Anna,

When you read this, I'll be long gone. But let me tell you, if there's any such thing as ghosting, you would know my presence by your side because I would always look over you, whether it's from hell or heaven, or somewhere in the middle between those two places.

It's probably years from when I'm writing this, but I would always love you. You're my only daughter, but you're the best I could have asked for. You even fulfilled my wish to see a grandchild — what else could I ask for?

There's a purpose behind this letter. And you probably are wondering what that is. After so much struggle in your life, babygirl, you found yourself a man who loves you for who you are.

He's sitting right in front of me as I write this, conversing with your father and I see it — you and him growing old and having a family. He loves that little girl as his own, which every man's pride must refuse him to do so.

But, Diana, you've got yourself a keeper.

You both might find hardships along your way, but remember that love and trust can overcome the hardest of hurdles.

He asked for my blessing, and I gave it to him.

The answer's yours now.

I love you, Anna. Always in my heart.

Your Mom.

As I fold the letter I've read a thousand times now, a hand comes over to wipe away the tears that I didn't even realise have spilled.

Aaron looks at me as his blue eyes swirl with emotions, "You love that letter, don't you?" He asks, a small smile on his face and I nod, hugging him to myself.

"So much." I kiss him and he kisses me back, almost sighing in my mouth.

His lips find my hand as he lifts them, tracing the diamond resting on my ring finger  as he kisses it. Sometimes I still get dazed as I stare at the size of the ring.

The huge diamond lies perfectly between the two slim pair of my wedding ring. I cried like a baby when Aaron proposed to me, because I didn't think it would happen after I had pushed him away so many times. Especially after the terrible fights we had an year after he moved in.

All of that seems like a distant memory that's somehow still imprinted in my head. When I started working as Editor full time, Aaron and I barely made time for each other and then one day he announced that he was leaving S.M Publishing. Which was like cutting through the thread by which our relationship was hanging.

Adler & Coleman offered Aaron a job as one of the financial associates in their company. I couldn't understand why he wanted to demote himself by going from Junior Finance Manager to an associate but I knew he always thought he got that position because of me somehow. Plus, the company was a brand name in the corporate sector, which was his forte.

Marcel let him go, but Aaron and I fought a lot. Especially because it meant spending even lesser time together.

He moved out for a month, not coming back to the apartment at all as we refused to even look at each other until the day he came to collect his cheque from S.M. Publishing. We talked that day, a lot. And that's the first time I actually saw Aaron break down — making me realise that he was just as effected by the distance as I was. He missed Emily terribly, and she was five by then, understanding the fights Aaron and I were going through.

We didn't look back at those fights ever again. Our relationship grew from then on.

Until the day Aaron took me to the parking lot of the grocery store where I first kissed him. He handed me over the letter and as I finished reading it, I saw the man on his knees with a box in his hand.

That's one of the best days of our lives. One of the best.

"Reminiscing, are we?" He gives me a cheeky smile and I can't help but laugh, nodding.

"Yeah, you were a nervous wreck." I tell him as I lay my head on his shoulder.

"You hated the idea of marriage, Dee." He protests and I smile, kissing his neck.

"Not with you." I tell him.

Before he can respond, our bedroom door shoots open, "Mom! Breakfast!"

"Ugh!" I groan and Aaron chuckles, removing the comforter as both of us get out of bed.

"Get freshen up. I'll make the breakfast." He tells me and I give him a thankful smile as I make my way to the bathroom which is two times bigger than what we had back in the apartment.

We moved to more resident area when we got married, both of us pitching in as we bought our first home. But it was mostly Aaron, saving up incredibly throughout years. It was our wedding gift to ourselves.

After cleaning up, I make my way out and look up the stairs to call out, "Breakfast's ready, Em!"

"She just went out." Aaron yells from the kitchen and I frown, making my way in to see him making eggs.

"What? It's Saturday. Where did she go?" I ask and he shrugs.

"No idea."

I narrow my eyes at him as I move down to the stool on the kitchen island and turn to the boy with messy brown hair falling on his forehead, "Where's your sister?" I ask.

He just gives me a sheepish smile before filling his mouth with lucky charms, successfully avoiding my question.

"Caiden." I give him a look and he huffs.

"She went to Ken's house." He finally blurts out and I pat him on the head.

"You're my favourite kid, you know that?" I kiss his forehead.

"You tell Millie the same thing." He pouts and Aaron laughs out loudly, offering me a plate of eggs and bacon.

