Real Heiress: Flash Marriage With Boyfriend's Uncle
Chapter 406: The snow globe

Chapter 406: The snow globe

On Christmas Eve, Lucius’s house was filled with warmth, laughter, and the glow of twinkling lights. Most of the guests were close friends and family from both sides, making it a truly intimate celebration.

When Demitri arrived with Nora by his side, a hush briefly fell over the room. All eyes turned toward them in surprise.

"You look so pretty, Nora!" Layla exclaimed, quickly walking over to greet her with a hug.

"You too, Ma’am," Nora replied with a polite smile, her voice carrying a hint of formality. She held out a neatly wrapped gift box. "Here’s a small gift from us."

Layla took the gift with a warm grin. "Just call me Layla," she said casually. "Demitri’s friend is my friend too. Workplace formality stays at the workplace."

Nora’s smile softened at that, a flicker of ease passing over her features. "Thank you... Layla."

"Demitri, when did you get into a relationship?" Roger blurted out, eyes wide with mock betrayal. "You traitor! Always claiming to be single!"

Laughter rippled through the room as his tone shifted to a teasing one. "Come on, spill the beans. When did the romance between you two begin?"

Nora’s cheeks turned a soft shade of pink as she glanced shyly at Demitri.

"It was my grandmother who set us up on a blind date," Demitri admitted with a small smile. "Everything kind of took off from there."

"Well then," Lucius cut in with a grin, lifting his wine glass, "how about we make a toast for the new couple?"

Glasses began to rise around the room, but Lucius added, "And also for my nephew and his fiancée." His eyes flicked toward Roderick and Ivy with pride.

"You two got engaged?" Roger asked, stunned.

"Roderick proposed to me," Ivy replied, her eyes glinting with happiness.

"You better take care of her," Ruby said sharply, locking eyes with Roderick in a warning only an elder sister could deliver.

Meanwhile, in a cozy corner of the hall, the family elders from Layla’s, Lucius’s, and Ivy’s families sat together. They quietly watched the younger generation laughing, teasing, and celebrating among themselves.

As the Christmas celebration carried on with laughter and clinking glasses, Lucius couldn’t help but glance toward the front door from time to time. Despite the joy around him, a quiet longing lingered in his eyes.

’Seems like Sylvia will stay upset with me forever,’ he thought.

Layla, ever observant, followed his gaze and immediately understood. She walked over, her wine glass in hand. "Sylvia didn’t come," she said softly. "Why don’t you give her a call?"

Lucius shook his head slowly. "I don’t think I should."

"Why?" she asked, brows furrowed with concern.

He hesitated, then murmured, "It’s just... I think right now, Sylvia needs herself more than she needs any of us."

Before Layla could say anything more, Aiden, who had overheard their exchange, quietly pulled out his phone. He excused himself from the group and slipped toward a quieter corner of the hall.

He dialed Sylvia’s number, hoping to at least hear her voice, but the line went straight to voicemail.

"Her phone’s switched off?" he whispered, his brows drawing together in worry.

~~~~

After enjoying a hearty Christmas meal together, one by one, the guests began to take their leave. Some carried gift bags, others hugged a little longer, unwilling to part too soon from the comfort of familiar faces and shared joy.

Layla and Lucius stood by the front door, offering warm smiles and kind farewells. Lucius gave firm handshakes to the men while Layla made sure each guest left with a small wrapped box of muffins she’d prepared earlier.

"Drive safe," Layla reminded to Ruby after giving her a warm hug.

"Thank you for coming," Lucius said to both Demitri and Nora.

Soon, the last car disappeared down the driveway.

"That was so fun," Layla said, leaning her head against Lucius’s chest, feeling exhausted.

Lucius suddenly scooped her up in a bridal style, startling her.

"Let’s go to our bedroom then," he whispered, his breath fanning her lips.

When they arrived at the bedroom, Lucius gently helped her sit on the mattress.

"Well, your Christmas present is due," he said, walking over to the cupboard.

He retrieved a small gift box and returned to her, staying on his knees as he handed it to her.

Layla opened the cute box and gasped when she saw the snow globe inside. It was custom-made, with two small figures enclosed. The male figure was holding the female, their eyes locked, his head slightly tilted up as he gazed at her.

"Oh my god! Isn’t this related to the moment when I..." Layla began.

"When you confessed your love for me," Lucius finished for her. "That’s the most beautiful and cherished memory for me. I held you in my arms as we looked at the city lights," he said, his eyes filled with deep affection.

Layla gently set the snow globe down on the bedside table, its swirling flakes slowly settling as she turned to Lucius.

She cupped his face, her fingers brushing along the stubble of his jaw. Then, without another word, she leaned in and kissed him.

Lucius responded without hesitation, matching her passion with his own. He rose onto the bed, his knees pressing into the mattress as Layla slowly leaned back, her body sinking into the softness beneath them.

The kiss deepened. It was slow, tender, and full of the adoration they held for each other.

When she finally pulled back, breathless and flushed, Layla whispered, "I love you, Lucius."

He smiled, his thumb gently brushing her cheek, but before he could respond, she added, "I also have a present for you."

Curious, Lucius watched as she got up and went to the second cupboard. She returned a moment later with a small, neatly wrapped box and handed it to him. "Here’s your Christmas gift."

Lucius carefully unwrapped the box, and as he lifted the lid, his breath caught.

Inside lay two elegant rings. One was engraved with the word ’Mommy’ and the other with ’Daddy.’

"I thought... we should wear them all the time," Layla said softly, her voice quivering slightly.

Lucius stared at the rings, his fingers brushing over the carvings. "That’s... incredibly thoughtful of you," he said, his voice husky. He looked up at her, eyes shining. "Now that a new life is growing inside you... these rings—they’re a perfect reminder. A symbol of what’s to come, and of the responsibility I carry now."

Layla smiled, her eyes brimming with love. "Umm... It will remind us how much our love has grown, Lucius. I am way too excited for this baby."

Lucius kissed the middle of her forehead. "Me too. I can’t wait to hold the small baby in my hands and watching them grow slowly." He showered kisses on her cheeks, making her giggle in joy.