Chapter 36

Mason's POV

Someone once said, "A learned fool is more of a fool than an ignorant fool." I hadn't understood those words fully until today. I was a complete and utter fool and there was no better way to describe it. I knew I shouldn't have shed light about that night and the potential damage it would've cost Ava's relationship, however I did it anyway. I crossed a line, but so did Royce. He baited me with his disgust and false accusations and I stupidly took that bait. I was driven by my emotions, something my father often expressed his disapproval of, and he was right. Any person who makes decisions solely based on how they feel are fools and now I believed it. Although I detested Ava's flippant behavior towards the night that we shared together, there was no reason to act the way I did. I owe Royce for being there for the girls and Ava when I was not, no matter the circumstances. He took care of them and gave them a home when I wasn't around. Most men won't even attempt that, but that doesn't change the way I feel about what he said. Lillian and Penelope were my daughters and I refused to let him get in the way of my relationship with them because of what Ava and I shared. I wasn't a threat to him anymore, I admit that I probably would've been if I didn't have Chasity. Ava maybe able to ignore that night but it took me months to get over it from the moment she left. Her full blue eyes with the little golden specks around it, her long full blonde hair. I couldn't begin to describe how soft her skin felt, the full swell of her hips, breasts and the way her strawberry scent engulfed me. I searched endlessly for her frustrated that I didn't have more of her description to go off of. I even went as far as viewing the security cameras in the hotel that very night. It was harder than I thought to locate her and after Chasity, I relented. I understood why Royce was so upset but that doesn't mean he has a right to stop my kids from being with me.

"I hungee daddy." Peppa's little voice broke me out of my thoughts and I glanced at her from the rearview mirror.

"You are?"

"I hungee too." Lily nodded.

"Well why don't daddy take his princesses to get some pancakes?" I grinned.

"Yay!" They cheered.

I carried them to a small diner just on the outskirts of the city. I tried to stay away from heavily crowded places when I don't have my guards with me because I am less likely to be noticed in small places. I took the girls out of the car and we quickly headed into the diner where we were seated at the back table by the window. The girls talked and kicked happily in their highchairs as we waited for our meals. I tilted my head as I stared at them for a moment. How is it that Ava and I were able to create such beautiful children? Ava alone is rather exquisite, but my DNA pretty much took over. It was like looking at myself in the mirror if I was born a girl. My own twin brother and I doesn’t have as much of a resemblance. Lily was talking openly, okay more like babbling, when a bit of drool came out of her mouth. Peppa scrunched her little nose disgusted before reaching over and wiping Lily's mouth.

"Ew, Lily, no spitting." She said.

I laughed instantly watching the interaction.

"Just incredible."

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out quickly noting it was Caleb before answering. "Yea?"

"I hope you're not the reason Ava is in such a sullen mood today."

"Hello to you too Caleb."

"Cut it out."

I sighed, "It wasn't intentional, and it wasn't my fault alone."

"Dude, I needed her in a good mood to have her game face on for today. Of course, you'd screw it up."

"Did I not say that it wasn't only me? Royce is to blame also."

"Why? What happened?"

"The guy is adamant about keeping my own children away from me. It's like I'm the intruder of his family and I'm not."

Caleb chuckled, "In his eyes, you are the intruder. You definitely inserted yourselves quite literally into their lives."

"It doesn't matter, I won't allow him to keep me away from my kids."

"Well he obviously can't do that, but is it more the girls or Ava?"

"What are you implying?"

"We both know how you acted after that night. Are you more upset that he has them? Your daughters and the woman of your dreams?"

"Shut up man, Chasity is it for me." I replied curtly.

Caleb chuckled, "Right, just take care of my nieces. I'll probably drive down on Sunday."

"Alright."

Just as the call ended the waitress came with our food. She was bouncing with every step and her smile was wide, too wide. I ignored her stare and quickly sliced up the girls’ pancakes for them. The girls and I ate our breakfast and I asked them all sorts of questions. A lot of them I already knew the answer to, but it was fun learning the reasons behind them. They understood for the most part and once again I was left speechless at just how advanced my princesses are. My little Einsteins. I noticed a flash from the corner of my eyes and turned to see a petite girl, no older than twenty-one, holding a camera near the window. Her eyes widened at being caught and she turned away quickly and ran.

