Thank you all for the birthday wishes (like two weeks ago lol)! And thank you to all the people who reviewed saying something along the lines of Daphne being nice. I actually tried to make her a good person and I'm glad I succeeded at that.
Happy Birthday to Eadlyn and Ahren!
This chapter may include underaged drinking (depending on whatever Illéa's legal drinking age is, I'm not exactly sure what it is) but there is adult supervision! (Maybe...)
Photo #59: Champagne Birthday
Champagne Birthday - when someone turns the age of their birth day.
Eadlyn remembers planning her and Ahren's champagne birthday (aka sixteenth birthday because they were born on April 16). They had no idea what they wanted to do since for them, the options were open-ended and they both wanted different things. Eadlyn wanted something sophisticated and Ahren wanted something fun (both contrary). Like every Illéan party, it was going to be big with people coming from all over the world, but they didn't know exactly what they wanted to do that would satisfy each other. They had to make it something that would at least be accustomed to a good majority of the guests.
Osten took it literally and asked if there was going to be champagne at a champagne birthday. The twins rolled their eyes, thinking of it as a joke at first. Their father said it was just a name but Ahren and Eadlyn lit up like lightbulbs after thinking it through.
That was their idea: a champagne birthday with actual champagne.
It was right in the name so why the hell not? It was also sophisticated and fun.
The next photo shows Eadlyn and Ahren at their party together. They're both linking arms with a glass of champagne in their free hands. There was a lot of champagne that night. If it weren't for the many pictures, Eadlyn wouldn't have remembered a single thing about her sixteenth birthday.
-o-
"Daddy," Osten nags, pulling on his father's suit jacket. "Why can't I have some champagne?"
Maxon sighs, having to repeat himself for the hundredth time this evening. He pinches the bridge of his nose in a bit of annoyance before facing his son.
"I've told you this already," Maxon replies. "You won't like how it tastes."
That may or may not have been a lie but telling Osten that he was well underaged to drink champagne would only pursue him to drink it even more.
"But how would I know I don't like it if I don't taste it?"
"Osten, why don't you go hang out with Kaden and Josie?"
"Because I want champagne."
Maxon sighs again, not knowing how to handle his youngest. You'd think that after three kids he would have this handled but nope. Osten was something else. He sees America approaching them and he's grateful. Maybe she can alleviate him from this situation with her maternal tricks.
"Here you go, baby," America says to Osten.
She kneels in front of her youngest, her ballgown billowing out. She hands Osten a tall, slender glass filled with a sparkling beverage. Osten cheers to himself as he runs off, careful not to spill any of his drink. America smiles to herself as she stands up straight again. She looks at her husband who's furrowing his brows at her.
"I thought we discussed this," Maxon says, crossing his arms at her.
"We did," America replies. "He's only drinking ginger ale. All the servers have been alerted to only give Osten ginger ale."
Maxon smirks. America smiles as well, taking her husband's arm.
"Oh my," Maxon says, "he's going to have such a sugar high."
"I know." America giggles.
"I think I would rather see him drunk than hyper."
America nudges him a little. "I wouldn't. We just need to make sure the twins don't over-exert themselves on their special day."
That wasn't happening.
Meanwhile, across the ballroom, the twins dance together, both tipsy enough to step (or dance) a bit out of their comfort zones. Eadlyn shimmers in her ballgown: gold jewel bodice that shimmers out into a full-length white skirt, hair done up in a bun, simple makeup, slight sparkle in her hair, and silver heels. Ahren matches in a dark suit with a gold bow tie. Even the waiters were wearing muted gold bow ties. The guests were orderes to wear solid print, just so the birthday twins would stand out in the crowd.
Their parents told them only to have a few glasses of champagne in moderation but they were at the number of drinks that made them feel as if they were on top of the world. Speaking of world, every waiter here is carrying glasses of champagne on their trays - the most exquisite champagne from all over the world.
"Buvez!" Camille exclaims to the twins, holding two tall glasses for each of them in her dainty hands.
"Qu'est-ce - " Eadlyn attempts in her worst French accent. She gives up. "What is this?"
"The waiter says it's a gift from Queen Nicoletta. The finest champagne from Italy." She smiles. "Buvez!"
They both look at the glass longer and take some sips, disposing their glasses on a passing server's tray. Eadlyn and Ahren's eyes pop open at the taste of that champagne.
"Wow," they both state in pure shock.
"It felt like my mouth was in a bubble bath," Ahren says, clicking his tongue. "So many little carbonated bubbles popping in my mouth."
Eadlyn snickers. "A beautiful bitter bubble bath."
Kile brushes by them. "Takes someone bitter to know something bitter."
He laughs as he walks off. Kile looks over his shoulder to catch Eadlyn's glare (which looks even better today due to all the sparkles she's covered in). Eadlyn rolls her eyes to herself.
"Try this one," Camille says, passing them another glass and taking one from herself. She gives her thanks to the server in French.
The twins loved Camille being here - Ahren for obvious reasons but Eadlyn as well since Camille seemed to have an extensive knowldege on all things champagne (which was most useful today of all days). Eadlyn and Ahren look at the new glass in their hands. The liquid inside looks the same but with a richer color and intense aroma.
"Shall we?" Eadlyn asks, making a slight tipping gesture with the top of her glass.
"You've heard my lady," Ahren says, smiling brightly. "Buvez!"
Eadlyn laughs a little. Her and Ahren link arms that have the glasses. In one swift motion, they feed each other the champagne. Camille captures a photo to celebrate the moment. Both glasses are empty in one sip and Camille cheers, clapping as well as she finishes her glass off.
"That was the best one," Eadlyn says.
"Agreed!" Ahren states.
"It tasted like biscuits and nuts."
"White flowers and spices."
Camille looks around and makes eye contact with a server. She waves him over with an order in her mind.
"Encore!" She exclaims. "Bonne fête, mes jumeaux!"
Notes: I googled what champagne tastes like because to me, it's just deliciously bitter. Also, if the French is off, that's all my fault. If you want or need translations, then I will be more than happy to provide:
Buvez - drink! / Encore - again! / Qu'est-ce que - What is? / Bonne fête, mes jumeaux - Happy birthday, my twins!
Stay Tuned - Make way for the Easter Bunny!
