Ren's pov-

"You better not make me wait, Ren. I've been dying to get my hands on you the entire week!" Nick said as he walks behind me turning me hotter than I already was.

"I apologise in advance.." "No fucking way-" Nick stopped in his tracks as I pushed open the door and he saw the view in front of us.

"What the f-" I pinched his wrist hard before he could complete it. Thank God the hater of swear words wasn't there yet. We had three pairs of eyes and wicked smiles directed at us.

"Who's dumbass idea was this?" Nick asks Jane, clearly pissed.

"Mine. You've got any problems?" Lily said while Nick still was looking at Jane. His face softened and a little smile appeared on his lips.

My eyes darted at Wills who was giving Nick murderous looks warning him to say one more wrong word. "Of course not, sweetheart. I saw what you did there. I'm sure none of the guys knew that we all were going to hurdle in the same damn shirt TODAY of all days, so that was smart. But I'd like to see if your claim of making DAD do it, will be true today or not. I guessed it was our stupid sister thinking of needlessly gathering everyone on Valentines day, but you? You can never be wrong! I see it now." Nick said winking and hugging Lily, making her laugh. That's his magic that works on everyone.

"Excuse me? I didn't even do anything!" Jane got up and crossed her arms. "Thank God for that." Willy said earning a smack from Lily on his head.

"Fuck you!" Jane seethed.

"Good to know how much of your manners still remain." Colonel entered sliding his phone in his pocket with a straight face.

Jane looked around embarrassed to be caught swearing YET again. Wills looks down smiling to himself YET again.

"Not her fault this time." That was Major Martins winning my heart for defending his girl like a pillar.

"Wills?" Colonel's voice made his younger son sit straight and flush that smile. "Won't be repeated, sir."

"Wait a damn second!" Colonel looked at all the men in the room and then at his own shirt.

"Ten dollars right here!" Women of the family laughed at her childish tone as Lily stretched her palm in front of her and got the bills from me, Jane and Colonel Lauret.

"You did not place a bet on me, Lily?" Colonel said raising his eyebrows.

"And fifty dollars here." Lily stretched her other palm without responding to Colonel's question and nobody moved.

"Don't make me double it!" She called out loudly, huge smile appearing on her lips.

Nick, Wills and Martins kept the bills on her other hand.

"I'll meet you three-" He stopped his warning midway looking at the fourth donor.

"YOU PLACED A BET ON ME TOO, NEIL?" Saying that he was heartbroken would be right.

"I... I didn't know you'd actually listen to her and... follow the dress code..." Neil said making all of us giggle while he himself stood holding his breath.

"I WAS FOOLED INTO IT!" Colonel raised his voice.

"Results matter, big guy. She delivered what she promised. Now take a seat.." Lily said handing all the money to Wills who arranged it and kept it in his wallet. This man has changed so much, it's unbelievable! He knows what Lily wants without her saying a single word! Imagine! Wills Dwight caring for someone like this? It feels like a different universe altogether.

Talking about a different universe- I'm definitely in a different one because LOOK AT COLONEL! He got 'fooled' by his lady AND he accepted it! Fooled By a woman Accepted publicly Yep. Different universe for sure.

"As much fun as this sounds, where is she?" My dearest hubby, the second most daring person in the room asked Colonel James.

"On a work trip." He replied partly angry partly sad.

"Awww... She couldn't be with you on Valentine's Day..." Lily cooed and hugged him from behind. Lauret smiled and rubbed his shoulder.

"She's lucky she's not here. Otherwise I'd show her the consequences of making a fool out of me!" And we're back to this universe.

"Calm down James. It's okay. We all look good in this shirt, right Wills?" Neil tried to cool him down. "Yeah? Yeah... We look... Good..." Oh this boy was sitting with his heart in his mouth.

"Why don't you tell us how EXACTLY she fooled you?" Nick asked taking a step back and many fake coughs filled the room. Including mine.

"Don't cross your line, Nick." Colonel used his most scary tone and Nick wasted no time raising his hands in apology. Colonel sat down like a good boy and Lily gave him a big smile, making him smile back at her.

Then realisation hit me. It's her. Lily. She's doing all the magic! Wills is happy, Me and Nick are together, COLONEL IS SMILING sitting in a Valentines day gathering- all because of her.

"Back off, Ren!" Wills barked at me and I realised I was looking at his woman in adoration.

"I'm not going to steal her from you, stop over reacting!" I barked back.

"One example exists to justify his fear, my cat." Nick whispered into my ear grabbing the hair at the base of my neck and pulling them down making me look at him.

"Are you defending him, or doubting your own capabilities?" I winked knowing I was playing with fire.

"Oh you just unlocked the capabilities I had no plans to introduce you to. Pray for yourself, Ren because I'm going to ruin you as soon as we're done here." Nick kissed my temple sweetly making my heart flutter fast. This man can kill me for all I care because I know I'll still enjoy every moment of that pain.

