Chapter 12

"Are you quite done ignoring me yet?" Julia asked.

I rolled my eyes, "Good morning to you too." I said.

"Did I do something to offend you?"

"No Julia, I'm okay." I said.

"Ava cut the bullshit, something is going on." Julia moved to block me from entering the elevator and I sighed.

All I wanted to do was to go to my desk and get my work done in peace. "Julia I have a lot of work to do today, can you please move?" I asked annoyed.

"Not until you tell me what's up."

She folded her arms and arched her brow. "I have a lot going on in my head, which I will tell you later when I'm ready. Now please, move." I said.

She hesitated for a moment before slowly stepping to the side. I stepped pass her and into the elevator.

"This isn't over." She warned as the elevator closed.

I Iet out the breath I didn't realized I was holding and leaned against the wall as the elevator ascended. I had way to much going on in my head to deal with Julia right now. It's not that I don't want her to know, it's just too much to explain again. Julia just found out that my girls aren't Royce's and that was a shock on its own. If I reveal who their biological father could be, I'd never hear the end of it. Once the elevator opened I quickly moved to my desk to put my things down. I grabbed the envelope out of my bag and went to Caleb's door.

"Knock knock." I said knocking.

"Hey Ava, come in." He said.

I entered the office and approached his desk with a small smile. Caleb looked at me closely.

"You look good today, how are you?" He asked.

"Good."

Caleb has been watching me closely since my panic attack a few days ago. Although I didn't tell him what or rather who triggered it, he was still worried that I was putting up a front, which I am.

"I read over the chapter like you asked and did my reviews." I handed him the envelope.

"That's great. You finished it faster than I expected."

"Well it was a needed distraction. It's good." I said.

"I was counting on it. I don't normally go for writers close to home, but she's pretty impressive."

"She's here in Vancouver?"

"Nah, Seattle." He said All he had to do was say the name and I felt sick instantly. Why is this situation affecting me so much? I took a deep breath before releasing it slowly.

"You alright?" He asked immediately alerted.

"Um, yea, I'll just be at my desk." I said.

"Ok..." He said.

I exited his office before he could say anything else and went to sit by my desk. I quickly got to work looking through my emails and noting anyone who was trying to get in contact with Caleb. You'd be surprised by the amount of emails I go through and meetings I have to set up. If I'm not sure about a person I always consult Caleb before scheduling anything. One minute I was going through emails and organizing meetings and the next I was on google searching the last family I expected to, The Reynolds. The Reynolds family looked much as I expected, like Caleb they were all gorgeous, prim and proper. It's obvious that they were glorified in society and took their family name very serious. The head of the family and founders of most of their companies are Charles Audley Reynolds and Marie Anne Reynolds. Charles was the father of Mason and Caleb. He looked tall, serious and very strict. Mr. Reynolds founded their companies from IT, to cars and later to airlines. Caleb wasn't joking when he said he looked more like his dad. He had his eyes, hair color and the same no nonsense look. Charles's wife and their mother, Marie stood beside her husband with a proud smile. I can tell from her photo she was relaxed and elegant. Marie founded Reynolds interior designs and had invested in many cooking shows and restaurants. I smiled gently looking through her pictures, she looked a lot like Mason, therefore she looked a lot like my girls. Deep green eyes, reddish brown hair and a smile that would bring any man to his knees. The next person I noticed was their sister, Regina Lively Reynolds Webber. She was the perfect mix of her father and mother and looked like your typical girly girl. She was married with a four year old son, Jarvis. Regina founded the cosmetics side of the Reynolds business, no surprise there. Regina was responsible for launching her own fashion designs, makeup and hair care products. Her clothing line alone brought in 30% of the Reynolds money and she was the same age as me. Impressive. Last, but not least, Mason Lloyd Reynolds. My heart picked up staring at his picture, full pouty lips and dark green eyes deeper than a forest staring back at me. I saw the face of my daughters, the face of my nameless stranger and smiled. Mason was in charge of the IT side of the Reynold businesses. Security systems, cell phones, laptops and many other devices. He's also responsible for the building part of the Reynolds companies, building several homes and business offices for the family. Mason was beyond intelligent and obviously the apple of his father's eyes. He was seen with his father in many pictures. I wonder why Caleb pulled away from his family? He doesn't talk about them and I don't hear him talking to anyone in his family. Caleb was in charge of the Publishing side of the family business of course. He only deals with writing and publishing new authors, as well as a few plays, movies and magazines. He wasn't kidding when he said he is a busy man. The entire Reynolds family is beautiful, successful, rich and very well known. They operated beyond a normal family status, they were a dynasty indeed. While going through Mason's photos, I reluctantly noticed a brown eyed brunette that stood by his side. Chasity Darrell the daughter of Albert Darrell who is the owner of D an D's law firm. Chasity was a lawyer and partner in her father's law firm and fits in with what the Reynolds family stand for. It's no wonder he chose her. What am I doing? Here I am doing all kind of research on a family that I know nothing about. Am I really willing to get in the midst of this family? They were practically an empire for heavens sake. I wouldn't fit in at all and I wouldn't be surprised if they accuse me of trying to get money from them. The more I read the further I pushed away from my decision to tell Mason. He was happy and enjoying his life. How could I possibly disrupt that? The last thing I need is for me and the girls to be in the public's eye negatively...

