Riley took my hand and rose from his seat as we both turned around. I heard him gasp for air at the sight of his sisters, and happiness swelled in my chest.
I tugged his hand and we walked forward, meeting them in the middle. The Beta slowed down from his walking and let the twins continue forward while I dropped Riley’s hand and threw my arms around them.
“Happy Birthday, Nadia.” They greeted me in unison as I pulled away and kissed their cheeks.
“I’m glad you’re able to make it.”
“We almost forgot the gifts on the way to the airport, so we had to make a U-turn and pick them up. Mom said we couldn’t come without gifts for you.” Ellie spoke, but her eyes were focused on the person behind me.
Bella remained silent beside her, but her gaze was on Riley as well. She was always the talkative one, but she wasn’t saying anything at all.
“It was just a joke, but I appreciate the effort. Thank you.” I answered in a soft voice and took the paper bags from their hands.
Dominic came forward and took the gifts away from me.
No one was saying anything, but I couldfeel Riley’s emotions. He was too overwhelmed.
“Are you ready to meet your brother?” I asked the twins, and they nodded their heads so eagerly without taking their eyes off Riley.
I turned around and moved to the side so that they were just standing a few feet away from each other.
“Riley—This is Bella and Ellie...” I spoke in a soft voice, trying to control my emotions as I noticed that all three of them were fighting back tears.
“Hi!” It was Ellie who spoke first. “You look better in person than in pictures.”
“You’ve seen me,” Riley said, a smile gracing his lips.
Both females nodded their heads.
“Yes, but the photos were always from too far away, so we couldn’t see your face clearly,” Ellie answered, and she couldn’t stop her tears anymore as her shoulders shook from her sobs. “I’m sorry, I’m just so happy…”
She didn’t finish her words as Riley took one step forward and raised his arms, sweeping his sisters’ bodies into his as he held them in a tight embrace. His lips touched the crowns of their heads as he placed kisses on them.
“I’m glad you’re both here. Welcome to my territory, Bella, Ellie.” His voice was deep and firm, but it was full of warmth.
The twins were clutching his body tightly as if they didn’t want to let go. Soft sobs echoed in the air, and I didn’t know if they were mine or Ellie’s or Bella’s. But it didn’t matter. My heart was overflowing with happiness.
I knew how much the girls wanted to meet Riley. Even though Riley wasn’t saying it directly, I could tell he was looking forward to tonight because of the girls.
I wiped the tears from my face as warm arms wrapped around me from behind, and Zahra rested her chin on my shoulder. “Thank you, Nadia. I almost gave up thinking that this moment would ever happen.” She whispered in my ear before she placed a soft kiss on my hair.
I smiled and held her hands on my waist as we looked at her children hugging each other.
“We have something for you.” Bella finally spoke as they withdrew from their hug.
Riley raised his eyebrows as he placed his hands on his hips and watched his sister take something from Ellie’s sling bag.
Ellie wiped off the tears from her faceas she began to explain. “We’re not sure if you like things like that, but we don’t really know what you like, so we just took a chance.”
Bella took a small box from the bag and handed it to Riley, her hands shaking. Riley clutched her hand with both his hands and held it until it stopped shaking. It was only then that he took the box. “Thank you.”
A black leather bracelet with customized bronze beads with names was inside the box. It has their names on it.Bella - Riley - Ellie.
Riley pursed his lips as he looked at the bracelet, gripping it tightly before he let Ellie slip it around his wrist. After that, he pulled his sisters for another hug.
This evening, indeed, was already off to a good start.
Chapter 85
