Chapter 44: Small Reunion

I ended up staying inside of his office until we headed to the airport, “I also asked Ella to come with us, is that okay?” I said opening the door. “No, love. Your friends are always welcome to come and go as they please they are here as my guests,” Gabe replied.

I gave him a playful smile and he went for my hand and continued to hold it even when we arrived at the airport. We waited inside one of the SUVs until I saw the plane door open, I walked over to the plane to greet them. I see my parents, then my little sister, and my brother and his mate all walk off the plane, “Oh, my goddess, I’ve missed y’all so much! How was the flight? How have y’all been?” I said making sure they were all doing okay.

“Slow down darling, we’re doing better now that we’re here,” my dad says happily. “Aria, I’m so happy to see you but I think Isabella is the most excited to see you,” as soon as Marie said that I immediately get jumped on by Isabella. “Aria, I’ve missed you! Why did you leave?” I started to tear up as Bella ran into my arms, she has no idea how much I missed her as well. “I had to leave to do something very important, but you’ll get to see how big my job is now, okay?” I tell her soon she’ll understand.

I put her down and I was about to talk to my brother and his mate, but I was surprised to see Chris exit out of the plane. “Why didn’t you tell me that Chris was landing with my family?” I mindlink Gabe.

“I forgot to tell you, but does it bother you that he is here?” Gabe asked. “No, I just thought he would come tomorrow like everyone else, and no, it doesn’t,” I ended the mindlink. “Chris, it’s good to see you. How have you been?” asked politely. “The flight was good not too long but I’m glad to see you're doing well,” he replied.

I gave him a nod as everyone was off the plane, we got them into the SUVs and headed to the castle. I had Isabella sit next to me so I could show her all of the tall buildings, stores, and restaurants. Her little mind was blown by how big the kingdom is. We weren’t that far from the castle, “Bella, you’re going to love the castle and I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping,” I said excitedly.

“Is it next to your room?” she said with her pouty eyes. “It’s a couple of doors away, but don’t worry I’ll always be close by, okay?” she nodded her head then I see her eyes open so big.

She sees the castle, if she thinks it’s amazing on the outside, she’s definitely going to lose it when she sees the inside. We pull up to the castle and just like my sister’s reaction, all of my family had the same reaction, “Big isn’t it,” I said teasingly. They don’t answer as they are all shocked at how big it is here. “Wow, Aria this place is amazing!” my sister-in-law, Lily, said. “Yeah, this place is huge. I can’t wait to see how big that ceremony is going to be,” Nathaniel said excitedly.

“I have to admit it’s a very nice castle, suited for the king and queen indeed,” I hear Chris say. “Why thank you, Alpha Chris, now if you will follow us to y’all’s rooms,” Gabe said holding my hand in front of everyone.

“Protective much,” I joked as I mind-linked him. “I always hold your hand, so I have no idea what you’re talking about,” he replied. I couldn’t help but giggle at his response.

Gabe and I talked about putting my family on the same floor as us and after much back and forth so will Chris. I knew if we put him on a lower level, it would disrespect his authority as an Alpha, but we did settle on it as long as he is far away from our door.

I don’t think he will try to do anything, but we have talked when he is here, only Gabe will answer the door and if I’m out Liam will be with me, no excuses, and I’m not to be alone with him. I know he means well, but I know he won’t do anything especially since I’m going to be queen and I have no desire to be with him.

My parents and my sister are going to be near our room, while on the other side Alpha Chris, Nathaniel, and Lily are where they will be staying. As we finally got everyone settled, we all went down to get something to eat. We all get to the kitchen, and we see his sisters, his parents, Ella, Mandy, and Liam waiting for the food to be ready. Once they were all introduced to each other and the food was finally done, we all ate together.

After dinner ended, both of our families came into the living room area and wanted to talk to both of us about giving advice about marriage, ruling a pack/kingdom, and other stuff parents go about then we’re hit with the question.

“I know it’s a bit early to ask but have y’all put in any thought of having children?” soon all eyes were on us while Gabe, and I looked at each other.

“Ehem… we've put off on having a child, for now, we both think it’s best we should wait a bit longer and once we have both are fully ready, we’ll then have one,” Gabe quicky responded before I could think of anything.

After a few hours of catching up with my family, I feel like I’ve missed so much. I look up and see Chris standing in the kitchen area, he probably grabbed something to drink but was looking at me while he stood there. I bet this is hard for him to see, me being with my mate and probably wondering what could’ve been.

We all soon went up to our rooms and tried to get some sleep for the big day tomorrow, “Baby, are you okay?” Gabe asked me while I was a bit zoned out. “Yes, babe I’m fine just ready for tomorrow,” only telling him the partial truth. He picked me up in a bridal position and carried me to our room, we unexpectedly bumped into Chris, “Oh, sorry Alpha Chris,” Gabe said.

“That’s alright, my king I should’ve looked at where I was walking,” he said sounding apologetic. We get into our room, “Did you mean to do that? Purposely run into him. Don’t tell me that you’re still jealous?” sounding a bit annoyed. “No, I’m not jealous. He just needed to see, up close, how happy you are with me; I saw how he looked at you when he was in the kitchen,” I was shocked he saw that.

“You don’t have to worry about anything, my love is only for you,” I stated hopefully he doesn’t do anything else like this tomorrow. “Okay, you win my love,” he said kissing me. “One of many to come,” I said jokingly.

Author's Note: I'm having trouble updating my new book cover, so I want to apologize for that.