"Hap burfday papa!"

Xander squealed as soon as everyone stopped singing, clapping his small hands together as he watched the candles in front of him with awe. His eyes twinkled with excitement, the reflection of the flickering candles could be seen in his beautiful grey orbs.

"Thanks, buddy."

Xavier chuckled, trying his best to hold his hyperactive son still on his lap. Ever since Aurora had lit up the candles to the birthday cake, Xander had been going crazy at how bright the candle was.

His family stood around him, and despite it being Xavier's birthday, everyone's attention seemed to be on the 2-year-old who was currently slamming his hands on the table. But who could blame them? Xander was pretty fucking adorable— the kid definitely took after Aurora's charms even though the toddler was basically a carbon copy of Xavier.

Xander continued to squirm, trying to get his hands on the cake in front of him, while Aurora continued to coax him into looking at her phone, wanting to capture the moment. But like they had learned after having Xander, it was never easy trying to get a decent photo.

"Look at mama, baby," coaxed Aurora, trying to get Xander to look at her. "Just for a second— you know what, just blow out the candles already."

Aurora gave up, knowing full on that she wasn't going to get a decent photo, but the candid ones that she had taken were equally as beautiful. Right as Xavier was about to blow out the candles, Aurora stopped him again, causing him to freeze halfway.

"Wait!" She shouted, causing Xander to look at his mother, startled. "Oh, now you choose to look at mama?" She gave her son a playful glare before turning her attention back to her handsome husband. "Close your eyes and make a wish, babe."

There was no use in trying to deny Aurora's words— Xavier would comply anyway. Aurora was the love of his life and he would do anything to make her happy, which included anything from going out of his way to buy her favorite bubble tea whenever she had a craving to watching the Bachelor with her. And yes, no matter how much he thought the show was stupid, he would still watch it with her— she was just that convincing.

She was his goddess and he worshipped her, or as Elijah would say, he "simped" for her— whatever that meant.

God, Xavier could still never understand the language the younger generation used these days, and Aurora continued to tease him about his old age. Truth be told, based on their activities at night, he most definitely wasn't old, a fact that was easily proven to Aurora.

Xavier closed his eyes, wishing that their family remained healthy and happy, and that Aurora's pregnancy would be an easy one. He didn't even pretend to make a wish as Aurora always had a way of finding out whether or not he was faking it.

Chuckles could be heard when he opened his eyes, only to see that the candles were already out and the culprit was the one squealing excitedly on his lap.

"Agwain, papa papa papa," bounced Xander, clapping his hands together.

Xavier chuckled. "Alright buddy, one more time."

Aurora grinned and lit the candles up again. Once again, everyone sang and this time, both Colton, who had climbed up onto a seat next to his cousin and Uncle, and Xander blew the candles out together.

The cake was soon taken away, much to the two cousins' dismay, to be cut and divided up. And like a pack of wolves, the cake was immediately devoured, soon disappearing into the bellies of all of the family members.

Aurora sat with Xander perched onto her lap, Xavier to her left. She was sharing her slice of cake with Xander, who found the chocolate cream more appealing than the actual cake.

"Come on, baby, you don't want to try the actual cake?" Asked Aurora, bringing a bite to his lips.

He immediately avoided the fork, instead choosing to go back to licking his hands which were completely covered with the fluffy sweetness.

"No, mama," Xander pouted. "Chocowate yummy."

"Mmm, it's so good and it's all going into mama's tummy," She slowly brought the fork to her lips, before taking a bite. She made an exaggerated noise, one that made Xavier chuckle, as she pretended to faint at how delicious the cake tasted.

Her exaggeration had caught the attention of the toddler who looked at his mother with a calculating gaze. She could see the internal battle he was having before he grabbed the fork from her and took his own bite of the cake, partially missing his mouth.

His mama most definitely did not lie. The toddler's eyes brightened and he immediately reached out for the cake.

"Woah," Aurora quickly slid the plate away, not wanting it to get messier than it already was. "Alright, let mama help you, okay?"

"Okway, mama," Xander muttered as Aurora fed him a toddler-sized bite. "Thank mama."

"Your welcome, baby," she grinned, planting a kiss onto his rosy cheeks. "My Xander's so polite."

Xavier laughed quietly, taking a bite of his own slice. "Must take after his father."

Aurora snorted, nudging her husband. "Yeah, says the one who always gets what he wants."

"Says the one who always complies anyways," he retorted, causing her to smile. There was no use in denying it when it was the truth. As much as those around them liked to say how much Xavier doted on his beautiful wife, Aurora doted on her husband just as much. Seeing that their son was preoccupied with the dessert, Xavier leaned down and pecked her lips. "I love you."

"I love you, too," she murmured back, bringing her free hand up to caress his cleanly shaved jaw. "When do you think we should tell them?"

