Aaron's POV

"Your scarf looks amazing, babe." I grin as Diana and I step out in the cold wind of the afternoon. It was almost three, I think. We slept in late because we never get a chance to do that.

She glares at me but then plants an innocent yet that smug smile on her face, "Aaron, are you forgetting the part where you let me use concealer to hide the one on your neck."

Now, it's my chance to glare at her, "I am meeting my family for the first time! I couldn't show up with a love bite on my neck." I defend myself as she laughs, stopping a taxi for us.

"I am kidding, I am kidding." She says as we get in and she quickly tells the driver our destination before turning to me, "Will you let me put liner and mascara on your eyes tonight?" She teases and I narrow my eyes at her.

"Funny."

She grins, grabbing my cheeks before kisses me. I kiss her back before sighing against her lips. My nerves are really starting to kick in as the distance between to my biological family gets lesser and lesser. It's just fifteen minutes drive, but Diana tries to keep my mind occupied as she carries on the conversation.

"Just be yourself, alright?" She tells me, searching my face and I know that she can tell I am nervous.

"What if my siblings hate me?" I frown, not liking the thought at all and she takes my hands in hers.

"Aaron, it's honestly impossible for anyone to hate you. Have you met you? You're incredible." She reassures me.

"Your opinion is biased by my skills in bed." I say and she gives me a cheeky grin.

"Yes, but I didn't fall in love with you because of that. I fell in love with you because of how pure your heart is." She kisses where my heart is supposed to be.

Honestly, Diana thinks too highly of me. Sometimes I feel like I am not worth all that, but she's there to tell me otherwise every time that thought crosses my mind.

"Dad talked to Ian." I tell her and she looks at me surprised.

"He did? What did he say?"

I shrug, "I don't know. Probably threatened him? Whatever, I am just glad they are fine with me doing this. I would hate to go against them." I tuck her hair behind her ear and she snuggles closer to me.

"I am sure it was fine, Aaron. Robert just cares a lot for you, so does your mother. It's alright for them to feel a little threatened by all of this." She says and I nod.

"I know, baby."

We talk a little more, about Emily mainly. She must have come back from school by now, where Shelly would have picked her from. We video-called her last night and though Diana expected a lot of crying, Emily was happy to talk to us, which made both of us smile.

When the taxi comes to the stop, I pay for the cab and we get out. I pull Diana closer to myself as a shaky breath leaves through between my teeth. She looks up at me and eyes me a little nervously, "Come here." She says, tugging to my jacket and I lean down closer to her.

Her warm lips wrap around mine, making me forget about my nerves as I focus on the feeling of her against me, and the relief her kiss brings me. She parts our lips but I kiss her again before nodding.

"Come on, let's meet your family." She smiles at me and I instruct my mind to concentrate how beautiful her smile is, and not what lies behind the door.

She rings the doorbell, her free hand in mine. Diana's wearing a maroon full dress that ends up a little above her knees but she has paired it with high boots to cover her skin from the cold. Her blonde hair are falling above her shoulders naturally, one side of them tugged behind her ear and a dark printed scarf is covering her neck. Her white warm coat is covering most of it though, because the weather's still cold.

She looks beautiful, in fact, she looks hot. Really hot.

The front door opens and my eyes snap from her to the woman whom I have only met once in my life, "Oh, you both are finally here!" Lily smiles, her eyes crinkling as she sees us.

"Hey, I hope that's fine." Diana says and I am thankful that she's taking the lead.

"Absolutely, we've been waiting. C'mon in!" Lily opens the door and Diana tugs on my head as we start making our way in.

Ian is standing by the couches as we go and he immediately gives me a huge smile, "Hey, Aaron." He offers me his hand, and Diana lets go of my hand to let me shake his.

"Hey. Thanks for having us." I say, smiling a little as my nerves start settling in a little.

"It's not a problem at all." Lily says from behind and I turn to see her.

