Bri

I crossed my arms over my chest, raising an eyebrow as I came around the corner and found Felix leaning against the Pussy Hunter. He was wearing a pair of sunglasses, even though it was late afternoon, nearly evening at this point. He'd also pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans and a casual bright red T-shirt that proclaimed in smug, white lettering: You Only Wish You Were Me. I felt a nerve start to tick at that, raising a hand to my temple.

Every time, I thought wearily. Every time I see this man, I get a damn headache. To say the past month had been a bundle of joy would be the same as saying crocodiles shit rainbows. Both statements were just as accurate and probable in this case.

With Willow back from her honeymoon, I'd explained to everyone in the family what my doctor had discovered. And, of course, the boys had been sure to tell Willow and Aiden all about the one time Felix had come over. Dear gods, sometimes those boys were seriously begging for a whooping. I had to admit, I was glad I was having girls. Boys were mean and I really didn't want to have to deal with a miniature Felix. Hell no, I shook my head internally just at the idea.

He pushed off from his car, a wide smile quick to lift his lips. "Ah, Bri," he called out like he was surprised to see me. "Besides the frown on your face, you really are looking good. Better than the last time I saw you," he reached up to peer over the top of the sunglasses at me.

I shot him an exasperated look. "Oh really? Well, when was the last time you saw me? What...nearly five weeks ago?"

He waved a hand dismissively, lowering his other hand. "It's not like I didn't know where you were-" he began.

"No, it's not. You certainly aren't allowed to try and use that excuse," I shifted my stance slightly.

"...Would you have really wanted to see more of me?" he asked in an annoyed tone.

I shook my head firmly. "No. Of course not."

"Then why-"

"But that's not the point, Felix!" I hissed, barely remembering to keep my voice down. We were still really close to Willow's place, plus out in public. No matter how much I wanted to just release my irritation, screaming at Felix while on the sidewalk wasn't a good idea. Sucking in a deep breath to try and calm down a little, I shifted again. My feet had started bothering me lately, swelling a little. I thought it was a bit too early for something like that, as I was only in my second trimester, but perhaps the...difficulties of my pregnancy were the cause.

Raising my gaze to his, I wished I could actually see his eyes. But those sunglasses of his hid them from view and I couldn't help but wonder if he was honestly paying attention to me. How was I supposed to get common sense and an acceptable level of decency in that thick skull of his? Especially when I couldn't even tell if my words were getting through to him. But even so, I wasn't going to go easy on him. Fuck being polite. It wasn't like he was polite to me. "Felix, you said you were going to step up. That doesn't mean ignoring me until it's convenient for you to acknowledge my existence. I know you don't like kids-"

"Hate, actually," he interrupted. "I hate kids," he corrected me.

"-but kids are going to a part of your life now. I'm not saying wait on me hand and foot-"

"Are you saying to massage your feet though?" he asked in disgust.

"-but at least do something more than text me two or three times a week! And even then, you only talk to me for two minutes," I grumbled.

His lips teased up into a smirk as he slowly removed his sunglasses. "Aw, are you missing me now? Getting all sappy and sentimental on me, Bri?"

I shot him a hot glare, hands on my hips. "You fucking wish."

His expression softened a little, but just as quickly turned condescending. "Ah, there's the Bri I know and love." I blinked, taken aback, just a little. But, of course, I didn't even have to think or worry about anything. Felix really was good at ruining everything. "Now all we have to do is figure out how to bottle and mass produce that sass of yours. We could call it SexyAss Bitch. Think it'll catch on?" he winked, looking completely at ease.

Alright. I'd had more than enough of this smug bastard's jibes.

Stepping forward quickly, I flicked my hand and wrist out to slap that snide look off his face. Personally, I'd thought I'd been moving pretty swiftly...but Felix was faster. 

He grabbed hold of my right hand with his left, quickly getting my other hand that went for another strike. He crossed his legs defensively, pulling me too close to maneuver my legs and knees to do damage. A disorienting spin, swiftly followed by a twirl, and I found myself in his arms.

He'd positioned us so that my arms were crossed in front of me, held tightly to my body to stop any attacks. His right leg was wrapped around mine, while he leaned back slightly against the side of his car, forcing me to do the same. His hold was unbreakable, but to anyone on the outside looking in, it would look like he was embracing me. 

Irritated, I blew air out of my mouth, making some of my bangs lift up and away from my forehead. "Felix, let me go."

His low, intimate voice came from the left side of my neck, his breath tickling my skin. "...Don't you know how good you feel in my arms, Bri?" I stiffened, but before I could react, his tone had shifted again. "What have I told you about violence?" he tsked his tongue tiredly. "It's not good for anyone involved, honey," he murmured.

I rolled my eyes. "Really, Smoochie?"

He jerked his head back, but his hold was still firm. "Ewww...Why are you calling me that, Sugarpie?" 

"You started it, Abs." I kept a tone of irritation in my voice, but I couldn't help but feel a thread of laughter. Abs? I repeated in a snort in my mind. Where the hell did that come from?

"Why, yes...I do have those, Legs. I remember when you were running your-"

"At-ta-ta-tah!" I shook my head quickly. "Why would you even...?"

"Oh, c'mon, you have some very nice legs, Peaches. Ones I quite like...Try that on for size, Kitten," he snickered.

"When did this become a pet name war?" I demanded, unable to hold back my laughter.

Felix's hold on me was no longer restricting. Honestly, if I really tried, I could have gotten out...But, I don't know...Something about the moment, about the feel of his arms around me...

Totally my hormones fault, alright?

I leaned back into him a little more, his left arm around my abdomen. "I guess it became a war when you tried to hit me," he murmured quietly, leaning his head against mine.

Part of me wanted to pull away and yell at him. What gave him any right to be acting so...so familiar with me? But another part of me was honestly tired of constantly fighting with him. Truly...I was tired of it all. "I wouldn't have tried to hit you if you hadn't insulted me. Sexy is fine. And yes, my ass is just so. But please don't call me a bitch, especially like that, Pumpkin Butt," I tossed out half-heartedly.

He laughed, a real, rich laugh like I'd never heard from him before. "Oh, Sugarbear...I much prefer to think I'm a Cuddle Monster," he grinned widely. His arms held me close, in a way that was different from how he'd ever held me before. It was softer, gentler...more honest and open then I could ever remember him being.

...Not since that night. The Night.

"I feel like the two of us could go far, Jelly Bean. Real far," he mused thoughtfully. We remained still and quiet for another peaceful minute and I drank in every second. I honestly had no idea when I'd next get a moment like this around Felix. "But first, we need to be heading out," he sighed wearily. Very slowly, almost reluctantly, his arms unwound from around me and he pushed up off of his car. He let out a long breath, made sure I was clear, and opened the passenger door of his car. "Please, get in."

I glanced up at his face, seeing the bored, tired look on his face. Slipping inside, I buckled up while he closed the door behind me. A few seconds later, he was getting in and doing the same. While he was buckling up, I found a question coming out before I could really think about it. "You look really tired. When did you go to bed?"