I rolled my eyes, "Time to go girls."

I paid the bill and we headed back to my jeep. I strapped the girls in quickly making sure it was secured and placed their little neck rolls behind their necks. We still have somewhat of a lengthy drive ahead of us and I wanted them to be comfortable in case they fell asleep. As I predicted, the girls fell asleep on the drive home and by the time I pulled up they were still disoriented. Have you ever carried sleepy two year olds with their belongings and yours? It wasn't long for them to become alert, especially at the sight of their room. I shot Ava a text informing her that we got home safely, and she replied with a thumbs up. Not an ok or great, only a thumbs up. My stomach churned at the thought of her being upset with me. That was the last thing I wanted. Desperately wanting to distract myself, I decided to do what I was most eager to do, spend time with the girls. They were having a great time hiding and playing around the house and it was hard not to fall in love with the sounds of their little feet dashing through the halls. I went out back and placed a large white sheet on the patio before arranging two little easels and canvases. Grabbing their paints, brushes and aprons, I called the girls.

"Who wants to paint?" I called out.

"Me! me!" They came yelling.

"Well come on then, show daddy what you can do." I grinned.

For the next few hours, I watched my girls paint. They were filled with giggles and chatter as they painted erratically against the canvases. Ava told me how much they enjoyed painting and I wasn't surprised given that art and music were my favorite subjects. I cheered them on as I snapped pictures of their messy faces and aprons. At one point, I even joined them and soon I was covered in paint also. I made them sandwiches with juice for lunch, and we snapped an endless amount of selfies. It was perfect. Later, I gave the girls a bath, which was damn near insane, before taking a bath myself. We dashed around the house playing hide and seek before I finally made mac n cheese for dinner. They smacked and licked their lips and it was then that I realized why Ava usually gave them a bath after dinner.

"You girls want to watch a movie before bed?"

"Yesss." Lily bounced while Peppa nodded.

She truly was more of a quiet observer much like her mom. It was endearing when I thought about it.

"What movie do you want to watch?"

"Moana!" Lily said.

"Elsa!" Peppa retorted.

"No Moana!"

"Elsa!"

"No!"

"Heyyy, okay girls enough of that." I chided. "Why don't we watch Moana tonight and watch Elsa tomorrow night?"

"Yay!"

"No daddy, Elsa pease?" Peppa begged.

My heart ached instantly, and I thought quickly for the best solution. "Why don't we play a game?" Their eyes lit up as I expected. I got up and helped them from their chairs.

"Your room is a mess with all of your toys. The first princess to put away all of her toys wins."

The girls’ eyes widened before they dashed up the stairs. I put the dishes in the dishwasher before following them. The girls were swarming around the room as they worked to put away all their toys. I watched them closely from the doorway and it wasn't long before Peppa won. "Yay! I win daddy I win!" She giggled.

I laughed, "Yes you did baby girl." Lily pouted and crossed her arms instantly and I moved to kneel by her side.

"Sweetheart, Peppa won the game fairly so you can't be upset."

"But I want Moana." She whined.

"And we will watch Moana tomorrow baby I promise, but you have to be fair. Princesses should always be fair, you won a lot of games today." Lily sighed but nodded her head sullenly.

"Now come on let's brush your teeth."

After getting the girls cleaned up, I led them downstairs to my den and their eyes lit up at their surroundings. They never saw this part of the house. "Daddy your tv is big!" Lily gasped.

"Yes, it is." I winked.

We were getting settled into the wide soft seats when my phone rang.

"Mommy!" The girls said as her picture popped up.

My breaths quickened as I answered the video. "Hi mommy!" Lily said.

"Hi momma."

"Hi my sweet girls, I miss you so much." Ava gushed.