"Can you not make everyone uncomfortable, please? It's just a matter of thirty minutes if you can keep it within your pants." Jane said standing really close to us.

"How have YOU been, sister?" Nick immediately let go of my hair and slid his arm around her shoulder. The sarcasm could not be missed by anyone. Martins sir better hide because he's going to crack some sex jokes on them.

Colonel cleared his throat. Nick did not miss the chance to get back at him. "I'm just asking her how she has been! Come on, dad! I know you've been.. busy.. but grow up, please."

"Get lost." He said getting up and walking towards the mini bar that Neil had set up. This made all of us laugh, silently of course.

"You really have balls, Nick. Cracking adult jokes ON HIM? Twice within two minutes? I'll keep my speech ready just in case you really cross a line and he shoots you on the spot." Wills said joining the duo, sliding his arm over Nick's from the other side, both hovering over little Jane now.

Martins got up but is stopped by Lily. "She's fine. Don't worry." "They bully her!" That was cute, Mr. Bones.

"Oh she totally gets what she spends on." I add making him laugh.

"She can kick both their asses in one go if she goes crazy." He said proudly. "And they both know that very well." Lily added.

Martins gives Jane one last securing look and then walks away to the bar. Neil kissed Lauret and headed to the bar too. The siblings were having a secret conversation of their own. It was just me and Lily when Mrs Lauret joined us with a huge grin on her face. "You really don't need a blush tonight, beautiful." Lily said before I could tease her.

She covered her face with her hands and shook. As soon as her hands were down, my wicked smile was on. "So.. is it..." "Before you direct your devil horns at me, I'll make it clear. Neil suggested this app where it gives a couple some tasks to finish throughout the day. And no-" she pointed at me before I could speak a single word "none of them are sexual."

"Useless." I said disinterested in it already.

"What's the task for today?" Lily asked all excited. "Hundred kisses." Lauret blushed even more.

"Really? That's boring!" I exasperated.

"For people who barely take their tongues out of each other's mouths, this will sound boring, I agree." Lily said cold heartily. "You can't do this! We were a team!" I said clutching my heart dramatically. She just rolled her eyes and turned back to Lauret "and how many times have you kissed?" "That was fiftieth.."

"Ah... That's why the shy smile..." I pointed out making Lauret smile again.

"You two are so cute, I swear to god!" Lily said and I nodded affirmatively. They indeed are the cutest.

"Are you ser-?!" Jane said loudly making Nick and Wills seal her mouth before she finishes.

"What's going on there?" Colonel asked loudly and both the boys let go of Jane, pushed her in front, rather. Bitches!

"No.. nothing. Just.. some.. talks.." She turned around definitely muttering 'assholes' based on how the brothers were smiling.

The trio dismantled and all of us get back to our partners with our drinks.

Lily clinked her champagne glass gathering everyone's attention. Wills sat next to her with a smile he was trying to hide but failing.

"I'd start off by apologising for spoiling your day that you were meant to spend with each other..." She said making everyone grunt in disapproval. I can bet a hundred dollars nobody felt bad because she called us today. She's a darling and we'll do anything she asks from us any day any time.

"Okay okay you sweetest people..! Now let me tell you WHY I called all of you here. I wanted to tell everyone that I really love you. Each one of you. This stupid guy the most-" patting Wills's head "-because he brought you all in my life. You guys don't just protect me and make me feel belonged, you pamper me like a kid. Something that I thought I'll never get to experience ever..." Her eyes got full and so did everyone else's.

Everyone in the room knew where she came from and that every word she said was true. We really do pamper her because that's what she deserves.

With a reluctant laugh she continued. "Okay. I hate to cry and make everyone else cry on good days. So I'll cut short the emotional drama. And give you all a surprise! Do you guys know who came up with this idea?" She pointed her finger at Wills excited while he looked down with a huge smile on his lips.

I turned to Nick because I sensed something was off and got it confirmed the moment Nick looked back into my eyes. He was happy, proud and his eyes were full too. Something big was about to happen and I couldn't wait to know what it was.

Lily continued with her excited speech. "And he also suggested that we get each couple a gift today."

"That's really sweet of you, son.." Lauret said sounding like a proud mother.

"So we came up with something... different..." Lily turned to Wills with the same excited smile. "You did, Lil. It was all your idea. I just bought them." I now see why everyone including me calls him an asshole.

Lily frowned for a moment. "Get them." She ordered him angrily and turned back to us all happy again.

Wills smirked getting up and walked into their room. When he came out, he had boxes in his hands. He handed one each to Nick, Neil, Martins and Colonel.

"Open it!" Lily nearly screamed making us all laugh.

