The Schnabel and Pollack families were set for a winter wonderland wedding!
It was a significant day for Noella and Palmer, marking their first meeting on the border. It wasn't just a matter of life and death salvation; it was choosing each other, becoming family in the truest sense.
Palmer took it upon himself to transform one of the Pollack Group's islands into a fairy-tale extravaganza for their wedding venue.
In the garden, three formally dressed munchkins were squatting on the ground.
Layla, with a flower crown perched atop her head, touched her chin, "Grandma said today's a big day for auntie and uncle, told us to behave. But is this really okay?"
Layla declared, "But no worries, if something goes wrong, I'll just say it was you two, not me. Grandma will definitely scold you guys over me."
Daren retorted angrily, "Why should it be like that? Just because you're the youngest?"
"It's because I'm the prettiest."
From birth, Layla's beauty was the talk of the maternity ward. Her rosy, translucent cheeks, a nose high and mighty even in her infancy, and those dewy, big eyes fringed with long lashes were a sight the nursery had never seen before!
Beckett even worried Layla's beauty was a symptom of Kabuki syndrome!
They flew in an international team of specialists who, after several days, confirmed Layla was simply naturally stunning.
With her looks, Layla had her way in both the Schnabel and the neighboring Pollack households.
Upon seeing Layla, Elara was smitten, immediately deciding she wanted a child too.
"The government's encouraging it, right? I'll take this one. You guys go have another! Layla's going to hang with me from now on!"
Layla insisted, "Besides, this is all for Aunt Elara's good! I saw that man earlier looking fine. Testing him out is the least we can do, right?"
As the eldest among the kids, Daren felt the plan was a bit shaky.
Ophelia, growing impatient at his hesitation, countered, "You men are always so wishy-washy. Didn't you see Gavin Vaughn over there? If things go south, we'll just blame Gavin! I'll distract him, and you guys go test out that handsome man."
With that, Ophelia adjusted her princess dress and skipped towards Gavin, now a preteen heartthrob.
Seizing the moment, Layla darted towards their predetermined target.
She crashed into him, crying out, only to be caught in a gentle embrace, his voice as soothing as a spring breeze.
"My little princess, are you alright? Running around all by yourself, did you lose your family?"
Up close, Layla whispered, "No plastic surgery, polite... good-looking..."
"What was that? Whose child are you?"
Layla pointed towards Elara in the crowd, "There! My aunt's over there!"
"Let me take you to her. And don't run off again."
Carrying Layla through the crowd, she started shouting for Elara from afar.
Seeing Layla, Elara breathed a sigh of relief, scolding as she took her, "Are you out of your mind running off like that? Where are your brother and sister?"
"Sis went to find Gavin, and brother said I was in the way and left me behind."
Daren, lurking nearby, thought, "…”
Suddenly, his back felt a phantom pain!
"Auntie, I'm here. My sister ran too fast, and I couldn't keep up."
Once assured they were all safe, Elara finally relaxed.
With so many guests today, she was genuinely worried these little rascals had ventured into the sea to feed the sharks!
Turning to the man who had been standing by with a gentle smile, Elara remembered to express her gratitude.
"Thank you so much. These little tyrants are quite the handful. I appreciate you bringing them back!"
"Ms. Schnabel, it was nothing."
"You know who I am?"
The man smiled warmly, "Ms. Schnabel has been a topic of discussion for her contributions to the scientific community. I, too, am somewhat in the same field, though my focus is on mathematics. I'm Colin, a Penn math department graduate."
Elara nodded, "I've heard your name, the recent champion of the international math competition. Surprising someone so young."
Colin modestly replied, "Ms. Schnabel, you're younger than I imagined."
Holding Layla and guiding Daren, Elara excused herself, "The wedding is about to start. Please, excuse us."
"As you wish."
As they headed to the main wedding venue, Layla, resting on Elara's shoulder, winked at Colin.
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