He paused, before clicking in the buckle. Straightening, he started up the car, shifting it into gear and merging into traffic before answering. "Yeah...I had a bit of a rough night. Pretty sure bedtime was eight this morning," he chuckled.

"Partying?" I inquired with a tone of long-suffering. 

His face was impassive. "Somethin’ like that," he agreed evenly.

Shaking my head, I shifted in the seat of the car. "So, where are we going again? What was it you wanted to show me?"

"I've been thinking...about getting an apartment...with you," he confessed slowly.

I blinked, turning my head to stare at him. "Uh...What for?"

His jaw clenched, I could see he was getting pissed. His fingers around the steering wheel tightened and the air in the car was getting a little colder. Well...who needed the A/C anyway when I was in a car with a literal snowman? "For you, for the girls!" he growled. Going off his expression, just saying the words were as painful as swallowing needles. 

I pursed my lips, eyeing him. "M'kay...So where is this apartment you've been looking into? You know I have my own place," I reminded him.

"In the Other Realm," he muttered. "I think it would be best...You are carrying two demons, Bri...Such magic might not be quite as safe among humans. I feel it would be best for the twins to be in a world of others more similar to them. Besides, what if it turns out they cannot go anywhere near a church or something? Demons are honestly new territory for us, as well as Others as a whole. I'd prefer for you three to live with me. Especially since you are half-human," he explained in an oddly calm and formal manner.

I glanced at him, forgetting for a second that Felix himself wasn't human. It was easy to forget sometimes...Especially with how human he appeared and the fact that he had a very human mother. "Um...Well, maybe," I responded vaguely. I couldn't really argue with his logic there. I'd been trying to do as much research on demons as I could, from reliable sources. But it was hard to find anything concrete about them here in the Human World. Mostly all I'd been able to find out was that demons fed off of negative emotions, which I'd already known. 

"Just..." he let out a long sigh. "Please don't argue. Just come see the place first, alright? Then we can talk about it."

I shifted again, reaching down to rub at my feet, kicking off my slip-on sandals. My feet did look a little swollen, but not much more than a week ago when I'd begun noticing it. But damn did they hurt! It wasn't so bad now that I was sitting though, remaining at an annoying, but mostly tolerable level. Sighing tiredly, I used the lever at the side of the seat to let it lean back, trying to get a little more comfortable. 

Felix remained quiet for another ten minutes, before rolling to a stop and turning off the car. "Wait here," he instructed. Shrugging, I closed my eyes and tried to rest a little. My lower back had started killing me lately, with how big I'd gotten over the past five weeks. I was only 26 and a half weeks along, but I was already so big that you'd think I was roughly 33 weeks. Having twins had made me so huge!

A few minutes later the car door opened on my side. I startled, jerking up a little, eyes popping open. Felix was glancing in, a strange light in his eyes. “Hey, sweetie,” he murmured in a perfectly normal voice. He tipped his head back slightly, motioning toward a middle-aged, bored looking man a few feet behind him. “He’s just checking to make sure everything is in order.”

While I remained more than a little confused, Felix turned his head to glance over his shoulder. “We’re just coming through the Gate to visit my family,” he was explaining to the man.

The man nodded his head, smiling nervously. “Oh, right, right. I hadn’t realized you had gotten engaged, Lord Frost,” the man murmured.

Felix flashed him a smile, turning quickly to face the man and block me from view. But considering I felt like I’d just been punched in the gut, I wasn’t surprised.

Engaged?! I mentally shrieked.

“Yes, well, we’re keeping it under wraps until after the kids are born,” Felix lied smoothly.

“Doesn’t look like it’ll be too much longer,” the man chuckled good-naturedly.

“Yep. We can’t wait!” Felix chuckled along with the man, but I could hear the tension in his voice.

“I’m sure your family must be ecstatic, Lord Frost.”

“Oh…They’re so happy they don’t know what to do with theirselves,” he laughed. “My mother’s gone absolutely baby crazy.”

“Well, I hope the visit goes well. Stay safe, my lord,” the man dipped his head in a quick bow.

Rolling my eyes, I waited until the man had walked away and Felix had turned back to me to speak. In his hands were two tickets that he tucked away into his pant pocket. His dark blue eyes were filled with an irritated light. “So…remind me, when did I agree to marry you again?”

He shot me an irritated glower. “Just roll with it, Bri. Things have gotten a bit better in the Other Realm, but anyone with human blood isn’t allowed access unless connected by blood or bonds. Well, except when grabbed by the HRD,” he added on a side note.

I frowned, wrinkling my nose in disgust. “And saying I’m your girlfriend wasn’t good enough?”

He shook his head, some of his longer hair falling into his face. He reached up to brush his bangs aside. “Nope. A girlfriend in this day and age isn’t good enough, even if we’d been dating for five years. Though, after five years, I’d think you’d have wanted me to pop the question,” he sighed.

I shook my head. “Felix, you could be the last man on Earth and I wouldn’t ever marry you.”

His expression tightened for half a second…I thought. But he was quickly laughing once again, his face filled with amusement. “Bri, you couldn’t handle me as your husband.”

Slowly, he closed my door and went around the car to get into the driver’s seat. Back in, turning the car on, I glanced around uncertainly before settling my attention all on him. “You don’t think you’re family will try to…force the issue, do you?” I grumbled in irritation just thinking about it.

He turned his head to look at me in disbelief for a moment before returning his attention back to the road. “What, for us to get married? Well, they can sure as hell try!” he growled in challenge. “But don’t worry about it. It’s never going to happen,” he laughed. “I honestly can’t even imagine you married, let alone engaged.”

I fell quiet, glancing down at my bare right hand. “…I was, once, a long time ago.”

He rolled his shoulders, a bored expression on his face. “Yeah, forever ago. But us? We aren’t a thing, Bri. The only thing between us is those kids in you.”

A strange feeling that was both relief and yet almost loneliness filled my heart at his words. Words from long ago echoed in my mind. You’ll never be loved, you little slut. All you’re good for is spreading your legs and tempting men away from proper, wholesome women. At the memories, I smiled wryly. Every time my aunt was proven right, it felt like a knife in my heart, honestly.

Felix grunted, making me blink and pull out of my own thoughts. “Hold on, this is going to get a little bumpy.”

“…What are you…?”

I didn’t get a chance to say anything else. Before I could blink, a young woman appeared in front of the car. She placed her hand on the hood of the car, closed her eyes for a brief moment, and then the whole world changed. We were no longer by the Arch. Instead we were outside a building very similar to an airport station, though much, much smaller. “Holy…!”

“I hate having to use the mages,” Felix grumbled under his breath, before getting out of the car. “I’ll be right back.” Going around, he entered the building. Two minutes later, he came back out, returning to the car. “Damn, mages charge so much just to transport a car through the Gate. Freaking 10k jen a trip,” he muttered under his breath before starting down the road connected to the Gate station.

