With steady hands, Grell put on the last layer of pastry on her Mille Feuille. She smiled placing fresh strawberries on top of each of them. She could hear the sounds of the girls bothering their grandad.
She sighed placing them in the centre of her table. She sighed climbing up the stairs. She opened the door to the girls' room. She smiled leaning against the door way seeing them spending time together.
"Come on granddad, we have to get the girls washed up for their birthday." He smiled picking up the two little ones. "I can't believe it, already one. Where does the time go?"
He took them to into bathroom setting up the water for a bath. He looked at the two as the cooed at each other. He pet their heads, grooming their thick locks with his long nails.
Venita was more reaper like than her twin. Her eyes showing that bright green glow. Adorlee had the red colour from her father. To humans, they would appear brown. She was more demon than her twin.
He undressed them placing them into the water. He washed them carefully, making sure to not get anything in their mouth or eyes. He cooed seeing how happy they always were with him.
Grell covered the cake in buttercream making sure to make it as beautiful as possible. Chocolate was their favourite treat, like her. She began covering it buttercream roses with her hands being as steady as possible.
She had been practicing for months to not burning the cake or making soup instead of icing. She smiled seeing lilac colour come out okay. She placed it into the ice box making sure to keep into cold.
She heard a portal open up looking into the living room. Eric walked out with two boxes in hand. "Hey there! I figured I'd show up early to help with whatever you need."
"Eric, you're so sweet. I could really use a hand making some of the food. I've made sure to keep everything bite sized for the girls." She dragged him into the kitchen showing the mess of ingredients.
He scanned the food letting out a throaty laugh. "You still have such an obsession with French food. What do you plan to make?"
"This isn't so much French as you think. We need to make mini croque monsieur, gougères, cucumber sandwiches, and apple tarts. I already made the mille feuille and the cake."
He patted her back rolling up his eyes. "Alright so, half of the food is French. I can make the cucumber sandwiches and the croque monsieur." He rolled up his sleeves beginning on the dill mixture.
Alan and Ronald arrived together with their gifts for the girls. They placed them next to Eric's picking up a child each. The girls peppering their faces with sloppy kisses.
Eric came out the trays placing them down. He noticed the other two giving a bright grin. "Well, look who finally showed up. Nice to see you lads join us. Grell, is this everyone?"
She placed down her own trays shaking her head. "I'm missing a couple of people." Her voice rather quiet. She brought out her usual face grabbing his arm. "Thank you for your help darling. You have to be their favourite uncle now."
He gripped her hand in his. "There's nothing wrong? Honestly? Talk to me Grell. Tell me the truth." He gave it a squeeze making sure to keep their eye contact.
She sighed dragging him back into the kitchen, making sure no one else listened. "I invited both William and Sebastian. I want them to get along, for the girls. They deserve their father and their brother."
He crossed his arms leaning into the counter. "That's some heavy stuff Grell. Have you actually spoken to them since that fight?"
She shook her head placing the loose hair behind her shoulders. "I haven't heard from either of them. I figured Sebastian would be busy with that brat but, not this busy. I need the girls to know him. William needs to see that they'll be great people with my love and care."
He pulled her into a hug rocking her softly. "No wonder the old man never wants to talk about them. They're so stubborn they're making your lives lonely."
"That's one way of putting it. I just want to make sure that they have their family in their lives. The worst of it is that they both said that they loved me. I don't know if they were lying." Her voice was trying to hold back a cry.
"Hey now, none of that." His large hand rubbing her back in a soothing manner. "Don't cry. You are so strong for those girls. You also said you might end up like this." He rested his chin on top her head.
"You know just what to say. You're so sweet Eric." She cleaned up her face making sure there was no need for a touch up. "I'm stronger than ever because of them."
"Yes you are. You need to realise that no matter what, you'll be there...and their favourite uncle..." He laughed hearing the giggle from her. "That and their grandad. They need all of us there."
"You have no idea. Venita started saying mama. Adorlee started saying no. My girls started talking...and yet, their father doesn't know it...I hate this Eric." She grip tightly to his chest feeling her sadness bubbling inside her.
"Hey, stop that. You need to think about the good. You saw and heard those things. They're growing up with a beautiful mother. They're also gonna have the best accent in the world."
She pulled away fluttering the tears away. "You're so funny Eric. I'm going to make sure their accent is more like mine." She cleared her throat looking into the living room. "We need to head out there."