"See, I'm a good mother who doesn't discriminate amongst her children." I give him a sly grin.

"And telling that to one child when another is missing is great parenting strategy, babe." Aaron smirks and I throw a grape at him.

When six years ago I missed my period, which was just an year and half after Aaron and I got married, I freaked out of my damn mind. But he was the first person I told. I still remembered the doctor's words of the chance of miscarriage so both of us were scared when the pregnancy was confirmed.

But having this baby with him, having him by my side was a journey I would never want to forget. He took care of me to the point I literally begged him to leave me alone.

I think Aaron cried more than I did when he first held Caiden in his arms. The look of pure adoration in his eyes as he held our baby is my favourite memory to this day.

Emily literally squealed when she found out that she was going to have a sibling. She was seven by then, and literally turned from a sweet girl to the naughtiest child you could imagine. She and I got into the most ridiculous arguments which were sorted out by Aaron at the end of the day.

"I have just one rule in this house, we have breakfast together on weekends. Is that too much to ask for?" I sigh and Aaron leans over the island to press a kiss on my head.

"No, babe. I'm sure she'll be back soon." He tries to reassure me but I know that girl.

She wouldn't be back for another two hours because she's at her best friend's house and the two of them are literally partners in crime.

"Have I ever told you how much I love you for just being five, Cay?" I tell my son and he gives me an impressed look which makes me snicker. "When are Derek, Fate, Brian and Amelia coming?" I ask Aaron.

"Uncle Derek's coming?" Caiden's eyes lit up.

"Yes, along with all those other people your Mum just mentioned." Aaron smiles at him before sitting down to have breakfast himself.

"Yes, but he gets me the best gifts."

"Because he wants to be your favourite like Brian is Emily's favourite. It's a competition." I try to explain him but he just shuts me out because toys are all that matters to him.

"They are coming around lunch time, I guess." Aaron tells me and I nod.

"Do you still have to go to LA on Monday?" I pout and he gives me a sad smile.

"Yes, baby. I'll be back in two days." He promises and I sigh.

"I'll miss you, Daddy!" Caiden tells him.

"I'll miss you too, do you want me to get you something? Apart from chocolates." He adds the last part because this guy literally has a severe case of sweet tooth which I have no idea who he gets from.

"Chocolates." Caiden gives him a goofy smile and Aaron shakes his head at him.

"I was thinking of cutting my hair." I say out aloud, wrapping my finger around the long strand of my hair.

"Noo!" Caiden protests.

"Absolutely not." Aaron says with the finality in his voice.

Yup, like father like son.

When John Coleman suddenly passed away with no legacy to his firm, Aaron was already working as the Senior Manager. He offered a deal to Smith Adler, wanting to be a managing partner in the firm with a good investment.

My husband knew what he was doing when he got his name on one of the leading firms, now called Adler & McCall. He travels once in a month, gone for at most the week, but I'm used to it by now. Especially because I have Emily and Caiden to keep me company.

Also because I'm working as one of the senior editors in S.M. Publishing now. Ten years gave me the experience I needed to reach there with my degree. Marcel has never been prouder of me, I think, including my father who retired from his service eight years back but still refuses to leave Larkspur.

The door bell rings, distracting me immediately but I already know who it is so I slide off the stool when I hear Aaron call out.

"Don't be too harsh on her!"

I roll my eyes, because he thinks I'm turning stricter as Emily continues to grow up. But honestly, I'm the chillest Mom. She gave me that title last year.

All of my pissed off mood goes out of the window as soon as I open the door to see her standing with tears stained cheeks.

"Em." I reach out and she immediately wraps her arms around me. "Baby, what's wrong?" I ask worriedly as she sobs in my chest.

"I just had my first kiss." She croaks out and I frown.

"What?" I hear Aaron boom behind me.

"Dad!" She whines, and I give him a look.

"Not now." I warn him and he sighs, turning away to walk back into the kitchen. "Come on, Em. We'll go upto your room."

She lets go off me slightly as we walk upto her room. As soon as she shuts the door behind herself, I sit down on her bed and she comes to wrap her arms around me.

"I thought you were at Ken's place." I say, trying to connect the dots.

"That's who I kissed, Mom!" She cries and it takes me a second to wrap my head around that information.

"Okay, but why is it such a bad thing? It wasn't reciprocated?" I ask.

"It was."

"So why are you crying?" I look at her face, wiping her tears.

