The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 68

"Let's sit down," Ulima said after a moment, wiping her eyes.

"I think we can all use a drink," Sarah agreed.

She disappeared inside returning with a tray of glasses. Setting them down she went back inside for a pitcher of fruit punch and the food trays Ulima had made in anticipation of the kids getting hungry after their playtime. It took only a moment to get the kids settled with their drinks and food allowing the adults to sit around the table.

Gabriella refused to leave her newly declared father and sat on Marcus's lap while she nibbled on her cookie. For his part Marcus didn't want to be parted from her either, doting on her and reaching for anything she desired from the serving trays. "Señora, you don't have to do that," Ulima protested as Sarah brought out napkins.

"Nonsense!" Sarah shook her head, "this is my house, I'm hostess and I will serve my guests!"

Ulima sighed in resignation even as Renata and Regina looked on in wonder. Sarah certainly wasn't your typical heiress. Settling down in another chair Sarah looked over at Regina and Marcus.

"So what's next for you two?"

Regina looked at her before her eyes darted to Marcus. She had no idea what she was going to do now. This entire week was far too overwhelming for her to think clearly.

"Well..." Marcus gave her an anxious glance. "Like I said, my grandpa is dying to meet the kids. And I'm pretty sure I'm not allowed back home without them and you. He told me not to come home empty-handed."

"How does he even know about them?" Renata asked. "For that matter, Gaby how did you even know he's your daddy?"

"Because he came to see me in the hospital," Gabriella said without hesitation. "He held my hand and patted my hair and told me I'd be okay."

"Sweetie," Renata shook her head ready to protest but noticed Marcus's awkward smile. "That's impossible...isn't it?"

"Actually..." Marcus sighed. "My family owns that hospital. I'm acting administrator and I was in the office the day Regina rushed her in."

"So...you really did visit her?" Regina asked in disbelief.

Marcus nodded stroking Gabriella's hair, "And I'm not the only one. My grandfather knows all about you and the kids."

"...What?"

"He's always known. He was there when the kids were born and even had paternity tests done to be sure," Marcus was hesitant to admit but it would come out eventually.

Regina felt herself run cold even as her heart rate increased. She was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack and didn't know what she was going to do. She thought she had been so careful. She hadn't told a soul but it was all for nothing. "Hey, take it easy," Marcus clutched her hand seeing she was close to hyperventilating. "Breathe Regina. Breathe. It's okay. He wanted to reach out to you but he didn't want to draw unwanted attention to you since I was...hopeless. It's why he sent me away. It wasn't just about me learning business. He wanted me to learn how to be a father by interning with the son of one of his army buddies."

"Julius," Sarah said without prompting. "So you are the assistant Macey was talking about."

Marcus gave her an embarrassed smile.

"Small world," Sarah shook her head.

"So...you grandfather knows?" Regina said after a moment. "And he's...not mad?"

"No, of course not," Marcus chuckled. "To be honest he probably likes you more than me."

"So you've known..."

"No. No, he didn't tell me until this morning," Marcus shook his head. "But I should have. I should have figured it out. Carlos and Tony look just like me not to mention their allergy to strawberries. The triplets' ages. My father died from a heart attack. It might have been the same disease that's plaguing Gaby. There were so many clues I just never put any of it together."

Marcus stroked Gabriella's hair and kissed her head. No matter what he wouldn't allow her to end up like his father. She would have the best care and treatment and she would live a long, happy life. He would spare no expense to ensure it. Gabriella, the boys, Savannah and Regina were his world now and nothing else mattered.

"I still can't believe Regina never told us," Renata looked at her sister. This was such a huge secret to keep to herself.

"I do," Marcus said. "She was trying to protect the kids." "From what?"

"Elizabeth," Marcus shook his head. "Her parents are friends with my mother so we grew up together. My mother thought we would be the perfect couple. She's a real piece of work. I can't stand her. She's the one who called CPS. She would have done worse if she knew the truth."

"She called!" Renata exclaimed. "How did she even know about them?"

"Apparently she had me followed," Marcus shook his head. "I don't know all the details. She did it as a warning for Regina to stay away from me and to get my attention."

"So...why were you spending time with Regina if you didn't know the kids were yours?" Renata asked still confused.

"Regina and I spent one night together," Marcus hesitated. "But I never forgot her. I wasn't lying about that. She has been haunting me for years."

"That makes no sense," Renata shook her head.

"Actually it makes perfect sense," Sarah disagreed. "Lucas was the same way when I left after our first marriage fell apart. He was obsessed with replaceing me. Something about being completely denied really sets these men off." Marcus grimaced.

"So when you saw me at your welcome home party you thought I was Regina," Renata said after some thought.

"Yeah, sorry about that," Marcus blushed recalling the encounter. "I saw both of you at the science fair. That's when I realized you were twins."

"Science fair? You mean the one Savannah won?"

"I was one of the judges," Marcus admitted.

Renata shook her head, "That's an amazing coincidence: you being the administrator at the hospital and judge at the science fair."

"Not really," Marcus shook his head. "Pretty sure my grandpa planned all of it intending for me to replace Regina again."

"So what is this Elizabeth going to do now?" Renata asked. If calling CPS was her first move what would she do for an encore?

"Nothing. She can't touch kids once my grandpa and I make it known they are the Avery heirs. And she can't touch Regina with me by her side. Besides, I publicly humiliated her this morning. I doubt she'll recover from that any time soon." "But won't your grandfather be angry?" Renata asked.

"About Elizabeth? No, he hates her. The only thing that will make him angry is if I don't manage to bring Regina and the kids home."

"Papa wants to see us?" Gabriella asked, ever hopeful.

"Absolutely," Marcus assured her. "He loves you so much."

Smiling Gabriella snuggled in his arms satisfied. The others shared worried glances. They hoped Marcus wasn't raising her expectations unnecessarily. She already endured so much disappointment due to her grandfather. They didn't want her to suffer more. Their looks were not lost on Marcus as he squeezed Regina's hand.

"Believe me, Regina. If it ever comes down to it my grandpa will side with you and the kids over me in a heartbeat."

"I'd believe him," Sarah nodded. "Alice said the exact same thing to Lucas at our second wedding. She said if he ever did something as stupid as divorcing me again she would write him out of her will and give everything to the kids. She'd come out of retirement and he'd be out on the streets so he better not test her."

The others chuckled but it gave Regina little comfort. What did she know about these sorts of families? She was so far out of her depth.

"Regina," Sarah managed to get her attention. "I know it seems like an insurmountable mountain right now but don't think about it. Take it one step and day at a time. Go and meet Miles Avery before you start jumping to conclusions. If he's anything like Alice or Augustus he'll be on your side all the way."

Regina let out an uneasy breath, "...Okay. I'll go."