Chapter 202

"Oh yes, she is!" Calhoun put in.

"Ah, you see it too?" Daniel said as soon as he heard Calhoun's voice.

Ariana narrowed her eyes at Calhoun and then at the phone he was holding out of her reach. It was like she could see Daniel through the phone as she glared at the device and Calhoun simultaneously.

"Are you both ganging up against me?" She asked them.

"Gang?" Daniel blurted out in a voice that was smeared with laughter.

Calhoun didn't even have to say a word. She could see it right in his eyes. He was enjoying this little game with her brother.

"It's not fair. I am talking about serious stuff here and you two are being partial!" She cried out in frustration.

"Come on Ariana, we will never do that to you," Daniel assured her.

Calhoun moved closer to her and he draped his free hand around her. He drew her closer and placed a kiss against her forehead. "Honey, I don't know about Daniel but I love you more than words can explain. Okay?"

"Hey, brother you just made me the villain!" Daniel complained and even Ariana couldn't help but smile.

"I am sorry man but She comes first," Calhoun said kissing her forehead again. "Do you want us to end the call, my love?" He was heading somewhere before Daniel's call had come through. He could as well end the call and move unto what they had stopped.

"No, we can't move anywhere! Because I have a problem, Calhoun. How can Daniel have a daughter and he never told me about it?" Ariana cried out once again. Calhoun furrowed his brows as even he didn't understand what was making her rile up all of a sudden.

"Do you hate the fact that I have a daughter?" Daniel asked her suddenly and somehow it was along the line of what Calhoun was also starting to think.

"No! I love the fact that you have a daughter!" She yelled with gestures. She held her head and tried to take a deep breath. She would have to calm down to explain herself to the boys.

"Honey if you love the fact that he has a child, why then are you worked up like this?" Calhoun asked her calmly. He was no longer amused as he saw that the situation was really stressing her out.

"I already selected Little Rosa as my little bride! Now how can I not have my own little niece as my little bride? And she bares my name! Oh, Daniel why didn't you tell me!" She cried out she held her chest dramatically.

It took a lot for Daniel and Calhoun not to laugh at what they had just heard. They both knew if they laughed, it would only get worst. Ariana would keep it forever in her heart.

"Ariana, that isn't a big deal—" Daniel started to say but his words never saw the end of their existence.

"What! That's absurd! Don't even say that! It is never done! She is my only niece and she is my namesake. In the real sense, if you didn't disappear from my life, I should have been her Godmother!" Aria said as she started pacing with her finger in her mouth.

"But you haven't even told little Roda yet have you?" Calhoun remarked. They were supposed to go for dinner to inform his family in a few hours. But how come she was taking this up so much? Or had she told little Rosa?

No —Calhoun thought cancelling the thoughts. If Ariana told Little Rosa, then there was just no way Rosa would keep such a big secret from her mother and once aunt Bianca knew she would tell at least Lily or her mother.

"I haven't told Little Rosa yet but I can't cancel her out. She is your only female cousin right now! It was only natural that she stood there plus I really love Rosa. She is so smart!" Ariana said as she continued pacing.

"I am sorry but I truly do not see the big deal in all these," Daniel said. They could as well go ahead with the wedding without the two girls. All he wanted was for his younger sister to marry the man of her dreams beautifully.

Arana wanted to give him a very harsh reply but she threw her eyes at Calhoun. But the latter only shrugged his shoulders as he also found sense in whatever it was Daniel had said.

"But what am supposed to do now?" Ariana asked firmly.

"I think you can use the two of them. There is nothing wrong with that, right?" Calhoun put in.

"That's a perfect idea, Calhoun!" Daniel yelled from the other side of the phone.

"I think it's great too," Ariana finally said. She could definitely use both of them. It would be perfect.

"On that note, I will have to leave you both. I need to clear off my table before noon," Daniel informed them.

"Bye Daniel!" Ariana said clutching the phone as she blew him kisses. "Stay safe!" Ariana added and the call ended.

"So what should we do now?" Calhoun asked he dropped the phone on the bedside table again.

"Now, we start getting ready for dinner," she said with a smirk.

Calhoun gripped her around the waist and smiled down at her. "We have a couple of minutes to play along with," Calhoun sang in my ears.

Ariana giggled as the sweet waves of the sounds of his mouth tickled the skin around her ears.

Calhoun started kissing her neck but she slipped and ran to the toilet.

"That wasn't the agreement!" Calhoun yelled after her but Ariana was long gone.

After their shower, they both prepared themselves and in about four hours, they were ready and in the car. The chauffeur drove them smoothly till they got to the Lawson mansion. Ariana knew the anticipation and energy might be overboard in the house but while she dressed she had thought of one thing.

Uncle Thomas and his wife —they were always put aside like their opinions didn't matter. She would have to explore that tonight.

