Chapter 48 - The Billionaire Triplets Take New York

“There you three are,” Tracy said as the trio returned to the party. “We were just about to send the search party to find you.”

“Auntie Tracy, you’re so silly,” Alexis giggled. “How are you feeling mom?”

Ava hugged her tight but Alexis didn’t feel any tension or strain in her mother’s embrace. It was all she needed to know her mother was all right despite their little drama show.

“How could you three do that?” Ava said after a moment. “You could have gotten hurt.”

“We’re fine mom,” Sean shrugged. They were never in any danger.

“Yeah, we’ll never let anyone hurt you,” Theo seconded.

“Consider yourself lucky,” Silas said. “They protect you. They use me as bait.”

“That doesn’t mean we don’t like you,” Alexis giggled.

“I know. You called me dad,” Silas slipped an arm around Ava and Alexis holding both close. “You will call me that from now on, right?”

“Sure,” Theo shrugged. “I guess you’ve earned it.”

Silas chuckled. He could finally say they were a family without any reservations. His family was finally, truly complete. A thought suddenly occurred to him, “Oh. I almost forgot. Lexi, you have a doctor’s appointment on the twelfth.”

“Me?” Alexis asked. “What about?”

“It’s with a specialist,” Silas explained, “to see if there is any chance of getting your sight back.”

“A specialist, really?”

“That’s right. I can’t say I like his attitude but if there is any chance you can get your sight back he’s the one who will be able to do it.”

“…Oh.” Alexis wasn’t sure how she should take the news.

A month ago she was resigned to living without her sight. She learned to cope and accepted a world of grays and black, her memories forever locked behind a wall where time and age meant nothing. But if she could get back her sight…To be able to see her mother’s face again…her brothers…To see her father for the first time…Tears welled in her eyes and ran down her cheeks. Was it really possible?

“Oh sweetie.” Ava soothed her wiping her tears away. “Are you okay?”

“Y—Yeah. It’s just…I didn’t think we could afford a specialist.”

“I can afford a lot of things, Lexi,” Silas assured her. “Nothing is too much if it means you can see again.”

Without a word Alexis buried her face into her father’s chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt his arms around her as he bowed his head and kissed the top of her head. His embrace was warm but also strong and protective in a different way from her mother’s caring one. She hadn’t asked him to help her with her sight, but she hadn’t needed to. Fathers protected their children and were there to do the things their children could not. So…this was what it meant to have a father. It felt nice.

Silas held Alexis close feeling her tremble overwhelmed by emotions she probably couldn’t name. The kids were so used to being strong for their mother they forgot they were only ten and it was okay to rely on someone else. But that was what he was here for. They didn’t have to be strong all the time. His gaze met Ava’s to see her eyes brimming with tears yet she was smiling.

It had always been Ava’s dream to have a loving family. Perhaps this was a scene she always wanted to see and for her children to know the love of not just a mother but also a father. Wiping away tears she joined the pair completing the parental embrace to comfort their daughter.

It was several moments before Alexis was calm again. She continued to lean on Silas whispering, “Thank you.”

“I’m your dad, Lexi. You don’t have to thank me for doing the things I’m supposed to do.”

“But I want to.”

“You can do whatever you want to do. I’ll be there to catch you if you fall.”

“Deal.”

Silas chuckled. He glanced up to see his mother watching the scene with a tender expression. It had been a long time coming but they both had what they had been longing for. He had his family and she could relax knowing he was finally, truly happy. Alexis eventually took a step back wiping her eyes and finally calm. Silas rubbed her back silently telling her he was still there and always would be.

“You okay, sweetie?”

“Yeah, grandma. I’m fine. Just a little overwhelmed.”

Opal hugged her, “Well, you’re entitled after all that’s happened. And you haven’t even heard your mother’s news yet.”

“Mom’s news?” Alexis repeated. “Mom?”

“Ava?” Silas turned his attention back to her. He hadn’t noticed anything out of the ordinary though now she had gone a little pale. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” Ava shook her head and smiled. “It’s just. I noticed I was late so I had Tracy bring a test when she came out here.”

“Late? A test for what?” Silas asked not following.

“Are you serious?” Tracy snorted a laugh.

“Ava, you’re going to have to be a little clearer,” Opal chuckled. “Remember, it’s his first time.”

