"Well, his best friends are hot. If the two of you don't work out, you don't have to go through the excruciating process of finding yourself another man. You have two jackpots right in the neighborhood," I say, putting a lone fry into my mouth.

"Or if you let go of him because he's an asshole, you can always pick one of his best friends for revenge," Selene adds, lifting the large lobster BLT with both the hands to her mouth and taking a generous bite of it.

"No, no. If it doesn't work out with him, it doesn't work out with any of them. I am planning to sleep with all of them at once," Claire rolls her eyes, carving a small bite of her fish, and swirling it into the mustard.

"Threesome? Train?" Selene tosses with her mouthful.

"Gag," Claire makes a face, grabbing her pint, "I am talking about sleeping with them on different days. Dating all three of them at the same time. All my holes are too sore to accommodate the three of them all at once. Judging from their bulges, they're huge."

Claire, Selene, and I went shopping during our lunch hour. We decided to extend another hour to grab a bite at the corner booth of the classic art deco The Empire Diner on the 10 Ave.

It's kind of a religious practice for the three of us that Claire takes us shopping whenever any of us three is on periods. Even when we were living on separate continents. She buys us things as a reward and a bribe for not getting knocked up so our single girl energy can always remain high.

Claire loves Kryslian like her own and is extremely ecstatic for Selene's new baby, but if it were up to her, she'd have us banned from being pregnant so no child can enter our equation and change our dynamic.

"Speaking of huge, I asked Ari to get his penis head pierced as a present for me tolerating morning sickness because of him. Thoughts?" Selene grins.

Claire whistles, "Atta girl."

"Ooh," I laugh. A blush forms simultaneously on my face at the thought of Areston's pierced cock and how magnificent it feels when it grazes my womb or the back of my throat. I tighten my thighs together as I swallow. Being on periods is making me horny at even the smallest thought of him. "That's going to be a hell of a present he'll remember for his last time. I believe it'll be painful. You won't be able to have sex for a while. What did he say?"

My best friend sulks in response, shoving bacon in her mouth. "He can bear the pain. But he'll die if he has to abstain from sex. The man has insane sex drives. We had been having sex twice every day since we started dating, but lately, I've been so high on my pregnancy hormones and him on my pregnant body, we have been humping all the time."

"Ugh, what do these De L'Aquila men eat for that kind of stamina," Claire snorts, pointing at me. Back in Italy, I'd told them the amount of sex Areston and I would have daily on average.

Selene remains unfazed, but I can feel the crimson red heating up a shade darker on my cheeks. I realize this is the time I should tell my best friends about Areston and my relationship even though I was of the opinion to not tell anyone about it for a while.

"So, I have news," I announce, plucking the cherry off the top of my vanilla milkshake and pop it in my mouth.

"You and Areston are back together?" Selene chuckles, extending her arm to Claire and gesturing as if she's asking her to hand her over something.

I frown. "Yes, we are in a relationship."

"Oh, man!" Claire whines, removing her vintage bracelet that she bought last month in an auction, and handing it over to Selene. "Couldn't you have waited some more time before jumping into a relationship with him?"

"Um, no. But glad to know my best friends think my love life is so amusing they're making a bet out of it."

"Love life my ass. You're just a cock hungry slut now like the two of us and couldn't wait getting dicked down," she throws a fry at me, "I lost my favorite bracelet because of you. You owe me one now."

"Fuck off," I grin, catching the fry and putting it into my mouth. "How did you two know? Gossiping Ladyship? Fuck, I want ban that nosey piece of shit."

"I knew it way before," Selene grins, "You think you could trick me into believing you were gasping and panting and shit because you were on a treadmill when it was actually my brother in law eating you out? Ew, pumpkin."

I flush in embarrassment. I had told Areston to stop, but he didn't and went ahead, eating me out and commanding I stay in control of my voice when Selene called the other night to whine about suddenly having developed a hatred of dark chocolate due to her pregnancy hormones.

"I have more news," I lean forward and the two of them do too, "Ares and I had period sex!"

"Girl, what? Bare?" Claire's brows fly up. She's done all kinds of shit but this shocks her.

"Best sex ever, isn't it?" Selene high-fives with me. "Oh, I love painting the town red with Ari. He's the only one I've ever done it with. I am glad because that's such a sacred experience. I had cringed when we did it the first time, but now we look forward to it."

