Page 28 of Cayden

“That’s an unexpected news.” Alberto’s gray eyes swung from Blair to his eldest son. “How…?”

“IVF.” Cayden offered tightly, his fingers pressing against hers on the table. “We decided to take that route.”

Her soft gasp went unheard and only two people at the table realized it was not quite the truth. Marianne and Clive.

Conail’s grin was forthcoming. “I guess congrats are in order. Brother, you really go for the mega, don’t you?”

Ignoring his son’s comment, Alberto flicked a glance at Blair. “I want to be on board with all of this and consider it wonderful news, but…,” he paused and waited for the maid to set the side dishes down and left the room. “I know a bit about multiples and figure out that this comes with high risks.”

“Yes.” Cayden clipped. “David Melbourne is heading the team who will be monitoring my wife for the entire time.”

His gray eyes switched to Blair who had so far remained silent. “My dear, what do you have to say for yourself.”

“She…”

“I can speak for myself.” She was getting annoyed at her husband’s take-charge manner. His pretending to be on board was not sitting well with her.

Taking a deep breath, she tugged her hand from beneath his. “Full disclosure. I went into this on my own. I went behind my husband’s back and proceeded with the IVF. I was desperate…,” her breath hitched slightly, but she carried on.

“I wanted a family – want a family and thought it was the only way out. I never expected four…,”she paused again and took a sip of water. “I know it’s a lot and my husband,” she avoided his eyes, “he is furious with me. I am going to need everyone’s support.

I know I was never the ideal wife you would have chosen for Cayden, but I love him and right now I am pregnant with four babies. In another month or so, I will be – things will change…” She shook her head. “I never dreamed I would – that this would…”

“Hey.” It was Clive who reached out to place his hand over hers, sending his entire family sweeping glances. “We’re absolutely here for you and I am sure my hardheaded brother will come to his senses…”

“Stay the hell out of it! She is my goddamned wife and…”

“Then bloody well start acting like it!” Clive snapped back. “She needs your support!”

“Enough!” Alberto’s authoritative voice sliced through the argument and was effective in silencing the siblings.

“This is not the time nor the place.” He continued, looking from Cayden to Clive. “My dear,” he looked at Blair, “I do not know quite what to say. This is unprecedented. Clive is right,” he glanced at his eldest son. “Your wife is going to need your support.” He looked around the table.

“All of our support. In this family, we face our challenges head on.” He glanced back at Cayden who remained rigidly silent andunyielding. “If you want to cut back some of your responsibilities at the office…”

“No. I will be accompanying her to all of her appointments and whatever can be done here at home, I will see that it’s done.”

“If you think that’s best,” his father nodded, “in the meantime, we are here if you need anything.”

“Thanks.” Blair told him soberly. Pushing back her chair, she rose before Cayden could get up. “I am not feeling well and would like to be excused.”

“I could come up…”

“No.” She shook her head as her husband stood up and took her arm. “I need to be alone right now.” Pulling out of his hold, she left the room.

The silence was resounding and fraught with tension. Cayden’s appetite had complete deserted him and all he wanted to do was to go somewhere and have a strong drink, probably an entire bottle of alcohol. Pulling out his chair, he sat back down.

“I will go up and talk with her a bit.” Marianne broke the silence and had her son looking over at her.

“Just as long as you’re not stressing her out even more.” He smiled grimly. “I think I am doing that all on my own.”

*****

She went straight into her private salon and seriously considered locking the damn door. She had taken off the dress she worn for supper and put on something comfortable. The sweat suit was old and one she had kept when Marianne had insisted on her getting rid of her clothing.

The shirt was one of her husband’s a plain white undershirt that she grabbed from his drawer. The comforting scent of his cologne somehow managed to soothe her.

She had finished the painting of the cabin, and it was propped up on the opposite wall. A new canvas was on the easel – the stark white waiting for her to put some color to it. She was feeling particularly emotional right now and sick to her stomach. The pills, myriad of them were making her feel a little dizzy.

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