Chapter 77: Chapter 77

''Family is not flesh and blood. It's time, love, caring, and sharing. That's family! '' - quotesgram.com

Azura's POV

The next day I woke up happy, we were in a relationship and I was feeling on top of the world. It was unbelievable and I pinched myself to check if I was dreaming. I had never expected this to happen and Adrian blew my mind away with his surprise proposal. So I was his girlfriend but I was conscious of him, not knowing how to behave now. What if I failed him somehow? What if he was disappointed in me? After all, I had no idea how girlfriends behaved. Adrian seemed to notice my hesitation and pulled me into his arms. I immediately melted in his warm embrace.

"Are you having second thoughts about our relationship, Azura? Is something bothering you?" he asked with concern. I shook my head vigorously and looked shyly down wondering whether I should tell him. "Tell me, please. You're killing me with your silence."

"I don't want you to be disappointed in me, Adrian. I don't know how to behave as your girlfriend. What if I am a bad girlfriend to you?" I blurted out. Adrian stared at me, shocked by my admission, and then he smiled warmly and kissed my forehead lovingly.

"There's no hard and fast rules in a relationship, Azura. Just be yourself and show that you care for me the same way that I care about you," he explained. "Relax and enjoy yourself. You'll learn everything." I released the breath I was holding and clung to him with relief. That was an easy thing to do since I genuinely cared about him.

We decided to go sightseeing today, so we quickly got ready and went out to enjoy the day.

We went on Newport's famous sailing tour, stopping by the different beaches, touring the Cliff Walk, and checking Newport's famous mansions from there. We had lunch at the yacht and returned to our hotel room by afternoon. After freshening up we packed up, checked out, and drove home. It was the perfect first date for me and the memories of it would be etched on my heart forever.

We already stopped on the way to have dinner, so after returning home, we just freshened up and slept.

The next morning I woke up to find Adrian packing a small trolley suitcase, grumbling all the way.

"Why are you packing?" I asked him surprised by his early morning antics.

"Stefan called fifteen minutes back. I have to go to Rome for three days. They have some emergency issues which I need to handle," he said with a frown.

"Come with me Azura?" he asked waiting for my reply.

"You will be busy, what will I do alone at the hotel?" I asked him as he nodded in understanding.

" I can go and stay with nana and the twins till you return," I suggested as he nodded.

"Okay," he said with a disappointed expression.

I got up and kissed him. "I'll wait for you. Three days will pass by in a blink. Go get ready. I'll make breakfast," I said as he hugged me to him. We stayed like that for a while and I wondered if declining him made me a bad girlfriend already. However, Adrian didn't object and went for his shower while I went downstairs to make breakfast.

Adrian had his coffee and two pancakes. He handed me his black card to spend in his absence.

"I can't accept this Adrian. I will lose it," I insisted.

"You can buy clothes, shoes, books, school stationery, and household articles for your family with it. You give them all of your salaries. They buy their bare essentials with it. They might need these things also. Please don't argue Azura. Just keep it for my peace of mind," he said frustratedly.

"A simple debit card will do Adrian, not this," I told him as he nodded and took out a debit card.

"I will only accept it if you take back the amount that I spend. It's a loan," I said and he nodded.

"Alright," he said, giving the card to me and heaving a sigh of relief. "Spend as much as you want. We will think of the payback in installments. Okay?" He said grinning as I smiled and kissed him.

"Thank you," I said as he kissed me back.

He left and I went to pack for my trip home. Adrian's driver Bob was waiting for me. I checked the apartment properly and locking everything well, I left for Brooklyn. On the way, I stopped at a mall and bought things that nana, the twins and Emerald might need.

I was very excited to see my family. I would have been happier if Adrian had accompanied me too. As I rang the doorbell, Bob came up the elevator with the shopping bags.

Zach opened the door and jumped with joy. "Azzee, you're here," he yelled as I hugged him tightly. Crystal peeped from her room and came running down to the main door. She squealed in delight and hugged me. Then she saw the shopping bags and her eyes popped out.

"You can keep the bags here, Bob," I said as he placed the bags at the place where I instructed him to. "You can come tomorrow at 8 am. You can go home, today," I told him as he nodded and took his leave.

Nana came out grinning, her eyes twinkling with happiness to see me. "Oh my Azura, you've come home after so many weeks." She said as she let me in.

I kissed her cheek. "It's only been two weeks, nana," I said as she smiled.

"Why didn't Adrian come?" She asked me with curiosity.

"He's gone for three days to Rome for work," I informed her.

Emerald came out wearing a pair of shorts and a tee. "You haven't gone to work?" I asked as I hugged her tightly.

"No, Theo's in Montreal. He'll be coming back by evening. I have the day off today," she said as we squealed happily as we used to when we were children.

We opened the shopping bags much to the twin's excitement. "Why did you spend so much Azzee?" asked nana looking at the shopping bags with wide eyes.

"I didn't, nana. All these are from Adrian. He forced me to buy them for you," I said as Crystal jumped with joy at the brand new shoes that I got her.

"This is so cool, Azzee, you're the best sister ever," said Zachary staring at his brand new pair of denim.

"You guys didn't go to school today?" I asked.

"It's Foundation Day holiday at school," they chorused as I smiled.

I gave Emerald a beautiful navy blue dress and a baby pink dress but she nodded her head. "No Azzee, I'm older than you. I should be giving you, not the other way around," she said with a sad smile.

"Emmy, you just have joined work. You give me when you can, but for now please accept this. It's the love with which I bought them for you that truly matters. Isn't it?" I told her as she accepted the dresses and thanked me profusely.

Nana loved the dresses that I got for her. She liked the home furnishing stuff also. I handed nana utensils, a coffee maker, and other stuff for the kitchen I bought.

I gave Emerald lingerie sets and the twins clothes and school stationery too.

We went out for lunch at a nearby restaurant and then to the local park. After returning home, the kids sat with their homework while I and Emerald sat down to sip fresh lemonade.

"I'm engaged to Theo, Azzee," said Emmy as I looked at her incredulously.

"Whoa, congrats Emmy. When's the wedding?" I asked holding her hand.

"Next month, 6th," she said smiling widely. " You'll be my maid of honor and Adrian will be Theo's best man."

"Yeah, you better make me," I said as she grinned at me.

"What about you and Adrian?" She asked as I grinned.

"I'm his girlfriend, we're going slow," I said winking and she laughed.

"Theo is so impatient, if he could, he would marry me today itself," we laughed together.