Book Two: Chapter Twenty-Seven


    “Almost done mom. Don’t move.” Alexis instructed as she carefully braided her mother’s hair in the


    half-up style she preferred. The braids added a bit of texture and style so it was less in. “There, what


    do you think?”


    Ava turned looking at her reflection. Alexis had done a braid on either sidebining them into one


    behind her head. Despite the fact it had all been done by feel the braids were remarkably uniform and


    even.


    “Lexi, that’s amazing. I have no idea how you learned to do that.”


    Alexis shrugged. She like using her hands and fiddling with her friends’ hair was a natural diversion. It


    really wasn’t worthy of praise.


    “Okay.” Ava stood and faced the bed where Sean and Theo yed on their phones. “Boys, how do I


    look?”


    “Wow! Mom you look hot!” Theo whistled.


    “You look really pretty,” Sean seconded as their mother blushed.


    “You think so?”


    A knock interrupted further discussion. The door swung open as Ss entered. He had carried on his


    own preparations in their room while Ava used Alexis’s bath and bedroom. The kids insisted he should


    be surprised when he first saw her in her dress. Stepping into the room Ss froze as his gaze fell on


    her. His eyes went wide and his mouth dropped.


    Ava stood in a sparkling silver gown that hugged her slim, curvy form. She wore matching shoes that


    peeked out from under the dress’s hem. It had a sweet-heart neckline and thin shoulder straps.


    The triplets had debated between the five gowns before picking the one she should wear. Theo


    originally voiced support for a red dress but Sean was quick to point out a lot of people would choose


    red since it was a holiday color. A gold dress was shot down for the same reason. It had ultimately


    been Alexis who suggest the silver one. While a lot of people would choose white for the same reason


    as many would choose red, silver was more unique and their mother would stand out among the


    crowd.


    As Ss stood staring without saying a word Ava grew nervous. She rubbed her hands and anxiously


    asked, “Is this okay?”


    Ss blinkeding back to himself. Crossing the room he reached her taking her hands in his and


    said, “You look absolutely amazing.”


    She blushed as he kissed her hands. Tracy and the kids often told her she was pretty but it felt different


    when he said it. Perhaps it was the passionate gleam of his eyes that made it so.


    “I have something for you.”


    Ss took a hinged case from his pocket. Opening it he revealed a rose gold ne. The pendant


    featured two hearts mimicking the infinity symbol and at the point of each heart was a sparkling


    diamond. Though simple in design it was stunning and Ava’s heart skipped a beat. Was it really for


    her? Was it okay to wear it?


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    “Let me put it on you.” Ss smiled pleased by her reaction.


    Ava remained speechless as he stepped behind her and sped the ne. His arms slid around


    her waist as she looked at their reflection.


    “I knew it would look beautiful on you.”


    “Thank you…You didn’t have to get me this.”


    “It’s just a small token of what you mean to me, Ava. Don’t say no to that.”


    “All right.”


    “Good.” Ss kissed her temple holding her against him. He wanted nothing more than to shower her


    with such gifts but knew it would be too overwhelming for her.


    “If you’re going to y kissy-face here you’re going to miss the party,” Theomented reminding the


    adults they had an audience.


    “Theo!” Ava eximed blushing.


    Ss chuckled, “He’s not wrong. Shall we?”


    “…Okay.”


    Ava hesitated but allowed him to lead her to the front door. The kids trailed behind as far as the stairs


    and watched as Duncan helped their mother put on another of her new coats, this one a beige, trench


    coat style that would keep her warm even in her gown.


    Ss pulled on his own coat looking at the kids, “If you three need anything don’t hesitated to call on


    Duncan. All right?”


    “Yep.”


    “No problem.”


    “Sure.”


    Ava walked up to them giving each a nervous kiss. This was the first time she ever left them at home


    while she went out. A few weeks ago she would never have even considered it, “Don’t stay up toote


    and don’t cause trouble.”


    “Of course, mom.”


    “Promise.”


    “Got it.”


    Ava stepped back still nervous even as Ss’s arm came around her and he led her into the chilly


    night.


    “Have fun!”


    “Don’t worry about us.”


    “We’ll be fine!”


