Chris knew Bella wouldn't be able to make it home by herself, so he called.
"Hi, babe," Chris said, his voice soft and cool.
"Hi," Bella replied in her tiny, sweet voice.
"Are you still at the hospital?" he asked.
"Mm-hmm. Why do you ask?" she replied curiously.
"I'm at the parking lot," Chris said with a smile.
Bella's lips curved into a smile she couldn't hide. "Okay... I'll be there soon."
She hung up and turned to Bianca with an apologetic expression, but Bianca beat her to it.
"That was Chris, right?" Bianca asked knowingly.
"Mm-hmm," Bella nodded shyly.
Bianca smiled. "You should go. Mum, Dad you too."
"I'm sorry," Bella murmured.
"It's fine, babe. Really, it's not your fault," Bianca said gently, patting her friend's hand.
"Are you sure you'll be okay?" Ademide asked, concern etched on his face.
"Yes, Dad. Austin's here with me," Bianca reassured, glancing at her brother with a faint smile.
Everyone knew Bianca as Daddy's Girl. Being the only daughter, she was deeply adored by her parents, especially her father. Though Ademide had relocated to Nigeria years ago to serve as Minister of Petroleum, he shuttled often between Lagos and London to see his family.
Though she was stable now, the doctors refused to discharge her, keeping her under observation with IV fluids still running into her veins. She reached her free hand toward Bella.
Bella immediately wrapped her arms around her friend. As she hugged her, her palm brushed Bianca's baby bump. She pulled back, eyes wide, and touched it again.
"Baby, I can't wait to meet you. I promise I'll be the best godmother in the world, so please don't scare us like that again," Bella whispered with a smile.
To her utter shock, she felt a small flutter against her hand. She jerked her hand back in disbelief.
Bianca burst out laughing. "Oh my God, you should have seen your face!"
Bella flushed red with embarrassment, then started laughing too, before placing her hand back on the bump. Again, the baby shifted.
"Are you saying hi to your godmum?" Bianca teased. The baby moved once more.
"Ohh, the baby must really like you," Bianca said warmly. Bella's eyes softened as she smiled back.
"Alright, go now. Don't keep Chris waiting," Bianca added with a wink.
Bella shook her head with a smirk. "Goodnight, Aunt Ana. Bye, Uncle Mide. And you" she pointed playfully at Austin, "take care of my best friend and my godson or goddaughter."
Austin smiled faintly.
"Goodnight, my darling," Tatiana said. "Say hi to Vee for me."
"Goodnight. I wish you both a happy life together," Ademide added seriously. "But if you want it to last, stay off social media."
Bella chuckled softly. "Alright, thanks, Uncle."
She slipped out of the room only for her phone to buzz. It was Alexia.
"Hey babe, what's up?" Bella answered.
"Girl, I saw the press conference! I didn't know the boss's boss could be that romantic," Alexia squealed, her pitch rising. Bella smiled, but her thoughts turned to last night.
"I was just about to call you. Have you heard from Lilly?" she asked.
The joy drained from Alexia's tone instantly. "I haven't seen or heard from her in a while. Why? Is she missing? Or is she the one behind your new scandal?" she scoffed.
Bella frowned. "Babe, I don't like the way you keep talking about Lilly. You don't know what she's going through don't rub salt into her wounds."
"What do you mean?" Alexia pressed.
"She broke down crying yesterday. She didn't say what the problem was, but she was in pieces," Bella said quietly.
Alexia let out a sharp, mocking laugh. "And you actually believed her?"
Bella's patience thinned. "What's with your attitude? It's starting to irritate me."
"Fine. Sorry. I'm just looking out for you," Alexia sighed. "But my advice? Don't believe anything she says, so you don't get hit with the bullet."
"Alright. Thanks," Bella muttered, spotting Chris leaning against his car, arms folded, headphones in.
"Okay babe, we'll talk later," Alexia said.
"Sure. Wait" Bella stopped her.
"I'm listening."
"The bridesmaids' clothes can you help with the delivery if I send them over by logistics? All you need are everyone's sizes and addresses."
Alexia softened. "Well, given what you're going through, I can't say no. Send me the list and I'll handle it."
"You're a lifesaver. Thank you."
