The Ride

Chapter Eighteen

Elena

Two Weeks Later

The deeper I got into my pregnancy, the more I felt like I was literally crawling towards the finish line. Today, I was approximately seven months along. Per my doctor, the prince and princess were doing just fine. My belly had grown significantly to the point where I had to start shopping in the maternity section.

Watching my body change to accommodate bringing my children into the world was a journey I had come to enjoy. I looked at myself in the mirror every morning, smiling and thinking of the day I'd be holding each of them in my arms. Angelo was consistent with the foot rubs, massages and being attentive to my every need.

Our house felt more cozy and comfy as we became more settled in and prepared for the babies arrival.  In eight weeks, we would go from just us two to a family of four. Angelo had taken an interest in reading books and articles on parenting. It was the cutest thing when he would come running up to me excited about something new he had learned.

I didn't think it was possible for me to fall more in love with him than I already was, but the time and effort he put towards making Valentine's Day extra special this year had completely stolen my heart.

He had woken me up to a delicious Sicilian breakfast that he prepared all by himself. Afterwards, he took me out to Santa Monica for a private outdoor yoga lesson on the beach followed by shopping at baby stores in town.

It didn't take much to get me tired. Carrying these two around all day was a job in itself, so I was out like a light for my mid-afternoon nap as soon as we returned home.

Four hours later he was waking me up yet again, this time to join him downstairs for dinner and a movie. We enjoyed pizza, wings and my favorite sweets as we cuddle up on the couch together. I didn't need to get dressed up for an extravagant dinner at a fancy restaurant or have tons of money spent on me- this was everything.

We made a deal to not buy each other gifts and wanted the focus to be on us spending uninterrupted time with each other. However, I went against the grain and ended up handing him a gift bag containing bottles of exclusive vintage champagne from France that he could add to his extensive collection and a funny t-shirt that read "Real Men Make Twins".

Of course he loved the alcohol and got a kick out of the shirt. He changed into it immediately and took selfies.

I had passed out before the movie ended but didn't realize it until I felt Angelo scoop me up in his arms and start to carry me upstairs.

"Babe, I know I have to weigh like 300 pounds. Put me down, I can walk," I yawned.

He laughed, "You don't weigh no 300 pounds. This is light compared to what I throw around in the gym."

I rolled my eyes, "is that right macho man?"

"Oh yeah. I gotta get use to carrying around two kids. One in each arm. Give their mama break from carrying them for as long as she has."

"How sweet," I smiled as he sat me down on the bed, "but you and I both know our lives are about to get crazy with two newborns. Em and Aubrey barely got sleep with one."

"I know, but I also know that being a mother is something that you've always wanted and I want to do everything I can to make sure it's all you imagined that it would be and more. You're about to give me two of the greatest gifts that I could ever ask for," he rubbed my belly and grinned, "I'm ready to meet them."

I pulled him down towards me into a kiss using a little tongue and letting my hands sneak underneath his shirt to feel on his chest.

He smirked as I leaned back, "You tryna give me some booty, girl?"