"Ma'am, what about this one?"

A soft melodic tune graced the majestic ballroom after his words and Claire Sanders sighed. "It's alright. The elites won't like fast music anyway. Their taste and mine still don't match."

"Then play whatever you want." A new familiar voice greeted from behind her as she felt a firm hand wrap around her waist.

Claire turned around in his arms, her slightly round stomach getting in the way and smiled. "I want tonight to be perfect and having your two faced society judging me isn't part of that perfect."

"Has anyone said anything to you, Claire? Who? Tell me now!"

She laughed, still not getting over at how his protectiveness greeted her out of nowhere.

Tyler Sanders still hadn't changed much except for his hair growing two inch long and the many laughing lines on his once stoic face.

"I love you." Claire said in between her laughs, smoothing out his frown by her hand.

His hands splayed around her silk dress at her waist, pulling her smack against him and skimmed her nude lips, barely kissing her though the small package in her belly wouldn't let them hug properly. Few months more and they wouldn't be able to hug at all.

"I love you too." He replied then pinched her on the back, earning himself a cute squeak. "And I thought I told you I hate birthday parties."

The woman in blush evening dress once again looked around the ballroom, noting the elegance it portrayed. She didn't miss the judging looks she still got from the people, at her intimate pose with her husband in public.

But who cares? This one they can judge but I still won't stop, Claire stated in her mind.

The small round table with a two story cake, which she herself made was the only thing Tyler liked from tonight.

After Tyler married her, he started having a sweet tooth but only ate whatever delights she made and she made a lot of them since her Catering Sweet business from home was booming.

Though second batch of everything was a must on her list because hiding the cakes and pastries from a grown man and a little girl was impossible.

And speaking of little girl..

"Where is Lydia?"

The proud dad gestured behind her back with his head and she glanced at the buffet table of desserts.

Smothering a groan, she dropped her head on her husband's chest because in front of that table was Lydia and her squads of eight and nine years olds stuffing as much sugar as they want in their mouth.

"I swear one day you both will be more fat than me. Just wait for it!" She mumbled in his custom made suit.

Shaking his head, Tyler leaned her back and grinned, placing a hand on her stomach. "You're not fat. You're pregnant. There's a difference and even if you were fat, I'd still want you. You've bewitched me, Mrs. Sanders."

And just like that, a similar grin appeared on Claire's face.

After marrying Tyler Sanders, she felt her confidence rise higher and higher but not to the point of being cocky instead to the point where unwanted words from people wouldn't dictate her emotions.

"You're beautiful." Tyler stated. "You made this dress beautiful. Not the other way around but I have to admit, I like the way how this dress doesn't hide our baby."

And Claire believed it. She knew tonight she looked beautiful. Her high quality chiffon dress featuring a v neck, long net sleeves made with black lace was especially made for tonight.

For once, she loved to show off her back with a plunging v back giving a subtle sexy look but just for her handsome husband. Black lace adorned the high waistline and the skirt was long and comfortable, showing her baby bump to everyone.

Just five months more.

Then their little champ would be here. At least she hoped that was a champ. She didn't think Tyler could handle another temper like Lydia and Libby.

And who is Libby, you ask?

Five months later in their marriage, one night without protection was enough and oh well, Libby Chloe Sanders was born nine months later on 7th August with Claire's hair, Tyler's eyes and a temper like Lydia.

"Aww....." A new voice drawled in a bored tone behind Tyler and she tilted her head to get a good look at Neil Harris, Tyler's bonded brother but none of them would admit it. "You both make me sick."

Neil Harris had changed a lot through these three years. His mop of unruly hairs were gone, cut into shorter form and always sported a stubble on his chin. He never smiled anymore except those few sneaky moments at Sanders Residence.

Everyone could see him flirting his way with the ladies like before but that was just it. His thriving business reached the highest heights like never before but still, none had seen him smile in public.

Claire wasn't sure if it was the same Neil who publicly partied all night long instead of handling his father's legacy but as long as he joined Lydia's tea party, blew raspberry on Libby's baby tummy and helped her make red velvet cakes for him --at the privacy of their home ofcourse, she was content.

"And I love you, too!" She exclaimed and smothered him in her warm hug.

Even though the man in grey suit scowled and tried to untangle himself from her surprisingly strong arms, he replied amusingly. "I love me too."

