The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 69

Regina said she would meet the Avery patriarch but she was regretting it now as they pulled up in front of the mansion behind Marcus's car. Savannah and Gabriella got out looking scared and anxious. The boys on the other hand were just excited as Marcus helped them out of his car. "WhooHoo! That was awesome!" Carlos and Tony declared as they hopped out of the Mustang. As soon as they saw their father's car they threw a fit if they weren't allowed to ride in it.

Marcus glanced around him pleased to see all the guest cars were gone. At least he wouldn't have to worry about an audience not that he minded. The sooner he announced the kids to the world the better but he didn't want Regina to feel more nervous than she already did either.

He chuckled catching Gabriella as she ran up to him. Regina worried she was getting too clingy but Marcus doted on her every moment. Reaching them he gave Savannah a hug as well to reassure her knowing she was just as self-conscious as her mother. He wanted them to feel comfortable. This was their home now.

Taking Regina's hand he led them up the steps. The door opened before they reached it and Abraham bowed as they entered. He smiled warmly at the kids.

"Welcome home, Master Marcus."

"Abraham."

"Wow, it comes with its own doorman," Carlos said eyeing the older man.

Marcus chuckled, "Abraham, this is Regina, Savannah, Carlos, Tony and Gabriella. Everyone, this is Abraham. If you can't replace me or grandpa Abraham can answer any questions you have."

"So what are you?" Tony asked. "Some sort of slave?"

"I am the butler. I am in charge of the house and staff. You may think of me as your personal assistant," Abraham chuckled. "As the Avery heirs all of this is yours. The estate and its contents belong to you." "Ours huh?" Tony repeated moving to a table with a porcelain vase. "So this belongs to us?"

"That's right."

"So it's no problem if I do this," Tony bumped the table making the vase teeter and crash to the floor.

Abraham winced at the harsh sound.

"Anthony Torres!" Regina exclaimed.

"What? If it's mine I can't get in trouble for breaking it, right?"

Marcus chuckled. Well, that was unexpected. Apparently his children were fearless.

"It is your inheritance," Abraham agreed. "Although I believe that vase in particular was only worth a hundred thousand dollars, so it is no great loss."

"That was worth a hundred grand?" Tony gasped looking suitably horrified as he surveyed his work.

"Indeed Master Tony, though your great-grandfather wasn't particularly fond of it... Perhaps we should refrain from breaking other things for now, shall we?"

"Y-yeah, okay, sure," Tony slowly backed away from the shattered remains feeling a little queasy. He couldn't even imagine that kind of money.

"Your grandfather is waiting in the study," Abraham informed looking again to Marcus.

"Right," Marcus slipped an arm around Regina and gently guided her. "Come on, let's go meet your great-grandpa."

"But what about..." Tony tailed off looking at the shattered vase again.

"Abraham will take care of it."

Tony jerked to attention seeing the butler was next to him armed with a broom and dustpan. Despite the extra chore he had just been given the old man still maintained a warm smile. "Um, sorry," Tony bowed his head.

"Nothing to worry about, Master Tony. If I could list everything your father broke in his younger days we'd be here for weeks. Off with you now, your grandfather is waiting."

With a smirk Tony hurried to catch up with his siblings and parents. He was already starting to like this place. The hallways all appeared vastly similar yet Marcus had no difficulty making his way to the study. He couldn't wait to see his grandfather's face when he officially introduced the kids. Knocking once he opened the door wide and ushered them in. "Hey grandpa, look who I brought," Marcus announced.

Miles looked up from his paperwork and immediately broke out in a wide smile. Grabbing his cane and lurching to his feet he hurriedly limped around his desk to greet them.

"Grandpa, Regina, Savannah, Carlos, Tony and Gabriella," Marcus informed though it wasn't really necessary. "Kids, this is your great-grandpa."

"Hello," Gabriella shyly greeted.

"Hello, angel," Miles smiled. "What's that in your ear?"

