When We Were Young

Seventy-six:

Seventy-six:

"Can't I just punch him at least once?" Aleksander asked as the two of them drove home. "He deserves it."

"No," Alina said flatly, "he's still one of my best friends."

"Alina, but he---"

Alina put her hand up. "No. No. You two both made me part of this little pissing contest between the two of you that I didn't ask to be part of, Aleks. And it doesn't matter because you won, and I'm pregnant with your baby, and I love you. The baby is Mal's family too and the two of you aren't going to fight, okay? I just won't have it."

He sighed. "I think I've rubbed off on you too much. When did you get feisty?"

She laughed. "When I kept on having to deal with you." She stroked his hand. "Besides, I'm going to have to be feisty if I'm going to raise a Morozova. If your mother is any indication, your family is no walk in the park, and this baby will be part of me and you. I can't be quiet, good-natured Alina anymore especially if I'm going to protect our baby."

"I would still feel better if I punched him," Aleksander grumbled.

"I know you would." She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "But if you are a very good boy, and you don't touch him, I'll let you use one of your toys on me."

Aleksander grinned at her. "Any of them?"

She nodded. "I know you've got a whole drawer that you've been dying to use, but we've been so caught up with everything we haven't really thought about it much."

"I thought it seemed irresponsible, somehow. Since you're pregnant."

Alina chuckled. "Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean we stop being adventurous, Aleks. Although we've probably got to use a little caution. Nothing too out there, you know what I mean? No melting wax on me or something."

Aleksander shook his head. "And mark your beautiful skin? That's not really my thing. The only marks I want on you are the ones from me spanking you if you've done something naughty."

Alina bit down on her lip. "I don't mind the spanking, you know."

"You don't?" he said, grinning.

"No," she said, "it was a bit strange at first but it...I don't know. There's something about it that makes me want more."

"Well then," he said, "I'm interested in doing some more of that if you are interested."

"I'm interested."

"Perhaps we'll play a bit after dinner, yeah?" Aleksander said.

"Yeah." She smiled. "I would like that."

"I'll be gentle."

"Just not too gentle."

"I think I can oblige with that, sweetheart."