**Edited**

Poppy's POV

The last seven days of taking my morning sickness pills have been incredible. I called them my little miracle workers because that's truly what they were. I wasn't sure what I would've done had they not helped at all. Probably cried, honestly. The only problem I had now was that because I was actually able to eat food and keep it down, I was consuming every single thing in sight. Knox and I made two full trips to the grocery store this week alone.

However, despite how much better I was feeling, Knox had gone into overprotective papa bear mode; his worry for me has increased at least tenfold, something I hadn't even known was possible. If he wasn't able to be around me every waking second, he was paying Zane or another friend to do so for him; I liked to call them both my babysitters. Even though I was being a good sport and joking about the whole situation, It was driving me absolutely nuts. I wasn't sure how I was going to endure another thirty-some weeks of this.

Deciding I needed a break from sitting around the house, I picked up Kiara before driving to the closest shopping mall and desperately wandered around, in search of a Christmas present for Knox - who had turned out to be incredibly hard to shop for. Well, actually that wasn't totally true. I could buy some plain old lingerie set and he'd be happy as a clam, but I was trying to think outside of the box. I soothed myself by remembering that I still had three weeks before I had to give him whatever gift I found.

I perused through the men's department, not finding anything. He already had an entire closet full of suits, dress shirts, and ties so I can't buy him anything of that sort. He already has an expensive watch that he wore daily. Everything in his - our - house was state of the art, so there wasn't anything that could possibly need "upgrading". Realistically, there wasn't anything that money could buy that he didn't already have or could possibly want.

I was at a complete and total loss.

"How about we go look around in there?" Kiara suggested, pointing towards the housewares store across the way. I gave her a deadpan look.

"You're kidding, right? Knox can't cook for the life of him and it's not for lack of trying. Don't you remember having to come pick out a brand new set of pots and pans with me about a month ago?" I asked, to which she laughed in reply.

"You're right. He definitely wasn't a housewife in his last life, that's for damn sure," she stated with amusement while bumping my shoulder. "As I said an hour and a half ago when we got here, there's nothing he wants, Poppy. Just you being with him and celebrating the holiday by his side is the best Christmas gift you could possibly give. Besides, it'll probably piss him off if you do buy him anything, anyway. He's quite the hypocrite. He loves to spoil you rotten, but he hates when you try to do the same. Men," she scoffed with a roll of her eyes.

"Agreed," I muttered. I was about to give up and call it quits for the day when we passed the last department store we hadn't checked already. There were a few "ugly" Christmas sweaters on display, but they had the cutest designs I'd ever seen.

"I know exactly what I'm going to do!" I exclaimed, bubbling with excitement.

"Oh no. What is it now?" she asked apprehensively, already knowing I was up to no good.

"We're going to take a family Christmas photo in matching sweaters and then send it out. He'll love that, don't you think?" I gushed.

"Let's see, a blatant display that you're his? Oh yeah, he'll die for that shit, " she joked with a smirk. I lightly smacked her arm in reprimand before quickly guiding her into the store.

After twenty minutes of searching, the employees finally found one of the sweaters in a size that I could squeeze Knox into. I paid for them and scurried out, eager to get back home and tell him all about my plan.

"Knox! Where are you?" I hollered through the house after coming in the front door. I waved goodbye to Kiara as she started to pull out of the driveway before I shut the door behind me and began making my way to his office.

"Knox I have the best idea ever!" I squealed as I ran over to him, plopping myself down onto his lap.

"Well, I just so happen to have the best news ever, Flower. You go first," he insisted before kissing my cheek sweetly.

"So, I was at the mall looking for a Christmas gift for you-"

"Which I've told you on numerous occasions not to do," he interrupted me with an irritated grumble.

"Oh, hush! Anyway, I couldn't think of anything that you could possibly want! But, when I was leaving I saw these absolutely adorable Christmas sweaters. I got the idea that you and I can take a family photo of sorts for a Christmas card and send it out to all of our friends and family! Wouldn't that be great?" I asked. I was instantly rewarded with a megawatt smile as I finished.

