ELIZABETH'S POV

The fire heated my face while a took a long sip of the glass of wine I had been given. I now sat beside the two women who turned out to be quite the company. Marie, the one who sat beside me, had long blonde hair and was in her mid thirties. Her quick witted nature had you rolling on the floor and she was easy to talk to. She had deep sea green eyes and a cute smile. Jean, Tristan's cousin the one hosting the party, was her husband. The girl beside her was around my age . Everyone called her Ili. She was sweet but very opinionated on everything we spoke of. Her hair was cropped short and sprung up in little ringlets on her head. The way her bright brown eyes contrasted with her milky skin was almost breathtaking. 

"So we have to reschedule the wedding again," Alex let out a sigh. Alex and Ili had been engaged for two years and still haven't been able to marry. Brandon was giving him shit for it and it brought on the long story of their love. 

"You know babe," Ili started, "maybe we should just go to the Bahamas or something and have a small wedding. Or a cruise?"

"Oh that sounds lovely," Marie piped in. Her smile never seemed to leave her lips.

I watched Alex's reaction carefully and from what I could tell they had this conversation already, "Iliamna you know my family is crazy big. You already promised my mom we'd have it here."

She crossed her arms and huffed.

"Is this why you haven't had a wedding," Tristan chuckled, "you've been arguing for two years?"

Alex rolled his eyes and took a swig of his beer, "Oh shut up. But really, how did you two do it? Decide on the wedding so quickly?"

I froze as he looked back and forth between the two of us. My eyes met Tristan's but I couldn't read him as usually. His cold hard face was back. 

"Simple," Tristan spoke and my whole body shot to attention, "the women are always right. But in your case its more complicated. I know you're mom is always right but now you got the love of your life throwing shit at you too."

Jean gave Tristan a firm pat on the back, "Not even a year and you already got it figured out. You're a lucky one Elizabeth."

I felt overwhelmed by his choice of words, 'you're a lucky one'. Was I? In financial ways yes. But I've never cared about money. In the genuine good person, loving husband ways, no. And that's what I've always cared about. 

"Yeah," I said making sure to keep my voice soft, "I couldn't be happier."

My gaze landed on Tristan's to tell him my words weren't true. But the look he gave me told me he knew well enough. 

"Lizzie," Brandon whined and I cringed at his nickname, "we both know you'd be so much happier with me." 

I couldn't help but think maybe I would. His bubbly personality and his sense of humor. He was cute too but he wasn't my type. I hated that I liked Tristan's overpowering charisma. How his icy eyes could almost see right through you. A frown found it's way to my lips but I replaced it with a smirk, "I highly doubt that Brandon."

I downed the rest of my wine and sat up a little. I definitely felt a little tipsy now. 

"Uncle Tristan!" A little voice squealed capturing my attention.

Into my view came a little girl running full speed at Tristan. Her little blonde curls bounced on top of her head while she flung herself into his arms. He bent down and swiftly caught. Bringing her up and spinning her in circle little giggles flowed from the girls mouth, "Annie!"

Tristan's voice sounded light and happy and it made my heart squeeze. The girls eyes met mine and I instantly recognized her. She was the flower girl at our wedding. Her piercing blue eyes almost mirrored Tristan's which I assumed she got from Jean. Her blonde hair was no doubt from Marie. I smiled at her and she let out a gasp and mumbled something to him.

"What?" His eyebrows furrowed as he looked at the small child in his arms.

Annie's small chubby hand came up and pointed at me, "The princess."

Tristan's eyes followed where she pointed until they rested on me. I felt heat fill up my cheeks as his eyes lingered on mine.

"Princess," Marie snorted, "you lucky son of bitch. All I get every day is 'MOM'!"

I chuckled and broke away from Tristan's gaze, "In the long run that's the best title to have."

Tristan set the girl down and she took his hand dragging him towards me, "You're not wrong. Are you and Tristan going to have kids?"

I froze in my seat and noticed him tense up. They now stood in front of me. 

"I, um, I'm not sure," I replied looking down. 

"Hmm," Marie leaned forward a little, "but you want to."

I met her gaze and my mouth opened slightly. It wasn't a question it was a statement. But she was right. I've wanted kids since I was thirteen years old. I knew for a fact I would never get that with Tristan. Luckily I was spared the pain of answering by a tug on my dress, "You're a princess and your in my house."

I wanted to laugh at her but I kept my composure, "I thought we talked about this Annie."

He crossed her arms and lifted her eyebrow acting much older than she was, "Yes, but I'm not a princess so I know you were lying."

I sighed and took her little hands and pulled her in to whisper in her ear, "Okay fine, but don't tell anyone. I am a princess but so are you. I can see it. You're going to be the bestest princess ever."

She pulled back and her face lit up, "Really," she screamed and then added in a normal tone, "bestest isn't a word."

This time I did laugh. Not super hard but a full laugh. 

"Annie, go play. It's grown up time right now," Marie said dismissing her daughter. 

Annie groaned and slugged off. Tristan hadn't moved from where he was and I looked up at him. He was watching Annie walk away and I took the moment to study him. His sharp jaw and high cheek bones. The shape his lips made from the side mad me suck my lip into my teeth. His head turned and his eyes met mine. A blush rose to my cheeks but I didn't falter my gaze. I wish he wasn't so unreadable. I wish I could know more about him and how he thinks. His hard gaze made my body heat up everywhere and I couldn't do it anymore.

I dropped my eyes and let out the breath I didn't know I was holding. Why was I holding my breath?

"Excuse me, Tristan," Marie said clearing her throat, "but I'm going to steal Elizabeth for a second, if that's alright?"

I realized Ili was already standing and ready to begin our expedition. Tristan nodded but sent her a small glare, "Nothing crazy, Marie."

She giggled and stood up, "No promises."

Marie grabbed my hand and sent him a wink before pulling me towards the house with Ili close behind. 

I looked back a Tristan one last time and he watched us disappear into the house. 

***

"Shots?" I looked at Ili and Marie like they were crazy, "Tristan would have me hung."

Marie sighed and put her arm around me, "I promise Liz, the boys are getting wasted right now."

Maybe she was right. But Tristan seemed very upset about me having a small it of liquor in my system. And this whole time he'd been here he'd only had two beers. 

I chewed at my lip roughly, "I don't know."

"Oh come on," Ili spoke, "two shots with me."

"And a margarita," Marie threw in.

I wouldn't consider it pure pressure because I wanted to drink. I just didn't want an upset Tristan to deal with.