"Ava?!" I jumped up quickly and closed the browser before looking towards Caleb.

"Yea?" I asked panicked.

"You know the last time I caught you staring at the computer like that you told me you were pregnant."

He narrowed his eyes accusingly. I smiled shaking my head, "Glad to say that's not the case."

"So what is it?"

"Nothing I can't handle, I swear."

"Well I wanted to talk to you about something." He said.

"Am I in trouble?" I asked worried.

"What? No, of course not. Come on."

I followed him into his office and sat by his desk curiously. "I have to make yet another trip to Seattle next week." He said.

"You want me to clear your schedule? You don't have much planned for next week."

"Well yes, but I want you to come with me."

"You want me to come with you to Seattle?" I asked nervously.

Bile started to rise in my throat and I quickly swallowed it down. "Yea, I wanted to meet the writer we were discussing earlier. I want to convince her that Publishing with Reynolds is the best choice for her."

"Well why do you need me there?"

"She's a pretty tough cookie to crack and I think you can help me convince her."

"Um..."

"Come on Ava. You're like my wingman or wingwoman. I can't do this without you. I think it will be good for her to see another person more on her level in my circle." He said.

"I don't know if I should be insulted or flattered."

"Trust me, it was compliment."

I don't want to disappoint Caleb, but just the thought of Seattle made me feel uneasy. I haven't went there since the girls were born and I wasn't planning to.

"Please Ava? It'll be a quick trip, only two days and I promise we'll be back here before you know it. I need you on this."

I sighed, "Okay, I'll go. I'll just make arrangements for who the girls will be with." I said.

"Well can't they stay with their dad?" He asked.

"Um, yea, no. My boyfriend works a lot so my mom have to help out." I said clearing my throat.

"Well okay, make the arrangements."

I nodded and made my way to the door. "Ava?" I turned,

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked.

"Yea." He gave me a sideways glance and I knew he didn't believe me.

"You don't believe me?" Caleb cleared his throat before standing away from his desk to approach me.

"Ava, I know you. You like to put up a front but I see right through you. There is something bothering you and although there is absolutely no problem with your work, I know that whatever this is, it's eating at you. For a while now." He said.

"Caleb, I'm fine. This is something I have to deal with alone. I promise if it gets too much I'll take a step back."

"You know you're more than just my assistant right? You're my friend and I'm only looking out for you. Don't hesitate to talk to me." He said.

I was instantly touched by his words. "Thank you Caleb, I promise."

"Good. Lunch?" He asked eager.

"Meatball sub?" I laughed as he nodded quickly. "Coming right up." I said.

The rest of the day I made arrangements for our trip next week. Despite everything going on, I didn't want to disappoint Caleb, especially after his little speech. The day went by quickly and I couldn't wait until I could finally be home with my girls. My cellphone rang and I smiled looking at the number.

"Catherine." I said.

"Hi sweetie, how are ya?"