"Because I freaked out and ran away."

"Okay, Emily. Walk me through this. You kissed Kenny, she kissed you back. Why did you run away?" I still feel so confused.

"Uh, because she's my best friend? I don't want to ruin things." She tries to reason out and I nod, because that's understandable.

"Babe, if she kissed you back, I don't think it will ruin things. You like her, right?" I ask and she nods.

"Obviously, Mom! I kissed her." She emphasises.

"Okay okay." I try not to laugh, "You're thirteen already, god when did you grow up."

"We're not doing this right now." She pouts, and this time I do laugh.

"Alright. I think you need to talk to her, see where it goes." I shrug and she thinks about it before nodding.

"Okay. Do you think Dad's mad at me?" She asks, looking at the door.

"We both are!" Caiden yells from the other side, making me laugh as Emily's eyes widen.

The door knob turns as both of them step inside, and the little boy runs into his sister's lap. Aaron stands at the edge of the bed with his arms crossed, looking at her.

"Seriously?"

"What? You told me I could have my first kiss when I turn thirteen. And I've been thirteen for a month now." She protests.

"No, your mother said that age. I said eighteen."

"Dad!" She whines and he sighs, looking at me.

"What? Don't look at me. The rule I made was that she can have her first kiss at the same age Cay's allowed."

"That little lad isn't allowed to kiss anyone until he's thirty." Aaron says and both Emily and I laugh.

"Kissing's gross." Caiden scrunches up his nose adorably as she ruffles his hair, smiling, her trace of tears long gone.

When Aaron and I said our vows to each other, Emily asked for the permission to call him Dad. She thinks that he rightfully deserved, more than Nate at least. He's still in contact with her, but it's not as much as she would like it, even though she doesn't talk about it.

Aaron asked to legally adopt her after a month of our marriage and even though she was a kid, I left the decision on her. But she agreed, because she looks at him like he's her real father.

I move from the kids to go stand next to Aaron and kiss him on the lips, "You mean, that?" I ask Caiden who hides his face behind his hands and I laugh.

"So, Kenny, huh?" Aaron asks Emily who literally turns red, making her brother tickle her.

"Yeah. Does that bother you guys?" She asks, swatting his hands away.

"What?" Caiden asks, looking up at her with his  blue eyes, same as Aaron. Just more beautiful with a hint of green in them, just like Emily has in her grey ones, getting it from me.

"That I like girls and boys both?" She looks at the two of us nervously.

"Oh, don't be ridiculous. The only thing that bothers me is that I never want anything happening between the two of you under this roof. Every time she's over here, you keep the room unlocked.. and no more sleepovers." Aaron tells her and she gasps.

"Dad!"

"Yes, hon?" He looks at her innocently and she looks at me.

"You can have sleepovers." I tell her.

"What? You would allow Caiden to have sleepovers at thirteen with the person he's dating?" He asks and I shrug.

"We'll pass that bridge when it comes." I wave off.

"I knew I gave you the Chillest Mom title for a reason." My daughter laughs, sticking her tongue out at Aaron who glares at me.

"Best Mom!" Caiden gets out of Emily's lap and crawls to the edge of the bed to hug me.

"By the way, I'm pregnant." I blurt out, looking at my son hugging my belly and notice the look of shock on Emily's face.

"Huh?" Aaron asks, still processing and I kiss Caiden's hair because he looks the most unaffected from the news.

"I said, we're having a baby." I tell Aaron and he blinks.

"You just had one!" Emily points at Caiden.

"Am I gonna be a big brother?" He finally asks, looking up with excited eyes and I nod, grinning.

"Yes, you are."

"Mom! You literally just had one." Emily tries to get my attention.

"Five years ago." I try to reason and she pouts, "And you're still my favourite."

"She told me the same thing this morning." Caiden tells her and I laugh when Emily gapes at me.

"I seriously thought you meant it every time you told me I'm your favourite kid!" She protests.

"Well, I can't choose. It's not fair." I say but before she can respond, Aaron tugs on my hand as Caiden lets go.

Aaron drags me downstairs and to our room, shutting the door behind him as he stares at me, "Are we going to be parents?" He asks.

"Baby, we already are parents." I remind him but he shakes his head.

"Are you legit pregnant?" He asks and I nod, biting on my lip. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Honestly, I wanted it to be a surprise but then the kids were giving me all those sweet as fuck titles so it slipped." I tell him.

