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Trinity
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When I got home from shopping I found Reece waiting for me in our room. He seemed like he was worried about me.
"Where have you been?" He yelled at me.
"I went to lunch with Juniper." I told him, not sure why he was so mad.
"And who went with you?" He demanded.
"Well, no one." I hung my head as I understood why he was so mad. "I only went to lunch and the mall really. I wasn't in any danger, and I wanted to have a private conversation with Juniper."
"Trinity!" He roared. "It's too dangerous for you to be out and about on your own." His voice thundered as he stalked toward me. "You need to be more careful. Especially now." He placed his hand on my stomach and rubbed small circles.
"I know Reece, I just didn't want anyone to over hear us, that's all." I felt ashamed. I had deliberately lied to and evaded my guards before I left. I knew he would be mad if he found out.
"What was so damn important that no one could hear?" He asked me.
I opened the shopping bags I had and showed him the gift I had bought for him as well. The one that said DADDY'S LITTLE PUP.
"I was buying announcement gifts, and telling Juniper about the baby. She is my best friend. And I wasn't really alone, she was with me. We could have handled things ourselves." His eyes got a little less angry when he saw the onesie I gave him. He was so excited to be a father, he had told me so many times the night before while holding me in his arms.
"Look, I know that you're happy, and this is an exciting time, but please don't go anywhere without me or one of your guards, please." He was begging me now.
"I can't live my whole life in a protective bubble Reece. Eventually, I am going to have to live more."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." He joked, pulling me into his arms. "I just worry about you so much, Little Bunny. I don't want anything to happen to you or our baby."
"I know Reece, and I promise that I will take someone with me next time."
"I'd prefer it if you didn't go anywhere." He added in a half joking half serious voice.
"I'm not going to be a hermit or a prisoner again." I told him firmly.
"You have no idea how dangerous it is out there right now, especially for you. If Edmond were to get his hands on you, there's no telling what he will do."
"And I have proven that I am not a weak little girl Reece. I'm not going to argue it with you. I am not going to be stuck here forever, end of discussion." I put my resolve and conviction into those words, making them ring with power and finality.
Reece's mouth closed with a snap and a gasp. He hadn't expected my anger I'm guessing.
"One day, I need to find out why you can give orders to people you shouldn't be able to." He growled but smiled at me. "I would love to learn whatever tricks you seem to have."
"I'm not doing anything Reece." I told him as he buried his face in my neck. "Now back off, now is not the time." I pushed him away making him whine like a puppy. I laughed at that.
I decided we needed to change the subject and get things moving away from me, guards, and orders.
"So, I want to have a special dinner with Lila and Grandfather soon." I smiled at him as I thought of my plans.
"Why?" He asked me, perplexed by my suggestion.
"They're the next two I want to tell." I smiled at him, thinking about the reactions we were likely to get from them.
"Not your aunt and uncle?"
"I told my aunt about the wedding first, I think Lila and Grandfather will be happy they were next."
"Why not tonight?" He smiled, he was obviously eager to spread the news too. "I can let Abigail know right now and you can call your grandfather."
"Good idea." I started to grab my phone. "Oh, you didn't tell anyone did you?" I glared at him.
"The only person I saw today was Noah, and if I told him he'd probably try to kill me. No sweetheart, that job falls to you." He smiled as he held his hands up as if to ward off the thought.
"Good, I didn't want anyone else to know yet.
Grandfather had agreed to dinner tonight and Lila had no other plans as well. I decided that a nice dinner in the garden would be lovely. The flowers weren't blooming yet, but it was still a beautiful night with a lovely view. Reece liked the idea as well, or said he did, so I went with it.
I helped Peter set up the table once it was outside. The napkins, settings, even the candles all had to be special. I selected a wine for Reece and the others, I couldn't have any for multiple reasons, but Lila and Grandfather would just think of my age as the only factor. The gold plated tableware, crystal glasses, and beautiful plates were all set and looked exquisite.
Tonight, Abigail had chosen to make a crown roast of pork with mushroom gravy, mushroom stuffed steaks, balsamic roasted chicken, roasted red skin potatoes, baked cheddar macaroni, asparagus, sweet carrots, and broccoli. Along with a beautiful garden salad and delicious looking vegetable soup with garlic bread to accompany it. For dessert there was a delicious looking chocolate cake.
