The Million-Dollar Heart

Sasha sighed deeply, "Your Uncle Maddox had to put off his engagement because of the whole Perez family scandal. Now that the dust has settled and your grandfather is almost back to his old self, it's time to start planning the wedding." "They want to have it at the old family estate, followed by a grand reception back here in Rivenwood."

Vivienne smiled slightly, "So, Uncle Maddox is finally feeling the heat?"

After all, the engagement was already set in stone. Any more hitches and Uncle Maddox would be beside himself with frustration.

Sasha chuckled, "Exactly. Your Uncle Maddox has been in love with Willa for a lifetime. He just wants to get the wedding over with and live happily ever after. But, who knew there would be so many obstacles..."

"Now, he's just worried that Willa might change her mind and call the whole thing off. That would really put him in a tight spot."

Vivienne shook her head, "Nah, Willa still shows a lot of respect for Uncle Maddox in public."

But who knows how much she has him wrapped around her finger in private?

For the next few days, Vivienne stayed home to recuperate.

She spent her days watching her children grow, noticing something new about them every day.

Arthur, ever the doting husband, took it upon himself to learn from the family chef and prepare various postpartum meals to help Vivienne regain her strength.

He was determined to fatten her up just like their little ones.

Which is why Vivienne instinctively wanted to hide every time she saw Arthur approaching with a tray.

It wasn't the food that was the problem; it was the quantity.

It felt like she was expected to eat for three.

Arthur came over with a big bowl of soup, all smiles, "Darling, today's special is pork rib soup. Make sure you have it while it's hot."

from Matthew, looked up at the "bowl" of soup and grimaced

there. I'll have it once

it. "Oh no, your mom insisted on how important these postpartum meals are. You've lost a lot of strength recently; it's the perfect time to build it back up. Brielle also mentioned how

feeling a headache coming on. She would've preferred a scolding from her own mother over

it, just stop,

and turned his attention to the twins in

at him with wide, sparkling eyes and flailing their

such bright, adorable

for these two? Their official naming ceremony isn't until next

you have

clearly having thought this through, "How about Juliette and Isaiah? Aren't

surprise. Those names were likely

use those until

Isaiah, do you like the

grandiose, like they belonged to characters from an ancient saga rather than

stepped out of her

children were settled

finishing up, "Percival's been showing good signs of recovery. He

thrilled, took Percival's hand, whispering, "Mr. Wolf, wake up soon, will you? Otherwise, I might have to start giving you the

door, turned back, "You can doubt me, but not my

learned everything from you. Doubting you is

remembered something, "Oh, Leopold stopped by yesterday looking for you. Your dad convinced him to

overwhelmed during your recovery. He thought it best to have Leopold come back later." Vivienne didn't mind the workload; she just wished they wouldn't treat her like she was made of

Sasha left, Vivienne sat with Percival for a while before stepping

"Leopold, what's up?"