The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 28

"Come here, Gaby. I'll show you too," Savannah said taking the little girl from her mother.

Savannah knelt at the table and helped her sister with the banana experiment while their mother looked on with a gentle smile. The boys watched for awhile before losing interest. Carlos grabbed one of the bananas, peeled it and took a bite. Tony didn't hesitate to pick out the blueberries and eating them as well. Savannah gave them a dirty look but focused on her little sister.

"Regina!"

She turned to see Renata hurrying toward them. Smiling she hugged her sister.

"Auntie Nata!" Gabriella giggled waving to her but remained with Savannah as they continued their experiment filtering their concoction. Gaby stood with her chin on the table watching it slowly filter into the glass. Unlike her brothers she had no trouble focusing on even mundane tasks.

"Hello precious," Renata chuckled patting her head. "How'd you do, Savannah?"

The older girl pointed at her trophy with an embarrassed smile.

"That's fantastic! Good for you, sweetie!"

"Thanks," Savannah blushed.

"Sorry I'm late," Renata turned to her sister.

"I just got here myself," Regina shook her head. "There was an incident at the boy's preschool."

"Oh, not again."

Regina nodded.

"Carlos, Tony when are you going to stop causing so much mischief?"

"It wasn't our fault. We didn't start it," Carlos said.

"Yeah, we just finished it," Tony agreed. "Amil is a jerk. He should learn to keep his mouth shut."

Renata breathed deep and shook her head, "Mom wants you to swing by so she can see Savannah's prize."

"How does she know Savannah won anything?" Regina asked. "I haven't sent her any news yet."

"You know how she is. She's convinced Savannah is the smartest kid in the entire world."

"Well, she's not wrong," Regina sighed and winked at her daughter who seemed embarrassed by all the praise. "She'll either save the world or destroy it."

Renata chuckled, "Anyway, stop by the house. Mom even made a cake to celebrate."

"...I don't know," Regina hesitated.

"Regina, it's fine," Renata squeezed her sister's arm. "Mom says so. He'll just ignore you anyway."

"I know. That's the problem," Regina looked at her children who were too enthralled by their surroundings to listen to their conversation.

Savannah and the boys didn't seem to have a problem ignoring their inattentive grandfather but Gabriella was another story. She was always trying to get his attention, asking him to read to her or color, play games or watch television with her. He never responded and Gabriella was always left on the verge of tears. Still she was determined. Every time they visited she tried again to gain her grandfather's attention despite all her past rejections. "You know, his birthday is coming up," Renata reminded.

Regina closed her eyes and breathed deep. In truth she had forgotten all about it. She dreaded it every year. The entire family gathered at her parents' home to celebrate but even with such a crowd he wouldn't acknowledge her or the children. He wouldn't even look at their gifts as if they were something dirty and unworthy of notice. Regina wasn't sure how much she could endure let alone Gabriella.

"It'll be fine. It'll work out," Renata said.

Regina gave her a pained look and shook her head. She used to believe that. But she was rapidly losing faith. Eventually something had to give and she had a sneaking suspicion it would be her.

***

Twins!

His mystery woman was a twin!

Marcus couldn't tear himself away from the scene playing out in front of him. There was no mistaking it. He was not seeing double...well he supposed he was in a way. Suddenly a lot of things made sense.

It explained her changing personality. Why she seemed so prim and proper one minute and warm and sensitive the next. They may look alike but they were very different people. But which one did he spend the night with?

The one he met at the party was the most likely candidate since she would have been the caterer at the pervious celebration. Then again...she didn't act like she had any memory of being with him. Madame Butterfly had definitely reacted to him, which made him sure it had to be her. But then...

He gazed at the identical pair. Which was which?

Marcus looked again at the kids. The boys were tossing blueberries into the air and catching them in their mouths despite their older sister's admonishments. Meanwhile the littlest was eagerly watching her sister use a skewer to fish out the extracted DNA.

Both of the girls bore a striking resemblance to their mother...and aunt. The little one seemed a ball of energy, adorable energy, that reminded him a lot of Lyra as she bounced from one foot to another. Savannah was more reserved and clearly a responsible older sister helping to keep her siblings wrangled. However, there was just enough difference in their physical appearance that made him think they had different parentage.

Did they not have the same father?

His gaze went to the boys. They were clearly identical. For some reason he felt uncomfortable looking at them. There was something uncannily familiar about them though that was impossible. Unless....maybe he knew their father? That thought alone made his stomach twist painfully. He couldn't help but think of Leonard. What if Leonard was their father? Just the thought he might have touched his mystery woman enraged Marcus in a way he never felt before. No. It couldn't be.

Marcus breathed deep his mind returning to the club and Madame Butterfly. Certainly Leonard had acted a bit flirty but Marcus hadn't sensed any familiarity between him and the masked diva. But there were so many other people at the club. It wouldn't be strange that he knew more than a few of them but still...

The way she held herself that night. She was clearly on guard and used to fending off unwanted advances. Was it because she already had a significant other? One who fathered her children?

Marcus gazed at the kids again.

Or did he have it wrong? Was she the aunt?

He looked again to the two women. If he approached them now he doubted he would get a straight answer from either. There had to be a way to know for certain.

His mind recalled her particular birthmark. Even as twins such a feature would be unique and distinctive. Or so he hoped but it wasn't exactly in a convenient location unless both decided to wear their hair up. What should he do?

He certainly couldn't ask his grandfather for advice. Marcus could already see the disapproving look he would get from that conversation. Leonard was out for similar, though different reasons. Even if he could be counted on to take Marcus's dilemma seriously there was no way he would keep it to himself. The last thing Marcus needed was the media getting involved. They would have a field day with this and make life difficult for his mystery woman and her family. Maybe Julius could offer advice but he was still out of town for another week.

Marcus sighed. Just when did his life get so complicated? And why did his heart twist so longingly when he looked at the children as if they belonged to him? Was he really prepared to be a father to someone else's kids?