The days passed by, and sooner than later, all preparations were made for the get together. I loved seeing my parents working together, on preparing this event…maybe we need more things like this for them to compromise. Their arguments seemed to get less frequent… but the relationship between my father and I was still weak…

That morning, everyone was busy. As I had started my holidays, I decided to go down and help Gail with the decorations. She then helped me choose what to wear. She had great style and advice… just like my mother… however she was busy with my father. I was glad that finally they were communicating.

At around 6pm, we were almost ready. Gail picked out a navy blue satin knee-length dress. It was a long-sleeved dress, with a round-neck. The skirt was flare, my favourite style, and the thin bow belt made the dress look prettier.

I stared in front of it before getting dressed… I just didn't know if I could pull anything… I wanted the night to be perfect… at least for my parents…

After almost half an hour thinking and contemplating, I heard voices downstairs which made me lose focus. From what I could hear, Grandpa Carrick and Grandma Grace had already arrived along with Grandma Carla and Grandpa Ray. My parents aided to them which meant I had all the time I wanted. After getting ready I went down and remained in the corner beside my father... He still was giving me the cold shoulder...but at least we were talking... Saying our hi's and goodbye's... The yes's and no's... I greeted the family with my parents, and everybody noticed that there was some distance...

Aunt Mia came in and she was such a hugger... I had prepared myself for this... She squished me hard not even letting me breath... However I couldn't return her warm hug... Later uncle Elliot and Aunt Kate arrived with their 4 year old daughter Ava. Clarissa, their older daughter decided not to come. She was already 21 years old, and prefered spending her Saturday night with her friends... If I could...i would have done the same... But Natalie was on a trip with her mother to visit her grandma, and seeing her all excited and happy was more than enough.

Later Flynn and his wife arrived, and Rhian went straight saying her hello's along with the complimentary wine… they always had good taste in wine. My father and Flynn started a conversation with Flynn, while Rhian was talking with my mother. At one point, I could see Flynn taking in my appearance and from his eyes all I could tell that he didn't like what he saw... Neither Rhian... She grew more concerned. With one swift move, Walter let lose of his mother's grip and came running to me. He jumped on me almost knocking me down, and at that I felt someone's strong grip holding me from my arm. I looked towards the hand and the face... It was daddy's...

'Thanks' I smiled, but all I got in return was one of his CEO smiles...

'It's better than nothing' I thought to myself.

'Easy there Walter' Rhian scolded, while Derek came to hug me as well.

'Sewwaaa!' Walter shouted into my ear. 'Tell Dewek that you love me the mowst!'

His question made me smile... He is such an adorable child...

'Sera, I'm all grown up now!' Derek said. 'can you be my girlfriend?'

'Um... I'm way to old for you Derek! It wouldn't be fair to all the girls your age to have such an amazing boy!' I answered back.

'Fair enough!' He replied while I ruffled his hair. 'Not my hair!' He grumbled.

'... And as for you sweetheart, I love you both the same!' I replied as I went to whisper in Walter's ear. '...but you are my favourite little guy...'

'Daddy, can I gow pway with sewa?' He asked Flynn

'Only if sera wants too.' Flynn replied while I looked at my parents asking permission.

'You can go...' My father answered.

All three of us went to the stairs and there we played... Soon Ava also joined us... Both Walter and Ava wanted to stay on my lap, so i let them have fun. Derek was doing some magic tricks that he learned. All guests were having fun... At least that's what I saw... At times I felt some stares at me but that didn't stop me from anything...

'What's wrong dear?' Grandma Carla asked my mother.

'Nothing... It's just... Things changed mum...'

'I always told you that marriage is a closed box... You're in it for both the bad and good'

'Right now there's more bad than good'

'Don't say that Ana...'. She encouraged. 'God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Have faith in God...'

'That's all I have left.'

Uncle Elliot noticed that i hadn't had anything to eat or drink as yet. He came beside me, as he saw that both the two boys went to drink, and it was that time that he could spare a moment to talk to me.

'Ava, are you hungry or thirsty ?..' He asked.

'Yes daddy! A lottttt!' She replied as she jumped off my lap.

'Easy there lady bug!' he continued as both of us held her from falling onto her face. 'Go to your mother..' he continued as she ran to her.

He sat down beside me, while I rested my back to the stair behind me. 'I brought you some water.' he started, as I gladly took the glass from his hand.

