After a couple of hours where everyone is mingling and having a good time, Angelo pulls me to his side and asks for everyone to give us their attention.

Everyone looks at us expectantly.

Angelo makes a tiny speech, thanking everyone for coming, his tone and and demeanor calm and soft, and i can't help but admire his composure.

"That said......Marianne and i have something we want to share with all of you........" he says, his hand squeezing my upper arm into his side and i can literally see everyone start to whisper amongst themselves about what this could be.

"Baby, do you want to do the honors" he asks loudly.

"No no, go ahead" I smile back at him, biting my lip.

His smile widens, his eyes twinkling with joy as he bites his lower lip too, and turns to look at the guests.

"Will you spit it out already?" Angelo's dad utters impatiently, and the everyone erupts with laughter.

Angelo glances at me one more time before facing the guests again.

"Well..... Marianne and i wanted to share with you that, we are expecting" he says, his smirk turning into a smile the more he looks at the everyone.

I smile too, seeing everyone turn from surprise to delight.

The guys are the most excited, punching his shoulders and spurting absurdities and all kinds of vulgar statements, apparently in good faith to him.

My eyes sweep the area a little bit, before focusing on my Mom, her hand over her mouth.

"Expecting? Like a baby?" Lora asks suddenly.

"Yes" I chuckle.

Angelo detangles himself from the guys and interlaces his fingers with mine.

It's like suddenly the realisation hits her and Lora starts to cry as she comes to hug me and then him.

"Oh my God, Angelo, you are not kidding right? because if you are, i am literally going to die". She says to him.

"It's true right?" She asks me directly.

"Yes" I can't help the smile that forms from how happy she is.

"Ohh, honey, that is such wonderful news, you have no idea how long your father and i have waited, i was begining to think i will never see your children"

"Mom stop! you are embarrassing me" Angelo grumbles.

*

And just like that, everyone offers their congratulations, exhibiting happiness and excitement for us.

"I thought you were going to propose" Marco utters.

"Really?" I smile.

"To be honest, everyone thought you were going to propose" Andre adds and almost everyone grunts in agreement.

"Except me...i told you he wouldn't" Nick utters confidently.

"Why the hell would you think that?" I ask.

"It's a party Ange, you have never thrown a party before, you don't even like to have birthday parties. We figured something special was going to happen" Alana utters.

"I can't believe i will be a grandmother again." Lora murmurs happily.

"Calm down mom, this will not be your first grandchild" Ben utters iritably.

"Well, it will be my first grandchild with Angelo" she retorts.

"Grandchildren" I correct her.

"That's what i said"

"No, you said 'Grand child'.... it's grand children, as in Plural"

"You are having twins?" Steph asks .

"Yeah" I respond excitedly, i still can't believe it myself.

"You have got to be kidding me. Two?" Ben mutters.

"Huh, isn't it ironic, you are always teasing Ange about not having kids, and now you will both have two kids, isn't life a b......." Andre utters, obviously wanting to annoy Ben.

"Language!!" Mom mutters before he can complete his sentence.

Shit!

Marianne and i had agreed to keep this part to ourselves for now, but it just slipped out.

Unfortunately, it starts a whole new wave of tears from mom and she announces it to everyone, despite me trying to beg her not to.

In turn, this starts another wave of congratulations from everyone. Hell, even Lexy seems happy.

I deliberately try to avoid Marianne's scolding eye right now and mouth an "am sorry" when i finally do make eye contact.

"You lucky bastard, first try and you get two" Nick utters.

"Now we are even" i say. He and Ally are expecting twins too.

"Always following in my footsteps" he utters.

"You wish, it runs in the family" I retort.

"Actually, you can credit Mary for that. It's the woman who is responsible whether you have twins or not. Nothing to do with you at all" Roman explains, bursting our bubble.

I see Marianne and her Mom walk into the house and i decide to give them a minute before going to interrupt them.

*

"Congratulations honey" Mom says again.

"You know, i also thought he was going to propose today" she murmurs.