The small amused smile plays on his face before he cups my cheeks and brings his mouth closer to mine. His lips meet mine in pure satisfaction as the familiarity of them bring me a sense of comfort and so much love at the time.

His tongue meets mine, exploring my mouth like he has done a billion times before, drawing a moan from me that makes him press himself further. Hesitantly, I pull apart, vaguely remembering the presence of kids.

Pure adoration brims in his eyes as I open my eyes to look at him. "I love you, Mrs. McCall." He whispers as his breath fans over mine and my lips part into a huge smile.

"I love you more, Mr. McCall."

"Not possible." He kisses me again and my fingers find his short trimmed hair at the back.

"Shut up." I whisper as I continue to kiss him back.

"I miss you." He pouts.

"You miss sex." I point out and he rolls his eyes.

"I miss sex with you. It's been a week, Dee." He argues as his hard member presses against my inner thigh.

"The kids are literally upstairs." I remind him.

"Like that's ever stopped you before." He nibbles on my earlobe, as I resist a moan.

"They were sleeping! And we're not having sex when they can literally knock on the door any time. It's only for your benefit though, that would be the worst case of blue balls." I tease and he groans, parting away.

"I hate when you're right."

Almost on cue, there's a knock on the door as Emily's voice hollers over, "I'm going to talk to Kenny!"

I push Aaron away as I open the door and he remains out of her sight as he goes into the attached bathroom. I can't help but roll my eyes.

"Good luck, babe." I smile at her and she nods, stepping in to give me a hug.

"Caiden's in his room. Probably making space for whatever present Der's getting him this time." She says.

"Aah. Excited to see Brian?" I ask and she grins.

"Can't wait. Also, he kind of already knew about my feelings for Kenny. Since he's gay and all, I talked to him about it. Thought you should know." She says and I nod, understanding that she cannot always confide in me, especially because Brian and her are literally the closest, after Ella and Connor.

As for Brian, he came out at our engagement party, which was seven years ago. He had already confided in Aaron and I, so we knew but Lily, Ian and Amelia didn't. They accepted him, in fact, I remember Lily crying because she was proud of him for coming out.

"Be back by lunch time. They'll be coming." I remind her and she nods before walking away.

I move out in the kitchen to start chopping the vegetables for lunch before Aaron comes out, his hair a little wet, clear indication that he just got out of shower. He's wearing a navy blue v-neck with black jeans as he moves behind me.

"Go, rest. I got this." He smoothly takes the knife away from my hand.

"Aaron, we talked about this last time. You don't get to baby me while I'm pregnant." I remind him.

He feigns being hurt, "I just want to cook lunch for my siblings."

"Sure. If that's what you're going with," I tease, but don't stop as I test him, "And I need you to get me something from LA."

"Uh.. I just got a call that the meeting's cancelled."

"Bullshit." I give him a look, "You cancelled it after I told you I'm pregnant." I say, my hand going to my belly as I think of this little life inside of me — his and mine, ours.

"Diana."

"What? Please, if you act like this, I will literally pack up and leave for Larkspur." I threaten him, "And I'll take the kids with me!"

His eyes widen, "I would die if I have to stay nine months without any of you."

"Well, good because then you don't have an option. I'll tell you when I need your help, I promise. But you can make the lunch." I tell him for his inner peace and he smiles at me.

"I'll fix the meeting." He promises and I nod.

I go into the living room, still feeling his eyes on me as I plop down on the couch and turn on the television. Some stupid movie plays so I start watching it.

"You need to shower, babe! They'll be here in an hour." Aaron calls out after a while and I groan.

"Will you see if Caiden can get ready by himself?" I ask.

"Got it."

After shower, I slip on a blue dress with little white feathers drawn on them. It's probably something Emily should be wearing, but Aaron loved it on me, so I bought it a while back.

The doorbell rings and I know that Aaron's upstairs with Caiden so I move to open the door. As soon as I do, Steve literally wraps me around in a hug.

"Can't breathe!" I smack at his back and Brian pulls his husband away.

"Missed you." Steve kisses my cheek and I breathe in deeply.

"Yeah, if you kill me, you'll miss me forever." I tell him and he grins. "By the way, love the shoes." I joke noticing his penguin printed shoes, that actually look adorable.

He rolls his eyes before going inside and Brian smiles at me, "Sister in law."

"Hey Douche." I pull him in a hug and he laughs, hugging me back.

"Where's my favourite girl?" He asks.

