Chapter 150 A Good Time

Chapter 150 A Good Time
Dessert plates were half-empty, spoons resting lazily against porcelain as the evening settled into that sweet, content lull that follows a good meal. A soft playlist hummed in the background, the mellow sound of acoustic guitar filling the pauses between laughter. Candlelight flickered across the table, casting a warm amber glow on everyone's faces.
Lena dabbed the corner of her mouth with a napkin, feeling pleasantly full and relaxed. Across from her, Sophie looked radiant, one hand absentmindedly resting on Hugo's arm as she laughed at something Margaret had just said. Ethan's arm brushed Lena's under the table, a subtle touch, but grounding enough to draw her attention. His expression was lighter than she'd seen it all day, the tension of work melted away in the comfort of familiar company.
Hugo cleared his throat dramatically as he pushed back his chair and stood. The room quieted, all eyes turning to him. He lifted his glass slightly, his face glowing with a sincerity that softened his usual playful manner.
"First of all," he began, his voice warm, "thank you all for sharing this evening with us. Having each of you here, family, friends, it means more than I can put into words."
Sophie glanced up at him, a shy smile curving her lips.
Hugo continued, his eyes softening as they swept over the table. "Sophie has been... an incredible blessing in my life. She came into my world gently, yet somehow turned it completely around. I didn't think it was possible for one person to bring this much joy into a home, into a heart." His gaze lingered on her with a mix of awe and tenderness.
Sophie's eyes glistened, and she looked down briefly to compose herself.
"But it appears," Hugo added, a playful glint returning to his eyes, "that the joy doesn't seem to end with her. Apparently, she's committed to multiplying it."
A few confused smiles appeared around the table.
Hugo turned to Ethan. "And brother, thank you for trusting me with your sister. I promise I will never take that for granted." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, elegant gift box, handing it to Ethan.
Ethan let out a soft laugh as he accepted it. "Should I be worried?" he teased, eyeing Hugo suspiciously. "You usually only give me things when you need something in return."
"Just open it," Hugo urged, barely containing his excitement.
All eyes shifted to Ethan as he lifted the lid. Inside, neatly folded, was a tiny piece of baby clothing, soft, cream-colored, with delicate stitching along the edges. Ethan stared at it, brow slightly furrowed, clearly not processing the meaning immediately.
Lena gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Her chair scraped softly against the floor as she stood, eyes wide with joy. "Sophie... are you...?" Her voice trembled with excitement.
Sophie nodded, and the smile that broke across her face was radiant.
Lena's excitement overflowed. She rushed around the table, reaching Sophie first, pulling her into a tight, heartfelt hug. "Congratulations," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "This is wonderful, so wonderful."
As Lena hugged Sophie, Ethan finally lifted his gaze from the tiny clothing item, realization dawning slowly. He turned to Hugo, eyes widening. "You're going to be a father?"
Hugo exhaled a shaky laugh, one of relief, happiness, and nerves intertwined. "Yes. I... I'm going to be a father."
Ethan rose to his feet, the shock dissolving into a rare, genuine smile, bright, unguarded, and full. He pulled Hugo into a strong embrace, patting his back with firm affection. "Congratulations," he said, voice low but sincere. "You're going to be incredible."
From the kitchen entrance, Margaret watched the scene unfold with a soft, loving expression, her hands clasped in front of her. Pride and joy settled on her face, the kind that came from watching a family grow right before her eyes.
Ethan moved next to Sophie and didn't hesitate, he wrapped his arms around her in a warm embrace and pressed a gentle kiss against her forehead. "I'm so happy for you," he told her, his voice carrying a tenderness Lena rarely heard from him in public.
The room swelled with warmth, laughter, teary smiles, and the kind of joy that lingered in the air long after words faded.
Ethan still had an arm around Sophie when Hugo stepped back, his grin stretching from ear to ear. The joy in the room was contagious, humming like a soft current beneath every breath.
Ethan shook his head lightly, amusement tugging at his mouth. "So this was your masterplan all along?" he teased Hugo. "You really are determined to keep Sophie permanently, aren't you?"
Hugo placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Absolutely. I'm not going anywhere. And just so you know, very soon, I'll be coming to seek her hand properly." The way he said it wasn't playful this time. His voice held certainty, commitment.
Ethan's brows lifted slightly, a quiet pride seeping into his smile. "Good," he said simply, sincerity threaded through the word. "You have my blessing, and my congratulations, again." He pulled Hugo into another brief hug, firmer this time, as if acknowledging the weight of the moment.
Sophie joined the men, slipping her hand into Hugo's. Her cheeks were still glowing, eyes shining with excitement. Ethan turned to face her fully, his expression softening into something much more personal, brotherly, protective, and full of affection.
He cupped the side of her arm gently. "Look at you," he murmured, his voice warming. "You're officially a woman now... my little girl is really growing up." He kissed the top of her head, a gesture that was rare for him but deeply genuine.
Sophie blinked rapidly, touched. "Ethan..." she whispered, overwhelmed for a moment.
Margaret approached with a teary smile, wiping at her lower lashes even though she pretended she wasn't emotional. "Hugo, I am so happy for you both," she said, her voice tender. "This child is coming into a home full of love. That is the greatest blessing." She kissed Sophie's cheek and squeezed Hugo's hand warmly.
Sophie turned next to Lena, her excitement overflowing again. She took Lena's hands in hers. "You're next," she said with a playful but hopeful glimmer in her eyes.
Lena let out a soft laugh, a mixture of surprise and shyness colouring her cheeks. "Ah, let me just enjoy being an aunty first," she replied, smiling.
But before the moment drifted, Ethan's gaze slid to Lena, steady, warm, meaningful. He moved closer, his hand resting at the small of her back as if claiming her gently without words. His voice was low, intimate, and coloured with a fondness that made Lena's heart flutter.
"We're next," he said, eyes locked on hers.
The room hadn't noticed the shift in his tone,but Lena did. The warmth that settled in his gaze wasn't teasing. It held promise. Intent. As though the thought of a future with her, a family with her, wasn't something distant anymore.
Lena's breath hitched softly, her smile softening into something tender, unable to hide the way his words touched her.
Sophie squeezed her hand knowingly, while Hugo and Margaret continued speaking excitedly in the background, unaware of the quiet, private moment unfolding between husband and wife.