Silas glanced from one to the other even more confused. Looking back at Ava he saw her struggling not to laugh even while she blushed. Finally getting control of herself she said, “Silas…I’m pregnant.”

Alexis exclaimed, “Really mom! You’re going to have a baby!”

“You mean I won’t have to be the youngest anymore?” Theo asked.

Silas blinked finally comprehending the news, “A baby? We’re…having a baby?”

Ava bit her lip wondering if he was okay with the news. They never discussed having another child. Silas stared at her in silence for several moments and her heart raced with fear. Then he pulled her close pressing his lips to hers not caring how many people still watched them.

“We’re having a baby,” Silas said.

Ava nodded.

He kissed her again. A baby. They were having a baby.

“I guess we better start planning the wedding,” Sean said. “We only have, what, six months before mom starts to show?”

“Yeah, we’ll have to get the dress adjusted,” Alexis agreed.

“Oh god,” Ava blushed at the thought of walking down the aisle with a pregnant belly.

“You’ll be the most beautiful bride there ever was,” Silas soothed her.

“I’ve already made reservations at Kleinfeld,” Opal said. “I heard Victoria Laurent signed an exclusive contract with them to sell her dresses in America.”

“Victoria Laurent?” Ava repeated.

“She’s a famous designer,” Tracy said. “You’ll look gorgeous in one of her dresses, Ava. And I heard she did a whole maternity line.”

“Maternity wedding dresses?” Thomas asked. “Is that a thing?”

“It is now. I guess she was inspired by her friend who got married during her pregnancy, or something.”

Ava smiled. It was nice to know she wasn’t the only one who got married under these circumstances. Not that she really minded as long as Silas was with her. His embrace tightened as if sensing her thoughts. He kissed her temple. This time he would be with her every step of the way.

“It seems I missed a big announcement,” Richard said slowly approaching the group. “But it must be good if everyone is smiling.”

“Mom’s having a baby,” Alexis answered. “So it’s very good news.”

“A baby?” Richard sucked in a breath his gaze immediately going back to Silas and Ava still in their loving embrace.

Silas eyed him coolly but Ava blushed looking away as if afraid to meet his gaze. Richard couldn’t blame her. He had not been welcoming and treated her as if she was a nuisance not worthy of his attention. In fact he had not made a good impression on any of them. Thinking back to their first day at the manor it was obvious why the kids acted the way they did during their stay. He had dismissed them and they made it clear they didn’t need or want his approval.

“…Ava,” Richard hesitated as she blinked surprise he even remembered her name. “I—I am sorry…for everything. I should have trusted my son’s judgment. I should have welcomed you properly…you and the children. Is—Is there any way you could ever forgive such a damn, old fool?”

Opal pressed her lips together with a pitying look. It was perhaps the first time she heard him apologize for any of his actions no matter how outrageous. Silas’s expression morphed from cool indifference to contemplation weighing his father’s sincerity.

Ava stared at the older man who had refused to even acknowledge her existence. It was amazing how difficult such a simple phrase was to say: I’m sorry, yet there was a lot of power behind it. It was something she always wanted to hear from her own father…just the simple acknowledgement.

Stepping away from Silas she closed the distance between her and her soon-to-be father-in-law. With a gentle smile she said, “I can. Shall we start over? I’m Ava and it’s nice to meet you.”

Richard blinked surprise at her calm acceptance of his apology and willingness to forgive. She didn’t even ask for conditions, offering to wipe the slate clean without hesitation. So this was the gentle kindness Silas spoke of. It wasn’t a wonder the children were so protective when their mother was so open-hearted and accepting.

“Thank you.” Richard spoke despite the lump in his throat. “It’s nice to meet you Ava. Welcome to the family.”

Before he could retreat she stepped forward and hugged him. Richard froze. Was she really hugging him? Did she really forgive him so easily? Silas would have to watch her closely to protect her and shield her from the cruel world. He would help his son. It was the only way to make up for his mistake and maybe, just maybe, he might earn his grandchildren’s forgiveness as well.

Sean’s phone buzzed. He glanced at the incoming text before clearing his throat, “Lexi, it’s going down.”

She nodded.

“Going down?” Silas repeated. “Just what have you three planned now?”

