Their Double Blessing

Chapter 12

A year later, Patricia stood in the nursery tickling her twin daughters. A pair of bubbly brown angels stared back. These were her babies and after a lifetime of hoping they were finally here. No longer wishes, hopes or rejected adoption letters. She still woke up sometimes not believing where life had taken her. This was a miracle and she was beyond grateful. From a modest life without romance but rich in friendship and community to a lavish one filled with romance, new friendships, love, a child, and a grand rise in material possessions.

The last one she cared about least. Materialistic possessions could never take the place of personal connections and good deeds. Her life was good and while more would have helped she never ached for the status of the uber-wealthy. Ironic with where she was now. George was a billionaire, that reality was always clear. But she fell for the man not his money. Both were a part of him, from the way he grew up to lifestyle. A wealthy man and one without can never be the same person, their lives would always be different in too many ways.

Marrying George was one of the highlights of her life. By then she was nearly six months and visibly pregnant. The wedding was lavish and everything expected of a billionaire couple. But before that there was a small reception for close family and friends. Where they said their vows and kissed cheeks instead of lips. Everyone cheered and she was happy he was willing to let her have this small thing before the grand spectacle. At the official wedding she wore the best gown and George in an expensive tux. Cynthia kept things running smoothly. In front of both their friends and family the happy couple kissed, becoming man and wife.

The media called their union a dream come true. Hope for men and women everywhere still looking for love against huge odds. Part of her liked that, the offer of it never being too late. Romance was for everyone and those who wanted to pursue it shouldn’t be discouraged. Age, lifestyle, gender, location, nothing made someone exempt from finding love and being loved. That went for those who chose the single life too. Like she did for a time. Everyone’s status should be respected so they could live their best life. Whether as a couple or solo.

Their relationship went public weeks after the kidnapping. Cynthia wanted them to speak out first. Get ahead of the media and form positive public opinion. Patricia had been hesitant and nearly didn’t do a Primetime interview with George, but he declared it wouldn’t be done without her and he accepted what she wanted. In the end they went on television discussing how they met and some of the events right up to the kidnapping. It was actually cathartic putting things in the open. Terrifying too with cameras and bright lights in your face.

Public response was mixed. Most were happy for them; seeing an older couple in love from different side of the tracks made for great television. Well wishes came from all over the world. But a small contingent were angry. Reasons ranged from thinking Patricia was a gold digger, George was marrying below him, and that in one way or another each was betraying their race. George because he picked an eligible black woman instead of a white female. Patricia because she was a hypocrite for giving up on love but falling for a rich white man.

Patricia tried to focus on life outside the spotlight. Which included testifying at her sister’s sentencing. Mary had decided to take a deal for forty years without parole. The prosecutor wanted life but that meant a lengthy trial. To her surprise, Mary had gained a lot of sympathy playing the victim card. Claiming in interviews and through a pro bono lawyer that Ronald had been the real mastermind. That Patricia had tried to stop it but was unsuccessful. According to Mary it was Ronald who wanted to do the murder and forced the whole pretense that someone else was the mastermind. Public opinion leaned in Mary’s favor.

George wanted to go to trial and so did Patricia at first. But as public opinion started to shift even Cynthia admitted there was a chance of a mistrial. She decided it was better to have a deal. Using the threat of Patricia testifying while still pregnant they were able to get Mary to accept a lengthy sentence in a minimum security prison, vetoing any pardons for the first twenty years. Mary was angry but her lawyer advised that with the Kent influence things could get worse. So Patricia repeated the story of her ordeal while being held hostage. Mary then read a public apology and the judge upheld the deal and Mary went to prison.

There was no question that both had gone through a lot to get where they were today. Fate wanted them to be together. She never doubted that now. People broke up for less than what they persevered through. From awkward beginnings to surprise kidnappings, they endured.

Giving birth was done via C-section. It was decided early on that a natural birth was too risky. After the kidnapping Patricia was even more vulnerable. A year after the birth and she still had fainting spells and had to be careful with heavy physical activity. When they found out it was twins and girls, both were excited and nervous. For the idea of two babies at once and also the medical implications that could take place. In the end the babies were healthy.

The babies were just a few months now. Little treasures that giggled and tried to explore the world around them. For now the mansion would be their home. But Patricia wanted them to see more of the world as they grew older. Including where she used to live. George was fine with that but self-appointed Aunt Cynthia didn’t want them touching that apartment complex until they were old enough to drink. Mumbling that was the only way to forget that place.

“I see that you’re just as transfixed with these babies as I am.” George came up from behind, wrapping arms around her waist, adding a kiss in the neck. Married life was good for both of them. It was a new beginning for both of them. Their lives forever changed and for the better. Many things had to come together just for them to meet. Now married neither let a day go by without being grateful for how things worked out. It could have easily not have done so.

“Maria and Greta are going to be wonderful women one day. I’m never going to forgive you for making me name one of our babies after your grandmother. Greta is truly an old lady name,” Patricia mumbled, playing with the infant in the yellow onesie. “But my auntie’s name is perfect. Sure it’s similar to Mary’s but that’s in the past. I want our little ones to have the best the future has to offer. Not just in the materialistic but in every way possible.”

The babies giggled in their crib, reaching out to the parents standing over them. Both were loved beyond measure as the bundles of joy they were. Maria in her pink onesie was the most vocal of the pair, making her demands known through happy sounds or loud crying. Greta was quieter but much more active. Always gesticulating or reaching for something. If you held anything near her it was best to keep both eyes on that item. The nannies enjoyed playing with the little ones when the parents were busy with other affairs.

“Thank you,” George said suddenly. Their marriage was going well. But there were rocky points. Patricia refused to move to England where his parents lived. That was a contention for weeks. Holiday visits were fine but uprooting away from America was out of the question. He’d been foolish to not change his promise of raising the Kent children in another country. Patricia wasn’t the first love that he lost. She had deep roots back in the states and no interest in permanently living in another country. Perhaps one day in the future but not now.

“For what? Marrying a dashing man with awkward charm?” Patricia teased him with a smile. George was seen as a handsome formal man with impeccable taste in the public eye. Perfect in every way with a shrewd business sense. She saw what was behind that. A man wanting to please and take care of those around him. From his loved ones to staff, he never wanted anyone to feel left out or unwanted. It was a quality often under appreciated today. But she was glad that was part of who he was. A gentle man who loved fiercely.