“Um…’I’m sorry for scaring the shit out of you, Bri’…Is that too hard to say?” I demanded, holding a hand to my chest. He had not given me enough warning. Fuck, my heart still felt a little freaky.

He laughed, tossing me a carefree smile. “But why lie? You’re panicked expression is adorable. I can’t miss out on that,” he reached over and flicked my forehead.

Raising my hands up to rub at the sore spot, I glared death at him. “…Why?” I growled, wanting to punch him in that moment.

“’Cause you’re so beautiful it makes my whole being hurt sometimes, Bri,” he replied in a completely serious voice.

Blinking rapidly, my jaw dropped in shock as I stared at him. “The fuck did you do, Felix? What are you trying to butter me up for? Are you trying to make up for scaring me shitless earlier?”

He glanced at me quickly, looking completely confused, frowning. “What do you mean? Should I have instead said that you’re ugly and disgusting, that I can’t stand the sight of you? That’s a blatant lie, so why bother saying it?”

I was at a loss for words, flabbergasted, really. His lips pulled up into a smirk. Holy shit…His words, the way he’d said it…He thought I was beautiful? Despite myself, I couldn’t help but feel half a second of warmth in my heart.

Until he opened his fucking mouth again.

“Is it too late in the year to say April Fools?”

“God damn it, Felix!” I yelled.

He threw back his head and laughed boisterously. “Wow, I can’t believe that cheesy-ass line actually worked on you, for even half a second. I figured you’d realized when you instantly started off suspicious. I guess I can mark that goal off my bucket list,” he smirked. “Fool Bri so much she actually believes me when I toss out a compliment. Fucking check, baby!”

“I am going to take a knife and dig it deep into your ribs before shifting it up to your heart. And then I am going to twist it and kill your bitch ass,” I promised in a snarl.

He was still wearing that insufferable smirk as we reached the main section of the city. “Oh, yeah, Bri. Keep talking dirty like that and I might just have to pull over and take you right here…I can feel it comin’, baby,” he panted sarcastically.

Or…Gods, at least I hoped he was joking about that. But with fucking Felix? I didn’t even know anymore…!

“Shut the fuck up, you dirty man whore,” I glared at him, arms crossed over my chest.

His smile grew even more. “Damn, baby, you’re in fine form today. Seriously, keep that up and I’m going to need a cold shower.”

“You are disgusting,” I curled my lip, glancing at him up and down.

Gods save me, he actually shifted a little in his seat! “Yeah, yeah,” he laughed. “You can tell me more of that, thanks…”

“I swear to all the gods, if you actually get off in this car right now I will KILL you!” I shouted at him, feeling more than a little panicky at that moment. Was he seriously turned on at this point?!

He let out a low groan, leaning over the steering wheel a little, since he’d reached a stoplight. “…Yep…Yeah, that’ll just about do it…” He let out a long, deep breath. Personally, my eyes were wide in a mixture of shock, disbelief, and disgust. He turned his gaze to mine, his own eyes black. “You know…I think if we hadn’t been in a moving car and you’d had on a dominatrix outfit, saying all that…”

I froze a little, seeing his black eyes. Had he lost his temper or something?

“…Did you think I was serious?” he chortled.

“What the fuck is wrong with you today? Are you high or on some other drug right now?” I demanded angrily.

He shook his head, laughing even more, the car moving forward as the light turned green. “No, I think I’ve just decided to be a little more…honest, for today,” he murmured.

“…I never realized you were so…masochistic,” I muttered after an awkward silence of a minute or so. “You’re usually so…dominate,” I added a second later.

His lips lifted again, smirking as he shot me a heated glance, eyes still black as onyx. “Mhmm, yeah, I am that. I guess you could say I play both sides,” he chuckled. “Don’t worry, I didn’t actually get off, Bri,” he sighed a few seconds later, seeing the look of disgust still in my eyes. “I mean, I will admit that I’ve wanted you since I first laid eyes on you today. It’s just…natural, how much I want you,” he murmured, before quickly moving on. “You’re beautiful, and you can lie and say I’m being silly, since you’re so big right now. But…you really are, Bri. I don’t know what it is…Seeing you, every time I look at you, I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut. Maybe that’s a bad thing…But I can’t stop looking at you.”

I swallowed. When did this get heavy? I wondered internally. What the hell am I suppose to say to that? “I…um…”

“You don’t have to say anything,” he shot me a quick smile. “I know I’m being weird, to you at least, right now. I’m just…sentimental, I guess. I’m not sure why…Just seeing you today…I’ve wanted to kiss you, to hold you close. But I know that’s really stupid of me,” he sighed. “Oh, look…We’re here, finally.”

He pulled the car into a parking lot, before coming to a stop, shutting off the engine. He didn’t even pause to get out of the car, closing the door behind him after grabbing his phone from the cup holder he’d tossed it in earlier. As for me? I was momentarily speechless, trying to process what the fuck he’d just said and the very sudden and complete change in his behavior.

Jesus Christ, is Felix fucking bipolar? I asked myself in worry. This man really is completely insane!

Blinking rapidly, I forced myself to get it together. Lifting my head, I took in where we were. The apartment building was in a wide, open area filled with expensive houses and large, lush green hills off in the distance. The building itself was twelve stories tall, very wide and grey…Except for what I could see of large, wide blue-stained glass window balconies to either side of the building. I couldn’t really see the back though, so I wasn’t sure what it looked like from that angle. Sighing heavily, I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the car door. As I did, Felix was coming around the car to help me.

“You good, or do you need me to help you out?” he wondered, leaning against the hood and the open door.

I rolled my eyes, shoving away his offered hand. “Really, I’m not made of glass. I’m pregnant, not seventy, Felix. You don’t have to dote over me.”

He dropped his hands, rolling his own eyes before smirking widely. “Hmm, I dunno…It seems kind of fun to piss you off, my stubborn little penguin.”

“P-penguin?!” I choked out. “What the hell happened to ‘You’re beautiful, Bri’?” I asked in a dramatic mimic of his voice.

He smiled, reaching out to brush some of my hair that had fallen out of my eyes. I noticed that his eyes were starting to lighten, the blue trickling back in slowly. “You are…but that doesn’t mean you aren’t just like a cute little penguin. You even have the little waddle, too,” he grinned. “You look like you’ll just roll over and get stuck…I never realized how cute a pregnant woman could look before,” he laughed outright.

I shot him a glare, trying to steady myself as my feet shot another spike of pain at having my full weight on them once again. “Now you just sound sick. You just going to look at all the pregnant women we pass now or something?”

He wrinkled his nose in disgust. “What? No, of course not. It’s different.”

I rolled my eyes, pushing him out of my way to be able to close the car door. “Uh-huh, yeah, sure.”