“It was more like a hunch,” Lexi said. “Sean found something real interesting when he deep-dived Ryker Holdings. So we asked Duncan to keep an eye on someone, just in case.”

“Deep-dived?” Richard repeated recalling the children’s earlier accusations at Jenna.

“You should head to the study,” Alexis said.

“Why the study?” Richard asked.

“What’s where your safe is, isn’t it?”

“Well…yes…” Richard hesitated. “But why…”

“It’s better to just show you.”

* * *

Pulling down a picture he opened a hidden door granting him access to the built-in safe. Fumbling in the dark he turned the combination lock with practiced ease. The party was in full swing so he had plenty of time. By the time they found the empty safe he would be five states away.

Suddenly the lights came on and he blinked. Turning, he found Silas standing at the door watching him. A shocked Richard stood beside him. Licking his lips he looked away from his employers to the other door to see it blocked by Duncan and Thomas along with the twin boys smirking at their cornered victim.

“Joseph, what is going on?” Richard demanded.

Clearing his throat the ambushed butler said, “I can explain.”

“Funny, so can we,” Sean said.

“You were just taking the bonds and jewels for a walk, right?” Theo said. “Sending them out to be dry cleaned, maybe?”

Joseph eyed the boys warily.

“Games up, dude,” Sean said holding out his phone. “As I told dad downstairs, when I peeked into Ryker Holdings’ finances I found several large payouts to Joseph T. Anderson. Strange you would be on their payroll when you work for the Prescotts. So I took a peek at your finances. You should really lock your phone, dude, or at least sign out of your accounts. Imagine my surprise when I found this…you sir, have a serious gambling problem.”

“Damn!” Theo exclaimed looking at the phone. “50K? Dude, that’s more than mom made in a year at the diner. And you blew it all in one night?”

“Three times,” Sean added. “So you got into debt and Ryker bailed you out on the condition you told him everything that went on around here. Right?”

Joseph’s jaw dropped, “H—how…”

“My children are very clever,” Silas said with immense pride. “Anyone who under estimates them has made their last mistake. Duncan?”

“The police are on the way, sir.”

“So we are going to sit right here and wait for them,” Silas announced. “And if you want to resist…Thomas will be more than happy to entertain you.”

“I just can’t believe it,” Richard shook his head.

“You know Gramps,” Theo said, “from now on maybe we should vet your staff for you. You are a horrible judge of character.”

* * *

June 7th

New York Times

A Modern Day Romeo and Juliet

Women of New York take notice. Longstanding bachelor Silas Prescott is off the market. Today he wed the beautiful Avalynn Carter, long lost daughter of Emerson Carlisle. This union not only caps a decade-long romance but also concludes a business rivalry that spans almost half a century.

Avalynn looked like a queen in her Victoria Laurent wedding gown, part of the designer’s latest collection: Maternity Ever After, a series specifically designed for brides who don’t mind showing their baby-bumps. The couple’s three children acted as flower girl and ring-bearers preceding their mother like a protective vanguard.

Emerson Carlisle walked his daughter down the aisle with a smile as big as Brooklyn and eyes glazed with tears. Though Avalynn has been estranged from her family for years it seems they have reconciled. Several months ago Prescott and Carlisle rocked the business world by announcing the merger of the two companies.

The groom was smiling from ear to ear watching his bride walk down the aisle and if three kids and a baby bump were not evidence enough of the couple’s lasting love, the moment Silas took her hand he gave her a long, passionate kiss much to the shock of the guests and long before the I do’s.

An often feared businessman because of his cold and stoic demeanor, Silas Prescott was all smiles during the exclusive ceremony hosted at his family’s estate. He danced not only with his bride but also his daughter still recovering from surgery to return her vision lost due to a degenerative condition. She wore sunglasses throughout the ceremony to protect still sensitive eyes but was all smiles as excited to see her parents’ wedding as much as to be a part of it.

Silas officially declared Alexis and her brothers, Sean and Theo, his heirs and promises they will lead the new Prescott Incorporated into a bright and prosperous future when they are given the reins. The evening was capped off by a duel performance by Avalynn and Alexis of Tchaikovsky’s Waltz of the Flowers transporting the guests to a world of magic and love. It was truly a night to remember.

Fin.