THE BILLIONAIRE'S CRYBABY
Chapter 238: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREAM

Chapter 238: HAPPY BIRTHDAY DREAM

Noon came in the Atticus household, and the matriarch gathered everyone around in the large living room.

They all stepped out dressed in their best outfits, whilst mostly unaware of why they were actually celebrating.

Standing with her head held proud, and one hand resting on her infamous cane, the matriarch scanned the room.

A smile formed on her face, and her heart lurched with pride.

Many years ago, she wasn’t certain in her time, she would see her family still preserving their bond.

Tirelessly, she had worked to make sure their possibilities were endless.

That hard work had paid off, and this was the result.

"Oh grandma, could you just tell us what is going on?" Claire asked, already bored.

The matriarch was about to respond when the door opened, and Colin in the company of Neil walked in.

"Uncle Colin, you came!" Sophie jumped to her feet, and ran to hug him.

Colins heart twisted with joy, and gratitude. When the matriarch insisted he came around, he had argued against the wisdom of that.

As far as Ace was concerned, he was still in the dog house, and rightfully so.

But to be embraced like this wasn’t what he had expected. For that, he was grateful.

"Hello Collins," the older siblings greeted, as he went to take a seat.

Ever bored, Neil waved as they all welcomed him.

"Hey, you’re too cool to smile in the presence of your family, now?" Nara asked, and rolled her eyes at him.

"Let him be, Nara. At least he’s here," Gabrielle said, patting him on his back.

She was the closest thing he had to a real mother.

A big reason he came for these events was because he knew she would be around. And if she was, there was no space to feel unloved.

"You heard her. Back off," he snarled at Nara.

"Okay, you two don’t start," the matriarch intervened.

"Where’s mum?" He asked, and everywhere went awkward with silence.

"Why’s everyone so quiet? She left because she can’t stand otherpeople’s happiness," Nara replied.

"Nara?!" Gabrielle cautioned.

"But it’s true." She shrugged.

"Alright, that’s enough, everyone. I think it’s time I tell you why I gathered you here," the matriarch said.

"Ugh, finally! I’m dying to know," Blaire said.

"I know right? This dress cost about a thousand dollars. I better be wearing it for a cool occasion," Claire, her twin, whispered to her.

"That’s shallow, Claire," Sophie, who heard them, said.

"Shhhh," the twins said at the same time, causing the matriarch to sigh.

"Fine, I’ll just go on. Today is a wonderful day for everyone. But most especially, for me and Gabrielle," she began.

"Well, duh! That’s why you two made us call everyone close to the family to bring their children around. Let me guess, Glam for kids?" Claire asked.

"Put a muzzle on it, Claire," Gabrielle warned.

She gestured zipping her lips, then crossed her legs in silence.

"No, not Glam for kids. But that’s a good idea, Claire. If I decide to do it, I’ll definitely credit you for the idea," the matriarch smiled, and threw her a wink.

Claire sent Gabrielle a smug victorious look, which made Gabrielle shake her head.

"My kids," she muttered under her breath.

"Now back to the reason we’re gathered here. Four years ago, something big happened. Something big, and beautiful."

"Grandma, would you stop keeping us in suspense, and just tell us?" Sophie urged impatiently.

"You know what, I can see you all don’t appreciate my attempt to drop the news in a special way, so I’ll just say it. Today is the birthday celebration of a little girl called Dream. She’s Fay and Ace’s daughters," she said.

Thick silence descended on the room, as everyone’s eyes widened in shock.

The matriarch counted, waiting for who would break the ice.

"I’m sorry I’m late, I had to pick up Zane from his father’s place. But what do you mean Ace, and Fay have a daughter?" Heaven, Colins sister said, as she entered the living room.

"Zane!" The siblings screamed on seeing their little cousin.

He was just a year older than Dream, and hadn’t been in the Atticus mansion for a while.

The matriarch allowed the chaos of trying to hold Zane go on for a while, before she asked for the boy to be brought to her.

She carried him on her waist, and demanded for everyone to settle down.

"It’s nice of you to grace us with your presence, Heaven," she said.

"Yeah, yeah, but back to Ace and Fay."

Chaos ensued again. The veil of silence had been lifted, and everyone had an opinion about the child hidden from them.

"Please calm down, and let the matriarch explain!" Gabrielle raised her voice, and everyone instantly went silent. "Thank you," she said on a softer note, and even added a smile.