"No kidding. If we don't, those girls are going to be so fussy." He picked up her glasses so he clean her eyes without ruining her make-up. "There we go. Beautiful as always."
She giggled moving away from him. "Good thing the girls look as beautiful as I do." She moved passed him hugging the other guests. Alan pulled out an envelope handing it to her. "This is from a friend of yours."
She looked at it confused as she opened it. It was from Rousseau giving her necklaces for the girls. She smiled putting them on seeing how lovely they were. 'He hasn't forgot me.'
"Alan darling, when did you get this? Who told him I had children?" Her eyebrow raised looking down at him with the usual sassy grin. "Tell me the truth dear."
"I went to France recently to do some collaboration work. I met your friend and he asked about you. William told him more than enough of what trouble you were in."
"So you opened your mouth since he asked about me...you didn't tell him were was I now did you?" She moved closer hovering over him like she used to in her office.
"He asked what kind of children. I just said they were twin girls. He smiled and said they'll end up just like you. He said good luck to you." He laughed seeing her back to her old self.
He smiled hugging her tightly. "I'm glad to see the Grell I know and love is still around. You need to keep that in mind. Your girls could learn from that." He let go having a knock at the front door catch them all off guard.
She moved towards the door making sure no one else left their spot. She opened the door slowly seeing William standing there. He held a set of matching boxes wrapped neatly in ivory coloured paper.
"Hello Grell...may I come in?"
She stared at him with her mouth pressed closed tightly. "Hello William...I'm...I'm glad to see you decided to show up. Come in." She moved to the side allowing him in.
The others remained quiet seeing their boss. Undertaker moved passed them welcoming him with open arms. "Glad to see you've made it. Your sisters are quite the set of chatterboxes...I wonder where they got that from?"
Grell rolled her eyes seeing the way he was treated. "Haha, very funny. They can't enunciate words properly yet." She placed her hand on William's arm letting the others relax. "You should see how big they've gotten."
William moved closer to the men holding the twins. Venita reached out to him wanting to be held. With shaking hands, picked her up seeing the bright green eyes staring back at him. If he had been honest with his feelings, this family would've been his. He shook off the thoughts giving her a small smile.
The little girl stared at him knowing he was her kin. She giggled leaving a big, sloppy kiss on his cheek. A small gasp leaving Ronald's lips. William sighed kissing the top of her head.
They all released a sigh together seeing his good mood. Adorlee groaned reaching out for him too. William noticed the black nails still on the girls. Like himself, it was an obvious sign of their demon nature.
Grell smiled seeing both girls in his arms. Undertaker wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "I'm glad to see you both being mature about this. You've really grown."
She nodded seeing the genuine joy in all of their faces. She cleared her throat moving towards them. "Let's all get seated and have some food yeah?" She motioned for them to follow her to the table.
The dinner went well with them all having a good time. William kept the girls at his side seeing how bright and sweet they were becoming. Adorlee being less rambunctious than her sister.
Grell came out with the cake glowing with pride. She moved places it onto the table. The other staring at as the children were placed in their high chairs. "Happy birthday my darlings."
She cut them each a slice giving it them. The girls reached out taking fist fulls of their treat. She cut a piece for each of the others letting the girls enjoy themselves.
They each took their plates talking pleasantries watching the girls. William watched them closely hearing the coos and giggles from them. He reached out touching Grell's shoulder lightly. "Can we talk...privately."
She nodded leaning towards the elder reaper. "Watch the girls for me. Will needs to talk." She got out of her seat heading for the back of the home. She walked outside with a slight wind twirling her hair.
William closed the door behind him looking down at her. "Grell...I'm honestly sorry for what I've done in the past. I really do miss you at work. No one, can measure to your personality." He reached out holding her hands in his.
She bite her bottom lip looking up at him. She shifted her weight feeling the tension. "Will...You know that I can't stay mad at you...I still feel like a school girl around you..." It took all her strength to not start to cry.
"I had a feeling it was like that. I wanted to show you that I care for you." He moved closer with caution. "Please understand I never wanted to harm you or your daughters." His fingers caressing the locks on her shoulders.
She lowered her head in shame remembering their last words they had exchanged. "I'm sorry William. I still feel like I'm only in your line of sight from my relationship with Sebastian." She stared at the strand in his fingers.
"I really mean my feelings for you. I just never the nerve to speak to you." He took the strand of hair kissing it gently. "I'm sorry for not letting you know earlier. I think you deserve happiness."
