The Billionaire Playboy’s Secret Family
Chapter 47

Marcus carried her down the hallway. He headed to the master bedroom pausing when he heard snoring beyond the partially open door. Quietly nudging it open he peeked inside to see a pair of bunk beds. On one side the boys were sound asleep their bedding carelessly tossed about and toys littering the floor like a minefield. The other side of the room belonged to the girls and was much neater.

Marcus stepped back with a grim smile. He had thought so the moment he stepped into the apartment, but it was small, too small. From the moment he entered his gaze analyzed his surroundings. The apartment was clean aside from a few scattered toys as was common of any space where kids lived. There were a few dirty dishes in the sink waiting to be clean but the counter was spotless. The refrigerator was not overflowing with food but it was well-stocked. It was clear Regina worked hard to ensure the kids had everything they needed.

Regina had given the kids the master bedroom because it was larger and allowed them the most space. It was the natural conclusion no doubt but it meant she was sacrificing her own space. Clenching his jaw he stepped away and turned to the other bedroom. It was smaller than the master bedroom but it was definitely hers. Quietly he carried her to the full-size bed in the middle of the cramped room. He carefully laid her down. Pulling off her shoes he tucked her in.

It was expensive living in the city, even in this neighborhood. And feeding two growing boys had to cost a lot too not to mention Gabriella's medical bills which would only grow with her new diagnosis. Marcus sighed. Why was he concerning himself with this? They were nothing to him and yet...He couldn't help but worry.

She had haunted his dreams for so long. As soon as he learned she had children he should have cast his thoughts aside and washed his hands of it. But he couldn't. For some reason the kids didn't turn him off at all. In fact they made him want her more. Was it because he missed the DaLair kids? There had to be more to it than that right?

He glanced at her a final time. Why did she have such a hold over him? He would call her a witch if he believed in such things. But there was something about her he just couldn't shake.

With a sigh he turned back to the door. It was time for him to leave. Pulling the bedroom door open he froze. Standing in his way was a little girl clutching a worn stuffed bunny. She rubbed her eyes and gazed up at him. Marcus expected a scream. "I'm thirsty," she looked at him expectantly.

"...O-kay. Let's get you some water," Marcus said stepping forward expecting her to move.

Instead she lifted her arms in a clear gesture for him to pick her up. A smile twitched his lips as he bent down and obliged, picking her up. Her tiny arms circled his neck and she rested her head on his shoulder as he carried her to the kitchen. Taking a glass from the same cupboard Regina had earlier he ran water from the facet to fill it half-full.

Gabriella stared at the glass when he offered it to her a moment before saying, "Mommy always adds lime."

"Lime?" Marcus repeated.

For an answer she pointed to the fridge. Opening it he turned his attention to the shelf she indicated seeing a small bottle in the shape of a lime. He picked it up giving her a questioning look. "One squirt please," Gabriella said.

Still wondering about how this procedure started he nonetheless did as directed squirting some lime juice into the water glass and giving it a shake before handing it to her. This time she took it without hesitation. With a satisfied lip smack she handed the glass back making him chuckle as he dumped the rest of the glass in the sink and put the lime juice back in the refrigerator.

Gabriella had already nestled her head on his shoulder as he turned and carried her back to the bedrooms. As he reached for the doorknob to the kids' bedroom she stirred again.

"I want to sleep with mommy."

Marcus hesitated, "You know your mommy is really tired. So she shouldn't be woken up."

"She won't. I sleep with her all the time," Gabriella said.

"...All right," Marcus quietly shut the bedroom door and turned to Regina's room.

Carrying in Gabriella he noticed Regina was still sound asleep. Marcus circled to the other side of the bed before pulling back the covers and tucked the little one beside her mother. She snuggled under the blanket clutching her bunny with a smile. Marcus patted her head intending to make a quiet departure when she suddenly sat up.

"Aren't you coming to bed too?"

"Well, no......."

"Did I make you mad?" Gabriella asked. "Is that why you are leaving? And you don't like me?"

Her lip quivered and she seemed on the verge of tears. Marcus hesitated before returning to her, "Shh...who said I don't like you?"

Gabriella sniffled as he sat on the edge of the bed. She crawled closer to him. Marcus wrapped her in a comforting hug and pulled her into his lap.

After a moment she said, "Carlos and Tony say I'm a baby and annoying because people have to do things for me."

"Brothers say a lot of things that they really don't mean. You shouldn't listen."

"Then why doesn't my grandpa like me? I even made him a special birthday card but...he didn't want it."

"I don't know about your grandpa but who in their right mind wouldn't absolutely love you?" he whispered. "You are a sweet, beautiful, little girl...who really needs to go to bed."

He tickled her making her giggle before wiping a stray tear away. If he ever met her grandfather he would probably knock him out for making her cry. Marcus helped Gabriella snuggle back into bed. Yet she lay staring at him. With a sigh Marcus laid down on the edge of the bed facing her. He reached over and stroked her hair.

"See. Time for bed."

Gabriella smiled relaxing. But her eyes remained open watching him. It was as if she knew he planned to disappear as soon as she was asleep. Aloud she asked, "Do you always sleep with your shoes on?"

Marcus chuckled at her perceptiveness. Kicking off his shoes he settled next to her, "See? You can't sleep with your eyes open."

He bopped her nose with his index finger. Gabriella giggled before snuggling closer to him. Marcus stroked her hair watching as exhaustion slowly won over the toddler as she fell asleep.

Yawning he lay on the bed watching her with a pleased smile. It was a wonder she was so trusting of him. They were complete strangers after all. Was it that she sensed he was safe? She probably figured her mother wouldn't allow any random stranger into their home. Maybe that was it.

Marcus frowned. She still seemed a little pale but otherwise completely recovered from her recent ordeal. He still wondered what could have happened to bring her to such a state but he was happy to see her doing well.

Watching her sleep he recalled her brothers also said their grandfather didn't like them and that had something to do with Gabriella's sudden turn for the worst. Marcus supposed stress was probably a factor but who would ever be so cruel to this little girl? It wasn't just dislike either. The brothers said their grandfather hated them...but why?

Was it to do with their absentee father? Perhaps their grandfather and father didn't get along and somehow the kids were caught in the middle. It seemed clear now Regina and their father were not together. Was that the issue then?

Perhaps he was deployed somewhere and didn't come back? During his brief study of the apartment he didn't see any photographs or mementos of a beloved family member that was missing. Then was the father some kind of scoundrel? Did he leave Regina not wanting the hassle of children?

Each scenario he came up with seemed less likely than the last. Whatever reason kept their father away it was clear the kids were suffering because of it...and Regina too. As much as he wanted to be with her it wasn't right for him to take another man's place...was

it?

Marcus sighed moving to sit up only to freeze when Gabriella whimpered and snuggled closer to him. He lay back down stroking her hair. She was so tiny. Maybe it was okay for tonight to be the comfort she craved. Yawning he lay beside her watching as she settled back to sleep. Surely this much was all right. At least for one night.