11. DOUBLE CELEBRATION WITH A SIDE OF SURPRISE

After slipping my feet through the golden strapped heels, I stand up and run a hand over my dress to flatten it. I look up in the mirror to asses myself wrapped in a gold colored dress which is strapless and reaches just below my knees. My hair are curled over my shoulder and pinned at the center. Swiping a layer of mascara over my eyelashes, my eyes travel to my lips that are painted a bold shade of red.

I guess it goes well with the dress. I sigh and spray some perfume before walking out of my room.

Immediately, I can hear chatter of voices and some music playing not at a really loud volume along with the occasional screaming and laughing of children.

Everyone is here. If only, Elijah could make it too.

The thought instantly brings a frown between my brows.

Clearing my throat, I descend the stairs keeping my head down as to avoid falling in these five inches heel that mom got for me. When I, finally, reach the last step, I look up and spot mom and dad  immediately talking to an older couple.Probably parents' of twins' friends or dad's business associates.

I smile as I spot my favorite boys and as if they, too, could feel that I was looking at them, their eyes instantly landed on me with a wide, toothy grin plastered on their faces.

I take a step forward and sit on my heels with open arms as they both run towards me with maximum speed.

"There's my babies!" I exclaim joyfully.

"Happy birthday babies." I greet pulling away.

"We're all grown up now." Nate says puffing his chest making me chuckle and squish his cheek while Noah nods his head enthusiastically at the statement.

"You're so smart and adorable, just like Uncle Nate." I say to him.

His eyes twinkle at the mention of his favorite uncle, "Really?" he asks.

"Yeah, dad even named you after him." I tell him and his eyes shine even brighter than before.

"Dad didn't name me?" Noah asks with a cute frown.

"I named you, baby. Are you sad?" I ask with a fake sad pout.

His eyes widen and he violently shakes his head, "Never, sissy. You're my favorite." he states making me giggle and kiss them both on their cheeks.

Uncle Nate was my mother's brother who passed away in an unfortunate car accident while she was pregnant with me. I learned that it took a toll on my mother's physical and mental health greatly. But whatever we have heard of him, seen of him even though he is no longer with us, we know that he was the best human being. No one could even come closer to being him. And so when the twins were born, my father named one of him after uncle Nathaniel.

"You look very beautiful, my lady." Both Noah and Nate held either of my hands in their small ones before placing a kiss on my knuckles while I sit there in shock.

Who taught them to do that?

I stand up as soon as both Noah and Nate ran away laughing and walk towards mom and dad who were conversing with Antonia and Vince.

"Hey, everyone." I greet announcing my presence.

"My, my, you look beautiful." Antonia gushes.

"Indeed." Vince agrees with a warm smile while dad just place a kiss on my temple and smiles down at me adoringly.

"Happy anniversary to you both." I say giving them both a hug.

"Thank you, princess." Mom places a kiss on my cheek.

I look at Antonia to find her already staring at me, "Yes, child? Do you want to ask something?" she teases.

My cheeks flush in embarrassment as I look down and fold my hands before my stomach making everybody chuckle.

"He's on his way." Vince tells making me groan internally.

This is so embarrassing.

I excuse myself from there after a while thinking what is taking him so long.

I was busy conversing with a couple of the guests when my eyes darted to someone standing at the door and I blinked thinking that my eyes are deceiving me into seeing things that have been running through my mind all day.

I blinked again and he was still stood there with a knowing smile on his face. My eyes widen and I gasped loudly before dashing towards him as he waited with me at the entrance with open arms.

"Missed me, princess?" he chuckled picking me up and spinning me around. I forgot about everyone and everything as I buried my face in his chest inhaling his earthy and musky scent.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked pulling away.

"Now where's the fun in that? Besides, I would have missed that adorable wide eyes and mouth wide open look you wore just a couple of seconds ago." he replied flicking my nose.

"I missed you so much, Eli." I say and hug him again.

"All hugs for Elijah and none for poor ole me?" Ezra's voice startles me.

"No way!" I exclaim and hug him with a wide grin.

"Why doesn't anybody tell me anything, anymore?" I whine looking up at him.

"Because your happiness is priceless, principessa. And no one in their right state of mind would want to miss those adorable twists on your face when you scrunch your nose and brows." he replies sincerely and I kiss his cheek.

"I am glad you guys could make it." I say and my eyes dart over their shoulders to see no one standing there.

Where is he?

Everybody greets them both and turns out they all knew and I was  the only one left in the dark. Heck, even Noah and Nate knew.

I just can't contain the question anymore so I open my mouth and ask, "Where's Nicholas?"

"Nicholas?"

"Right here, bambi."

Both Ezra and Nicholas speak at the same time.

My eyes dart to a figure moving behind Ezra before narrowing slightly as he runs a hand through his hair and our eyes meet in the very moment. He flashes me a dazzling smile which I ignore.

"Stop looking at her like that for God's sake." Elijah grumble making everyone laugh.

