Chapter 54

Chapter 54
"I think you should speak to Bella about it," Melvin said. "If she's interested, she can start her preparation."
Charlotte nodded but said nothing. Bella already knew about it. And there are chances Jordan told her so she could join.
"I will," she mumbled.
Bella showed up with a tray containing a well-covered bowl of sliced fruits, a bottle of milk, another covered plate containing fries, and a glass cup.
She placed it on the table. "I'm not sure what you want, so I brought some fruit and then fries."
Charlotte opened the plates and smiled. "I think I want fruit."
Bella smiled. "I will go join Mia. Have fun."
Charlotte dropped her leg and began to eat the fruit. "You should have some," she told Melvin.
"Feed me," Melvin answered.
"I'm not doing that," Charlotte answered. "I..."
"Mummy? Daddy?" They heard Liam's voice.
He was walking towards them with his grandma. He pulled his hand away from hers and ran to meet them.
"My boy," Melvin mumbled, hugging him.
Liam smiled. He pulled away from the hug and then moved closer to Charlotte, who rubbed his hair before placing a slice of pineapple into his mouth.
"How are you doing, Charlotte?" Mrs. Miller asked.
"I'm doing great, Mom," Charlotte answered.
"Have you seen your mom and sister?" She asked. "They came in a while ago."
Charlotte shook her head. "I haven't seen them. When did they get back?"
"Today? By noon," Melvin answered.
Charlotte furrowed her brows. "You knew they were around?"
"Yes. I thought you knew."
"I don't. And we spoke yesterday."
"Maybe it's a surprise," Mrs. Miller answered. "Liam was looking for you. So I brought him. I have to go back to meet my friends"
"Thank you, Mom," Charlotte said.
Mrs. Miller left. Charlotte pulled a chair and made Liam sit. She fed him a few more slices of fruit.
"How long before the party finishes?" She asked.
Melvin stared at his wristwatch. "They should be rounding up soon."
"And the after-party?"
"It starts by four," Melvin said.
"I don't think I will attend that," Charlotte said. "You should attend. Liam stays with me. We can't leave the guests to themselves."
Melvin nodded. "Okay."
Someone came to meet them. It was one of Melvin's high school mates. He greeted Charlotte and asked if she could spare him some time with Melvin.
Charlotte nodded. "Sure."
Melvin stood up. "I'll be back soon." He pecked her forehead and left with him.
Charlotte ate a few more pieces of fruit. She covered the plate and stood up.
"Let's go meet your friends," She said, helping Liam down from the chair.
Charlotte spoke to some of the mothers whose children attended the same daycare as Liam. Charlotte took Liam to meet Bella and was about to return to her seat when she saw Liam's teacher. They talked about a few things, and then she went to sit down.
Melvin was back when she returned. He wasn't alone. He was with her stepmother, Mrs. Jane, and her stepsister, Alice. They exchanged greetings.
"I didn't know you were coming," Charlotte told them as she sat down.
"I wanted to tell you, but your sister said we should surprise you," Mrs. Jane said.
"Well, I was surprised," Charlotte answered. "When did you enter the country?"
"Today," Alice answered. "We would have been back yesterday, but our flight was delayed."
"It's good to see you," Charlotte said. "How is work, Alice? And business, Mom?"
"Work is great," Alice answered.
"Business has been doing well," Mrs. Jane answered. "Alice came with good news."
Charlotte furrowed her brows. "Did you get promoted?"
Alice nodded. "Not just that. Damian proposed. So... I'm getting married."
"That's a lie." Charlotte couldn't hide her happiness. Alice showed Charlotte her ring, and that confirmed it. She smiled. "I'm so happy for you. When is the wedding?"
"We haven't picked a date yet," Alice said. "I told him I have to tell my sister about it."
"I'm so happy for you," Charlotte said.
"Congratulations, Alice," Melvin said.
"Thank you."
"He's coming to see you soon," Alice told Charlotte. "Then we can talk about picking a date."
"He should come soon. You have to have the wedding before I start showing, or have my babies. I don't want to miss the wedding."
Alice nodded. "He will. I won't want you to miss it either."
Bella showed up. "Hi, Alice. When did you get back? Hello, ma'am."
"Got back today," Alice answered.
"Bella, it's been a while," Mrs. Jane said. "How have you been?"
"I'm good, ma'am. How is business so far?"
"Nice," Mrs. Jane said.
Charlotte gestured to Bella. "Come sit. Alice came with good news."
Bella sat down. "What's the good news?"
"I'm getting married," Alice said.
Bella smiled. "That's good news. I'm happy for you."
"Thank you, Bella," Alice said.
"I'll be right back," Melvin whispered to Charlotte, and then left.
Charlotte and the rest kept on talking. They talked about a lot of things: life, business, and work.
The party finally ended, and everyone began to leave. It took a while before the garden became almost empty. Bella and Mia, alongside Jade, helped take Liam's gifts into Melvin's car. The rest were placed in Bella's car.
Charlotte didn't wait until everything was over; she left with Melvin. Bella stayed back to make sure everything was fine. Mia and Jade went to the hall for the after-party to welcome guests.
Stella and Gina had gone home already; Charlotte told them to. They could go to the after-party if they wanted.
Mrs. Miller still had her friends with her for a little get-together in one of the living rooms. Alice and her mother had returned to their hotel to get some rest; they promised to visit Charlotte.
Liam was with Bella; he had insisted he wanted to stay back. When Bella was done, she took Liam back to the house. When they got there, Mrs. Helen helped take the gifts from the car into the room where the other gifts were.
Bella took Liam to meet Charlotte, who was already asleep. Bella didn't want to wake her up, so she took Liam to his room to take his bath and change his clothes. Then they headed to the living room to sit and wait. It didn't take long before Liam fell asleep. Bella took him to his room, and by the time she was back, Charlotte was out.
"You're back," she said. "Where is Liam?"
"He's asleep," Bella answered. "I took him to his room." Bella sat down. "Melvin has gone to the after-party?"
Charlotte nodded. "Are you not going?"
"I'm not. I'll stay with you for a while before I head home."
Charlotte smiled. "Helen?" she called.
Mrs. Helen came out of the kitchen. "Yes, ma'am."
"Can you make us something to eat?"
"Okay, ma'am."
Mrs. Helen left. Charlotte moved closer to Bella. "Should we check out Liam's gifts? Although I'm tired, I'm curious to know what they are."
Bella nodded. "That sounds like a good idea."
They stood up and headed to the room. "Food should be ready by the time we're back. You hardly took anything at the party."