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If there was one thing about my family that I would always live by, it would be that we were always and I mean always turn up late for events and functions. Take dad's business party for an example.

We arrived late. Like late late. Everyone was already here and I'm pretty sure the opening speech was done and dusted. There were several business men sprawled around the room as they held small talks with other guests.

Luke took his family somewhere as soon as we stepped in. Dad also separated away from us as he interacted with his business colleagues. The whole atmosphere of the party was nice as a light chatter flowed.

Mum walked off to our seats chatting up with a few ladies who she bumped into on the way. Leo merely walked in with us before he leaving once more since he found it a little stuffy. I didn't complain about it. I stand in my spot not moving as I look around the room.

The theme of velvet and purple shown in various places, blending well with the white flowers that were placed in the middle of each table. I nod in satisfaction, liking the decor and effort that the staff and people have put up.

A waiter approaches me smiling softly as they offered a glass of champagne. I return the smile and took one, humming a thank you. I rolling on my heels whilst sipping on my champagne. The alcohol very slowly kicked in, making me feel less intimidated since I was just stood in one place.

Taking another sip of champagne, I see dad walk in my direction with a man no later in his early 50s by his side. They both held a glass of wine. They both now stood in front of me. I give them a smile, dad giving me a wink in return. He began introducing,

"Lily meet Callum; Callum, my daughter Lily"

I nod at Callum as I give him a smile. Callum looks my way as he returns a smile, his face holding a few wrinkles. His black hair was sleeked back but I could see a few stands of grey peaking. The navy, blue Armani suit which he wore screamed that he had high authority.

Pushing all my thoughts aside, I extend my hand forward. Callum looks down before engulfing his soft but calloused hand in mine. We shook hands as he spoke professionally,

"Nice to meet you Lily"

"Likewise"

"I wish I could introduce you my son, but he's running a little late"

He gives a shaky laugh, scratching the back of his neck clearly embarrassed. I give a reassuring smile as I speak,

"It's okay, I'm sure you can introduce him when he's arrived"

A smile forms on his face, as he relaxes a little as he speaks comfortably,

"You know, I like you already"

I laugh a little, holding a light conversation with Callum as we gradually being to walk towards our table which I presumed. I turn my face listening to Callum as he speaks comfortably,

"Your father is an amazing person to work with. I've seen all his work and looked into his success rate, and my! I'm so amazed by what he has done"

"Well that's dad for you"

+++

My family, Lukes', Callum and his wife Zoe; all sat around the table. There was an empty seat next to me, assuming it was for Callum's son who still hadn't turned up. I shrug as I eat my food, hearing a peaceful talk roam around the table.

Jake who sat on my left poked my arm as he tried to grab my attention. Placing my fork down politely, I looked at him as I leaned down a little. Jake also dropped his fork and cupped my ear and whispers,

"Are you okay? You look a little sad"

My heart pulls at his words as I look at him look seeing him give me a questioning look. I stare at him realising that even a 4 year old could sense me not being myself. I caught glimpses of Callum looking my way.

I knew that I had a few people looking at us both and frankly it sped up my heart. I look at them, catching them watch us both. I give them a smile before looking back at Jake who didn't drop his questioning stare. I lean down and I cup his ear; giving him a response,

"I'm okay handsome, you wanna know why?"

I pull back to see him nod his head excitedly for a reason,

"Well... it's because I've got a special someone beside me. That special someone being you"

Luke smiles wide as he giggled. He caught the attention of both Callum and Zoe,

"Why you smiling puppet?"

Zoe speaks curiously. I give a quick glace at her before my eyes move back to Jake as he looks up to me with pleading eyes. He was dying to answer why he was happy. A small chuckle leaves my mouth as I give a single nod,

"Because Lily said she's happy because I'm next to her,"

Everyone on the table gives a warm smile as he continues to babble,

"And and my favourite flowers are Lilies now, and- and oh! Lily's favourite flowers are red roses!"

He speaks enthusiastically, a wave if laughter rolls in the air and I find myself feeling hot. I quickly see Callum look at me with so much adoration that it makes me giddy a little but I sensed that I was missing something.

"Okay handsome let's go get you-"

"Grandma!"

A voice rang in the room, all eyes turned to the door as a little girl no older than 3 ran across the room in her pastel purple dress, her black pumps making a faint tap noise as she ran towards our table.

