38. Chapter 38

Jade

When we descend the plane stairs, it takes two blinks before I understand why Apollo called our father before we landed. He looks furious even with the heads up, but I don't miss the fact that Uncle Cesar has my dad's gun on his hip. They unarmed him, and he let them. So he's angry as all hell but not murderous. It's a start.

The sun strikes down on us so much that I lift a hand to help block it out.

No one moves toward one another until Dad takes a step closer.

Blurry-eyed, I watch as Ivan steps in front of me, separating me from my father's line of sight. I peek around his shoulder, looking up at him with furrowed brows.

Apollo sighs at my side, pinching the bridge of his nose. "This should be fun," he groans sarcastically.

"Is this him, then?" Father demands, voice dripping with fury. He doesn't come closer, standing his ground as Cassio, Elio, and Uncle Cesar flank his sides. "This is the Russian fuck who defiled my baby girl?"

I let out a sound of protest, peeking out from behind my man-shield as much as he'll allow. "I am not defiled!"

"Fine," Dad says, correcting himself. "Is this the Russian fuck who impregnated my baby girl?"

"Father—" Apollo starts, only to be cut off.

"And what if I am?" Ivan challenges, clenching his jaw. "Is this how you greet your son-in-law? Your hospitality is lacking."

I have to bite my lip to hold back a laugh. Ivan is nuts to taunt my father this way, but I don't think he sees it that way. He's confident in his ability to keep me safe and himself alive against anyone.

"Oh, so he's skinny and dumb," Uncle Cesar jokes, shifting to meet my eye. "Nice catch, sweetheart."

Before I can give him a piece of my mind, Apollo steps in.

"This is not Dmitri Morozov, this is his brother Ivan. He's her guard and rather annoyingly good at his job from what I've seen."

"Oh?" Father's jaw ticks. "Is Dmitri too cowardly to join us then?"

I love my dad so much, but right now, I want to kick off my shoe and throw it at him. How can he say these things about someone he doesn't even know? How can he not know how hard it is for us to be apart?

"He's not cowardly," I shout, holding back tears. I'm all cried out. I can't possibly handle any more blubbering. Dmitri said I need to regulate my emotions and stress for the good of the babies, and I'm damn well going to try.

"He made me leave early because of a threat, and he's going to take care of it. He's not a coward, he's protecting me."

And as hard as it is to cope being without him, I know he's doing the right thing.

"What the fuck does she need a guard here for either way?" Elio questions, ignoring my words about Dmitri.

"Wouldn't be the first time a family turned on their daughter for an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, now would it?" Ivan challenges.

Everyone is stunned to silence, and the anger on my dad's face shifts to hurt.

"Are you really concerned about that, Jade?"

"No," I answer immediately. "I know you would never hurt me. It's not… it's not about that. But I want Ivan here anyway."

My best friend nods firmly. "If Dmitri can't be here, I will be."

"And before you ask, apparently, she's not with both brothers. She simply keeps this one like a pet, snuggling him without any nefarious motives, if you can believe it."

I want to reprimand him for calling Ivan a pet, but it feels like things are actually beginning to calm down, and I don't want to ruin it.

"Dad?" I ask, moving around Ivan slowly so that he lets me. "Can I have a hug now?"

His clenched jaw loosens, and he holds out his arms, stretching them wide to each side. "Of course, baby girl."

I rush over, leaping into his arms and embracing him tightly. "I missed you so much, Daddy."

"Oh, she pulled out the ‘Daddy' card," Uncle Cesar chuckles. "You're done for, Dante."

We suspend in time, hugging for as long as we want until he slowly sets me down. His eyes zero in on my small bump, and his eyes sparkle.

"The baby is healthy?" he asks, his concern melting my heart.

"They're both great," I answer, smiling big. Just thinking about them growing all big and strong in there makes me feel like the most powerful person in the world.

"Both?" he chokes. "Apollo didn't say it was twins, I?—"

"Wanted to give my sister one thing to tell you at least," Apollo reveals, joining our group. "She wanted to do this herself, but you know, circumstances and all."

"Circumstances," Dad agrees, a new danger glinting behind his eye. "Those will be handled soon."

"Does your uncle get a hello?" Cesar asks, changing the topic and reaching for my hand.

I let him tug me in for a hug and smile into his chest. "Hello, Uncle."

"Doing alright, nipote?" he asks. "Was the flight good?"

"I sort of blacked out for most of it," I admit. "Sad and all."

Our embrace loosens, and he brushes my hair back from my eyes to get a good look at me. "You miss your husband, hm?"

I nod, biting my lip to keep it from shaking.

