Page 62 of Cayden

“The shape of your cheeks, the slant of the eyes. All yours. Which means that I am going to have to get my shot gun at the ready to discourage the boys who will come sniffing around.”

“I was never beautiful…” She shook her head when he opened his mouth to object.

“Not in the accepted sense. I never yearned to be popular or one of the crowd. I was content to just be me. Quiet, a little unassuming but someone with a voice.” She linked her fingers with his. “You make me feel beautiful. It took me a while to realize that in your eyes I was – am.”

“Always and that’s pure nonsense what you just said. You just do not see yourself the way I do, or others do. I have to fight off my brothers and threaten them with bodily harm to get them to back the hell off. And remind them that you are mine.” His arm tightened around her waist.

“And since being pregnant and giving birth, your beauty has increased.” His expression sobered. “You have this sweetness and pureness about you that’s indescribable and people are drawn to it.” Tilting her chin up, he brushed his lips against hers. “And you’re all mine.”

*****

Clive leaned against the door jamb with arms folded on his chest as he took in the unlikely scene.

His big brother, VP of one of the largest and most successful wine and liquor company in the world was spread eagled out in the middle of a makeshift pink and blue floor made up entirely of jigsaw puzzles depicting a forest scene, complete with animals frolicking, some in repose, while others sipped water from a glossy-looking river.

And his children were in twin attached swings on either side of him. He was wearing baggy sweats and an old t-shirt. His hair was mussed, and Clive had never seen him look happier or more contented. He wondered fleetingly what the people in their society would think of him, if they saw him now.

“Have you driven away the nannies already?”

The babies had so absorbed his brother, he had not heard or felt Clive’s presence.

“I sent them away – they were smothering the babies and getting on my last nerves.” He pushed at the swing holding the girls’ gently.

“And your wife?” Clive strolled into the room and dropped down next to his nephews. He was learning to tell them apart now. Reporters had somehow gotten a pic of them and had spread it all over various papers. Dubbing them ‘The Wealthy Quads’, much to the family’s annoyance.

“Gone to lunch with Leesa and the others.” He continued to push the swing, a smile curving his lips as Bianca fastened large hazel eyes on him. Bella was already sleeping.

“Ah, the summer gala. Hey buddy.” Clive worked a finger into Chad’s tight fist. “They are thriving, even after several scares.”

Cayden’s eyes darkened when he thought back on it. Chad had suffered a series of ear infection that had them fearing he would lose his hearing in the left ear.

Caleb had breathing problem and had to be rushed to the clinic. The girls seemed to be oblivious to the illnesses plaguing their brothers and continued to thrive and grow. Now it looked like they were over the worst (please God!).

He had seen what each rush to the clinic had done to his wife and himself and wanted normalcy.

Clive looked over at his brother, sensing the tension. “They are babies and more than that, preemies. We all knew there would be complications.”

“I had to order Blair to get her fine ass out of the house and take a damn break.”

“And yet, here you are.” Clive sent him an amused look. “Keeping them close and chasing off the nannies.”

“I want to spend time with them. It is the start of summer which means a hell of a lot of activities. New labels to promote and trips to make.

They cannot travel yet of course, and I do not want to leave them knowing that something might happen, and I am thousands of miles away.” He ran a gentle finger over Bianca’s silky dark brown hair. “That would kill me.”

They both looked up as Conail and Alberto joined them.

“It seems we’re late to the party.” Alberto immediately lowered himself to sit next to Clive while Conail joined Cayden.

“I cannot get over how beautiful they are.” He commented, touching Bianca’s bunched fist in fascination. “And how much they have twisted themselves into my heart.”

“They have, haven’t they?” His father agreed with a whimsical smile.

*****

“Dad?”

“Around the back.”

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