Chapter 142 - VISITOR

The gigantic iron gates of the luxurious estate opened. The creak of metals and the sound of voices woke me up from my light sleep and my eyes fluttered open. 

The van smoothly entered the wide pathway until it skidded into a stop in front of the house. 

"Vien?" I turned towards my daughter in time to see her exquisite blue eyes open. "We are here… You will soon see your baby sister, Faith." I said softly and witnessed how her sleepy eyes lit up by the mention of her younger sister.

She brushed her eyes with her fingers until her sleepiness vanished. She then straightened on her seat. Her neck extended as she looked towards the window.

Her eyes grew wider when her eyes swept the wide lawn where ornaments were wonderfully organized. Vien may not say a word but her eyes clearly showed her excitement.

Milton, Lady Ravenwood's butler slash driver, emerged from the driver's seat and opened the door and helped her climb out of the van.

The butler then moved towards the opposite side and pulled the door open for us. He assisted Vien out of the car. When she was standing straight on her feet, Milton turned to me and held his hand for support. "Thank you, Milton." I smiled and took his hand. When my feet touched the floor, he slowly let go of my hand.

He bowed respectfully and entered the car so he could park it properly.

I took Vien's hand and flashed her an encouraging smile as we slowly made our way inside the mansion. Lady Ravenwood walked beside us too.

The moment I pushed the door open, my eyes went wide and my eyebrows shot through the ceiling. 

Alexander Crawford, my father was seated on the long Victorian sofa. When he spotted me entering the door, he quickly rose from his seat and strode towards my direction.

I had to blink several times just to make sure he was real.

"Beatrix." He called out and pulled me into his arms when he reached the spot I stood.

"Papa!" I snapped out of trance and hugged him tight. I couldn't believe that he was here! No one informed me he would come here today. But I was happy he did come. His presence was very reassuring.

When he set me free, his attention immediately shifted to Vien who was pulling the hem of my t-shirt while hiding behind my back.

"You must be Vien, my beautiful granddaughter." He said gently and gave her a sweet smile that made his eyes sparkled with affection.

Shock hit me after hearing father address Vien with her real name. I wonder how did 

He learned about his granddaughter's name but above all I wonder what made him decide to fly to Brittania on such a short notice.

Does this mean he already knew the truth?

Vien's fingers tightened around my t-shirt. Her wide, unblinking eyes intently looking at Alexander. It was the first time she was seeing him and her reaction was natural.

"Don't be scared Vien, it's grandpa." I said softly and watched her gingerly take a single step forward.

"Come to grandpa and give him a bear hug." Alexander said reassuringly.

Vien's clutch around my t-shirt loosened until she let go. She ran towards Alexander and threw her arms around him.

"Gra-grandpa." She whispered shyly and wrapped her arms around his neck.

My tears nearly fell watching my father lovingly hug my daughter. 

Alexander asked me no question which means he knew that Vien was my long lost daughter.

A soft flicker of movement from the stairs caught my attention. When I looked up, I saw Elisa on top of the stairs with Faith protectively wrapped in her arms. Madam Stella was standing just beside Elisa.

My friend's eyes lit, her lips parted open. She nearly leapt down the stairs when her gaze shifted on me. If she weren't

holding my daughter, I'm sure she'd run down the stairs already.

Impatiently, I waited until my best friend reached the bottom of the stairs. The moment her feet stepped on the floor

I ran towards her and slowly took my daughter into my arms.

I haven't seen Faith for a single night and yet it feels like I haven't seen her for weeks. It was a feeling which only mothers could understand.

My heart wanted to burst with emotions as I held her in my arms. Her exquisite blue eyes grew wide and her cute lips opened. She excitedly flailed her fingers and it touched my cheeks.

Vien was so happy to see me. Her expression says so. I was so happy to see her too that the word 'happy' wasn't enough to describe how I feel now.

"Mama missed you, baby." I mumbled and laid a kiss on her temples. She giggled when my lips descended on her upturned nose.

Madam Stella and Elisa's attention shifted to where Lady Ravenwood stood with Vien standing beside her now. Traces of shock lingered on their expression as their eyes bounced back and forth between the ladies standing next to Alexander Crawford. Not quite sure whose presence shocked them the most. Is it Vien who was a splitting image of Ace or is it Lady Ravenwood, a duke's influential daughter which affects them greatly.

But both vowed in a curtsy when Lady Ravenwood turned her attention to them.

"Good morning, Lady Ravenwood." Madam Stella and Elisa greeted Claire in unison while still overcome with shock.

"Good morning." Claire greeted back. Her lips stretched into a friendly smile.

I wasn't able to say other words when 

Vien ran to me. Her large eyes lit up in excitement as she looked at the baby in my arms. "B-baby!!" Vien exclaimed, her eyes stared at me unblinkingly.

"This is your younger sister. Her name is Faith." I told her fondly.

Vien gasped. Her fingers reached out to gently touch the baby with wonder in her eyes.

My heart swelled as I watch my daughters. I waited years for this to happen.