"I was just packing up. I'm about to leave work." I said.

"Have any plans with Royce tonight?"

"No Royce has a late flight tonight. He'll be home in the morning. Why?"

"I was wondering if we could go out for dinner tonight? Just you, me and the girls."

"Hmm, that sounds like a good idea. What do you have in mind?" I asked.

"I don't know. We could go to nice diner or something."

I nodded, "sounds good. I have to pick up the girls from mom before I go home. Text me which restaurant you chose and we'll be there by 7:30 or so." I said.

"Okay. See you guys there."

I quickly packed up the rest of my things and headed for the Elevator.

"I'm gone Caleb!" I called out.

"Alright!"

I was almost to the front door when Julia stopped me again. I groaned internally.

"See! You're doing it to me again." She said.

"Doing what?"

"Avoiding me Ava!" She whined.

I rolled my eyes, "What do you want to know?"

"I want to know what has you so distant these days?"

"Julia, there has been a lot going on between me and Royce that I'm not ready to talk about yet." I lied smoothly.

"You usually tell me what's going on with you guys."

"Well this time it is more than private."

She sighed, "Okay. I guess I can understand that. Call me when you're ready?"

"I will." I promised.

I made my way to my mother's house and wasn't surprised to see Joey's minivan parked out front. I don't know how I missed it the first time. The front door was opened this time.

"Knock knock." I said.

I quickly heard little feet running towards me.

"Momma!" "Mommy!" I dropped to my knees and circled my arms around my babies.

"Oh my girls! Mommy missed you." I said kissing their little heads.

"Girls go get your shoes." Mom said.

I looked up and noticed that she was dressed in her chef uniform and holding the girls bags.

"I see you have a visitor again." I said taking their bags.

"Joey was kind enough to give me a ride to work."

"How thoughtful." I said.

"Be nice." She warned.

Speaking of the devil, Joey came from out the kitchen and stuck his head cautiously.

"Um, hey Ava." he said nervously.

"Hello Joey. How are you?"

"I'm great." He smiled.

Mom gave me a look as if to continue and I almost rolled my eyes again.

"Um, about the other day... "

Joey held up his hands, "No blood no foul." He said.

There a bit of an awkward silence between us, before the girls came running with their shoes obviously on the wrong feet. I smiled and kneeled to help them put on their shoes the right way.

"Good girls. Come on tell Nana bye bye." I said.

The girls waved their little hands telling mom goodbye and she laughed waving back.

"Drive safely."

"Will do."

Once we got home I checked the answering machine before taking the girls up to their room. I went through their closet trying to decide what they would wear. We probably won't be going anywhere fancy so casual and comfortable is the best way to go. Deciding on their little frozen themed outfits I laid the clothes on their cribs.

"No!!! Peppa!"

"No!"

"Mine!" Lily screamed.

I spun around and found the girls fighting over the stack of blocks. I watched in horror as Peppa leaned down to bite Lily.

"No! Peppa!" I grabbed them away from the blocks and pulled Lily in my arms just as she started to cry.

"Shh oh no, I'm sorry Lily. Peppa, no don't bite!" Peppa stood angrily staring at the floor and I quickly kneeled down.

"No biting Peppa, that's very mean. Tell Lily you're sorry." I said.

Peppa still continued to stare at the floor, so I tugged her face up gently.

"Hey, tell Lily you're sorry." I said.

Lily continued to cry in the crook of my neck and Peppa eyes began to water. Peppa was usually more easy to deal with when it came to discipline. Why the sudden change?

"Okay, since you want to be rude, timeout." I said.

I took her hand and pulled her in the corner of the room to sit in her small chair. Her little lips formed a deep frown as the tears pooled in her eyes.

"You stay here until you can tell Lily you're sorry and no milk either." I said.

Lily's crying eased and Peppa cries had begun. I sighed and quickly started to get Lily dressed, trying my best to ignore Peppa's little cries. The older they got the harder they are to handle. I gave Lily light kisses on her arm where Peppa bit her.

"I'm sorry baby, I don't know why you guys have to fight, there are more than enough blocks for both of you." I sighed.

