Chapter 28

twenty-eight

Avery

When we arrive at the beautiful, dark blue Victorian mansion, my heart races. He did all this for me. I shake my head as tears slide down my cheeks.

Sergi grabs my hand and kisses the back of it. Using his other hand to wipe my tears, he rasps, "Anything for my love."

I smile at him. The past month hasn't been easy. We spent three nights a week in therapy in Seattle, and we've discussed everything from his behavior toward me, the cheating, and both of our pasts. I'm trying to move forward and forgive, and with Sergi its easier. He's my heart and soul. I physically miss him when he's not near, it's like I can't breathe. My issues with Peter, however…. I can't seem to forgive his abandonment so easily. If he had fought for custody, he would have won because my birth mother had nothing. She only wanted me because of the money she got from the state. But he didn't fight; you could tell the DNA results were fake, I've seen them. My adoptive father looked at the police report of her murder and saw she'd been killed by her drug dealer. The DNA results were printed from a library computer on library stationery and never noticed the library name stamped across the top—but neither did the social workers, police, or even the man who was biologically my father. He took one glance at it and basically said ‘okay,' and left me to the monsters. He took her word for it and went on with his life like I didn't even exist, like he never came to see me and take me for ice cream. Because of that, I lived through something no child, hell no adult, should go through. I have put most of the blame on him and its warranted.

Sergi brings me back from my thoughts by kissing my forehead, and helps me out of the car. Phoebe is standing near the mansion steps, her baby bump sticking out a little under her tank top, and her white-blond hair is piled on top of her head. I smile and walk over to her. She grabs me in a hug, our bumps colliding, making us giggle.

She whispers into my ear, "Welcome home, friend."

I smile and hug her again.

Sofia, Damian, and Al all walk out of the house, and they smile when they see me. Sofia comes over and gives me a hug while Al and Damian both kiss my head, then walk toward the SUV. They lean against it while Sergi walks toward me.

He leans down and kisses my lips lightly, and supplies, "I have work to do, so the ladies are going to show you our home. It's probably better this way, because you'll most likely cry, then I'll kick myself for being so thoughtful."

I giggle at his words, then wrap my arms around his waist, and place my ear over his heart. It always soothes me. He leans down and kisses my head, then pulls the tie from my hair so he can run his fingers through it as he holds me to his chest.

Phoebe clears her throat, making Sergi chuckle and pulls away. He kisses my forehead.

"I'll be back soon, dragotsennyy ." He presses a quick kiss to my lips before turning to leave.

Sofia and Phoebe slide up beside me and link their arms through mine as we watch out mean leave. The guards close the gates, and I sigh, hating being away from him after spending four uninterrupted weeks alone with him.

Phoebe nudges me with her hip, I look at her as she states, "Ready to cry your heart out with what your has man done?" I shake my head and smile as she pulls me toward the beautiful home Sergi bought for us.

We head inside through a double glass door. Instantly, I see my father's chair, and I walk over to it, leaving the girls near the door.

I sit down and gently rub the arms as I murmur, "I miss you, Daddy."

Both girls sniffle before helping me up.

I look around the living area, a large corner sofa sits beneath the window. It matches Dad's chair. Sergi's put a large TV on the wall above an electric fireplace, and I smile at the pictures he hung on the wall. They are all of us from over the past year as well as our babies' scans. They're arranged beautifully with his mother's artwork. I head toward the arch to my left which brings me into the dining room, and there's my mums dining table, with her rug near the open fireplace to my right. I walk over and sob when I see framed pictures of my parents on their wedding day and a few with me. We're all smiling. Then I see a few pictures of the Volkovs, and one of Juan and Phoebe, making me smile. There's also a few of a beautiful woman with brown hair and brown eyes.

His mama.

He told me how she died of cancer. It's how we bonded so quickly.