I smile slightly.

"I don't know why, but i just can't stop thinking about your father right now and how happy he would have been to witness this" she murmurs softly, taking my hands.

"Really, do you really think he would have been happy?"

"Very much. He always wanted more kids, but i had such a rough time with you and then Jade too such that we were medically advised not to try again."

"And you? Are you happy?"

"Ohh, honey, ofcourse I am. A baby is a blessing, and to have two. I don't even know what to say to that. Angelo, Angelo loves you, believe me i know, and i can't think of anyone else i would want you to take this journey with. I am really happy and excited for you two." She says.

We talk a little about how far along i am and how i have been feeling when Angelo joins us.

"Congratulations to you again" mom says to him.

"Thank you, we are really happy about this" he says, kissing the top of my head.

"I can see that"

"We hope you and Jaden can stay the night and continue to celebrate with us" he says.

"Thank you, we would love to" she replies immediately.

Later, i see Bella and Ivan and notice how sad they have been seen the announcement. After i ask them what's up, they explain to me that 'they are sad because now 'Uncle Angelo won't love them the same or spend anymore time with them since he is going to have his own baby' Bella narrates.

"Oh, sweeties, why would you think that?" I ask.

"Mom said it" she responds.

Why would Stephanie say something like that to a ten and four year old?

I reassure them that nothing will change, and take them inside the house to the kitchen for a bow of ice cream to cheer them up. I know i am craving for some too.

A couple of minutes later, Stephanie comes walking in, her face and demeanor that of fustration and anger.

"There you are, are you guys ok" she says to Bella and Ivan, touching their faces and bodies, as if to check for injuries.

"Why the hell would you take my kids without my permission like that?" She roars.

"Away? we have been in the kitchen this whole time" I murmur.

"Yes away, do you have any idea how worried i had been when i couldn't find them outside?"

"But Mom..." Bella tries to interject.

"Not now Bella"

"Who do you think you are? " She continues.

"Look, I was just trying to....." I say, trying to simmer her anger.

"No you look here..." She says, placing her hand on her hip, over her short white body fitting dress and the other hand points at me as she talks.

"......Just because you are Angelo's girlfriend, you think it makes you part of the family, it doesn't! You are a nobody, and you don't have any right to boss my kids around They are not your kids, they are mine and you need to show some respect" she shouts, drawing abit of attention to the kitchen.

" Look, i apologise if i crossed a line, I didn't think it would be a problem if we hang out in here for a bit"

She laughs inhumorously.

"You know what, I see right through you. I know your type. You think i don't know what you have been doing ever since you came into Angelo life? After seeing much he adores his niece and nephew, you have been using them to get him to fall for you.....I see you went a step further and succeeded in trapping him with those bastard kids you are now carrying...are they even his"

"Enough!!" Angelo shouts, walking into the room.

I turn around and see that we have accumulated quite an audience.

Stephanie looks up at him hesitantly.

Honestly, i am not bothered by her or her words. She is Claire's friend and it's no secret where her loyalty lies. Besides, her words are nothing i haven't heard over the passed couple of weeks by some people alleging i am only with him for his money. Now that i am pregnant, I am sure for some people, it will seem like it was my intention to begin with.

He looks down at the kids and kisses the top of their heads.

"I will see you guys later, ok?" He says to them, gently pushing them towards Lana, who takes them and walks out of the room with them.

He stands up straight and towers over Stephanie.

"You have some nerve to come to my home and throw insults like that around."

"I am just saying the truth, it's not like nobody is thinking it" she retorts.

I notice the menacing look on his face, before he smirks down at her and then turns to look at Ben across the room.

That can't not be good.

I tag at his hand slightly to get his attention, but he ignores my small gesture and walks up to Ben, and stands right infront of him.

They stand face to face, even though Angelo is younger, he stands at the same height with him and actually looks more mascular in form than his older brother.

"Truth? You want to talk about truth? I think you and Ben can use abit of truth right now, don't you think?" he mutters to Stephanie while looking at Ben.