I was just finished Lily's hair when Peppa cries finally stopped. I guess she realized that I wouldn't cater to her.

"Momma." She mumbled.

"Yes Penelope?"

"Swooy." She sniffled.

I pulled Lily over to the corner where she sat and kneeled down.

"You're ready to tell Lily you're sorry?"

"Swooy Lily." She whispered.

Lily was a bit apprehensive, but didn't dwell on it too much. I opened my arms for Peppa and she quickly jumped in them. "Good girl baby. No more biting okay?" I said.

She buried her head in the crook of my neck and I smiled as Lily patted her sister's back gently. Despite how long the evening felt, I was still able to be out the door by seven pm. I parked outside the diner that Cat selected and got the girls out. I made sure their sweaters were on before heading inside the diner. Cat was already sitting down looking at the menu.

"Look at Aunty Cat." I said pointing her out to the girls.

I released their hands and they went running towards the table where she sat. Her eyes lit up seeing the girls and she quickly pulled them in the seat next to her and gave them kisses.

"Hey hey." I said sitting across from them.

"Heyy, you guys actually got here on time." She laughed.

"Don't even go there."

"I haven't ordered yet, I was waiting on you guys." She said.

I quickly looked at the menu while Cat played with the girls. I decided on a burger for me and nuggets and fries for the girls. We quickly put in our orders and chatted about today.

"I was thinking about leaving school." Cat said suddenly.

"What? You love teaching." I said.

"I know I do, I just feel like I've outgrown the place. The salary sucks and so does the benefits. The only thing keeping me there were those kids, who by the way are graduating soon."

"So what are you going to do? When will you leave?"

"I haven't decided what I will do yet, but I do know after this summer I'm not going back to that school." She said.

Just then, the waitress brought our food to us. Peppa moved under the table to come and sit next to me and Lily stayed next to Cat. I set out their nuggets and fries for them before digging into my burger.

"How is that you can come to decisions so easy and I struggle?" I asked.

"Are you talking about Mason?"

"It's been weeks since I saw him and I can't even decide what to do." I groaned.

"That's because you always overthink."

"Well it's not an easy decision to make Cat, I'd be messing with a man's life. He has a girlfriend and this great family, the last thing he needs is his past getting in the way of his future."

"Do you honestly think that keeping a man from his kids will do more good then harm?" She asked.

I shrugged, "I don't know, I'm just afraid of what's going to happen when Royce finds this out."

"Royce will get over it. If he loves you as much as he says he does, he'll understand." I went silent for a moment while I ate my burger.

There was a bigger problem that I didn't want to face. I was afraid to even say it out in the air because I knew it would be even more true.

"There's something else isn't it?" Cat asked.

Of course she saw right through me. I took a deep breath, "I'm attracted to him." I admitted.

Cat chuckled, "I figured as much."

"It's not funny Cat."

"Ava he is an attractive man. He's educated, successful and a total eye candy. You'd be a fool not to be attracted to him but this goes beyond that." She said.

"God, imagine what Caleb will think. His twin brother saw my lady parts" I mumbled.

"Whew, I wish Caleb would see my lady parts."

"Oh boy, do you want me to ask him?" I laughed.

"God no, a man like that does not want a girl like me."

"You never know. You're quite a catch." I said.

"Yea, I doubt I'd catch that though." She laughed.

"Momma." Peppa said.

I smiled as her little hand stretched out with a fry in it. "Hmm, you're giving mommy some?"

I leaned down biting a piece of the fry she was holding out. She smiled and continued eating. I looked towards Lily to make sure she was still eating and smiled. It still surprises me that no matter what I'm going through, I can always count on my daughters to brighten my day. There is no point of any of this without them. That is when it hit me. I made a small gasp.

"What is it?" Cat asked.

"This whole time I've been worrying about how I felt, how Royce will feel or how Mason will feel, but how we feel won't matter. It's them."

I stared at my girls lovingly before continuing. "This is about them, it's been about them this entire time, not anyone else. This will affect them more than any of us. This is their future and it's my duty to make the best choice for them." I said.

"What choice is that?"

I looked Cat in her eyes, "For them to meet their biological father."