**

The mansion was the same as it looked the first time they had come to visit the family. Ariana felt a sudden sort of restlessness as Calhoun led her inside.

"Are you okay?" Calhoun asked her.

Ariana looked at him and smiled. She could handle it. "Yeah, I am good. Just a little nervous." She added.

"It feels like the first time we came here... almost like yesterday and now everything is cool you know." She said and he chuckled.

"Okay. Let's go see the Lawsons."

He squeezed her hand a little for support as they made their way to the Dining Hall. It was already past eight o'clock and the family was already settled around the table waiting for Calhoun and Ariana.

Unlike the first time they had come, Aunt Bianca got up and walked to them. But she wasn't alone, Elsie and little Rosa followed behind her.

"Ariana!" She said as she hugged Ariana. "You left without saying goodbye and you barely call to say you were coming back again! I should smack you!" Aunt Bianca said and Ariana giggled out an apology.

"You also said you have a surprise for me!" Little Rosa said to Ariana as her mother moved over to greet Calhoun.

"And I do have the surprise baby," Ariana said placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Finally my turn!" Elsie said grabbing Ariana. They hugged warmly and Ariana felt more than welcomed into the family. It was even more than a welcoming hug when she saw her grandmother spread her arms to her.

"Come give grandmother a hug too," She prorested and Ariana went over to hug her as well.

It was obvious she had been worrying herself for nothing. The entire family —or a large chunk of it already accepted her. The minority few were just being haters.

"Come sit, let's have dinner," the grandfather said. He had a twinkle of happiness in his eyes even though he wasn't showing it but Calhoun noticed and he was grateful. This was going to be easier than he thought.

"So how was your drive here?" Matt asked Calhoun with a smile as soon as they had all settled in their seats.

Calhoun wanted to give him a sarcastic reply but Ariana shook her head discreetly telling him to be nice.

"It was smooth. Thanks," Calhoun replied with a forced smile.

"Ariana you are glowing. You need to tell me the products you are using now," Nikita commented as she leaned on Matt.

Ariana was surprised that she was being nice to her but so as not to hurt the beautiful atmosphere she replied politely.

Aunt Lily was just throwing daggers at Ariana. She felt like going across the table and landing slaps on the younger woman's face or even worst. But she couldn't do a thing. She was even more confused about Matt and Nikita's behaviour. It was like they had a plan and it was killing her to not be aware of it.

Since everyone where being nice Ariana decided to test her plan on Uncle Thomas. He was always like a shadow in the family dinners and that was depressing to watch. She wondered how he lived like that in his own father's house.

"Uncle Thomas, How are you?" She asked and the man seemed to jerk out of his shell as he raised his brows to her. He looked confused like he wasn't sure she had spoken to him.

"I am— I am fine," he whispered with uncertainty.

Ariana smiled in satisfaction. At least he replied. She would just have to keep finding a reason to talk to him so he wouldn't be kept in the dark each time.

The dinner commenced and the house helper brought in the amazing meal that had been supervised by Bianca as always. It was a tasteful meal of baked rice and grilled fish. There was also chicken and spaghetti for those who had an issue with fish. Sautéed crabs were set on the side as an additional meal and the family soon fell into their plates.

Sofia and Noah were sitting close to one another and they also focused on their meal while Sofia glared occasionally at Ariana. She was looking too happy for liking and she hated it. In her opinion, she shouldn't be looking that happy.

"So, what news did you say you want to share with the family?" Grandfather asked as they finished their meals.

Calhoun adjusted his coat before he started speaking. "If you all remember, a few months ago, I came here and informed everyone that I wanted to get married." He took Ariana's hand and gave it a soft kiss as he brought it to his lips.

Sofia made a face but no one noticed her. Lily turned pale and she could have been mistaken for the paintings on the wall if not for the constant sharp movement of her chest as she listened to Calhoun.

"Today, I am happy to announce to you that I am now ready to do just that." He stared into Ariana's eyes and she smiled at him as she squeezed his hand in assurance.

"I am getting married to Ariana in two months."

There were subtle gasps from the haters but the rest of the family cheered in excitement. Even Uncle Thomas smiled as he nodded his head for the first time.

"That's amazing news, my boy!" Aunt Bianca said as she got up to hug both Calhoun and Ariana.

"I am proud of you," the grandfather said from his end. "The only issue I have is that I wanted to be a part of the preparations and you speak like you have everything sorted," he said.

"No, grandfather there is still a lot to be done. We will love your help," Ariana said thoughtfully.

"Ah, then we have ourselves a wedding to plan!" Grandfather announced excitedly and everyone —including the maids roared in happiness.

Lily got up from her seat as everyone cheered. She couldn't stay there and listen to so much joy and happiness. She couldn't. She would rather stay in her room and think clearly.

"Lily!" She heard Sofia call her as she got to the corridor.

She stopped and turned around to face the younger woman. "What is it?" She snarled.

"We need to talk!"