    Outside Thomas waited beside the small limo only a littlerger than a sedan. He opened the door and


    held it as Ss helped Ava safely inside. Then both men circled to the other side to climb in


    themselves. As Thomas pulled away from the curb Ava tried to rx. She told herself tonight was


    nothing special but she couldn’t make herself believe it. What if she didn’t perform to Ss’s


    expectations? Would he abandon her?


    Seeing her nervousness Ss reached for her sping her hand in his. With a smile he kissed her


    knuckle beside her engagement ring before saying, “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll be with you


    the entire time and the moment you feel ufortable we’ll go.”


    “Won’t if reflect poorly if we leave early?”


    “Not at all. We don’t have to cater to anyone Ava but rest assured they will cater to us just to keep us


    here because the longer we stay the more prestigious their party bes.”


    “Really?”


    “Yes but my first priority is you. Now and forever.”


    Ava blushed and nodded not trusting her voice. It felt good to be someone’s priority, like she was truly


    special. Perhaps in Ss’s eyes she was someone special. Why else would he care so much or do


    such nice things for her?


    In the past, her days never seemed to end and her worries followed her home. Ava’s biggest fear was


    Ss finding her that was why she went to such great lengths to remain hidden as she struggled to care


    for her children.


    Yet since Ss found them he acted the exact opposite of what she assumed. He doted on her and the


    kids, taking them shopping, sheltering them in his home. Ava knew the kids were on the fence about


    him but they epted every gift. Caring for the children would have been enough but he catered to her


    as well. He insisted she rest, eat and rx. He bought her clothes and his lovemaking was tender and


    seemingly insatiable.


    It was almost too much for her to bear but she was certainly getting more rest. When shey in his


    arms sleep came easily and she didn’t toss and turn like she used to. Anxiety induced nightmares were


    long forgotten and she woke refreshed for another day.


    He wanted her to do whatever she wished. If she wanted to work he encouraged her to pursue her


    dreams. Never once did he say she wasn’t worthy of his time or attention. Instead he insisted she


    deserved it all. Herfort was the most important thing to him. It was all so new to her. Was it wrong


    to want it tost forever?


    The ride was mercifully short and she avoided further introspection. Reaching their destination Thomas


    pulled up at the curb and hurriedly opened her door before the valet. Ss let himself out and was there


    to take her hand leading her inside out of the cold. Thomas epted the valet’s ticket and trailed after


    them. At the door they checked their coats letting Thomas handle the necessity of keeping the tickets


    before entering the main room of the venue.


    Here they found arge open space decorated with holiday lights, gands and poinsettias. Arge


    Christmas tree stood in the center surrounded by colorfully wrapped packages and Ava wondered if


    they were actually presents or just empty décor staging. There were several seating areas with


    It was still early so there were barely a hundred people present. Some had small tes of hors


    d’oeuvre taken from the buffet style tables or plucked from the serving trays being offered by the


    caterers. There was also a bar as well as servers offering champagne. Even before they were greeted


    by the host one such server approached allowing Ss to select two flutes of sparkling champagne. He


    offered her one gently nking their sses before taking a sip.


    “Ah Mister Prescott! I’m so d you decided to join us,” their host, a middle-age rather portly,


    gentleman greeted.


    The man had a thick beard which was ironic since he was also balding. He wore a clean suit but it was


    not quite as fine as his guests suggesting he didn’t have the same disposable ie despite being the


    event’s sponsor. If Ava remembered correctly from her youth apanying her mother the Greenwich


    Charity G was sponsored by a health organization and its proceeds were donated to various


    charities which changed year from year.


    “Of course, all for a good cause,” Ss amicably shook his hand.


    “Indeed. Oh, pardon me miss. You are?” the man turned to Ava.


    “My fiancée,” Ss answered slipping an arm around her. “Avalynn Carter.”


    Ava blushed but she smiled at their host, “Hello. I love how you decorated for the holidays.”


    “Y-yes. Thank you.” The man stuttered surprised by Ss’s bold announcement.


    Ava could practically see his wheels turning. No doubt Ss’s introduction was a shock as he was


    known as New York’s most eligible bachelor. Though she disappeared ten years ago her name had


    once been well-known. She wondered if he was trying to retrieve it now.


    “Please, enjoy yourselves.”


    “We intend to.” Ss escorted Ava further in.


    Ss did not have any particr area of interest in mind and saw no need to seekpany. People


    would seek him out once they realized he was in attendance. He merely had to wait for them to do so.


