I nod eagerly as I shovel half of it into my mouth. “The babies love it too.” I say with a mouth full making him shake his head at me with a smile.
He sits down across from me with a plate of his own and one with more waffles piled on it.
“I was thinking we should have Spencer and Victor over for Christmas. Nessa will be in Greece with my parents, and Wells back to England with his. This will be our first one together and I want to make it something to remember”
I smile at him. “I would love that, but Spence is taking Victor to meet his parents in Georgia. They actually fly out tomorrow and will be back after New Years.”
His smile fades and I wonder if I am missing something. “Well, I guess we will have to make it special on our own. I am very happy for Spencer, they seem to be a good match.”
“Jonas, if you want to be with your family I completely understand. I would be fine here, go to Greece and spend time with them.” I don't want him to feel like he has to stay because of me.
He laughs. “No, that has nothing to do with it. I just want you to be surrounded by people that love you. I want to take you with me when I decide to go see my family. Do you really think I could ever leave you here alone? Do you want to send me away?
I stand and walk to where he is sitting. He pushes the chair back and I sit on his lap with my legs on either side of him. His hands find my ass, squeezing as he pulls me till my belly won't let us get any closer.
“I would never want to send you away. I just don't want you to feel like you have to stay because of me. I'm a big girl, I can fend for myself and survive a few days without you, but I could never last more than that.” I kiss his forehead then each of his cheeks before taking his face in my hands and looking into his brilliant bright eyes. “I love you, and just want to make you happy. Even if that means it's not with me...I mean like for a short time, because you can never leave me.” I say very seriously.
His hands drift from my ass to my hip and up to my waist, wrapping his arms around me tightly. “No, agápi mou, I could never leave you.” His lips find mine. “I would rather die than lose you.” He kisses my lips again. “You are mine, and mine alone. As I am yours, and yours alone.” again his lips pressed to mine, but refused to let him pull back this time.
His love is intoxicating. Everything about it. The way he looks at me, his soft caresses, the way he speaks, each kiss and the way he makes me yearn for him. I could spend the rest of my life with him and still want more of him.
Chapter 31
Jonas
I love watching the woman I love waddle around our home. Her belly has become so large with our twins. She has begun to curse me nearly everyday for doing this to her, but I do not mind one bit. Even pregnant she is still the sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on. The doctor told us at the last ultrasound that she is going to have to go on bed rest within the next week or so, and Ember is not happy about it.
I have done everything I can to make it comfortable for her. Melaine has agreed to help her with the things she will be unable to do, but her workload as of late has drastically decreased. She did not want the extra stress to cause any complications, and I am so grateful that none have come up.
Now we are getting the nursery ready for the twins. She is trying her hardest to hang the letters of their names above the cribs. Mind you she made me move the cribs out of her way. Yet here she is still struggling due to our little ones creating a large distance between her and the wall. I offered to help, but she told me I would do it wrong.
“Are you ready for my help yet?” I press my luck.
“I don't need your help!” she shouts back at me. Seems she is a bit aggressive today.
“How about I hold it while you stand back and tell me where you want it?”
She is using some sticky pull off wall hanging strips, so it is not as if I will be putting random holes in the walls.
“Ugh, why can't I just get this right?” she starts to cry.
“Agápi mou, please let me help you. You are getting too frustrated and making yourself cry, it hurts my heart. I hate to see you cry. Please just let me help you. I promise I will not mess it up.” I plead with her.
She wipes her eyes and nods her head. Thank God. I was worried she was going to end up breaking things again. She has had some serious anger issues in the past month. Everytime she gets frustrated she either crys or starts to throw anything she can get her hands on. Thankfully she hasn't hurt herself or the babies.
I took the first letter from her and decided to get some paper. I will space them out and make sure she is happy with it before I stick them on the wall. My mother alway did it this way whenever she would arrange photos on the walls. It always seems to work well for her, so I hope it works for this also.
As I began to space out the letters on the large sheet of paper, Ember starts to cry again. I would worry that I have done something wrong, but I have literally done nothing yet.
“Agápi mou?” I walk from the dining table where I had everything set up to where she stands at the kitchen island. “What has happened now? Are you in pain? Do you need anything? Should I call the doctor?” My panic is clear in my voice.
She shakes her head.
“Then what is it, my sweet beautiful woman?”
She dries her tears with the back of her hand. “I don't think this is right.”
What? What is not right? Now I am really panicking.
“What if when they are born we don't like the names anymore?” she mumbles as she sniffs and takes a tissue to blow her nose.
Thank God. I swear this woman is going to give me a heartache before these babies are born with all her mood swings.
“Okay, we can wait until we see their perfect little faces before we make a final decision. We will finish the nursery with the exception of the names on the walls. Will that work for you?”
She smiles, nods and pecks my cheek before waddling back to the nursery. I watch her sway side to side trying not to tip over as she holds the wall for support. I chuckle to myself, because if she hears me she may have a fit, and make my way to help her.
