The Don And His Flower

46

The pleased look of Valis settled her worries.

A light brown turtle neck and black pencil skirt. She made it simple and comfortable, just how she likes it. Grasping her husband's palm, she was out of the SUV. The cold air tickled her skin really bad. She ignored the shivers, following his lead to the armed man that awaited them.

"Valis Kholodov. Welcome back, this the angel that you've damned for eternity?" The man smirked, shaking her husband's hand as he scoffed. "Imani this is Hayden Airellie. One of Lorenzo's trusted guards. Get used to him, he'll be around us too much."

She nodded with a smile, accepting his hand as he kissed her wedded finger. Imani wondered why any other men did this to her whenever she met them. Obviously it was a respect thing. But she wondered if it was a Valis Kholodov thing as well.

The soldier directed them up the long flight of stairs before dismissing himself. "Do I look okay?" She quickly went to the side window, looking in the reflection of her face.

Any traces of sex and desire was long gone, replaced with shooken nerves. She nearly fainted at the sight of the poofy bun that had lopsided only slightly. With a quick scrunch and pull, her bun looked better than when she originally had it.

"You look fine, flower. Pochemu ty tak nervnichayesh'?" Why are you so nervous?

She rolled her eyes, straightening her body up. "YA ne nervnichayu... prosto... zatknis', Valis." I'm not nervous... just... shut up, Valis.

***
Adeline Russi looked gorgeous.

Their home was gorgeous.

All of it was so beautiful.

Imani stood inside the kitchen with Adeline Russi. Glass of wine in her hand, untouched as she popped an offered fruit to her mouth. "Do you think you have enough side dishes? Valis is a fool when it comes to meat. I can only assume Lorenzo is the same way?"

Adeline laughed, eyes twinkling as she practically skipped to the oven. The aroma was filling up the kitchen fast. "This is totally enough. Isn't it?"

***

Valis carried Imani up the stairs. She was drunk off food. Bloated and stuffed with so much food. It had been only two hours since they had all finished eating. They decided to spend the majority of the night talking and catching up on whatever seemed important to share. Adeline practically pampered Imani when it was announced about her more than possible pregnancy.

"Oh goodness, don't slam me!" She grunted, feeling the swishing in her belly as she plopped on the soft guest bedroom. Her husband had warmed them up a warm bath.

A bath.

Definitely.

The young woman sighed, her back to her husband's chest as she felt the hot water tickle her skin. A bar of soap was in his hands, lathered. Massaging her shoulders, lowering them to grab her arms, Valis kissed his wife's cheek. "Look."

Imani peeped her eyes open, observing the open phone besides the tub. A small smile on her face as she looked at the live footage on her husband's phone.

Xander was tucked away, snuggled into his favorite toy. An elder woman was in a chair, the book she held was almost finished as she continued reading to the almost sleeping boy.

"I can't believe we have a child." She confessed softly.

Valis trailed his kiss to the back of her shoulder, listening to her soft voice.

Neither could he.

If the current Valis Kholodov had told his younger self the life he was heading into, he'd probably kill himself. To know that everything he dreamed of, he's gotten.