"Right? I was so embarrassed when Areston suggested it. I was like... umm what? But boy," I sigh, stretching back in my seat, "I am still so sore but so worth it."

"I can't believe I am jealous of the two of you losers!" Claire protests, forking a large bite of her fish into her mouth.

Selena laughs in response and places her hand on top of mine, "Anyway, jokes apart, pumpkin. I am really happy for you. I am glad the two of you sorted it out. You can't imagine the amount of times I've been mad at my husband for having a jerk like Areston as his brother. Are you happy?"

"You know I am," I smile. "I just... I feel settled."

"Settled... as in would marry him right now if he were to ask me kind of settled?"

"Damn it, Sel. Don't put ideas in her head," Claire mocks, leaning forward, "Is it like that, pumpkin?"

I raise the vanilla milkshake to my mouth and slurp from the straw as I ponder, "I mean yeah? It's the next step? Chase told me not to jump into it, but..."

"But?" Selene probes, intrigued.

I look at her and then Claire, and then back at her again, and then shrug, "This might sound cringe, but mentally, I feel like we're married already. In my mind, he's my husband. There's a sense of ownership between us without needing the official stamp on it." I do not mention the anklet part to my best friends.

"Do what your heart says," Selene gives my hand a gentle, encouraging squeeze with a smile on her face. "I didn't think twice when I jumped into the idea of marrying Ari either. I just knew he was the man I wanted to spend my life with. Sometimes it's good not to overthink and overcomplicate things. Despite the years of separation, the two of you have belonged to each other. It only makes sense for you to take the next step. I always keep saying life is too short to keep pondering."

Claire dabbles her spoon into the small bowl of ketchup and then mustard and eats it. She loves it. "I know no shit about relationships to be commenting on that. If you're happy and want to marry him as soon as tonight, I suppose I'll support you as long as I get to choose my own bridesmaids dress this time."

"Ew no. She's not marrying him until the baby is out of me," Selene whinges, rubbing the back of her hand against her belly, "There's no way I am being photographed in her royal wedding pictures with a swollen belly. I'd like you to wait at least six months after I've given birth. I'd be back in shape and in a good mood to play a cheerful bridesmaid. Judging from Claire's views on marriages, you're my only best friend who'll ever marry. I need it to be special and super huge."

"Calm down, you two. He hasn't even asked me yet," I roll my eyes, stirring my straw into the milkshake.

💗🦋✨🦋✨💗

"Do you think I have too much makeup on?" I sniff, my fingers idly tracing the outline of Areston's lips as we watch Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.

Now I'm in the mood to discuss makeup, but barely a minute ago, I was crying because Hagrid gave Harry his first ever birthday cake that he baked himself and also for the reason that I've never been able to replicate the pink cake and green icing despite all the years of practice.

My one leg is slung over Areston's waist. I'm snuggled in his arms on his giant bed. He has been gently rubbing my tummy all his time. It has been so soothing. There's rainbow cookies, eclairs, and Gemma sandwich from Milano Market, smash burger and chicken fingers from Dorian, Neapolitan pizza from Bella Napoli, candies of several kinds, open cans of Fanta, and dark chocolate on my side.

There are also twenty of my favorite squishmallows arranged next to my head. I told him last night that I like having them around during my periods. Instead of bringing along the ones I already have at my place, he bought another set for me.

There's Raisy the Ramen, Prince the Pug Astronaut, Yara the Yeti, Bittie The Chocolate Milk Sea Cow, Cam the the Calico Cat, Pepperoni Pizza, Danilo the Chocolate Banana Toast, Guacamole, Sunny the Bee, Lindsay Leopard, Tex the Taco, Jova The Blueberry Muffin, Chester the Shrimp, Diedre the Cupcake, Danya the Rainbow Bunny, Jack the Black Cat, Fania the Purple Owl, Blossom the Sheep, Philippe the Frog, and Pandora the Pegasus.

Today is my second day of period and surprisingly after a couple years of having had peaceful, non-problematic periods I have been dealing with cramps since I returned to the office post lunch with Selene and Claire.

I came home early from work and when Areston found out, he charged into my house, picked me up, and held me in his lap as we were driven to his place. It didn't help that his overly possessive nature made me so emotional about the fact that I finally have a boyfriend. I spent an hour crying, in the shower as he cleaned up and put me in my oversized Yale hoodie and a pair of shorts.