She was wearing a wife beater and her hair was pulled into a messy bun revealing the soft curve of her neck. She was so beautiful.

"We miss you too mommy."

"Are you being good for daddy?"

"Uh huh, we painted and ate sandwich."

"We played hide n seek with mac n cheese." Peppa added and I grinned proudly.

"Oh my goodness, that sounds great, daddy sent me all of your pictures."

"We are about to watch Frozen on the big screen." I said.

"Yea momma we watch Elsa." Peppa beamed. Lily wasn't bothered by this anymore. In fact, she was nearly pouncing for me to start the movie. "Well I'll let you guys get to it. Don't stay up too late." She warned.

"Yes ma'am." I said.

She smiled but I could see that she was still bothered about earlier and I held my tongue. "Ok mommy."

"I love you babies." She cooed.

"Love you mommy."

They grinned before hanging up. I started the movie and it wasn't long before both the girls crashed, and it wasn't even 9o'clock yet. They were buried close to my side and I found myself growing tired after a long day. I turned off the movie and lifted the girls gently into my arms, which wasn't an easy task since they were asleep. I placed the girls into their beds awkwardly and grabbed their baby monitor. It put me to ease knowing I'd be able to hear them. I was on my way to bed when my doorbell rang. Confused, I made my way back down the stairs. I was surprised to see Chasity by the door wearing a beige coat with black leggings and high heels. I opened the door quickly.

"Hey beautiful. How'd you know I was back?" I asked confused.

"Your father informed me. I don't understand why you didn't." She said annoyed.

Of course, he did. "It wasn't planned but I had to get back."

"If you came yesterday, where were you?"

I arched a brow, "I was in Seattle with the girls."

"And Ava." She replied in an unimpressed tone.

"Well she is their mother." She stepped inside curtly and closed the door.

"I missed you." She whispered, placing her arms around my neck.

"I missed you too."

"Really? Because these couple of months with you were pretty brutal." I sighed before wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close.

"I know and I'm sorry. These last few months I've been trying to adjust to being a father. This is a new territory for me, all of us."

"Don't I know it."

"I'm sorry Chas, I promise to make it up to you."

She smirked shyly, "You can make it up to me now." She hinted.

Before I could respond, her lips found mine firmly. Her kiss sent a familiar thrill inside of my pants and I groaned gently pulling her closer. She opened her mouth, allowing me to taste her essence with my tongue. I pressed her to the door gently and she moaned softly. I released her lips and made a trail down her neck and shoulder as she worked to loose the belt on her coat. I pulled her lips back to mine. With Chasity's coat gone her fingers found their way up my shirt and my mind was no longer in my foyer but instead, I was in my penthouse at the Reynolds hotel. Ava's fingers were like sizzling flames against my skin and she tasted like vanilla and strawberries. I knotted my fingers into her long hair and gripped her leather covered ass with the other. I sucked her bottom lip gently into my mouth and she purred softly, so fitting given her costume choice. She pulled away suddenly and I opened my eyes, hungry for more. It was then that realized that she wasn't here. The wavy blonde hair and blue eyes of Ava were replaced with the dark hair and dark eyes of Chasity. She smiled sultry at me and before she could pull me into another kiss, I stepped away shaking my head.

"What? What is it baby?" She panted.

"I'm sorry, I can't do this."

"What? Why?"

"We just can't, okay."

Lust was quickly replaced with anger and I mentally braced myself. "Why not?"

"Chas please"

"You haven't touched me in weeks Mason. Don't you want me?"

"Of course, I do but this isn't the appropriate time."

"When is the appropriate time Mason?! Since you have some kind of internal clock." She grabbed her coat from the floor angrily.

"Chas the girls are right upstairs."

"What? When? Why?"

"What do you mean why? They're my kids, I wanted to spend time with them."

"Is SHE here too?!" She asked, shocked.

"No! She's home in Seattle."

"You know what, I'm getting tired of this Mason."

"Tired of what, me being with my kids? You know how important they are to me." I said defensive.