"We can tell them now— seeing that they're all here anyway," he suggested, making her nod with a beam in which he returned one with his own. Aurora could still never get over seeing her husband's handsome smile and she loved it even more when she knew it was because of her. Xavier turned his head and placed a small kiss on the palm of her hand— the simple act of affection made her heart flutter in her chest.

"We have an announcement to make," he said out loud, as he stood up, causing the chatter to quiet down. Aurora followed in suit, standing as she tried her best to clean the cake that covered her son's face and arms.

How the cake ended up in this child's hair was beyond Aurora and she already knew her wild child was going to need another bath tonight.

"Sweetheart?" She turned and looked into her husband's eyes, one that held so much love and affection. "You want to tell them?"

Aurora took a deep breath before looking at their family who stared at them with anticipation.

"I'm pregnant," she blurted, not knowing how else she was supposed to disclose the news. She hadn't planned on being the one to tell their family, so instead, she chose the easiest way to break the news.

There was a moment of silence before their backyard was full of cheers of excitement. Xander's eyes widened in surprise, confused at what everyone was cheering about before bringing his hands together to clap. Immediately, both Heather and Isabella rushed towards them, with their husbands in tow.

"I knew it," Isabella cheered, bringing Aurora in for a hug, before planting a kiss on her grandson's cheek. "Congratulations, dear."

"How would you have known before I did, ma?" Asked Xavier, curiously wondering if his wife had told them beforehand.

"I had a dream a couple of nights ago," Heather cut in, excitedly, as she, too, hugged Aurora. "I dreamed of a tree and on the tree were two apples— I looked it up when I woke up and immediately called Isabella. Oh, I just knew you were pregnant!"

"Two?" Asked Aurora, tilting her head to the side.

"It didn't say why, but it might represent Xander and his younger sibling," answered Isabella, seemingly, too, having done her research. "That, or twins?"

"Twins?" Gasped Aurora, looking down at her still flat stomach.

"Fuck," cursed Xavier, in disbelief, as a mischievous smile made its way onto his face. "My dream of having a hockey team is being fulfilled."

"You're ridiculous," Aurora rolled her eyes as she gently slapped Xavier's chest. "And don't curse in front of Xander."

"A man could dream," he shrugged before taking Xander from Aurora's arms. Xavier was sure the growing boy was starting to get heavy and now that he knew she was pregnant, she wasn't allowed to carry anything for too long— Xavier's orders.

Both Alexander and Peter offered their congratulations, both showing their excitement at the fact that they were going to be grandparents again.

"Is my angel happy you're going to be a big brother?" Asked Isabella, bringing her hand up to caress the boy's cheeks, who looked at his grandmother with a confused expression.

"He doesn't know yet," murmured Xavier, looking down at Xander who was starting to get sleepy.

"Big bwother?" Asked Xander, sleepily, looking at Aurora with his big adorable eyes.

"Yeah, baby," smiled Aurora gently. "You're going to be a big brother."

"Pway?" He squirmed in Xavier's arms as his little mind tried to understand what was being told.

"Yeah, buddy, you're going to have a younger brother or sister to play with," answered Xavier, causing Xander's eyes to light up.

They weren't sure if Xander understood what they were saying, but just the mention of the word "play" had the sleepiness wiped away from his expression. Xavier put their now very awake son onto the ground before he immediately took off in search of his cousin.

"Dear God, that child's fast," muttered Heather, arms looped around with Isabella's as they both tried to follow after their grandson worriedly.

After that, both Aurora and Xavier had no time to rest as their family continued to come up to them in an effort to congratulate them.

"Congrats!" Megan appeared in front of them and threw her hands around Aurora. "I'm going to be an auntie again."

Noah stood behind her, before sharing a quick hug with Xavier. The young couple had been dating for around 3 years now and Noah had ultimately become a part of their big family. The Knight brothers had slowly gotten used to the idea of their baby sister dating, and knowing Noah was a good guy put their minds at ease. To everyone's surprise, Elijah and Noah were now extremely close after bonding through their love for hockey.

Aurora laughed as Maddie waddled up behind her, wrapping her arms around both Megan and Aurora.

"Congrats!" Shrieked Maddie. "I can't believe we're pregnant at the same time."

Aurora thanked the two as she kissed both sisters on the cheek, before bringing her hand up to Maddie's 24-week belly. "I know, I can't wait to be a mom again." She felt a small kick in Maddie's belly, causing her to gasp. "She's kicking already?"

Maddie nodded proudly. "She is— Lucas cried the first time she kicked. He was in the middle of telling her our story on how we began dating."

Hearing his name, Lucas appeared behind Maddie as he wrapped an arm around Maddie's waist, planting a kiss on her forehead. He quickly congratulated Aurora before moving to the side where Noah and Xavier, joined by Connor, were talking animately about the game Connor had just played.

