The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 23

“Look daddy! Clean hands!” Aria proudly declared as she and Caden returned from the bathroom.

“Very good!” he laughed picking her up and carrying her to the table which had been set much the same as the night before minus the candles. Even the bouquet remained as the centerpiece. “So what’s for dinner?”

“Lasagna,” Macey said bringing out the dish. “Come on everyone sit.”

The kids climbed into their seats as their mother served out their portions alongside steamed vegetables. Caden looked at his meal and then to his mother expectantly. Macey chuckled bringing out a plate with a wedge of parmesan. She held the shredder over his lasagna and grated the cheese onto it. He smiled happily.

“Me too mommy!” Aria declared.

As Macey performed the same task for her Julius recalled the scene from the restaurant when Caden requested parmesan only to give his mother a disappointed scowl at the shaker. Was this the cheese he really wanted?

“Do you want some too daddy?” Aria asked.

“Well…” Julius glanced at Macey wondering if she would repeat the task for him as lovingly as she did for their children. His answer came as she set the plate, cheese and shredder within his reach before sitting down to her own meal. Apparently he would have to do it himself. The kids snickered at his expense though he didn’t really mind.

They fell into comfortable silence as they ate. Macey’s cooking was as amazing as he remembered. She often made dinner during the two years they were together but he couldn’t recall ever sincerely praising her efforts.

“Did I ever tell you…you are an amazing cook?” Julius suddenly asked looking at her. Macey looked up but didn’t answer perhaps trying to recall. “Because you are an excellent cook.”

Julius grasped her hand kissing it. Macey blushed though he wasn’t certain if it was from the compliment or the kiss. Aria and Caden exchanged smiles while their parents were distracted. This was going quite well considering they were already into Phase Five, the last stage of their plan.

This part was the trickiest as it relied on their father to make the boldest move yet. They felt he was ready but they weren’t so sure about their mother. Not only did their father have to make the move but their mother needed to accept it.

“Macey…there is something I’ve wanted to ask you,” Julius said. Aria and Caden perked up to listen. “It seems dad purchased an art gallery and the grand opening is tomorrow night.”

Macey nodded already aware but not wanting to admit what she knew.

“…So would you like to go together?” Julius asked and held his breath waiting for her answer.

Macey bit her lip. His gaze was sincere, almost pleading. Should she tell him the truth now? What would he think? Would he think less of her or more? In the end she simply didn’t have the courage.

“…Sure. Yes,” she finally said. “We can go together. All of us.”

“Yeah!” Aria excitedly cheered. Initially she had been disappointed by her father’s question but held it in. Going as a family meant they would be together the whole night. There was plenty of time to complete Phase Five. Caden nodded in silent agreement.

Julius let out the breath he was holding and kissed her hand, “Thank you. So tomorrow we’ll go shopping for party clothes, all right?”

“Can we?” Aria clapped excitedly.

“Aria, we already have party clothes,” Macey shook her head. She had strived to teach the children to be frugal and not waste the gifts they were given. They certainly weren’t poor but that was no reason to be careless.

“But you already wore those dresses mommy. We should get something new!”

“Aria.”

“If we get something new then we can match daddy too!” Aria declared.

“Now that is an idea,” Julius smiled.

“What are you going to wear, daddy?” Caden asked.

“Well, a suit. It’s supposed to be black tie.”

“Don’t worry, Caden,” Macey assured him knowing how much he hated restrictive formal wear. “There isn’t really a dress code.”

“But I want to match daddy,” Caden said. “Aria always gets to match you. I want to match too.”