"Family is family Angelo. Show some respect" Ben utters, his eye twitches as he looks Angelo square in the eye.

Angelo is naturally intimidating, but there is no intimidation reflected in Ben's eyes. Clearly, he is the older brother.

Am i the only one who thinks this is appropriate. I see Andre lean over the counter and bite into an apple casually, as he watches the two. Lexy doesn't seem bothered either and i realize that this may be a usual occurance during their upbringing.

But we are not about to turn my party into an episode of Dr Phil. I decide to step up before things escalate further.

Angelo!" I say, walking up to him and try to get his attention.

"If she ever disrespects Marianne like that again. You and i will have a serious problem........ I expect you and your wife to leave,, right after she apologizes to Marianne." He says.

*

"I am sorry about that" Angelo says, when we walk outside to be alone for a minute.

"What was that about? That was clearly not just about me?" I ask.

He frowns and runs his fingers through his hair.

"The board wants me to take over and serve as chairman now that Dad won't be involved anymore.

"Wait, but wasn't he a judge?"

"Yes, but there are other businesses not related to law that he oversees. and now wants to relinquish all involvement and responsibility.

The tenure of the current board has expired and they want me to take over....... instead of Ben, who has been waiting for this opportunity for years." He explains.

"Oh, I see."

New positions mean new responsibilities and i don't know how Angelo can even consider taking on another job.

"And what do you want, you said Ben wants this position, what do you want?" I ask.

He gives me a knowing look.

"It's a little more complicated than that baby..... I can't really turn my back completely".

"Angelo, you are a busy person. We are going to have a baby, and i am going to need you alot more than I already do right now. You need to think about that as you decide." I say, and stand up suddenly to leave, feeling angry with him, but he grabs my wrist.

"What did I say? I will always be there for you in every and anyway you need me, there is no question about that. I will figure it out" he says, a small smile on his lips.

I smile back and pull his hand to leave.

"Go on....I need to make a couple of phone calls" he says, pulling his phone out of his pocket.

Walking into the house, i meet Steph and Lexy who appear to have been looking for me.

Mmmhh

Stephanie clears her throat.

"I want to apologise for before, for what i said earlier. It was distateful and it won't happen again" She says, with some difficulty.

I nod at her apology.

I can think of some choice words to respond in reiteration, but i will take this supposed olive branch and be the better person.

"Thanks"

"Goodnight and congratulations again" Lexy murmurs, before they turn and leave.

Steph was kind of nice to me the first time we met, I don't understand why she changed all of a sudden.

*

Everyone finally leaves, with the last guests leaving around 6pm, leaving me with only Mom, Jaden and Rachel along with Mario and Selena who are spear heading the clean up by the workers, which i suggest can be finished tomorrow.

Angelo shot me text earlier that he had to leave to takecare of something real quick.

A couple of hours later and he is still not back. His phone probably died, because my calls keep going directly to voicemail.

Eventually, Rachel leaves too, and the lack of her chattiness makes Angelo's absence more pronounced and i try his phone again but same result.

It's been a long eventful day, After chatting for a bit, mom and Jade both call it a night and go to bed, leaving me alone in the living room.

I must have dosed off, because when i wake up, it's passed 11 pm, and Angelo is still not back. I grab my phone and call him again but same result, call going straight to voicemail.

I read the text he sent me earlier again. There are no details in it, except that he will be back shortly. Well, this is definitely not shortly. I am sure he knows i would be worried so why isn't he trying to keep in touch?

I decide to call AJ.

Halfway through the party, I suggested we let the personal security guys take the rest of the day off if they wanted to, seeing that it was Saturday and we had no plans of going out afterwards. Considering we have house security around, Angelo agreed and let them go. So i doubt he left with anyone of the usual security we move with, but i call AJ anyway.

"No Ma'am, the last i'ld seen him was at the party, but i will make a few calls and call you back" he says.

"Thank you" I respond.

Later, AJ calls me back to say none of our guys are with him, but he has talked to Kyan and will find out what's going on and get back to me.