Bella hung up, relief loosening her shoulders. She walked up to Chris quietly. He hadn't noticed her yet, music flowing through his AirPods. Smiling, she slipped her arms around him from behind.
Chris was surprised when he felt arms slip around him. His eyes had been closed, lost in the world of music, but there was one touch he could never mistake Bella's.
A bright smile broke across his face, dimples showing as he pulled her closer. Bella snuggled against his chest, breathing him in, and Chris held her tightly in return.
When they finally pulled apart, Chris studied her face, still dreading the question that had lingered in his mind since the press conference. He cleared his throat.
"You're not mad at me, right?" he asked, worry flickering in his eyes. He knew he'd announced their relationship without telling her first, and even if his intentions were pure, he wondered if she'd feel blindsided.
Bella shook her head gently, smiling up at him. "I could never be mad at you over something like that."
Her words lifted the weight off his shoulders until her stomach growled loudly. She froze, pressing a hand to her tummy, cheeks warming.
Chris chuckled. "Aww, your stomach worms are shouting pasta."
Bella burst into giggles, nodding.
"Come on," Chris said warmly, slipping an arm around her. "Let me drop you home." He opened the passenger door for her before circling to the driver's side.
At the Walter Residence
The house was full of unexpected joy. Bella's aunt Joanna had just arrived from Canada with her children Natalie, Luciana, and their youngest brother Jeremy. They had flown in as a surprise for Vera's wedding.
Vera hadn't seen her sister in years. The moment she opened the door, both women fell into each other's arms, tears of joy streaming down their cheeks.
"Surprise!" Joanna and her children chorused, smiling wide.
Nobody had expected them, and the entire house buzzed with excitement. Vera led her sister upstairs to settle in, giving Jayden's room to Joanna since it was the largest.
"Jay, move your things into Kay's room!" Vera called down. Jayden groaned loudly but obeyed, dragging his belongings out with a scowl.
In the living room, Natalie and Lucy sat with Kayden, trying to catch up. Natalie was sixteen, Lucy twelve, and little Jeremy just seven. They hadn't grown up close to their cousins the last time they'd all seen each other was four years ago at their grandmother's funeral. Since then, contact had only been through their mothers.
Lucy, bold as always, spoke first. "Where's big sis?" she asked, meaning Bella.
"Her best friend was rushed to the hospital," Kayden explained, glancing up from his phone. "She should be back anytime soon."
Lucy smirked. "Ahh, I see."
Right on cue, the doorbell rang.
"She's here," Kayden said lazily, glancing at Natalie. "Go get the door."
Natalie started to rise, but Lucy tugged her back down. "Why should a guest open the door? It's his house. He should do it."
Kayden finally looked up, eyes narrowing. "Number one, you're not guests your family. Number two, I'm older, so I can ask you to do it if I want."
"You can't just sit there and order us around," Lucy shot back, smirking. "It's your house, so go"
"Thank God my sisters are here!" Bella's voice rang out as she stepped inside, Jeremy clinging happily to her arms.
Jeremy had opened the door for her, sparing the cousins further bickering. Natalie and Lucy jumped up to hug Bella.
"Oh my God, you two are so grown now! What has Aunt Joan been feeding you?" Bella asked, eyes wide in admiration.
Before anyone could answer, a deep voice cleared its throat.
Chris had entered quietly behind Bella, but his presence filled the room instantly. He'd come to properly greet Vera, to apologize for the scandal and congratulate her on her wedding but the siblings were too wrapped up in greetings to notice him at first.
When they finally turned, Natalie and Lucy froze, eyes widening at the tall, striking man in their living room.
Chris too was surprised. He hadn't expected Vera's family to have visitors, and hearing Bella call them her cousins piqued his curiosity.
Bella caught his look and smiled knowingly. "These are my cousins Natalie, Luciana, and Jeremy. My aunt's upstairs with Mum, no doubt gossiping." She smiled, then started to introduce him. "And this is my"
"Your boyfriend. Christian Hampson," Natalie and Lucy finished together, grinning.
Bella nearly choked on her own breath, eyes wide.
Chris only smiled faintly, unsurprised. He was used to the recognition by now. After all, he wasn't just famous he was the Christian Hampson, the youngest billionaire in the world.