Book One: Chapter 25


    Cars had been lining up for hours dropping off their passengers before pulling away. For tonight only


    the gallery had valets to park cars in a nearby lot reserved by the host for his guests. Part of the gallery


    had been taken over by long tables for the caterers to disy a wide variety of hors d’oeuvres. There


    was also a wet bar to mix and serve drinks ording to the tastes of the guests in addition to servers


    offering trays of champagne.


    Normally Augustus preferred to arrivete but tonight he came early, much to the Curator’s surprise, so


    he could view the new instation of M. Gray’s work before the crowd. He paid no mind to the servers


    as they madest minute preparations and instead focused on the new series.


    Entitled A New Perspective the series was more yful than previous ones. All ten were in full color


    and each featured a different insect from a praying mantis to a jumping spider to a honey bee to a


    dragonfly. Each extreme close-up showcased a surprising amount of detail and thepositions made


    the insects seem almost…cute. From the way the praying mantis tilted its head to the side like a


    curious puppy to the way the spider held up its mandibles like someone ying peek-a-boo each was


    designed to make the viewer smile.


    Augustus chuckled at the humor that abounded throughout the series. He couldn’t wait to find out the


    inspiration for the pieces once the artist arrived. Satisfied he wandered the rest of the exhibit space


    eventuallying to his favorite series: Two Hearts. It had been a long timeing but finally the


    world would know.


    He chose a ce near the piano, champagne in hand, as the guests began to arrive. Augustus greeted


    those less intimidated by him, ignoring the rest. He had chosen the guest list carefully and he wanted to


    make sure the most important parties were present. Augustus watched the door closely mentally


    checking off when the certain guests arrived. His expression lit up immediately when March, Rose and


    Jude entered and greeted them warmly.


    “Hey grandpa,” Judeughed surprising many nearby guests with the causal greeting. “When mom told


    me you bought an art gallery I didn’t believe her. But you really did!”


    “Yes well…an old man needs a hobby.”


    “A hobby?” Jude chuckled. “I heard M. Gray is supposed to be like some weird reclusive genius or


    something. When I told my friends about tonight they were super jealous. How the heck did you ever


    meet him let alone convince him to be a part of this?”


    “…I suppose you’ll find out tonight,” Augustus winked.


    “Why do I get the feeling you are up to something?” Marched asked eyeing his father suspiciously.


    “I really don’t know what you are talking about,” Augustus said. “Have you seen your brother?”


    “No. Not yet. I haven’t heard anything from him since he called this morning to say he was taking the


    day off.”


    “That’s twice this week,” Augustus grunted. “I hope he isn’t messing around.”


    “I don’t think we have to worry about that, not when…”


    “Grandpa Gus!”


    Their conversation was cut short as Aria and Caden ran up to their small group. They were all instantly


    captivated by the matching twins. Aria wore a green dress while her brother wore an actual suit


    just Julius but all the DaLair men was heightened.


    “Oh, don’t you two look so cute!” Rose cooed.


    “We went shopping today so we could match mommy and daddy,” Aria proudly announced.


    March and the others traded silent looks. If the kids were saying daddy did that mean they now knew


    Julius was their father? Did Macey tell them? Did it mean she and Julius were on good terms? Did this


    mean…


    “And where are your mommy and daddy?” Augustus asked.


    “Over there.”


    They followed Aria’s gesture to see Julius handing Macey a ss of champagne from a passing server.


    His arm slid around her waist as he leaned close whispering something to her before kissing her


    temple. Macey’s cheeks turned pink at his boldness.


    Rose pped her hand over her mouth to keep from squealing. She was not only excited to see them


    getting along but also because for once Julius looked genuinely happy and at ease. The depressing


    cloud normally hanging over him hadpletely dissipated.


    As always Macey was beautiful. Her dress was green with a satin finish. Unlike the other dresses she


    had worn it was off the shoulder leaving her neck exposed and allowing her to disy a diamond


    ne with arge, oval cut emerald for its centerpiece. As always her hair was pinned up.


    “Mommy! Daddy!” Aria called. “We found grandpa!”


    They turned toward her voice and made their way through the crowd that was now fully aware the


    entire DaLair family was in attendance. Their attention focused on the gorgeous redhead on Julius’s


    arm and their five-year-old copies. Many followed the gossip columns and now seeing all four together


    there was little doubt in their minds they were in fact a family even before Aria’s announcement.


    “You should have told us there was a dress code,” March joked. “Then we all could have matched.”


    Macey chuckled looking down at the excited Aria and Caden. Their enjoyment at being surrounded by


    family was palpable. It made her worry about what would happen when they eventually returned to


    Paris. Would it be hard for the twins to adjust to not having their family members so close? Would they


    even want to leave?


