Chapter 36 - The Billionaire Triplets Take New York

The next two weeks past in a whirlwind and Silas struggled to keep up fearing he would wake up and discover it all was a dream. He couldn’t remember the last time he looked forward to the holidays. Ava and the kids seemed to enjoy the anticipation just as much as he did. With Duncan’s gentle prodding he was able to settle on appropriate gifts for the triplets and arranged to spend time with each so they could pick out gifts for each other. However finding gifts for Ava proved more difficult.

“This one will look good on mom,” Sean said choosing a navy blue sweater and handed it to their guard to take to the register as they continued to shop.

It was the final shopping trip and in desperation Silas took all three of the kids with him to search for the perfect gift. Sean and Theo were dutiful in looking but none of them ever bought gifts for their mother before so they struggled as much as their father. Their mother never asked for things, always making do with what was on hand. She had suppressed her desires for so long it was her nature not to ask for anything.

During their first shopping trip Silas experience this issue first hand. He overcame it by watching Ava’s body language to ensure he purchased what she really wanted. She wasn’t around this time because he wanted her presents to be a surprise which left him with a dilemma. He relied on the kids for assistance but they were equally stumped. In the past all of their gifts were school craft projects. While the sentiment was there this Christmas called for something special.

Silas’s first suggestion had been perfume but Alexis summarily rejected it stating their mother was sensitive to strong smells and even allergic to some perfumes which was why she always bought fragrance-free laundry detergent. Chocolate was rejected for the same reason although they suggested peanut brittle which their mother did like. Clothing was a safe choice but their mother now had a closet full of new outfits.

Checking out of one store they moved on to the next but Silas was losing hope. He wanted this holiday to be special, the most special one Ava ever experienced but he was at a loss how to make it happen. As they passed a kiosk selling hand-blown glass sculptures Theo let out a shout bringing them to a halt.

“This is perfect!” Theo declared reaching among the delicate, colorful glass animals.

He showed off his find to his brother and father while Alexis waited for someone to explain. In his hand was a chubby, blue and gold penguin. Silas raised an eyebrow.

“A glass penguin?” Sean asked looking at his brother in confusion but Alexis understood immediately.

“Nice! It is perfect!”

“Is it?” Silas asked.

“Yeah. Penguins are mom’s favorite animal,” Theo said.

“Or at least her favorite one at the aquarium,” Alexis corrected recalling the conversation as they walked home.

“Oh right! She said that,” Sean finally recalled. “She said she liked them because they were little and cute and monoga…mono…”

“Monogamous,” Silas said.

“Yeah that.”

“Right.” Alexis agreed. “She likes them because they are loyal. Every year they looked for their mate no matter how far they traveled. She said most animals don’t do that.”

“She’s not wrong,” Silas said. “They are special that way.”

“So you think this would be good?” Theo asked looking at the little penguin.

“I think it is. We should see if there are others. We’ll each give her one,” Silas suggested immediately prompting the boys to search through the glittering animals for other penguins making sure they each had a unique one to give their mother. Silas found his own selection on the other side already looking forward to Ava’s expression when she opened it.

* * *

The living room was littered with Christmas shrapnel of bows, boxes and wrapping. In the middle of it the kids were surrounded by their gifts while the adults amicably chatted. Tracy sat in a chair admiring the scene and in particular watching Silas and Ava snuggled together on the love seat. She couldn’t remember a time Ava looked as relaxed and happy as she leaned against Silas partially covered in a soft fleece throw she opened earlier.

The holidays were usually full of tension and stress for Ava as she struggled to save enough to give the kids a happy Christmas. They never complained about their gifts knowing how hard their mother worked to provide them. That tension was gone now and they were all much more relaxed.

Tracy didn’t know Silas well enough to know his usual holiday habits but there was no denying his satisfied smile. She looked to Thomas for insight into Silas’s state of mind to see him broadly smiling. It was safe to say the stern businessman had come full circle.

“Oh mom, you missed some,” Sean suddenly announced.

Practically diving under the tree he emerged with three identical sized presents and one larger one. Smiling mischievously the kids abandoned their gifts including the virtual reality goggles that captivated Theo to gather around and present the gifts.

“All these are mine?” Ava asked. She had already opened several so she wasn’t expecting more.

“Open them!” Alexis insisted.

Their enthusiasm immediately alerted Tracy these presents were special and intentionally left for last. This moment had been carefully planned. She wondered what exactly Silas and the kids planned.