The room has really started to look like a nursery, thanks to help from Ness and Spence. Ness helped Ember pick out the cribs and other large stationary necessities, while Spence used his incredible artistic talents to paint a beautiful mural on the ceiling. It is a baby version of the Gods Of Olympus by Giulio Romano. What I mean is he literally took the painting and redesigned it. Each God was turned into an infant and he made sure the nudity was covered.
It took him nearly the entire pregnancy to complete it, but thankfully Wells was there in the beginning to help him draw it all out, after that was done Wells went back to France and Spence spent the next few months painting this piece of perfection. He only finished last week but he still comes nearly everyday to admire his work.
Really all we have left to do is dress the cribs. I put them together yesterday along with the changing station and brought in the dressers. Everything is ebony wood and stands out against the crisp white walls. It's not that I do not like color, I just prefer the clean look of black and white. Ember agreed that with a boy and girl we shouldn't give the room a color scheme, so all the color in the room comes from the mural overhead and the greek key rug she picked with hints of blue.
Nessa found some nice bedding that matched the overall greek theme of the room and Ember almost cried when she gave them to us. She was so happy it was all coming together. I pull them from the top shelf of the closet in the room and we finish dressing the cribs. I have to admit this is one awesome nursery. I remember seeing photos of Ness and I in ours and it was nowhere near this cool.
“Oh, Jonas…” she sniffs, her cheeks rosy from wiping her tears so frequently. “Look how perfect it is. I can't believe in just a few weeks we will have two little humans living in this room.”
“Yes, it is hard to believe the time has gone so fast. Soon we will have two little one depending on us for everythin
g, to love unconditionally and to give them anything their tiny hearts desire.” the thought warms my heart.
Ember slowly makes her way to where I stand at one of the cribs. I kiss her lips sweetly and kneel to kiss her belly. “I love you my sweet babies. Your mother and I will alway love you, and take care of you. Never be afraid to ask for anything my little ones. You will be showered with so much love, I promise you.”
When I look back up to my love, her eyes are of course full of tears again. I stand and take her hands in mine, bringing them to my lips and placing a soft kiss on each. Her smile is so pure and happy that it takes my breath away.
“I love you so very much.” She says as she pulls me down to her level.
“And I love you. Always and forever, Agápi mou.”
∞∞∞
Now that Ember is on bed rest Spencer and Victor have been over every single day to keep her company while I am in meetings. Janessa called me last night to let me know she is planning to come back for the birth. Not that she needs to, but she is so excited to meet her niece and nephew.
She calls Ember every morning to see how she is feeling and if she thinks she will go into labor before the date we have set for her to be induced. I think she is really worried she will miss it.
Today I will be calling her grandparents. Alone. The thought makes my palms sweat and I can't help but feel a bit anxious. I know they and her uncle are the most important people in her family. With her dad gone, those are the people that I need to ask permission from.
I grab my tablet and lock myself in the nursery while Ember is taking a nap. I take a deep breath before I send the video call through.
“Jonas?” Linda answers, but all I see on the screen is her feet.
“Allô, Linda.”
“Oh, what is wrong with this thing” She says as she walks somewhere. “Enzo, fix this thing. Jonas is calling. I can't see a thing.”
I chuckle at her. “You know I can still hear you, Jonas.”
Shit. “Sorry.” what a way to start off.
“Just a second Jonas.” Enzo says as the screen now shows his shoes. “Linda, you just need to turn the camera to the front one, and the screen is dark because you were reading. Jonas, are you in a dark room?”
“No sir, I am in the nursery. Lights are on.”
“Hmm”
“Well can you fix it or not?” she sounds impatient as he mumbles something under his breath at her. “Is my granddaughter well? You're not calling to tell us she is in labor are you?”
“Oh, no ma’am. She is resting, everything is good here. Promise.” I assure her.
Enzo and Lindas faces now fill my screen, both with big smiles. “See, I told you I could fix it.”
“Oh, shush.” he laughs at her and she rolls her eyes. “What is it you need, dear?”
Right, now down to business. I take a calming breath before I start. “Well, I wanted to speak with the two of you about Ember.”
Before I can get anything else out I am bombarded with questions.
“What has happened? Are the babies ok? Where is she? Do we need to get a flight? We can be there in a few days.” from Linda
“What do you mean?” is Enzo's only question.
“No, no it's nothing like that Linda. I told you she is resting.” her face calms a bit but still has her eyebrows scrunched together. “I wanted to speak with you alone, without her that is.”
“I see.” Enzo raises a brow then squints his eyes.
“Whatever for dear?” Linda asks with a knowing smile.
“I know that your son was the most important man in her life, and without him here I feel it is only right for me to ask you. I want to ask for your permission….I….I love her very much, and we are starting a family together as you already know. I know it has been a bit of a mess at times, but she means everything to me, I want to make her my wife. So….I….I am asking you if you would give me your blessing in doing so.”
Neither of them said a word. I waited, holding my breath.
“Jonas, we would be honored to have you join our family. Of course you have our blessing.” Enzo finally spoke. I let out my breath.
“Oh, Jonas!” Linda was bouncing, maybe even jumping. “This is the best news. I know she will be so happy when you ask her. When are you planning?”