Areston averts his attention from the TV screen to me.

He not only brushed my hair post the shower, he also assisted me by supplying my makeup products one after another as I'd asked him to when I refused to go eat or relax without makeup on.

I did eyebrows on fleek, mascara, put on a glittery eyeshadow, added bronzer on my cheeks, dabbled my lips with my signature ruby woo.

Of course, all of it is smudged. I don't need a mirror to know. I have been rubbing my eyes, crying, sniffing, and so on.

It would be my mother's worst nightmare if she were to see me like this.

He caresses a strand of my hair and smiles, "A tad."

I sniff, brushing the facial tissue against my nose. "I did it for you and you don't even appreciate it."

"Your flawless beauty doesn't need makeup, baby. You are born perfect."

"You're sounding like my mother. Ugh. I made so much effort to look my best."

"You do effortlessly. Always," he smiles.

"My uterus is taking revenge from me. She wants your baby and I didn't give her one. It's all your fault."

His grin widens, "I know it's all my fault, tesoro. Tell me what I can do to make you feel better."

"You could start by appreciating my makeup skills."

"You look exquisite."

"Even with my mascara running down?"

"Even with lipstick smudged from all the junk you've eaten," he laughs, rubbing his thumb against the corner of my mouth.

"I am eating because my uterus wants me to!" I shove at his chest, blushing with embarrassment and bury my face in his chest. "Baby? Do you think I am bloated?"

"Not at all."

"Hmm. Why haven't you fucked me then?"

"That's because you're dealing with period cramps, prezioso."

I look up from his chest. "Or you just don't find me attractive anymore because I've been eating like a pig?"

He bends to kiss the tip of my nose. "You're even more attractive to me when you're raw and vulnerable, Juliette Rothschild."

"So you don't mind me eating a lot?"

"I love feeding you."

"You make it sound like I am a pig or something."

He kisses me long and deep, his mouth splitting into a smile at the end of it, his thumb gently stroking my chin. "You're my cute pig."

"How's that helping my temper?" I scowl at him, but fail, and end up grinning like a loon.

"You're my cute cat," he gives me a small peck on my mouth.

I inhale his scent contentedly and roll on top of him. "My tummy hurts, Ares."

He adjusts the heating pad on his stomach so it heats mine before pushing his hands into the back of my sweatshirt, his fingers trailing up and down my spine in a smooth caress.

"Why don't you lie on your back, baby?" He says, his lips moving in my hair. "I'll give your tummy a gentle massage. It'll help you feel better."

I shake my head, fisting my fingers into his shirt, and inhaling his neck. "I don't like you talking to Darina, your highness."

"No?" He teases softly.

"No, my uterus and I are not getting a good vibe from her" I murmur into his neck. "Can we escape to some wilderness where it's just the two of us? No women around. Especially her."

"You won't survive a day in the wilderness, Belle," he whispers playfully.

I release a frustrated sob. "Are you saying I'm high maintenance?"

"You are my high maintenance."

"Still," I open my mouth to suck the skin on his neck. "Why can't we disappear in the wilderness? Or better yet let's make that witch disappear into one. She can fuck a young bear for all I care. Maybe she'll like it."

"Christ, Belle," he laughs.

"Ugh," I climb off him on his other side, unable to bear another cramp that arises. I am unable to find a single comforting position.

I lie down opposite to him, raise my legs, and spread them apart while my fingers continue to hold my toes.

"That's quite a tempting position, tesoro. You're making my cock painfully hard," he chuckles, rising up to settle the heating pad on my tummy again.

"I am in pain," I groan.

"Let me rub it."

"Don't touch it," I snap, causing him to retract his hand. "I am probably in pain because you refuse to listen to me about Darina. My uterus doesn't like her and since you're not doing anything about it, it's punishing your precious rose."

He narrows his eyes playfully at me, his fingers scratching his jaw as he pretends to think. "Is that so?"

"I can't believe you're questioning me," I put my arms around his neck and pull him down. "Fuck, it hurts."

He tries to roll off me, thinking he'll hurt me, but I keep holding him. I want him to stay like it. The pressure of his body on mine is providing me a little bit of ease from the cramp.

