Chapter 24: Family Reunion

"In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony."

- Friedrich Nietzche

Please Vote

Comment

And Follow me ...

...........................................

Nicolai Petropoulis' POV

"I need to see her now dad, mom." I insisted. "You are not going to let me sleep alone tonight without her!" I growled, pacing back and forth in our living room.

"You know the Pallos wanted her alone tonight, right son?" my dad said. I've been sulking for almost three hours. After breakfast, they told me we will all go to the Pallos' mansion. And then all of a sudden, they told me we will all go there tomorrow.

"I know that!" I couldn't contain myself but to snap at my dad, and I'm acting like a kid. "I don't want to go to sleep without her tonight." I declared firmly.

"Why not?" Mom asked. I know I've been acting like a brat since an hour ago. Everyone was so happy to see me. All my grandparents are here, except papa Sergio, since he is very ill. He doesn't want to go on a plane. I know they wanted to have time alone with me after missing me for two long years, so as the Pallos to Elle.

And honestly, I know it may sound ridiculous, but I can't think properly if she's separated with me. I need her so I can function well.

Both this family are exasperating. Can't they spend time with us? "Because I don't wanna be separated with her anymore mom. We've been living in together in New York and ..." I look at dad and mom, and my other siblings sitting on the couch, staring at me waiting for my words.. Mom, dad and I was on our feet arguing. "She's pregnant!" I lied.

"You've gotta be kidding me? You two only started living in, in just a week!" Dad exclaimed. So he was spying on us too? Great!

Why would I be surprise, right?

"Dad, you only took mom once, and she got pregnant right away!" I furrowed my forehead and mom's face reddened. Dad looks at mom sheepishly and I grinned inwardly. Nice retort, Nico! I know their story since grandma told me when I was in high school. The doubts I had why he had to work far away, for five long years and not even once he came to visit me. "See dad, I didn't just inherited your face, I even inherited your sperm? A one-shot sperm!" I proclaimed bluntly.

"NICO!" Mom shrieked. Dad grinned broadly like a fool.

"God, I'm a grandma?" Addy widened her eyes in disbelief.

"Yes." Dad made a fist pump and mom glares at him. "I miss holding a baby, babe." Dad gave mom a puppy dog eyes and it really cringed me how these two acting like a teens lovey-dovey.

"Babe, we are too young to have a grandkids already!" Mom pouted.

"Agapi mou, we are indeed old. And don't worry, you maybe look older, but you still smell fresh and you know? A bit sour on the side, but that's the thing, you always made me feel excited.." Dad wrapped his hands around mom and all of us grunted. Here they are again... I bet the ants are starting to march to our mansion, right now.. So sweet and cheesy!

"Alright, I will see you all later." I said not wanting to see more of mom and dad's irky romance and decisively headed out to see Elle. I missed her already.

"Hey!" Grandpa stood up. I stop and look at him questionably. "Who says you're going alone. We are all going, and set this wedding before her bump is visible.." He added on and walk to my direction.

"Dad is right," dad and the rest of my sibling started to head out.

"What?" I asked feeling stupefied. Oh God, I'm going to be in trouble with Elle if she found out that I lied. I only told them that, so they will allow me to go see her and be with her.

Nice move, Nico!

"What are you doing, Nico? Let's go!" I heard grandma Mikaela, with her eyes twinkling with joy. She's been bugging me to give her a grandkids. She's very old now, but still looking tough, that's why I love her so much.

"Coming, mama." I smiled and walk to her, and we walk side by side.

.......................................

We arrived at the Pallos' mansion barely ten minutes. When we all walk in inside their mansion, we were then led to their big living room to wait for the couple who was with Elle in her room. I wanted to follow their butler to Elle's room to see her, but I held myself. I don't want to ruin everything.

It is so frustrating to say the least. And this family are insufferable and their protectiveness is just crazy.

We all sat on the 12 seaters U-shape plush leathered sofa as we waited for the couple. Not long, I hear footstep coming from the hallway to the direction of the grand foyer. From the living room facing the grand foyer, far back of the entrance of the house where we are waiting, we could see them smiling broadly as they walk side by side towards us.

I look behind them to see if Elle is coming, but she's nowhere.

Where's the rest of the family?

Does Elle knows we are here?

"Nick, why the sudden visit?" Theio's Demetrio asked as soon as he got closer. Dad stood up, then followed mom. The couple then shared pleasantries before dad explained our sudden visit.

"We are sorry for just showing up your door without prior notice." Dad grinned. The couple waved it off and I felt relieved. "We came to ask for your daughter's hand. I need my son to marry Elle, since she's carrying my son's child." Dad dropped the bombed without preamble. Theios Demetrio's face disgruntled, showing displeasure on whatever dad was saying. He looks at me for a second with unknown emotions and then back to dad.

"Let's talk inside my office." Theios Demetrio led dad to his office. Mom and Theia Yvonne giggled. When they realized we are all looking at them, theia Yvonne's eyes twinkled in mischief.