When we all sat down to eat my eyes popped. I had started eating more than I used to when I shifted, but with the queasiness I had been feeling, I didn't think I could eat that much at all. I would definitely be sending the leftover food from this dinner to feed some of the other pack members.
"So, what was so important that you wanted to throw this dinner party?" Grandfather asked.
"I am quite curious as well." Lila looked excited while Grandfather looked confused.
"Let us eat first and enjoy the food before it gets cold." Reece encouraged them with a grin.
"You're hiding something." Lila looked at him suspiciously, but was still smiling.
"Who, me?" Reece tried to feign innocence.
"Alright, fine, have it your way. We will eat then talk."
The meal was delicious. I had a little bit of everything that was put on my plate, but I couldn't even eat half of it before I started feeling sick to my stomach again.
"Is everything alright, Trinity?" Grandfather asked me, sounding as formal as always.
"Just a little pre wedding nerves, that's all." I smiled at him as I gave him the same excuse as I had given Juniper. It seemed to work just as well now as it did then.
"No reason to be nervous, it's just a wedding after all." Grandfather made it seem not so important. "What matters is that the two of you are together and happy." Alright, that redeemed him a little. He was right, as long as I was with Reece everything would be just fine.
"You're right Grandfather. As long as we have each other, everything will always work out."
When we had finished dinner we were sipping coffee while eating our dessert, I was having tea instead of coffee. The atmosphere was nice and calm, but I could tell at a glance that Lila was eager to learn what they had been brought here for.
"Trinity, Reece, can you please tell us what is going on now?" She finally asked when her patience ran out.
"Go on, Little Bunny, better not keep her waiting any longer." Reece smiled at me. I nodded and looked between Grandfather and Lila.
"Well, first, I have a gift for you Lila." I informed her as I reached beneath the table to get the two bags I had put there earlier.
"It's too early for birthday presents." Lila protested.
"I have one for you too, Grandfather."
"It's definitely too soon for my birthday, that is not until June." He seemed to laugh at that.
"These are not for birthdays." Reece told them.
"Though I did order you a birthday gift that will be here soon." I smiled at Lila.
"Trinity, you shouldn't have." She smiled back, obviously feeling loved.
I handed the gifts to them. Lila's necklace and the onesie for the baby to wear for Grandfather. With Grandfather's strict way of behaving and formal speech, I didn't expect him to excitedly dig into the gift bag like he did. He almost seemed a little childish as I watched him.
Grandfather had his gift unwrapped before Lila had the box for her necklace opened.
"Is this because of Nikki?" He asked me. "It's wonderful. I am certain that Noah and Nikki's baby will look wonderful in this."
"That's adorable." Lila cooed as she pulled open the top of her box. "You're very lucky Samuel." She said enviously looking at the onesie.
When Lila looked at the necklace she smiled, not reading it at first.
"This is lovely dear. Thank you." She looked at it more closely and her eyes popped open wide. "Wait! Does this say what I think it does?" She looked between Reece and me repeatedly. "Oh my Goddess, oh my Goddess, oh my Goddess." She was fanning her face in all her excitement, her cheeks flushing bright red and a huge smile on her face.
"What is it Lila? Is something the matter?" Grandfather seemed confused.
"Take a look at this Samuel." She told him as she reached across the table to show him the necklace with the word GRANDMA written beautifully in gold.
"Grandma?" He was confused for a moment. "Why would Lila need a necklace that says Grandma when Nikki is having a baby?"
"Samuel you dunce." She yelled at him. "Trinity and Reece are going to have a baby as well." Lila was on her feet now and literally running over to me. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders and squeezed me tight. "Trinity, oh you've made me so happy." She was nearly jumping with joy like Juniper had. She left me and ran to Reece next. "Reece, you finally did something right." She hugged him too. Grandfather was still trying to catch up with everything.
"Is she telling the truth?" Grandfather looked at me. "Are you expecting as well, Trinity?" I nodded at him.
"Yes Grandfather, I am." He smiled and his eyes misted over.
"My dear Trinity." He got to his feet as well and I rose to meet him halfway. Grandfather put his arms around me and hugged me just like Lila had. "I am so happy for you, my dear." When Grandfather left me he too went to Reece next, his hand outstretched.
"Congratulations my boy." He shook Reece's hand firmly.
"Thank you, Samuel." They smiled at each other happily. Everyone was happy that there was going to be a baby.
