The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

"Why did you visit Griffin today without me? Is she worried | might bump into her because she's pregnant? But | know | wouldn't

bump into her, Mom, how could you just leave us at home!" Julietteplained, counting off on her fingers everyone in the room,

finally casting a glance toward Percival, "And do you know Dad has been at hwaiting for you so anxiously he's almost in

tears?"

Vivienne was puzzled.

Mr. Wolf, on the verge of tears? Had she not informed him of her visit beforehand, she might have believed it.

Glancing at Griffin, Vivienne probed Juliette further, "Really? Then tell me, what exactly happened?"

Prepared, Juliette launched into her tale without missing a beat.

"Dad was pretty calm at first, but as twent by, he becmore and more anxious. He wanted to call you but was afraid of

disturbing you. So, he just waited in agony, and when you didn't return even for dinner, hepletely lost it and now he's sulking

in the kitchen, declaring it off-limits to us all."

Juliette's mix of truth and fiction made her story seem all the more believable.

Percival could only shake his head at his daughter's antics. What else could he do but dote on her?

Isaiah was amazed at Juliette's bold use of their dad as an excuse to fabricate stories. Seeing their dad not getting mad but instead

indulging her, Isaiah thought he might as well give it a try next time.

Griffin couldn't help but be reminded of someone by Juliette's brazen fibbing.

She mused, looking at Vivienne. Indeed, like mother, like daughter - both masters at charming others.

Griffin barely held back her laughter, partly to avoid difort from laughing too hard.

Godfrey, descending the stairs, caught Juliette's claim and looked incredulously at Vivienne. Percival, crying?

Vivienne, at a loss for words with Juliette, asked for the phone to be handed to her dad to verify the truth.

At Juliette's cue, Percival mimed wiping tears as the phone turned toward him, looking the picture of despair.

"See, Mommy? Dad's heartbroken. If you don'te back soon, he might faint from crying."

Juliette's exaggerated claim almost made Percival break character!

Griffin couldn't hold back any longer and burst into laughter.

Juliette paused, then smiled brightly upon seeing Griffin appear beside Vivienne through the phone screen.

"Griffin! If you want toe over, just do it. I've missed you guys," Griffin said, pausing to glance at Vivienne before inviting, "And

if your dad is really that worried, he shoulde over too. We could have dinner together."

The atmosphere shifted, and while Percival resignedly accepted, the children were overjoyed at the invitation to the Martinez

residence.

Upon arrival, Griffin and Vivienne greeted them at the door. Juliette leaped from the car and ran toward Griffin, halting just in time

to carefully hug her, mindful of not causing difort.

Vivienne watched approvingly, noting Juliette's care despite her mischief.

"I'm the first to hug both Griffin and the baby!" Juliette boasted to the boys.

Isaiah casually greeted Griffin, who warmly responded, patting his head. Floyd also greeted her, and Griffin wasn't surprised by his

presence, having been informed by Leopold.

"Now that we're all here, let's have dinner! I've prepared all your favorites."

"Hooray for Griffin!" Juliette cheered, jumping around.

The children's presence lifted Griffin's spirits, and she found herself eating more than usual, happy and content.

After dinner, Vivienne stayed a while longer at the Martinez residence, checking out their latest inventions before heading home.

Godfrey offered to let Vivienne try out a new gadget, but she declined without a second thought, surprising him.

"No, you guys are the experts in this field. I'm just an amateur, and I've decided not to meddle in these matters anymore. Unless

absolutely necessary, I'll stay out of it."

"Alright, perhaps it's tto take things easier," Godfrey conceded.

Vivienne turned down Godfrey's offer and left the Martinez residence, feeling liberated as she drove away, enjoying the fleeting

scenery.

Winter arrived swiftly, making Vivienne reminisce about the fleeting spring. Waking up to the sounds of the children's laughter and

play in the yard, she realized how much she cherished these moments.

Vivienne pulled back the curtain to peek outside, only to be greeted by a blanket of white.

It had started snowing.

Just as she was about to turn back, a sweater was suddenly draped over her shoulders. Percival had quietlye up beside her.

"Better bundle up, it's quite chilly today," he said, already pulling her into a warm embrace.

Together, they watched the snowflakes gently falling outside, a scene that brought a sense of calm.

It was then that Vivienne received a text on her phone - Griffin was about to have her baby. She checked the message again with

Percival before they both got dressed and headed out.

By the tthey arrived at the hospital, Griffin had just been wheeled into the delivery room.

Leopold was pacing up and down the corridor, a bundle of nerves. He had been walking back and forth even before Vivienne

arrived.

"How long ago did they go in?" Vivienne glanced at Leopold.

"About three minutes."

From the look on Leopold's face, Vivienne had thought it had been much longer. Only five minutes had passed.

She took a seat, waiting for the baby's arrival, as her two children joined her. Floyd had missed the occasion, stuck at hwith a

tutor for sscience project.

Juliette, laying her head on Vivienne's lap, curiously asked, "Mommy, was it like this when you hadand Isaiah?"

"Yes, darling, every mommy goes through this, and it's tough."

Juliette reached out to gently touch Vivienne's stomach, asking, "Does it still hurt here, mommy?"

"It hasn't hurt in ages, my loves. Why would it, when | have you two?" Vivienne stroked Juliette's hair softly.

Juliette felt a sudden lump in her throat, burying her head to hide her emotions.

Leopold's gaze was fixed on the operating room, never had tfelt so slow.

It wasn't until after 9 PM that the doctor finally emerged, holding a newborn in their arms.