Is this destiny?

Emma's baby shower was supposed to be a casual afternoon with a few girlfriends who would gather to chat with snacks, drinks, and baby-presents, but then Emma thought of inviting her brothers, and Charlie said that some of his Cousins want to come, Jarred and Emma's mother included. Then Emma thought how if her mother comes, Angelo should be present as well, which includes Melisa. And both Charlie and Emma couldn't neglect kids from the Cliffside Villa, Whites, Longs, Kianis, Penny, Ben… Emma remembered nurses and doctors from her rehabilitation center and some medical workers from LA Medical Center. Since so many people were coming, Charlie decided to invite his close business partners, and it turned into a big party at the Smith family villa. The head of the Smith family is organizing a baby-shower to welcome his first child, and all Smiths should attend because they couldn't pick a handful of people without offending others. Besides, if they are already having more than three hundred guests, fifty more or less won't be noticed.

And that is how a small gathering of girlfriends exploded into a massive party.

Emma laughed helplessly while looking at the guestlist which grew beyond control, and it reminded her of their wedding.

"How about we cancel this?", Emma asked Charlie who was sitting on the sofa next to her and massaged her feet. "I'm big and heavy for the party and we definitely don't need presents."

"You can show up, smile and wave, and then go to a different room with a group of your friends.", Charlie said. "No one will blame you, and if anyone dares to ask, I will tell them that you need rest and you will be back shortly. This is not about presents, but about allowing others to come and show respect to me, you, and our child."

Emma nodded faintly and didn't comment further. She knew that by marrying Charlie, she will need to host people she doesn't know and smile at the people she doesn't like. But Charlie was always ready to let her slip away while he handled the unpleasant formalities. He was always considerate toward her. How can she leave him with the guests on his own?

The day of the party arrived, and Emma walked through the hallways of the Smith family mansion while observing the progress of the final touches being put in place for the party that will start in the afternoon.

Even after three years, this mansion feels cold and foreign to Emma. She prefers Charlie's villa, where she stayed after his surgery. It is smaller, cozier, and full of good memories. Sure, they stay there as well, but most of the time they are at the Smith family villa. It is one more thing that Emma needs to compromise on because of who Charlie is: the head of the Smith family and the CEO of Smithsonite corp.

Emma didn't care about the decorations or type of snacks that will be served and she thought of hiring an event planner, but Tiffany said how that is out of the question because a baby shower needs to be personal. Emma snorted at this comment. How can it be personal when half of Los Angeles is invited?

Tiffany ignored Emma's sarcastic remarks and she called Penny, Pam, and Leah, and told Emma to relax and let them handle everything. The four of them planned the event while consulting Emma only for a few crucial things like the type of the cake.

Hill sisters helped as well, but just toward the end, because they arrived from Eastern Europe recently and Emma was not sure if they will be able to attend, as they started preparations for the event in early July. Knowing that JoAnna will be able to attend, improved Emma's mood significantly because the two of them are close, and she likes Sophia and Sarah as well.

Back to the present…

Emma made her way into the garden and observed white and green balloons that were tied up in bunches with yellow streamers. Tables were elegantly set in color-matching decorations, and the maids were busy arranging utensils and plates while making sure that everything is aligned perfectly.

The colors were gender-neutral and Emma rubbed her belly while remembering Charlie's words that they need to keep the sex of the baby a secret as long as possible. Emma didn't like it, but she agreed. She has no issues with not revealing the gender, but the reason behind it bothered her a lot. Charlie said how that is for her safety.

Of course, it is all because the Smith family members are greedy. Charlie weeded out many who were openly corrupted to the point of hurting their own kin for some benefits, but he fears that there are many others hiding, like wolves in sheep's skin. That is the reason why he never made an official announcement that Corey is his heir.

The truth is that Charlie never thought about his heir. After all, he only became the patriarch recently, and he still has many years ahead of him, but he took Corey under his wing and he hated how everyone looked down on the boy. It's not Corey's fault that his father is a useless scoundrel. As soon as Corey appeared with Charlie, several Smiths approached Corey, hoping to use him to get close to Charlie and Charlie realized that he needed to give Corey some identity so that others don't see him as a simple stepping stone. On several occasions, Charlie said that Corey will be his heir and that created an air of importance around Corey, but Charlie didn't make it official, knowing how that would put a target on Corey's back.

In a similar way, by not knowing if the baby is a girl or a boy, people will stay on the side and observe without making a move. Emma didn't understand the logic behind it, but Charlie said how the lack of information, will force schemers to wait.

Emma didn't want any of this. She fell in love with Charlie and wanted to be with him. Charlie's identity of Charles Smith is a blessing and a curse at the same time, and because she loves him, she decided to stand by his side, for better or for worse. Emma's only hope is that she will be able to protect their child. Their precious baby-girl who is due in about one month.

"Why are you standing here?", Tiffany's cheerful voice pulled Emma out of her thoughts.

Emma turned to Tiffany and smiled. Tiffany's good mood was contagious. Ever since Tiffany agreed to work for Emma as her assistant, the two of them are getting along great, and the fact that Tiffany is married to Mike (which makes her Emma's sister-in-law) is only making their bond stronger.

Emma was close to her three brothers and Tiffany brings in that much-needed girly touch to their family. Emma hopes that Ryan and Sean will also settle down soon. It's not that she wants for her twin brothers to marry soon, but they are 22 years old and so far they didn't have any solid relationship. They are busy with Nero armi and Emma is concerned that girls who are coming in and out of their lives faster than she can meet with them are bringing more trouble than benefits. Her twin baby-brothers wield power and that can get into anyone's head, especially when that head belongs to a boy who is always ready for an adventure; and there are two of them.

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