The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 79

Lorenzo jerked around to see the groom standing beside him in the growing shadows. He took a step back wondering if he was about to be accused of trespassing. "Don't...Just relax," Marcus said. "Let's not spoil the evening for everyone, eh? You're Regina's father, right?"

Lorenzo slowly relaxed although he still couldn't get over his shock. The man knew who he was and didn't seem surprised he was there. Just who was he? "...That's right. And you are?"

"Marcus, Marcus Avery. It's nice to finally meet you."

"Avery?"

Marcus nodded letting the reality sink in. He could tell this was not a meeting his father-in-law expected. But it still begged the question why he was even there. "H-how?"

"How what? How is it that I met Regina? How am I the person lucky enough to marry her? How do I know who you are?"

"...Yes."

Marcus smirked, "I met Regina six years ago. We were both a little drunk. It was my normal state of being and she was trying to forget. Things happened...and the triplets were born." "...You mean..."

"They are mine. How the hell she raised them on her own is beyond me," Marcus sighed. "I'm overwhelmed now with an army of people to help me. I can't imagine what it was like when they were only babies. My grandfather sent me to Europe to learn some life lessons and I didn't see Regina again until I came back. Imagine my surprise when I found out I was a father. She's an amazing woman. Which begs the question...why are you here?" Lorenzo hesitated.

"Why weren't you the one to walk her down the aisle? How could you turn your back on her and the kids?"

"...You wouldn't understand."

"You're right. I don't. I thought a father's love is supposed to be unconditional."

"You don't know what it is like. To hold your precious little babies, to have such high hopes and then watch them throw it all away, for what?"

"Regina didn't throw anything away," Marcus shook his head. "She had a baby."

"And look where that got her. And she clearly didn't learn her lesson the first time. She went and did it again...times three."

"So that's it? That's why you turned your back on her? Why you refused to even look at your grandkids?"

"If it wasn't for them..."

"Don't do that. Don't you dare," Marcus scowled. "They are children. They didn't ask to be born. It takes two people to make a baby last I checked. Regina might not have made the best decision but she wasn't alone. I'm just as responsible...as is Savannah's father. I wish I would have known sooner but I know now and I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to them. And that includes Savannah. She deserves to know what it's like to be loved and treated like a princess."

Lorenzo frowned. He had always wondered what the triplets' father was like. He hadn't been all that impressed with Savannah's so he didn't have much hope but Marcus was definitely not what he expected. What would it have been like if he had come sooner? Lorenzo looked across the lawn watching the celebrations. Everyone looked happy. The kids were having fun and Regina was all smiles and laughter. No one seemed to be upset with the fact she had kids out of wedlock. The boys were carousing with several others and Savannah had a circle of friends. It took him a moment to replace Gabriella who had been a bundle of energy all night. Now she was settled in an older man's lap.

"Who is that?" he asked.

Marcus followed his gaze, "My grandfather, their great-grandfather. He adores Gaby and she loves him. They have tea parties daily and she loves it when he shows her magic tricks." "...She's healthy then?"

"If you mean her heart...yes. It's a genetic condition. She may need surgery when she's older but for now we are managing it with medication," Marcus informed. "But she's happy and healthy and I'll make sure she has a long life." Lorenzo nodded slowly digesting the information.

"Look, I don't give a damn what you think of me or Regina or the kids," Marcus shook his head. "But I'm not going to let you ruin their day. I know Regina misses you and if you want to join us, wish her congratulations and...maybe dance with her...I know she'll be thrilled. But if you're here to cause a scene I'll ask you to leave now. So it's your choice. Be the father and grandfather they deserve or walk away. What will it be?"

"What will other people think?"

"What does it matter?" Marcus scoffed. "What matters is whether you have the courage to go out there and take your daughter's hand. Well? Do you?"

***

"Miles, how are you doing?" Regina asked as she approached the table.

"Just fine, my dear," Miles took her hand and kissed it. "I should be asking you that."

"Fine," Regina smiled reaching to smooth Gabriella's hair. "I can have Abraham or someone bring her to bed."

"I don't mind at all," Miles gave her a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. "She's an angel. As is her mother."

Regina blushed. Miles's compliments were often harder to take than those from Marcus. She was beginning to see just where Marcus got his way with words. Still she was having a good time even if the reality still hadn't sunk in. "Have you seen Marcus? I lost track of him," Regina glanced across the crowd.

"Oh, I think he wandered off to retrieve a special surprise," Miles said.

"He what?" Regina's head snapped back to him. "Don't tell me he went out and bought something! I told him I didn't want any gifts."

"Oh...I think you'll like this one," Miles said as his gaze settled on something behind her.

"Regina."

She turned at Marcus's voice ready to give him a piece of her mind when she suddenly froze as her gaze settled on the man beside him. It had been months since she last saw her father or talked to him yet he stood in front of her with a look of fear and determination. He wore his usual button-up flannel and trousers so it was clear he hadn't expected a party despite what her mother said about trying to convince him to come to the wedding.

"...Dad?" Regina softly greeted, her gaze glancing at Marcus who gave her an encouraging smile. "W-what are you doing here?"

"I...I was sitting at home, thinking," Lorenzo hesitantly admitted. "It's been so quiet without you and the kids visiting. I was worried something happened."

He glanced at Gabriella dozing in Mile's lap. She was almost five years old and never once did Lorenzo ever hold her but his arms itched to now.

"I heard about her trip to the hospital. I didn't...want that. I didn't want you to stay away."

Regina sniffled quietly reaching over to pat Gabriella's head. Somehow the contact helped her stay calm. Miles patted her hand for extra comfort. By now he had heard all about her troubles with her father. It disheartened him to know they were estranged. It wasn't any wonder Regina had a difficult time trusting people and why she feared abandonment.

"So...why did you come here?" Regina asked.

"I-I wanted to apologize, for everything, and...I wanted to ask my daughter if she'd like to dance?"

Tears blurred her vision. Was this really happening? Was it a dream?

Marcus gave his father-in-law's shoulder a squeeze before moving to Regina's side. His arm slipped around her waist and he kissed her temple before whispering, "Go on. Dance with your father. You deserve it."