Chapter 22 - Vivian

Initially, I was afraid to have twins. I was scared it would pull us apart and fray that delicate relationship we were still working on. I was still intimidated by the idea for multiple reasons, but Ari was trying his hardest to show me it didn't have to be a source of worry for me.

He had been excited because of the pregnancy before, but after the scan, it was like a switch flipped inside him.

Without needing to be asked at any point, he immediately started coddling me. He was there constantly, checking in on me and making sure I was feeling okay. If I even slightly complained about pain or nausea, he would swoop in without a word and do everything he could to make me feel better.

Ari made sure I always had something to eat first thing before he left for work, and he'd ask me throughout the day if I was comfortable enough.

There was no mistaking just how much he cared about me and the pregnancy, and it helped me to see even more of his sensitive side.

Even if he could be a bit suffocating from doting on me, even with the most minor of issues, it was endearing, and it helped put me at ease every time.

Before, I never imagined being happy with Ari. The thought of being married to him alone was bad enough, but if my future self were to tell me then I'd be having his children sooner rather than later, I never would've believed it.

I thought he was a brutal monster, but I was glad to see the opposite was true.

Ari was as caring as could be, and he made sure my every need was met. He seemed to get better at reading me and understanding what I needed, and that in itself was a great relief.

Given how often I was shut down or ridiculed for anything I said back home, I wasn't always the best at expressing what I wanted or needed. I used to hide away within myself and not let the real me out for fear of receiving another verbal lashing from Dante.

But with Ari, he truly listened, and he made me feel heard. He never made me feel like I was an idiot or a waste of space, but like he was interested in what I had to say. He listened so closely that he often made me feel like I was the only woman in existence.

He could be intense, especially with his work, that world I had nothing to do with. But with me at home, he was a gentle giant. He could be vulnerable with me, and showed me the sides of him he didn't dare show anyone else.

After being cared for so dutifully and seeing the thoughtful parts of him, I was beginning to truly believe that things weren't so bad.

When I was first brought to his place, I thought being his wife was the end of my life. I didn't see how we would ever connect or find a common ground, but with time and effort on both sides, I felt that our future might not be so turbulent.

We were married and spending as much time together as we could, and with the twins on the way, I was looking forward to seeing how he parented.

Given how excited he already was, and how naturally he fell into step with that parental air about him, I could already picture it. I wasn't sure if my heart could handle watching him coo over them, and doing everything in his power to protect them.

As much as my past self would hate me now, I knew I was falling for him.

There was no point in resisting the inevitable anymore—not when I couldn't bear the thought of being without him.

Ari was perfect in every way with his ridiculous good looks, his contrasting abilities to be both domineering and protective, and was the most caring man I had ever met. I had no doubt he would be a good father, and that he'd let the world burn for his family if he needed to.

Whenever he was at work, I wanted him back home more than anything. It was selfish of me to want so much of his time, but I couldn't help it. He made me feel safe and secure, and it was hard to let go of that after he had given me so much.

Being with Ari was like night and day compared to my family, and I knew I'd do anything to stay with him. I used to be ignored if not verbally punched around, and Dante especially had been getting bolder about laying his hands on me. They made me afraid to even exist or express a thought of my own.

But Ari was so different. He proved to me I didn't have to live like that, that I was worth the time and effort.

As I got ready in the mirror, relieved that the nausea had passed for the day, I couldn't help but glance at Ari as he pulled his clothes on in the bedroom.

His pants sat low on his hips as he reached for his button-down, carving out his V-line and chiseled muscle. His fingers made quick work of the buttons, reminding me of all the other ways he was skilled in using them. Even if dinner with his family was supposed to be on my mind, I couldn't help but get lost in those fond memories.

Glancing away with a knowing smile as he turned to face me, I added the finishing touches to my mascara.

Before long, he appeared in the mirror next to me and slipped a hand around my waist, giving me an affectionate squeeze. "Just about ready to go?"

Capping the mascara and putting it away, I smiled at him. "All ready."

"Good," he hummed, leaning in to press a kiss against my cheek. "They're all heading to the restaurant now."

"Do you think this dress looks okay?" I asked, turning to the side to see the faintest bump through the tight material. It was a bit shorter than I'd hoped, but it hugged my curves in a way I liked. "It's not too much?"

"It's perfect," Ari murmured, taking my hand in his and turning me to face him. He pulled me closer and said against my lips, "So perfect I'm considering taking it off you already."

My heart leaped at that, letting the familiar warmth move through me at the idea. Already, I could feel myself longing to feel his lips again and to work out those budding frustrations in me.

"But we can't keep them waiting too long. Later it is," he said finally as he pressed a quick kiss to my lips and swept me out of the ensuite. He flashed me a dimpled smile and chuckled at my look of dismay.

Ari was a tease, and he knew it.