"Feel at home, kids. Ask Jaime for anything you want. I just need to talk to your mom .." She winks at me and I was about to ask where is Elle, when I realized it's best if they both talk and I'll go find her myself.

When the two woman left, I stood up.

"Fine." I heard Natalia and she stood up. "I'll go see Elle. You guys-"

"Stay here!" I snap cutting her off. She looks at me with raised eyebrow, questioningly.

"I'll go find her." I glared at her. I know she's going to ruin this for me, knowing how tease she is.

"So what am I gonna do here?" She flung her hands on her waist, challengingly.

I shrug my shoulders. "Hang out with Markos and Amber." I look at the twins who was on their phone tapping since we left the house and until now.

"Oh yeah? I'm going to talk to a statue. Look at them? They didn't even blinks and I bet you money, they didn't even know we are at the Pallos' mansion!" She screeched yells lowly, and then plopped down, back on the sofa. Her attention then averted to the magazines sitting under the coffee table.

Just as she was about to reach it, her phone rang. She check it and then she smiled. She connected the call.

I look at the twins again and they are indeed busy with their phones, and she's right. The twins surely doesn't have knowledge which sofa's they are sitting right now.

They are so animatedly texting, or playing with their phone.

"Yes. What? .... You sure?...." I heard Natalia's cold tone. She looks agitated and when I look at her. She looks like she wanted to kill someone. I decided to go and look for Elle in her room. "He can't do that. he's not like that .."I still hear Natalia talking as I face the sweeping grand staircase. I trudge up the stairs that's on my right since it's the closest to me.

................................................

Eleanor Pallo's POV

"I miss you so much, princess." Dad was hugging me since we arrived home. They are now in my room. We had been hanging out in the living room, talking. I felt so overwhelmingly happy. I forgot all my stress and even my stalker whom I received another text just as we arrived to Greece.

I don't know how he knew I was in Greece.

Welcome back to Athens, baby.

I didn't tell anyone, especially Nicolai since I didn't want to terrify him. He'll go batshit for sure. He may not even allow me to go somewhere by myself, or worst let me go working.

He already told me to stop working. And he finds out, for sure he has reason to force me to stop working.

"Honey, are you okay?" Mom look at me with worry written all over her face.

"I'm fine mom. I'm just exhausted." I force a reassuring smile and dad then stared at me intently.

"If you have any problem, let us know princess." Dad said and I nodded as I hug them both back.

"I love you mom, dad. And I'm fine. I'm really just exhausted." I reassured them and I felt one of them nodding.

Then we all pulled together. Mom and Dad sat on my old bed and I walk to my walk-in closet and all my clothes was still there, nothing change.

"I like your hair honey. You look really stunning." Mom smiled sweetly.

"Thanks mom."

"Doesn't she looks like me?" Dad said proudly and mom rolled her eyes that made me chuckled. Dad was looking so proud. Then I remember Victoria. I don't want her to hear this.

"Dad, please don't say that when Vicky is here." I reminded him gently and he nodded. His face then turned into sad and guilty.

"I know. I love him for you to know. My actions had failed to show her how much I love her too. She's my first baby and Luke." Dad smiled bitterly.

I drop the topic before it turned too sad. "So how is the company doing?" I asked as I walk to my bed and joined them. I sat beside mom. Mom curled her hand around me and I nuzzled myself in her arms, feeling the comfort of her arms brings.

"Still running smoothly and I'm glad Vicky is now helping us. She's the Vice President now." Sounding so proud of her. I felt happy that dad finally recognized her works.

"I'm so happy for her." I grinned.

Speaking of her, after an hour chatting with us with Xandrous, they left both. I saw a bit of awkwardness and I thought the two were faking their sweetness. I don't know.. It's just that, I caught them arguing when I went back out to get my purse I forget inside the limo.

Xandrous' car parked behind the limo. I don't know if they saw me when they came out of Xandrous' car. I unintentionally overheard their argument.

"Stop it, Vicky! You are just being unreasonable." I heard Xandrous growled.

"Oh yeah, now I'm being unreasonable? I hear you kissed her!" Vicky nags. I stayed inside the limo not wanting to show up.

"You don't understand, Vicky." Xandrous sighed. I heard Vicky's footsteps.

"What do I don't understand? That you are fucking that bitch? That you are always toying with me, Xandrous?" I heard Vicky's voice cracked as she spoke.

"Enough!" I heard Xandrous snapped at her sternly. Then, Vicky walk away. I saw her back and I sighed deeply.

I don't know what they are arguing about, but I could sense some jealousy and I felt sorry for my sister. Now, I'm hating Xandrous. I know how he plays with girls. He is the same as Nicolai. Among them, Raffy is the most loyal to a woman. Lucky Natalia.

I quickly climbed out of the limo and started pacing back inside the door when Xandrous suddenly stops, and saw me.

I froze on my steps and stared at him like nothing happened. I gave him a big smile thought deep within me, I wanted to punch his face for hurting my sister so much.

He looks at me with curiosity and suspicion. "Where is Vicky?" I asked feigning innocence with my nonchalance voice.