"Standing right in front of you." That makes him roll his eyes, "She went to see Kenny." I tell him and he smirks.

He nods, following his boyfriend in and I come face to face with Amelia. Her make up is on literal fleek as she wraps her skinny arms around me.

"Heyy!"

"You didn't bring plus one?" I tease and she blushes, because she has been crushing on her new boss for a while now.

When she moves in, I notice Derek and Fate smiling at me, as the former holds a big wrapped up present in his arms.

"Where's Ted?" I ask, looking for the little two year old.

Fate speaks up, "He fell asleep at my parents' so they are kind of babysitting now." She laughs and I smile.

"Well, come on in!"

Caiden comes running in as soon as Derek enters, and he pushes the gift in his wife's arms before picking my son up in the air.

"Hey, champ! How are you?" He smiles.

"Awesome! Can I have my gift now?"

"It's called kids bribery, these days." Aaron says as he comes down the stairs.

Derek hands over the present to Caiden after putting him down on the floor. While he starts to unwrap it, the doorbell rings, I assume it would be Emily but my eyes literally bulge when I see Ella and Connor on the other side.

"Surprise, bitches!" Connor announces as he steps in, wrapping in a huge hug and I can't help but laugh.

"There are kids here, Dad!" Blake speaks from behind him and I laugh, hugging my best friend back.

But then I move out of his arms to pull his son into a hug who's literally too tall for a nine year old. Who would have thought that Ella would walk down the aisle with a big baby bump? But she still made the most beautiful bride.

"Hey buddy!" I say and he laughs.

"Hi Aunt Dee."

"Please, stop calling me aunt! It makes me feel old." I tell him, as I let go.

"You are old." Ella says and I keep in my happy squeal as I wrap her in a bone crushing hug, seeing her after a whole month because she lives in the middle of the city and it gets so hard to meet now that we have kids.

"What the hell are you talking about? I'm young as—"

"Diana! Caiden, literally! Right in front of you." Aaron points to our son, who's waiting for me to complete the sentence as Ella and I part laughing.

"Sorry." I smile and he shakes his head at me.

"Well, I see that it's full house." Emily speaks from behind Ella.

I don't miss the way Blake's eyes linger on my daughter or the way that as soon as they make eye contact, she looks away. They are literally kids! What the hell.

"Con-con." Emily grins, walking into Connor's embrace and Ella gives me a look but I shrug.

She looks in a good mood, so I think her talk with Kenny went just fine. "Hey, little girl."

After a while all of us move into the living room with half the people sprawled onto the floor and half of them on the couch. Never in a million years did I ever think that I would have this big of a family, but I'm so glad that I do.

"When are the older ones coming?" Ella asks.

"Dad, Marcel and Shelly will be arriving around dinner time."

"Same for my parents. Both of them." Aaron adds and I smile.

He never broke his promise to his mother, but I know he loves all of them equally. It was awkward when they were all together in one place for the first time, but I guess everyone has made their peace with it now.

"Is Charlotte coming?" Fate asks and I nod.

"Yup. She said she would be late but I'm hoping she makes it before we start eating." I say and everyone nods, a silence falling over.

That's when Caiden decides to speak up, "Millie kissed Ken."

Connor, who was sipping on beer literally chokes on it. Brian and Steve look beyond proud, high-fiving each other, while Ella, Amelia and Fate just look surprised. As for Blake, he shifts uncomfortably, his gaze fixed on Emily who looks ready to spring on her brother.

Derek's the first to speak, "You bat for another team?" He asks her, casual as fuck which makes me smile.

"Nope. For both of them." Brian pipes in and I roll my eyes, because this is his way of showing off that he knows her better.

"Caiden. You have two seconds, you can run as much as you want before I kill you." Emily threatens her brother who runs in my lap. "And Mom isn't going to save you."

"No one's killing anyone." Aaron speaks up, giving Emily a look which makes her scowl.

"My life isn't supposed to be broadcasted like that!" She protests.

"Caiden, apologise. Now." I tell my son as he wriggles in my lap and holds his ear, turning to her.

"Sorry, Sis!"

She nods, but opens her arms for him to walk into it. And the naive idiot he is, he walks right there. Her hands come up by his sides as she starts tickling him and I laugh, nuzzling by Aaron's side. Emily stops, then turns to everyone.

"Oh oh, wait. Mum's pregnant." She announces and I hear multiple gasps all at once.

"Emily!" I scold her and she gives me a cheeky grin.

