The Million-Dollar Heart (Percival and Vivienne)

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.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

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."

Vivienne, who was busy responding to an email from Matthew, looked up at the "bowl" of soup and grimaced slightly.

"Okay, just leave it there. I'll have it once I'm done here."

Arthur wouldn't hear of 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 crucial it is to avoid postpartum complications. We wouldn't want any lifelong ailments, would we?"

Vivienne rubbed her temples, feeling a headache coming on. She would've preferred a scolding from her own mother over Arthur's relentless concern.

"I'll have it, just stop, please."

Arthur finally relaxed and turned his attention to the twins in their crib.

It seemed as if the children sensed their grandfather's presence, gazing up at him with wide, sparkling eyes and flailing their little arms in greeting. Arthur's heart melted.

What luck to have such bright, adorable grandchildren, and two at once at that!

He then suggested, "Darling, how about we pick some nicknames for these two? Their official naming ceremony isn't until next month, but it feels odd not having anything to call them by." Vivienne looked up, "Nicknames?"

"What do you have in mind?"

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

Vivienne, sipping her soup, couldn't hide her surprise. Those names were likely her mother's suggestion, given Arthur's notorious lack of creativity in naming.

Vivienne nodded slightly, "Fine, we'll use those until Mr. Wolf decides otherwise."

Pleased, Arthur beamed, "Juliette, Isaiah, do you like the names Grandpa picked? They sound so cultured."

Vivienne couldn't help but feel the names were a bit too grandiose, like they belonged to characters from an ancient saga rather than her babies. But they were just nicknames, after

all

After a long few weeks, Vivienne finally stepped out of her room, ending her confinement period.

She made sure the children were settled before heading next door.

In the room, Sasha was just finishing up, "Percival's been showing good signs of recovery. He should be waking up any day now."

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

Sasha, halfway out the door, turned back, "You can doubt me, but not my medical skills."

Vivienne shot back, "I learned everything from you. Doubting you is like doubting myself, isn't it?"

Sasha nodded, satisfied, then remembered something, "Oh, Leopold stopped by yesterday looking for you. Your dad convinced him to come back another day." Vivienne frowned, "Leopold?"

Sasha nodded again, defending her husband's intentions, "Your dad just didn't want you 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 glass.

After Sasha left, Vivienne sat with Percival for a while before stepping out to call Leopold.

"Leopold, what's up?"

Leopold's voice was casual, as if it were just another day. "Vivienne, Richard's awake. I couldn't reach you yesterday, so I went ahead and brought them back to the Ellington place."

Vivienne's eyes darkened, "I'm fine now. Can you come pick me up?"

There was an audible sigh from Leopold on the other end.

Vivienne shared the news with Sasha, planning to take the kids along with her.

Sasha nodded in agreement, "That sounds good. They are the kids' grandparents, after all. They haven't even met since the kids were born. This visit will be a good chance to reassure them about Percival's condition."

Before this, she and Arthur had already made a few trips to the hospital, but they had only seen Richard.

As for Nathan and Cecilia's injuries, it wasn't that she couldn't heal them.

Their injuries were caused by

supernatural powers, compounded by the psychological shock they had suffered. These conditions required time for self-recovery, with medication only playing a supportive rofe.

ve

When Leopold arrived, Vivienne was all set, holding a baby carrier as she settled into the back seat.

Concerned about the chill, it wasn't until they were in the car that Vivienne opened the carrier.

Revealing two rosy, cherubic little faces.

Leopold caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror and his eyes nearly popped out.

"Vivienne, are these your and Percival's kids?"

Vivienne shot him a look, "What do you think?"

Leopold was momentarily taken aback, then hurriedly clarified, "Vivienne, I didn't mean it like that. I just think these two cuties are so lovable. Can I sign up to be their godfather?"