I haven't said anything to her, and she looks just about as nervous as I am and I offer her a small smile, which seems to surprise her.

"How are you, Diana?" Ian turns to my girlfriend who offers him her smile that she wears around in office.

"Great, you?"

Both Lily and Ian leads us to the couches, and Diana takes a seat on my left, her hand immediately coming to rest on my knee to stop me from moving it due to my anxiety before I can even start. She knows my body language better than me sometimes. I offer her a thankful look which she returns in a genuine smile.

"We're good."

"What would you like to drink? Juice, coffee, tea?" Lily asks.

I turn to look at her and not her anxiously look between the two of us, "Water would be fine for me," I tell her before turning to Diana, "Dee?"

She shakes her head, "I'm fine. I would ask if I need anything." She gives her a small smile.

Lily disappears behind me into a kitchen and gets me a glass of water which I gulp down in one go, to get rid of my nerves and Diana leans into my ear.

"Easy, baby. This is your family, you have nothing to be nervous about." She whispers and her words calm me down a little, earning a smile from me as I take her hand in mine.

I hear footsteps on the staircase behind me and a girl who looks in her teenage years comes trotting down in a pair of jeans and a red sweater, her brown hair are falling down straight behind her back and there's a small smile on her face as she looks at the scene in living room.

Amelia. That's my younger sister.

She's so beautiful. Just like Lily is. She actually looks a lot like a younger version of her.

My body freezes a little at her presence and Diana notices it because her free hand rubs my arm in a comforting manner as she gives me an encouraging nod as Amelia comes to sit by Ian.

"Hey Dad." She says to him and he smiles at me.

"Hey, kid. Remember I told you someone was coming to see us today?" He says and she nods, turning to me as she waves at me lightly.

A smile breaks onto my face almost instantly as I stare at her. Wow. I have a younger sister. "Hey!" I say.

"Are you Aaron?" She asks and I nod.

"Yup, you're Amelia, right?" I say, not knowing how I sound so confident when I feel so overwhelmed and nervous inside. I really don't want to screw this up.

"Yeah. Mom said you're my brother." She smiles sheepishly, looking at Lily who gives her an approving nod while Ian is looking between us.

"I guess I am. That okay with you?" I ask, finally some sense of serious nervousness seeping in.

She nods, "Yup. As long as you promise to beat Brian's ass when he fights with me." She says and I can't help but laugh, relaxing and Ian joins in before he scolds Amelia for her language.

"Speaking of him, where is your brother?" Ian asks her and I turn to Diana who's looking at me in awe that just makes me feel a little more confident.

This is my family. I can do this.

"Probably trying his fifth pair of t-shirt." She shrugs.

Just on cue, I hear footsteps on the staircase but unlike last time, they are heavier. I turn to see a tall guy on the last stair with blonde hair and a little tanned skin. He has that face which I know has broken many hearts in high school, and he radiates off that vibe too, somehow reminding me of Derek, but he doesn't give off the vibe of an asshole which honestly Derek reeks off. But he's working on it, I know he is.

"And that would be Brian, glad you finally appeared." Ian says, glaring at him.

Brian rolls his eyes before setting them at me. His eyes are blue, just like mine but his are a shade darker.

When he comes across the couches, he offers me his hand, "Brian." He says and I immediately shake his hand.

"Aaron."

We both turn to Lily and Ian, probably thinking the same thing but he's the one who speaks it up, "Rhyming names, really Mum?" He huffs as he takes a seat on the couch adjacent to Diana's.

Lily just shrugs before Brian turns to Diana, she gives him a small smile, "Wife?" He asks which makes Diana shake her head immediately.

"Girlfriend." She says, offering her hand, "Diana."

He nods as he takes her hand, "Nice to meet you. You're beautiful, by the way." He says which makes me laugh a little because I am sure he says that to every girl he meets.

"Really?" She smirks and I am already sensing a comeback, "Thanks, Brian. You're beautiful too." She says, which makes his cheek flush but everyone laughs.