I turn around and head to the other archway and come into an extremely perfect chef's dream kitchen. The walls are cream with white swirls, and the floor is tiled with a black and white checkered pattern. The cupboards are cream while the countertop is white marble. It's beautiful. All the appliances are a glossy black. I see two doors to my left and I go to have a look. The first one is the pantry, which is huge, and the second heads to the basement. I head down the stairs and smile at the rainbow colors on the walls. One half of the basement is full of soft play toys, with a soft play climbing frame, and ball pit. The other half has dark hardwood flooring with fifteen comfy chairs, two comfy sofas, a large TV screen on the wall, and there's a curtain that separates the room to provide darkness for movie enjoyment. I shake my head, fricking Sergi thinks of everything.

I turn and head back up to the kitchen. I look around again to see if I've missed something. I turn to the left of the kitchen and see another door and head through it. It's a large laundry room, with a washer and dryer. There's a cubed shelving unit on the wall for shoes, and another door that leads to a half-bath. I smile and head to the backyard through the glass sliding door. I open the door and see a playhouse, a jungle gym with a slide, a swing set, and a large pool with a rock water fall on the end. Off to the side is a Jacuzzi, and on the patio is my parents' patio set.

Tears of happiness spill from my eyes.

I head back the way I came and find both Sofia and Phoebe sitting on the sofa. They smile and nod toward the curved staircase, and I head that way. Pictures of Sergi and I, and our families line the walls of the stairs. I reach the second floor and giggle when I see a pink door and a blue door. I head to the blue door first.

The walls are a light green at the bottom and blue at the top, with white clouds painted over them. The floor is hardwood like the rest of the house. There's a race car bed with a matching race car rug, blue furniture, plenty of toys, and even a desk next to then open walk-in closet which is full of colorful clothes. The attached bathroom has dark blue with green towels, and race car tiles around the bathtub.

I grin, shaking my head.

I head to the pink door next and gasp when I step inside. Its fit for a princess. The room is light purple with white clouds stenciled on the walls. There's a princess bed with a white canopy, and white furniture. Again, the floors are hardwood, with a cloud-shaped rug. There is a desk, and an exceptionally large princess doll house. Next to that is the walk-in closet filled to overflowing with adorable little girl clothes. The attached bathroom is pinks and purples, with white unicorns on the tiles around the tub.

I wipe my tears before leaving her room and heading for the next door. It's a guest bathroom with a shower and toilet. The walls are light gray, and the floor is heated tiles. Geez, Sergi really thought of everything. I turn and go to the last door on this floor, and take a deep breath. Sergi showed me the pictures, so I know this room is filled with my parents' guest room furniture. I know he's put in gray carpet and painted it light blue, just like how it was at their house.

I open the door and tears flood my cheeks. How did he manage this? I wipe my tears as I realize…he really does love me.

After leaving the guest room, I go to the stairs and climb to the third floor. Here there are three doors. I head to the one with clouds painted on it, open it, and smile. The walls are a mix of light blue and pink swirled together. There are two white changing tables and a walk-in closet—one side is blue and the other pink, and both sides are full of baby clothes. I grin through my tears; his mother's paintings sit between a white and a gray crib. I walk out and head to the other door and open it to see a bathroom that matches the one downstairs, but this one has two baby baths nestled in the larger tub. The shelves are full of baby products and towels.

I go to the last door and open it to see a light gray walls and dark gray carpet. There's a massive king size bed with an intricate headboard in the middle of the room. Nightstands on either side hold pictures of us and the scans of the babies. There's a TV that rises up from the end of the bed, a chest for linens at the foot of the bed, and a fireplace on the other end of the wall with a door either side. There's also a glass double door straight ahead of me.

I go to the first door and open, and it brings me into a beautiful his and hers bathroom. I see a walk-in shower on the left and a Jacuzzi bath on the right, and near the door is a toilet and matching sinks, with a large oval mirror over each one. All of my products from my apartment sit on the counter. I shake my head. I head back into the bedroom and through the other door, and gasp when I walk into a massive closet. It has his and her sides, and all my clothes are already hanging up. I go to the drawers and, yep, my underwear.

