Page 27 of Cayden

“I just need yours. Your support is the most important part of all this. Without you…” She inhaled a shaky breath. “I cannot do this on my own Cayden. If you want me to apologize for jumping ahead, then I will do so again. But please, I need you.”

Cayden's grip on the steering wheel tightened even further, his knuckles turning a stark white. The weight of Blair's words hung heavily in the air, mingling with the tension that had cocooned them both. He knew she was right, but the fear gnawed at him relentlessly, poisoning his thoughts and actions.

The car ride was silent, save for the occasional hum of the engine and the distant thrum of traffic. When they finally pulled into the driveway, Cayden turned off the engine and sat there for amoment, his jaw clenched. Blair watched him, her heart aching, wanting so desperately to bridge the chasm between them.

"Cayden," she said softly, reaching out to touch his arm. He flinched but didn't pull away. "We can get through this. Together. But not if we keep letting this fear control us."

He exhaled deeply, a shuddering breath that seemed to carry the weight of the world. Turning to face her, his eyes were dark with a storm of emotions. "I'm scared, Blair," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm terrified of losing you. I do not know how to handle it."

Tears welled up in her eyes as she gripped his arm tighter. "We'll handle it one day at a time, one moment at a time. We have to trust each other, lean on each other. Please, Cayden. Let me in."

For a moment, he just stared at her, the conflict evident in his gaze. Then he shook his head. “Let’s get you inside. I am going to need time to sort through my feelings.” Jerking the door open, he got out and came to open her door. Blair felt her heart aching with the realization that he avoided touching her completely.

Lifting her chin, She wrapped her jacket around her more securely and sailed ahead of him. The massive redwood doors open as if by magic and she had to force a smile at the ramrod straight frame that offered a pleased smile as he took her coat.

“Ms. Blair, Mr. Cayden.” Bryce Lowell was the unofficial butler and official ruler of the household staff and had been with the family since before Cayden was born. “The family are all gathered in the blue and white salon. Dinner will be served at eight.”

“Thank you, Bryce. Will you tell the family that we’re going upstairs to freshen up and will be right down?”

“Of course.” The man bowed formally and disappeared.

“Go on up.”

“Where are you going?”

“I have some business to discuss with the family.” His eyes were cold and remote. “Do not worry, I would not dream of imparting the news without you. I will be up in a few minutes.” Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and strode down the hallway. She stood there for a moment before making her way up the spiral staircase.

As Blair reached the top of the staircase, she paused, glancing back down at the empty hallway where Cayden had disappeared. Her heart felt heavy, the weight of their unresolved tension pressing down on her. She moved towards their bedroom, hoping that some solitude would help clear her mind.

Entering the room, Blair was struck by the familiar comfort of their shared space. The soft lighting, the warm tones, and the scent that was uniquely theirs. She took a moment to steady herself, running her fingers through her hair before heading to the ensuite bathroom to freshen up.

Cayden, meanwhile, walked with purpose towards the blue and white salon. His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, but he knew he had to put on a composed front for his family. As he entered the room, his family members looked up, their conversations halting momentarily.

“Cayden, glad you could join us,” his father said, his voice carrying a note of authority that never failed to command attention. “We were just discussing the latest developments.”

Cayden nodded, taking a seat, and trying to focus on the matters at hand. But his thoughts kept drifting back to Blair, to the look in her eyes when he had left her at the foot of the stairs. He knew he had to make things right, but for now, this was where he needed to be.

Back upstairs, Blair finished freshening up and sat on the edge of the bed, her thoughts racing. She understood the pressure Cayden was under, but it didn’t make the distance between them any easier to bear. She resolved to be patient, to give him the space he needed, while also being ready to support him when the time came.

After what felt like an eternity, Cayden finally came upstairs. He found Blair sitting by the window, staring out at the sprawling estate.

“I will go and freshen up.” He tugged the sweater over his head and carelessly tossed it on the side of the loveseat. “This willonly take a few minutes. We are already running late.” Without another word, he strode into the closet to finish undressing.

The last thing she wanted to do was face the entire family and tell them the news that was no doubt going to stir up a mixture of conflicting reactions. On top of that, they were going to notice the tension between her and Cayden. Clive had already remarked on it in anger, blaming his brother for being a fool. She had defended him of course.

But now, they would know why things were not all right between them. Rubbing a hand at the back of her neck, she rose a little unsteadily to see about her makeup.

*****

“My dear, you’re not drinking your wine?” The conversation ceased immediately around the dinner table at the comment from the head of the family. Alberto Caruso had turned his attention from speaking with his son, Clive, towards her.

Blair was so taken aback that she froze in the middle of reaching for her glass of water. The food was entirely too rich, and she had to force herself to stay around the table and try and settle her heaving stomach with the garlic and tomato soup.

She opened her mouth to respond, when to her surprise, she felt her husband’s hand covering hers. His eyes met hers briefly before turning to take in the people around the table.

“We have an announcement to make. We are pregnant.” He said it without preamble and with as little emotion as possible. “There’s more.” He continued as everyone lapsed into silence. “We just came home from having an ultrasound done and it’s…,” he faltered slightly. “Quadruplets.”

A collective gasp echoed around the room, the weight of the revelation settling heavily in the air. Blair squeezed Cayden's hand, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced at Clive, whose expression shifted from shock to an unreadable mask. Across the table, Alberto's eyes widened, his stern facade momentarily breaking.

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