"Well, we can't have that, can we?" He tuts, nudging my chin to raise it. "We'll get you settled. I'm sure Martha will fuss over you enough for all of us."

I smile at that. "Did you just bring the two cars? How are we all going to fit?"

"We'll be fine," Apollo answers for him. "You can sit on your not-boyfriend's lap."

"Not happening," Dad growls.

Apollo shrugs. "Should have seen them on the plane."

Well, this went better than I expected. I think.

As soon as we park at home, I grab Ivan's hand and rush him inside, dying to see Martha and squeeze her again. She's the closest thing to a grandma I've ever had, and I adore her. I hope she's missed me as much as I've missed her.

I find her short gray hair first as she's leaning over the kitchen counter, sorting a plate of pastries.

"Martha," I call out, jogging toward her with a huge smile. "I'm home."

"Darling girl," she greets, her eyes lighting up with joy. I wrap her in a gentle hug, letting go of Ivan to do it.

"I missed you," I tell her, pulling back so she can look at my face like I know she likes. "Did you miss me, too?"

"Of course," she replies immediately. Martha eyes me up, smiling at what she sees. "Look how much you've grown, Jade. You're in love, aren't you? With the man who gave you this?" she asks, gesturing to my small bump.

"I am," I admit, blushing. "I can't wait for you to meet him."

"This is not him?" she asks, curiously looking over my shoulder at Ivan.

Chuckling, I reach back for his hand and pull him to my side.

"Martha, this is Ivan, he's my friend," I introduce them. "He's Dmitri's brother and my guard. He'll be staying with us for a while."

"It's good to meet you, signora," Ivan greets, using a respectful Italian name for her. I didn't tell him to do that, which makes it even more meaningful.

"And you, look how handsome you are," she compliments, smiling at him. "What do you like to eat, Ivan?"

"Oh, I can eat whatever—" he starts, but Martha isn't having it.

"What are his favorites?" she asks me instead.

"He's like Matteo but less messy," I tell her. "He really does like everything."

She hums, pleased with the answer.

Knowing she likes to go above and beyond, I add, "But if you ever want to make him something special, he has a big thing for strawberries."

"You like strawberry shortcake?" she asks him, not waiting for an answer. "We'll have it for dessert."

"You don't have to?—"

"Let her," I cut him off, pinching his side. "Making food for us is how Martha shows her love."

"Alright then," he says carefully, blinking. "Thank you, that'd be nice."

"And you," she addresses me again. "Your father texted me that you're having twins! These little babies you have, do they have favorites?"

"Not sure yet," I admit. "I think anything is good for now, but they might get more specific soon. Being home means more options. I'm expecting to make Apollo pick me up late-night cravings at least a few times."

I cover my lips with my finger, and we share a conspiratorial laugh.

Martha approves. "Good, that boy needs to learn how to take care of a woman. His time is coming, I can feel it."

"Fingers crossed," I agree, full of hope.

"Leon is texting you," Elio announces, suddenly appearing at my side with my phone in hand. "We kept it charged for you."

"Thank you," I respond softly, reaching for it. "How have you been?"

He shrugs. "Same old, same old."

"I missed you," I say lightly. Elio and I aren't as close as we could be, but I still love and admire him. I hope that our relationship continues to grow.

"Missed you too," he replies softly, touching my arm gently. "Let me know if you need anything?"

"Of course."

He nods and dismisses himself, disappearing from sight while I open my phone.

Leon

Just got filled in on everything. I would have been there if I'd known. How are you holding up?

Me

I'm okay.

Me

I miss Dmitri, but I'm safe and comfortable. Thanks for checking in.

Leon

Do you want me to come by? Do you need anything?

Me

No, no. I know you're busy! We'll have a visit when this is all over. Keep Cleo and Bastian safe at home until everything is sorted.

Leon

You're sure? Cassio isn't being a dick, is he?

I frown at my phone.

Me

No? Why would Cassio be a dick?

Leon

Jade, sweetheart.

Leon

You're the first pregnant woman he's been around since Isobel.

My stomach drops.

Me

Wait, really? What about Cleo and Melani?

Leon

He didn't see them until after the births.

Leon

Cassio hasn't even gone to meet Mila yet.

Oh, Cassio.

Me

Oh :(

Me

Well, he hasn't been mean. He hugged me, even.

It was a small side hug in the car, but a hug he initiated nonetheless.

Leon

Good, let me know if that changes.

Me

Will do, big brother.

Leon

And Cleo says you're free to text her if you have any questions or want to talk.

She did? That's so nice. I haven't heard as much from her as I have from Melani, but I get the feeling that she's not as close to the family as Melani is.

Me

I might take her up on that!

I'm probably going to need all the help I can get.