Chapter 223: Chapter 223
Everyone had a drink so Don Leon had asked Enzo to assign men to drive the cars to their respective destinations safely. The cars were already waiting in front of the door for Leandro’s guests to be sent home.
That night started the happy days of their lives. Days turned into months, years after years. Brianna and Lucien held their wedding on a bright, warm, and colorful spring day. The very first spring they spent with each other started the counts of their bountiful, beautiful married lives together. Leandro retired from his engagements, business, and everything related to anything other than to focus his time on bonding with his family, especially his great-grandson. Brianna agreed to take over Don Leon in handling everything with Lucien as they also designated people to handle specific jobs with every request adjusted and agreed to fit both sides.
Everyone working under Brianna and Lucien’s management felt the familial love being expressed that they had no way nor any reason to defy and rebel. Loyalty and honesty prevailed while their masters never overlook their efforts and reward them accordingly. Brianna also focused on maintaining the Casino business, she did not bother expanding it. Brianna spoke to Leandro about the matter but the old Michaelson just waved his hand and told her that she can do whatever she thinks is appropriate about it.
“I believe in you. I trust your reasons and even if you fail, you will still know how to turn things around. So, go on. Experience is the best teacher, my generation is different from yours. In my time, I did what I thought I should have done. I believe you are doing the same. I will only ask you for one thing,” Leandro once said when Brianna paid him a visit to discuss her thoughts and plans with Don Leon.
“Please, tell me,” Brianna readily answered.
“Don’t burden yourself with anything. We can shut the casino down if you find it hard to handle. Selling it while in operation would also be another solution to get rid of it,” Leandro assured Brianna.
“I will tell you when I get bored with it. As of now, I am still enjoying everything bout the business. But I would like to invest more in weaponry and pharmaceutical. For the benefit of our men in the field. Then when we get to produce more of the best qualities, we can bid with the authorities to provide supply.
Five years later.
“Babe, don’t tire yourself so much,” Lucien reminded Brianna lovingly. “How is our little Anna doing today?” he asked with his warm hands rubbing on Brianna’s six months pregnant belly.
“I am not really sure. But I have no doubts she is too eager to see the outside world. She has been kicking my ribs inside as if trying to push her way out even before her due!” Brianna blew a breath as she answered.
Lucien laughed happily at the cute face of his lovely wife who somehow looked complaining.
“Babe, I noticed that your mood swings during this pregnancy and the first one, with Caleb, are so different. Could it be because their genders are also different? With Caleb, you were as tough as usual, but with our little girl, Abigail, you are so… Uhmmm, so…. How do I say this?” Lucien scratched his head as if searching for the exact but safe word to say not to provoke his pregnant wife.
“Come on, tell me. I am so what, huh?” Brianna asked with a sweet smile. Her face looked sweet and charming as she smiled, but Lucien was well aware she was starting to get pissed as he struggled to find the correct word to say.
“Mom! Dad! I’m home!”
The couple walking out of the study room heard their son, Caleb, as he called for his parents as soon as he arrived at the door.
“We’re here!” Lucien hurriedly replied. Lucien was hoping the conversation would be lighter with Caleb around to amuse his mom and make her forget her building annoyance towards Lucien.
“Caleb, baby, don’t run! We’ll be right out there!” Brianna answered her son’s call with concerns knowing the boy had tripped a few times doing the same actions every time he reaches home after visiting his Great grandfather’s mansion. Brianna’s steps also hurried forward.
“Babe, slow down, please,” Lucien begged. His hands and arms protectively surrounded Brianna as they walked
Lucien is so worried when Brianna would seem to move around like she is forgetting that she is carrying a child in her womb. Even when the doctors had explained to him the reasons why he shouldn't be worrying because Brianna and the baby are both healthy and in perfect condition. Lucien could not help feeling like wanting to carry Brianna in his arms to make sure she is safe and won’t take a bad step and fall.
“If you don’t quit it, I will start training with our soldiers in the field. You make me feel like I am an invalid or disabled person when I am perfectly fine. I know I am pregnant, but it doesn’t mean I have to live and move like an injured person,” Brianna started to sniffle as her emotions felt hurt that Lucien seemed to make her feel stupid.
“I’m so sorry, babe,” Lucien panicked.
“Dad? What are you doing? Why are you making mommy sad?” asked the almost four-year-old son to his worried and scared father.
“It's all my fault, babe, I’m so sorry. Please, don’t cry. I promise I won’t make you feel like any of those you mentioned earlier. Please? Please forgive, please?” Lucien rubbed Brianna’s back as he pleaded.
“Dad, please get mommy a glass of water, I will help her sit on the couch as we wait for you,” Caleb wisely suggested. He winked at his dad without Brianna noticing.
“Yeah! That's right, I will get the water, please walk with your mom to the living room, big boy, okay?”
The child seemed to notice his mom’s sadness as well as his dad’s wariness. Caleb was so sensible as to voluntarily twist the mood the moment he sensed it building negatively.
“Mom, do you wanna know what I did with great grandpa today?” Caleb asked charmingly.
And just like magic, it worked on Brianna. The boy blabbered excitedly while the mother gave her both ears smiling joyfully at her son’s stories. She just noticed Lucien was watching them from the back of her chair with his right hand holding the glass of water while the left was holding his chin with its elbow on the top of the backrest he was leaning on when Brianna saw Caleb winking past her direction, so she turned her head to check.
Caleb sprang up from his seat to get the glass from his dad’s hold and hand it over to his mom.
“Have a drink, mom. And I hope you also forgive my poor and silly dad,” Caleb said, pretending to whisper while Lucien could hear all he was saying to Brianna.
Brianna’s eyes widened as she slowly turned her head to check if Lucien has heard what their son just said. But instead of an offended mien, Brianna saw Lucien making funny faces to prove that Caleb’s words were true. Brianna burst out laughing. Lucien took it as a good sign and jumped to sit next to his wife with a plastered silly smile on his face.