"Not them! You know I'd never get between you and your kids, but I meant Ava!"

I groaned, "Please, not this again."

"Why not? I mean come on Mason. You can't think I'm this dense. You can cut this oblivious act."

"What do you mean?"

"We were perfect together! The sex, the dates, the trips and events. We were two peas in a pod practically inseparable. The minute Ava came into the picture you've changed. I don't even know who you are anymore."

"Of course, I've changed. I became a father, Chasity."

"You know that's not what I mean. When she's around I don't even exist to you."

"That's not true!"

"Mason do you feel something for that woman?" She searched my eyes fiercely and in that moment, I was lost for words.

"No." I mumbled out.

"Bullshit! You can't even look me in my eyes."

"Chas"

"Do you still love me?"

"Of course, I do!"

"Then you need to decide what you're going to do, otherwise you'll lose me and everything we ever wanted together. I come second to NO woman, you understand?" She turned and marched out of the house slamming the door behind her.

I didn't follow her cause what would be the point? I had no response for the way I acted, and she knows I am not the type of man that avoids straight forward questions. The truth was that her questions sent a trickle of fear through me and it was unexpected. What was even more unexpected was that I didn't have an immediate solution to this. It was disarming and granted me a restless night. The next morning, I was awoken by a low buzzing on my nightstand. I groaned gently and grabbed the phone, I noted the time and realized it was a video chat from Ava. Even during my sleep hazed brain, my heart spiked, and I answered it quickly.

"Morning." I groaned out.

"Hey, morning. Are you still asleep?" I nodded.

"The girls aren't up yet?"

I glanced towards the baby monitor quickly, but there wasn't a sound coming from it and I placed it right between them. "Um no not yet. I'll check on them."

"It's okay, you can let them sleep. They're usually up by seven."

"Well they had a very eventful day yesterday."

"That's true. I'm sorry to interrupt your sleep. I'll call a little later when they're awake."

"Wait." I said before she hung up.

"Yea?"

I grabbed the remote from my nightstand and opened my curtains before sitting up so that my back was against my headboard. "We should talk."

She looked wary but waited for me to continue. "I'm so sorry about yesterday."

"You already said that."

"Yes, but I'm under the impression that you don't quite believe me."

"It's fine Mason, I'd prefer if you weren't so explicit about it." She sighed. "Better yet, not say it at all."

"I know, I was arrogant and allowed my feelings to misguide me. I'm sorry for how I said it but not why." Her blue eyes looked so potent with the eyeliner and mascara and even through the phone they had a way of humbling me.

"I don't want to compete with Royce over our kids."

"Don't you think I know that Mason? I was handling it before you intervened. He would've been upset but he would've gotten over it like he always does."

"Well I wasn't aware of that."

"Of course, you weren't. You went bat shit crazy and it was unnecessary. Do you actually believe that I would allow Royce to stop you from being with our kids? I would never do that." She said fiercely.

"I know."

She sighed gently, "I have to go."

"Ava, wait."

"What?" She asked frustrated.

"Are you angry with me?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes." I mumbled.

"Why?"

"Because I don't want you to be angry with me, I don't like it."

She nodded, "I'm not angry with you."

"Promise?" I asked hopeful.

"I promise." She said with a crooked smile.

I felt a weight lifted as we ended the call and I went to check on the girls. My morning with the girls was much like yesterday. We ate breakfast, played games, watched some tv, I even became their loyal customer at their little kitchenette. Of course with fun came a few lessons. I went over the alphabet with them along with their colors and numbers. They really are intelligent two year olds. Ava did call back to talk to the girls like she promised, to the girls’ delight. Soon it was time to eat lunch and we went into the backyard to play some more. We kicked the ball around the yard joyously and I couldn't believe that I was having so much fun playing with toddlers. I played some music with my Bluetooth speakers on and we danced around the yard happily. There was a slight dent in our fun when Lily sadly fell down. I ran to her side quickly and pulled her close as she wailed.

"Are you okay baby?" I asked worried.