“It really is,” he murmured, placing a firm hand under my elbow to help steady me, even though I hadn’t asked for his help. I tried to jerk my arm out of his hold, but I gave up quickly. No point fighting with him, besides the fact I really did need the help. ‘Cause, hell, I was huge. “You see, all those other women? They aren’t you and they aren’t carrying my kids, Bri,” he continued in a soft voice.

“…You do realize I can’t trust anything you say, especially when you’re being bizarrely nice to me, right?”

His smile became almost bitter. “But of course, Bri. Honestly, it’s better if you never trust me. I’ll just let you down…Besides the fact that it’s safer that way.”

I raised a brow, wondering what the hell he mean by that comment. Sure, Felix was an ass, but I’d never actually felt in danger around him…Well, except for that one time in the car. But that had been more shock by how angry he’d become and what he’d been pissed about. “Uh-huh,” I nodded my head slowly, giving him a look that said I wasn’t fooled by his bullshit. He just tossed me a faint smile before leading the way into the building. After another few minutes, I glanced at him, once we were inside. “So which floor is this apartment we’re suppose to be looking at? Where’s the realtor representative?”

He steered me with a firm hand at my back toward the elevators. “It’s the penthouse suite,” he explained vaguely.

“…Okay. How much it is a month?” I asked as we stepped into the elevator and he punched in the button for the top floor.

He pursed his lips in thought. “2k jen a month,” he answered after a few seconds.

I frowned. “That seems needlessly high. Besides, if we’re going to be living with two children, isn’t the penthouse a little…redundant?”

He shrugged. “I dunno…Maybe.”

“…Any more helpful information you’d like to tell me?” I asked in annoyance.

He smiled widely, blue eyes lighting up in amusement. “Hmm…I didn’t bring any peanuts today…”

“It’s alright,” I told him, dramatically serious, staring directly into his eyes. “Your little peanut gallery is in perfect form today.” I patted his chest solemnly, letting my hand rest there for a second.

His lips lifted into another warm smile as he raised his hand to hold my hand to his chest. “Oh? Is it now? I hadn’t realized. Perhaps I should upgrade from peanuts to popcorn.”

I pursed my lips, thinking about it. “Hmm, yeah, actually. I like popcorn more anyway. At least then, when you toss your curveballs my way, they’ll taste a lot better.” A layer of heat entered his eyes and I mentally kicked myself. Really, Bri?

His laugh was a little lower, harsher this time. “How do you feel about chocolate then?”

I shook my head. “Nope. Not a fan.”

He moved one arm to slowly, sneakily pull me in closer to him. “How about a kiss? I could toss those around all the time, for you,” he murmured.

I frowned, rolling my eyes. “How about some more cheese, sir? Last I checked, you forgot another pound of it.”

He was laughing, but his gaze was almost intensely serious still. “Yeah, I suppose.” He blinked rapidly as the elevator doors dinged and began to open. He paused, frowning as his head turned toward the open doors.

Shifting, still in his embrace-as much as I could be with my huge belly-I saw a woman standing in front of a single door in a short, wide hallway the elevator led out to. She looked about my age, maybe a few years older at the most. Her skin was a few shades darker than me and she looked to be Hispanic, hair and eyes a very dark black. Her eyes were currently wide in surprise as they took in the sight of Felix and I together. Her gaze seemed to be snagged on my very pregnant belly and I could tell by the look on her face she’d hadn’t been expecting this surprise today.

“F-Felix?” she asked in a soft voice that carried in the sudden silence.

I glanced up at him, feeling irritation quickly fill me. The hell? Just how far does this man get around that we just “happen” to meet one of his women? “Yeah, what she said,” I grumbled sharply.

He let out a long breath, stepping forward and pulling me with him in order to get us out of the elevator. But even after, he still held me close, kept me in his arms. I couldn’t help but feel sorry for this woman, though. By his body language, he was making it obvious that I was his (tapping into his Caveman here). Too bad she doesn’t realize it’s all just a front, I thought in pity for the other woman.

“Bri, this is Angelica Miles,” he introduced me to her in an even, composed tone.

Angelica’s eyes were very nearly filling with tears. “F-Felix, what is this?”

He cleared his throat as I stood there, awkwardly. I didn’t know what the hell to say. Honestly, I didn’t even know the woman. Even so…this was kind of bad. “This is Brionia Hymn-” he started to explain.

“She’s pregnant!” Angelica burst out. “Really pregnant! Ridiculously pregnant!”

I shifted, feeling my pity lessen. “Hey, there’s no need to be rude here, lady,” I muttered.

“Why are you bringing a pregnant woman here?” Angelica demanded, her voice high and tense.

Felix’s voice was gentle, but firm. “We may start living together,” he answered.

She sucked in a sharp breath, her hands that had been throw out with the force of her question beginning to shake. She quickly tried to hide it, crossing her arms over her chest. “I see…” she said in a lifeless, cold voice. “Excuse me,” she murmured before quickly moving past us and hurrying onto the elevator before it was called back down.

I glanced over my shoulder after her as the doors closed behind her. “So…one of your little flings, huh?”

His face was impassive, blank of any sort of emotion. “Yes.” He continued forward, pulling out a key from his opposite pant pocket.

I sighed, staring at the key. “I was beginning to suspect, with how she was talking…Why have you brought me to your apartment, Felix? Please don’t tell me it’s because you want to try and seduce me or something equally not likely and stupid.”

His lips twitched in a quick laugh, but he shook his head as he unlocked the door with the key. “Try to seduce you? Always. But is that my goal today? Nope. Like I said, I think it would be better if we live together in the Other Realm. Why bother trying to get a new place if I already have one?” He pushed the door open and stepped inside.

A few seconds later, I got my first look at his place, following after him. Holy shit, this place is huuuuuuge! I exclaimed in my mind, eyes wide at how much space there was.

The whole place was one big, open room. On the far right, he had a small work out area, with a few machines and a bench press. I was momentarily surprised. I hadn't thought Felix worked out, but I guess that would explain how he got those abs...

Wow, okay, Bri, I very quickly admonished myself. Stopping that train of thought before I let it go very far, I let out a breath and turned my attention to the left side of the place. That had to be better than imagining how working out had made Felix's body so damn yummy...

Yep, okay. No more sugar for you, I rolled my eyes at myself.

The middle of the room, which had two large walls in the center of it, was the kitchen. It was all done in a burgundy and white marble, the wood itself a dark cherry. There was a large island directly across from the counter, stove, and cabinets, which were all built in together inside the wall. On the other side of the island was another wall, this time with the sink, more counter and cabinet space, as well as the refrigerator. A little further back, closer toward the many, many glass windows all along the side of the apartment opposite the entrance was a small dinning table with four chairs, all of them the same design as the kitchen.

On the far, far left of the apartment was a short but long metal and glass stand that held Felix's 80" screen TV, as well as a few gaming consoles and a Blu-ray player. He had a couch, a dark navy blue, which looked stupidly comfortable. Like...I'd probably be able to sleep on that as easily as a bed, since it looked to be 80% soft and fluffy cushions.

