Oops! My Secret Baby Is Caught By His Top-Lawyer Daddy! Novel

---- Chapter 72: Everything I Ever Wanted Was Right Here As Clara finished playing, the music faded-and the living room instantly erupted into applause. Derek yelled, "That was amazing! Took me straight back to my golden years!" Sierra smirked. "You mean back when you actually had hair?" Derek clutched his head like he'd been fatally wounded. "Excuse you! My hair is alive and thriving, okay?" Tristan added fuel to the fire, grinning as he said, "I think she meant before your beer belly showed up." Derek clutched his chest. "I-I-Why is it always me?!

Why am I the only one getting roasted tonight?" He turned his big, sad eyes to Scarlett. "Honey, did you hear that? They're all bullying me!" ---- That one word-"honey"-sent Scarlett's heart into a frenzy. She was practically glowing. She rushed over and gave his back a few comforting pats. "Hey now, take it easy on him! I've got to protect my man!" Everyone burst out laughing, finally letting poor Derek off the hook. Clara laughed along, then turned back to the piano and started playing a lively Christmas song. Elsie and Leo had just finished tearing into their gifts.

The moment they heard the melody, they jumped up, spinning and singing like two little elves on a sugar high. Scarlett couldn't resist joining them, and soon, the whole living room was a happy mess of music, dancing, and laughter. Clara played every Christmas tune she could remember, her fingers dancing effortlessly across the keys. Toward the end, Tristan raised a hand. "Mind playing 'Lonely Christmas'?" he asked ---- with a mock-sigh.

"This poor single guy wants to sing something from the heart." So he stepped up, cleared his throat, and sang in that deep, velvety voice of his: Some reindeer sleigh goes flying overhead tonight, Yet no gift tumbles down-no star, no spark, no light. City bulbs still glitter, but tonight they burn too bright, Only tracing silver circles round my quiet plight. Who would lean in gently, press a kiss upon my lips, Letting that soft touch swear I've known love's eclipse? Snowflakes seek shelter on my shoulder, drifting slow, Still they melt and slip away-nothing stays, I know.

---- Merry, Merry Christmas- Merry, Merry Christmas- Lonely, Lonely Christmas- Lonely, Lonely Christmas. Through the crowd I try to speak the truth I've kept inside, You just laugh along, chasing jokes that quickly slide. At dawn the festive lights come down, boxed up and gone, Leaving only one last cheer that ends before the song... His voice was rich, magnetic, and full of emotion-enough to make every woman in the room give him a standing ovation. Everyone swore they were going to set him up before next Christmas rolled around-no way he was spending another one alone.

As the night wore on, the atmosphere stayed ---- lively and warm. Everyone kept chatting, drinking, laughing, and singing-nobody looked ready to leave. The giant Christmas tree stretched all the way to the ceiling, decked out in dazzling ornaments. The house was warm and glowing. Sweet music filled the air. The food was delicious. Her favorite people were all here. Her love was here. (Well, except for her mom...) Clara sat back and took it all in. This-this right here-was everything she had ever wanted in life.

And for the first time in her memory, she truly felt like this was the happiest Christmas she'd ever had. Aaron, on the other hand, was completely elsewhere. He couldn't focus. Every second dragged. He wasn't following any of the conversations, let alone joining in. But the others didn't think much of it. They figured he was zoning out again, probably internally judging them for having "low-brow"