"Sassy. Nice." He nods his head with a small smile playing on his lips.

"Well, to not make this any awkward," Ian starts now that everyone is gathered together, "We are all family, and I am sorry that it has taken us so long to be together. Amelia and Brian know everything, Aaron.. and we apologise for the mistakes that have been done. But we would really like to know you." He says and an awkward silence falls over.

I clear my throat, "Yeah, I'd really like that." I say and almost everyone smiles.

"So, how old are you?" Amelia asks with curiosity.

"I turned twenty two this month." I tell her and she nods before I immediately remember something and turn to the bag on the side, offering it to her.

She gives me a confused look, "What's this?"

"Chocolates. I didn't know which ones you liked so I brought plenty." I shrug and her face splits into a huge smile.

"Really? Thanks. I already like you." She grins.

"Oh, and almost forgot to give you these." Diana looks down in her lap and offers Lily the flowers.

"Lillies. Ironic." Brian smirks and Diana arches an eyebrow at him.

"And Orchids." She adds.

"Yeah, well, what did you get me?" He asks, looking at me, and I shrug.

"Half of those are supposed to be yours, actually. But she can keep them all." I tell, referring to the chocolates and he immediately turns to Amelia.

"I am taking my share."

"No, you're not. Get your own." She retorts and I wonder if they always argue like that.

It must be fun to have a younger sister to argue with, and it hits me with a feeling of loneliness because I have missed all this for half of my life and no amount of time can make up for it now. Diana gives my hand a little squeeze and I turn to her, kissing her cheek.

"You guys are so cute." Amelia awes and I smack myself for forgetting that I shouldn't have probably done that in front of everyone.

Diana flushes a little as she looks at my sister, "Thanks?"

Amelia laughs, "Please tell me how did you meet?" She asks and I immediately start coughing which makes Lily shoot up as she brings me a glass of water.

I take it from her and sip on it as Diana rubs a hand on my back. "You alright?" She asks and I nod.

"So?" Amelia asks and I shake my head, because how the hell do I tell my younger sister that I met Diana when she was making out with Derek? The thought is already unpleasant enough.

"Uh, we met at his home, his parents' home." Diana says, obviously trying to reveal as little information as possible.

"We'll be inside, you have to stay for dinner, alright?" Ian stands up, probably trying to give us some time alone and Lily follows, so we nod.

When they leave, Brian cocks an eyebrow, "And?" He looks at Diana.

"And, I was friends with his brother." She says and I see confused looks on both of their faces.

"Yeah, I have an elder brother. His name is Derek." I inform them and they both nod in understanding.

"So, he introduced you two?" Amelia asks and I look at Diana for help, because I so don't want to have this conversation with them.

"Yup, something like that." She says.

Brian smirks as he looks at the two of us, "You're skipping a huge part in this, but that's alright. What happened next?" He asks, obviously having fun pulling my leg which makes me give him a look.

"Well, next he got an internship where I work. Things turned out in our favour after that." Diana concludes and I sigh in relief.

"How long have you guys been dating?" Amelia asks.

"Seven months." I finally speak, proud of the fact and Diana smiles at me.

"Do you live together?" She asks and I nod.

"Yeah, Diana, Emily and I."

"Emily?" Brian frowns.

I bite my tongue and look at Diana who just shrugs at me, letting me know that it's fine before she turns to Brian, "My three year old daughter." She tells him and he gives her a surprised look.

"You're a mother?" Amelia asks, but there's no judgment in her tone.

"Yeah."

"Wow, it's like you are practically married." Brian breathes which makes Diana look at me but I only give her a smile which she returns, but it's a nervous smile, so we don't say anything further.

"Are you seeing someone?" Diana asks Brian and he smirks at her.

"Why? You interested?"

I glare at him, "You maybe my younger brother but I'll punch you in the face if you flirt with her." I tell him and Diana laughs, Amelia joining in while Brian's eyes widen.

