I watched Lulu as she flew across the kitchen, apron tied around her neck and hair pulled off her face. Alice sat idly by, watching over the mother-to-be as she tried to stir a boiling pot with one hand and scan a cookbook with the other. "What goes in next?"
"You need to add the eggs and butter," Alice replied, handing her the two ingredients. Alice had agreed to come help Lulu prepare tonight's dinner. While we had originally planned to hold the announcement dinner at the mansion, Lulu had insisted on having it at our new home at the last minute. Apparently, she thought we might stand a better chance if we were on our own territory. Personally, I thought she was worried over nothing. Either way, she got her way.
"Dillon, can you go make sure that the living room is straightened up?" Lulu called over the sound of the over timer. She was nervous about having everyone here. She wanted it to be perfect.
"I'll take care of it, sweetie," I obliged in an even tone, thankful to be excused from the chaos that was now our kitchen. I knew that the living room, just like every inch of the house, was spotless.
You know, if your mom were here, she'd want her maid of honor out on the dance floor.
A few minutes later, Lulu came into the living room and collapsed on the couch next to me. "Alice kicked me out of the kitchen," she whined, burying her face in my shoulder.
"She probably just wants you to relax, sweetie," I reminded her, patting her hand affectionately. "Why don't you take a few deep breaths? It might help you calm down."
"I don't need to calm down!" she snapped before looking down at the floor. "Okay, maybe I do. It's just that tonight is really important, and your family is going to be here any minute."
Just as she said those words, our doorbell chimed happily. She threw me an exasperated, frazzled look. "You sit here, and I'll answer the door."
"No," she insisted, "we will answer it together. This is our home, and we are going to be a family. It's about time that everyone sees that."
Lulu marched confidently to the door, her flared black skirt trailing after her. She looked so beautiful. Stopping just short of the door, she looped her arm around mine and leaned up to hiss me. "Here goes nothing," I whispered.
"Whatever happens, I just want you to know how happy you have made me. I love you."
"And I, you," I replied as I opened the door. "Welcome!"
"Hello, Dillon, it's nice to see you as always," Lulu's grandmother greeted me before hugging her granddaughter. "You look radiant, darling."
She's in every happy smile in this room. And she's in you. Give it a spin, come on.
"Thanks, Grandma," she bubbled from Lesley's arms. "You're our first guest other than Alice."
"Well, she's not the only guest," Nikolas chimed in from behind her. Lulu grinned as she hugged her oldest brother and kissed her nephew's downy hair.
"Nikolas!" the two women chirped in unison.
Just as I was wishing my family was this happy to see each other, Emily came sauntering in behind the tall, dark prince. Finally, a Quartermaine. "Hello, Emily," Lesley said warmly, kissing my cousin's cheek chastely in greeting.
"Did you come with Nikolas?" Lulu asked mischievously, earning her a look from her brother. Emily simply laughed as she moved past to hug me.
"Thank God, a Quartermaine," I chuckled. "I was starting to think I might be outnumbered."
"No such luck," she joked. "Congratulations on everything."
"You know?"
"Nikolas was too excited to keep it a secret. Besides, you could probably use my support," she pointed out as her parents arrived. "I've been called the voice of reason in this family, so I might come in handy."
Yeah, well, maybe now you'll have a little more insight into why my family was so desperate for you to have the baby.
Over the next few minutes, everyone arrived. Luke came with my mother in toe, both of them weary of the entire situation. Grandfather was flanked by Alan and Monica, both quietly threatening physical harm if he misbehaved. Elizabeth was with Lucky, agreeing to a treaty for the evening. Carly had dragged Jason with her, both of them stowed quietly in a corner with Bobbie and Lucas. Skye and Ned were nibbling on crackers and discussing business. Lulu was sitting next to her grandmother, talking animatedly with Nikolas and Emily. As she laughed at something her brother said, her eye caught mine. She winked, and I knew then that everything would be okay.
"Everyone, I have an announcement," I called out, reaching for Lulu's hand and pulling her to the middle of the floor. "Well, as many of you know, Lulu is pregnant, and we are going to have a baby."
"Cheers!" Luke shouted as he knocked back a scotch. My mother shot him a withering look as she downed her own glass of gin.
"And as tonight's dinner illustrates, we now have our own home," Lulu stated.
"But there is one more bit of news that we have yet to share with you," I continued. "We wanted you to all be here and join us in celebrating our final announcement. Lulu?"
"We are getting married!" she giggled excitedly, holding up her hand to show the ring. Elizabeth leapt to her feet first, hugging her sister-in-law excitedly. Lucky watched on with a satisfied smile as the two most important women in his life celebrated together.
"You said yes?" my mother gasped as she jumped up to hug me. It was an unexpected question until I remembered what Lulu had told me.
"She said yes. I beat her to the punch."
"She asked my permission, you know?"
"And you gave it. Thank you for that, Mom."
"She loves you, and you love her. I just want you to be happy."
"We are happy," I promised her. "And I asked for Luke's blessing. He gave it to me as well."
Have you known that it was going to end up like this all along?
"Congratulations, gumdrop," I heard Luke murmur to his daughter. Lulu was nearly in tears as she hugged her father fiercely, her blue eyes brimming with emotion.
"Thank you, Daddy," she whispered as he stroked her blonde hair tenderly.
"Your mother would be so proud of you, I just want you to know that."
"I know that," she replied. "I finally know that."