Xavier held onto Ayla's hand tightly as he led her backstage to where some of the other parents were with their children.

With large red curtains hanging down from the ceiling, the auditorium was as grand as any other fancy Broadway stage. The backstage area was just as rowdy and loud as the audience area, with children running around in their tutus and their parents following after them with worry.

"Hi, Ayla. Mr. Knight, it's good to see you again," greeted the ballet instructor, Ms. Karina. "Are you ready?"

"Hi, Ms. K," Ayla shyly smiled before nodding her head.

"Alrighty, we're going to waiting behind the curtains, whenever you're ready to join us, sweetheart," Ms. Karina said, gesturing to where some of the other students were standing. With that said, she walked off to greet other anxious and excited parents.

Once they were alone, Xavier bent down onto one knee so that he would be at eye level with his daughter. Immediately, Ayla jumped into his arms, wrapping her tiny arms around her father's neck, wanting to snuggle a bit before she went up onto thestage.

"You nervous, darlin'?" He asked quietly, rubbing his hand on her back, wanting to comfort her.

"A lil', daddy," she muttered, resting her cheek on his shoulder.

"You're going to do amazing, princess," he encouraged, as he continued to rub her back soothingly. "Your mama and I are so very proud of you. We're going to be watching you right in the first row."

"Pwomise?" She looked at him with her large doe eyes before holding her pinky out.

"I promise, baby girl," He said, genuinely, never one to break a promise, especially with his little girl. He gave her both his word and pinky. "Maybe we can get ice cream after."

Ayla gasped, excitement dancing in her eyes. "Before dinna'?"

Xavier nodded as he whispered like they were about to share a secret. "Before dinner— I have a feeling your mama might just say 'yes'."

"Love you, daddy."

"I love you, too, darlin'," He placed a kiss on her cheek, before letting her go.

Feeling motivated, Ayla bid her dad goodbye, before practically skipping over to where the other dancers were lining up. With a proud smile, he left backstage and walked back to where the rest of the family sat in the first, second, and third row. He couldn't believe that all of them, over 20 of them, had cleared their busy schedules just to watch Ayla perform.

Like he had mentioned before, she had them all wrapped around her tiny finger.

As soon as he sat down in his seat next to Aurora, who was trying to get Jared to sit quietly in his seat, Jayden had climbed onto his lap, seeking comfort from his father.

"Hi, babe," greeted Aurora, once Jared had finally settled in her lap. Xander sat in between his grandmothers a couple of seats away, occupying himself with a large tub of popcorn that Xavier's father had gotten him despite Aurora's protest since it was before dinner. Her own father had even snuck a couple of candy bars for the twins to snack on during the show, ignoring his daughter's unamused stare. "How's she doing?"

"Good— she's a little nervous, but I promised her ice cream later," Xavier said, nonchalantly. Immediately, the twins perked up at the words, 'ice cream'.

"Later better mean after dinner," muttered Aurora, raising her eyebrow at her husband.

He said nothing.

"Xavier Knight, are you serious?" She asked, giving him a stern look. "You have got to stop offering the kids dessert before dinner.

Xavier raised his hands in defense. "Woah, when have I done that other than today?"

She gave him an 'are you serious look'.

"Okay, fine I may have done it a couple of times, but I can't possibly deny our kids, especially when they look like this," he gestured to Jayden, who had chocolate covering his mouth and hands. "Fucking adorable."

"Language," Aurora shook her head, before grabbing a wet wipe from her purse, wiping down Jayden's mouth and hands so that it didn't get anywhere else. Why did she even bother to try to stop him? "They are pretty adorable, huh?"

She leaned down, kissing Jared's cheek before leaning over to kiss Jayden's cheek. Despite being 6, the twins were still a handful, never growing out of their mischievous phases.

Both now in the first grade, she swore there was never a day where she did not get a call from their teacher, explaining how the two of them had gotten into trouble yet again. Perhaps it was the fact that they were twins, but when one got in trouble, the other seemed to follow in suit. She knew that their bond with one another was strong.

They were like two peas in a pod, always looking out for each other and getting in trouble together, despite occasionally getting into fights here and there. Now that they were getting older, they had more distinct features that would set them apart.

Like Xander, they both had inherited their father's dark slightly curled hair and his beautiful grey-golden eyes, a trait that Aurora absolutely loved. However, despite being practically Xavier's mini doppelgängers, they had a bit of her East Asian traits as well.

She still couldn't believe how fast time was passing by. Xander was now 8 and was already in the 3rd grade. He was an amazing older brother to the twins and especially Ayla.

She had to admit that her babies were now no longer babies, even though in her eyes they would always be.

"Sorry, I'm late."

Elijah Knight slid into the empty spot next to Xavier that had once been Jayden's. He quickly greeted his siblings and parents, looking in disbelief over the huge group of family and friends that were occupying three whole rows of seats in the large auditorium.

There were just so many of them.

Right behind them, sat Noah and Megan who were cuddling closely together. Now, 27, the two had been together since their first year of college and were still going steady.

Noah was on the same hockey team as Elijah, both now playing professionally for the L.A. Kings, and was now the best of friends. But of course, if Noah were to ever hurt Megan, Elijah would gladly pummel Noah into the face of the Earth.

Damien and his wife, Lena sat in the third row with their sons, Daniel and Darren, between them. Stephanie and Ethan had Colton, who was now 10, in between them and their younger sons, Caleb and Christian, in their laps. Maddie was holding little Annalise in her arms with Lucas next to her trying to calm their son, Michael, who was currently in hysterics.

