Chapter 23: A Ballroom Full of Truth
The night of the ball arrived, and I felt a mix of anticipation and nerves. The elegant dress I was wearing, which Ozaire had thoughtfully chosen for me, managed to conceal the noticeable bump on my belly. The soft fabric draped gracefully, and the design accentuated my features without drawing too much attention to my pregnancy.
As I stepped out of the car with Ozaire by my side, I could see the grandeur of the venue—a beautifully decorated hall with sparkling chandeliers and a grand staircase leading up to the main area. The excitement in the air was palpable, and I found comfort in Ozaire's steady presence beside me.
"Ready for this?" Ozaire asked, giving me a reassuring smile.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. "As ready as I'll ever be."
We walked into the venue together, and I felt a wave of warmth and anticipation. Despite the nerves, I was glad to be here, surrounded by friends and family, and excited to see how the night would unfold.
So, as we entered the ballroom, Raiden and Reese were nowhere in sight. Instead, we were greeted warmly by my other sisters and my parents, who had arrived earlier and were already mingling with the other guests.
"Look who's here!" my sister Yasha exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she spotted us. "You look fantastic, Ophira. And Ozaire, very suave."
"Thanks, Yasha," I replied, smiling as I took in the sight of my family. "It's so nice to see everyone."
My parents approached us with genuine smiles. "Ophira, Ozaire," my mother said, embracing me gently. "You both look wonderful. I'm glad you could make it."
My father shook Ozaire's hand firmly. "It's good to see you, Ozaire. Thank you for being here with Ophira."
We exchanged pleasantries and caught up with everyone. The atmosphere was filled with warmth and joy, and it felt good to be surrounded by familiar faces. As we chatted and mingled, I noticed Raiden and Reese still missing, but the evening continued with lively conversations and laughter.
Eventually, my family and I gathered at a table to enjoy some refreshments and continue catching up. The night felt like a welcome reprieve from the recent stresses, and having Ozaire by my side made it all the more comforting.
As the evening progressed, Paicey, the youngest of my sisters, brought up the topic of my pregnancy, her curiosity evident in her eyes.
"So, Ophira," Paicey began, looking at me with a mix of excitement and concern, "do you know the gender of the baby yet?"
I glanced at Ozaire, who gave me a reassuring nod. "Yeah, we went to the hospital earlier and we found out that it's a..." I replied, trying to keep my voice upbeat. "It's a boy."
As soon as I announced the baby's gender, the room erupted with excited shrieks and enthusiastic claps.
"Oh my gosh, a boy!" Yasha exclaimed, her eyes wide with delight. "I can't believe it!"
Gaia, who had only recently learned about my pregnancy, looked slightly stunned but quickly recovered. "Wow, a boy. I'm so happy for you!" She smiled, though her initial surprise was evident.
Bailey and Valerie immediately began discussing potential names and imagining how cute he would be. "This is so exciting!" Bailey said, her enthusiasm palpable.
Paicey was practically bouncing in her seat. "I can't wait to meet him!"
My parents shared proud smiles, their joy evident. "A boy!" my mother said, embracing me. "Congratulations, Ophira and Ozaire."
Ozaire smiled warmly, sharing in the excitement of the moment. "Thank you, everyone. We're really looking forward to it."
As the evening continued, the topic of the baby remained a central point of conversation. The joy and support from my family made me feel more at ease and hopeful about the future.
However, the joyous mood that we built with the announcement of the baby's gender became even more blissful when Raiden and Reese showed up.
"Good evening, everyone," Raiden greeted with his usual charm, a wide smile on his face. "Sorry we're a bit late. We got caught up with a few things."
Reese followed closely behind, her smile warm and genuine. "We're so glad to be here with all of you tonight."
The room's attention shifted to them, and the energy instantly brightened. My sisters greeted them with enthusiasm, and my parents welcomed them warmly.
"Mom, Dad, everyone," Reese said, waving to get our attention. She glanced around at the gathered family and friends, her excitement palpable.