I shake my head and smirk. Fricking Sergi. He wasn't going to take no for an answer, was he?

I go back into our bedroom and head to the glass door; it brings me onto a balcony, where there's a double swing seat and a fire pit. I smile and look at the view of the woods behind the massive house. Just in the distance, you can see Sofia's house.

I head back inside and go to the stairs again, heading to the fourth and final floor. There are only two doors up here. I go to the first one and the smell of Sergi hits me instantly.

His office.

There's a dark wooden desk covered in paperwork and a laptop, with a comfortable chair behind it. My eyes fill brim with tears; it's my father's office furniture. The office walls hold shelves with books and more paperwork.

I walk over to his desk—my father's desk—and I trace my name carved in it, and grin. I was ten when I did this.

When my dad asked why I defiled his expensive desk, I stated, "Because now you have to keep me no matter what."

My dad just smiled at me and held me tight. I wipe my tears and see Sergi has a picture of me at the Brew Box, smiling, looking down at my bump. I smile, realizing he took it without me knowing. I notice a picture of his mother and Maria smiling together, and I smile wider.

I shake my head and go to the last room and, when I head inside, I instantly melt. Its cozy with light and dark brown decor. Books fill the walls, and a comfy, dark, leather sofa with my mother's light brown throw sits near the fireplace. Pictures of my parent's life and Sergi's mother crown the mantel. I cry when I see the letter Dimitri read for me in a photo frame beside the pictures. I cry my heart out at the love Sergi has shown me, feeling grateful I decided to give him another chance. He's my everything.

Half an hour later, I go back to the girls. Phoebe stands first and wraps me in her arms as I cry. Sofia joins, kissing my temple.

I break away and rasp, "I just need a minute."

Phoebe smiles gently and says, "Why don't you take a walk around the garden, we'll order take out."

I nod and smile gratefully, and head back toward the kitchen, then the back door. I spot a flower bed at the bottom of the garden, and head toward it. When I get closer, I smile at the sign: ‘Popov's Family Garden.'

God, I love that man. I look down at my left hand. The rings shine in the afternoon light, and I smile.

Suddenly, someone shoves a needle in my neck. I gasp, pissed at myself for not being more alert, even though it's a ridiculous thought; we're surrounded by guards. I slowly fall, and someone grabs me, placing a hood over my head, then I pass out, worrying about my babies.

I don't know how long I was out before I wake up in horrendous pain. I'm cramping. I panic—no, no! My eyes shoot open, and I look down to see blood soaking my jeans.

Tears fall from my eyes.

"Ah, she's awake." I look up from my stomach and bile threatens to rise.

I gasp. "Vasiliki?"

He chuckles. He doesn't look any older than he did all those years ago. I think he's now in his late 30s. My birth mother loved that he was young; he was roughly eighteen when she got with him. His eyes were already cold and dead, even then, and I could remember always being terrified of him. He knew I wasn't his daughter, but kept up the charade for the money my mother got for me.

"Hello, little bean. Miss me?" He chuckles.

I try not to flinch at the nickname he gave me back when he touched me inappropriately. I hear heels clicking on the floor, and look up to see the woman Sergi slept with, Mindy. She sneers at me as she kisses Vasiliki on the cheek, and suddenly the feelings I've been feeling when I'm out alone makes sense; I was being watched by these two.

I look at Vasiliki. "I take it you're no longer a measly drug dealer," I sneer. He just smirks.

"You got that right, little bean. My uncle was killed by your new friend Phoebe. You're looking at the new Don for the Romanian mafia." I try to keep my face devoid of emotions but my panic rises. The Romanians. They're the ones my foster parents tried to sell me to.

Suddenly, I scream out in pain as my belly tightens.

No, no!

Mindy cackles, "My babies are coming," then she sneers at me. Grabbing my head by my hair, and yanking it back, she spits in my face. "Did you really think I'd allow you to have my man's babies and keep them? I don't think so, bitch. As soon as they arrive, you're dead."

