His mother tapped him on the shoulder. He reluctantly let go of Belle's waist and then turned to his mother who said, "Peter, sorry to interrupt."
His heart was light. She had said yes. He then nodded and said, "Mom, I'd like for you to meet Belle Jordan. We're getting married."
"Nice to see you again, and we're all happy you came back." She immediately hugged both of them. Peter couldn't let Belle go yet. "I'm so happy for you."
Belle patted his mother's back and then added, "Thank you. I can't wait to tell my dad when he gets back in town."
His mother pulled away, and her face was solemn and serious as she said, "Peter, I need to tell you something."
If she didn't want him to marry Belle, then he had no idea what to say. His shoulders tensed. "What mom?"
She glanced around the party and stared at some blue-eyed very pregnant woman he didn't know, but reminded him of his sister, Victoria. He widened his stance as she said, "We have to get your brother and sister and go somewhere. This is something I should have said right away."
Belle took his hand and squeezed it as she picked up her phone to check her home screen.
Peter nodded and said, "Of course."
Belle peaked at her messages and then glanced at him. "I texted John and Colt. They are getting their wives and will meet us in your study, Peter."
He offered his mother his other arm to guide them through the party as he said, "My future wife is efficient. This way, Mom."
She rocked on her feet. He held her to steady as she asked, "You use your father's study?"
Peter didn't want his mother to worry. He nodded his head. "It's mine now. I had it redecorated, and I'm hoping Belle will help me make it more personable."
Belle shrugged her shoulders. "Okay."
His mother passed the young mother-to-be and squeezed her hand as they passed. Once they were away from the woman, Peter asked, "Who was that?"
His mother turned white. "Who was who, dear?"
Peter pointed with his head as he had both women on each arm. "The woman in the hall. You just squeezed her hand."
She lowered her head and didn't look at him. "This is part of what I need to explain."
His mother didn't say anything. Once they entered the study, Belle took a seat and waited with his mother. Peter stood as his brother, his wife Alice, and Victoria and her new husband, Colt, all came into the room. The two couples both found seats. The same seats they once chose as teenagers, only this time his siblings all had spouses.
He sat with Belle and then leaned closer to his mother. "Mom, we're all here. What's so important?"
She flicked her gray hair behind her head and stared at the ceiling. "I was pregnant when your father kidnapped me."
The young woman must be his sister. "What?"
"It was one of the reasons I wanted a divorce."
"So that woman in the hall?" Peter's gaze flew to the floor.
Vicki sat closer at the edge of her seat and asked, "What else did our father do?"
His mom then looked into his eyes, like she was afraid of his reaction, as she said, "I was grieving for the loss of my children, but then I had three more, all at once. I don't think your father knew how to explain everything away."
Peter raised his eyebrow and stared at his mother. Clearly the woman outside was one of three. "What? Just say everything, and let us sort out the details."
Her face squished together as if he had physically touched her. Peter's skin crawled as if he had hurt his mom as she said, "Your father and I had the triplets. I raised them until they were six, and then your father sent them away too."
Belle squeezed Peter's hand. "What? There are more Morgans?"
Peter shook his head. "Dad's lawyer said various people would receive inheritances. I thought he meant illegitimate, though the numbers add up to be perhaps the triplets and a few more."
Vicki then wiped her face. "Peter, this isn't about the money."
"This isn't about that, sis." He’d sat through enough sales pitches to know there was something else. He leaned closer in his seat to not scare her again. "I am trying to calculate how many siblings we might have out in the world."
She closed her eyes as if she didn't want to see him. Peter's heart ached like it was a rejection, though he held Belle's warm hand as his mother said, "Out of the triplets, Luke is the oldest. He's a doctor. He took care of me in the hospital, but couldn’t come tonight. With luck he’ll get a job in Miami and I’ll see him more. Then there are Elizabeth and Matthew."
"The woman outside the door?"
"Yes, that's Elizabeth. She's having a hard time adjusting to being a Morgan."
"She doesn't have to adjust to anything."
"She and her brothers thought I was sick, and that's why they were sent away, but they don't want anything from any of you. I wanted to let you know that you have more family."
Victoria massaged her mother's back. "Elizabeth looks like John and me."
She opened her eyes and pools of tears threatened to emerge. Peter didn't have the heart to hurt her ever again. His other half deserved better as she said, "Elizabeth?"
John then asked, "And Matthew? Who is he and what does he do?"
She turned to stare at John. Peter saw how his brother's face was white as their mom said, "Matthew hasn’t opened up to my return yet. From what I understand, he performs as Matt Kilroy."
“The singer is my brother!” Vicki scooted closer to Colt. "Is that why you had to tell us now? You didn't want to start the new year with two families?"
“He doesn’t want his stage name to be revealed as a Morgan.” Their mom shook her head and wiped her face. At least tears hadn't emerged, so Peter could breathe as his mother said, "We're all one family. All six of you are my children with your father, and for better or worse, you all need each other too."
Peter then stood and stormed to the door. The room went absolutely silent.
He summoned his maid. "Caro, bring Elizabeth Morgan to the study. She was the pregnant lady with my mother earlier."
No one said anything as he retook his seat. The room remained silent. He placed his hand on Belle's shoulder and asked, "What?"
His sister smiled and asked, "Is that all? Are you okay with this?"
"Belle's going to marry me. I'm happy for Mom that she has all of us and a home she returned too."
His mother then teared up. Peter's heart stilled. He hadn't wanted to hurt her. He held his breath as Belle squeezed his hand.
A moment later, Caro knocked on the door and then opened it. His mother stood and opened her arms to hug the young woman with blonde hair. The woman hugged her and didn't stare at any of them. The rest of them stood.
When their mom was done, she turned around and fluffed the woman's hair. "Peter, John, Victoria, this is your sister, Elizabeth Morgan."
Peter hugged Belle. He had his family. Mom had hers. He kissed Belle's check and then said, "Elizabeth, you're invited to our wedding."
“Okay.” The woman's eyes were wide as she held their mom. "Thank you."
Chapter Twenty Eight