"Thank god I finally have someone who's going to put you in your place." Amelia grins at Brian who glares at her in return.

"I was kidding, she's all yours, man!" He looks at me and I give him an amused smile as he turns to Diana, "I don't have a girlfriend, don't want one. Law already takes up a lot of my time, and the first semester just ended." He shrugs and we both nod.

Diana turns to Amelia, "How about you? Any boyfriends or girlfriends?"

I gape at her, "She's thirteen." I tell her sternly and Brian nods with me, totally agreeing against the topic.

Diana rolls her eyes as she turns to Brian, "When did you have your first relationship?" She asks him.

"Thirteen." He says and I open my mouth to argue but Diana beats me to it.

"See?" She challenges me before turning to my sister, "Now Amelia, any boyfriend or girlfriend?" She asks, and I like that she just didn't assume but the topic still makes me uneasy.

I might have just met her, but I feel his sense of protectiveness towards her as I gauge her answer. Amelia blushes as she looks at Diana, "No. Not yet, anyways." She shrugs.

"No dating until you're eighteen." Brian says, probably feeling even more protective than me because he grew up with her.

"Sure, Brian." Amelia gives him a sarcastic smile before turning to Diana, "I love your make up. Can you teach me how to do it?" She asks and Diana grins.

"You're still a little young for that, maybe in a couple of years?" She says and I immediately smile at her answer. "I didn't use any until I was in college." She says and I look at her, a little surprised because I didn't know that, which always reminds me that we still learn small things about each other every day.

We talk, the four of us, but Diana is silent most of the time as she lets the three of us talk. I didn't realise that I had some much to catch up to all at once. Amelia talks about her school while Brian tells me about his major in law — we spend hours just talking.

However, soon Diana's phone rings and she looks down to see a call from Shelly. She immediately looks at me and I shrug, "I need to take this." She excuses herself as she stands up and I look at her.

"Your girlfriend's hot." Brian says, still looking at her and I glare at him.

"Seriously?"

He laughs, "What? She is."

"I know that, now stop ogling her." I warn him and he gives me an amused smile.

"You're whipped."

That makes me laugh, "That's what Ian told me when I met him for the first time." I say and Amelia gives me a small smile.

She stands from the couch because it's a little far away and comes to sit besides me which makes my heart warm inside. "Is it weird? Having two families?" She asks.

"Amy.." Brian warns her and I turn to her.

"Is it weird, having two names?" I tease her and she laughs, shaking her head.

"You can call me Amy, by the way. That's what everyone at home calls me." She shrugs and I smile at her.

"Thanks, Amy. And yeah, it's a little weird, but it's also fine. I have kind of made peace with everything." I shrug.

"We're sorry, you know?" Brian starts, looking a little awkward and nervous as he rubs the back of his neck, reminding me of myself in some way, "We just didn't find out about you recently. They told us couple of years back, because they didn't want to hide anything."

Amelia takes on his words, "Yeah, and Mom told us when Diana called, but she didn't know why you were coming. Brian lives by himself in an apartment by the campus so he was there, and I was at a friend's place coincidentally when you came over. She thought it was a Christmas miracle." She giggles and I smile at her.

"We can imagine you being around if things were different, we both would have loved it. We didn't discuss it with them because Mom got really upset, but we talked amongst ourselves that it would have been nice to have an older brother." Brian shrugs and I can't help as my heart swells with his words.

Wow. They loved me even when they didn't know me, which kind of makes me relax so much, and their words just touch really deep as I stare at my brother and my sister.

"That means a lot, thank you." I start, looking between them, "I found out recently and I was a nervous wreck coming here, but I want to do this, that's why I am staying for a week. I know that's a little time to make up for so many years, but it's something, right?"

They both as Amelia surprisingly wraps her arms around me, "Welcome to the family, A." She says, and I freeze but calm down after a second, hugging her back.

"Thanks, Amy."

