Body Count (BWWM)

Chapter 19

Gloria

My arms raise above my head as I stretch my body out. Today is Tati's birthday and my baby is turning four years old. I reach over to find a missing Russian and giggle because I know he's downstairs raising hell about his house being perfect for his baby girl. Quickly, I hop in the shower and wash my hair to prepare for the big day. Once I was done getting dressed I looked at the time and it was 9:00am. Tati's party doesn't start until 1pm and I hope everything goes as planned for baby girl.

Unfortunately, neither one of our parents will be attending. We didn't think it would be a good time to mention our relationship considering the war with the Albanians. Plus, Artemis didn't want to put my parents in danger and his parents had to stay in Russia for now to focus on Russia's point with the war. Honestly, I had second guesses about the party but Artemis insisted that he would keep us safe.

There would be a decent amount of people here today. Our staff, Niko and Alicia, and a lot of Artemis' team members and their children were invited along with some of her daycare friends. She wanted an Aladdin theme and Artemis somehow got Krish to dress up as Aladdin. I reached the bottom of the stairs and hear Artemis yelling.

"No! The red balloons go outside next to the magic carpet! ARE YOU GUYS FUCKING IDIOTS?! DOES SOMEONE NEED TO BE FIRED?!" He has his hands on his hips and is pacing back and forth while shouting.

I walk up and snake my hands around his waist and I feel his tense body suddenly calm down in my arms. "Baby..."

He turns around and kisses my lips, embracing me. "Good morning, beautiful."

"Don't you think you're being a little harsh on everyone?" I questioned.

He narrowed his eyes on me. "Gloria, this day is going to be perfect. No one is fucking it up for our daughter."

"Baby, I know and it will be. But I'm pretty sure our daughter doesn't want a cranky daddy on her birthday." He smirks at me.

"Call me daddy, again," he says, I nudge his arm giggling. "Stop Artemis, I'm being serious." He grabs my hands and pulls me into his chest.

"Okay. Okay, I'll be a little nicer. Only for my girls." He tells me while landing another kiss on my forehead.

We're interrupted by the front door opening and Niko and Alicia coming in with tons of gifts.

"Niko! Please tell me these aren't all for Tati." I ask, crossing my arms.

"What? No. These are Alicia's." He said smiling. Then, someone walks in with a cart filled with presents.

Nikolai points to the pulled cart. "Those are for Tati." He says, nonchalantly.

I gasp. "Niko! That is too much for a four year old."

I turn to Alicia. "You know I didn't want her having all of this stuff. You let him buy this?"

She raises her hands in the air. "Hey, I tried to tell him but you remember what he did to me when I told him not to spend money. I have no control over how this man handles his finances." She says, smiling.

Niko smirks. "You think this is bad. I bet Artemis didn't tell you he brought her an amus-" Artemis slapped Niko in the back of the head.

"Excuse me. What?" I questioned Artemis.

"Uh, I've got to make sure they're setting up properly outside." He begins to walk away but I grab his arm.

"No. Niko and Alicia can do that." I tell him and watch as they both walk away.

"What did you buy Tati, Artemis?" He starts to scratch the back of his head.

"Just a little something..." he says, placing his hands in his pockets.