The CEO’s Secret Christmas Babies!

The Return!

SIX YEARS LATER

(CAMILLE’S POV)

“There they are mum!” Ashley’s excited voice rang out.

The airport buzzed with activity, a symphony of voices and the cheerful strains of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" filling the air.

My five-year-old, Ashley, tugged at my sleeve, her eyes wide with excitement. She squealed, pointing towards a familiar sight.

My heart skipped a beat as I spotted them – my parents, standing tall amidst the crowd, balloons dancing in their hands and a giant cardboard sign proclaiming, "Welcome Home Family!"

A wave of relief washed over me, dispelling the anxiety that had been gnawing at me throughout the seven hour flight.

With a warm smile, I led my children towards the welcoming figures. As we drew closer, Ashton and Ashley couldn't contain their joy any longer. They wriggled free from my grasp and dashed towards their grandparents, eager to be enveloped in their loving embrace. Their laugher was mixed with warm greetings from my parents

“Oh! My babies!” Mum said as she enveloped my excited children in to her arms with Dad taking them all in his large arms.

I was the last to join the happy reunion and I was pulled in to the hug by my father.

Dad’s gaze lingered on the children with obvious adoration in his eyes. It did not matter that he and mum paid us a visit two months ago, he looked like he missed us all dearly.

“You’ve both grown so big that you are almost as tall as I am!” Father said teasingly.

Ashley giggled but Ashton, ever the astute observer, raised an eyebrow. "That's impossible, Grandpa. You're at least five feet eight, and we're about three feet. That leaves..."

Ashley sighed, rolling her eyes. "Sarcasm, Ash."

My parents chuckled, well aware of their grandchildren's unique brand of humor.

"Let's go, lovelies," my mother said, his eyes twinkling. "A delicious breakfast awaits!"

We all happily made our way to the short convoy of luxurious cars that awaited us.

The ride home was a whirlwind of catching up, laughter, and the excited chatter of my children. Ashton, ever the inquisitive one, bombarded his grandparents with questions as well as informing them about his latest scientific discoveries. Ashley, her imagination soaring, described the fantastical creatures she envisioned in the passing clouds.

"Look!" she exclaimed, pointing towards a particularly fluffy cloud. "It looks like a giant marshmallow sheep!"

Ashton, ever the pragmatist, countered, "It's more like a cumulonimbus cloud, Ashley. Fluffy, but with the potential for rain. Besides, there are clouds in New York, you should be more amazed by these different architectural structures.” He said with a usual air of arrogance.

“I know that, I was only imagining what it would look like on my canvas.” Ashley said in a matter of fact tone as she rolled her eyes .

At her young age, she was an exceptionally artist just like her brother was a very intelligent scientist as he likes to call himself.

Dad and Mum laughed while I chuckled lightly at my special kids with a heart full of love. Yet, a shadow lingered over my joy. Passing through the familiar streets of Kensington, a wave of bitter memories washed over me.

Six years ago, I had fled this city, a broken and grieving woman, my identity shattered. I had been Maya Thorne then, a helpless orphan, clinging to life after a devastating incident that had claimed one of my unborn triplets. It all seemed to whisper of a past I desperately tried to forget.

If not for my parents, the influential and wealthy Richard and Charlotte Arisons, I wouldn't have survived.

As the car pulled into the grand estate, i marveled opulence that surrounded us, the grandeur of the house.

Breakfast was a joyous affair, the children captivated by the extravagant spread. I pushed aside the unsettling emotions, forcing myself to engage in the cheerful conversation.

Later, while the twins were whisked away by the maids, my parents led me to the study, a room steeped in tradition.

"Are you alright, darling?" my mother asked, her gaze filled with concern.

"I'm fine, Mum," I replied, though the forced cheerfulness in my voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.

"Coming back here must be difficult. Especially under such short notice, please forgive us love." my father acknowledged, pouring himself a generous measure of scotch.

"We had no choice," my mother added, her voice laced with guilt. "Your expertise is crucial here."

"I know," I said with a weak smile.

I knew that the situation had to be urgent and so when they called yesterday and told me about the matters on ground, I pushed aside my vow to never set foot here.

How could I not? I owed them everything.

The Arison company was facing a critical legal battle, a threat that could shatter their empire. My skills were desperately needed.

My father handed me a file. "The introductory meeting with the opposing representatives and attorneys is tonight. Familiarize yourself."

I scanned the documents, my initial apprehension growing with each passing page. This was bigger than I anticipated.

"This is serious," I commented, my voice grave.

"It is," my father confirmed, his voice heavy with worry. "We could lose everything."

"We won't," I declared, my voice firm. "I'll have Leonard, my branch manager in New York, flown in. He's exceptional and will be invaluable."

As I delved deeper into the files, my gaze fell upon the name of the opposing company's representative.

A jolt, raw and unexpected, surged through me.

"Honey, are you alright?" my mother asked, her voice laced with concern.

I looked up, my face pale, my hands trembling.

"The Windsors?" I whispered, the name echoing in the silence.

My parents exchanged a concerned glance.

"You've heard of their influence I’m sure but don’t you worry my daughter, you are way too exceptional to be intimidated by them," my father began, but his words were lost on me.

I was in a trance as I stared at the name that now drained all of my energy.

I had erased him from my memory, vowed to never speak his name, to never allow him back into my life.

Yet, here he was, a formidable opponent, a reminder of the past I had desperately tried to bury.

"Excuse me," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "I need to prepare."

I fled the study, my heart pounding, my breath catching in my throat.

I retreated to the music room, locking the door behind me. Desperately, I pulled out my phone and dialed Emily, my best friend.

"Hey, baby! Are you in London already?" she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement.

"Yes," I replied, my voice hoarse.

Emily launched into a cheerful tirade about her excitement at finally seeing me after seven years.

"Are you okay? You sound… breathless," she observed, her concern evident.

I closed my eyes, the weight of the past pressing down on me.

“It’s him, I just got back and he’s already catching up to me.” I said.

Emily didn’t ask who I was talking about, she knew.

“What’s going on?” She asked.

“Can we meet later today? I said.

We decided to meet and she sent me an address.

Immediately I waded the phone call, I called my assistant in New York.

"I need to know everything about someone," I said , the admission a confession, a surrender to the past I had tried so hard to escape.

I had to be prepared. I had to face him.

Tonight, for the first time in six years, for the first time since his betrayal, I would be facing my former lover and the father of my children, Atlas Windsor.