The room grew quiet, anticipation hanging in the air. Reese took a deep breath, her expression a blend of excitement and nervousness.
"I'm sure you all noticed that we were a bit late," Reese began, her gaze shifting to Raiden beside her. "It wasn't just because we were caught up in some last-minute tasks."
Raiden stepped forward, a broad smile on his face, and took Reese's hand in his. As he spoke, I noticed something glinting on her finger. "Actually, there's a reason for our delay," he said, his voice filled with warmth. "We've been keeping something special a secret."
He leaned in and gently kissed Reese's hand, allowing the sparkling object on her ring finger to catch the light. The room erupted in awe as everyone's eyes widened in realization.
Raiden looked around, his expression filled with joy. "Reese and I are over the moon to announce that we're engaged. She's agreed to spend her life with me."
Cheers and congratulations filled the room as Reese and Raiden smiled at each other, their happiness infectious. The engagement ring on Reese's finger was a beautiful symbol of their commitment, and the celebration that followed was a perfect addition to the evening's festivities.
As Reese made her way to our table, she greeted our parents with warm hugs and kisses, their congratulatory murmurs adding to the festive atmosphere. Moving on to our sisters, she received their enthusiastic congratulations, each one expressing their joy for the couple.
When Reese finally reached me, I could sense a hint of hesitation in her movements. She approached with her usual warmth, but as she tried to pull me into a hug, something seemed to hold her back. Her eyes widened slightly in confusion as she looked at me.
I smiled, gently touching her arm. "Hey there eldest sister" I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady, "I guess nows the time to tell you about this." i added pointing at my baby bump.
"Oh my God, Ophira," she whispered, her voice filled with shock and concern. "You're... pregnant?"
I nodded, trying to offer a reassuring smile. "Surprise" I wave my hand dramatically "Yes, I am. I've been meaning to tell you, but I didn't want to overshadow your big news."
Just then Raiden arrived at the same time Ozaire made his way back from the food's table. They both hugged each other and offered congratulations to each other.
"You're engage now, huh" Ozaire said as he put his arm around me. Reese look at the both of us in confusion and i just smiled.
"Yeah, but i heard that you're having a baby boy now" Raiden said as he had his arm around Reese's waist.
"Okay, wait let's back up a minute here" Reese voiced out "You're pregnant and your baby's father is Ozaire" she asked, then turned towards Raiden "And you knew about this, why didn't you tell me"
I could see the realization dawning on Reese's face, her surprise evident as she pieced everything together.
"Yeah, Reese," I confirmed, my tone calm but firm. "this guy and I are having a baby boy. Sorry, I didn't mean to keep it from you; it's just that things have been quite overwhelming lately."
Reese's eyes shifted between Raiden and me. "I'm sorry, I should have noticed sooner. But why didn't you tell me sooner, Raiden?"
Raiden gave a slight shrug, his expression apologetic. "I didn't know it was my place to share the news. I assumed Ophira would tell you in her own time."
Reese sighed, her initial shock giving way to a softer, more supportive demeanor. "Well, congratulations to both of you. I'm really happy for you, Ophira, and you too, Ozaire."
She reached out to give me a heartfelt hug, the confusion replaced by warmth and acceptance.
The tension in the room eased as Reese embraced both Ozaire and me. The air felt lighter, filled with a sense of relief and joy. Reese's initial shock had transformed into genuine happiness, and her support meant a lot.
The rest of the evening passed with a mixture of celebration and heartfelt conversations. Raiden and Reese's engagement was met with enthusiastic congratulations, and soon everyone was mingling, catching up, and sharing stories.
As the night went on, I found myself reflecting on the changes happening in my life—my growing family, the upcoming arrival of our baby, and the joy of seeing my loved ones come together in support and celebration. The ball, which started with its own set of surprises, turned into a memorable evening of unity and joy.
"Sometimes the biggest moments don't wait for the perfect timing—they arrive uninvited, unfiltered, and somehow, exactly when they're meant to."