She parts and smiles at me, "It's alright if I call you A, right?"

"Yup, Emily calls me that." I tell her and she grins.

"I would love to meet her. Why didn't she come with you guys?"

"Preschool. And I think Diana deserved a holiday." I say, looking at the front door where she's still on the face. When she feels my gaze on her, she passes me a smile.

"You really love her, huh?" Brian says, smirking and I smile.

"Yup."

"She looks kinda the bitchy types, no offence." He says and I laugh.

"Don't worry, she's only nice to very selected people. I had those same thoughts when I first met her." I tell him.

Amelia stands up and goes to the kitchen while Brian turns to me, "So, how did you really meet her?" He asks and I shake my head, glaring at him, "Aw c'mon! I am an adult, I can handle it. And I wouldn't judge her, I am the last person who should be judging anyone."

I eye him a little. Can I trust him? I have to start somewhere, so I shrug, "She was making out with Derek."

Brian looks at me wide-eyed, "Seriously? You stole your brother's girl?"

"They weren't dating."

It's as if the realisation hits him and he gapes at me, "Holy shit." He laughs then turns to look at Diana again, "Seriously?" He asks me and I shrug.

"Yup."

"You must be really good in bed to have her love you." He says and I cannot resist anymore so I smack him on the head.

"I didn't sleep with her until after we were seriously dating, you idiot." I glare at him, and he immediately nods, "You have a big mouth, don't you?" I ask.

He laughs, "Dad complains all the damn time."

"You'll get along with her." I say and he nods.

"Yeah, sister-in-law and all." He wiggles his eyebrows and I shoot him a look which makes laugh, "Please, the only reason you haven't asked her yet is because you're both young. It's written all over your face, anyone can see it, she is it for you."

I stare at him and then open my mouth but close it before turning to look at Diana who's actually making her way to us now, "Yeah, she is." I tell him, agreeing.

He doesn't say anything in return because Diana settles down next to me and offers me her phone which makes me give her a confused look, "She wants to hear your voice and say hello." She says and I take the phone from her hand.

"Hey, Em." I say, running a hand through my hair.

"A! I miss youu." She says, giggling on the other end and I smile.

"Miss you too, baby. How was school?" I ask, and Diana whispers something to Brian which makes him smirk at her and I shake my head because I can actually see them getting along.

"Good. How are you?" She asks.

"I'm good, Em. Are you fine?"

"Yes, Granny wants phone!" She says and I hear a little shuffling before Shelly comes on phone.

"Hey, Aaron. How are you, dear?" She asks.

"I'm good, Shelly. Is she troubling too much?"

"No, don't worry. She's fine. Did you meet your siblings?"

I smile, "Yeah, it's amazing." I tell her and I can feel her smiling on the other end.

"You deserve it, honey. Take care of Diana, see you guys soon."

"See you." I say before hanging up and handing Diana her phone.

"Was that Shelly?" She asks and I nod.

"Show me your daughter's picture." Brian says and Diana nods, opening her gallery as she opens Emily's folder.

She hands him the phone and he smiles, looking at Diana, "She has your hair and your smile." He says and I smile, because he's spot on. "What about the father, if you don't mind me asking?" He asks, and Diana goes a little fidgety before she sighs.

"One word. Asshole." She tells him and he gives her a small smile.

"Got it. No other explanation needed." He says, scrolling through the photographs.

Amelia comes back again, texting on her phone before she looks at Brian, "What are you watching?" She asks.

"Emily's photos."

Amelia immediately rushes to his side, snatching the phone from him, "Lemme see as well."

Brian glares at her, "The phone was in my hand, Amy!" He snaps.

I pull out my phone and unlock the screen before opening the photos and the same folder and toss it to him, "Here, it's all in there too."

He sticks his tongue out at her and then looks back at the phone. Ian and Lily come out in the living room and she looks at the empty seat by my side and I nod at her, so she settles down.

"How are you?" She asks.