Connor, now married to Leslie, who he had met at one of his games, sat next to Liam and his wife, Rachel. And yes, the two troublemakers were finally cuffed with women who had no problem putting their husbands in their place. But what can you say? They were putty when it came to their women and had no problem giving into their wives' wishes.

In the front row, next to Xavier and Aurora, sat two sets of very proud grandparents who wouldn't miss their granddaughter's performance for the world. As it almost became time for the performance to start, more friends and family filled the seats, including Alana, who would never miss her goddaughter's performance for the world, and Asher, who seemed to never leave Alana's side.

Xavier looked at his brother with an odd expression. "I thought you didn't have any plans today?"

"I didn't— I was dealing with something," Elijah shook his head, before muttering. "Or someone."

Aurora gasped, excitedly, leaning forward and across Xavier, wanting to hear all the details. Jared paid his mother no attention as he continued to chow down on the chocolate bar. "Someone? Don't tell me, Elijah Knight, has finally settled down?"

"It's not like that," Elijah quickly denied. "It's...complicated."

"It's not complicated," Megan leaned forward with a mischievous glint in her eyes, giving her brother a teasing smirk.

"Megan," warned Elijah, sending a glare his sister's direction.

"The famous Elijah Knight charm just isn't working at the moment," she continued, as Noah gently pulled her back.

Noah shook his head at his girlfriend's antics before giving his best friend a sympathetic look and a pat on the shoulder. He turned to look at the very curious Xavier and Aurora. "He's down bad."

Elijah groaned, running his hand through his messy dark locks. "My charm works," he gave Megan the stink eye. "It's just taking a bit of time."

Xavier chuckled, patting his brother on the back. "Well, if you want my advice— if you think she's worth it, then don't give up. Show her you're different than other guys and woo her with that Knight charm. How do you think I won my girl over?"

Aurora rolled her eyes when he sent her a sly smirk. She sighed. "You Knights do have a certain charm that attracts people. You guys also have a way of words."

"Pretty sure you're talking about the things I say to you in the bedroom," winked Xavier, causing Megan and Elijah to gag as Aurora slapped him on the arm.

"Gross," shuddered Elijah, not wanting to even imagine what those words might entail. "And who said anything about giving up? Elijah Knight does not give up and you're damn right I'm going to prove to her that I'm not like the assholes who would hurt her."

His determination had Xavier smirking slightly as he realized that his brother was serious about this girl. He was taken back to when he had convinced Aurora to give him a chance to prove that he wouldn't hurt her.

"You've got this, Elijah," nodded Aurora with a supportive smile. "She'll fall for you in no time— it is pretty hard to deny that charm."

"You really think so?" Almost immediately, his sullen look quickly turned into a wolfish grin as he glanced at his brother with mischief. "I always knew you couldn't deny this, babe."

Forget the sympathy he had for his brother, now, all Xavier wanted to do was punch Elijah in his face. Turning he glared at his brother menacingly.

"Call her babe, one more time," Xavier warned, causing Elijah to raise his hands, surrendering.

Megan rolled her eyes, curling back into Noah. "I swear to god, he does this on purpose just to rile Xavier up."

Elijah winked. "And I'll never stop."

Aurora shook her head with a sigh, keeping her hand laced together with Xavier's to keep him from punching Elijah in the face. She would rather not get thrown out by security at their daughter's first recital.

She squeezed his hand, causing Xavier to forget Elijah and turn to look at Aurora, giving her his full attention.

"How are you feeling, baby?" Xavier asked his wife, setting Jayden down again so that his son was comfortable.

It was like he could see through her, and after being married for almost 9 years now, he definitely knew her like the back of his hand.

Immediately, she frowned, thinking about how fast her babies were growing made her a bit sad. "They're growing up so fast."

Xavier chuckled, holding her left hand and caressing it softly. "They are, aren't they?"

"Too fast, if you're asking me," she muttered. The lights in the auditorium began to dim, signaling the beginning of the show. "Soon they're going to be ignoring little ol' me and locking themselves in their bedrooms. Should we get rid of the locks on their bedrooms doors now?"

"The locks are staying, sweetheart," chuckled Xavier, her suggestion sounding completely ridiculous. "I don't think you have to worry about them ignoring you. And even if they did, they'll have to answer to me first. My woman will not be disrespected, especially not after all the love you've shown them."

Aurora smiled at his words, before nodding. She gave his hand a small squeeze. "I love you."

"I love you more, baby," he murmured, placing a small kiss on the back of her hand.

Finally, the lights dimmed to complete darkness and the stage lit up with bright lights. As the music began, one by one, dancers entered the stage from the right side. Both Aurora and Xavier immediately spotted their daughter in the center, looking pretty fucking adorable in her pink tutu.

Ayla's eyes immediately searched the crowd, and just like her daddy had promised, he and her mama were sitting right in the front with proud smiles on their faces. She could see bubbas, grandpa, grandma, Nai Nai, Ye Ye, we well as all her cousins, uncles, and aunties sitting and watching her perform.

Her nervousness immediately disappeared and with a bright smile on her face, she danced away, knowing that her family was right there, watching her, proudly.

❤︎ ❤︎ ❤︎

I originally planned to have this bonus chapter as one chapter, but it was too long, so I split it into two. Thank you guys so much for being patient and I hope you enjoyed this bonus chapter <3

Also, it is time my loves! Super excited to finally announce that the first teaser for the spin-off is officially up on my instagram, insouciiancy.

I know you guys have been waiting very patiently for the spin-off and I'm just so excited to share it with you guys! Synopsis will be coming soon, so make sure you keep an eye out for any announcements on my wall or more teasers on instagram!

Can you guys who the spin-off is going to be about?