"That is a perfect idea, Flower. I love it. We're kind of short on time to get the photos taken, edited, and sent out so I'll have my PA start looking around first thing tomorrow morning for a photographer to get things going ASAP."

"Oh, boss man has his own private assistant now?" I asked. He chuckled at my teasing tone.

"Yes, I needed one. Things have become so busy with the business that I can't possibly get all the things I need to do in one day done without help," he explained.

"Tell me why that's so freaking hot?" I rasped rhetorically before kissing him deeply as he laughed against my lips.

"So, what was your news you wanted to share with me?" I asked after finally pulling away from his lips and giving him my full attention.

"Actually, we have to take a little trip for that. Come on," he said while ushering me off of his lap and taking my hand. He quickly lead us to his truck before speeding away giddily, increasing my already high curiosity.

**

I huffed followed by a whine for the hundredth time since Knox put the "necessary" blindfold on me, annoyed and wanting to see the surprise he had in store already.

"This was completely unnecessary," I grumbled, voicing my opinions. "I get that this is all a surprise, but don't you think the blindfold was a little much?" I asked, hating surprises just as much as he did. I scratched at the bandana that covered my eyes and cloaked my surroundings.

"Nonsense, Flower. Now, if you keep complaining I'm going to spank your ass red tonight," he warned.

"That's not really a reason to stop complaining," I groaned back while squeezing my thighs together. He growled out huskily in response before smacking my butt, the sensation heightened by my lack of sight. "Maybe we should try using blindfolds in the bedroom some time," I murmured thoughtfully.

"Jesus Christ you're going to be the death of me," he grunted before guiding me a few more steps forward.

He pulled me to a stop as he went quiet. "Alright, baby, we're here. Are you ready?" he asked, though he and I both knew it was an irrelevant question.

"Yes!" I rushed out, growing even antsier.

"Alright, blindfold off in three...two...one-" he counted down, pulling the cloth from my eyes. I squinted as the bright light assaulted them before blinking a few times as everything started coming into focus. My hand flew up to my mouth as I was unable to contain the sob that came from it.

We were standing in front of what used to be my mother's shop - or so I thought. My mother's sign had been torn down three days after someone purchased it, but now it'd been replaced with a newer, nicer version of the previous one.

"H-how?" I stuttered out, having a hard time wrapping my head around what I was seeing.

"I knew you nor your mom would accept my money directly, so I bought the business right after she put it on the market. I've been working night and day the past few weeks to update the inside and outside. I redesigned the entire inner layout all by myself so that the layout of the place was a bit more appealing and customer friendly. Also, we just recently hired on a new interior designer so that the company is a full-package deal for customers. I had her come in and add some finishing touches so the decor reflects your mother in different aspects. The secretary on my first floor has a background in public relations, so I had her help me figure out the best way to market the shop in order to raise the number of new and existing customers that visit every month.

"Obviously the actual store itself is technically under my name, but I've listed your mother as the primary owner of the space. I know how devastated you both were when you thought you were going to lose this place, so I couldn't let that happen. This is what I've been hiding from you these past few weeks," he finished looking nervous for my reaction.

"And that's not even the best part, Poppy!" my mom yelled as she suddenly appeared out of the front door of the shop. "I not only got my store back, but your dad is pissed as hell. It's a win-win situation! Thank you, Knox. This is the greatest early Christmas gift anyone has ever given me," she murmured happily. I smiled so big my cheeks hurt before pulling Knox into a tight, loving embrace.

"You are my everything," I whispered against the shell of his ear, meaning every last word I spoke.

Later that night, after Knox had given me a tour of the new shop layout with my mom right by his side, he and I lay in bed cuddling. We were watching some random movie playing on the T.V. when I remembered I needed to check and make sure I got all my assignments and discussions boards turned in before the weekend officially started.

I hopped out of bed, ready to rush downstairs and check my laptop to see what all I possibly needed to do when Knox's arms encircled my waist from behind, halting any further movement.

"Where do you think you're going, Flower?" he whispered hotly against my skin.

"I need to make sure I have everything done from earlier this week before tomorrow," I explained.