Close to the living room but hugging the far corner and wall, which was all solid instead of glass, was his bedroom. In the living room area of the apartment the floor had a layer of white, soft carpet. In the kitchen and the rest of the open area, it was a dark, fake-wood tile. But the bedroom floor was slightly raised, by just a single step, and the floor was a very pale wood. The walls were a earthy oak shade and there was a raised area close to the bed that was done in ebony wood. A small, enclosed area that led to a door was half-hidden under the stairs leading up into the bathroom.

Like the rest of the apartment, it was open, with just glass walls to separate the very large shower, toilet, and sink. The bed itself was a king size. It had white sheets, but dark blue, grey, and brown tones to the pillowcases and an extra comforter, in case you got really cold. A large, and very cushioned footrest that was big enough to double as a extra seat or miniature table was sitting close to the bed, but half under the back part of the stairs. All along the wood wall, where the head of the bed rest against, was a narrow shelf-like section that had been cut out, big enough to place a cup or bottle of water on.

Turning slowly, I took in all of the place once more. Felix was sitting down on his bed, legs and arms crossed, waiting for my opinion. After a few more seconds, I moved to the bed, collapsing tiredly on it. Once I did though, I had to fight the temptation to lay back and curl up. Why was everything of his so comfy?

"Well?" he pressed in a tight, tense tone, dark blue eyes boring into the side of my face, which I had turned away from him.

Personally, I didn't think the place was too bad. If I made the move, I'd definitely be getting a hell of a lot more money. I had roughly a hundred thousand dollars saved up right now, but if I converted that to jen, I'd be sitting pretty on half a million jen. So...that was nice, at least.

I could definitely tell this was a bachelor pad, though. Hardly any color, almost no sign that it was lived in...Either Felix had an amazing housekeeper, was actually neat and tidy himself, or he barely spent any time in this place. Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye, I decided it must be the last one. Especially since it looked like this bed was brand new. Did he just toss money around and buy a new mattress every month or something? 

The kitchen and bathroom had looked the same, when I'd been poking through them. I'd been curious and figured I could use the excuse that I was inspecting the place if Felix asked. The whole place looked really nice but also...dead, lifeless. Why would he have rented an apartment if he never spent any time in it? 

Slowly, I faced him, shrugging. "Where will we put the nursery?" I asked.

His face flickered in a brief moment of confusion before he glanced around the place himself. "...Maybe over here?" he pointed toward the living room. "Or there?" Now he indicated closer to the entrance, around where he had his work out area. Which, I'd noticed earlier, seemed to be the most used area. He even had a mini-refrigerator and a large case of water bottles that was half empty to replace the ones he used in the fridge.

"You think it's a good idea to put babies around where you lift weights?" I raised a brow of disbelief at him. 

His expression filled with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. "Okay, fine. I hadn't thought that far ahead alright?" he muttered. "I honestly expected you to immediately tell me to fuck off when I showed you my place."

"C'mon, I'm not that much of a bitch."

A half second of confusion and almost panic flashed over his face before he shook his head, his gaze softening a little. "No, I don't think you are, Bri. I've just been incredibly nervous..." he trailed off, and something about him seemed really on-edge. I just couldn't figure out what it was or why.

I glanced down at the bed. "This is going to have to go though. I refuse to sleep on a bed you've had sex on with a bunch of strange women," I told him firmly.

He blinked, seeming to come out of a dream. "I...Bri, I've never had sex on this bed...With anyone," he told me in an odd voice.

I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest, staring up at him. "Uh-huh, and pigs fly too. Don't give me that bullshit. You are a self-titled and very in-practice playboy and man slut, Felix. You can't tell me that you've never slept with someone here. What about that chick we saw earlier...Angelica?"

He still had that odd light in his eyes as he shook his head. "She's never even stepped inside my place."

Slowly, I blinked, lowering my arms from their slightly defensive position. "You're kidding."

A quick flash of a smile as he shifted to lean a little closer to me, almost-but not quite-in my personal bubble. "Nope," he shook his head. "In fact, your ass is the very first to plop down on my bed, besides mine."

I frowned. "I did not 'plop' down. I sat down," I corrected him.

His smile grew, the light in his eyes recognizable as laughter. "Oh? Last I checked," he rose to his feet. Moving a few inches away from me, he threw his arms out and let himself fall back, his ass crashing onto the mattress. He fell with enough force to make the whole bed shake, just a little. "That is plopping," he teased cheekily.

I twisted my lip in an annoyed snarl. "Okay, okay, whatever. Moving on...Since we don't have to get a new mattress that works out."

"I figured you'd insist on getting another bed," he admitted, brushing his hair out of his face.

I glanced at him, shooting him a look that told him he was being stupid. "Felix...I am not a virgin. I'm not going to freak out if you brush against me in the bed while you're sleeping."

"Yeah, I noticed that," he commented dryly.

"It's not like you haven't seen me naked either," I continued, ignoring him.

"Mhmm...Yeah, very naked," he agreed, nodding his head.

"So what does it matter if we sleep in the same bed?"

He shrugged after a second. "Um...it doesn't? Personally, I'd prefer to sleep with you...I have trouble sleeping alone," he admitted.

I blinked, looking at him in surprise. I hadn't been expecting that...it wasn't a bad thing, but it was a little startling.

As soon as the words slipped past his lips, he frowned fiercely, looking angry enough to want to punch someone. "...Gods, why did I say that?"

I patted his shoulder. "No reason to get worked up. It's not like that's a bad thing," I reassured him.

He glanced at me, still irritated. "Yeah, maybe to you. But to me..." he trailed off, glaring across the room for nearly half a minute. Eventually, he turned back to me, a tired, pained look on his face. Honestly, he looked a little pale as well. "...So, what other conditions do you have? I know it's going to be more than just one," he sighed wearily.

I shifted, raising my left leg slightly to rub at the ache of my feet and ankles. Walking earlier had been really bad. I felt like I needed to just rest for awhile, but there was no way I was going to lie down and take a nap in Felix’s bed. Massaging them absently, I turned to face him better. After another second, he did the same, his expression guarded.

“I want you to promise you’ll commit,” I told him, thinking about it for a moment. “Not commit to me, exactly. I want you to commit to the girls. If I agree to move in, they’ll be coming along and that means you’ll be living with a new mother and two newborns. That’s a lot of stuff we’re both new too. That means helping to change diapers, watching them if one of us is occupied, making bottles, and taking turns to be the one to check on them when they wake up in the middle of the night. I want you to be willing to and promise to give it a hundred percent, Felix.”

He opened his mouth to start talking, but I cut him off with a look. I wasn’t finished. “I’m not saying that you should be jumping for joy and laughing like some nut when you get barfed on, because trust me, it’s going to happen. All I’m saying is, the girls need you and I want you to be there. But we really need to work on our relationship. We can’t be arguing all the time or two seconds away from a fist fight. That isn’t healthy for us and it isn’t healthy for the girls. So, my next condition is that we have to be civil toward each other. We’ll be living under the same roof, so we’re going to have to work together at this.”