I looked at the box in Nick's hands. It had two bracelets in it. Made of silver with a thin line throughout the outer side. Nick helped me put one on my wrist and he got the other one.

I looked at everyone and they all had done the same thing, except Colonel. He was still looking at the box trying to figure it out.

"This is a love bracelet. If anything I know about you people, it's the fact that you love your partners too much for your own good. And what better than letting them know that you're thinking about them when you're not around them?" Lily winked showing her own bracelet and tapping twice on the line I had noticed. The next moment there was a flicker of light in Wills's bracelet along the same line.

I jumped in excitement and tapped on mine. Immediately Nick's bracelet lit up. He looked at me delighted. He did the same and mine lit up.

"This is brilliant!" Jane said hugging Martins tight. "I don't have to disturb you in the middle of your surgeries now!"

"Yeah. And I can peacefully finish my surgeries without having to worry about anyone's broken nose.." "That happened just once!" Jane defended.

"You broke someone's nose?" Colonel asked.

"Shit." Martins whispered.

Oops. He was not supposed to hear this story.

"I heard that. And you're not allowed to leave till you tell me every detail about it. Later. Back to you, dear." Colonel gave Jane a last scary look and then turned back to Lily.

"She's in good hands, Mr Dwight. Don't worry." Lily said politely then turned to us. "Like you can see- all you have to do is tap on the bracelet twice anywhere and your better half will know that you're thinking about them. I found it really great for Wills who finds it difficult to use words sometimes but then I realised all of us feel incomplete and worried when we're alone. So... Now you are not alone anymore.. be it the next room or a different country, you can light up each other's worlds.." Lily gave a big smile.

"I love this!" Lauret exclaimed.

Everyone turned to Colonel who still hadn't touched it.

"Father..." Willy started off. "It helps. It really does..." He just said the words that mattered the most. All of us knew who was the least expressive person in the room. This would help him convey his feelings to her without fighting a battle with himself. We all knew how difficult it was for him to stop looking at himself like a cheater to Mrs Merlen. I'm glad he took this step and allowed himself to fall again. And boy did he have a gracious fall!

Colonel looked at Wills with doubtful eyes and then looked down again. Suddenly he laughed loudly taking the bracelet out. It was flickering non stop. This made us all laugh. Typical her.

"She won't give me a single moment of peace now." He said sliding it on and tapping back reluctantly.

"This is a really thoughtful gift, baby." Wills said hugging her from behind. Her small stature got completely covered by his tall figure. It looked as if the angels got the right puzzle pieces together.

"Before everyone leaves, I request you to convince this stubbornly humble lady to accept a gift from me that cost me a fortune.." Wills said and Lily turned to him. "No way, you rich brat. I told you I'm not in this for your money. And I stand by my words." Lily turned around to look at us "And dare any of you try to argue with me in that. I will not-"

Colonel interrupted her sweetly. "None of us needs to argue. You'll accept it without a second thought. Just see for yourself." He said with a huge smile.

Lily turned around and made us all a witness of probably the most beautiful moment of our lives. Wills was down on one knee with a fucking diamond ring in his hand "will you be my fortune, Lil?"

Damnit. DAMN. FUCKING. IT. This... This was not just a proposal. Heck that's the last thing I could think of.

Wills on his knee asking someone to be his fortune when he was always determined that he needed NOBODY! Lily being asked to be the most important person in someone's life when she has always been less than a nobody. In front of people who accepted her with all of their hearts and all those who matter so much to her. On a day that symbolises love.

I couldn't take it. I hugged Nick tight and sobbed like a baby.

Lily just stood stunned with tears falling from her eyes and her mouth covered by her hands in shock.

You could not miss the tears in everyone's eyes because that's the best thing that could have happened to this hardass boy and he didn't give up. We all wanted to see him happy and the smile on his face was something we never even dreamt of.

"He's gonna lose a lot of money if you don't say yes.." Nick said when she didn't move for a solid minute.

Wills laughed at that and Lily nodded a yes falling down and hugging him. "I'll be with you, always." She said. Wills let out a tear from his tightly shut eyes and hugged her back.

"I love you, Wills. Thank you for this and everything else!" "Shut up and stop thanking me when you're the one who changed me for my own good." Wasn't that the truth?

It was the best Valentines day celebration I became a part of. Was it cheesy? Yes. Was it worth it? Oh hell yeah.

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HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! So much love to every single one of you!

I need to announce this now itself that THIS SNIPPET IS NOT A PART OF THE NEXT BOOK. This is just an intro to the future lives of these characters and not an actual scene in the next book.

I hope this snippet did justice to the patience you all had while waiting for it. And... New character being mentioned in the FAMILY gathering... Did you all notice? LET ME HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS!!

COMMENT AND COMMENT! 😅😅

This was the sweet and vanilla snippet. Swipe to the next update for the 🔥 snippet ! 😅😅