"This calls for a celebration." Father said from behind . He then slowly walked towards Ethan and placed an arm on his eldest son's shoulders with a wide smile plastered on his face. "After a long wait, I will finally have my first male grandson." He exclaid, brimming with pride.
Ethan lovingly bead towards his wife whose hands he was holding. Elisa's cheeks turned red as tomatoes against his affectionate glance. She squeezed his hands and flashed him a tender and heart-lting smile.
The simple gesture brought a beautiful smile into Ethan's face. He leaned closer to land a kiss on Elisa's forehead but she evaded him with a scolding look as if to warn him that they're not alone. In which he responded, "Don't worry, they won't mind," then stole a kiss from her cheeks in her utter embarrassnt. He was rewarded with a gentle poke on the ribs with her elbow.
"I agree with you, Alexander." lissa said as she stepped in and ca to Elisa's rescue. She then cleared her throat to get everyone's attention. "I will have our servants prepare a simple dinner party for all of us. We need to celebrate an upcoming family mber and also Ethan's marriage." She sain in which we all agreed.
"Mama." Vien said suddenly taking all our eyes. Her dainty fingers tugging at the hem of my blouse in order to capture my attention. She was hiding behind my legs as if she was shy to be seen while the adults talked.
I smiled at Vien reassuringly and ruffled her soft hair which was the sa exact shade of Ace's hair. "It's okay." I said softly while staring at the depths of her beautiful blue eyes which reminds so much of her father.
Father's gaze shifted to Vien who buried her cute little face behind my back as if she was embarrassed. When she peeked at him he smiled fondly at her. "Don't be shy Vien." He said as he slowly walked towards her direction and ruffled her hair, "You will always be grandpa's first and favorite grandchild." He added which made the child smile.
"Co here," He said, taking the child's hands. "Grandpa will give you a slice of your favorite Dulce De Leche." By the ntion of her favorite dessert, Vien's face lit up and her wide innocent eyes popped open. She held her grandfather's hand firmly. Without another word, she pulled him to the door leaving us smiling behind him as he entered the house.
"You need to rest now." lissa said when father vanished inside the open door of the mansion."
By the ntion of rest, I suddenly rembered how exhausted I was throughout the trip. I realized that my feet ached by standing for too long. "I think I badly needed one right now." I replied, letting out a sigh.
Grandma ushered to the door and the rest of my brothers including Elisa followed. "Yeah, you should. Even if you're trying so hard to show you're fine but deep down I know you're not." She said which made wonder if she was able to read my mind or if I'm just being transparent and could be easily read.
My face fell and it didn't slip her observant gaze. Reassuringly she tapped my shoulder in comfort. She pulled into a stop at the foot of the staircase. "Everything is going to be alright, my sweet little Phoenix. " She assured and it was enough consolation for . I slowly relaxed.
"Thank you Grandmama." I whispered. Kissing her on her temples before climbing the staircase and heading to my room while Faith was still in my arms.
Back to my room, I place Vien on the top of the Queen size bed. The familiar scent of the air freshener—a whiff of lavender—perated my nostrils and all the stress I feel today slowly ebbed away.
"Ho sweet ho." I mumbled, sitting beside Faith on the fluffy softness of the bed. For the first ti since that day I let go a genuine smile. I'm safely ho at last.
Faith's deep blue eyes landed on my face
and her wiggling intensified. She excitedly wiggled her arms in the air as if telling to pick her up. When I didn't pick her up she began to make a babbling sound. She then said sothing and I didn't understand clearly but it sounded like 'mama.'
I touched her soft little hand with my fingers. She seed amazed with my hand and her hand tightened around my fingers and she giggled.
"Mama missed you and your sister." I told her. The smile on her lips widened and she adoringly winked her eyes at .
"I'm sure that your papa misses you and your sister too. Unfortunately, he can't go ho yet but I believe he will co soon. Even if takes so long we will wait, aren't we?"
As if Faith understood what I ant reached for my face and said sothing like "Ma-ma."
It was that mont I was deeply preoccupied with my thoughts when the door flung open and Elisa hurriedly barge in with the telephone in her hand.
I looked at her with wide, curious eyes, wondering why she's in a rush. Following beside her was Vien who still have a chocolate stain on the corner of her mouth. It seed she follow behind Elisa without the latter realizing it.
I didn't have the chance to ask her who's calling when she shove the phone to . I straightened on the bed upon hearing her say it was Lucas Nicholas on the phone.
By the ntion of Lucas who was with Ace in the hospital in the US made my heart beat like crazy. The color was quickly drained from my face in fear that sothing bad happened to Ace.
I was so scared at the mont that it made montarily frozen while staring at the phone. Summoning all the courage I could muster, I sucked in a deep breath ang grabbed the phone in Elisa's fingers.
"Hello?"
"It's Lucas," Said the voice I recognize which was Ace's best friend."
"What happened?" I asked with voice trembling.
There was a long, scary pause on the other line.
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