“Thank you, it means so much to hear that sir. I am not really sure. I want to wait until after the babies are born, maybe a few months or so. I know we will both be caught up with the little ones, but I think after a few months she will be ready for a break. I plan to ask my sister if she is here, or Spencer to stay with them for a night.”
“That is a wonderful idea. I remember needing a break around that time too. As much as she will love the babies, I'm sure she would love to have a night just the two of you.”
“Yes, she was a mess after the third month with Thadd and the first with Thomn.”
“He means he was a mess. I was perfect, just ready for a night to myself.”
Enzo let out a hardy laugh and planted a kiss on her cheek. “Is that how you remember it? I think it was the opposite.”
Listening to them bicker in that loving manner, it gives me hope for my future with Ember. I want that forever love that they share with one another. I know Ember is my forever.
“No, you are wrong my darling husband.”
“Yes of course, mon trésor. I must be wrong.” the way he says it, the softness in his voice. He knows he is right, but would do anything to make her happy.
“Well, whenever you decide to ask her, let us know. I know she will say yes, so welcome to the family dear.”
“Yes I agree, welcome son. We are glad you feel for her what she feels for you.”
This went so much better than I imagined, I am really not sure why I was so worried in the first place.
“Thank you, thank you very much. I am so grateful to you and your son for raising such a wonderful woman. I can’t wait to give you the good news.”
“We look forward to hearing it.” they both say.
“I should get back to her before she wakes and wonders where I am.”
“Bonne soirée.”
I pick myself off the ground and return my tablet to its rightful place on the kitchen counter. I am so glad they said yes, I already bought the ring. Well, I bought it before we knew she was pregnant. I hadn't met any of her family then, so I was planning on waiting until I could convince her to invite them here, but things went south and they ended up here for all of that.
I wanted to ask them face to face, and had the idea to do it when she was out of the hospital, but the news of the baby at that time was so unexpected. I decided to put it on the back burner, and I am glad I did. It gave me more time to know them and show them just how much she really means to me.
I enter the bedroom to find my beautiful pregnant woman still sleeping sweetly. She is on her side with a pillow behind her back. I slowly move it and take its place, wrapping my arm around her and placing my hand on her swollen belly. I can feel my children moving and she stirs awake.
“Where did you go?” she asks in a sleepy voice.
“I was in the nursery. I can't wait to see them in their beds when I walk in there.” I hope that was enough to satisfy her. I know I wouldn't be able to lie to her if she asked for more.
“Yes it will be so amazing to see them sleeping peacefully. I can't wait to hold them. I want to hold them.” she whines.
“You have been holding them for months, I think it is my turn.”
She laughs and her whole body shakes with it. “Oh, is that how you see it?”
“Yes, I think you are being selfish with our children.” I laugh out.
“Selfish? Well I would gladly let you carry them, and go through labor too. Take it, it's all yours baby.”
“Oh, you know I am not really cut out for labor. I hear it hurts like hell, and I am a big baby when it comes to pain. You are so much tougher than me, so you can keep it.”
She lets out a laugh that almost sounds like a bark. “Oh, so sweet. Glad you think so highly of me.”
“I think the world of you. But even if it were possible, I still wouldn't want to deprive you of the joy of giving birth to our little ones.”
“Oh you and your words. You are lucky I love you so damn much.” she places her hand on mine and intertwines our fingers.
“Yes, I am one lucky man. Luckiest man alive if you ask me.” she snorts at that. “And I love you too. Always.” I kiss her shoulder and we settle in for the rest of her nap.
Tomorrow I will call Thomn.
Chapter 32
Jonas
I have been planning this day in my head since our first kiss. It may sound odd, but ultimately I knew she was going to be mine. Even when I lost her I knew she was my one and only.
We decided to stay in the United States for the birth of our little ones so they would have citizenship here. Being a born citizen of Greece I had applied for dual citizenship in France years ago. With my business being there, my beautiful wife to be (provided she says yes) and our angels will have to do the same. Travel will be a way of life for us.
Three months ago we brought our twins into the world. I remember it like it was yesterday. She went into labor two days before she was scheduled to be induced. Sixteen hours of labor and dozens of death threats later, we were blessed with two perfectly healthy babies. Our son came into the world first with a strong pair of lungs. The sound was music to my ears. I cut the umbilical cord and got to hold him for the first time. The feeling is indescribable, holding your first child for the first time.
Our little princess decided to take her sweet time and delayed her appearance for another hour. The doctor eventually had to reposition her in order to get her into the birthing canal. When she did finally come into the world she was quiet. It made Ember and I nervous but after the nurse pricked her heel she made her voice heard.
We sat there for what seemed like forever holding our beautiful new tiny lives in our hands. They were and still are perfect. My little princess has my sharp green eyes and she reminds me a lot of my baby sister with her golden locks. My little devil on the other hand is all Ember, golden eyes and chocolate hair. They both have Ember's plump lips and cute button nose, but she thinks they both look more like me with their skin tone and facial structure.
Ribbon of Fate: Love or lust? Page 30