"She's fine. She's going to visit Daniela tomorrow to see the babies. I'm encouraging her to get to know Mason and Daniela since Mason was responsible for us meeting." Blake said.
Kenneth bursts our laughing, "And that is your only reason for Valentina getting close to the Chadwell's?"
"Absolutely, also Valentina wants to see the twins." Blake said as he made a note to send a baby gift to Daniela.
"I'll see you tomorrow at the meeting. I'm leaving early today to spend some time with Gwyn; dinner and theater." Kenneth said as he sent the email he had been working on.
"Yes tomorrow can't wait for the sparks to fly." Blake said and hung up.
***
Valentina called and went to see Mason and Daniela. She wanted to see the babies. Now that she and Blake were back from their honeymoon, she was concerned about Lacy coming. So far Blake had not mentioned her sister and for that she was glad. Valentina felt her stomach. She prayed that nothing would happen to this baby. The formula that Blake had given her made her feel very strong. The morning sickness had faded away. Blake told her never to speak of it to anyone ever!
He was her Master and she would die before she ever told anyone. Whatever he gave her she was grateful because she felt more alive than she ever had.
Valentina marveled at the babies who were awake and smiled at her. She seemed to bond with Carlos who cried when Daniela took him and placed him back in his bed and immediately stopped when Valentina picked him up.
"How's Blake?" Mason asked.
"He's fine." Valentina answered.
"I'm surprised that you got married so quickly." Mason said as he showed her how easy it was to change a diaper.
"It's what Master wanted and what I wanted. I thank you for introducing us. He's exactly what I've been looking for and more." Valentina said blushing.
Mason took her hand, "If you ever need anything, please ask me. I just want you to be all right. Blake can be...intense."
Valentina laughed, her laughter sounding like bells, "Yes he can be intense, but that's what I love about him."
Daniela, Mason and Valentina went to have tea with Lord and Lady Chadwell. Millie, it seemed was excellent with making afternoon tea. Her scones were perfect as was her set up. Lady Chadwell praised her and said that if Mason let Millie go she would disown him.
Valentina stayed a while longer and got to see the sleeping babies one more time before she left to return home.
When she arrived home, Blake was waiting and asked her about the visit. He had to leave later for the board meeting, but he wanted her to give him every detail.
Valentina told him that Mason and Daniela seemed to be settling in with the babies who were adorable. She showed him pictures and told him that she and Carlos bonded and that she couldn't wait until their child was born.
She asked Blake if he minded the sex of the baby. Blake thought for a moment and said "no, but if I really had to choose, I would choose to have a girl. I would love a daughter. I may be out late tonight, so don't wait up." Blake said and kissed her lips, "you did good today. I want you to take it easy."
Valentina agreed, in fact, she was tired from her day with the babies and as she thought about it, she hoped she was carrying just one baby not two.
Blake left soon after. He smiled to himself knowing that Valentina would be all right. In the history of the Cassidy family, there had never been a miscarriage or a still birth except for twice and that happened because one mother was in an automobile accident and another mother was shot in a mugging. The mother's both survived, but their babies did not.
***
Most of the Board members were away, but they met up on SKYPE. Matthew was in the Board room. Helen had given him a dressing down when they got to their apartment. She told him in no uncertain terms that he was to make sure that Daniela and Mason were not bothered by this and that he was to abide by their wishes and not cause trouble.
Matthew wanted to speak to Jake. He was steaming mad that Jake had put one over on him, but he knew the reason and a part of him was ashamed because he knew that Jake was right. He would have made Daniela and Matthew's life a living hell, but damn he wanted both those babies to be his. Matthew had been boasting ever since he found out that Daniela was pregnant with twins and now, he had to eat his words and Matthew Cassidy didn't like to be made a fool of.
But Jake was away with his daughter on their honeymoon and wouldn't be back for two weeks. He had to suppress his anger. Helen warned him and he listened. Now at the board meeting Matthew was calmer, but he was still angry with Jake and couldn't wait until his new son-in-law got home.
***
To everyone's surprise, Lance appeared in the board room with a huge smile on his face. He sat facing his brother, Matthew who scowled at him.
Kenneth stood and said, "Daniela has given birth to twins; a daughter from Matthew Cassidy and a son from Jake Harrison-Cassidy."
"How is this possible?" One of the members asked.
"She slept with both of them the night of the ritual;" Lance answered smugly, "Jake didn't use a condom. I think he wanted to protect Daniela, so he one upped his father-in-law."
"What does this mean Kenneth?" Another member asked.
"This means that Daniela who is to marry Mason Cassidy Chadwell is a very powerful woman indeed." Kenneth said and continued, "Matthew, do you wish to rescind your offers of monies and trusts? Do you wish to give it all to your daughter? Will you fight Daniela for custody or will you spend time with your daughter and not Jake's son?"
Matthew heard his wife's voice in his ear, "Everything shall remain the same. Helen and I will provide for both children. Custody of the children belongs to their mother and father, Daniela and Mason. I will occasionally spend time with both of them. I believe that Jake will abide by whatever Daniela decides. I need to ask my brother one question, did you know about this?"
Lance laughed, "My daughter despises me, do you actually think Matthew that she would confide in me? She's just waiting for my death, which couldn't be soon enough for her. No, I believe your son-in-law thought of this all on his own to protect Daniela, but he didn't count on Mason falling in love and asking her to marry him. Jake didn't count on one of the babies being his and the other yours. So, dear brother, I am innocent. It is my daughter who will find ways to use this to her advantage." Lance smiled broadly.
Kenneth stands, "I think you all have heard and we all agree with what Matthew intends to do. This is what's best for the children and for the family. Are we all in agreement?"
Everyone said yes, there was no need for a vote because Matthew had spoken.
Kenneth had Blake put all this in the record and then he said, "These children are not slaves; their mother is not a slave. They will be accorded all the rights of first born children of the Chadwell family. Lord and Lady Chadwell have accepted them as their grandchildren and they will be treated as such and invited to all family functions and rituals along their line.
So I welcome into our family, Carlos and Camilla Cassidy Chadwell and we will all send our appropriate gifts." Kenneth said and the meeting was over.
***
Blake returned home. He was glad the meeting hadn't gone on for longer. He had put the recorded disk into the safe in his office. Kenneth came upstairs and they went out onto the balcony where they shared a glass of brandy.
"Did you see the look on Lance's face? I bet he's really proud of Lady Catherine. She did what he could not do; bring Matthew down a peg or two." Kenneth said clinking glasses with Blake.
Blake laughed, "Yes, the old man knows that we are going to have to reckon with his daughter. She's very shrewd and I'm sure she will instruct Mason."
"I don't know about that. Mason is his own man. He does what he wishes." Kenneth says taking a sip.
"Time will tell." Blake answered and finished his brandy. "I'm going home to Valentina. I think I'll stop and pick up some of that frozen yogurt she's been wanting."
"See you later Blake, I'll sit here for a while and lock up when I'm ready to go home which won't be long." Kenneth said.