    Until then he was content to enjoy Ava’spany. She was the only person there who mattered and he


    wanted to give her time to get used to being among peers again.


    Finally he settled for a rtively quiet area near the tree. Ava’s gaze studied the eight-foot pine


    marveling at the delicate ornaments. Seeing her joy Ss made a mental note to have Duncan


    purchase a tree and bring the decorations out from storage. Normally Ss wasn’t one to decorate for


    the holidays but now that Ava and the kids were with him it made sense to add homier touches. In fact


    it would be even better to allow Ava full rein to decorate as she pleased.


    “Ava, would you like to decorate the brownstone?”


    “Y-you want me to decorate?” she looked at him.


    “Yes. My mother was the one who originally decorated it and I haven’t had a need to change it but it


    could stand for some updating. I want you and the kids to feelfortable so don’t be afraid to change


    it. Just tell Duncan what you want. He can get painters, even a construction crew if you want to do any


    major renovations.”


    “I don’t think that would be necessary.”


    “I do. Make it however you want,” Ss insisted. “It’s your home and my mother always said men might


    be kings of their castle but women rule the roost.”


    Ava chuckled. She had no doubt Opal would say such a thing. Setting aside their brief meeting at the


    brownstone Ava had actually met the Prescott matriarch once before. While apanying her mother


    to various functions they had been introduced to Opal and there was no doubting the natural charisma


    thetter possessed especiallypared to Ava’s mother who tended to be quiet and meek.


    “I think your mother is very tasteful. I can see her influence in the brownstone’s décor. I wouldn’t want


    to do anything dramatic…but maybe one or two small changes.”


    “Anything,” Ss smiled sensing her respect for his mother. He pulled her close and kissed her. “No


    budget necessary. Just tell Duncan what you want.”


    “Thank you.” Ava leaned against him. “Does that include your bedroom?”


    “Our bedroom and yes, especially that room. Anything make you ufortable?”


    “No. It’s just…a little dark.” She blushed.


    Ss chuckled, “Change it anyway you want.”


    “There you are!”


    Startled Ava turned as Tracy approached. She had forgotten Tracy was also attending the event. Tracy


    wore a navy blue gown, strapless and shorter than Ava’s showing her toned legs. Given Tracy was


    almost head taller than Ava she had plenty of leg to show off.


    “Hello,” Ava smiled.


    “You look gorgeous, Ava. I mean it.”


    Ava blushed.


    “I agree.” Ss nodded causing her blush to deepen.


    “Well I’m sure you’d like to keep her to yourself but she should make a few rounds. I have the perfect


    people to start. So if you don’t mind…”


    “Of course not, as long as she’sfortable with it.” He leaned forward and kissed Ava gently. “Have


    fun and if anything happens call for me.”


    “Come on, Ava.”


    Tracy tugged her away from Ss’s protective embrace. Ava followed her but suddenly paused. Biting


    her lip she returned to him. Hesitating she reached for him pulling his face toward hers and pecked him


    lightly on the lips.


    Ss blinked surprise. His heart hammered in his head. It was the first time Ava initiated an intimate


    gesture. He was both shocked and thrilled by her action.


    “Thank you,” she smiled. “I’ll call if I need you.”


    He could only nod unable to trust his voice. Blushing at her audacity she turned away and followed


    Tracy. Ss swallowed the lump in his throat trying to control the sudden urge to sweep her off her feet


    and seek a private room. Was there anything more attractive than a confident woman?


    “Looks like someone is whipped,” Thomasmented. As always he was near at hand but


    unobtrusive. He was part of the scenery until needed.


    Ss clenched his jaw feeling his face warm but he wasn’t particrly embarrassed. Taking a sip of his


    champagne he said, “Keep a close eye on her and make sure she isn’t bothered. I want this night to be


    perfect for her.”


    “Naturally.”


    “Hey Ss!”


    He turned as another man approached. A few years younger than Ss he was making waves in the


    business world for taking over his family’s holdings at such a young age.


    “Lucas good to see you,” Ss nodded. “I heard you’re interested in the Tomlinson buyout.”


    The other man snorted, “That’s my grandmother’s idea. She’s supposed to be retired but she just can’t


    help poking her nose in other people’s lives.”