"Thank you William...Im sorry I hurt you. You just have to understand how everything changed for us. I still want you there for your sisters. They're going to need someone like them to help." She pulled her head up letting her hair slip from his fingers.
He held her head in his hands caressing her cheeks. Their eyes exchanging their hurt and pain. He closed his eyes kissing her deeply. She held still for just a second pulling away from him." I can't."
He licks his lips giving his eyes a small shimmer of his demon self. "I...I understand." He moved back towards the door. He opened it seeing Undertaker standing there.
The elder man leaned in whispering in his ear. "Go ahead and go back to the party. I'll speak with her to calm her down." He patted his back walking towards her.
He waited for William to leave pulling her into a hug. "My dear, sweet child. I know your heart's still tender. You need to talk to Sebastian. Clear up your feelings. Make sure put your foot down on this."
She cuddled up to him resting her head on his shoulder. "This is only making everything worse. I'm the only one who told Sebastian to not come back unless it's to see the girls or tell me what he plans for us."
"It's fine. If he shows up soon, great. If he takes until the girls are adults, then he has to take it up with them." He kissed the top of her head rubbing her back. "Everything will work out. I have to protect my daughter and my granddaughters."
She giggled nudging him roughly. "You're ridiculous old man...thank you." She let go of him feeling a bit better. "You really do carry wisdom with you, don't you?" She took in a deep breath to clear her mind.
The party soon ended having them all leaving. Grell took hold of the gifts for the girls scanning them. Dresses, dolls, wooden rocking horses, hair accessories, and a matching set of necklaces. Emeralds shining brightly from teardrop shapes.
Undertaker smiled seeing how clean the house was after he was done. "We're all set. Seems a good enough time to go to bed." His eyes landing on the children as their eyelids began to droop.
She giggled picking up Venita kissing her forehead. "I'll start taking them to bed. Go ahead and get some sleep. You know they'll be up too early for their own good." She took up to the nursery placing her in her bed.
She opened the door nursery with Adorlee chewing on her hair. Sebastian stood in the room holding Venita as she cooed touching his face affectionately. He met her gaze with his usual charming smile." Hello Grell."
She gasped loudly as he walked towards them. He kissed the top of Adorlee's head as she cooed seeing her father. Grell just stared with her mouth opened.
He tilted her face up kissing her deeply. He pulled away slowly kissing her again. "It seems they've grown. Beautiful and deadly from my understanding...just like you."
She looked down at the girls clearing her throat. "We need to put them to bed. It's getting late." Her heart melting seeing the girls cover him in kisses.
They tucked them in heading for her room. The quietness of the house making the air thicker. He came up behind her holding her waist. His head resting on her shoulder." It seems like you've missed me."
She placed her hands over his squeezing them. "I have. I honestly thought you weren't coming back. That I was to raise them by myself." She tilted her head, allowing him to have better access to her neck.
"I could taste that William kissed you...were you planning on moving on with him?"
She shook her head holding her quivering lip in her teeth. "He kissed me and wanted me to move on from what happened. I guess, I've wanted him for so long I couldn't pull away...but after what he he did, I'm not so sure I can let it go."
He spun her around keeping their bodies together. "I'm not mad at you. I want to know what's on your mind. What is it that you want?" A hand moving to caress her cheek.
She moved her head to his chest holding onto him tightly. "I made the decision to have these children. I want to make sure they come before anything. I thought for a moment that you weren't going to show."
"Now, why would I miss seeing my daughters on this day? Besides, I have something a lot larger to deal with on my plate." His lips brushing against her ear. His fangs touching her flesh. "It involves you."
"Are you trying to seduce me Mr. Michaelis? It's not polite to ask a lady to be in such a position." She held her tongue from releasing a giggle. Her body shivering under him.
"You said not to come back unless I thought long and hard about what I really wanted. I had to think about it. To us, a year is a blink of an eye. I still had a good time to reflect." He took his hands running them along her body.
She moaned softly letting him grope as he pleased." Is this all you thought about? Having your way with me?" She pulled away moving towards the bed. "Come on darling. "
He followed her crawling on top of her. "I want you to be my mate. I had one long ago who betrayed me. I don't think you'd make that same mistake." His eyes illuminated brightly changing into his demon form.
She wrapped her arms around his neck as his wings covered them. "I won't make mistakes...now mark me as your own."