Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Annabelle's POV

Tristan came hurrying down a huge staircase with a wide grin on his face.

"Welcome home Belladonna. What took you guys so long huh? " he asked, wiggling his eyebrows. "Did you stop for a date? Tell me?", he added, winking at me.

"Of course not," I snapped at him. It seemed he always had an inherent quality to convert all situations into unbelievably awkward ones.

Stefan ignored his comment. "Where's everyone? I got a call from Audrey that she and dad would be here," He asked in a pissed-off tone. So his parents didn't live here, I realized.

"All are upstairs in gran's room. Even Jules and Addy are here," Tristan said as he climbed the stairs back up with us. Stefan groaned out loud. I realized Jules was Julian and Addy was Adrian. So the whole family was here. I was nervous as to how they would react to my presence. I was an outsider after all and hadn't ever joined in their family gatherings before.

We went upstairs to gran's room. She was comfortably settled in her bed, her legs relaxed against a cushion. Nurse Ellie's room was next to hers. Gran smiled weakly at me as I entered. She looked so tired and fragile, lying on her bed. I went near her and sat down next to her.

"I'm fine sweetheart. Don't worry about me okay? Settle down and enjoy yourself. You deserve it," She said tiredly. I was touched. We were all worried sick of her while she was thinking about me.

"Yes gran, I will. You take a rest. We will come back when you are refreshed, " I said, kissing her cheek. I could see that she was too tired after the long journey.

Audrey smiled at me and hugged me, "Welcome to Stefan's house sweetheart. You took care of your gran so well, when none of us were available, " I hugged her back and smiled, "Please, I didn't do much, all of you would have done the same,'' I said shyly. I didn't deserve the attention that they were showering upon me. It made me conscious and embarrassed.

"We are proud of you dear," said Stefan's father, giving me a side hug. I thanked him. We all left gran so that she could rest. Stefan led me to the living room, his arm on my back again. Audrey smiled knowingly at Stefan. Stefan just shrugged and I kept my head down to avoid her eyes. I was more embarrassed than ever.

We were comfortably seated. Stefan sat beside me, almost sticking to my side. I was acutely aware of his nearness. Audrey and Nathaniel sat opposite us, contentedly looking at Stefan and me, all the time smiling at us. Adrian sat on the arm of the sofa beside Audrey. Tristan, and Julian sat diagonally opposite. We sipped our coffees and ate the brownies and mozzarella sticks that Stefan's housekeeper served us. We discussed gran's treatment in detail. Stefan suggested the hospital where he would continue gran's treatment. Everyone approved.

Eventually, Audrey went to talk to Martha and Jenny, Stefan's housekeeper. Nathaniel left with Stefan to his study to discuss business. Stefan whispered, "Be right back. I will show you to your room later. Okay?" I nodded looking at him. He stared back into my eyes, smiled, and left.

Julian cleared his throat and I looked at him, "So Anna, how do you like this place?" Asked Julian. He had grown extremely handsome with brown hair, jade green eyes, and the same muscular frame as all the brothers. However, he resembled Tristan more than Stefan.

"It's beautiful, grand, and very tastefully decorated. Do all of you live here?" I asked, looking around. I knew it was Stefan's house by now but since it was so huge I wondered whether they all lived here too. It was big enough to house all of us and more people.

"Oh no no, this is Stefan's house. I and Adrian share a penthouse. Tristan has his own penthouse and mom and dad live in their own house, " informed Julian. I nodded as I took in the information. Would I be living alone with Stefan then? Thankfully gran and Ellie would be there with me.

"It's too big for a single person,'' I said, in disbelief. They both chuckled.

Suddenly the door opened and a beautiful child around 3-4 years old ran inside. Her golden locks were tied with pink ribbons. She had big green eyes and wore a pink frock and matching shoes. She was followed by a middle-aged woman, who might be her nanny, I guessed. She squealed when she saw Tristan, Julian, and Adrian.

"Uncle Twis, uncle Joos, uncle Addy," she ran and flung herself in Tristan's arms. "Ari, meet Anna," he said, turning Arielle towards me. I got up and went to her and knelt down in front of her.

"Hi, I'm Annabelle, but you can call me Anna," I said, putting my hand forward for her to shake.

She shyly shook my hand, and with the other little hand, she touched my cheek, shyly. "You're so pwetty and soft," she said." Isn't she daddy?" she asked looking up. I followed her gaze to see Stefan standing near the doorway leaning against the frame, watching us quietly. I blushed crimson when he nodded wordlessly, his piercing gaze fixed on me. I blushed more.

"So are you, sweetie," I said and kissed her cheek.

Adrian coughed and cleared his throat, "Belle, if I would have known that you would blossom into a heartthrob, I would have asked you out before," he said grinning."It's never too late though, so how about a date tomorrow?" I rolled my eyes.

Adrian too was gorgeous as the rest of his brothers. His grey eyes which he inherited from his father and curly chocolate brown hair and tall muscular frame made him stand out. He had the same facial features as the rest of the brothers but I liked Stefan the best though. Maybe my thinking was biased because I was in love with him.

"Adrian Henderson, behave," Stefan growled. "Ari, go to your room and freshen up, I will be there with you in 10 minutes," he said softly, turning to Arielle.

"Ok daddy," Arielle shouted as she ran up the stairs followed by her nanny.

When Arielle left he turned towards me, "Rosy, come I will show you your room." He said, looking at me. I turned to follow him.

"You didn't answer me, Belle. I'm just a year older, so we could have fun. Don't tell me you have fallen for my old man?" He winked, gesturing towards Stefan. I knew he was just pulling Stefan's leg, so I didn't mind his harmless banter.

Stefan clenched his jaw, and his hands fisted as he growled angrily, "Rosy".

I went up to Adrian and whispered to him," I like them older," and followed Stefan upstairs. Adrian coughed and coughed and looked at me with amusement.

Stefan turned, caught my wrist, and pulled me along with him.