Reaching up, he seemingly pulled a silver dollar from her ear earning a startled gasp from the little one. With a chuckle he offered the coin to her and kissed her forehead.

"You are as pretty as your mother. Good thing because your dad is a bit of a sod."

"Gee, thanks," Marcus frowned though he happened to agree.

"Good to see you Savannah," Miles patted her head. "I heard you took first place at the science fair."

She nodded embarrassed as much by the attention as acknowledgement of her achievement. Savannah had never been one to toot her own horn and tried to avoid attracting attention and envy from others.

"And boys, you look so much like your father. I bet you eat like him too, eh?"

Carlos and Tony elbowed each other but neither knew how to respond. They'd never received this kind of attention from a grandfather before.

"Regina, my dear," Miles stepped closer giving her a hug. "I'm glad to see you again. I miss our little chats."

Regina returned his smile but didn't know how to respond. Every time Renata catered an Avery event invariably at some point in the night Regina found herself in conversation with the family patriarch. He asked about her day and family particularly about the children. She thought he was just being nice but now she knew he had been fishing for news about his great-grandchildren.

His smile though was genuine and friendly as ever. There was no hesitation as he embraced her, fully welcoming her despite everything he knew. He had to know she didn't belong there yet he showed no sign of wanting her to leave.

"I'm so glad you finally came to see me," Miles said looking at Gabriella. "How about you, my angel? Are you glad to be here?"

Gabriella nodded, "Do you know other tricks?"

"Oh, little one. You betcha. Come here, come to papa and I will show you," Miles eagerly took her from Marcus who was reluctant to let her go.

Limping Miles carried her to a chair and sat down. From the end table he took out a deck of cards and shuffled them once Gabriella was settled on his lap.

"Are you okay?" Gabriella asked looking from his cane to his leg.

"Oh yes, when I was your daddy's age I was in the army and I got sent to fight in a jungle. I got shot in the leg. They fixed me up but, it hurts every now and again," Miles patted his leg before fanning out the cards. "Now pick a card, any card. Don't show it to me. Show it to your siblings."

Gabriella did as told holding her card toward them so they could see she had drawn the three of clubs. Savannah and her brothers crept forward.

"Good, now place it on the top of the deck," Miles instructed before setting it down on the table. "And now Tony will cut the cards. Good. And now I will replace your card."

Miles stacked up the deck again and waved his hand over it making the kids snicker at his antics. He fanned them out across the coffee table waving his hand again before gently pulling one free and handing her the three of clubs.

"Is this your card?"

Gabriella gasped clapping in delight. He chuckled hugging her. Savannah maintained a thoughtful expression as she tried to figure out how the trick was done though the boys seemed just as surprised as their sister. They settled around the old man who was being so open and friendly as he squared up the deck again. Being used to their maternal grandfather's cold shoulder this was a very new experience for all of them.

Marcus moved closer to Regina pulling her into his arms and resting his chin on her shoulder. Noticing the tears she was holding back he quietly asked, "You okay?"

"Yes," Regina sniffled. "I'm fine."

She leaned against him savoring the sight of her babies enjoying this simple distraction. Marcus kissed her temple. He didn't know the details about her father's aversion to the kids but he knew enough to understand this was a special moment for them all. "Marcus? Marcus! There you are. We have something to discuss."

He stiffened at the harsh voice. With a sigh he looked over his shoulder to see his mother marching toward him. Her pace slowed as her gaze fell on their company. Her eyes darted from Regina to the kids and back again. "Who are these people?"

"Mother, this is Regina," Marcus introduced. "My fiancée once I can get a ring and ask her properly."

Regina suddenly jerked to attention her mouth falling open. Was he being serious?

"Assuming you'll say yes?" Marcus asked hopefully before looking again to his mother. "And these are our children: Savannah, Carlos, Tony and Gaby."

"Your children? Cybil repeated.

"That's right," Marcus hugged Regina tight again. "Ours."