Macey smiled at the scene in front of her now. How different it was from when she had the twins. Juggling toddlers in addition to a baby certainly wasn’t easy, but she also wasn’t alone. Julius was intent on doing his part, not that it didn’t come with difficulties. Watching him change a poopy diaper for the first time was video worthy and Victoria lamented missing the opportunity. One whiff of the diaper had the poor man gagging to the point of doubling over, much to the twins’ amusement. Macey herself could barely contain her laughter as he first tried to change the diaper using tongs and his nose stuffed with cotton. Even now, she could recall his protests. * * * “God, Macey! I can taste it! Why can I taste it? Will you stop laughing? It’s not funny. What the Hell did this kid eat?” “Breast milk as I recall,” Macey finally managed to speak. “And I believe you complained how jealous you were the entire time you watched me feed him.”
She wondered if he was uncomfortable with their growing family. Augustus had been the only family member to be present when the twins were born, but this time everyone had flown to Paris to see the baby. Paul only maintained a small circle of friends and sometimes even avoided his own show openings, making Macey wonder if he didn’t like large crowds. Even so, she hoped he would come around more often. She would hate for Coda to grow up not knowing his adoptive uncle. “So, you got up with him?” Macey asked. “Yeah, of course. You were sleeping. I didn’t want him to wake you up,” Julius nodded. “You work too hard. You should take a break now that he’s here.” Macey smiled, leaning close and kissing him. His lips eagerly answered her, making her wonder when it was they had last made love. She had been too uncomfortable in the later stages of her pregnancy for such activities and after the birth she was tired and needed healing, but now…
Paul sighed as he stepped out of the car and adjusted his tie. He was late. The gala was set to begin at five and it was already approaching six. Even so, there was still plenty of time left. He breathed in his hand and sniffed before digging out a breath mint. There hadn’t been time to brush his teeth and he had a few drinks to steel his nerves. This was not going to be easy. Since the baby’s birth, he avoided Macey and the kids, feigning work. It wasn’t a complete lie. He did actually have a couple of installations to complete. In the past, he always hurried back to Paris after his work was done. Now, he lingered in whatever city or country he found himself in. If Macey thought his sudden absence strange, Victoria was good enough to cover for him. So far, it had worked though he missed the kids and Macey. As much as he longed to spend some time with them, he knew if he did, he would have to see him too. Julius DaLair. He
Paul quietly wandered the gallery, looking at the mostly black and white photographs featuring building blocks, stuffed animals and even a mobile, all taken from a low angle representing the perspective of the baby. Each photograph had one color that was highlighted outside the otherwise gray tones. He didn’t know if it was because the baby was a boy, but the color for each photograph was the same: blue. It added a contrast to the gray tones and also softened the images, giving them more life than if they had been left purely black and white. He studied the photos with a smile. Macey had a unique way of making the mundane sacred. It was what made her work so special and why so many people gravitated to her photographs. “Oncle Paul!” an excited voice greeted. He turned to see Aria and Caden nearby. Aria was wearing a blue, velvet dress with a white skirt. Her usually unruly hair was tamed in a pair of pigtails with sparkling butterfly barrette
“I don’t know how much they paid you but this should be more than enough to keep your mouth shut. If you try to contact me…If I hear one word about this from anyone…It’ll be the last thing anybody will ever hear from you.” Slam! * * * The echo of the slamming door woke
Surely that should have been enough for her sister’s revenge but it wasn’t. Anonymous photos soon blasted gossip pages with headlines like: Golden Child Disgraced! Music Prodigy Out of Control! Her mother broke down in tears and her father raged. Neither wanted to hear her side of the story and
While her mother had been a wallflower Alexis was outgoing and friendly earning her quite a following. Lynn was happy her children were popular and well-adjusted. She couldn’t hope for more, didn’t dare to hope for more. Now they were in the fifth grade and would soon move on to a middle school.
“Okay Alexis, stare straight ahead for me.” Doctor Ericka was gentle as she shined a light and studied her young patient’s eyes. “Good. Now without moving your head track the light as I move it.” Alexis’s gaze flickered as she watched the light move steadily in and out of her limited
“Mom and I were planning to play later,” Alexis said. “You can too if you want.” “Really? Thanks,” Caden immediately brightened. “…So you based the décor on the diner you used to work in,” Macey said after listening to Ava’s brief retelling of her past. “Were you thinki
Silas’s embrace tightened. He hated thinking about the trials she went through without him. Ava leaned against him relishing his comfort and support. Their past was not as important as their future. “You two aren’t going to go all kissy-face, right?” Theo asked. “We’re in public and
Two Months Later The restaurant was lively. Guests had been arriving for the past two hours eager for a unique dining experience. The staff was well-trained providing exceptional service despite the rush. They had been drilled in their duties by the restaurant’s manager, a tyrant the
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.” “D
“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
“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
Finding no support anywhere Jenna finally fled. No one paid her further mind as they watched the kids swarm around their parents comforting their mother. It was a sweet and tender scene and many began to see Silas in a completely different light. * * * Jenna screamed as she storme
Jenna stepped forward intentionally shoving her shoulder and made Ava stumble back. “W-What is—” Jenna stuttered as the video paused. “Who was calling who shameless?” Alexis demanded standing next to her mother arms crossed in front of her chest. “So playing with people’s
The music started slowly with just a few notes announcing the beginning of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy. The simple melody became more complex as notes overlapped and weaved a new organic pattern but always maintaining the integrity of the piece. Conversation lulled as everyone turned their