"Are you ready?." Kystan whispers in my ear as the car comes to a halt. I am so nervous. Never in a million years would have thought it possible but it is happening. I shake my head.

Valets open the doors for us, carrying in the loud noise outside the car. I no longer want to get out. Kystan intertwines his fingers with mine and pulls me gently out of the car.

Cameras start flashing. I hear a news anchor nearby saying, "We are live on channel 4 at the official inauguration of the first store by Britain's most popular fashion designer, Mrs. Liza Mitchells." I walk towards the entrance. I guess I'll be on the news again today. Kystan isn't far behind, I hear him whispering to his financial adviser to take care of an upcoming partnership with Godiva Chocolatier.

We are ushered into the building to get a small briefing before everything starts. I look through the designs we are portraying today to make sure they are all at per and then, we begin. The ceremony is attended by many honorary guests: the Commissioner of Police at Scotland Yard, who is also known as my dad, the CFO of Chanel, Representatives of Dior and many celebrities. I give a speech, but that is not what I am looking forward to; I can't wait for the party so that I can break the news.

Luckily, the ceremony ends on a good note and we leave for the celebratory party. "That was fantastic." Kystan tells me as we cruise through London heading to Quaglinos. Kystan booked the entire restaurant for the party so that we can accommodate our guests in the best manner possible. When we reach there, I see paparazzi lurking around. The venue of the party was supposed to be secret. We exit the car quickly to avoid getting blocked by the paparazzi. Before I enter the main party area, Kystan takes me to a side room.

"Relax." He tells me after closing the door behind us. All day I have been running high on adrenaline and nerves, I haven't had a moment to sit still and relax. He puts a hand behind my head and lays it on his chest and then he strokes my hair with the other. I start to feel the tension melt from my system. I release a long sigh.

Kystan and I have been married for seven years now but it still feels like it was just yesterday that we met. I don't love him any less than I did all those years ago. Despite both of our hectic careers, me with my pop-up fashion boutiques and him with the Listan Corp, we made it a rule to always find our way back to each other at the end of our busy day.

When I am finally back at ease, Kystan holds my shoulders at arm's length, he smiles down at me, "My baby is such a strong woman," He muses, "Today is your party, enjoy it." He leans down and kisses me with adoration. He pulls back and whispers, "Personally, I can't wait for tonight." He says and winks.

The mind of this man! "Get your head out of the gutter." I reply, but he knows I am just as anxious as he is. As I walk to the door, I feel a flick on my butt. I turn around and glare at him. He pretends like he isn't the one who did it. I extend my hand, which he takes, and lead us into the party.

When we reach the top of the stairs descending to the lower floor, the guests clap to welcome us into the party. We greet people as we go and mingle with the guests thanking them personally for coming and wishing them a happy time.

I chose to have the party here because of the huge staircase where I want to give a huge announcement at the end of the night. But Kystan doesn't know that. Yet.

After meeting and greeting everyone, Kystan goes to the bar to get us drinks. I am intercepted by Jade and Cynthia.

"Liza." They come squealing and making too much noise like they usually do. I open my arms and we hug.

"Have you told him yet?" Cynthia asks with a brief downward glance at my belly.

"Not yet." I answer in a whisper.

"I hope he is happy because if he isn't I'll personally exterminate him." Jade says and I know she is serious.

"That won't be necessary." In the back of my mind, I hope he is, otherwise it would be horribly embarrassing, moreover in front of all these people.

"Oh my God, I can't believe you're going to be a-" I cut Cynthia off.

"Don't be so loud, he might hear you." I tell her in a hushed tone.

"Hear what?" Kystan says from behind us. I jump from fright. "What is it that I shouldn't hear?" He asks again, looking at me in particular.

"Nothing. It's just ladies' stuff." I cover up quickly.

He doesn't look convinced but doesn't ask further lest it be ladies stuff. He turns to my best friends, "So, Jade, how are my beautiful nieces?" He asks.

Jade and Asher got back together and they got married a few years after us. They have two beautiful daughters now, Jazzy and Mia, who make a point of calling me auntie Li and Kystan, uncle Ky.

"They are growing. They miss you a lot though." She says, "I plan to send them over on Saturday." Kystan brightens up at the prospect of meeting the girls soon. See, this is why I think the news I have will make him happy.

"Fantastic." He exclaims. Then he turns to Cynthia, "How about you? How is Luca faring so far away from home?"

You heard it right, Luca and Cynthia are now dating. A few years ago, Cynthia moved to the USA to work as a top designer for Gucci and has been living there since, so coincidentally, or so she has led us to believe, her and Luca met there and found out they were living in the same apartment building, and they started 'talking' until finally, they ended up dating.

"He misses home sometimes, as I do too, but Wall Street still needs him." She answers somberly, but she is smiling again the next moment. "By the way, he said that he will be here next week so we might as well have a weekend getaway, all six of us." She says, looking at me pointedly. I am known for being the busiest. I can see the planner-wheels in her mind churning, I am certain she has already made a reservation, so no need to refuse.

"Of course." I say enthusiastically. It's been quite some time since we all met in the same place so this is going to be fun.

You and I by John Legend goes on and everyone instinctively forms a circle around us. Kystan asks for my hand and I give it. We start swaying to the music and add in a few tricks from ballroom dancing before everyone claps and they find their own partners to join in the dancing.

In the middle of our dance, Jade comes over and taps me on the shoulder. I turn to face her, "It's time." She says. Knots form in the pit of my stomach. I didn't expect it to be this scary when I finally break the news but I leave Kystan's arms and go up to the top of the stairs where I can see everyone who came. I tap a knife to my glass, drawing all of the room's attention to me.

It is dead silent in the room so I don't need a microphone to say what I have to say, "I am grateful to all of you for being here to share with me this incredible milestone in my life. My parents," I look where they are standing together with my dad's arm around my mom as they listen, ''I am so happy for your support, for being there for me and loving me so much. My friends," I look at Jade, Cynthia, Asher and think of Luca as well, since he is not here now, "I don't know how it would have been without you, you make me so happy, and angry sometimes, but I cherish all of you so much. And most importantly, my husband, I just can't fathom what I would do without you, I love you and I think I am this accomplished because of you." I pause for a moment, as I feel a lump form in my throat. "And I just hope that by carrying your child I am repaying you for all the things you've done for me." I say. A hushed murmur goes through the crowd. I can see tears coming to my mom's eyes. She blows me a kiss.

When I look back at Kystan he is looking on with confusion while other guys clap him on the back in congratulations. If it wasn't for the fact that I am emotional right now, I would have slapped my forehead with exasperation, "I am pregnant." I say specifically for him to get it. His face sets into an expression of disbelief, then he frowns. Oh no.

A bleak murmur erupts. What was a smile on my mother's face, turns to horrified surprise. I stand awkwardly begging Kystan with my eyes not to do this to me. A devious grin breaks onto his face and he comes running up the stairs two at a time until he reaches me and sweeps me off my feet. He twirls me around while I laugh happily. He sets me down and showers me with kisses until we remember that there are other people before whom we have to act more decent.

From time to time, I catch Kystan glancing down at my belly like he might be able to see the child just by looking. "Why didn't you tell me before?" He asks as we sway to another song.

"I wanted to surprise you." I answer.

"I am so happy." He just says.

"So am I."

I tighten my arm around his neck and place my head on his chest.

****************************************