Never Judge

Cedric walked into his Mountain View Mansion, exhausted after the long day. Dominic's story took an emotional toll on all of them. They were all quite shocked to hear what the child had gone through.

"Ced, you're home." Adrianna greeted him as she ran up and hugged him.

"Why is the supposedly elegant Mrs. Reyes running around the house like a child?" Cedric teased his wife as he picked her up and kissed her. 

"I was just worried about you." Adrianna said with a frown as she hugged her husband.

"Oh, why?" Cedric asked, a little bit confused with the sudden concern from his wife. He had spent many days coming home late from the office and she had never acted this way.

"Well, after everything I'm worried that you still have enemies out there." Adrianna said with a frown as Cedric placed her down on the couch. "I'm also afraid you will leave again. Cedric, if you still need time to get better, please take your time."

"Honey, I'm fine." Cedric said as he planted a kiss on her cheek. "Eric and his doctors helped me a lot when I was in the hospital."

"You promise?" Adrianna asked. "Because I don't want to be part of your problems."

"I would be more than happy to have you as my problem Adrianna Hernandez - Reyes." Cedric said as he planted a kiss on her lips.

"It's been a while since I've heard someone call me a Hernandez." Adrianna said with a giggle. "It doesn't fit anymore."

"You and Yoyo, and your parents will always be part of the Hernandez family. There are some bad parts, but there are also good parts." Cedric said with a smile.

"Like my cousins and uncle Matthew." Adrianna said with a nod.

"I hope your uncle isn't too mad at me." Cedric said with a laugh.

"Why would uncle Matthew be mad at you?" Adrianna asked.

"Because of my disappearance he's had to work more." Cedric teased.

"Oh, Uncle loves to work." Adrianna said, laughing along with Cedric. "He was getting bored not doing much. It was like all of the deals just fell on to our laps after you announced your identity."

"Well that is normal." Cedric said with a nod. "But with those that are desperate to please, come those that are desperate to take us down as well. The Reyes family has a lot of enemies."

"Both old and new." Adrianna added as she frowned. "I was worried that Lucius Ting got to you." Adrianna confessed.

"Adri, he wouldn't act so fast." Cedric said, shaking his head.

"Or maybe one of the parents from that school." Adrianna said with a look of concern. "I mean if they all pulled their resources together, there is a chance."

"They can't do that Adri." Cedric said as he tried to calm his wife. "You are a business woman, think logically, honey. If the Reyes Group falls so does the whole economy, they can't do that unless there is someone waiting to take over."

"What about the Carpios?" Adrianna asked.

"They have their hands tied at the moment." Cedric said with a laugh. "They have to deal with Benedict and Camilla surfacing, and the Laurence family's growing influence. Ray decided to expand the company and the Carpios are in a panic."

"What do Benedict and Camilla have to do with causing them problems?" Adrianna asked. "The siblings can survive on their own."

"They can, but the Carpios are desperate to get them to manage the company." Cedric said with a laugh.

"Benedict and Camilla told you?" Adrianna asked with a raised eyebrow.

Cedric nodded and smiled.

"I told them it would be fine if they worked for the Carpios. Their aunt is Calathea's mother after all." Cedric said with a shrug. 

"I bet they refused it." Adrianna said with a smile.

"They did, they flat out told the Carpios that they will only work for me and that I have their unwavering loyalty." Cedric said with a smug smile, he couldn't help but feel good about that. "/i am lucky to have people like them."

"So what happened with Dominic?" Adrianna asked, changing the topic.

"Adri, I was so happy you weren't around when he told us what he went through." Cedric said with a frown as he recalled what Dominic had told them. "That child has been through too much."

"I'm guessing you won't tell me." Adrianna said with a frown.

"I'd rather not." Cedric said, shaking his head. "Not just because I don't want you to cry over it, but I just can't repeat it. Dominic has lived a life that no one should."

"Don't worry honey." Adrianna said as she placed a hand on Cedric's shoulder. "When we adopt him we will try to make up for all the pain and suffering he has had to live through."

"Oh, about that." Cedric said, scratching the back of his head, trying to look innocent in front of his wife.

"What is it Cedric?" Adrianna asked as she glared at him. "Don't tell me you are sending him back! Don't you dare fucking say that."

As a pregnant woman Cedric knew that his wife would be having mood swings, he just didn't expect it to happen this soon into the pregnancy.

"Adri, no." Cedric said as he tried to calm her. "I would never send him back. But there is a change."

"A change?" Adrianna asked as she calmed down.

"Yeah, Veronica and Miguel want to adopt Dominic. I said they could if Dominic was willing to go with them." Cedric explained. "Please don't be mad, but Veronica had a good point. With Yoyo and the baby on the way, I didn't want you to be stressing out too much. And based on their interaction earlier, Dominic really likes Veronica and Miguel."

To Cedric's surprise Adrianna jumped into his arms and hugged him tight. 

"It's alright Ced." Adrianna said in a happier tone. "I know you are just trying to do what is best for the kid." 

"Thank you for understanding Adri." Cedric told his wife as he pulled her closer. "So are you ready for tomorrow night?"

"We'll be meeting Lucius Ting, right?" Adrianna asked.

"Yes." Cedric said with a nod.

"I can't wait to see if he really looks like the Chans, I can tell you know. I used to be Eric's biggest fan." Adrianna teased, making Cedric laugh as he remembered the first time Adrianna met Eric in person.