I reached out and took hold of his right hand, which had been resting limply on the bed. “And if you agree to do all of that, I also have one more condition and this one is just as important.” I stared up into his face, directly into his eyes. They were dark blue now, but the edges looked as if they were starting to almost swirl and shift. That strange black color was playing back and forth along the edges, like the tides being pulled in and out by the moon. The air around us seemed to be humming, shaking…But I figured that had to be my imagination at this point. “Felix, no more lies. I want compete honesty between us. And I’m not just saying from you. I will also promise to tell you the truth, if we keep going from here,” I cleared my throat, keeping my voice steady.

He blinked and the tension in him seemed to melt away completely. Without a second’s pause, he nodded, wearing a small smile. “Alright. I agree to both things. I’m perfecting willing to help and be there for both the twins and you. I also agree and think it’s best if we don’t lie to each other, if we stay honest, and work on getting along better. I can’t lie and say it won’t be easy, but isn’t that just how things are? But we’ll do it together and knowing that I have someone I can depend on will be a great help, Bri.” He slowly lifted my hand up to his lips, kissing it very lightly…Really, he only brushed his lips over the back of my hand. But my eyes still fluttered close for a second at the sensation.

Despite myself, Felix was very attractive and my hormones were out on a mission to make me want a man.

But that aside, I was thrown for a loop. I’d hoped-prayed really-that Felix would be calm, civil, and rational about it. But I’d never actually expected him to…And even if he did, I’d expected some protest! Some show of annoyance, reluctance, or irritation. Instead he’d just smiled and nodded!

The hell was wrong with this man? The more I was around him, the more confused I became. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was the crazy one around here. Especially since Felix never showed any sort of reaction to how much his mood swings changed and shifted. Had the twins and everything about this pregnancy finally made me fall hard off the deep end?

“I…Great,” I answered faintly. Shaking my head to clear it, I forced strength into my voice, holding my hand out for him to shake. “Deal?”

“It’s a promise,” he smiled softly, grabbing my hand and we shook on it. “So…” he murmured a few seconds later after we’d dropped and separated our hands. “What now?”

“Well, now that we’ve decided that we’re going to be living together here after the girls are born…Felix, have you thought up any names?” I wondered.

He blanched, looking startled, which quickly turned to panic. “Um…n-names?” he repeated weakly. “I…uh…S-Samantha?” he tried.

I gave him a ‘Really, bitch?’ eye roll. “That is such a white name…” I shook my head sadly at him.

I could see the confusion all over his face. He glanced down at himself, before lifting his right arm, holding it out to me. “Uh…I’m white? Also, I didn’t realize names were classified under racial ethnicity,” he muttered in exasperation.

I nodded my head, switching to my right foot to massage. “Yep. Like, what about Brittney, or Ashley…or Cassandra? What do you think about when you picture someone to match those names? A white chick,” I explained. “Now, what if I said Shaniqua, Beyonce, or Aisha? You’re going to automatically assume that there’s a 90% chance the name I said belongs to a black or half-black woman. If I bring up Valentina, Soledad, or Rita, you’re most likely going to assume Hispanic descent. Don’t feel bad, it’s just how our society has sort of…wired our brains.”

He threw his hands up in irritation, jaw clenching with it, eyes a stormy blue. “Alright, fine. No, I haven’t been thinking about names. Personally, I’ve just been trying to deal with everything else that’s been going on since you told me I was going to be a dad back at the wedding.” He crossed his arms over his chest, pouting like a little kid.

I shook my head at him in exasperation. “Really, Felix…” I sighed, before shifting again, pulling my feet up onto his bed. I’d kicked my shoes off earlier when we’d come in, but he didn’t even blink at my feet on the bed. So, at least that wasn’t a pet peeve of his. “Okay, so these are the names I’m playing with right now.” I lifted up my hands, ticking off the names with my fingers. “Aaliyah, Monica, Niki, Iena, and Mariah.”

He frowned in thought, pulling out his phone. He quickly typed on the touch screen, glancing back up at me. “Um, can you spell those?” he asked in an almost sheepish manner.

I did so, propping my head up on my knee. “Why do you want to know how they’re spelt?”

“I want to know what they mean,” he murmured distractedly, typing away at his phone and scrolling up and down different threads. “Hmm. Okay, so it says here that Aaliyah means ‘to ascend’, or ‘go up’…That’s positive, and the name is really pretty. Monica means…Huh, it’s kinda up in the air, but most of the scholars agree it’s meaning is ‘advisor’ or ‘counselor’. So…that’s good, I guess?” he sounded incredibly uncertain, but I didn’t get a chance to comment before he was moving on to the next one. “If we go with the Greek meaning of the name, Niki is ‘victory of the people’. But if we go Persian, it means ‘goodness’.”

I leaned back to stare at him. He had a happy little light in his eyes, even as he moved on to the next name on my list. He was having fun with this and…honestly, I was both shocked and happy. I’d never realized Felix had this side to himself. He kept giving me sly, little excited glances when he explained the meaning behind each name. Every time, he had this cute little smile on his face that made me want to hug him tight. He was like a little kid with an amazing new toy in that moment and there was something about it that made me almost want to cry.

His face fell a little as he glanced up to report the next name. “Iena doesn’t mean anything. In fact, it’s crazy unpopular…Does that matter? Is it bad to choose an unpopular name?” he worried his bottom lip with his teeth for a second. He shook his head and quickly looked up the last name. “Well, this one is a big bundle of lots of different meanings,” he flashed a smile, before returning his attention back to his phone.

“We have the most common meaning, the ‘Lord is my teacher’, for all those Christians out there.” He paused suddenly, blinking, looking up at me. “You aren’t religious, are you? If so, sorry about that comment.”

I shook my head. “I’ve never been religious. How can I, knowing about the stuff that I do?”

He nodded his head slowly, before clearing his throat. “Um, yeah. Right. Sorry. Moving right along here, the second most common meaning is ‘beloved’. Then there’s a possible Latin meaning of ‘star of the sea’ or even ‘like the wind’.”

I shook my head slowly in amazement. “You like the meaning of names that much?” I inquired in a half-amused snort.

He turned his head to look at me fully, studying my face very closely. “Bri…Felix means ‘happy, lucky, and successful’…All of that, right here.” He pointed his free hand to himself and then motioned his hand to take in all of our surroundings. “Need I say more?” he murmured. “Brionia is a different spelling of Bryonia, which means ‘to grow’ or to ‘sprout lushly’.” His gaze flickered down to my pregnant belly.

“Names are important. You can’t just…fling one on and hope for the best. You’re setting your kid up with whatever name you give them. Sure, it doesn’t mean their name completely defines them, but it can still help or hinder in the long run. I mean…This is the second time you’ve gotten pregnant with twins. Have you ever been pregnant before or in between those two times?” When I slowly shook my head in answer, he nodded his own. “See? So, just to be safe, I think it would be best if you get fixed…That is if you don’t want any more kids,” he added after a second. “Not right this second, obviously, but at some point.”