"I'm good, happy. You?"

She nods, "Me too. Aaron, I am s—"

"Please, I want to move on from the apology part." I tell her, because the word only reminds me of what has been lost, and I would really like to move on from that.

She nods, giving me a small smile and I hesitantly move my hand above hers, giving it a little squeeze which brings tears to her eyes, "Thank you."

"It's alright, Lily. I want to do this." I tell her and look at Ian who's actually looking at me proudly.

She nods before she composes herself and looks at Brian and Amelia, "What are you two doing?" She asks.

Amelia looks up her, "Mum, look at Emily, she's so adorable. Oh my god, she's so cute!" She laughs, pushing the phone to her mother and she looks at Diana.

"Can I?" She asks and Diana nods with a smile on her face.

She looks down at the screen and it's a photograph of Emily where she's sitting in Diana's lap while she's braiding her hair and looking at her daughter with an amused smile while Emily's lips are parted and her hands are waving around which looks like she's talking animatedly.

"Oh my god!" Brian starts laughing and I frown as I lean over to look at his screen and then immediately flush. "This is hilarious." He says, pointing to the photo where Emily has used all her sketch pens on my face while I am lying down on the floor.

This is the worst version of the photograph that Diana put in the frame. I take the phone from Brian's hand and I shoot him a glare, "And that's it for you."

He laughs, "Do you have more embarrassing photos of him?" He looks at Diana and I immediately shoot her a look.

She bites on her lips and shrugs, "Maybe. Maybe not. What am I getting in return?"

"I'll take you to a college party tomorrow night." He says and I know I lost the battle right there.

"It's a week night."

"It's college, not high school. There's a party every night at the frat house." He says and she nods.

"I'll show them to you later." She promises him and I gasp.

"Traitor."

She grins, "Who asked me to relax the whole week and act my age?" She shoots back and I pout.

"Not at the expanse of my dignity."

"Don't worry, babe. You still love me." She pats my knee and I roll my eyes.

Ian speaks up, "Dinner?" He says, and I look down at my watch, not realising that it has been a few hours already and was already after seven.

"Sure."

Diana stands up as does Lily, "I'll help." She says and Lily shakes her head.

"We got it, Diana. Don't worry." Ian smiles and then looks at Brian and Amelia, "Come on kids, to the kitchen. Set the table."

Brian groans but everyone moves to the kitchen nonetheless. I am actually kind of glad to be left alone with Diana for a while as I turn to her and she's searching my face.

"You alright, Aaron?" She asks and I smile.

"I am really happy, baby." I stroke her cheek and she leans into my touch, "Thank you for doing this with me."

"Anything for you."

"What do you think of them?" I ask.

"Both of them are really nice people, Aaron. I have told you that in the past, they kind of remind me of how Ella and Connor will be when they grow up." She says with a smile on her face and I can't help but immediately agree with her.

"What about Brian and Amelia?"

"Amelia doesn't talk much, I guess but she's strong. It's in her eyes, Aaron, the girl is so young but she can hold her own. And I definitely like Brian." She grins and I nod.

"He has a big mouth like you." I point out.

She smirks, "You love my big mouth for other reasons." She whispers and I give her a look.

"Not here." I warn her and she laughs, nodding.

"Kidding, babe." She teases as she kisses me and I kiss her back, trying to thank her through the gesture because it means so much to me that she's here with me right now.

"Alright love birds, table's ready." Brian yells from behind us and Diana groans into the kiss before pulling apart, glaring at him.

We make our way to the dining table on the side of the living room and by the kitchen, where Amelia is setting down a salad bowl. When I stand next to Brian, I realise that we almost have the same height, I have around three inches on him, but that's it. Amelia, however is short, but she's still growing up.

Lily motions to where two seats are set and smiles, "You two can sit there."

We sit down, with Lily and Ian sitting across with Lily on my right and Ian on Diana's left, Brian across her while Amelia is sitting across me.

