A Woman's Empire

XIX

CHAPTER NINETEEN

After Leo and Audrielle had lunch with Camilla and Stella, Stella eagerly dragged Audrielle up to her pink bedroom. "And this is Cuddles, my teddy bear, this is my barbie doll mamma brought for me from America." Stella listed, showing Audrielle her large collection of stuffed toys and barbie dolls. Audrielle's eyes wandered around the room, smiling to herself when she saw the picture Stella had drawn of her family which included Camilla, Leo, Antonio and Stella's father.

"Oh! Let's have a tea party!" She exclaimed, suddenly rushing to one of her many toy boxes and pulling out a picnic basket. Audrielle kneeled down and took a seat on the fluffy pink rug while Stella set everything up. She couldn't help but giggle when Stella made a gushing noise, pretending that she was pouring hot tea into a cup.

Audrielle and Stella drank their 'tea' while gossiping and Audrielle couldn't help but admire how smart and beautiful Stella was. "I really, really like you Audrielle." Stella smiled, showing the gap between her two front teeth.

"I really like you too, Stella. Leo's lucky to have you as a little sister." Audrielle warmly said, placing the cup of tea back on the saucer.

"Will you guys have babies?" She asked, her blue eyes curiously looking at Audrielle.

"Maybe one day but not right now. We just got married."

Stella took a sip of her tea, a pout suddenly resting on her adorable face.

"I don't want him to break up with you. I want you to come over for more tea parties, a-and to stay the night so we can do each other's makeup." Audrielle was touched. And she felt that if the marriage didn't work out, she'd be hurting little Stella's heart.

Opening her arms out for a hug, Stella climbed onto Audrielle's lap and gave her a big hug. "I can't promise you that we will be together forever, but no matter what, I will always come over for more of your delicious tea and to hang out with Cuddles the bear. We could also watch some movies too." Audrielle winked and Stella grinned, ecstatic with the idea.

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"Thank you mamma for lunch. I better go get Audrielle before Stella decides to hide her in one of her toy boxes." Leo joked, leaving the kitchen and going up stairs towards Stella's bedroom.

Leo couldn't hear any laughing or noises coming from the bedroom, so he quietly stepped into the room and was surprised at the sight. There she was, Audrielle, tucking Stella into bed who was fast asleep. He watched his wife pull the blanket over top of his little sister before she planted a little kiss on her forehead and placed Cuddles the bear next to her.

Leo decided to make his presence known and quietly cleared his throat which made Audrielle snap her head towards him.

"We are leaving now. I've reserved a table for us at five thirty at a restaurant in the city." Leo mumbled, keeping his voice low so he wouldn't wake up Stella.

Audrielle nodded, standing up from the bed before picking up the toys that Stella had left scattered around the room. When Audrielle went to leave the room, she stopped and looked back at Stella and smiled.

Suddenly, when she turned back, Leo reached for her chin and delicately placed a kiss on her lips. "You'd make a wonderful mother, Audrielle. I mean it." Leo sighed, pulling away and leaving the room.

As they both walked down the stairs, Audrielle headed towards the kitchen where she left her purse sitting.

"Thank you for lunch, Camilla." Audrielle said as she was pulled in for a hug.