Chapter 22

twenty-two

Avery – One Month Later

I rub my eyes as I look in my bathroom mirror, and I sigh. My face is pale, and I have bags under my eyes. I quickly brush my teeth, then turn on the shower, hoping it'll wake me up. My alarm woke me up fifteen minutes ago, and I have to get ready for my doctor's appointment. Today, I get to find out what I'm having. After I spit in the sink, I stand up and remove my clothes. I turn to my side and look at my bump in the mirror and I smile, rubbing my hand over it.

I get in the shower and quickly clean myself, making sure my hair doesn't get wet. Images of Sergi pop into my mind, and my clit throbs. I frown and scold my body for reacting. I shake my head and get out, refusing to pleasure myself to him again…like last night; I tossed and turned before I gave in. I get dressed in my usual dark jeans and a maternity tank top that shows off my bump, but also my scars on my arms. I grab my black cardigan, take my hair down from the top knot, and quickly put on a little mascara. I smile at my reflection. Done.

I go to the kitchen and look at the clock. I have to leave, or I'll be late, so I quickly make myself a strawberry and banana smoothie, then lock up and leave. When I get near the SUV, the hairs on the back of my neck start to tingle and I look around, feeling like I'm being watched. I don't see anything. I shake my head and get in the car, and head to my appointment, excited to see my babies.

I get there with five minutes to spare, and I smile as I pull into a parking space. I grab my smoothie and get out, locking my car. My smile vanishes when I see who I've parked next to; he's leaning against his dark blue Chevrolet Corvette.

I scowl at the love of my life, a Made Man, and the guy who tore my heart out. He has his shades on, but I can feel his eyes looking over my body, most likely staring at my bump. I haven't heard anything from him in four weeks. Mr. Foster said Sergi's attorney confirmed receipt of the letter, but we've heard nothing from that area, either. Now how in the hell did he know about today, because I certainly didn't tell him. I cross my arms over my chest, and I can feel his gaze shift. I bet my dad's SUV he's staring at my plumper—thanks to the twins. I scowl harder at him.

"What are you doing here, Sergi?"

He smiles at my question. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out about your appointments? I let you have a month, now I'm done giving you space. I want you back, Avery, and I'm going to be at your appointments from now on."

I sigh and shake my head. "You want to come in for my appointments, fine, today we should find out the sex, but you and me, not happening, Sergi. Unless you can turn back time and not threaten to kill me, bruise my arm, treat me like a whore, and keep your dick out of another woman, a woman who came to me at work, telling me how you're now in a relationship with her…. Otherwise, it's not going to happen. We'll co-parent and as long as all Mafia and Bratva personnel don't come near my children, then we won't have a problem."

His breathing got heavier the more I talked, guilt and shame etched all over his face, but I don't let him get a speak. I turn and walk toward the doctor's office. I hear him growl and then his footsteps following, but I ignore him and head inside. I go to the receptionist and give my name, and she nods and tells me to take a seat, then her attention strays to Sergi, but I ignore the jealousy that rises.

I sit down and Sergi sits next to me, ignoring the receptionist. Before he can say anything, my phone rings. I get it out and see it's the realtor. I answer, hoping its good news about the two-bedroom apartment I wanted a street over from Elm Street. It's one of the safest places to live, and cheaper than the two houses I was considering.

"This is Avery," I answer.

Sergi furrows his brows. He's close enough, so I know he'll hear the conversation, but the realtor talks before I can move seats, so I know it's now pointless.

"Hi Avery, I heard back regarding the apartment you're interested on Grapevine."

I clear my throat as Sergi's face goes red. I give him a funny look; I thought he'd be happy that I'm moving.

"The owners want another $350 a month." My mouth hangs open. "I know it's already $950 a month, but you do want to move in straight away." I shake my head, the nerve.

"I'm paying you to get me a good deal, not add more to my monthly bills. With all due respect, Tasha, I may be shy but I'm not stupid. You're trying to get one over one me. Either sort out a decent price, or I'll find someone who can, and you won't see a penny from me. Call me back when you've spoken to the owners again." Then I hang up.

Sergi looks at me, his jaw twitching. "You're moving?"

I sigh and look at him, his green eyes are holding pain, so much so that I have to look away. I know he was hoping I'd move in with him when we were together, but I won't feel guilty for not going back to him. He cheated, he lied, he threatened—not me.

"My current apartment isn't big enough for me and the twins."

He goes to say something else, but my name is called, saving me.

We go through the same routine of weight check, blood pressure check, and urine check, before I'm taken to the same room. I sit on the exam table. Sergi follows, watching my every move, then leans against the wall near the door.

Dr. Monroe walks in and gives me a big smile. "Good morning, Avery, how are you today?"

I smile at her. "I'm good, Dr. Monroe." I nod toward Sergi. "This is Sergi, the father."