Aurora rolled her eyes as they all hugged her and patted Xavier's back before going back to their conversation about the sport. Even Ethan, Liam, and Damien walked up to join them in their discussion and it was a conversation that none of the girls could ever understand.

"That's so cute," pouted Megan. "Everyone's either pregnant around me, or just had a baby," The best friends followed the younger girl's gaze to Stephanie who was holding the sleeping newborn in her arms as she talked animately with Damien's girlfriend, Lena.

"Why not just have one yourself," suggested Maddie, giving her younger sister a playful wink. "I mean, you have a guy who is 110% devoted to you and only you. Why not lock him down by getting pregnant."

"Absolutely fucking not," Elijah's overprotective voice came up next to them as he glared up at his older sister. "She's only 21— hell fucking no is she getting pregnant, let alone with that asshole."

"I thought that asshole was your best friend," Maddie retorted, glaring equally up at Elijah.

"Doesn't mean I like the idea of that asshole knocking my little sister up," scoffed Elijah.

"Don't listen to him," Maddie said, pushing Elijah away. Aurora laughed, amused with the scene unfolding in front of her. "Just get pregnant."

"Who's getting pregnant?" Asked Xavier, eyes narrowing at the group huddled together. His voice had caused the large huddle of men to turn their attention onto the girls.

"Our dear sister, here, is suggesting that Megan get pregnant with that fucker's baby," Elijah tattled as he glared daggers at Noah, who raised his hands up in defense.

"Woah man-" began Noah, feeling all the glares he was receiving from the Knight brothers. He was immediately taken back to the time he had first met Megan's family.

"You want to get Megan pregnant?" Damien's eyes narrowed onto Noah's figure. Megan was completely helpless as she watched her brothers target her boyfriend for no apparent reason.

"No, I mean-"

"So, you don't see yourself with her in the future?" Lucas asked, feeling completely amused at the situation unfolding. The question had nothing to do with the current situation, but he just enjoyed stirring shit up. Noah gave him a helpless look, desperately wanting the older man to shut his mouth.

"You what?" Yelled out all three voices of the overprotective brothers.

"Oh dear," sighed Aurora, rubbing her temple as she watched the shit show unfold. Maddie was enjoying every second of it as she cackled and laughed, while Megan stood there both confused and horrified.

"Yes, I mean, no, of course, I see myself with Megan in the future," stammered Noah. No matter how long he had been together with Megan, her brothers were still the most intimidating motherfuckers he had ever come across. "And of course, I want to have babies with her—"

"You want to have babies with her, right now?" Growled Xavier menacingly. "She's only 21 for fuck's sake!"

"Megs," begged Noah, looking at her with a desperate look in his eyes. He had no idea how this topic was even brought up, to begin with. After all, he was just an innocent bystander. How he was now standing in the center of all the daggers being thrown was beyond him.

"He means, later on," clarified Megan, but of course, her overprotective brothers didn't hear any of it.

"Look, man, leave the poor guy alone," Connor said, patting Noah on the back. "We all know he's pussy-whipped for Megan, so even if he knocks her up, he'll remain loyal, isn't that right, Noah?"

"Erm, yes?"

"Connor's right," agreed Liam, nodding his head, trying to hold back his snickers. Both he and Connor knew full on that they were adding fuel to the fire. "If she wants a baby right now, then she wants a baby."

Well, that didn't make the situation any better.

"And as long as he's responsible, which he is— that's all that matters," added Ethan. His words held a bit more reasoning, but even that didn't help Noah's situation at all.

Noah looked at the three men with a bewildered expression. From his peripheral vision, he could see Damien, Xavier, and Elijah, his best friend— or now former best friend, begin to make their way towards him menacingly. Oh, he was dead. For what reason— he didn't know. All he knew was that his only option was to run if he didn't want to get pummeled into the ground.

Aurora wrapped her arm around Megan's worrying form as she glared at the men who collectively decided it was a great idea to add more fuel to the fire. On the side, Maddie was bent awkwardly with her growing belly as she laughing along with Lucas, both practically in hysterics.

"Hey, man, let's talk about this," chuckled Noah nervously as he began to back up with his hands up in the air. In a split second, he was running across the lawn with the three brothers chasing after him.

"Get back here, you mother fucker!"

❤︎ ❤︎︎ ❤︎

Surprise bonus chapter for my lovely readers <3 Enjoy my loves!

Fun fact: if you remember from chapter 10, the bubble tea drink that I called 'The Bitch' is an actual drink from AU79, which is one of my favorite boba places in LA. It's also my go-to drink there :^) I've been seeing comments about the name and I just wanted to enlighten you guys.

Thank you so so much for the 2.2M reads <3 I really appreciate all of you and I honestly have no idea when I'm going to officially end Yours, Forever. I have a couple more bonus chapter ideas that I just flushed out so stay tuned!