"Love you, Mom."

"You're grounded." I say and her eyes widen.

"Hold on, what?" Ella shoots, coming right into my face and I can't help but laugh at the comical look on her face.

"You heard her." I shrug.

"For real?" Amelia asks and Aaron kisses my cheek, nodding.

"Is it a girl or a boy?" Steve asks. "Can we be godparents?"

"Get in line!" Fate argues and I laugh.

"Okay, hold up. First of all, I don't know if it's a boy or a girl. I just confirmed out yesterday, only a few weeks along. As for godparents, Fate, you and Derek are already Caiden's." I remind her and she pouts.

"Yeah, but—"

"It's our chance!" Brian protests and I laugh.

"You can submit your resumes." Aaron teases his brother, making everyone laugh.

Being around everyone reminds me if he misses Lizzie. But I know they still remain in contact even though she moved to Canada after her marriage. Although she divorced her husband two years back because things didn't work out too well for them. We went to their wedding, and it was a beautiful ceremony, which is why their divorce came as a surprise.

"I'm starving." Blake groans and I smile.

"Well, come on let's have lunch."

I move out of Aaron's embrace. Just as everyone settles down on the dining table, almost each person helps serve. I'm filling up Cayden's plate when the doorbell rings.

"Got it." Emily says as she stands up and I follow behind her, asking Aaron to fill our son's plate.

"Hey, what happened with Kenny?" I ask as we move towards the door and she opens it to reveal Charlotte, Paul and their two beautiful daughters.

"Millie!" Winter squeals, wrapping her arms around her cousin.

Ella and Charlotte were pregnant almost at the same time, maybe differing by a couple of months. Winter was born in October, while Blake took birth in December.

Both Emily and Winter get along really well, as do Josie and Caiden since she's just one year older than him.

"Hey Jose." I smile at her and she gives waves at me. "Paul, Lottie!" I open my arms for my cousin and she gives me a brief hug before Paul does the same.

"Is everyone here already?" Charlotte asks and I nod.

"Yup. Come on." I step aside and everyone steps in.

Before Emily can go further in, I stop her, and turn to Winter, "Go on, sweetheart. She'll be right behind you." I smile at her and she nods before going to join everyone.

"Mom." Emily turns to me, her cheeks a little red, "Yes, Ken and I are dating. Blaaah!"

I grin like an idiot as I wrap my arms around her, "I'm happy for you."

She hugs me back, "Me too, Mum. Come on now before Dad drags the two of us back." She teases and I let go of her.

We make it back in the dining room and I notice Emily looking for Winter who's already sitting by Blake's side by now. She waves her over and she walks to them.

I turn to Aaron, "Hey." I kiss him.

He smiles, "Hey back."

"For anyone who missed, Mom's preggos." Emily announces for the newly joined company and this time I glare at her.

"Congrats, Dee!" Paul smiles at me and I return it, my features softening a little.

"Thanks, Paul."

"How many kids are you planning to have?" Charlotte asks and I shrug.

"We don't believe in planning." I tell honestly and Aaron laughs.

"She doesn't."

I roll my eyes as everyone starts having lunch, multiple conversations going all at once. But soon after it, kids go upstairs, the adults move to the living room while Ella and I find ourselves in the kitchen with Aaron, Brian and Steve.

My legs are falling off the counter as Ella puts the dishes in dishwasher and Brian volunteered to clean up the mess his brother left behind.

"What do you think it is? Boy or girl?" Steve asks me.

I smile, "For real?"

He nods, "Yup."

This gets Aaron, Ella and Brian's attention too so I sigh a little, my hand running over my belly, "Twins, I think I'm gonna have twins."

"You think so?" Aaron asks, his eyes wide as he keeps his hand above mine and I nod, trying so hard not to let the tears appear.

"Wow. How can you tell?" Brian asks, his eyes on the hands resting on my stomach.

"Just gut." I shrug and Ella gives me a cheeky grin.

"Do you think it's one girl and one boy?" She asks and I nod.

"But even if it's not that way, I would love this baby just like I love those two dorks." I tell them and Aaron turns to wrap his arms around me.

Just like that, the rest of the day goes by and too soon, the evening falls over, the kids coming down in the living room as a game of charades start over.

"Old peeps are here!" Emily announces, making everyone laugh when the door bell rings.

One by one, literally everyone comes inside. I realise my kids literally have four grandparents. Because Marcel and Shelly are what they are, and I'm their daughter just as much as I am my father and mother's. Same goes for both of Aaron's parents.

