~Aubree

“So I checked in with the priest today and we're good to go,” I said. “The caterers have every food you want at the reception under control and I'm going to stick around and make sure the cleaning company waxed the floors till I can see my unborn child's reflection in it.” 

Dove tossed her hair over her shoulder and laughed.

“You know we could've just hired a wedding planner right?”

“No way. I'm more than happy to do this Birdie. With Breanna and her boys in Orlando and Beck trying to replace my shadow, I need to get out of the house. And besides, the wedding is in a week. Christmas is not far behind too. I'm doing this.”

Dove held her hands up in surrender.

“Yes, ma'am.”

I noticed the floral crew slacking and I frowned and spun on my heel, barking orders at them.

Is it so hard to do a job you're being paid more than enough for?

With a sigh, I lugged my purse and wedding planner book onto my shoulder, and exited the hall through the front door, stepping out into the sunlit courtyard.

For a long second, I went dizzy. Dark spots danced in my vision, and I teetered in my high heels like a newborn fawn. But a hand wrapped around my arm, steadying her.

“You really gotta stop wearing heels, preggo.”

“Don’t blame the heels, Nia,” I chuckled. “Blame low blood sugar.”

“Are you even supposed to lift twenty pounds?” she shot back skeptically.

“The doctor says it’s fine.”

“It’s fine, but it’s killing you” Nia gestured at a planter. “Sit.”

Following my sister-in-law’s marching orders, I exhaled a tired breath and scanned the courtyard.

“Aubs, you gotta take it easy” Dove sighed, reaching our side.

Already digging through her large 'Mom on the go' tote bag, Nia perched beside me.

“What do you need? Smelling salts or granola bars?” she held both out in one hand.

I frowned, looking from the items to Nia.

“Why do you have smelling salts?”

“People faint at funerals and weddings all the time.”

Grateful, I took the granola bar, my first meal of the day. I was almost at the full term of my pregnancy and all I could keep down now was Sour Patch Kids and pickles. Curiosity piqued, I cocked my head.

“Why weddings?” Dove and I asked at the same time.

“Nerves. Locked knees. Bridesmaid slept with the groom” Nia shrugged. “Shit like that.”

Dove tensed and Nia shook her head apologetically.

“Not at your wedding though sweetie.”

I laughed, my nerves easing away. Nia crossed her ankles.

“How’s Beau?”

Palming my belly, I rolled my eyes with a smile.

“I'm not naming my child that, Nia. It could be a girl and the baby's crushing my bladder but thriving.”

I bit into the granola bar, the sweetness giving me a much-needed energy boost.

“You ready to go home and rest?” Dove asked.

Nia chuckled.

“Don't ask her like you need her permission, hon. She's going home.”

Nia practically forced me to go home. Not my parent's house... but the apartment Beck had rented for us to stay in and enjoy our alone time with family members meddling.

When I got home, my husband wasn't there. It wasn't a surprise to me anymore. He was never around when you needed him to be. I lazied around the house with Dash, took a shower, and a brief nap, then tried to get some actual food down. But I failed miserably.

So I FaceTimed Breanna. But she couldn't talk for long because Roman was running around their hotel, high on sugar. They'd been in Orlando for two weeks now and she said they'd be back soon.

“I'm bringing back the cutest Disney-themed clothes for the baby, Aubs. I gotta go. I'll call you later okay?”

Then she hung up.

She'll call me later.

“If she can keep her hands off Aiden long enough to do that” I chuckled.

A light buzzing pain shot through me and I took deep breaths. The Braxton hicks were becoming more frequent now. As if Dash felt my discomfort, he got off the fur rug he'd come to love and climbed beside me on the bed, resting his head on my bump. I gently stroked his fur.

“You'd be an even better husband than the one I have, Dash” I sighed.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

When the knock first sounded on the door, I didn't bother getting off the couch because I was currently elbowed deep in scooping my ice cream and pizza combo. I had finally managed to keep this one down after my second nap with Dash curled very close to my bump and at this juncture, nothing was worth putting it down for. I mean I didn't wake up feeling like I had the flu.

But when the knocking persisted, I forced myself up, feeling a slight pang in my belly which must have come from my previous vomiting.
    
Brushing my hair out of my face, I walked to the front door, silently praying it wasn't Girl Scouts coming to sell Christmas cookies. 

I would throw up.

I heaved out a soft exhale and opened the door and one look at the person standing in front of it made my heart race.

“What are you doing here?”

“Well, I—” he started but paused when his eyes lowered to my chest.

And then his brows cocked up inquisitively.

“Are you cold?”

I looked down at my sweater and my nipples were taut and perky and it wasn't intentional.

“They look just like they were when you were pregnant with Olly” he chuckled. “Kinda makes me feel like this pregnancy is actually mine... not Beck's.”

His words made me snap my head up to him.

“Well, it's not. And my breasts are sore and extremely sensitive right now.”

“Right, right” he smiled.

“What do you want, Rick?”

“Are you that displeased to see the father of your child?” he asked, glancing at my bump.

Who was feeding him with the idea that the baby could be his?

“I went to drop off Oliver at your parents' and Nia told me you blacked out earlier today. I just wanted to stop by and see if you were okay.”

“As you can see, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern and goodbye” I held the door and tried to shut it in his face but his foot had already wedged it.

“I'm not leaving until I'm convinced you and my child are okay.”

I frowned.

His child?

He used my moment of distraction to place his hand on the door and push it back open again.

I honestly couldn't deal with him right now. I exhaled deeply.

“Can you please just go already? I'm not in the mood.”

He ignored me and poked his head through the door. He smelt good by the way. Sinfully good.

“May I come in?”

“No.”

Riccardo moved closer, too close, which made me step aside, unintentionally allowing him to enter.

