Page 134 of The Charmer

I just nodded, too much emotion clogging my throat to reply.

"You were right," Bella told Isabeau. "When can I have the lilac perfume?"

The entire table burst out laughing.

Felix put a hand on her lower back and said, "Let's see how you get out of that one, darling. I told you that bragging about the lilac too much would come to bite you eventually."

"Nonsense," Isabeau said to him, then turned to her great-granddaughter. "Bella, darling, not until you're of age."

"Excuse me?" Chad said. "Shouldn't you consult with me whenever you do that?"

Bella turned to him, and by her expression, I knew she was going to give him a sassy reply. "No, she doesn't have to, Dad. Once I’m eighteen, I'm an adult. I won't need your permission."

The laughter around the table intensified, but Chad simply shook his head.

"What's the whole story behind the lilac in perfumes?" I asked, looking from Celine to Isabeau, who both seemed extremely glad that I was interested.

"Celine should tell it," Isabeau said. "After all, she's the one who started it all."

Celine rolled back her shoulders, smiling at me. "My Adele was upset before her prom that she didn't have anyone to go with."

Adele shook her head down the table from us. "I really didn't."

Julian just smiled in reply.

"I'd always dabbled in making fragrances," Celine continued. "I believe herbs and flowers have powers and that their scents encapsulate said powers. So I made her a custom perfume and included lilac."

"And guess who took her to prom," Remy said, putting an arm around his wife's shoulders. "It was love at first sight." He looked at his mother-in-law. "And I'm sorry, Celine, but I don't think it was your perfume."

Celine immediately frowned, crossing her arms over her chest. "You take that back, young man."

I barely stifled my laughter. It was truly comical to hear anyone call Remy "young man."

Scarlett leaned forward. "I'm sorry to say, Remy, but I do agree with Celine and Isabeau. I wholeheartedly believe that their perfumes have magic powers, not just the lilac but... the other one you made for me too."

A ripple of excitement went around the table. Bella looked like she was about to burst at the seams—and then she did. "I'm going to have a baby sister or brother!"

Chad started to laugh, as did Scarlett. Clearly, this was not how they'd planned to announce the pregnancy, but it was very cute nonetheless.

"Oh goodness. We're so happy!" Isabelle exclaimed. "This is such a fantastic day."

After everyone congratulated Chad, Scarlett, and Bella, I asked, "So, wait, what does your perfume have to do with it?"

"They made a special one for me last Christmas with ingredients that are known to boost fertility," Scarlett explained.

"Oh, that sounds so technical," Isabelle said. "But, well, it is the gist of it."

"Well, damn, the family's getting big fast," Xander said.

Zachary nodded. Anthony and Beckett were in deep talks with Bella, who was instructing them that even though there was going to be a baby in the family now, she still wanted to be spoiled. The guys were listening to her so intently, you'd think she was throwing a business pitch.

"Anyone else have such happy news?" Isabeau asked. She looked pointedly at Xander.

He squirmed in his chair. "Not exactly, but I do have news of another type."

Julian threw him a warning look, but Xander didn't heed it.

"I'm thinking of making some changes at the confectionery."

---