"How you doing, kid?" Dad asks me when I hug him.

"Missing you and praying that you shift to the city." I tell him but I know he would never. He has too many memories with my mother in that house to leave it behind.

"Keep at it." He laughs and I roll my eyes.

"Diana." I hear Marcel calling and I move to him in the living room.

"I see white in your and your wife's hair." I tease him and Shelly who smacks my arm, making me laugh.

"You're going for a meeting to Chicago next weekend." Marcel tells me and I scowl.

"Why me?" I ask.

"Because it's time you start representing rather than hiding behind the closed doors of your office."

"But Aaron's already out this week."

"Not the same dates, right?" He asks and I whine.

"You know what I mean."

"Well, work comes first."

I nod, obliging before noticing Patricia, Robert and Emily in a heavy discussion about her school life. They have accepted her so much that it came as a shock, especially when I thought they would be biased towards Caiden and Ted more after they were born. But Emily is still everyone's favourite. The perks on being the first born.

Lily's talking to Steve while Ian's in conversation with Derek and Aaron about his new estate that he bought in New England.

"Hey, Ian. Can I borrow my husband?" I ask and he ruffles my head, nodding.

"Go ahead, kid!"

I take Aaron to the kitchen and he frowns at me, "What's up?"

"Marcel just told me that I've to go to Chicago's branch next weekend."

S.M. Publishing has actually extended over the States in last ten years, which is why Marcel wants me to explore even though I insist on working from my office.

His smiles falls, "Why?"

"He wants me to explore, I guess." I shrug and he sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"I don't like the idea of you going alone." He scowls, his hands coming on my belly and I sigh.

"I know. Aren't Ian, Lily, Steve and Brian and even Amelia leaving tomorrow night?" I ask him and he thinks about it for a second.

"Yeah, now that I think of it. They are. You can stay with any of them." He suggests and I shake my head.

"I was thinking if you could make time, we could take the kids?" I ask, biting on my lip nervously because I know how hard it is for him to leave the work now, especially ever since he has taken over the firm.

"Really?" He asks, "Wouldn't you be busy most of the time?"

"Well, I'll have to work but we can make time." I smile and he nods, kissing my forehead.

"Okay, we'll book the tickets tonight."

"Can we tell everyone now?"

"Everyone already knows." He laughs, shaking his head.

"We've got a mean daughter. Anyway, I wanna tell the parents." I say and he nods.

Hand in hand, we make our way to the living room and Aaron snaps his fingers to get everyone's attention, even every kids.

"So, as long as Emily isn't spoiling this for me, I'm pregnant." I blurt and everyone who knew laughs while others just looks surprised until happy smiles takes over their faces.

"Congratulations, you both!" Patricia hugs her son and me at the same time and next Robert moves over, wrapping me in his arms.

He has accepted over the time and we actually do get along as in-laws. Especially because I know Aaron respects him so much, so I left behind my grudges a long time back.

"GrandDad for the fourth time, huh!" He grins and I laugh, nodding.

"Anna!" I hear my father and I move into his arms immediately.

"Hey Granpa!" I tease and notice the tears in his eyes as he pulls me in a tight hug, "Oh, Dad.."

"I cannot leave that town, Anna." He tells me and I nod.

"I understand, Dad. We'll visit you soon." I promise him and he nods, letting go of me.

Before I can move to Marcel and Shelly who are talking to Aaron, Lily pulls me to herself, "You people make me so happy! Congratulations, Diana!" She shrieks in my ear and I laugh.

"Stop fangirling, Lil." I smile and she hugs me once again before her husband wraps one of his arms around my shoulder, "Oh by the way, we're visiting with the kids next weekend."

"Woah. Really?" Ian asks and I nod, "That should be fun. Take care of this little one. Congrats, honey." He smiles.

"Thanks, Ian." I return the beaming expression before moving to Marcel and Shelly.

"So.. this is what your morning dizziness has been about?" Marcel arches an eyebrow and I give him a sheepish smile, shrugging.

"Lucy kind of guessed it." I tell him and he laughs, nodding.

She's also one of the senior editors now, but she likes the work of an agent more than an editor because it gets her and her wife to travel a lot. I still remember when I found out she's a lesbian after being jealous of her. I felt pathetic meeting her then girlfriend.

"Congrats, Dee." Shelly sips on her wine and I grin at her.