    “Macey, I love your ne,” Rose said. “Where’d you get it?”


    Macey gave Julius an annoyed nce before saying, “I don’t know. He won’t tell me. He also won’t tell


    me how much it cost.”


    Julius merely shrugged, “If I did you’d insist on returning it and that’s not going to happen.”


    “He’s impossible,” Macey sighed rolling her eyes at her sister-inw.


    “All DaLair men are.” Rose chuckled. “And they have the lovenguage of a crow…they just love giving


    sparkly gifts.”


    “Well dad,” Julius cleared his throat, “you have all of us here. Are you going to exin why an art


    gallery of all things?”


    “…I don’t think so, at least, not just yet. The night is still young. All I will say is enjoy the evening, keep


    an open mind,” Augustus smiled enigmatically. “And be prepared for a few surprises.”


    The DaLair brothers shared confused looks and Rose rolled her eyes while Jude barely contained his


    what this set up was meant to deliver but it would definitely be a surprise.


    So intent on keeping an eye on their patriarch none noticed the pensive look that crossed Macey’s


    face. Her lips pressed together as she considered information that only she knew.


    * * *


    Katherine climbed out of the taxi straightening her dress before sauntering toward the gallery entrance.


    She had not entered it since first failing to secure her desired photographer. Security at the door


    stopped her demanding her invitation. Aside from the DaLairs personnel allowed no one in without one.


    No amount of huffing or whining or threats swayed them.


    Frustrated she finally reached into her purse and shed the invitation. Its arrival hade as a


    surprise. Augustus DaLair had never invited her to any event before. To receive one now gave her the


    first glimmer of hope he might be warming up to her as Julius’s attention waned. With the DaLair


    patriarch’s help she could still turn her situation around. Once she married Julius nothing would stand


    in her way.


    Security let her pass and she entered the now crowded gallery. She snagged a fluted ss from a


    server slowly making her way through the crowd looking for the one person she came to see.


    Her gaze finally fell on Julius as he mingled with other guests instead of hiding in a corner with his drink


    like usual. At his side and in his arms was the now familiar redhead. She was at ease chatting to the


    man in front of them. Despite her humble origins andpleteck of experience she didn’t seem at all


    intimidated while Julius gently caressed her hip listening as she talked hanging off her every word.


    Katherine slowly made her way closer.


    “…So you’re saying Picasso was not a nice person,” a man a few years younger than Julius said. He


    was just as impably dressed and more than capable of standing on equal footing with a DaLair.


    “Well I’m sure he’d get along quite well with a good portion of congress and a number of executives,”


    Macey said earningughter not only from Julius but the man in front of her. “But yes, personally, I find


    him disgusting.”


    “So what of Van Gogh?”


    “He’s actually a very tragic figure,” Macey said. “He suffered from depression and psychotic episodes.


    He died penniless and his genius was never recognized in his lifetime. It’s hard to believe he was a


    financial failure when his artwork sells for millions now, but he was. It’s even more tragic when you


    think about how his innovations actually ushered in the modern era even before Picasso.”


    “So safe to say you like Van Gogh?”


    “Oh yes. He deserves so much more recognition. Although I may be biased. He does remind me of my


    father.”


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    “Your father?”


    “My dad was a veteran and he suffered severe PTSD so Van Gogh’s struggles do remind me a lot of


    him.”


    “I’m sorry to hear that but your father must be very proud to have a daughter as beautiful and intelligent


    as you.”


    “Thank you.”


    “I’ll keep in mind what you said about Picasso and Van Gogh. I never knew art could be so fascinating.”


    “Of course. Have a good night, Mister Prescott,” Macey said.


    “Ss, please.”


    “Have a good night, Ss,” Macey nodded as their guest went on his way.


    Julius leaned close kissing her temple saying, “Have I told you how amazing you are?”


    “You’re biased.”


    “Yes. Yes I am.” He chuckled. There wasn’t a woman in the world thatpared to the one in his arms.


    “I need to go,” Macey said after a moment and felt his embrace tighten. “Freshen up. I need to go


    freshen up.”


    Julius slowly rxed and nodded, “Hurry back.”


    Macey gave him a tender smile caressing his cheek with her fingers before heading to thedies’ room.


    “Someone’s whipped.”


    Julius turned at the good natured teased to see March holding in augh while Rose chuckled. He shot


    his brother an annoyed look but couldn’t stop his smile from returning. Nothing could ruin his mood


    tonight.


    “Don’t worry,” Roseforted him. “She loves you and you have our full support for whatever you have


    nned.”


    “What makes you think there’s a n?”


    “Because we know you.”


    “…You really think she still loves me after everything?”


    “Trust me,” Rose patted his arm. “She does.”


    “What makes you so sure?”


    “Woman’s intuition.”