The grand ballroom was already buzzing with activity, filled with elegantly dressed guests mingling under the glittering chandeliers.
Rowan, Harvey, and Kyle scanned the room, taking in the opulent decorations and the lively atmosphere. The event was a grand affair, and everything seemed to be in place. As they made their way further into the ballroom, Rowan’s attention was drawn to the grand staircase at the far end of the room. He saw Amara descending stairs gracefully.
She looked like a princess from the olden days, her orange gown flowing around her as she stepped down the stairs in her brown heels. Her hair was styled elegantly, and the soft lighting accentuated her natural beauty. Rowan found himself unable to look away, captivated by her presence. Amara, who was coming downstairs, naturally noticed Rowan’s stare on her. She felt her cheeks getting hot and tried to compose herself. But she noticed the way Rowan looked today. She couldn’t help but think although Rowan always looked handsome, today he seemed especially striking in his black suit with a white shirt.
She shook her head, trying to dismiss her thoughts, and looked around the ballroom. Almost half of the guests had already arrived. Spotting her father and brother standing in a corner with Alessandro, she made her way toward them.
“Dad, brother, everything is in place,” she said, smiling confidently.
Vincent nodded approvingly. “Good.”
Alessandro smiled at Amara. “You look beautiful, Amara.”
“Thanks,” she replied, returning his smile. Turning to her father, she added, “Dad, I’m going to check on Mom and Vaughn.”
Vincent nodded, and Amara left the ballroom, making her way through the hotel to her mother’s room. When she arrived, she found Vaughn still undressed, sitting stubbornly on the bed, and her mother, Isabelle, wearing a complicated expression.
“What’s going on, Mom?” Amara asked, concern evident in her voice. She turned to Vaughn, “Baby, why aren’t you dressed yet?”
Isabelle looked relieved to see Amara. “He’s refusing to wear the clothes I picked out for him.”
Amara knelt down to Vaughn’s level, looking into his eyes. “What’s wrong, Vaughn? Why don’t you want to wear these clothes?”
Vaughn pursed his lips into a thin line. “Mommy, I don’t want to wear this pink shirt. I want to wear a black suit with a white shirt.”
Amara was taken aback for a moment, thinking of Rowan, who was wearing the same outfit today. She wondered if Vaughn had seen him, but that was impossible since Vaughn had been in the room all this time. She smiled gently and picked Vaughn up, sitting him on her lap.
“Why do you want to wear a suit, baby? You’re so little,” she teased, tickling him lightly.
Vaughn giggled but stayed firm. “I’m not that little, Mommy. I saw everyone wearing suits today.”
Isabelle sighed but smiled at the interaction. “Since he wants to wear a suit, dress him in a suit. We don’t want any more fuss. I’ll go check on Emery.”
“Okay, Mom,” Amara replied, watching as Isabelle left the room.
Turning her attention back to Vaughn, Amara’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “Alright, little man, let’s get you suited up. But remember, suits are for big boys who behave nicely. Are you going to be a big boy today?”
Vaughn nodded eagerly, his previous stubbornness replaced with excitement. “Yes, Mommy! I’ll be a big boy!”
Amara chuckled and found a small black suit and a white shirt from his wardrobe. As she started to dress him, she couldn’t resist teasing him a bit more.
Are you trying to impress someone?” she teased, raising an eyebrow playfully.
Vaughn blushed and pouted. “No, Mommy! I just want to look nice.”
Amara laughed softly, smoothing down his shirt. “Well, you’re going to look very handsome.” She lowered her voice and murmured, “Maybe even more handsome than certain someone.”
Vaughn’s eyes widened with delight at the thought. “Really, Mommy?”
“Absolutely,” Amara said, fastening the last button on his shirt. “Now, let’s put on your jacket and see the final look.”
Once Vaughn was fully dressed, he stood proudly in front of the mirror, turning this way and that to admire his reflection. Amara couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride and affection for her little boy. He looked so grown-up and serious in his suit, but there was still that spark of childlike innocence in his eyes.
“Look at you,” she said, beaming. “You’re the most handsome little man in the whole world.”
Vaughn grinned from ear to ear and ran to give his mother a hug. “Thank you, Mommy.”
Amara hugged him back tightly, feeling her heart melt. “You’re welcome, sweetheart. Now, let’s go downstairs and show everyone how dashing you look.”
Holding Vaughn’s hand, Amara led him out of the room and back towards the ballroom. As they walked, she couldn’t help but think about how much he was growing up. It seemed like only yesterday he was a tiny baby in her arms, and now he was strutting around in a suit, ready to take on the world.
When they reached the ballroom, the guests turned to look at them, smiles and whispers of admiration spreading through the crowd. Vaughn walked confidently beside his mother, his little hand gripping hers tightly.
Amara and Vaughn made their way through the crowd, greeting guests and receiving compliments. Vaughn’s confidence grew with each step, and Amara felt a surge of pride every time someone remarked on how handsome her son looked.
Finally, they reached Vincent and Leo, who were talking to some guests. Vincent looked down at Vaughn and smiled warmly. “Well, don’t you look dashing, young man.”
Vaughn puffed out his chest proudly. “Thank you, Grandpa.”
Leo ruffled his nephew’s hair affectionately. “You look like a little gentleman, Vaughn.”
Vaughn beamed at the praise, and Amara couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Her son was happy, and that was all that mattered.
Kyle, standing a few feet away, noticed the child beside Amara. There was something familiar about the boy’s face, a nagging sense of recognition he couldn’t shake. He murmured under his breath, but loud enough for Rowan and Harvey to hear, “Who is the kid beside Miss Amara?”
Rowan turned around to see Amara and Vaughn.