The grand hall was alive with laughter and conversation as guests arrived for Ethan's birthday banquet. The chandeliers glittered overhead, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed attendees. Servants moved gracefully through the crowd, offering trays of hors d'oeuvres and champagne.
Amelia stood near the entrance, greeting the guests with a radiant smile. Her hand rested protectively on her slightly rounded belly, a constant reminder of the new life growing inside her. Alister and Ethan hovered nearby, their eyes never straying far from her.
"Happy birthday, Ethan!" Lady Constance exclaimed as she approached, her smile dazzling. She leaned in to kiss Ethan's cheek, her gaze flickering briefly to Amelia. "And congratulations to you both. I hear there's a new addition on the way."
"Thank you, Lady Constance," Amelia replied, her tone polite but cool. She couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort whenever Lady Constance was near.
Ethan grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. "Yes, we're very excited," he said, slipping an arm around Amelia's waist. "Isn't that right, Alister?"
Alister nodded, his expression warm but guarded. "Absolutely. We're looking forward to meeting our little one."
Lady Constance's eyes lingered on Alister for a moment longer than necessary before she turned back to Ethan. "Well, I won't keep you. Enjoy your evening."
As Lady Constance moved away, Ethan leaned in close to Amelia, his voice low. "Are you feeling alright? Do you need to sit down?"
Amelia rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "I'm fine, Ethan. I'm pregnant, not fragile."
Alister, overhearing their exchange, stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern. "Still, you shouldn't overexert yourself. If you need anything, just let us know."
"I'm perfectly capable of handling a party, thank you," Amelia replied, her tone affectionate but firm. She appreciated their concern, but their overprotectiveness was starting to wear thin.
Throughout the evening, Alister and Ethan continued to fuss over her, much to Amelia's amusement and mild annoyance. Every time she stood up, one of them was there to offer her a chair. Whenever she reached for a glass, they hurried to fetch it for her.
"Honestly, you two are worse than a pair of mother hens," she teased as they guided her to a seat near the head of the table.
"We just want to make sure you're comfortable," Alister said, his expression earnest.
"And safe," Ethan added, his eyes scanning the room for any potential hazards.
Amelia laughed, shaking her head. "I'm fine, really. But if it makes you both feel better, I'll stay seated for a while."
As the banquet progressed, guests mingled and chatted, the air filled with the sounds of music and laughter. Amelia found herself enjoying the evening despite the constant attention from her two guardians.
The musicians struck up a lively tune, and several couples took to the dance floor. Amelia watched them with a wistful smile, longing to join in but knowing it would only heighten Alister and Ethan's anxiety.
"Would you like to dance?" Alister asked, surprising her.
Amelia looked up at him, her eyes widening. "You won't hover and worry?"
Alister chuckled, holding out his hand. "I'll do my best to be a proper dance partner."
Ethan stood by, his arms crossed, a skeptical look on his face. "Just be careful."
With a roll of her eyes, Amelia took Alister's hand and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor. The music swelled around them as they moved gracefully across the polished floor.
"This is nice," Amelia said, her voice soft as she looked up at Alister.
"It is," Alister agreed, his eyes warm as he gazed down at her. "I promise, I'll try not to worry so much."
Amelia smiled, resting her head against his chest. "I know you mean well. Just remember, I'm stronger than I look."
As they danced, Ethan watched from the sidelines, his expression a mixture of pride and concern. He couldn't help but worry about his friend and the new life she carried, but seeing her so happy eased his mind a little.
When the song ended, Alister led Amelia back to their seats, where Ethan was waiting with a glass of water and a plate of small pastries.
"Here, you should eat something," Ethan said, offering her the plate.
Amelia accepted it with a grateful smile. "Thank you, Ethan. I don't know what I'd do without you two."
"Probably enjoy your evening without being smothered," Alister said with a laugh.
Amelia chuckled, taking a bite of a delicate pastry. "I do appreciate it, though. You both mean the world to me."
As the night wore on, the guests continued to celebrate, the hall filled with joy and laughter. Amelia felt a sense of contentment settle over her as she watched her friends and family enjoy the festivities.
Ethan's birthday cake was brought out, a towering confection adorned with candles. The room fell silent as he made a wish and blew out the flames, applause and cheers ringing out.
"Happy birthday, Ethan," Amelia said, leaning over to kiss his cheek. "I hope all your wishes come true."
"Thank you, Amelia," Ethan replied, his eyes shining with gratitude. "This has been a wonderful evening, thanks to you and Alister."
As the night drew to a close, Alister and Ethan continued to hover around Amelia, making sure she was comfortable and well taken care of. Despite their overprotectiveness, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of love and gratitude for them both.
"You know," Amelia said as they escorted her to their carriage, "I wouldn't trade you two for anything in the world."
"We feel the same way," Alister replied, his voice filled with affection.
"Absolutely," Ethan agreed, his arm around her shoulders. "We're a team, and we'll always look out for each other."
As the carriage pulled away from the grand hall, Amelia leaned back against the plush seat, a contented smile on her lips.