I look at mom thinking I have yet to tell Eli about me and Nick.

Nick rolls his eyes at Elijah with a small smile playing on his lips before looking at me again.

Lord, he looked so handsome in a black blazer with a white button down beneath it tucked inside a pair of black jeans.

"Do you want to tell me something, Eliza?" Eli asks breaking our little staring contest.

"W-what?" I ask breathlessly.

He raises a brow and points at Nick first and then at me. Clearing my throat awkwardly, I flip my hair over my shoulder and brace myself for his outburst, "I, uh, I," I pause and look at Nick who is somehow finding this situation very amusing along with everybody else standing there, "We, uh, heaskedmeout." I say in one breath.

"And what  did you say?" Eli asked folding his arms over his chest.

My cheeks flame up under his intense stare and I nod my head once to indicate my answer.

"I am sure you didn't just nod your head when he asked you that." Ezra teases.

My mouth opens and closes like a fish as I replay that memory in my head.

"Be my girlfriend, bambi?"  Nick asks.

I freeze for a solid minute as my jaw practically drops to the floor.

"I, what?" I ask dumbfound.

He chuckles and pulls me closer, "I asked be-" he begins to say but I place  my hand over his mouth.

"I heard you the first time. Are you, like you know, serious?" I ask stupidly.

He nods and chuckles, "Come on now, don't keep me hanging." he pouts adorably at the  end.

Blood rushes to my cheeks as I bite my lip and nod my head.

"Just a nod? I want to hear you say it." Nick says.

I bury my face in his chest and he laughs loudly, "Really, Liza?"

"Yes." I mumble shyly and feel his lips on the crown of my head.

"Thank you." he whispers in my ear and hugs me closer.

"Actually, she really did nod her head." Nick's voice breaks me out of my trance.

"Aww." both mom and Antonia coos.

"I'm hurt, principessa. You promised to marry me." Ezra feigns hurt placing a hand on his heart.

"You should have asked first then. But, you still have time." I play along and Nick shakes his head in amusement.

After Elijah has met everyone, it was time for cake cutting. Uncle Drew, my father's brother, was also here with his family. I absolutely love them.

There were two cakes; one for mom and dad and one for Noah and Nate.

Looking at mom and dad, I realized how far they have come. I found out a couple of years ago that their marriage was a business deal at first but they eventually fell in love. It's crazy to think what they have been through but what matters is that they have been through it together.

Elijah comes to stand beside me and drapes an arm over my shoulder, "What are you thinking?"

"About mom and dad and how beautifully strong their bond is." I reply instantly.

"Indeed." he smiles down at me.

"Are you mad?" I ask.

"Never, princess. You are allowed to make your life choices. It couldn't have been someone better than Nick." he answers truthfully.

"Thank you for always being supportive." I say and rest my head on his shoulder.

"Always, baby." he mumbles.

"Can I steal my girl?" Nick asks coming to stand beside Eli.

I straighten my  posture and look at Eli questioningly, "Of course." he smiles at him and pats his back before grabbing my hand and placing it in Nick's extended one.

"Why do you look mad?" he asks tugging at my wrist and pulling me closer.

My palms lay flat on his chest as I frown at him, "Where were you? I was waiting for you."

"Oh, so you were missing me?" he inquires raising a brow.

"Yes. I haven't seen you in two days." I admit.

He smiles and kisses my forehead, "I'm sorry, baby. I went to pick up Elijah and Ezra today." he tells.

I nod my head and hug him but he pulls away making me look at him questioningly.

"Twirl for me, bambi." he commands.

And I do just that for him.

"Don't you look gorgeous, baby." he comments with a charming smile.

"Thank you. You don't look too bad yourself." I reply.

"Really?" he raises a brow.

I giggle and kiss his cheek, "You look reallyyyyyy handsome. Better?"

"Much." he answers cheekily.

"Stop getting touchy feely with my sister." Elijah grumbles coming to stand beside us.

"I wish it was that easy." Nick sighs dreamily yo purposely irritate Eli.

I chuckle quietly and the second dance announcement was made.

"Would you do me the honor of dancing with me?" Nick asks.

"Of course." I place my hand in his.

'Slow dance' by AJ Mitchell started playing as soon as we made our way outside in the garden.

Nick's hooks his arms around my waist while mine encircles his neck.

"I don't think I'll get ever used to your beautiful face." he whispers as I press my cheek on his heart.

Warmth enveloped me as I snuggled closer to him, "I don't think I can get used to the idea of us." I murmured in his chest.

He hears that because he lifts my face by placing two fingers under my chin as we sway to the music. He twirls me once and pulls me closer than before, "Bambi." he calls.

I hum in response as I look around at other, older couples dancing. A lot of children had already left with their parents, only dad's colleagues and associates were left now. Mom had also put Noah and Nate to sleep.

"One day, I'll marry you." he whispers.

My breath hitches and I freeze on my spot staring at him in a baffled state while he appears as cool as a cucumber.