He understands my silent plea and stays in the same position. "Let me call a doctor, please,"

"No. What kind of a wimp do you think I am? This doesn't need a doctor. It's not a serious cramp, I told you. Normal cramp. All girls have it."

"Let me at least rub it?"

"Maybe fuck me."

"Jesus, Belle."

"No, don't fuck me," I bury my face in his shoulders as he lies on top of me, hugging me tight. "It might cause me more pain. I am hungry, your highness. I am craving super spicy Indian food from Bengal Tiger."

"Alright," he smoothens my hair and kisses between my brow. "Any specific cravings?"

"Vindaloo, chicken biryani, lamb curry, garlic naan, keema samosa, and oh what's that sweet yogurt thing that they have? I forgot its name. The one they give out in a huge glass. Mango Lassi. Tell them it's for Juliette Rothschild. They'll understand the amount of spice I need."

He smiles, "Got it. Anything else?"

"Oh, my god. You think I'm an ogre, don't you?"

"Yes. You're my beautiful ogre who delights me whenever she's eating," he rains a series of kisses down my neck, his fingers gently massaging my tummy. "You're so soft, baby. Makes me want to bite you everywhere."

"Ew. Cannibal alert," I grin.

"For you," he chuckles, sliding off me and reaching out for his phone I'm assuming to call Horace. "Anything in this Juliette Rothschild special that a normal human can eat? Or do I have to order a special one?"

"Wimp."

💗🦋✨🦋✨💗

"What's up, Sel? Is everything okay?" I answer the call, my voice comes out all groggy from sleep. I look at the digital clock on the nightstand and realize it's 8:00 pm.

Areston made sure I orgasmed several times to help ease my cramps and it worked like a miracle therapy. By the time he was done, I was so exhausted and so relieved. He showered both of us, enjoyed shoving a new tampon in me, dressed me up, and put me to bed.

"Ew, pumpkin, did I wake you? How's your cramp?"

"It's gone now."

"Ugh, don't you hate those cramps? I prefer being pregnant over those horrible cramps."

"Tell me about it. I was getting so emotional. Crying and questioning shit. My boyfriend seems to have extraordinary patience to deal with my mood swings, it turns out."

"That's a De L'Aquila trait," my best friend jokes. "Be careful, pumpkin. A man who's so patient with your period tantrums has to be a psychotic serial killer. Sane men don't have that amount of patience."

I laugh. "So what's up?"

"Well, I am calling to ask if you two have intentions to drop my kid home. 9 pm is her bedtime."

"Kryslian's here?"

"Yeah? She demanded to see you. I called you and Areston picked up. He told me you were sleeping and that he wouldn't mind having Krys home. Ari dropped her almost three hours ago. I am telling you, her dad is spoiling her and so is the rest of his goddamn family, especially Res and Gus. That kid is becoming so stubborn I am losing my mind, pumpkin."

"I had no idea she was here," I say, climbing out of my bed. "Let me go see what they're up to. She can sleep here with me. That's not a problem. Don't worry."

"Are you sure? Don't you want more period sex later in the night?" She teases, causing me to blush.

"Fuck you, Sel," I grin, "Enjoy the night with your husband having pregnant sex. I'll take care of Krys."

"Love ya, B."

"Lova ya!" I hang up and make my way downstairs.

My steps come to a stop at the kitchen entrance.

A wide smile splits on my mouth and I lean against the wall in the scene in front of me. It quite literally takes my breath away and makes my heart skip multiple beats.

Kryslian is perched up on a stool in a chef's apron and a hat. She's adding fillings to a sub.

Areston looks every bit of the Mr. Testosterone-On-Legs as usual as he stirs something simmering in a dutch oven. He's wearing an apron over his white shirt with sleeves folded till elbows and black pair of denims.

Mozart's Die Zauberflöte is playing soothingly in the background.

"Can I take some of this for my boyfriend if mommy loves it?" The child asks, her keen attention on the sub she's preparing.

"You don't have a boyfriend, princess," Ares announces dominantly, and yet in a soft tone.

"I do have a boyfriend."

"No, you don't," he bids firmly, his eyes sparkling as he sees me, and gives me an exaggerated eye roll.

In the playful argument the two of them are having and the setting they are in, it feels like home and permanency.

I see my future right in front of my eyes. My hopeless romantic heart imagines Areston with the kids we'll have in future.