She punches me in the face, splitting my lip, while the asshole stands back, smirking.

I decid to keep the fact that Sergi is now my husband to myself, knowing she's insane. I smirk back at Vasiliki, making sure he sees I'm not that little girl anymore. And if I die, I can guarantee he'll be joining me.

He frowns. "Don't worry, Vasiliki, you'll be with me when I go, because I know a certain someone who's out for revenge for what your uncle did to his woman." I grin while he growls. Mindy punches me again. I glare at her. "Like fuck, will you get my babies, bitch."

I don't see it coming. Vasiliki hits me just under my breasts with a bat. The bat Ben used. How the hell did he get that?

Mindy screeches, "Careful with my babies!"

He just chuckles. "Don't worry, darlin, at least one will survive."

I gasp in agony, trembling in pain and terror; a blow like can be fatal to a baby.

My tears run down my face as he looks at me.

"Like my little friend here?" He lifts the bat, grinning. "Ben was quite upset about losing you; I was paying him over a million."

I feel all the blood drain from my face, then I pass out.

A while later, I wake up again, this time I'm strapped to a table wearing only a bra. My body hurts and I feel pressure to push as a contraction comes. No, I won't push, I won't let my babies be born here. Mindy cackles from beside me while Vasiliki stands off near the wall with a machete in his hand.

My blood freezes.

He gives me a cold smile and states, "You either push those brats out so I can finally finish the job and send you back to your mother, or I cut them out, which will most likely kill them. What do you say, Avery? I really hope you choose the first one; Mindy, here, has paid me quite a lot for those brats."

Tears run down my cheeks as another contraction hits. I scream out in pain. My body fails me as the urge to push becomes too much.

I scream, "Noooo!"

Suddenly there's a loud bang. Mindy screams and then Alexandr is standing over me, unstrapping me, and placing a blanket over me.

As Alexandr strokes my hair, his face white, I rasp, "They're coming, please, save them, not me, save them."

I hear a grunt and a howl of pain.

Al says, "How ‘bout we save all of you?"

I shake my head and I whisper, "I'm hemorrhaging. I won't survive without a hospital, save them, please."

He goes taut as tears fall from his eyes. Dimitri comes into view, his face hard. I hear Mindy scream, then Alexandr shouts.

The urge to push slams into me once more. I scream, "Sergi!"

I hear him shout, "Fuck," and he comes into view, his face pale and tense. He grabs my hand.

"Okay, baby, you're okay. You've got this."

I look at Dmitri and I shake my head, silently telling him the truth. Phoebe comes into view on my other side, and she grabs my hand as she tries to comfort me.

I can feel my body draining of life when I hear the first cry. Tears fall from my eyes as Phoebe lets go of my hand to grab the baby from Alexandr.

He croaks, "A beautiful baby boy."

Phoebe places the baby on my chest, and I kiss his head. Dark blond hair. I memorize every little detail of him.

I can feel my body weakening.

Sergi kisses my head, and places his hand on his son's head. "He's perfect."

I smile, rasping, "Anthony Dimitri."

Sergi grins while Dimitri openly sobs.

My body tightens again, Phoebe quickly takes the baby, placing him in a blanket.

"Okay, Avery, your little girl wants to meet you. Push, sweetheart," Alexandr commands, and I do as he says. I scream as I push until I can no longer feel anything. I'm numb from the chest down.

I hear Alexandr rasp, "Shit, she's not breathing."

No! No, no, no!

I scream, "Sergi! Save her, save her!"

He runs to Alexandr as my vision goes blurry. Dimitri comes into view and grabs my hand, squeezing it tight.

My voice weak, my body too heavy, I whimper, "Save her…please."

The last thing I hear is Sergi screaming, "Fuck, come on baby girl, come on! Breathe for daddy!"

As my eyes become too heavy and my heart slows to a crawl, I whisper, "Natalia Iris."

Light turns to dark.