Chapter 49 - Guilty

Carter and Rowan pause their conversation and turn around to look at Liya, Maya and Amara approaching them.

"Goodness gracious, you look lovely, Liya!" Rowan pulls her into a hug. "You're just radiating a glow as if the sun goddess herself has dropped on Earth from the heavens."

"Thank you," she says coyly, turning to Carter for his reaction.

"Very beautiful," he says, his eyes softening.

"Thank you, father." She hugs him briefly. Carter looks at the place getting filled with guests and excuses himself to welcome them.

"Liya!" screams Chris and pounces on her for a hug.

"Gosh! You almost knocked me over!" says Liya, removing herself from his clasp. Rue hugs her from behind.

"You look breathtaking," says Rue resting her chin on Liya's shoulders.

"Yeah, damn, wow girl. Hey if Ashton runs away, I'll fill in," winks Chris.

"Why would he run away?"

"I don't know, that's why I said 'if'."