The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 48

"Mom? Um...mom?"

Regina stirred. She blinked. Her head ached and her mind was foggy. Slowly her vision focused enough to see Savannah standing over her, "Morning sweetie." "Morning," Savannah hesitated. "I came to see if Gaby was in here but...um...mom. Who is that?"

"Who is what?" Regina rose to her elbow and looked over her shoulder. She wasn't at all surprised to see Gabriella sound asleep beside her. Regina would have been more surprised if Gabriella wasn't there. It was the other form that shocked her beyond words. Marcus lay on his side facing her. Though his shoes were off he was still in his clothes from the night before. Oddly he was sleeping on top of the covers but that wasn't even the most shocking part. His arm protectively held Gabriella while the little one snuggled close to him. Both were sound asleep. What was he doing here?

Regina's overworked mind struggled to piece together a night that was vague and indistinct. She remembered performing on stage, the bidding and her conversation with Marcus then...She got paid. And then...

The attack...that's right. A man tried to mug her and when she couldn't give him money he intended to make her pay in another way. Regina would never forget the terror of that moment. It was only surpassed by the relief of what happened next.

He saved her. For reasons she still could not fathom Marcus had rushed to her rescue. When he tried to drive her to the hospital she refused insisting she needed to go home. Not only had he driven her he also walked her to her door to make sure she was okay. They talked while he tried to give her first aid. She fell asleep but didn't she see him out first? Or was that the sitter? How long after that did she fall asleep?

Despite the gaps in her memory it was clear he must have carried her to bed. After that it was not difficult to guess the rest. Gabriella woke up and probably demanded a drink. What was surprising was that Marcus apparently took care of her. The way Gabriella was snuggled close to him certainly indicated she had no fear of him.

"Mom?"

Regina looked at Savannah who was understandably anxious. This was the first time Regina ever brought a man home let alone had one in her bed. Luckily they were both fully clothed so there was no need to explain that.

"He's...a friend," Regina said after a long moment. "We saw each other at the cl-restaurant and decided to catch up. It got later than we thought and we both fell asleep."

Savannah stared at her mother frowning slightly. She certainly couldn't say it was a lie but it also wasn't the complete truth. Over the years of observing her mother Savannah had gotten rather good at recognizing topics her mother didn't want to discuss. Her gaze slid back to the sleeping stranger curled around Gabriella. There was something familiar about him. Maybe...

"Umm...then I'll get breakfast ready," Savannah finally said.

"We'll be up in a minute," Regina nodded watching her retreat.

She slowly turned back to the sleeping pair and smiled. If only either of them knew the truth. Gabriella had wanted her father for so long and now she was snuggled in his arms. If only for a moment she had her wish.

Regina's smile fell. It wouldn't last. Marcus only helped her on a whim. Maybe he felt obligated after the trouble he caused the previous week. She had no choice but to admit he had somehow recognized her.

Apparently he hadn't forgotten about their night together at all. But not only did he remember her he somehow had recognized her through the mask. For some reason she wasn't upset at that thought. In fact, if she was being honest, the thought gave her quite a bit of pleasure.

Even so he didn't seem to have realized the rest. Not once had he ever questioned the children's father. He never inquired and seemed to assume it was someone else. If he knew the truth about the kids he would be furious and disgusted. No man of his status would tolerate having such weak progeny.

Regina saw the results herself. Hers were hardly the only illegitimate heirs wandering the lower side of the city, struggling because they had been abandoned by uncaring relatives. She didn't even have to look far. Becky told her dozens of stories of growing up after her mother was abandoned by her one-time lover when his first love returned. Even now Becky could open a paper on any given day and read news of her half-siblings living among the city's elite knowing they would never meet. In fact they didn't even know she existed. Regina was determined her own children wouldn't suffer such humiliation.

"Gaby. Gaby?" Regina gently shook her shoulder.

"...mmm..." the toddler stirred. "...mommy?"

"Morning baby. How do you feel?"

"Hungry."

Regina chuckled, "Why don't you go replace Savannah?"

"Kay," Gabriella wiggled free of her slumbering guardian. "Mommy, is daddy going to eat with us too?"

Regina sucked in a breath. If only her baby knew the weight of those words. Finally she said, "I don't know. I think he had important work to do."

"But it's Sunday."

"Yes but that doesn't mean people don't work."

Gabriella frowned.

"Come on," Regina picked her up and set her on her feet. "I'll be there in a minute."

"Okay." Gabriella was reluctant but she obediently turned and headed to the kitchen.

Regina waited a moment before turning back to the man sleeping in her bed. Gently shaking his shoulder she said, "Marcus...Marcus?"

He moaned.

"...Time to get up."

With a sigh Marcus finally opened his eyes. His back and neck ached and he wondered why the mattress was so uncomfortably firm. Looking up he saw Regina watching him. The previous night flashed in his mind and he lurched up. She chuckled as he looked at the empty space between them. "The kids are already up," Regina said.

A smile twitched his lips, "In other words if I want a great escape I need to climb out the window."

Regina blushed. Honestly she had forgotten that part. It was risky enough to tell Savannah a fib. Stretching the truth in front of the boys was doubly dangerous. Both of them were extremely clever and didn't have Savannah's sense to avoid arguments. They openly questioned everything they felt didn't make sense.

"How are you feeling?" Marcus asked.

"Fi-Okay," Regina hesitated.

He reached up and gently ran his fingers through her hair to feel for the bump that worried him the night before. It seemed smaller now and he breathed a relieved sigh. After a moment he looked again at Regina's face to see her blushing. Realizing the intimate nature of their current position he quickly removed his hand.

"Sorry."

"It's all right," Regina shook her head fighting the rush of embarrassment. "So...um. I'm going to check on the kids. Feel free to use the bathroom for...whatever."

She stood quickly retreating. Marcus couldn't help but smirk. Why was she always running away from him? What was she afraid of?

With a sigh he slid his shoes back on, stood and decided to make good on her offer. Retreating to the bathroom he relieved himself and tried to improve his appearance. Combing through his hair and straightening his shirt made him seem a little less disheveled. With another deep breath he stepped out to face the music.