2. The Beast And His Beauty✔️

Waffles

Juliana

I awoke to the smell of bacon. I turned my head in the direction of it and saw Victor holding a breakfast tray of bacon, waffles, strawberries, hot tea, and my favorite flower, a white rose.

"Victor?", I said as I sat up.

"I wanted to surprise you.", he said as he placed the tray in front of me and placed a kiss on my forehead.

"Aww. Baby, this is so sweet.", I packed bacon in my mouth.

"I'm going to take a shower, alright?"

I nodded and enjoyed my delicious breakfast.

I rubbed my baby bump.

"Isn't daddy sweet, baby? He's going to be amazing and so are you.", I said as I devoured my waffles.

"Knock knock.", I heard Tamara's sweet voice as she knocked on the open door.

I sat up as I finished eating.

"Hey.", I patted the bed for her to sit.

Tamara and I have gotten closer in the past month. We're pregnancy buddies.

"Aww. Did he surprise you this morning?"

I smiled and nodded.

"How's the king?", I asked referring to Giovanni.

She looked down and sighed.

"Everything's fine."

I wiped my hands on the napkin.

"What's wrong?"

"He talks in his sleep."

I chuckled.

"Okay?"

She shook her head.

"No. He talks in his sleep. Like clearly with full sentences."

She pulled out her phone and soon I heard a recording playing.

"Aria, don't go. Please, don't go. I love you so much. I'm sorry."

The recording stopped.

"Oh, Tamara.", I said as I grabbed her hand.

"I've made my peace with Aria. I would be a terrible person if I just expected him to just be over her, but it worries me sometimes. Is he with me because he doesn't want to be alone anymore or because I'm pregnant?", she vented as she rubbed her belly.

"He's with you because he loves you. I remember the day of Aria's funeral. I didn't really know her that well. I had just started 'dating' Victor. I can still see that look he had on his face. He looked so broken. He had stopped eating and sleeping. He was a wreck. I don't think he truly felt happy again until he met you. I'm not his biggest fan, but I'm glad he found love again. If he can overcome all of that, then maybe anyone can find happiness."

"She's right.", I heard Victor say behind me.

"My brother was a shell of a man before he met you. I remember the look on his face when he first say you. He was trying so hard to look intimidating, but I saw his shock at how beautiful you are and how curious he was to know you. I love Aria. She was like a sister to me and she would just want him to be happy. She would love any woman who makes my brother smile."

Tamara smiled.

"He's my first love."

I squeezed her hand.

"And you'll be his last."

"I'm going to go talk to him."

She squeezed my hand and left.

Victor laid next to me.

"Did you enjoy your breakfast?", he said as he kissed my cheek.

"I did. Thank you."

"Don't thank me. Get used to it."

"Victor, you don't have to do this. I know we said we'd give this a shot, but I don't want you to only be with me because of the baby. We can just co-parent. This doesn't ha-"

He interrupted me by roughly kissing me.

He pulled me closer and bit my lip.

I moaned against him.

He pulled away and looked into my eyes.

"I want you and only you. I want to give us a shot. Do you understand?"

I nodded slowly.

"What about Valeria?"

"Val is my best friend. That's it. I'm over her. I promise."

I smile and kissed him lovingly.

Tamara

I went to my bedroom to look for Giovanni and he wasn't there, so I went to the nursery.

Giovanni had his back turned to me as he was putting the mobile over the recently finished crib.

"That looks great, babe."

He turned and looked at me.

"Hello, beautiful.", he greeted me as he kissed my forehead.

"Not very long until they're sleeping in this."

He smiled.

"Nervous?"

"I'm excited about meeting our baby. It's been a long eight months, but I'm a little scared. I never had a mom. I don't know how to be one."

We both sat on the bench next to the crib.

"Babe, we don't have to know all the answers right now. We'll figure it out together."

"I'm glad I'm doing this with you."

"Me too. I love you, Tamara."

"No.."

"What?", he pulled away from me.

"Giovanni, my water just broke."