“I hope it’s the best yet, love.”
Oliver stood at the head of the table, raising his wine glass assilence fell over the dining room. “If I may, I’d like to propose a toast.”
He smiled at me, squeezing my hand, before looking at the guests gathered with us.
Isobel and Leroy had offered to throw me a large party, but I had politely declined, opting instead for a dinner with my favorite people: Oliver’s family, my parents, Dash, Knox and Birdie, and Mel.
After polishing off a plate of succulent roast lamb topped with mint chimichurri and served alongside garlicky potatoes and tender asparagus, I thought I couldn’t possibly eat one more bite. That is, until Oliver disappeared for a few minutes, returning with a chocolate layer cake lit with a single sparkling candle.
Now, after allowing everyone to sing me “Happy Birthday” and blowing out the candle, I felt a blush rise to my cheeks as Oliver again met my gaze.
“Eight years ago, you neglected to tell me when your birthday came around, I suppose because we were still laboring under the delusion that you were just my tutor and I was nothing more than your student.” A round of chuckles filled the room as I rolled my eyes. “But I intend to make up for missing your birthday that year, and every birthday that I’ve missed since. A year ago, I could not have imagined that fate would have brought us back together and that we would be just weeks away from our wedding day, but luckily the universe is much more creative than I could ever be. I know I am not alone in saying that my life is so much brighter for having you in it, Adelaide. The way you pour into others is an inspiration, and my hope for you in this coming year is that you can receive back tenfold all the beauty and love you put into the world. To you, my darling Adelaide.”
He raised his glass toward me, as our friends echoed “To Adelaide” and we all drank.
Oliver sat as the staff moved to slice and serve the cake.
“Thank you,” I murmured, meeting his lips in a soft kiss.
He turned his head to whisper in my ear, “I have a few gifts waiting back in the bedroom to continue the celebration later.” He pulled back, winking at me before lifting his fork, cutting a bite from the slice of cake that had just been placed before me, and bringing it to my mouth.
I grinned as I took the bite. “Oh, do you now? I have something for you, too.” I hadn’t been kidding in my attempted response to him earlier when he said that his T-shirt was his new favorite outfit on me. I had a brand-new black lace bodysuit to wear for him later.
Before he could respond, we both were distracted by a flurry of activity at the other end of the table as Isobel rose from her seat and hurried to follow Louis out of the room.
“Please forgive her, Xavier just phoned,” Leroy explained apologetically.
“Did Alexandra have the baby?” Rosie asked excitedly.
“He didn’t say yet, but I’m sure we’ll find out shortly,” Leroy answered, spinning his wine glass by the stem distractedly.
I gripped Oliver’s thigh under the table. “I hope everything’s okay,” I said quietly.
Oliver placed his hand over mine. “I’m sure they’re fine. Mum will be back in just a moment and we’ll know for certain.”
As if summoned by his words, Isobel swept back into the dining room, her face lit with a smile and eyes glistening with tears. “It’s a boy!” She circled the table, where Leroy rose and wrapped his arms around her.
In moments we were all on our feet, sharing our congratulations with the new grandparents.
“How is Alexandra doing?” Evelyn asked, grasping Isobel’s hand and planting a kiss on her cheek.
“Xavier said she’s doing well. Since she was a week past her due date, they were going to induce, but she ended up going into labor on her own. It went fast and she only pushed for about thirty minutes, which is why he didn’t get a chance to call us sooner. He said she did wonderfully, and the baby is healthy and beautiful. He’s going to text me some photos and videos shortly.”
Rosie piped up from where she was now wedged between Oliver and me. “What’s the baby’s name?”
Isobel smiled at her youngest. “Aiden Francis.”
Evelyn clasped a hand to her heart. “Oh, that’s lovely.” Leroy put an arm around her, sharing in the emotions of this first grandchild being named for his late father.
Rosie looked up at me, then Oliver, lowering her voice so only we could hear her. “Oh good, he didn’t steal a good name from you guys.”
I stifled a snort of laughter, redirecting it into a cough. Oliver’s eyes widened, quickly glancing at me before reprimanding his sister. “Rosalind! That’s not nice.”
Rosie shrugged. “He deserves it. He being Xavier, of course, not Baby Aiden. I plan to totally spoil that kid. I’m Cool Aunt Rosie now.”
Oliver and I returned to my suite a while later, where I found a large gift box on the coffee table in the sitting room.
“You weren’t kidding about presents, hmm?” I said, pinching his side where I knew he was secretly ticklish.
