Third person's pov
Meera was looking at the foyer astonishingly to find her in-laws greeting them welcome back. She never expected them here in the first place. She felt taken care of. Special. Feeling a muscular hand wrap possessively around her waist, she turned to look at Elijah staring at her, gloated. Frowning she wondered what he was proud of right now.
Pecking the temple of his perplexed doe, Elijah led her toward his family. His best friend and family present in his mansion was a pleasant surprise. He didn't inform them that they were coming back yet they are here. Secondly, he and his doe were coming back from the hospital after her thorough check-up. Thankfully his doe was fine, nothing serious other than fatigue for some days. Smiling at his best friend Eros, Elijah shook his head at his teasing,
"Eli, did you wear out my sister-in-law so much so that tiredness is dripping like sweat from her face"
Elijah decided not to tell them anything related to what happened on their honeymoon, his doe might not feel comfortable talking about it. Looking down at her flushed face, Elijah smirked, deciding to tease her more himself,
"Of course, my doe is irresistible"
He went along with his best friend to avoid answering them. Meera felt so embarrassed that she shyly ducked her head down. Smiling at her, Synthia comes forward pulling her away from Elijah. Instantly, Elijah tried to protest to keep her to his side, but his mom glared at him saying,
"Stop it, Eli, don't tease Meera"
Elijah frowned a little angry but said nothing wanting his doe to be beside him not tucked to his mom. Beside him, Eros snickered enjoying the scolding his best friend is getting. Synthia turned to him scolding him as well,
"You too, Eros"
Abruptly he stopped laughing feeling everyone's eyes on him. Looking sheepishly at her, he muttered,
"Where's the fun in it Synthia"
"What did you say?"
Asked Synthia, quite not hearing what he said. Smugly, standing beside him, Xavier spoke up,
"He said there's no fun in doing that"
Eros snapped his head towards him, glaring hard. Xavier only flicked him. Chuckling, Alexander ignored them and said,
"Welcome back daughter and son. Hope you enjoyed your honeymoon"
"We did dad"
replied Elijah looking at his doe smiling back at him. Alexander stared at Meera waiting for her to say anything. Smiling, Meera nodded her head in agreement. Looking at her, all of them felt happy that she finally accepted him after all the things. Squealing in happiness, Evelyn tackled Meera in a tight hug, shouting,
"I am so happy! Congratulations Eli, you won her over"
Elijah nodded at his sister, quietly agreeing with what she said. Meera felt a little uncomfortable but hugged her back which didn't go unnoticed by Elijah. Walking towards them, Elijah pulled Meera towards himself crashing her against his chest. With a slight edge in his voice, he told Evelyn,
"Be careful, she might have gotten hurt"
He was worried, she was already weak and the jet lag might catch up to her anytime now and on top of that Evelyn was hugging her so tight that she must have felt suffocated. He won't tolerate her hurt. He roamed his eyes on Meera's face for any tiredness or fatigue. Meera smiled at him in assurance and appreciation. Seeing them so close, everybody smiled in joy. Evelyn rolled her eyes and said,
"Geez, Eli, I just hugged her. Nothing big"
"She's precious to me. You won't understand"
Replied Elijah without a second thought. Jumping to them, Evelyn hugged her brother tightly, snuggling she shouted,
"Yey! I am going to be an aunt soon!"
"What!"
"What?"
All together everyone exclaimed. Elijah and Meera were in shock and the rest were in pleasant surprise. Gently removing Evelyn from his arms, he told her,
"No, we are not expecting, Even"
"No?"
"No"
Replied Meera firmly, not liking her supposition and how she misunderstood Elijah's words. Pouting, Evelyn looked at her brother, asking,
"Then why are you so protective of her, Eli?"
Sighing, Elijah kissed her forehead. Looking straight into her eyes, he replied,
"Because I care about her. She is important to me and matters so much. So, so much"
Nodding, Evelyn responded. Meera standing behind him was shocked. She didn't expect him to confess it aloud to everyone. She jumped in her place slightly when Xavier suddenly whispered in her ear,
"Now you see why he did what he did"
Turning her head to him, Meera looked at him. In her marriage, in sadness, she didn't properly look at anyone. He looked so similar to Elijah that she could mistake them both. Except for the eye color, Xavier having grey eyes like their father, he could pass for Elijah's twin. Both are godly handsome. Nodding her head, she smiled awkwardly not knowing what else to do. Xavier winked at her playfully. They both looked at Evelyn when she demanded,
"Eli, I want a nephew or niece on my birthday. No negotiations or arguments"
Chuckling, Elijah poked her nose. Evelyn did the action of biting his finger off making everyone chuckle. Xavier spoke up,
"I second that. I want a nephew or niece too, that also ASAP if possible"
"Xavier mate, you said my mind. I triple that!"
joined Eros. Meera felt extremely uncomfortable, she shifted on her feet. She just accepted Elijah, and now everybody was hoping for a child. Did they forget under what circumstances she married Elijah?
Elijah sensed her discomfort, hence he spoke up,
"It would be too soon, Even. And it's our decision not anybody else's"
Evelyn and the rest of the others can feel a change in mood of Elijah. They were just joking so why did he get so worked up? They didn't understand that even a slight thing about his doe bothered and irked him. Nobody other than him can do anything to her. Defusing the tension, Synthia said,
"Go both of you, get some rest. We all will be here after you come down to discuss Evelyn's birthday party, okay?"
"Really? When is it?"
asks Meera curiously. Smiling Alexander tells her,
"This Friday. She is turning nineteen"
"Ohh, that's good"
replied Meera. Evelyn excitedly grabbed her hand saying,
"Will you come with me shopping for my dress?"
Meera looked around at everyone unsure what to say. Smiling at her, Elijah shook his head no, he worried it will wear her out and she needs rest. Nodding, Meera softly told her,
"I can't, I am sorry"
"Why?"
whines Evelyn. Interrupting, Elijah turns her toward him and tells her,
"Because I bought you a dress already"
"Seriously?!"
asks Evelyn excitedly. Elijah nods at her. Squealing happily she hugs him. Pulling back she smiles at both Meera and Elijah. Xavier then spoke up,
"Eros and I are going to play some in the game room, see you later"
"Hey but when did I agree?"
protests Eros. Smirking at him Xavier tells him,
"Don't you wanna play then?"
"I didn't say that either"
replies Eros sluggishly. Pushing him towards the game room, Xavier and Eros go to the game room. Evelyn runs after them to play too. Alexander and Synthia exchange looks then leave too wishing Elijah and Meera welcome again.
Left alone, Elijah walks to Meera. Gently hugging her, he tells her,
"I missed you"
"But I was just here"
says Meera confused by raising her head to reciprocate the hug. Rubbing their nose together Elijah said,
"I always want you in my arms "
Shaking her head in disbelief, she just laughed it out. He is too possessive. Pecking her lips, Elijah asked her lovingly,
"Are you feeling tired my doe?"
"Yes, a little"
replies Meera honestly, feeling the incoming jet lag. Kissing her lips, Elijah carried her bridal style emitting a yelp from her. She asked him surprised,
"What are you doing?"
smiling down at her, he replies,
"Taking my queen to my room for the first time"