I wait for another thirty minutes and get surprised to see Eli and Sam arrive. After they make their presence known, they leave me alone and stay out of site, but i feel comforted, knowing they are around somewhere.

I sit on the couch for a while, trying to browse through the tv channels, looking for something to distract me, but nothing works.

By now, it's way past midnight and there is still no word about him.

Feeling like i will explode if i don't talk to someone, i walk up to Mom's room and wake her up.

"What's wrong honey" she asks, sitting up.

"Angelo is still not back" I murmur, my voice breaking at the end.

"No? Have you managed to get through to him?" She asks and i shake my head.

"Oh.... has he ever been out like this before" she asks.

"Not like like. I usually know where he is. And i can always reach him" I utter, feeling like i am on the edge of a mental break down.

"Have you checked with Security? His family or friends?"

"I talked to Andre earlier and he wasn't there, security doesn't k ow either, we gave them the rest of the day off." I explain.

"Ok. I am sure he will be back soon with a perfectly good explaination as to where he has been" she says comfortingly and i nod, willing myself to believe her.

She stares at me, not knowing what to say. Then we sit in silence for a bit. She is sitting uncomfortably on the bed and i stand up.

"You should get back to sleep. I will let you know when i hear something" I say.

"No honey, I can't sleep now. I will wait with you" she says, and we walk out of the bedroom and back to the living room together.

We sit in silence again as a show plays on the tv.

I know it's late but i feel like i should call Nick, so i decide to call Ally first.

She picks up immediately.

"Hey love"

"Hey, I am sorry to call you this time, i just really need to talk"

"It's alright, no need to apologise, I understand....you want to talk to Nick?" She asks.

"Yes" I was half hoping Nick wouldn't be home and he would be with Angelo instead. I know i would worry less if they were together.

"Mary" Nick's deep voice echoes through the phone.

"Nick, hai...i am...."

"Looking for Angelo, I know, I have spoken to Kyan and we are on top of it. Just try to calm down if you can, I am sure everything will be ok before you know it." He says.

Coming from him, it calms me down a bit and i take a deep breathe and exhale slowly.

"I will call you as soon as I know something, otherwise I will drop by your house in a couple of hours." He adds.

I look at the time and find that it's already passed two in the morning.

I nod, but then remember he can't see me.

"Ok" I whisper.

I called Andre much much earlier to find out if Angelo was there, and he said he wasn't. It was quite early and neither one of us thought more of it. Now i wander if i should call him back and let him know he is still not back.

" I don't know, if i should call his family and tell them" i say to Nick.

"I will take care of it.....just stay home and try to calm down" he responds

I hang up the phone and Jade walks into the room.

"What's up? Why are you both still up?"

"What's wrong?" He adds when he notices my distraught expression.

"Angelo is still not back."

*

The hours drag by slowly and i wonder time and time again if my phone is working just fine, because no one has called me back yet about Angelo.

Around six in the morning, Nick and Ally arrive, along with Ben and his father.

Kyan and AJ already arrived over an hour ago and i have watched them go back and fourth on the phone outside walking passed each other.

I sit on the couch with Ally and Mom, and listen to everyone talk and ask me questions. A detective from the police station, who appears to know the family at a personal level, arrives and we all gather in the living room as he asks me questions again.

"Look, normal protocol is to wait forty eight hours before reporting a missing person. But taking into consideration his line of work and the recent activities surrounding him, it's enough ground to call it in." He says.

Picking up his phone, he dials a number and i hear him talk for a bit.

"Yeah, Dawson, call it in. Missing person, Angelo Morreli....yes thee Angelo Morreli, Last seen yesterday around......5pm." He says and I literally feel my heart hit the floor with every word he says.

I look around the room as he gives them our home address and zone out when he continues to talk.

Missing person?

Angelo is a missing person now.

Standing up abruptly, i walk out of the room and lean against the wall of the corridor and just drop to the ground as the tears finally burst out of my eyes.