“What about you?” I muttered, not sure how I felt about Felix implying that my name just meant I was suppose to be a baby machine.

“I’m going to get fixed, very, very soon,” he told me. “I really don’t want any more children. Two is more than enough for me, thank you,” he sighed heavily, running his fingers through his hair as he put his phone back into his pocket. He glanced at me again, blue eyes barely visible through the mess he was making of his hair. “What about you?”

“Two is plenty,” I agreed wholeheartedly, feeling an echo of sorrow at the memory of the two I’d lost. As I did, I rubbed at my belly, assuring myself that these two were safe and sound. A hand appeared over mine, making me blink and pause, lifting my head. Felix had moved a lot closer to me, his hand touching my belly and my hand. His blue eyes were unreadable. A little hesitant, I tried to read his emotions, opening myself to sense them.

As soon as I did, tears threatened to pool behind my eyes. In that moment, I knew that something in Felix had changed…Miracles upon miracles, he was actually happy and excited about these two little girls! I had no idea what had happened to make him be so, but I was grateful. Having to deal with a cranky and unwilling Felix would have been hell and eventually I would have just told him to get lost.

His left hand reached up and brushed across my cheek, making me jump a little. “What’s got you so sad, Bri?” he asked in a quiet voice, his head very close to mine.

It was then that I realized that I had actually been crying. Nothing crazy, but a few tears had slid down my cheeks without me even noticing. “I…” I sniffled, hurrying to wipe at my tears, knocking his hand aside a little.

“I didn’t say something to hurt you again, did I?” he asked in a voice that said he was very sure he had. “I’m sorry,” he apologized in a gulping, painful voice. “Really, I-”

“No, Felix, you didn’t say anything. I was just thinking about some stuff and I guess I got more emotional than I realized.” I quickly shut off my sensor, deciding it probably wasn’t helping that I could feel his emotions as well.

Before I could say anything, he’d pulled me gently into his arms, holding me close. His hand ran up and down my back and he remained completely silent for several minutes. I was still, not knowing how to feel or react. We remained like that, quiet but drawling comfort from each other for a time. Eventually, he began to pull back. Part of me wanted to reach out and keep him close, but it was only a small part of me. Just the part that wanted the reassurance that I wasn’t alone in this.

“So, it’s actually nearly six in the evening now. I really should be getting you back,” he murmured as he pulled out his phone. He wasn’t looking at me, honestly seemed to be careful not to.

Pursing my lips in annoyance, I decided not to press the issue. “That sounds good, honestly.”

“What food would you like?” he asked, turning back to me. “I know I need to feed you, so what is it?”

I raised a brow, staring at him. “I’m not going to argue or say you’re wrong, but…” He let out a short laugh and I couldn’t help but smile a little myself. “Something, uh…vegetarian?” I tried. “I’m honestly not very familiar with what they serve on this side.”

His lips quirked but his brow was also pulled down in a frown. “Bri, I’m not going to feed you human. Even I’m not that tackless.”

I shrugged, chuckling nervously. “Well…you never know.”

He shook his head, rising to his feet and lifting me up with him. “Need a bathroom break?” he asked, motioning his head toward the stairs.

I glanced over my shoulder, thinking about it. “Yeah, actually.” Being pregnant meant the mileage on my bladder was basically nonexistent. Two babies pressing down on my bladder? No holding it for me. “But I plan to find some curtains or something once I move in,” I told him firmly. “So turn your back,” I grumbled.

His blue gaze slowly traveled all the way up the stairs and then back to me. He was fighting a grin. I could see it, pulling along the edges of his lips. Eventually, he stopped fighting it, letting it bloom completely. “Actually, my brain caught up with the rest of me. Hold on tight,” was the only warning he gave me.

Before I could blink, I was lifted up into his arms in a bridal carry. “Uhp! F-Felix!” I half-shrieked, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. “I am…I am super heavy!” I cried out in a panic.

He laughed, smiling down at me as he started up the stairs. “No, you aren’t. Bri, you feel as heavy as a pillow.”

I blinked, taken aback. “I…I do?” I asked in mild shock.

He shot me a cheeky smirk. “Am I winning any brownie points yet?”

I slapped at his chest, but quickly wrap my arms around his neck again. I’d felt incredibly unsteady, slapping him. “No, you aren’t!” I growled at him in anger. “Stop being stupid and make sure you don’t drop me.”

He winked, shifting me in his arms slightly, already almost at the top of the stairs. “Yes, ma’am.” Once we’d reached the top, with the landing that held the bathroom, he slowly lowered me back onto my feet. “This ride has been brought to you by the Felix Transport Co. We are here for all your sudden and planned traveling needs. Just give us a call and we’ll deliver you where you want to go in comfort and safety. Rated five stars all across the board,” he advertised, dead serious. “We hope you choose to ride with us again, miss.”

I rolled my eyes, punching out at his shoulder lightly. “Whatever. Just turn around…There is no way I’m going to get down those damn stairs without falling,” I sighed in defeat. He tossed me a stoic salute, face stiff and body at attention as he turned on his heel and waited at the top of the stairs.

When I was done, I came back and he whipped right around again. “Thank you for choosing to ride with us, miss,” he murmured as he stepped closer. His arms came around me, but they were a little slower, lingering a little more.

I raised a brow, crossing my arms, tapping my foot in impatience. “You seem to be lacking in customer service,” I noted.

His gaze flickered to mine and I saw that his were black again, a wild grin on his lips. “Hmm, I do apologize, miss…It’s a problem we seem to be plagued with.” He pulled me a little closer, right hand at my lower back, left on my shoulder. “I’ve heard bribes help with it though…”

I pressed a hand against his chest, making some space between us. “What counts as a bribe?” I asked, already knowing. I also knew I really shouldn’t…But he’d been so good today, I felt like giving him a reward…If only just a little. Looking into his eyes, I waited for him to tell me he wanted a kiss.

Instead, he lowered his head down, until our foreheads were pressed together and he sucked in a long, deep breath. “Bri…We never talked about what the girls’ last name is going to be.”

His sudden words threw me for a loop. I blinked rapidly, trying to catch up. “I…wha…Um, o-okay? Hymn, of course.”

He shook his head, just a little, still touching me, his eyes closed tightly. “No…I want them to have my name, Bri. I want them to be Frosts. I won’t…I won’t allow them to not have my name,” he said in a oddly tense voice.

I frowned, starting to pull back, but his arms squeezed me just a little tighter, keeping me caged in. “Felix, it’s just their last name. No reason to get particular about it…”

“What about a hyphen?” he asked suddenly, eyes still closed. “We could do that. Frost-Hymn. O-or Hymn-Frost.”

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. “Both sound kinda of…iffy.”

