "It's not because she isn't lovely, she is, but I'm searching for someone special." Lucas looked back at his father, to find out how he had recorded the confession, Lucas had expected that his father would be angry, but what he saw in the face of his father surprised him. He saw understanding.

"Why didn't you just tell me that before, Junior?" Mr. Wenden asked again. This time, however, in a more serious tone "Do you really think you can't talk to me like you used to talk to your mother? God rest her soul!?"

"What was I supposed to say. You have made the decision for me, Father!"

"But not before I've heard your opinion on this and not before you got the chance to meet the girl and get to know her." Mr Wenden shock his head.

"You know, Lucas the marriage between your mother and me, was also a arranged marriage, your grandfather had chosen her for me. And believe me, I was never more grateful for anything else in my Life. I fell in Love with her on the first sign, she took my breath away. Your Mother was a single red rose in a garden full of daisies. Annabelle, was my Soulmate. Now tell me why I should deny you the chance to find your own Red Rose." ~But you do!~ Lucas thought bitterly.

Mr Wenden stood up and walked over to Lucas, who went silence and laid a hand on his shoulder "I am just asking you to take a look at the girl, that's all. If she is not the one you are searching for, just tell me and it will be fine and We'll forget about it." ~Silly boy, you and me are more alike than you think.~

Mr Wenden turned around and was about to leave the room, but stopped before he opened the door "I loved your mother every day of our marriage and I vowed her at our wedding Day , that I would love her till the day I die, and I meant every word." And with that he left the room closing the door behind him and leave a total amazed Lucas behind him. ~What had just happened?~ Lucas thought again. His Father had never talked to him the way he just did.

Lucas had considering all morning how he should explain to his strict father, that he couldn't marry Emilia and now his father came into his room and poured his heart out. He encouraged Lucas even in his plans. "Unbelievable!" Was all Lucas could say. Maybe Fortuna favored him and he would find the one that was intended for him by fate.

April 1859, DeLouise estate 04:10 p.m.

She did not understand why she had to go, to this ball, but her father and especially her older sister, Emilia who was called "Emmi had insisted, so she had no choice. Wherever her "mother" absolutely did not agree, because she thought that Lilly was too young for such a big party.

Liliana Delouise, just turned 16 years old and was never before been invited to a party or even a ball, so why now! She just couldn't understand it. Her sister had tried to explain it to her. She was no longer a child but a young woman and as such she had to show up at parties and balls, from now on, to find the right husband. Liliana found such parties boring and spent her time with a good novel or walks through the park.

Moreover, Liliana had often noticed how her sister and her well-heeled friends always talked about the same old things;

It was all about gossip. Her sister and her friends did not bother to complain about the last party they went to. It was terrible. And now Liliana should also be part of this world from now on, that was something Liliana didn't like very much. What if the friends of her sister started to gossip about her Sister or worst about herself. What would she do? Liliana's thoughts were interrupted when her sister put her hand on her shoulder to grab her attention; "Lily, everything's alright with you, you're a little pale." Liliana smiled at her sister to calm her worries. "Yeah all right I'm just a little nervous, that's all."

"You do not have to, we're there, too." Emilia stroked her younger sister's cheek to cheer her up a bit. "I'll go to my room, will you be alright?" Emilia asked with a barely perceptible movement of the head towards her mother.

"Of course she will be alright, Emilia, she is no longer a small child but a young lady course she is on her own right, Emilia, she is no longer a small child but a young lady." Mrs. Delouise said a little annoyed. "I wanted to talk to Liliana alone, anyway." Emilia looked at her little sister with compassion but left the room. As soon as Emilia left the room, the atmosphere in the room changed abruptly. It was almost icy.

"So how did you get your father to take you to the ball today, huh."

Sophie got up and then crossed the room to where Liliana sat. Liliana knew exactly what would happen now. No matter what she would say, Sophie would not believe her. "I did not do anything, I was as surprised as you when Daddy told me to go to the ball, too."

"Really?" Sophie looked suspicious, "so you have no idea?"

"NO!" Said Liliana in a firm voice.

"Look at you, but you are quite rebellious," Sophie smiled but Liliana knew it was just a fake smile. Sophie suddenly grabbed Liliana's arm, "Now listen to me, you spoiled brat, I've been working to hard to get Emilia introduce to Lucas Wenden for a very long time, and you are not going to ruin this for her or me, and if you do, I swear, I'll do everything in my Power to sent away, far away, do you understand me?

Liliana tried to release her arm from Sophie's grip. She had a scared look on her face and tears began to swell in her pretty brown eyes, "I don't know what are you talking about? Ruin what?"

Sophie let go of her arm and glared at Liliana. "That does not concern you, stay away from Lucas Wends, or you regret it!" With that Sophie turned on her heels and was gone and Liliana let the tears fall down her cheek.