"Thanks, Shells."

Everyone congratulates both my husband and I — my husband, God! I would never sick of saying it even though we've been married for seven years. It still leaves me behind feeling all giddy when he calls me his wife in front of anyone.

"Do you think we should tell them?" Aaron asks, pulling me closer to himself and I try not to laugh when I realise what he's talking about.

"Probably. It would ruin the whole point of this otherwise." I kiss his jaw and he nods.

"Hey, can we have everyone's attention for a second? Including our kids! Especially our kids." Aaron says, narrowing his eyes at Emily and Caiden.

"You cannot announce that you're pregnant twice!" Emily retorts and I give her a look.

"Okay, so I have a pop quiz for everyone. Whoever answers it can have the best wine from our secret stash." I announce and by now, everyone's looking at me expectantly.

"You have my full attention, please go on." Steve waves his hand, making me roll my eyes as Aaron speaks up.

"Why do you guys think we all invited you today?"

"To announce that you're pregnant?" Brian tries, "Is that it? Can we have the wine now?"

"Ahh! Sorry brother in law, you're wrong. Aaron didn't know until this morning." I give him a smile.

"And I'm still holding that against you." Aaron tells me before turning his attention to everyone else, "Any other guesses. Especially, I don't know, Em? Cay? Ella?"

"Give us a hint." Fate says, clearly having her thinking mode on.

"What were all of you doing seven years back at this exact time?"

Everyone starts thinking but it's Derek who speaks up, "That's easy. We were having champagne at your wedding."

"Holy—" Ella clamps her mouth shut.

"Did we?" Amelia asks, looking at everyone, her eyes widened.

"All of us?" Connor throws his hand in the air and I can't help my laughter because everyone looks super embarrassed at this point so I hide my face in Aaron's embrace to make them feel better.

"Yup, literally all of you forgot. Great family we have here." Aaron announces.

I look up to see Paul and Charlotte talking amongst themselves, the old gang all amused looking at their kids embarrassed.

"Dad! Even you forgot, and you walked me down the aisle! Including Uncle Marcel." I point two accusing fingers and they shrug back at me.

"We're getting old, remember?" Marcel excuses himself, clinking his scotch glass with my father which makes me groan.

"And you both. Best man? Really? You literally fought over it! And it was a tie but still Derek, you literally stood behind me." Aaron gives both of his siblings a look who shrug back in return, earning a playful glare from me.

"We are so sorry, you guys!" Ella walks up to us and wraps her arms around both Aaron and I.

Almost everyone starts apologising one by one but then Emily speaks up, "Hold on, I'm not sorry." She says, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Why not?" Aaron asks.

"Because I didn't forget anything." She grins, "Your cake's on the way. Cay chose Marvel theme."

"Seriously? I thought when we moved on from Frozen, we would be a normal family." I groan but smile at my daughter a moment later because she clearly remembered.

"We are anything but normal, Mum." She reminds me and I pull my arms open for her to walk in.

"Can I have that wine now?" She asks with a goofy smile and I lightly smack her on the head.

Aaron cradles her as Caiden runs in my arms, "Marvel is awesome!"

"God Bless!" I hear Aaron mutter and I laugh, picking my son up in my arms but setting him down two minutes later because of how quickly he's growing up.

Moments later, the door bell rings and Amelia and Ella help Emily set up the cake. When it's done, I notice that it's not actually a Marvel cake. It's a photo cake with one of my favourite photographs from our wedding. We were both dancing and he was whispering in my ear our vows again and again with my arms wrapped around his neck. He had just bent down to kiss my neck, his favourite spot to kiss when the photo was taken.

My back is exposed in it due to the cut that was there in my wedding dress as Aaron has his arms wrapped around my waist, his face nuzzled in my neck with my hands around his. My veil was gone by that point, and my bun had turned a little messy but it's still my favourite memory because to this day, Aaron would recite his vows to me.

"Happy Anniversary, Diana Florence McCall." He whispers in my ear and I turn to kiss him, forgetting about everyone else present in the room as my eyes focus on him, and only him.

"Happy Anniversary, my love." I whisper against his lips, "To the moon and back." I vow to him.

"Beyond life and death, baby." He promises, sealing the promise with his lips.

•••

I am not going to say anything because no words can do justice to how close these two characters are to my heart. I feel like I am losing a part of myself as I say goodbye to this book.

thank you for being such an incredible reader! Thank you so much for everything. x