The Billionaire's Twins Play Matchmaker novel Chapter 31

“Mommy!” Aria greeted as Macey made her way to them.

“Hello, baby,” Macey smiled as her children clung to their father. She loved to see them like that except it meant he didn’t have an arm free for her.

As if sensing her thoughts Julius carefully set the twins on their feet and pulled her into his embrace. He pressed his forehead to hers. The last of his worries and anger from before drained away. She was in his arms and nothing else mattered. Well, maybe there was one thing.

“So, are you going to tell me about Cap d’Agde?”

Macey stiffened and said, “Nothing…happened.”

“It’s a beach…where people are nude…in public.”

“Julius…”

“…Macey.”

“Look…I had just started showing and I was uncomfortable and bloated and surrounding by young college girls with their perfect bodies,” Macey sighed. “Victoria suggested we get away for a weekend. I had no idea she made reservations at that resort and the first day I refused to leave my room.”

“And the second…”

Macey rolled her eyes.

“Macey?”

“Look, it’s a public beach, Julius. It has all sorts of people on it. Young, old, thin, fat.”

“Nude,” March added earning a warning look from his sister-in-law even as Rose elbowed him in the ribs.

“The reason Victoria brought me there was to feel better about my body and the changes it was going through,” Macey said. “It takes a lot to feel confident when you’re bloated and nauseous all the time.”

“I heard that,” Rose sighed recalling the troubles of her own pregnancy.

Julius frowned, not satisfied but also not wanting to argue. It was yet another trial she had faced without him. He should have been there to tell her how beautiful she was. Instead Victoria had taken more extreme measures to make a point. But it wouldn’t happen again. For now he would let it go. His embrace tightened holding her close.

“I can’t believe I’m holding a world famous artist right now.”

Macey chuckled, “Stop. I’m hardly world famous.”

“I beg to differ,” Julius kissed her temple. His gaze swept over the gallery and found they stood close to the first series that had drawn him in: Two Hearts. “I can’t believe this is your vision.”

She followed his gaze and blushed as she said, “Well, actually those are…sort of…self portraits.”

“What? What do you mean?” Julius looked at the series again featuring a model’s growing stomach alongside ultrasounds. Realization suddenly dawned on him and looked back at her. “That’s you!”

Macey blushed, “To get ready for school I was taking pictures everyday and one of my first projects was a self portrait. Victoria suggested this. She helped me set up the compositions. I tweaked them a bit for the gallery but…Yeah, that’s my belly.”

He held her face and kissed her. His eyes sparkled as he said, “You know, when I first visited the gallery I bought that whole series.”

“You did?”

“I did.” He kissed her again. “You’re amazing.”

Macey blushed again. Normally she felt self-conscious in the crowd but near him nothing else mattered.

Julius sighed, “Macey, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you ever since I saw you at the Baccarat.”

“Okay?”

He stepped back pulling a velvet lined box from his pocket and dropped down to one knee. Macey gasped shivering with anticipation.

“I’ve made mistakes. I’m not perfect,” Julius said, “I can’t promise I won’t make more but I’ll always love you. Would you…be my wife again?”

He opened the box to reveal their wedding rings nestled together. Tears filled her eyes. Had he really kept them in hopes of finding her…just for this moment? How? How could they make this work? She had to go back to Paris. She had commitments. The kids had school. He couldn’t just drop out of his family’s business either.

All around them the crowd was becoming aware of the situation. They recognized Julius immediately and those who were unaware were quickly informed she was the artist of the night. The crowd waited on baited breath for her answer.

“Don’t think, Macey,” Julius whispered. He could see the wheels turning. “Just say the first thing that comes to mind.”

“Y-yes,” Macey stuttered fighting back tears. She couldn’t deny the answer she wanted to give. “I will.”

He smiled slipping her rings back onto her finger where they belonged. Quickly putting on his own Julius stood pulling her into his arms capturing her mouth with his. A wave of clapping surrounded them but he didn’t care. All that mattered was the woman in his arms. She was his everything. Not breaking their kiss he picked her up showing the world the most beautiful woman ever born. And she was his.

Julius set her back on her feet still not breaking their kiss. She was his again and he was never letting go. Never. Finally releasing her lips he hugged her close. Nothing and no one would ever come between them.

“I love you, Macey. I always have. I always will.”

“I love you, Julius,” Macey could barely speak. Those were words she always wanted to hear him say.

He leaned forward and kissed her again.

* * *

Katherine circled the exhibit space trying to calm herself. The redhead…Macey Grayson…M. Gray! They were one in the same. How could a talentless hack become an acclaimed artist? She should be a failure like her father! And worse she knew Victoria Laurent one of the most famed wedding dress designers ever! Not only did they know each other but they were on good terms. The kids dared call her Auntie Vicki like she was some sort of farmer’s wife!

And the look on Julius’s face. He was becoming more and more enamored by his former wife. She had to find a way to get between them. There had to be a way to take control of the situation. Over the years she put a number of women in their places, this time would be no different. All she had to do was spill a little champagne and when the redhead overreacted Katherine could play victim to the sympathetic crowd. It was a ploy that worked before and would work again.

Then she would be back with Julius and the redhead would be disgraced. Maybe Macey would run all the way back to Paris. She would never be able to show her face in New York again. Then she and the twins would be out of Katherine’s hair for good.

It was the perfect plan.

With her new resolve Katherine grabbed a glass of champagne and made her way to where she last saw her rival. Not finding Macey at the refreshment table Katherine continued to work her way through the crowd, searching. She finally found Macey once again in Julius’s arms.