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I'm currently sitting by the pool as I watch Mila play with Sergi in the water. Alexandr is on the phone, and it sounds like he is arguing with his future father-in-law. I worry a little, hoping Phoebe's alright. He keeps sending looks to Sergi and Mila, his scowl deepening as he barks out something into the phone. I chuckle at the glare he sends Sergi; they're still competing for best uncle.
Damian is by the grill, and some of his men are relaxing while the rest are doing shifts so they can enjoy the party. Both sets of grandparents are here to help celebrate Mila's third birthday. She had a party with a bounce house, and a little farm with a tractor and pony rides two months ago, on her actual birthday, with friends from her day care. Today is a family birthday party for her because, according to my husband, she deserves two parties. It's a couple of months after her birthday because of conflicting schedules, but he made sure it would happen. But, come on, she's three! She did not need two parties.
I dread next year.
I look over at my mother and father. They're cuddled up in the swing seat together, and they look so much happier. My mother spent five months in rehab, where my father called every day and wrote letters. He hasn't looked at another woman since. One of his mistresses tried saying she was pregnant, and he should take responsibility, but it turns out she was only two months along.
When my father met up with her, he was shocked, expecting her to be ready to pop. He hasn't slept with another woman since her, and that was nine months ago, before everything came out regarding Mamma and her feelings. The woman thought he wouldn't notice, and I scoffed, getting wound up by it again. Yet another woman is trying to ruin my father and mother just for money. She soon ran with a tail between her legs after my father showed her the vide of their last encounter, and from what they’d done, she couldn't get pregnant that way. As the video played, I just stuck my fingers in my ears and started singing loudly. No daughter wants to hear that. Dad thought it was funny, though.
My mother now, though, as I look at her, I can tell how much she has improved since leaving rehab, and since she and my dad started counseling. They have grown much closer, just like when I was small. And they’re more open to one another. It's how Dad found out that it was Zia Emilia who started the lies. She's the close, trusted informant, who told my father about my mother straying, which didn't actually happen until she filled my mother's head with lies about my father straying. She tried to ruin their marriage because she was a greedy bitch. She thought my mother was trying to convince my father to stop giving her money. Funny enough, though, it was the other way around. Dad wanted to cut Emilia off, but my mom told him Emilia needed the money.
The last time I heard of them, Zia Emilia and Luna stealing from the wrong gang on East Street, a bad part of the city. Zia was brutally raped and murdered. Luna pleaded with them, and she now works in one of their brothels, doing what she does best. I can't say I'm too sad about it; they showed their true colors, and my parents suffered dearly because of it, and so did I. Seeing my parents happy now is a weight off my shoulders. I think, deep down, I worried my mother would revert to her old ways, and Mila would suffer, but she proved me wrong; she's been the mother I used to know, and an even better grandmother, and I'm so proud of her.
As I sit here looking at my parents, lost in thought, I feel a hand across my stomach. I look up at my husband and smile as our son makes himself known for his daddy. Damian smiles wider.
A month after we reunited at the Hampton house, I found out I was expecting. He’s due anytime since my OB said the baby has moved down into place for delivery. She doesn't think I'll go to term, which is in three weeks, but he's at a healthy weight, so there's nothing to be concerned about, and we couldn't be happier.
When I showed Damian the positive test, he literally called everyone, proud that he knocked me up despite my being on the pill; he thinks he has magic sperm, which, to be fair, that's twice now he's managed to knock me up while on contraception. It basically happened the first time we slept together after I returned. According to him, I'm not allowed to go back on the pull after our son is born—something about making up for lost time because we would apparently be on our third child now— his words, not mine. I told him he was crazy because I'd just started working as a pediatric nurse. He said I could do both, and I just scowled at him.
Then, as a surprise and to get back in my good graces, he bought a house in Marfa, Texas, so I could go and see my friends, which worked instantly. We went a few weeks ago, knowing I was going to give birth soon. It was great hanging out with Glory, Rachel, April, Adam, and Bruce, and it was nice seeing them get all they wished for in life. April finally moved in with Greg; they're now engaged, and I'm the maid of honor, of course. Rachel still works at the diner and bar, but has met someone. She says it is new. Glory is still happy as always; business is booming, and she apparently has a lover on the side. Adam and Bruce have been approved for an adoption through a local agency. They're so excited, and I can't wait to help them get ready for their baby. I love them all dearly; they're my family. They got me through a tough time in my life. To make things better, when we’re in Marfa, Amanda walks the other way when she sees me. It's hilarious, and apparently, she stays clear of Bruce now, too. She may have learned her lesson.
As Damian leans down, breaking into my thoughts about my friends, he kisses my lips. I feel a gush of wetness between my legs, and gasp. I break away from him and he tenses.
"What's wrong, moya lyubov?"
I look at him and blurt, "My water just broke."
He pales, and I swear he looks like he's about to pass out. I put my fingers between my lips and blow a loud whistle, causing everyone to look at me. Alexandr hangs up his phone quickly as he makes his way over when he sees his brother's pale face and mine in pain as my first contraction hits.
"What's wrong?" he asks, looking between us both. The parents come over, too, and Sergi picks up Mila, wrapping her in a towel, while all of Damian's men look on in concern. I moan as another contraction hits too quickly for my liking.
I say through my gritted teeth, "My water's broken, and my husband looks like he's about to pass out." As the words leave my mouth, both our mothers go into action, while all the men's faces pale. Huh, I guess it must be a male thing; even his guards look terrified.
Maria snaps Damian out of his stupor by hitting the back of his head, which I would have giggled at if another contraction hadn't slammed into me.
Shit, they're too close together.
He picks me up, and my mother says, "Get her to your room; I'll call your doctor." She then looks at Alexandr and says, "Make sure there are plenty of towels and ice chips." He snaps out of it and rushes off to do as she asked, then she looks at Sergi and says, "You're on Mila duty with Stefano and Dimitri. Now, let's go—chop, chop, we're having a baby." She says it giddily, clapping her hands, and grabs her phone excitedly. I missed this side of my mamma.
Damian carries me upstairs and places me on my feet to pull my bikini bottoms off. I grasp his forearms hard and double over as another contraction comes.
"I don't think he wants to wait for a doctor; he's coming, Damian," I cry out with panic.
His eyes go wide, and he shouts, "Mama."
I scowl at him, and he gives me an innocent look. Leader of the Bratva and Italian mafia, my ass. How he managed to take over four months ago, I will never know, because right now, he is not acting like a badass. I need the badass.
I scream as another contraction hits, and he panics more. He shouts for his mother again, and she runs into the room. She sees how we're standing and snaps into it.
"Damian, put one of your button up shirts on her; she'll need it so she can do skin-to-skin when the baby is born. Then help her onto the bed. Take her underwear off now."
He snaps to it, and within minutes, I'm lying on our bed, his shirt on me, with him behind me, his legs on either side of me, holding my hands in his, linking our fingers.
He whispers, "You've got this, malyshka. I'm so proud of you."
A tear falls because this is what I missed with Mila. He wipes it away and kisses me with a sweet kiss, clearly able to read my mind. Alexandr enters the room with ice chips, towels, and warm water. My mother is hot on his heels. She looks at me with happiness and gives me a loving smile. I go to smile back, but it turns into a grimace as another contraction hits hard.
"I need to push." I say through gritted teeth, and Damian squeezes my fingers. Alexandr pales and goes to leave.