I looked her over quickly making sure she was okay, relieved when I saw no scratches or blood. I rocked her gently to calm her and Peppa stood close by patting her head to calm her sister also. Soon her cries turned into whimpers.

"Better?" She nodded gently.

"Alright, look at daddy." She stood up slowly and stared at me, her full green eyes swimming with tears.

"You're daddy's big girl okay? Say I'm a big girl."

"I'm big girl."

"Say I'm strong."

"I'm shrong." She hiccuped.

"Say I'm loved."

"I'm love."

"Say I am okay."

"I am okay." She smiled.

"Now let's finish our dance party." I winked before kissing her cheeks.

Once I was sure that she was a lot better we got back on our feet and started dancing again. "Well isn't this a site for sore eyes!" I turned and noticed my mom, Jarvis and Regina on the patio watching us. Regina was recording us with her phone and giggling.

"Nana Ann!" "Aunty Gina!" The girls sprinted across the lawn and into the arms of their Nana and Aunt. I followed at a slower pace and watched them greet one another.

"Look at my precious darlings."

My mom cooed and kissed them.

"You girls are getting so big, you're almost as big as Jarvis." Regina teased.

Jarvis scrunched his nose not liking being compared to the clearly shorter girls. "We are big girls now." Peppa said.

"Yes, you are. You girls got daddy to dance? I'm impressed." She said.

"I dance." I retorted.

"Ballroom dancing does not count."

I shrugged. "Wait, how did you even get in?"

Mom puckered her lips shyly, "I had a key made dear."

"You did what?"

"Oh, hush now. It was my first time using it."

"Uh huh and when did you get it cut?" She hesitated.

"Why don't I get started on dinner."

My eyes narrowed instantly but I let it go for now. Mom opened the glass door and went into the kitchen to start dinner and I sat on the patio with Regina as we watched the kids play. "I never thought I'd see the day." Regina chuckled.

"What?"

"You with kids." She smirked.

"Our kids are playing in the yard while we watch them." She waved her hand towards them.

"Is that so hard to believe?"

"Definitely. Caleb was the lover from the beginning, I thought he'd beat you to it."

"I'm a lover." I mumbled defensive.

"Well now you are but you spent most of your life becoming daddy's prodigy."

I sighed, "What about Chasity? Didn't you think I'd have a future with her?"

"Oh her." She scoffed.

"Yes her."

"You'd have to commit to her first, something you haven't done since the eleventh grade. Secondly, you know that Chasity would not have been your first choice."

"That's not true."

"Oh, but it is. If daddy hadn't forced you..."

"He did not force me."

"Right. You can deny it all you want big brother, but you and I both know that the only reason you clung to that Elle Woods wannabe is because of dad. God, Mason look at your daughters." I glanced over to them and watched them kick their ball around with Jarvis while in a fit of giggles. "You actually have kids. I mean you're the guy that does the pull out method WITH a condom on only to tell the girl to take the morning after pill later." I nearly choked from her bluntness.

"You did not just say that to me."

She shrugged, "It's true."

"This is not a conversation I want to have with my younger sister."

"You don't have to talk to me, but you should admit it to yourself." I frowned.

"Admit what?"

"That you have the hots for Ava." She winked and I instantly groaned.

"God not you too."

"Regina stop meddling in your brother's personal affairs." Mom called out.

"Thank you, mother." I sighed.

"Oh, but he makes it so hard mum." She giggled.

Once mom was done with dinner, I got the girls cleaned up and we all sat around to eat. The room was filled with casual talk and we even included the children. We were still in the middle of dinner when Caleb popped in. "Hey hey." He said.

"Caleb!" The girls beamed at their favorite uncle, well their only uncle.

"Hi girls." He gushed and kissed their heads.

"I assumed you weren't coming anymore." I said.

"I wasn't but then I remember I had to deal with an issue down at the hotel."

"Is everything alright?" Mom asked.

"Yea, it was sorted out."

"Well come, have a seat and eat." She said.

Caleb joined us at the table and mom quickly dished out some food for him before we chatted once again. "So girls, did you have a lot of fun with your dad?" He asked and the girls instantly beamed.