She smiles and shakes his hand, then looks at me. "Okay, lets lie down so I can feel your belly, and make sure all is good. Then we'll check them out on the ultrasound, okay?" I nod and do as instructed. I can feel Sergi's eyes on me as she lifts my top and feels around. She smiles, ignoring my scars, just like last time, making me smile. She reports, "Everything feels good. Now, this will be a little cold. Let's see your babies." She squirts the gel on my belly as she talks, then places the wand on my belly, moving it around.

A ‘ swoosh-swoosh ' instantly fills the room, and I smile at the sound of their heart beats. I look at Sergi, his eyes are wet. He moves closer, making me tense.

"Alright, let's see baby A first. Do you still want to know the sex?" She looks at me as she asks, and I nod enthusiastically, making her chuckle.

She moves the wand around and hits buttons on the keyboard. "Okay mom, you're nearly finished with med school, ready to start your residency in the ER, let's put your skills to the test. During the last scan, you knew you were carrying twins before I could even tell you. So, what are we having?"

I chuckle and look at the screen as Sergi stares at me. I can feel his eyes on the side of my face. I study the image on the monitor, then smile.

"A boy."

The doctor smiles and nods as Sergi sucks in a breath.

"Excellent! Let's see what baby B is, shall we." She moves the wand and starts measuring the baby before she states, "Baby B is a little smaller, but all looks good, everything is developing well." She looks at me again. "Well?"

I chuckle again and look at the screen. As I study the image, tears start to fall.

I whisper, "A girl."

Sergi grabs my hand and squeezes it tight while I look in awe at my children.

The doctor prints off two sets of pictures and hands one to me and one to Sergi, he then shakes her hand as she tells me to make another appointment for three weeks. I nod and sit up, wiping the gel off. We head to the reception, and the lady at the desk smiles coyly at Sergi.

I groan, rolling my eyes. "Can I please make an appointment for three weeks?"

The receptionist glances at me and narrows her eyes, probably upset I interrupted her flirting eyes. She makes the appointment, then hands me a card.

Not wanting to cause I scene, I thank her and take the card, but Sergi being Sergi, decides making a scene is more fun.

Loud enough for the room full of women and their partners hear, he sneers, "You have a habit of trying to flirt with men that come in here with their pregnant women? You just gave my girl evil eyes because she asked you to do your job. News flash, darling, I'm taken, I have twins on the way with the love of my life, so why would I look at you twice?"

My face heats, hating the attention as every woman cheers and the men chuckle. Sergi grabs my hand and pulls me out of the office, taking me to my car.

I tug my hand free and state, "You shouldn't have done that; we're not together anymore. You can flirt with or sleep with whoever you want."

He shakes his head, leans down, and gently kisses my forehead. Tears burn behind my eyes; I miss him, so much.

He rasps, "You are mine, and I'm yours. I haven't been with anyone since my stupid mistake. Mindy was lying to you, I'm not with her, you're all I want, I won't give up." He pulls back and pins me with his gaze. "Don't get an apartment yet. Wait, please. I want all three of you with me. I'm not going to give up, Avery. You've had your month, now I'm going to be everywhere you are. So please, just hold off, because you never know, you may change your mind. I love you, Avs. And next time I get you in my bed, your pleasure will be all I think about." He kisses my lips gently, taking advantage of my shocked state, then opens my door for me. "Hop in, I'll wait until you're gone before I leave."

I do as he asks, still in shock, then drive off. I look in my mirror and see him watching me go.

I get to work ten minutes later, and my stomach grumbles as I get out of my car. I remember I never had my smoothie, making me frown. That was my favorite smoothie cup; my dad gave it to me. Tears swell in my eyes when I realize the nasty receptionist will likely throw it away. I sniffle and shake my head, wiping my tears.

My phone pings, and I look at it and sigh.

Phoebe: Please talk to me. I never beg anyone but I'm begging you. Juan didn't know what he was talking about. Please.

My finger hovers on the block button and I groan, putting my phone back in my bag. I head toward the building, but before I get to the door, I look around, feeling being watched again. When I don't see anyone staring at me, I shake my head and head inside the Brew Box.

I've been at work for a few hours, when the bell above the door dings. I look up and groan aloud when I see who it is. I sigh out.

"What's with Sergi's people showing up at my work?" The man smiles, I never did catch his name.

He walks over to me, putting his hand out and says, "I never introduced myself. I'm Juan." I look at his hand, contemplating not taking it, but my manners overrule my brain and I shake his hand. He squeezes it gently, let's go, then says, "I've been looking into you." I still, my eyes go wide, but he carries on like he didn't just drop a bomb on me. "For some reason, I can't seem to access anything before your 16th birthday. Even then, you go off grid until you started college—impressive by the way."

I clear my throat. "My adoptive father wiped my records." It's the only thing I can think to say, he's stumped me. I'm angry he's tried looking into me but relieved he didn't find anything.

