Hot Coffee (The Hollens)

Emma's POV

It was my birthday and Ethan wanted to throw me a party but I just wanted a small get together with my household staff and Nana.

I took a shower and put on one of my favorite black dresses. I applied my makeup and combed my hair into a neat ponytail. The children were sleeping in their crib. Ethan came out of the shower wrapped in his towel and another drying his hair as usual.

"Happy birthday baby," he pulled me into him, kissing my lips sweetly. He was ruining my lipstick.

"Thank you sweetie."

We went downstairs for dinner, leaving the kids upstairs with the nanny. They were too young for the dinner event we were about to have.

Nana arrived a half hour later. Halley, the chef and the three evening shift security guards were seated. Wine and food were catered and served to everyone.

"Happy Birthday to Emma and Nana," they toasted to us.

"Thank you," I said. "Also, we have an announcement. Ethan and I are getting married in the next six months."

"Finally!" Halley let out and we all laughed.

The dinner went by smoothly without any interference from the children.

Afterward, Ethan and I took Nana upstairs to the bedroom.

"Oh my goodness. They're so adorable," she said as she looked at the children.

They were awake but lying quietly in their crib. Their eyes scanned Nana and they gave her a small smile.

"Hi Evan and Emily. It's nice to meet you both. I'm your Nana."

Ethan pulled me into his arms as we watched her talking to the children. I looked forward to the years Ethan and had ahead of us together. We were finally at peace.

Six Months Later-- December

I was rushing to get on my Vera Wang bridal dress with Halley's assistance. She was my Maid of Honor and Ethan's best man was Martin. Martin's engagement had failed and he'd started dating Halley. The two made a cute couple. Halley did my veil and slipped on my white heels with diamond studs. I put on my favorite necklace that I received from Nana the year before and went downstairs to the white limousine that was waiting for me. Ethan slept at an apartment he had a few neighborhoods over; he said the bride and groom shouldn't be in the same house the night before the wedding. The twins were already dressed and in the car seats designed for them.

We arrived at the church; it was filled-- Ethan's employees were in abundance.

Nana met me just as I was about to walk down the aisle. The music came on and everyone stood and turned back to look at me. I took a deep breath and held Nana's arm and we walked down the aisle toward Ethan. His eyes lit up when they landed on me. He looked so handsome and sharp in his white tuxedo and black leather shoes.

When it was time to say our vows, I took another deep breath and held his hands in mine.

"Ethan, I'm so grateful that I came into your life and we bonded. I'm so grateful that you stood by me and we came over every obstacle in our way because they made us stronger. You're my best friend and I love you so much and I won't stop loving you." I placed the ring onto his finger.

"Emma, I loved you since the very moment I saw you. I know we almost didn't make it to this point, but I'm so happy that we're here now. We're finally here and today will be the day I can officially call you my wife. I love you and I don't think even death could tear us apart."

Tears welled up in my eyes as he placed the wedding ring onto my finger.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife!" the priest said.

The church erupted into applause and cheers as my husband kissed me.

We took the twins and the photographer began to take pictures of the four of us. I was at my happiest. I had my husband and my family by my side, which was something I never thought would happen to me as a poor black woman growing up with next to nothing in her life.

The wedding reception was held in the mansion's yard.

I changed into a shorter dress so I could move around easier.

"Hi wife," my new husband greeted me and took me into his arms and we began dancing.

Halley and Martin walked over to us.

"Excuse us but we have something we want to tell you both," Halley said, smiling and hugging Martin.

Ethan arched his eyebrows.

"We're getting married!" she shouted and displayed the beautiful big ring on her finger.

I pulled her into a hug, releasing Ethan. "Congratulations!" I shouted with excitement. I was happy for the both of them; they deserved happiness as well.

"But I'll be resigning as a maid and moving in with Martin," she said sadly.

"But that's in another state!"

"Yeah, I know."

"Aw. I'll miss you so much."

"Martin! You're taking away my best maid," Ethan teased as he pulled his friend into a hug. "Congratulations buddy."

"Thanks man. I'll take good care of her."

"You'd better. You know she's an adopted sister. I'll kick your ass if you ever break her heart." He wasn't joking about that.

"When are you leaving?" I asked Halley.

"I'll leave after you come back from your honeymoon."

"Thanks girl. I can't wait to leave for the Maldives."

I recalled the last Christmas when Ethan and I were still in the Bahamas. The stay there was so well spent, though it started off as a total disaster. I cried when it was time to leave.

We explored the tourist sites-- waterfalls and streams, rivers and the different beaches. We even took the boat and went to the other islands of the Bahamas.

His high school sweetheart, Stacy, started dating a guy she met there and respected our relationship. She and I even bonded and became very good friends; she promised to come see the children soon. Maybe she'd be by after the honeymoon. Ethan had invited her to the wedding but she was unable to make it.

"Ready to go?" Ethan asked.

"Yes. Where are our children?" I looked around for my babies and found Nana playing with them in their playpen.

Everyone assembled outside on the pavement.

I lined up the females as I got ready to throw the bouquet. Halley caught it. I smiled and gave her a kiss. I kissed Nana and we waved goodbye to everyone. The twins were already in the car, smiling. We sat down and placed them onto our laps.

The car pulled out of the yard and carried us to the private airport where Hexx was waiting with the jet.

"Aren't they too young to fly?" I asked Ethan as we buckled them into the children's seat Ethan had arranged for them until they were old enough to sit in the regular seats.

"We asked the pediatrician. They're fine, babe. Just sit back and relax," he said and kissed my forehead.

The jet started up and Hexx congratulated us through the plane's intercom.

I looked at the babies and they seemed so excited. They were smiling and looking at us with their beautiful gray eyes.☐☐☐☐☐☐