"Thank you, Gabby. Now back to Ace, and Fay. Yes they have a daughter who turns four today. But the real problem is that Ace won’t be here for her party."

"Wait what? Why?" Nara’s voice rose the loudest.

"Because Ace is troubled, and troubled people make foolish decisions. Anyway, that doesn’t matter. I want everyone to make Dream feel welcomed. I want her to have the very best birthday of her entire life. She must not feel the absence of her father. That is a responsibility I need everyone to shoulder. Including you, Zane. Do you think you can do that?" She asked the little boy.

"Yes mawmaw." He nodded his cute little head.

Everyone gushed at his cuteness, heaping praises on him.

"What if she asks after Ace?" Neil came with the logical question.

"Buzz kill, boo!" The twins chorused.

"No, he’s right. Just tell her he couldn’t make it because of work. Gabrielle, and I will handle the rest," the matriarch replied.

"I’m going to spoil her silly!" Sophie declared.

"Of course you will. No one adores Fay more than you do. It wouldn’t be different with her child, right?" Gabrielle asked, and ruffled her hair, because she was also sitting close to her.

Sophie giggled. "Yes mummy. Looks like me and Zane are not the baby’s of the family anymore," she said, causing everyone to laugh.

"You two never were. You forget my second eldest daughter? She’s a grandmother of two six months old twins," the matriarch said, bursting their bubbles.

"Oh wait, that makes mum a grandma too!" The twins said in unison.

"Wow, you’re old, mummy," Sophie teased, and they all laughed.

The pride returned to the matriarch’s eyes. She had no doubt that Dream would totally feel welcomed.

After the meeting rounded up, the twins hurried out of the house.

They arrived to find Sophie already there.

"Hey, how did you get here before us?" They asked.

"Why? I’m just welcoming the guest." She shrugged.

"Yeah, right. Or maybe you’re waiting for Fay to arrive, so you’d be the first to see Dream." Claire pointed an accusatory finger at her.

"Or that’s what the both of you are doing," Sophie’s eyes squinted suspiciously.

"Well, we’re more qualified to welcome the guests, because we sent out the invites," Blaire said.

"Nice try, but you two won’t bully me out of my spot," Sophie replied.

"Fine, then we’ll just all stay." Claire shrugged.

"What’s going on here?" Gabrielle asked, walking in on them.

"Sophie’s lying that she’s welcoming guests, when it’s truly just a guise to see Dream first," Blaire said.

"That’s not true, mummy! I’m really ushering the guests in!" Sophie defended herself.

"Okay, that’s enough for you three. Go in, and I’ll welcome the guests."

Three pairs of eyes squinted suspiciously at her.

"Or maybe, you just want to be the one to see Dream first," they said in unison, causing Gabrielle to shudder.

"It’s creepy enough when the twins do it. Can’t believe you’re joining them, baby," she directed at Sophie.

"Is there a problem?" The matriarch asked, also coming out.

"Please don’t tell me you’re also here because you want to see Dream first," Sophie sighed.

"No. I’m here because I want to ensure you two told every guest coming that they’ll be held to an NDA. Fay doesn’t want the press to know about her child just yet," she said.

The twins nodded in unison. "We totally did," Blaire said.

"Good." The matriarch nodded, but didn’t make an attempt to leave.

"Okay, so?" Claire said.

"So what?" The matriarch and Gabrielle both said at the same time.

They looked at themselves, and cringed, whilst the siblings laughed.

"I think we should vo—"

"A car is coming!" Sophie interrupted Blaire.

Their eyes went straight to the gate, as a car pulled into the compound.

They held their breaths in expectation, but it was just Landon and Leighton.

"Doctor Nice!" Sophie called, and ran to hug her.

"My precious darling, I missed you!" She said, placing kisses all over her face.

"I don’t get a hug?" Landon asked when they separated.

"No," she replied brusquely.

"Why?" He raised a confused brow.

"Because you’re best friends with Ace, and you couldn’t even get him to come to Dream’s birthday party. A damn shame!" she said in a grandma’s voice, and grabbed Leighton’s hands.

Pulling her away, she mumbled incoherent words at Landon.

"Ba–" Landon was calling, but decided to let it go, as the matriarch walked up to him.

"Do you have the phone?" She asked.

"I do," he replied.

"Great, let’s make the little girl’s day a memorable one."