"Don't do it," Grandma teased, covering the eyes of his two underage cousins.
Beauty was melting with shyness, wishing this could be a dream she never woke up from. Steven was watching, though.
"Silence, guys. Don't interrupt," Bruno said to his young cousins before pulling her in for a kiss.
And they kissed. The champagne popped, and Beauty's ears turned red with excitement.
Soon, well-wishers and coworkers started arriving with their birthday gifts for Bruno. None of them were surprised to see her there. Because of their viral video, however, they looked like they had a lot of questions.
Beauty told Bruno she wanted to go home and return for the night party, as her parents must be worried. He accepted without hesitation.
"Don't stay long, please," he said.
"I won't," she smiled back.
They kissed again before she left.
In Bruno's car, Beauty couldn't contain her excitement. She kept imagining how her parents would react to her ring—and also Jessie's reaction too. She smiled, admiring the ring and imagining waking up every day in Bruno's arms.
Then they would have kids...? Nah, she thought.
"I'm throwing them off the end... just me and Bruno," she smiled at her imagination.
As soon as the driver assigned to her pulled into the driveway, her heart was still racing, eager to share her good news with her family.
She hoped her parents would be just as thrilled as she was and not think it was too early. They did like Bruno during the introduction, so she was hopeful.
As she opened the front door, Beauty was greeted by the sound of laughter coming from the living room. She smiled, thinking it was her parents chatting about their day. But as she walked in, what she saw made her freeze.
Jessie and... someone who looked exactly like her?
She blinked, to make sure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.
Jessie and Shelley turned in her direction and smiled at her.
"Uh... Mom? Dad?" Beauty called out, her voice a bit shaky.
She took a trembling step backward.
"Beauty, you're back!" Jessie snapped and rushed to welcome her friend.
"You could recognize me?" Beauty asked, still staring at her replica.
"Of course, why not?"
"And who is she then?" Beauty asked, nodding toward Shelley.
Shelley stood up slowly, her heart beating just as fast as Beauty's.
"Maybe a twin thing," she thought.
"She's-"
"Let me do the introduction myself, Jess," Shelley interrupted.
Jessie nodded and stepped back.
"Don't freak out," Shelley warned.
Beauty nodded, but her face showed that she might black out soon.
Mrs. Hills appeared at that moment and found Beauty looking at Shelley as if she was a ghost.
"Oh, sweetie, you're home!" she said warmly.
"I was about to introduce myself, but she looks very shocked, and I'm worried," Shelley said helplessly.
"Mom... who... who is she?" Beauty asked her mother, pointing at Shelley.
Jessie, now standing, gave Beauty a wide grin.
"Your twin sister, Shelley."
"Wait... what?"
She took a few steps forward, her hand instinctively touching her forehead. It was as if she might faint from the sheer shock.
"Is this some kind of prank? How can I have a twin when I don't have a twin?"
She laughed awkwardly.
"I asked the same thing when my adoptive mother told me I was a twin," Shelley said, laughing awkwardly in the same way as Beauty.
It was very scary and weird for the two witnesses.
"You... you're my twin?" Beauty asked, her voice barely audible.
"Yes... I tried reaching out to you ever since I found out. Luckily, I got through after you went viral, and I saw your account tags."
"I went viral?"
"It's about your kiss with Bruno at the party," Jessie replied.
Beauty nodded absentmindedly.
"Oh... okay. So... how did it... happen? How did we... happen?"
She turned to her mother and then to her father, who had just entered the room.
"You guys knew about this and never told me?" she asked, still in disbelief.
Her mother sighed.
"Your father didn't know... I... I am sorry... I had to. She lost her child, and I had two. She was a great woman. She vowed to let her come back as an adult..."
"Who vowed?"
"My adoptive mother," Shelley replied.
Beauty dropped onto the nearby couch, placing a hand on her forehead.
"Am I dreaming?" she murmured.
"Oh my goodness! Beauty, is that an engagement ring?" Jessie shouted suddenly, her eyes wide.
The three others stared at Beauty's finger curiously.
"Wait a minute..." Mrs. Hills said, her voice rising in disbelief. "Is that-"
She gasped, her hands immediately going to her chest. "Oh my God, it's really an engagement ring! Beauty, tell me this isn't what I think it is! He proposed?"
Beauty nodded and smiled shyly, already recovering from her shock.
"Yes, Mom," she said softly, holding out her hand. "Bruno proposed."
"Get out of my way!" Jessie pushed Shelley aside and rushed to check out the ring.
Mr. and Mrs. Hills exchanged glances. Mrs. Hills walked to her husband, and he hugged her.
Overwhelmed, Mrs. Hills went to Beauty and threw her arms around her.
"Oh, honey! I'm so happy for you!" Mrs. Hills exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes. "I knew he was the one. You're going to make such a beautiful bride."
Mr. Hills smiled and walked to Beauty.
"So, this is it, huh?" He looked at the ring, then at Beauty. "My baby girl is getting married. Come here."
Beauty stood up to hug her dad, her heart swelling.
"Congratulations, my baby."
"Thanks, Dad... thanks for everything," Beauty sobbed.
Jessie was the camera woman, recording the whole thing.
Beauty opened her eyes and found her twin Shelley at the back, smiling.
When Beauty and her dad pulled out from the hug, Shelley took a step forward.
"What a day to meet my sister... congratulations! I am so happy for you."
Beauty walked to her, and as if they knew what the other had in mind, they ran and hugged each other.
"Where have you been all my life? I have such a beautiful sister!" Beauty cried out.
"I was thinking the exact same thing! You feel so soft—I want to cuddle you to bed! You're gorgeous and so beautiful," Shelley replied.
Mr. and Mrs. Hills hugged each other again, Mrs. Hills crying into her husband's arms while he had tears in his eyes.
Just then, Shelley's phone announced:
"Big Crush Bruno's Birthday Tonight!"
Shelley's eyes widened, as did Jessie's and her parents'.
Shelley knew what was coming next and ran to turn it off, but it was too late.
"Don't miss it! You gotta confess your feelings!"
She got to the couch and closed her eyes tightly before canceling the reminder. Slowly, she turned and saw the faces she expected to see.
"You had a crush on Bruno too?"
Beauty asked.