I could see them from my window, playing with little kids. They were all wearing tiaras, a complimentary gift for everyone who sat at the kids' table.
The party was in Sarah's garden. Some pots had been cleared to make more room for the tables, which was covered in white table cloth, with a pink glittery polka dot table runner. Pink plastic cups and plates were set with tiaras set on the plates for the kids. The chairs were white as well. It was party chairs that looked pretty princessy. 
There was a separate section for games. There was a lady dressed as Belle from Beauty and the beast guiding the kids. 
A magician dressed as a Jester was doing tricks up on a little platform, which wasn't little at all. It would be later used for dancing. 
It all looked like a magical kingdom. pretty grand for a kids' party, but I guess this is what a party in the Hudson family was always like.
The party was in full swing, and I was hiding. Hiding from the adults in the party. Particularly the Hudson clan. They have never been nice to me, despite the fact that our father's had been college friends. 
I had always been an outcast. It was ok when they had simply ignored me, letting Gabriel be friends with me as we were growing up. But when Gabriel started high school and became a star football player, and Sarah became a cheerleader, the snide remarks had started from there. 
It didn't matter that they had never shown up to any of his events, and it had always been me who had been his biggest support. 
Well Nicola, if you came here to hide in your room the whole day, what was the point of you coming here? My self pitying thoughts got interrupted by my more realistic side.
It was a good question. I am here for Livy and Bella. Its their birthday, and they want me down there not hiding up here. If the Hudson's have a problem with that, then its their own problem. I am not missing my nieces' birthday party.
With that thought, I moved away from the window and straightened myself up to my full height, I marched out of my room with my chin held up high. I am not the scared little Nico of the past, I am a confident, successful woman, and no one was going to make me hide!
As I marched myself down the stairs, giving myself the pep talk, I didn't notice Gabriel standing behind the stairs until he spoke.
"I was wondering how long it was going to take for you to stop hiding upstairs and come join us." 
I whirled around, startled, as I heard his voice, my eyes wide, looking like a deer caught in the headlight. 
That was until I saw him. My jaw dropped seeing him. He looked breathtakingly handsome, wearing a crown on his head. He was dressed normally, in a white button-up, with sleeves rolled up to his elbows and khaky pants, with his shirt tucked under it. But with just the crown, he looked like royalty.
I blinked, trying to compose myself, shutting my mouth before I actually drool. I narrowed my eyes, focusing on other things.
"Speaking of hiding, what are you doing hiding behind the stairs? You nearly gave me a heart attack!" I said.
"Sorry about that. I was answering a call." He said, holding up the phone in his hand, still having an annoying smirk on his face. "And since you are also done hiding, shall we join the party?"
"I wasn't hiding. I was getting ready." I huffed.
"Mmhmm, you weren't hiding at all. You were just getting ready standing by the window staring down at the garden for like.. thirty minutes now." He said, looking down at his watch. 
I felt a blush creeping up my neck having been caught, which made his smile widen. So I glared at him, making him chuckle. 
"You look beautiful, Nico, you have nothing to be afraid of.'' He told me softly. 
I frowned hearing that name. " I told you it's Nicola now,"
"I don't know what you have against your name -" 
"I don't have anything against my name. Nicola is my name." I interrupted him primly.
"Fine," he said, raising his hands in surrender, making me grin at him. He smiled back, walking up to me slowly. I held my breath, looking up at him, as he raised his arms and placed something on my head.
"Perfect." He said to himself, stepping back, giving me a once over, making me blush again.
I raised my hand, touching it. It was a tiara. Where did that come from? His hands had been empty a minute ago. 
I looked at him, silently questioning him. 
"I may have also been on my way to fetch you by order of two very bossy princesses. I was told to give you the tiara." 
"Ok.." I said uncertainly. 
"Come now," he said, holding out his hand to lead me out.
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