“This one is from me,” Sean said handing her the first brightly wrapped box.

With a smile Ava accepted the package. Carefully removing the paper wrapping she opened it to reveal a green, glass penguin with a holly branch in its beak. It was a beautiful work of art but she was a little confused.

“You said you liked penguins, remember?” Sean prompted.

Belatedly she recalled the conversation from their late stroll home. It seemed so long ago and so much had happened since. She smiled at her waiting children touched they had remembered the conversation.

“You remembered that?”

“Of course we did,” Theo snorted. As if they would ever forget. “Open mine next!”

Carefully setting the little penguin on its mirror base Ava opened the next gift to discover a chubby, blue penguin that soon joined the first on the coffee table. Alexis’s gift was a mother penguin cuddling its chick. Ava wiped a tear from her eye as she looked over the three glass figurines sparkling like jewels.

“I love them! Thank you.”

“You have one more,” Alexis reminded as Sean presented the larger box.

Ava hesitated looking at Silas who benignly smiled. He and the kids discussed the best way to present their gifts and decided they should be the final ones of the day. This was the moment he anticipated for days though he tried to remain relaxed as she carefully unwrapped the final present.

Inside was a glass egg with a gold hinge and clasp. As she opened it delicate chimes issued out in a familiar melody used in many music boxes. Inside the egg was a family of penguins cuddled together slowly spinning as it played. Ava stared at it unable to speak.

“Do you like it?” Theo prompted.

“…I…love it…” Ava finally whispered tears blurred her vision even as she set it down among the other glittering penguins.

“Hey, shh.” Silas gently wiped away her tears.

Shaking her head Ava threw her arms around him. Silas chuckled holding her as she shook with emotions so pent up she probably couldn’t name them. Alexis was first to move. She stood to sit on her father’s lap and hugged both of them. Following her lead the boys also stood and joined their parents in a family huddle.

Silas squeezed Ava tight not trusting his own voice. He witnessed the kids envelop their mother in these collective hugs before but this was the first time they included him. Though they hadn’t yet called him dad this was certainly a step in the right direction and he hoped some of the walls between them were gone for good.

Across the room Tracy watched with a smile. This was a scene she always hoped to see for Ava who longed for a loving family. Tracy never thought the man who would make it possible was Silas but she was grateful nonetheless. Perhaps now she would finally be able to relax.

When Ava finally calmed the group slowly disbanded. The kids went back to their gifts as Duncan arrived with hot chocolate and tea as well as Christmas cookies and treats. Ava snuggled in Silas’s arms as she watched the kids play.

“Sir will you be leaving tomorrow?” Duncan asked handing Silas his cup.

“Ah…yes I suppose we should,” he sighed not that he was looking forward to it.

“Where are you going?” Ava asked.

“We are going,” Silas corrected. “My parents hold a New Year’s Eve party at the estate every year. It’s upstate.”

“Sounds boring,” Theo said.

“I won’t say it’s not,” Silas shrugged.

In fact most years it was a chore but he was expected to attend. His father’s preoccupation with his love life was the primary reason for his aversion but now he had Ava so perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad.

“It’ll definitely be interesting,” Thomas said. He could only imagine the senior Prescott’s shock when he met the triplets.

“Thomas, do you have the invitation I requested?” Silas prompted.

“Yeah, right here.” He reached into a jacket pocket removing an envelope and handing it to Tracy.

“What’s this?” Tracy asked even as she opened it.

“An invite to the party, naturally,” Thomas smirked.

“But this is supposed to be an exclusive event, isn’t it?”

“Of course but you know a Prescott personally so you shouldn’t be surprised.”

Tracy glanced at Silas who simply shrugged. Ava would be more comfortable if there were guests she knew though he was certain his mother planned to introduce her around.

“Sounds like a blast,” Tracy said saving the invite in her purse. She never attended such an exclusive event before. It would be interesting to see how it played out but she couldn’t shake a faint feeling of unease.

“So if it’s a New Year’s party why are we leaving tomorrow?” Sean asked.

“Your grandmother loves the holidays and likes the family to be together,” Silas explained. “As family members we are supposed to help with preparations though to be honest she takes care of most of it herself.”

“Oh, we get to see Grandma Opal again?” Alexis asked. “I like her. She’s really nice.”

That seemed to settle it for the kids. Silas was glad they approved of his mother yet he couldn’t help but be a little jealous she had so easily earned a familial moniker while he struggled to earn his own. He kissed to the top of Ava’s head. It was fine. There was still time.