Thanks uncle.' I smiled as I drowned the whole glass.

'Kids are tiring aren't they?'

'Yeah... They are... But I love them anyways...'. I replied as I finished my glass.

'You haven't had anything as yet... Are you feeling alright?' he asked as the waiter passed infront of us and I dismissed him.

'Yeah ... I'm fine... I had a huge lunch and I'm not hungry.'

'Yeah...'

'What does that supposed to mean?'

'Sera, nobody saw you touch anything as yet, and you look like you haven't had a meal in months!'

'I'm fine uncle...I truly am...' I smiled back at him, while Ava came running back.

'Sera, can we please play catch?'. She asked while the boys joined as they heard the question.

'Here? We may break something!'

'We pwomise we'lww be caweful...' Walter replied... 'Pweassseeeee!'

'Pleeeassseee!' the three of them begged... I couldn't say no to them.. They were so adorable...

'Ok fine... But on one condition.' I said. 'We have to run to the sides of the room. We won't bother our family.'

'Owkey sewa! I pwomise!' Walter started as he came forward and hugged me.

'Do you two promise?' I asked.

'Only if you give me a kiss!' Derek answered while I moved forward to his cheek and kissed it lightly. 'Ok... I promise.'

'What about you Ava?'

'I'll promise only if you let me have a piece of chocolate...' she said while I looked at her father hoping for a response.

'Ok lady bug. But only a piece.'

'Ok I promise!' She said as the three of them pulled me up.

'I have to go uncle... I'll catch up with you later...'

They started running around, and it was hard catching them... Ava was the lightest of all... She kept running and running...as they promised, they didn't bother the guests. I caught Walter first and lifted him up... He always loved that... All of them did… So it made the game more exciting...

After what seemed like an hour or so, I was getting tired. I motioned them that I was stopping... My breath was short and my world was spinning... I needed to get out of there.

'Wait for me...' I said slowly. '... I'll be right back...' I continued as I held to the wall and moved to the dining room without anyone noticing... Or at least I thought so.

Taylor saw me swaying and holding for support. He followed me quick as his feet could take him without raising any suspicion. I felt my joints wobbling... My vision kept getting blurry, and all the voices where fading out...

Ava went running to her father and so did Walter and Derek... Uncle Elliot saw Taylor moving towards the dining room..

What happened?' he asked to the little one

'Daddy.. Sera isn't feeling well.' she said worryingly, as he lifted her up and handed her to Aunt Kate.

'Kate, tell Ana that Sera's in trouble...' he told her as he moved towards the dining room.

I was still trying to hold on strong.. But i couldn't anymore.

'Sera!' I heard Taylor's voice.

I turned around, trying to cover up my symptoms, but it was to no avail... The turning made me dizzier, and in two large steps he caught me before I could hit the ground.

Uncle Elliot entered the room, and saw me in Taylor's arms, while he was slapping my face trying to wake me up.

'What happened?' he said as he moved forward.

'She passed out.' He answered back. 'Sera, can you hear me?'

I was getting back into my senses...i opened my eyes.

'What happened?' I asked groggily.

'You fainted!' Taylor replied while both helped me back on my feet, and I saw my mother coming towards me.

'Oh my... Are you ok?' she panicked

'Yesss mum... I'm fine.'

'Fine my ass...' Uncle Elliot answered... 'i'm getting christian.'

AS he mentioned my father's name, I panicked. I didn't want him to know.. We were talking... I didn't want him to stop again...

'No please... Don't!' I begged as they sat me down. While Taylor brought me a glass with a very sweet liquid. 'Please don't tell him! He's having fun tonight... I don't with him to worry.'

'Ok... We won't tell him. Only of you eat this...' my mother said as she took one cup with some ice cream on it, that the waiters had left as desserts.

I thought about it for a second, and weighed my options... 'I could always purge later... And I read somewhere that ice cream is one of the easiest foods to purge... All the better.'

'Ok...' I said as I took the cup from her hand and started eating slowly... 'Mum you better go... Dad will suspect something if you stay here any longer...' She looked at both men.

'We'll stay with her Ana...' Uncle Elliot said.

'Are you sure?' she asked Taylor.

'Don't worry Mrs. Grey...' He continued. 'She's our responsibility.'

'Ok... Come sit beside us when you're ready from here... Ok?' she said while I nodded, and took the second spoon...