His banter with Kryslian is giving me a glimpse of what an overly possessive father he'll be, especially if we have a girl.

"I do have a boyfriend. I love him, Res," Kryslian protests.

"Why are you two fighting, baby?" I ask, finally intervening as I cross the distance between us and stand behind her.

"Mommy!" She turns around and hugs me. "Res says I don't have a boyfriend."

I inhale her baby shampoo and smooth my fingers through her soft locks. "But you do have a boyfriend?"

"Uh huh."

"What's his name?"

"Kenzo."

"That's not a good name." Areston snorts, sliding his arm around me, leaning his head to kiss the top of mine.

"But mommy I like his name. He's handsome like daddy and Res and Gus. He's my boyfriend. He always shares his chocolates with me."

"Yeah? And that's why he's your boyfriend?" I smile, pulling back.

"You are not allowed to have a boyfriend till you're 40, princess," Areston announces in a stern voice, stirring what looks like Osso Bucco.

"What a hypocrite," I scowl at him playfully, earning a pinch on my waist.

"I am allowed to have a boyfriend," Kryslian starts fake sobbing. "I will marry him like mom married daddy. We will have babies and grow to space together."

My god, this kid. I can't help, but laugh. "Is he cute, sweetie?"

"Yes," she nods, smiling.

"He better stay far, far away from you, princess," my equally stubborn and manipulative boyfriend hums, not giving up. "I'll have him thrown away."

"You can't do that to him!" Kryslian argues, throwing out her arms for Areston to hug her.

He lifts her up and steps further from the gas range. "I'll buy you whatever you want if you stay away from him."

"No. Kenzo said he will build me a better rocket when we grow up!" The child kisses his forehead. My god she's just as manipulative as her mother and the man in front of me.

"He can wish all he wants," Areston tosses like the snob he is and kisses the tip of her nose.

"You don't have to be so jealous of a kid. He might beat you in the future, you know?" I roll my eyes.

He royally ignores me and turns to Krys. "How will mommy feel better if you don't feed her that sub of yours? Mommy loves it, that's why you were preparing it, sì?"

"Aw, my baby," I throw my arms around them and kiss her cheek. "I love you, my munchkin."

"And me?" Areston smirks, taking advantage of the situation.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, your highness," I grin.

"Mommy loves you, dummy," the child beams, kissing his cheek. "She won't tell you because you are a big dum dum. I will. I love you, Res."

Areston smiles, burying his face in the child's hair.

I know he wants to say it back, the words feel right on the tip of his tongue, I can see it in his expressions, but he fails to bring it out.

It hurts me to see how wary I made him of using those words. I hug them harder.

Just then one of his three phones on the countertop vibrates. His personal phone.

Darina.

My mood turns sour.

"C'mon, munchkin. Res is getting an important call from an important person he can't avoid. Us chicas need to leave him alone," I pluck the child out of his arms and put her on the side of my hip.

"What do you think you are doing?" Areston glares at me.

"Giving you the privacy you need to speak to the witch who holds so much influence on you. What does it look like?"

"Come here, princess," he gestures to Kryslian. "Mommy's having mood swings."

"Don't blame my issue with that woman on my mood swings!" I snap in a restrained voice and run my fingers to caress Kryslian's curls. "Munchkin, tell Res why we don't like Madam Mim, The Evil Queen, and Ursula."

The child parts her arms for Areston, silently asking him to take her in his arms. He chuckles cockily, stepping forward and scooping her back in his arms and kisses the top of her head.

Kryslian wraps her one tiny arm around Areston's neck and rests one hand against his cheek.

"They are bad women, Res," she says, stroking his cheek. "They do bad things. We don't like them. We should stay away from them."

"My intelligent kid," I rise on my toes to kiss her cheek. "Res loves one of those witches. Her name is the Witch of East."

The child's eyes widen and she hugs him tightly. "No. Witches are bad. They eat children. Don't they, mommy?"

"Of course, munchkin," I force a smile for Areston, earning a scowl from him. "In this case, she eats underage rich teens," I mumble enough for it to be Audible to Areston only. "Don't you want to talk to her?"

"No," he says, his voice clipped as he settles Kryslian onto a stool and leans closer to my ear, capturing my earlobe. "Behave. You're tempting me to spank the hell out of you for being unnecessarily jealous, but I don't wish to leave the child alone."

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