Zoe's eyes softens at sight of the little one as shortly after a couple came walking in, their chests rising up and down. Once they were at the front of the door, they walked in as they gave an sorry smile to everyone. They both walked and followed her daughter,

"Wendy!! My beautiful granddaughter! Look how pretty you look!!"

She cooed as she picked up Wendy. Wendy wrapped her arms tightly around Zoe's neck. I watched the interaction as small giggles left her mouth. The mother makes herself known as she drops her bag on the floor as she moves to hug Callum followed by Zoe shortly.

Her eyes roam around the table as she said her hello's before they fall on me a little longer. At first, she didn't say anything other than give me a questioning look, like she was trying to decode me.

She walked around the table and stood next to me. I give her a shy smile as she took a seat next to the chair that I was sat on. As she sat, her eyes never left me. I felt my hand shake a little so I fisted it, hiding my hand behind my back,

"Lily why is she looking at you? Should I tell her not to?"

Jake pipes in, I look his way; embarrassment written all over my face. I look from the corner of my eye still seeing her look at me. I turn my face to her seeing her expression more carefree and chill. She had humour written in her eyes,

"Handsome, don't worry it's fine. Come on, let's get you cleaned up before we play outside a little"

I stand and turn only to come face to face with a strong build, my heart fastened fearing the worse. I muster the courage to look up, coming to face light green eyes. My heart dropped a little, no emerald, just light green. I take a step back allowing the man to walk a few more steps,

"Son"

Callum pipes in, my head turns to him quick,

"Grab a seat Joshua and join us and the Cole family. Remember the family I talked about"

Callum talks, Joshua eyes me giving me a side glance; his eyebrows frowning as if he was trying to remember something. At the name, I felt anxious. Something didn't seem right... trying to get rid of the stares I quickly speak,

"Callum it's okay, he can take my place I'm done anyways, I'll take handso- I mean Jake outside for a bit"

I speak, rather to quickly. Jake starts pulling on my arm making my waver from his tugs. Joshua along with everyone just watch,

"Come on Lily, let's go!"

I open my mouth to speak but my body gets tugged by Jake making the words hard to leave my mouth. Just as I was about to say something a small whimper is heard from Wendy,

"Grandma I want to go outside too, mommy can I go too?"

At Wendy's voice, Jake stops tugging my hand and looks at her. I also look her way, already finding her give me puppy eye. I briefly face the mum before looking back at Wendy. The mum's voice rings softly as she replies to her daughter,

"Only if Lily wants you to join baby"

My heart hammers but I push it aside as I give one look at Wendy. She lets out a small gasp, her eyes wide as she pouts a little, how could I resist? Without me realising, a smile soon plasters across my face,

"Come on cupcake; there's always room for you,"

Wendy squeals as she wriggles out of Zoe's arms, running around the table making a beeline for me. She crashes into my legs hugging me tightly,

"Thank you so much Lily"

The woman says as she walks up to me,

"It's okay um..."

"Mia"

I smile as I give a single nod,

"It's okay Mia, we'll be back soon won't we guys?,"

I questions as I look down at the two toddles who stood by my legs. They both looked up as they smiled happily. I look back at Mia as I give her a smile as she sat back down,

"Don't worry about my cupcake, I'll make sure she's having a fun time"

I feel Wendy loosens her grip from my legs. I look down seeing her look up a smile playing on face,

"Can you carry me?"

I respond by bending down to her level picking her up, a giggle leave her mouth. She places her small hands on both sides of my face, pushing my cheeks together making my lips becoming an 'o' shape as she leans in kissing my lips once, twice, three times.

I tilt my face a little to the table still seeing everyone watch us. My cheeks now burning as I realised the number of eyes still watching us until a gasp pulls me back to the toddler in my arms,

"Your face is hot mummy is she ill?"

Wendy calls, I quickly speak after her,

"Come on cupcake, a little bit of fresh air will help. Let's go"

I say playfully as I place her on the floor avoiding all eye contact. Once her feet touches the floor she sprints to the door, Jake following shortly behind. Their laughs now filling the room as a few business men look their way.

Nearly everyone had smiles plastered on their faces as they watch them both run out of the room. I shake my head as I follow them behind not forgetting the growing anxiety in my stomach.