Chapter 51

Chapter 51

"I do," Melvin said. "Welcome back."

"Congratulations," Ryan said. "Mia told me the good news. It's finally a dream come true for you."

"Thanks, man. I guess it is. Have you seen my baby?"

"You mean Charlotte?" Ryan asked.

"Of course," Melvin answered.

"She was here a while ago," Ryan said. "But I don't..."

"I saw her go to the kitchen with Mia," Catherine said. "Sorry for interrupting you, babe."

Ryan smiled. "Come on. It's nothing." He faced Melvin. "Your baby is in the kitchen."

Melvin groaned slightly. "I told her to leave the kitchen job for Mia and Helen. I will be right back."

He went to the kitchen. Charlotte was about to leave when they met.

"You're back," she said.

"Yes. Just got back, though."

"You've met Ryan and David, right?"

Melvin nodded. "Yes. I was surprised to see them."

Charlotte smiled. "I spoke to Melissa a few days ago, and she told me they would be back today. She told me they would be at the get-together."

"You didn't tell me."

"It was supposed to be a surprise. I can't tell you."

Melvin nodded. "Do you know Ryan will be here too?"

Mia chuckled. "I do. He told me."

Melvin rolled his eyes slightly. "Apparently, I'm the only one left in the dark."

"And me," Jade chipped in.

"Is your brother coming, Jade?" Melvin asked.

"I don't think he will. He's been busy lately," Jade answered.

Jordan and Melvin are not close yet, but Melvin no longer sees him as a threat to his marriage.

"Where is Bella?" Melvin asked. "She is not here yet?"

"She called," Charlotte said. "Something came up at the company. She'll be here a bit late."

Melvin nodded. "She's been so busy these last few days. I think we should get her a ticket to a nice place for vacation. She deserves some rest."

"Don't you think I do too?" Mia asked.

"I think what you need now is more work. You've been lazy," Melvin answered.

"Did you hear that, Charlotte?"

"Stop that, Melvin. We both know Mia has been busy. She deserves a vacation too."

Mia hugged Charlotte. "That's why I love you. You're the best."

"And me?"

"Maybe if I get a gift, I will think about it."

"Do you still want your sports car or not?"

Mia moved closer to him. "You know you're the best brother, right?"

Melvin smirked. "Of course I do."

Mrs. Helen showed up. "Ma'am, can we set the table now?"

Charlotte nodded. "Please do. Everyone is here. Mia, Jade, how is the snack preparation going?"

"We're almost done," Jade answered.

"We're about to make some fresh juice. I should get back to work."

Mia returned to join Jade so they could finish up the snacks. Charlotte and Melvin left the kitchen to join the rest. Mrs. Helen began to set the table. Catherine and Melissa offered to help.

Bella showed up just in time.

"Catherine, it's nice to see you. When did you get back?"

"A few days ago," Catherine answered.

"Hi, Melissa," Bella said. "It's been a while."

Melissa smiled. "It's good to see you."

"Were you able to finish up at the office?" Charlotte asked.

"Mr James is such a pain. How do you cope with him?"

Charlotte smiled. "He might look tough, but he's actually a nice person."

"I doubt that," Bella said. "He made us revise a document four times just because you're not around, and he thought no one else was capable. But guess what, when I spoke to him, he ended up choosing the first draft. Just imagine."

Charlotte smiled. "Mr James always wants perfection. I don't blame him."

"He said, in his words, and I quote. Were you trained by Charlotte? You act and do like her."

Charlotte burst into laughter. "He said that? And what did you say?"

"I told him... You may be right because I worked as her secretary for a long time before I went on to open my Academy. You must have heard about Ellis Fashion School. He was shocked to find out I own it. He offered to work with me for his next runway show."

"I hope you said yes to him?" Charlotte asked.

"You should know I won't say no. Not after you've told me a lot about him."

Charlotte smiled. "I spoke to him about you sometimes ago, just before I fell sick. I'm glad you both met, and he's fine with your work."

Bella nodded. "Thank you, bestie."

Charlotte shoved it off. "Come on. Let's go eat before it gets cold."

Bella nodded and followed Charlotte to the dining table.

"Do you feel better today? What about the nausea and loss of appetite?" Bella asked.

"I ate a lot today," Charlotte said. "And I haven't felt nauseated since morning."

Bella breathed a sigh of relief. "I love my godchildren, but I do not want them stressing my bestie. Where is Liam, by the way?"

"He left with his grandma this morning."

Bella groaned. "Haven't seen him in days."

"I know. He wanted to wait for you, though. I asked him to go with her, so I could have some peace. But..." She smiled. "He left you something. I don't know what you both agreed on."

Bella furrowed her brows. Did they agree on anything?

"What did he leave for me?"

"A voice note," Charlotte answered.

She opened her phone, searched for the voice note, and handed the phone to Bella, who played it.

"Aunt Bella," Liam's voice came up. "You're the best godmother in the whole world. I love you."

He said a lot of things after that. Although Liam's words weren't too clear, she understood every bit of it. Bella was moved. She blinked her eyes to prevent the tears that were about to fall.

"Are you that moved?" Charlotte nudged her slightly.

"I am," Bella answered. "He is the cutest and best godson I could ever wish for. I wish he was here, though. I would have pulled him into a hug."

"Well," Charlotte said, smiling. "About the hug. He hugged me and asked me to pass it to you."

"I feel betrayed," Mia said. "He did not hug me or send me a voice note."

"Because you're not his godmother. I am," Bella said proudly.

"Is Liam that close to Bella?" Melissa whispered to David.

"They're very close. You will think they are mother and son."

Melissa was surprised. Most of the time, she always saw Liam with Mia, and she thought he was closer to Mia than he was to the rest of them.

Who would have thought he was actually closer to Bella?

"But he's always with Mia," Melissa said.

She needed clarity.

"He has always been with Bella, but this year, Bella has been busy. The reason Mia took over."

Melissa muttered an oh. She understood now.

"Can we eat now?" Mia said.

Bella shook her head. "Not until I get my hug."

Charlotte hugged her. "Are we good now?"

"Sure," Bella answered.

They went on to eat and play some games. They also sat down to talk about life, and by the time everyone returned home, they were all happy.