"You say grace?" Ian asks out of courtesy and I shake my head, a sheepish look on my face before I turn to Diana because I remember my birthday dinner. She surprises me with so many things as she did that day.

"Alright, let's dig in then." Brian clinks his fork and spoon together, earning a look from Lily.

There was too much food for dinner, starting from soup, taco salad, roast chicken, rice and beans.

"Is anyone else joining us?" Diana asks, probably thinking the same thing.

"No, this is the result of Mom being overexcited." Amelia teases and Lily flushes, shooting her a look.

"So, Aaron, you graduated?" Ian says, sterling the conversation and I nod. "Got a job yet?"

"Working as a finance manager at S.M. Publishing." I tell him and his eyes widen.

"That's great, Son." He says and a weird feeling seeps in when he calls me that, but it's a good weird.

Diana takes my free hand into hers under the table. I give her a small smile which she returns before Amelia grabs my attention and I let go of Diana's hand to let her eat comfortably.

"Did you say S.M. Publishing? Isn't that where this best seller romance series got published?" She asks before take a bite of her plate.

I nod, "Yeah, it is. It's topping the New Yorks Time list right now. By the way, S.M. Publishing is Diana's Uncle's." I tell her.

"Really? Does that mean you get to meet all those authors?" She asks excitedly before her eyes widen in sudden realisation and she looks at us, "You live in New York?" She gasps and I look at her warily.

"Uh, did I forgot to mention that?"

Brian nods, "Sure did. Is it really the city that never sleeps?"

Diana laughs, "Yup, also the city that never lets you sleep. Traffic is the worst! I don't know how they magically show clear roads on all those Gossip Girl episodes." She grumbles, making me laugh.

"You watch that show?" Amelia asks excitedly.

Diana shrugs, "My best friend, Ella, she does. I have watched a few episodes."

"Isn't Chuck Bass just amazing? And have you looked at how handsome Nate Archibald is?" She fangirls and Ian shakes his head while Brian just grimaces.

"Chuck is the one with the Blair, right? He's definitely eye candy." Diana says and I turn to him.

"And your boyfriend is sitting right here." I taunt her and she smiles at me.

"He's Chuck Bass." She says as if that is all the explanation that is required and Amelia bursts out laughing which makes me give her a confused look.

"Inside joke." She tells me and I nod.

"Where are you guys staying?" Lily asks, and I chew on the roast chicken before answering her.

"Crowne Plaza, It's just fifteen minutes drive from here." I inform her and she nods.

"Your job must pay well if you're staying there for a week." Brian says and Diana gives me a look.

"Savings." I say and he nods.

"You guys sure about tomorrow night?" He asks, looking at Diana who nods.

"As long as Mr. and Mrs. Marks don't mind." She looks between the two.

"Oh, dear, please, it's Lily and Ian for you. You're practically family." Lily smiles at her and I really appreciate how they consider her a family because she's my girlfriend.

"And it's absolutely fine with us, as long as there's no drunk driving involved." Ian says, looking at Brian with a stern look.

"I don't drink much, or at all but we'll rely on cabs for safer option." I suggest and he immediately nods.

"It's settled then. I'll send you both the address." He says and both of us nod.

"I want to spend time with you too." Amelia pouts.

"How about shopping with him day after tomorrow?" Diana suggests and my sister's eyes lit up.

"Will you be there too?" She asks, hopefully.

Diana shrugs, "You guys should spend time alone. Lily can accompany as well."

I give her a look. I want her to be there with me despite everything, but I know she would never insert herself in between just like that.

"No, you should come along. It'll be fun." Amelia persists, making her smile.

"You both don't mind?" She looks between Lily and Amelia.

"Not at all, honey." Lily assures her and Diana finally agrees.

"Have fun at girls day out." Brian teases me, earning a glare from me.

"You are coming along." Lily tells her.

He groans, "What? Why?"

"To carry our shopping bags." She says, and now everyone else laughs at him.