***

Everyone was already at the table by the time we arrived at the swanky restaurant.

I had been to my fair share of fancy restaurants whenever Dad felt bad about leaving us at home for too long, but there was something so romantic about the low light and live string band playing quietly in the background.

A handful of flickering candles sat in the center of the long table we were seated at, along with several wine glasses and fancy bottles sitting on ice. It seemed his siblings had already helped themselves.

We were met with friendly smiles, but realizing we were about to break the news to them made me more anxious than before.

"It's nice to see you again, Vivian," Lara said, handing me a menu. "I keep telling Ari to stop keeping you to himself, but it's no use. He won't listen."

"You can't take what's Ari's, remember?" Kir teased as he looked over the rim of his glass. "He doesn't share well."

Ari released a breath and carefully rolled up his sleeves beside me. "Don't make me regret doing something nice for all of you."

Everyone chuckled at that, and it was nice knowing their banter and jokes were only that. There was never any kind of hidden malice.

"If it's on you, then don't lump me in with these animals. I'm on my best behavior," Lukyan said as he browsed a drink menu. "You wouldn't mind if I got an order of shots with desert, right?"

Ari rolled his eyes and shook his head. "I have something better than shots for all of you."

"That's a tall order," Benedikt snickered.

Ignoring him, he continued. "I arranged this dinner because Vivian and I have some exciting news."

Immediately, I felt their eyes on the both of us, glancing between us with interest.

"Well, don't make us wait. Out with it," Lara encouraged, growing impatient as Ari stalled.

"We're expecting," he said, wearing a proud smile. "Better yet, we're expecting twins."

Immediate shock filled the table as I reached inside my clutch and pulled out the scan photos.

"No way!" Lara exclaimed, softening as she gave us a supportive pout. "You're carrying twins?"

Unable to hold back my own smile, I nodded and handed the photos to her first. "We went to our first scan the other day. It was a surprise for both of us."

His brothers looked just as shocked, as if they couldn't believe those words. But as the photos were passed around, they all wore that same awestruck look, the scan enough to solidify the news for them.

"I'll be damned," Lukyan murmured as he smiled at it. "Two little ones for our big brother."

"I never thought the day would come," Benedikt added with a teasing gleam in his eyes. "Congrats, you two."

We received a complete round of congratulations as they cooed over the photos, seemingly all coming around to the idea of their family growing by two more.

Ari and I were both amused by their reactions, and it made me happy to see his joy. Even if he could be stern and serious with his siblings, he truly cared about their thoughts and opinions, and he wasn't above joking with them.

"Let me see that again," Lara demanded of Kir once he had the scans.

"Wait your turn, I'm connecting with my future nieces or nephews."

Lara scoffed. "You'll actually have to put effort into becoming their favorite uncle, whereas I will be their cherished aunt by default."

Ari chuckled and took a sip from his glass. "It begins already."

"Uncle Lukyan will always be on top," he said triumphantly. "I'll be the fun one."

"Until you let them do something they shouldn't and they go crying back to Ari and Vivian," Benedikt added with a snicker. He looked between the two of us. "For the love of god, don't let him babysit for too long."

Lukyan feigned his offense. "And Uncle Ben will teach them how to curse before they're two."

Unable to deny the accusation, Benedikt only laughed and shrugged.

Everyone joined in as they continued dreaming up what was ahead, wondering what the twins would be like or who they would take after while we ate dinner.

It was easy to feel accepted by his family, especially after sharing such good news with them. They seemed more than ready to welcome little ones into the fold, and as it sounded, they had been waiting for quite some time.

No matter how many times I saw them, it still amazed me how close they all were, and how they treated each other with respect even while they joked and poked fun. It was so different from what I was used to, and I was relieved to see it.

It put me at ease knowing I'd be bringing children into a family that got along and didn't spend their time bringing each other down.

Back home, I was ignored or bullied, and I promised myself I would never have kids in a similar situation. I didn't want my children to know that pain and the heartache of not feeling like they were enough.

I wanted to give my babies the experience I never had, and with the Levovs, I knew that was possible.

In his family, I was treated like an equal, and there were no unspoken expectations of me. They welcomed me with open arms, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I had a family.

It left me warm and comforted, and prepared to reach that next stage in life with Ari.

When dinner was over, we were both embraced by each of his siblings, and Lara especially was completely over the moon about it. We said our goodbyes and the two of us headed back home.

We were both in good moods, but Ari looked completely full of love and excitement.

The moment we parked and he helped me out of the car, he threaded our fingers together and carefully pressed me against the side of the vehicle.

He hovered above me with an almost hazy smile, his lips just inches from mine.

"That went incredibly well," Ari murmured, letting me feel his tempting breath against my lower lip. "Now, what was I saying about that dress ending up on the floor?"