She pouted and punched him on the shoulder but didn't get to retort because her husband did it himself. "It's my birthday." He frowned as he pulled her back to him. "And you still manage to steal my wife."

Neil smirked. "Happy 33rd birthday. Damn, you're old."

"Don't be too happy. You're up for thirty soon." Tyler smirked back and Neil scrunched up his face in disgust.

"I know." He said then circled around the ballroom. "Club party would've been much better than this dump though."

"Hey!" The pregnant lady cried out. "I organised this. Every last detail is me."

"Really? This is so unlike you." He answered with surprise in his voice.

"Yeah, well." She shrugged, calming down instantly. "Have you seen the guest list? This had to be it."

"Why invite them at all?" Neil tusked, frowning over the curious eyes stalking them from everywhere.

"Exactly." Tyler intervened with a nod.

"Behave you two." She chided. "It's curtesy to invite the known associates and family friends."

"Whose family friends?" Tyler asked haughtily and pointed toward Neil. "As far as I know, he's the only family friend and I can only bother him for my birthday party."

"Gosh! Your bromance is suffocating me!" Claire threw her hands and turned away from them. "I am going to check on the cake and you, oh great husband of mine, be there in a minute to cut it and you too, latecomer!"

Then off she went, invisible smokes coming out of her ears.

Both men looked at each other's widened eyes and asked in unison. "What did I do?!" They glanced back at her then sighed in unison again. "Pregnant."

After a moment, Neil sobered up and turned to the man beside him with a straight face. "I need to talk to you."

"I need to talk to you too. I have what you wanted but after the party, we talk." Tyler responded hurriedly before stalking toward his wife and Neil following him at a slow pace.

******

"Lydia honey, stop moving so much!"

"Ugh, mom! How long does it take to click photos?! He's so slow!" She glared at the trembling photographer.

"Exactly. He's taking so much time!" Tyler agreed, glaring at the same man.

A small cry came from the toddler in Tyler's arms and Claire sighed, waving away the poor photographer. "Thank you, Mister. You can go." Then glanced at the red face of Libby, Lydia and their daddy.

Patting her stomach, Claire hoped. "You better be a boy with my temper. I can't handle another one like them."

"But you love us." An almost nine year old Lydia in her own blush party dress said.

"True." Her dad nodded with a proud grin.

Suddenly, the twenty one months old Libby clapped her hands as if she understood everything then raised her arms. "Mama love!"

And just like that, Claire knew she was loved by these three amazing people more than anything.

That fateful day three years ago would always be precious to her. That day was the turning point of her life. That day God had changed her life for better. That day Claire had met Lydia Sanders sitting on a swing all by herself, wanting for a mommy.

Unknowingly to everyone, the eight year old gazed up at the woman who had called her Little Ariel kiss the man who had been in her home constantly, watching her from afar.

Three years ago, Lydia was a young, angry and confused six year old sitting alone on her school swing. She was a little thing all by herself. She was angry at the other children who were happy, angry at their mommy and daddy for being there, angry at her own mommy for leaving her, angry at her own daddy for not being like all the daddies and last of all, angry at herself for being confused as to why she couldn't be like all the other children. Why was she different?

She had never been able to talk to strangers because Grandma said it was dangerous and that her daddy wouldn't allow any danger to her. Her daddy was confusing that way. He never talked to her but he worried for her like a daddy did and he brought whatever she wanted, except a mommy.

Lydia wanted a mommy. She didn't want a mommy for herself only. Her daddy was confusing but he was sad too. He was really lonely in his huge office downstairs or the bedroom upstairs where he always locked himself in and never allowed her in. That was alright. She didn't want to disturb him but she didn't want him to be lonely. Lydia loved him even though he hid from her all the time. He was probably scared of her. She was a big troublemaker back then. Wait, she still was.

So when a sweet, melodic voice said Hi and called her Little Ariel, instantly becoming her friend, Lydia felt different once again. She found that woman very different and beautiful. She had brown hair unlike her. Her eyes were so blue like the sky. And when she looked at her, Lydia wanted to smile. And when she touched her, Lydia wanted to hug her.

This time, Lydia liked feeling different and she wanted to feel that forever. At last, she found the mommy her Angel mommy had sent for her and daddy.

Three years later, she closed her grey eyes and smiled sneakily remembering that fateful day as well, as she hugged her parents and baby sister.

What Lydia Sanders wants, she always gets it.

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