Free (Sequel to Trapped)

Ch. 8

Ariana

Tuesday, 3:12 pm

I finish typing and sigh, reading over the two paragraphs on the screen in front of me. Why I have to work during summer, I have no idea. But my boss called me and asked me to write something about some stupid business. I said yes and immediately started working on my laptop.

"Working hard, mami?" Justin whispers, his breath on my neck.

"Sure. I'm done, though."

"Well, Aviella fell asleep on the floor after we spent an hour playing house. Now I'm here."

I close my macbook and he pulls me out of my chair at the island.

"Would you like to watch a movie with your amazing husband?"

"I would love to." We walk into the living room and I sit on the couch.

We end up watching Fifty Shades Darker, even though there's more kissing done than actually watching the movie.

5:04 pm

"Hey, there's gonna be people here in an hour. Can I go take a shower?" I ask.

"Yes, you can." Justin says.

"You should get stuff ready."

"I was going to."

"Just making sure. You know how boys are."

"Shut up." He chuckles, walking into the kitchen as I walk upstairs.

I open Aviella's door, to check on her, and she's sitting in the middle of the floor, playing with Tommy and friends.

"Hey, babe. Why didn't you come downstairs when you woke up?"

"I did, but you and daddy seemed pretty busy so I left you alone." My cheeks heat and I giggle.

"Okay... I'm gonna take a shower."

I close the door and walk back downstairs into the bedroom. I then on the water and take a quick shower then get out and do my makeup and hair. I put on a simple white summer dress and white flats with gold toes.

5:56 pm

When I walk downstairs, my mom and Frankie are already here with Toulouse.

"My baby!" Toulouse runs to my feet, jumping on my legs.

"I missed you, Toulouse!"

Frankie clears his throat and I look up at him and my mom.

"You guys too." I smile at them and give my attention back to Toulouse.

"If you don't bring your little pregnant self over here, I swear." Frankie walks over to me and wraps his arms around me.

"Grandma!" Aviella runs down the stairs and Justin catches her as she trips on the last step.

"Stop running on the stairs please." He says before placing her back on the ground.

She runs to my mom who picks her up, planting kissing all over her face.

"Hi, baby." She says.

She walks over to the couch and sits down as Aviella tells her about her soccer game.

"How's the baby doing?" Frankie asks.

"Great. He and/or she is healthy and growing."

"And? It's twins?"

"No, no, no. Absolutely not."

"Oh. You had me worried for a second there." I giggle as he side hugs me and Toulouse sits on my foot.

"Is everything ready?" I ask Justin.

"Yeah."

"Great. You did something productive for once." He rolls his eyes, kissing my forehead.

6:33 pm

"Lauren!" Aviella yells.

They both run to each other, collapsing on the floor in a fit of giggles.

"Mommy, can we go to my room?"

"Yeah, baby. Have fun." They both walk up the stairs and I turn my attention to Olivia and Jonathan, Lauren's parents.

They were probably the only other two sane people on the soccer team.

I talk to them for a few minutes until other people arrive, including Harley, Stella, Rylie, Alexa, and some of Justin's friends and family. Harley's son and Rylie's daughter join Aviella, Lauren, Jazmyn, and Jaxon upstairs. Aviella's room is gonna be a mess.

After introducing Alexa to my other three friends, which I feel like I've done a million times, we go into the kitchen since we are absolutely positively not interested in the game whatsoever.

"So, Stella. How's it going with you and Jackson?" Harley winks.

"Umm, good." Stella blushes and we all giggle.

"Let's talk about the one who's pregnant with her 2nd child." Rylie says, turning the attention to me.

"Wait, you're pregnant?" Alexa screams.

"Yes, I am. Didn't I tell you like a month ago? Over the phone? I'm pretty sure you were one of the first people to find out."

She thinks about it for a second before a smile forms on her face.

"I do remember!" She squeals.

"What is there to talk about?" I giggle.

"How do you do it?" Stella asks.

"Do what?"

"You already have a five year old and now you're pregnant?"

"First of all, my child is 3 years older than all of yours. Maybe you're not ready for another one."

"That's true. Very true." Harley says.

Her son and Rylie's daughter are only 2 years old. Aviella is five.

"Any more advice?" Rylie asks.

"Umm, I don't know. Love him. Be cute. And let him spoil you."

"We're not all rich, Ari." Stella says.

"I'm not rich."

"You have a $90,000 car, at least $160,000 ring, and a $600,000 house. How are you not rich?"

"You don't have to be rich to be spoiled. And once again, I am not rich."

"Pop quiz. How much did this refrigerator cost? By it's self." Alexa asks, finally joining in the conversation.

She was on her phone the whole time the rest of us were talking.

"I don't know. $9,000, I guess."

"Proves our point. My fridge wasn't even $2,000."

"Okay, whatever. Can we stop talking about this?"

"Sure. But you're still rich." Stella mutters.

I roll my eyes and we continue talking about husband's and kids and eventually the topic moves to a girls night out and parties.