"I really don't want you to continue going to class," he stated matter-of-factly.

"What? why would I quit? Besides, I can't quiet classes now. This semester is almost over," I responded in the same tone he'd just used.

"Well, then I don't want you going back after this semester is over. You can take a gap semester or finish up your degree when the kids are older. You're pregnant with twins, Poppy. School will just be far too stressful on you right now and that's not good for you or the babies," he said soundly. I just stared at him in astonishment. Did he really think he could tell me I wasn't going back to school and I would be okay with it?

"I have no idea where you conjured up this idea, but it needs to disappear and quickly. There are so many women in this world who still continue their education even though they're pregnant or have younger children. Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I have to drop out of college, Knox," I argued, my volume starting to rise.

"I already told you, Poppy, it's not good for you or our kids to try and do so much at once while you're in this condition. The answer is no. You can always go back for your degree if you want to after they're born and get a little older," he insisted, turning away as if the conversation was actually over. I gawked at him, unable to comprehend just how stupid he was really being.

"I'm getting my degree whether you like it or not! And don't talk about me being pregnant as if I'm sick. It's not a condition for Christ's sake! And it's truly not up to you to decide when I get to go back to school! I will be getting my degree within the next four years and then I will decide if I want to actually do anything with it or just stay home with the kids," I finalized before spinning on my heels and attempting to make an escape once again.

"Obviously you have no intention of being rational right now," he hissed with agitation at my retreating back.

"I'M THE ONE BEING RATIONAL KNOX, NOT YOU!" I screamed while spinning on my heels, at my absolute wits end with him. "You can sleep in the guest bedroom tonight," I growled.

"This is my house, I'll sleep where ever I please," he argued back.

"Actually, if you want to get technical, it's our house since you put my name on the deed! And if you won't leave then I guess I'll be leaving!" I yelled back, trying to exit the room for the third time.

"Goddammit, Poppy! Fine! I'll sleep in the fucking guest bedroom tonight!" he yelled back before striding past me and slamming the door closed behind him so hard that it rattled on its hinges.

I grumbled under my breath, mocking Knox's high-handedness as I got ready for bed as I gave up on checking my laptop. Lying down, I proceeded to toss and turn for what seemed like an eternity. When I finally lifted my head from the pillow and checked the time, my phone read midnight. As if my body wanted to betray me, it just couldn't let go of consciousness unless Knox was behind me with his arm resting over my stomach. Without his warm body pressed firmly against my back, I couldn't get comfortable enough to succumb to sleep. I threw the covers back with a frustrated growl and abruptly sat up in bed. Why did he have to be such an ass earlier? I complained to myself.

Finally deciding to swallow my pride, I wretched the bedroom door open and made my way to the guest bedroom that was just down the hall. The door was open and it was pitch black inside so I had to feel around the room before my legs nudged against the edge of the bed frame. I carefully placed one knee on the bed before the second followed as I felt around for his body. My hands never hit anything as my heartbeat skyrocketed. I quickly reached for the bedside lamp before clicking it on.

Where is he? Did he leave? Where did he go? The questions raced around in my head as I began breathing harshly, terrifying thoughts flying around my brain. I quickly made my way to the stairs where I noticed the pale light that flooded up the stairs from the living room - most likely from the T.V.

I softly took each step one at a time to keep them from creaking. If he was asleep, I didn't want to wake him. I stopped halfway down when I was able to see him sitting in the middle of the couch, leaning over with his head cradled in his hands. The T.V. was on as I predicted, displaying some old football game I was guessing he'd recorded earlier in the week.

"Knox?" I whispered out timidly, not wanting to startle him.

"Poppy?" he replied breathlessly, shooting up from his spot to face me with a hopeful look in his eyes.

"Please come to bed, I can't sleep," I murmured. Despite our unresolved argument, getting no sleep wasn't going to help our cany any either. He was in front of me in an instant, pulling my body into his own and cradling me to him as he murmured multiple apologies in my ear. I sighed sleepily before kissing his cheek. He scooped me up into his arms and carried me back to our bed where we both fell into a deep sleep wrapped up in each other's arms.