He nods and says, "I've always wondered what kind of man Sergi turned into. Over the years, guilt ate me alive, knowing I had a son, an heir out in the world, but didn't accept him."

I tilt my head, not sure why he's telling me, but I ask anyway, curiosity and all that. "Then why didn't you? The Sergi I know, the one who wasn't a scary killer, or a cheating bastard, was kind, funny, attentive, and loved his family more than anything."

Juan smiles at me. "My wife. I was worried she'd leave me. She is my whole world, and in a moment of stupidity, I slept with someone else. Sergi's mother…she was pure, and it made me feel like a big man, so I slept with her a couple of times before I realized how much I was hurting the woman I loved more than life itself. Sergi's mother wasn't aware I was married. When she told me she was pregnant, I denied paternity, even though I knew the baby was mine. My wife found out about my affair, but she stayed with me, put it behind us. I was worried she'd leave once she realized a child was involved. You see, my wife cannot have children, but I told her it didn't matter. Phoebe, my niece, would take over my kingdom anyway, and I thought a baby would send my wife over the edge. It wasn't long ago she realized Sergi was mine when she saw him with Phoebe on FaceTime. She hit me over the head with a frying pan and made me sleep on the sofa for weeks." I keep my focus on him, his eyes never wavering from mine as he continues. "It wasn't because the woman I had an affair with had a child, it was because in her mind, my son, is her son. She saw me as someone who kept her child from her, though she hadn't given birth to him. You know something about that, because of your adoptive parents. I was stupid and immature. I have a lot of regrets in my life where my son is concerned, but I also knew my wife would try to take Sergi from his mother, and I didn't want that, either."

I sigh and reply, "Why are you telling me this?"

He gives me a sad smile. "Because last month, I inserted myself in your relationship with my son, not knowing the full back story. I wasn't aware how much in love you both were…are." I wipe a tear that's fallen from my eyes. "I wasn't aware of his stupid mistakes. I saw an opportunity, thinking you were some woman trying to hook your claws into my son because of his status, when really, you were this amazing young lady, willing to give a man who hurt you, who threatened you, a chance at fatherhood. I'm here, Avery, to formally apologize to you for my behavior that day. Sergi was my only focus, because I'm trying to make up for all the hurt I caused him. So, I'm sorry, so sorry, and I hope one day you'll be able to forgive not just me but also Dimitri enough to let Maria be a part of your children's lives…and hopefully us, too."

I run my hand over my baby bump, and look down, sighing. "You missed twenty-nine years of his life." He furrows his brows at me, not knowing where I'm taking this conversation, but I continue. I know the love of a real father, and Juan and Dimitri both have shown that love with Sergi. "I know the hurt and pain of losing a parent. I lost three, though the first one wasn't a particularly good one. She didn't even try, but the other two were my whole world. Sergi knows that loss; he has the Volkovs, and he loves them dearly, but there was always a hole in his heart where his father should have been. He's going to keep pushing you away, you can try and tell him you spoke to me to help clear the air and it may give you a little bit of an in, but you need to show him that his attitude won't push you away. You fight back harder to be in his life. And you also need to reassure him that your wife won't try to replace the mother he lost nor the mother who took him in. He needs to know your wife would never have dreamed of removing him from the care of his mother."

Juan smiles genuinely, and shakes his head. "Phoebe was right, you are a kind soul. I treated you poorly, and yet you're here helping me. Thank you, Avery." I smile a small smile at him, and he goes to turn but stops halfway, saying, "He misses you. I've watched him fall apart more and more every day. I know he hurt you; I hurt my wife, and she's been by my side, making me work for forgiveness every day. But we've been happily married since. Maybe…try dating again. Phoebe said it worked for her and Alex, and Damian said the same with Sofia. Damian and Sofia also had marriage counselling, so maybe try that—I don't know. Just don't give up yet; your love for each other is blindingly obvious whenever you're in the room together. You're both bound for each other, soulmates. Its rare and powerful. I honestly think you both can get through it."

I wipe my tears as he walks toward the door. Before he leaves, I decide to give him a little something back for apologizing.

I rasp, "A grandson and a granddaughter."

A massive grin appears on his face as he says, " Abuelo sounds pretty good to me, don't you think?" He leaves and I smile a little. I shake my head and sigh, rubbing my bump. Maybe everything will be okay?

Once I get home, I don't even have time to put my feet up before someone knocks on my door. I sigh, feeling drained, and go to open the door. My eyes widen when I see who's standing on the other side.

"Hi Avery, we're sorry to disturb you, but I was wondering if my husband and I could talk to you for five minutes?" Maria enquires, her eyes holding guilt and sorrow. Dimitri is standing beside her, his expression one of shame and yet…hope. I take a step back and let them in, hoping I haven't made a big mistake.