"Oh, she's already inside." He responded and gave me a tight smile.

"Alright. It's nice seeing you Xandrous." I force a smile, and walk past him.

I shook the thoughts of and stared at dad. He was looking happy, though he looks like he age five years older. Probably all these stress I gave him.

"I was surprised that young Baumgartner didn't pursue you?" Dad suddenly blurted out. I pulled myself out of mom's embrace and stared at dad with curiosity.

"Dad, he was just like a brother to me and so am to him. Uncle Jude treated me like his daughter and JJ treated me like his little sister as well. Dad he's way older than Nico." I pouted and cringed at the thought.

Yes, JJ is handsome alright. But, the thought of him courting me is repulsive. I just don't know.

"Good. I have been talking to your uncle Jude," dad blabbered and I look at him with wide eyes.

So all along, I thought dad and mom just let me live on my own, without their knowledge.

"I'm sorry princess. I can't be at peace if I wouldn't know what was happening to you." Dad heaved a sigh. It's all been done, so I just gave him a small smile. He's my dad. I understand why he did it.

Suddenly, a knock in my room. Victoria opened the door, and Luke was behind her holding a cake.

"Welcome home, little sis." They both said and I jump out of my bed when I saw the cake with the words, "Welcome Home, Princess."

Vicky's face is shimmering with joy and Luke's was smiling broadly.

"Thank you!" I launched myself to Vicky and she caught me giggling. We hugged so tight and I felt so overjoyed. Our embrace is different. It is full of love and forgiveness.

"I love you both!" I said with tears in my eyes. Luke place the cake on the coffee table at one corner and he hugs me tight.

"Don't ever ran away again!" He said and I felt his lips pressed on top of my head.

"Never. I miss you all so much." I said emotionally and hug him back. I felt Victoria hugging us too. I pulled my one arm and hug Victoria. Then soon mom and dad was hugging us. It was a family hug that never happened before. I was so happy.

"I love you all. God, my babies are all grown-ups!" I heard mom mumbled... The three of us giggled.

"They are still my babies.." Dad then piped in. Then three of us groaned and grunted in disapproval, then we broke into laughters, when dad chuckled.

It was a moment whom I will treasure for life.

Just as we all pulled away, a knock on the door. "Who could it be? I have only three kids, right agapi mou?" Dad asked mom palyfully and mom rolled her eyes dramatically.

"If I didn't threatened you to get vasectomize, we would have twelve kids.." Mom told dad and all three of us were gaping at dad, who was grinning mischievously to mom.

"Come in," dad said after a few minutes.

The door opens and Jaime walk in, looking happy. "Sir, the Petropoulis family are here." Dad and mom looks at each other.

"Let's go see them." Mom said. She gave us all a kiss so as dad, and they left.

"Tell me about your escapade sis." Vicky pulled me to my bed. Luke groaned.

"How about the cake?" he asked looking bored. Vicky grinned. Then they both look at me.

"We can eat it while chatting?" I suggested shrugging my shoulder.

"No." Luke said. I will bring it down and ask one of the maid to bring you some here. I don't want to hear your girly topics." He declared as he took the cake and then left us alone.

Victoria looks elated. "I missed you and I love you Elle." She suddenly pulled me for a hug. "I will make it up to you. I know I've been a bad sister to you." She croaked.

I hug her back. "I understand you Vicky and I forgave you. I'm sorry too for being selfish."

"Shhh... It's all my fault. I've been selfish. Not you.." She said.

"I love you Vicky. I have been dreaming this moment." I couldn't contain my emotions and she pulled herself away from me, staring at my eyes intently.

"I promise that I will be a good sister, from this day. I regretted everything I did. I was just blinded with jealousy." She holds my hands and I smiled at her. I don't know what to say. I was so overwhelmed. I can't ask for more. I'm very happy.

I have Nico, Vicky and I were now in good terms, and we love each other. My whole family was happy. That's all it matters.

We talk about my life changing journey in New York, how I met the Baumgartner, and I saw how her face turns blanched-face when I mentioned JJ, but then it was promptly disappeared. I ignored it and kept talking. I told her how they help me find myself and build my own career.

She looks so happy for me.

"I'm so happy for you.." She beams at me.

After a while, my phone beeps. I quickly check it thinking it was Nicolai.

I missed you already.. I can't wait to see you, my ELLE. MY ONE AND ONLY ONE, ELLE!

The happiness I felt suddenly wash away with terror. This is not funny anymore. This is not even a pranks.. Someone is stalking me and who was it?

"Are you alright, Elle?" I heard Vicky's voice. I felt lightheaded. I feel like I'm going to collapse... "Elle, you look so pale sissy.." her worried voice reach my ears and I felt cold and woozy..

All of a sudden, I fainted.. before darkness engulf me, I heard Victoria screams for help..

"HELPPPPP........."

.................................................................

A/N: Here you go. Sorry for the late update. I'm running late to work. Please let me know what do you think.. Thank you and please don't forget to Vote and Comment...