"Daddy is fun." Lily enthused.

"Yea and funny." Peppa added.

"Fun and funny? Um, we are talking about the same person, right?" I elbowed him swiftly causing him to laugh.

"Can I be great please? You and Regina are relentless." I groaned.

"You probably shouldn't use the word great either." Regina interjected causing everyone to laugh.

"Mom I don't know the last time I tasted your cooking." Regina sighed.

"I know dear, that's because your father is not thrilled with the idea of me in the kitchen."

Caleb snorted, "God forbid that we use any skills beneath our upbringing." He mumbled. I glanced over to him in warning and he simply shrugged.

"Well you know your father has his own way of looking at things."

"Pretty sick ways."

Mom frowned, "Caleb, I know that you and your father don't have a typical father son relationship but there is no need to be rude." She chastised him.

"Ta! Rude? You want to know what's rude? Boycotting your own son."

"Caleb." Regina groaned. She was growing tired of the recurring argument as well. "We didn't do that." Mom replied.

"I beg the differ."

"Alright man, take it easy." I said.

Caleb shook his head and stood "I think I'm going to go."

"No, don't be this way. Have a seat, finish your food."

"When are you going to stop running Caleb? You never stayed with us long enough for us to boycott you." Mom pointed out.

Caleb's eyes narrowed. "You want to talk about running when we grew up memorizing you and dad's backs."

Mom leaned away shocked at his words. "We worked very hard so you can live the life that you do." She whispered.

"Well if being in this life will only cause me pain and destruction, I'll pass." He walked out of the room before any of us could say another word.

"Oh boy. I'll go get the girls cleaned up for bed." Regina said.

I nodded to her in thanks before going behind Caleb. He was almost to the door when I stopped him. "Caleb, wait."

"Why should I? So she can pretend like the last few years didn't happen?"

"No but we all have to find a way to cope, running won't fix anything."

"Mason you haven't had to cope with anything because you are still in dad's good graces and so is Gina. How do you expect me to get over being exiled from my own parents? The people who are supposed to love me unconditionally no matter what."

My shoulders slumped because he was right. Regina and I have felt dad's wrath but not at the magnitude that Caleb did for rejecting his plans. "Mom could stand there and act all high and mighty with the beliefs that her and dad have the perfect marriage, but she is nothing but the doormat for his filthy shoes."

"Caleb..."

"He walked all over us Mason and she let him." He scoffed before turning to leave quickly.

I sighed gently watching my brother walk away yet again. I heard movement behind me and was startled to see my mom standing not too far from me. "Mom, I'm sorry." I said helplessly.

She shook her head slowly approaching me and placed her shaky hands against either side of my face, forcing my eyes to meet her glassy ones. "It's okay dear. I'm okay." She whispered.

I didn't know if the words were meant for me or for her. Later that night, Regina and mom left with promises to call me tomorrow. The girls talked to Ava and she revealed the exciting news of her mom's engagement. Although they didn't fully understand, they were still thrilled at the idea of a party. The girls buried themselves close to me as we got settled in the den to start part two of our movie night. It was hard for me to focus on Moana after all that transpired tonight. Caleb has been on a bed of nails with my parents for years now. I can still remember the look on his face when dad informed him that he had washed his hands of him completely during a family meeting. Although the words exiled weren't used, it was implied. Dad pulled away from Caleb brutally with no remorse. He wasn't invited to special events, parties and dinners. It wasn't long until we stupidly followed his example. Caleb was right about a lot of things he said but one thing rang the most true, my mother was a doormat. I loved my mom, of course I do but I can't help but think that maybe if she had stood up for us against dad at least once, we would have the confidence to stand against him also.

"I love you daddy." Peppa whispered sleepily.

"I love you too daddy."

And just like that, every negative thought vanished. I will never understand why mom was so comfortable with not defending us because I would move heaven and earth to protect my daughters. I squeezed them close and gave them each a kiss. "Daddy loves you both. "