Chapter Forty Eight

Chapter Forty-Eight

The day of the gender reveal finally arrived.

And somehow, despite weeks of planning, nobody was calm.

Not Daisy.

Not Harper.

Not Noah.

Not even Roman.

Although Roman was pretending very hard.

The venue overlooked the Hudson River.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

Filled with family and close friends.

White, gold, and greenery decorated every table.

Three sealed envelopes had become one giant mystery.

One baby for Daisy and Roman.

Two babies for Harper and Noah.

Three little secrets.

Waiting to be revealed.

Daisy stood near the entrance greeting guests.

Her hand resting on her growing bump.

Twenty weeks pregnant.

Halfway.

The thought still felt surreal.

Across the room Harper looked equally emotional.

Though she was also carrying twins and looked considerably more uncomfortable.

"Noah."

"What?"

"My feet hurt."

The poor man immediately crouched.

"Do you need a chair?"

Roman laughed.

Harper pointed.

"Don't encourage him."

Too late.

Noah was already finding cushions.

A little while later another guest arrived.

Olivia.

Roman's assistant.

The woman who had suffered through endless baby photos, pregnancy updates, and Roman becoming completely obsessed with family life.

She walked into the venue and immediately looked impressed.

"Wow."

Roman smiled.

"Nice, right?"

Olivia looked around.

"This is what you call a small gathering?"

Roman ignored her.

Daisy laughed.

Olivia hugged Daisy first.

Then Harper.

Then immediately looked at their bumps.

"Oh my God."

Harper laughed.

"What?"

"There are so many babies."

"Tell me about it."

Olivia shook her head.

"I remember when Roman only talked about mergers."

Roman looked offended.

"I still talk about mergers."

"No."

Olivia pointed.

"You talk about Lillie."

Fair.

A loud squeal interrupted the conversation.

Lillie.

Now confidently taking little wobbly steps while holding onto furniture.

Poppy followed close behind.

Theo acted like security.

As usual.

Olivia watched.

Then looked at Roman.

Then looked at Lillie.

Then back at Roman.

"You never stood a chance."

Roman smiled.

"No."

He really hadn't.

As the afternoon continued, excitement grew.

The reveal boxes sat waiting near the stage.

Three boxes.

One for Daisy and Roman.

Two for Harper and Noah's twins.

Nobody knew.

Not even Roman.

Though several people suspected he'd tried.

Eventually Noah clinked a glass.

The room quietened.

Everyone gathered.

Family.

Friends.

Children.

The anticipation was immediate.

Harper grabbed Noah's hand.

Hard.

Very hard.

"Ouch."

"Sorry."

"No you aren't."

She wasn't.

Across the room Daisy stood beside Roman.

Lillie in Roman's arms.

The little girl looked fascinated by the crowd.

Completely unaware that her life was about to change.

Again.

Roman looked down at Daisy.

Nervous.

Actually nervous.

"You okay?"

Daisy smiled.

"You've asked me that four times."

"I know."

"You nervous?"

"A little."

The understatement of the century.

The event organiser stepped forward.

Three reveal boxes waited behind her.

The crowd held its breath.

Olivia stood near the front smiling.

Phone ready.

Because she absolutely intended to record Roman's reaction.

For blackmail.

Professionally speaking.

"Ready?" Noah called.

Everyone cheered.

Roman tightened his arm around Daisy.

Harper grabbed Noah's hand again.

Harder.

"Ouch."

"Sorry."

Still not sorry.

The countdown began.

Three.

Two.

One.

And suddenly—

the reveal boxes burst open.

The entire room erupted into screams, laughter, and cheers as a shower of coloured balloons filled the air.

Three secrets.

Finally revealed.

And for one breathtaking moment—

nobody could believe what they were seeing. ❤️📖📦🎈

(To be continued in Chapter Forty-Nine with the gender reveals and everyone's reactions.)