Nova's Universe

Chapter 27 (2032)

Nova

"Can you believe we're already 60, Char?" I snuggled closer to Charlie on the sofa, both of us watching the dancing flames in the fireplace.

"What I can't believe is we agreed to such a big party tomorrow," he groaned lightly.

"Hey, no complaining! Everyone except my Mum is from your part of the family," I giggled. "And by some miracle, everyone's coming."

"Okay, okay," he chuckled, nuzzling his nose against mine playfully. "Since my family's the bigger one, let's just say Penny and Tulip's families are yours, alright?"

"Fine," I conceded with a dramatic sigh.

"Seriously though, love, any idea how many people are coming tomorrow?"

"We have enough food and drinks for about a hundred, that should be plenty, right?"

"A hundred?!" Charlie shot up in his seat.

"Just kidding, Charlie. There's Mum, Penny and Andre, Tulip and Jae. That's five from my side." I raised my hand, pretending to count on my fingers.

"Should I even bother counting mine?"

"Not on your hand, no way. It'd be impossible." I chuckled, and he joined in with a laugh.

"Okay, so Bill and his four, then Teddy, plus the grandkids, that's seven. George with his three makes eleven. Percy's just bringing Audrey, so thirteen. Ginny and her crew bump it to eighteen. Ron and his three make twenty-two." Charlie's brow furrowed with each name.

"Don't forget the kids. Aoede with her three, Luna with one, and Roggie."

"Plus..."

"Plus...?" I raised an eyebrow. Charlie's face flushed, his lips pressed together.

"Nobody else," he mumbled like he wanted to say more but stopped himself.

"Charlie, do you know something?" I gasped.

"No!" He shook his head a little too quickly. I could tell he was lying, but I also knew if he was not telling me, it was because Roggie asked him not to. Fair enough. There are plenty of things the girls haven't let me tell him over the years, for some he still didn't know. "That makes twenty-nine, plus us is thirty-one, and my parents, a nice round thirty-three. Along with who knows how many plus ones."

"See, that's not so bad," I nudged him with my elbow.

"Yeah, I know," he sighed. "Reminds me of being thirty-three."

"Oh, come on! It's not that bad. Look at our parents, flying off to Romania at their age!"

"True. Guess it's just my back and your hip acting up a bit more now."

"Probably more than that, but hey, let's go with it." I chuckled.

"One thing I'm certain will never change, though," he said, meeting my gaze with a smirk.

"And what's that?" I teased.

He leaned in and whispered in my ear, "How incredibly attractive I find you." The words sent shivers down my spine.

"Oh, Charles," I giggled, a youthful sound that surprised even me. Leaning forward, I kissed him deeply.

Just as our kiss intensified and I reached for Charlie's jumper, a knock on the door shattered the moment.

"Are we expecting someone?" Charlie's eyes met mine.

"Not until tomorrow," I replied, pulling his jumper back down to cover his back. We both got up and walked to the door.