He sighed, sounding really tired in that moment. “It’s important,” he repeated. “I don’t care which, but these girls…My daughters will have my name, Bri.” Slowly, he opened his eyes, staring directly into mine, silently telling me he was dead serious about this.

I stared up at him for a few seconds, biting my lip. “Does that mean me too?” I couldn’t help but ask. I already knew the answer and I already knew how I felt about it…

“No, it doesn’t,” he answered stoically.

Even knowing, it didn’t stop my heart from dropping like a stone for a few seconds. Fighting it down, I summoned forth a smile. “Well, we’ll figure it out another time. But, I promise, the girls’ will have your name, if it means that much to you.”

He let out another breath, closing his eyes briefly. “Thank you for agreeing. I’m going to carry you back down now,” he told me before lifting me up again. “Figure out what food you want yet?” he asked as he started down the stairs.

“Not really,” I responded vaguely. “I guess I’ll just get a big salad at one of the Wendy’s here or something.”

“Alright,” he nodded his head. Being so close to him, I could see the different shades of blonde in his hair, noticing a few lighter tones than what was evident further away. Without thinking about it, I started playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. It wasn’t until he let out a soft grunt that I realized what I was doing. “Better stop before you poke at the devil a little too much there,” he warned me in a low rumble.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, quickly stopping my hands. Once we’d reached the bottom of the stairs, Felix kept going. “Um…you going to put me down?” I asked uncertainly.

“Nope,” he answered, voice deadpan. He didn’t pause to open the door, though he did have to take a few seconds to pull his keys out of his pocket to lock up the apartment. But as soon as he did, he was turning back to the elevator and he carried me down the whole way. By the time we’d reached the ground floor, I’d had enough. It was insanely embarrassing to be carried like this, especially with all the people who were giving us funny looks on the lobby floor.

“Felix, please-” I started to say, cheeks stained with a blush.

“Your feet are hurting you, aren’t they?” he accused me very suddenly. “You’ve been massaging them all day, shifting to try to get comfortable.” He’d reached the parking lot and was now heading to the car, pulling out his car keys to unlock it.

“I…” I swallowed, not having expected this very sudden change in mood. “Yeah, they’ve been bothering me, but it’s not that bad.”

“Not that bad my ass. Don’t lie to me, Bri,” he growled, reaching the car and opening the passenger door. He deposited me inside, closing the door behind me. I swallowed, slowly pulling my seatbelt on as he came around the car, getting in on his side. “You’re hurting…How long has this been going on?” he demanded, starting the car. All his movements were jerky and filled with his growing anger.

I remained silent, brooding, arms crossed over my chest. I hated this. I hated not being able to hide my weakness from others. And Felix had seen right through me. How…I wasn’t sure. I’d hoped he’d just think my feet were hurting today, but he’d somehow picked up on the fact that this had been going on for a bit longer than just today.

“Bri, answer me,” he repeated in a tight voice.

Shooting him a glare, I did, tossing my hair over my shoulder. “About a week,” I admitted.

“When was your last doctor visit?”

“Three days ago,” I mumbled, watching the cars, roads, and buildings pass by as we continued deeper into the city.

“…Did you tell your doctor about your feet pain?” he asked in an even tighter voice.

I risked a peek at him out of the corner of my eye. Swallowing, jaw clenched tight, I didn’t say anything, leaning my head against the car window and staring out. How had things changed so badly so quickly? I stubbornly remained silent, rebellious. He’d been fucking gone for the past five weeks! What gave him the right to question my actions?

But once I felt the extreme drop in temperature in the car grow so bad that my breath was coming out as a thick, white vapor, I turned back to him. His hands gripped so tightly around the steering wheel they were bone white. I was quickly becoming worried that he was going to snap the wheel in half, at any second, actually. I wasn’t sure how much pressure the wheel could take and it looked like he was applying a lot.

“No, I didn’t okay!” I yelled at him. “It’s just a little foot ache, okay? It happens to pregnant women. Your feet start to swell and hurt and you can’t fit in shoes anymore and stuff. It’s just a natural thing that happens, okay?”

“Damn it, Bri!” he shouted back. “Is it suppose to happen this early though? You’re only, what…five months along?” he tossed out uncertainly.

“I’m six months, thank you,” I snapped.

“Fucking…! Okay, six,” he growled. “Whatever. But that doesn’t change the fact that your health is very precarious right now and not telling your doctor about something like a sudden onslaught of pain can be bad. What if it’s a sign of something more serious?”

My own anger rose up in response to his. “Why do you even care?” I demanded. “I thought I was the evil, conniving, black-mailing slut! Why do you suddenly care about my well-being? What does it matter to you if I’m in pain or not? Hell, wouldn’t it work out better for you if something does happen and I lose these babies?!” The logical part of my brain told me I was being ridiculous…But I’d had enough.

All of Felix’s crazy mood-swings, meeting Angelica, finding out the place he wanted to take me to was his own apartment, dealing with everything else…And now he was acting like I was the bad guy, like I was in the wrong for not blowing up a small thing into something bigger? Oh, fuck no!

My anger broke through the roof of my ability to hold it back. The car had come to a stop, since Felix was in a straight and right turn lane. He was in a line, about six cars down, a good four more behind him and the whole intersection was packed. Not stopping to think about anything else, I opened up the car door and stepped out onto the sidewalk, slamming the door behind me.

I could hear Felix’s panicked, shocked shouting through his car. But I didn’t fucking care. Fuck him and everything about him. I was done!

Small kicks started up in my belly but I hardly noticed. I was seeing red right then and all I cared about…All that mattered in that one moment was for me to get as far away from Felix as possible. With only that one thought and my anger filling my head, I started off. Faintly, a minute later, I could hear the sounds of Felix calling my name, voice high in panic. But I drowned out the sound, disappearing into the crowd as well as I could, being so wobbly.

It didn’t help my temper that as I walked, my feet were starting to hurt. It didn’t help that a while later, when I started to come down from my anger, I realized just how stupid I was being. Slowly, blinking, feet and backing start to ache, I lifted my head up to take in my surrounds.

Just. Fucking. Great.

I’d somehow found my way into an alleyway. Horror movie much? I asked myself tiredly.

Turning, I started to walk in the opposite direction of the dead end the alley lead to. Glancing around, I noticed how dark it had become. Evening had really fallen. I quickly pulled out my phone, checking the time, and noticing I had about thirty missed calls from Felix. I hadn’t even heard the sound of my phone beeping at me. I blinked, realizing that I must have been walking for at least forty minutes or so. How the hell had I gotten as far as I had? Wasn’t Felix looking for me?

A very sudden growl echoed off the walls of the alleyway. I froze, swallowing, eyes trying to see through the darkness that was quickly falling over the alleyway. I could see a shadow in the darkness, but I couldn’t make out much about it. Another growl echoed, louder, much more threatening.

All I could see was blood-colored eyes slowly stalking closer…