Dammit.

I watched as he scanned the living room. It didn't take long for dread to settle on his face.

“So this where he's keeping you?”

I closed the door behind me with a small bang.

“Got a problem with it?”

“Certainly. This isn't a good environment for my child.”

Again with the 'his child' bullshit?!

His eyes caught the pizza wrap and bowl of ice cream on the couch.

Crap.

“Pizza and ice cream? You've been eating junk, Aubs?”

“I'm my defense, it's the only thing I can stomach without running to the bathroom. Plus, I craved it unusually these days. I just didn't give in to it till right now. And I don't see how that's any of your business.”

He turned around and pinned me with a smoldering look.

“You know that child you're carrying inside you could as well as be mine as it could be Beck's. So as long as that possibility lives and that could be my child you're carrying, Aubree, whatever you do is my business.”

I rolled my eyes and moved over to plop gently back down on the couch. Dash barely looked up at Rick from where he was lying. Another Braxton hicks hit and I leaned forward with a groan. Riccardo was at my side in a flash.

“Are you okay? Do you need me to take you to the hospital? Do you want me to get you some water?”

An outburst was threatening to spill as Rick ranted worriedly.

He doesn't deserve the outburst.

Because right now, what I was feeling wasn't meant for him. I wanted Beck to be doing this... fussing over me when I needed him to. I needed him to fuss over me right... not frantically like he felt guilty and compelled to.

I wanted him to be my Riccardo.

But that wasn't going to happen.

I counted to three and took in slow steady breaths. I repeated it and the pains passed.

“I'm fine.”

“I'll go get you some water.”

He didn't wait for an answer and ducked into the kitchen. It didn't take him long to come back.

“Here,” he said holding the glass to make me drink from it.

“I can hold it you know?”

“Drink it from me. You might spill it if another one hits you.”

I sighed and leaned forward, my sweater slipping down my shoulder in the process as I drank the water.

“Thanks” I muttered, instinctively reaching up to scratch the itch on my left shoulder. “I think you should go now Ri—”

His gaze had darkened ominously and they stayed glued to my shoulder.

“Where did that come from?”

I immediately stopped scratching and readjusted my sweater.

“I changed my lotion” I lied.

He arched his eyebrows at me.

“You only get these allergic reactions whenever you are bitten by mosquitoes,” he said.

He still remembered?

“You know you have allergies and yet you let yourself get bitten?” his tone dripped acid.

“I accidentally left the windows open while sleeping yesterday” I lied again.

Beck was the one who left the windows open.

Riccardo frowned.

“You've never been a good liar to me, Aubree. You'd never be this careless to take such a risk. And there's only one other person you live with. I know for a fact it's not the dog so then that points to Beckett Lewis.”

I sighed. I didn't have the energy to keep this up. Rick saw right through me.

“Look, it was an accident. It's never happened before and I'm fine.”

He stepped closer and pulled my sweater down to inspect my shoulder. His brows creased.

“This looks bad and I think it needs medical attention,” he grabbed my hand and gently tugged me up. “Come on, I'll take you to a clinic.”

“Stop, Riccardo. I'm fine.”

I yanked my hand away from his and pulled my sweater back up before my breast popped out.

“It'll wear off in a few days.”

He didn't look convinced.

“This isn't something to be taken lightly, Isa.”

His unnecessary worrying was starting to annoy me.

“For Pete's sake, stop acting like you care, Riccardo. I said I'm fine and this doesn't affect my baby.”

“For your information, I'm not acting. I do care. And it's clear I can not trust you or that pathetic husband of yourself to take care of you. You should move in with me.”

I chuckled, bending over slightly to laugh some more.

“You're insane. Get out” I shook my head at him, straightening to breathe.

He sighed.

“Aubree—”

“No! Now get out before I call the cops!”

Pain shot through me and I groaned.

“Dammit, Aubree” he snapped, helping me to stand still. “Do you have to be so difficult?”

“Do you ever get tired of giving me reasons to be?!” I snapped back as the pain passed.

“God, you talk too much” he hissed, his eyes lingering on my lips for a moment.

I took a step forward, daring him as I blurted out my next words. 

“And what are you going to do about it, Doctor Álvarez?”

The air tensed between us and I swallowed the lump in my throat and watched him, still daring him. Then he moved, walking towards me, his large, muscular physique imposing as he dipped his head forward, hot breath dancing over my parted lips.

“I'll pick you up, place you on this hall table right here, and fuck you until you've screamed your way out of my system.”

My body's reaction to his threat was nothing short of sick. Shivers ran down my spine but I struggled to keep up my composure as I cocked my chin up and spat, “I dare you.”

His eyes turned a shade darker.

“You're sure you're not going to regret saying that?”

He wasn't going to do it.

I was married to this man and I knew he would never do that.

I narrowed my eyes.

“Are you going to make me regret saying that?”

“Matter of fact, I am.”

I didn't get a chance to call out his bluff when his arms snaked around my waist and pulled me gently against his chest. My heartbeat sped up.

“Rick, what are you—” he gently grabbed my face and planted his mouth on my lip. 

My eyes widened.

Sweet Lord.

Riccardo's lips descended on mine with a hunger that I felt tingling across every inch of my body, sending my blood pumping, my legs clenching, my slit aching.

I clung to his shirt, unable to do anything but accept and return every stroke, every nibble, every suck. I was so lost in his soft caress that my surroundings became a blur and I should've stopped when my front door creaked open but I didn't. He had me at his mercy and I couldn't do a damn thing but drink what he offered.

But then my front door shut and footsteps approached us.

“Darling, why isn't the door—”

It was Beck.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

When Riccardo broke away from my lips, he didn't pull away, instead, a smug smile crawled on his lips at the sight of my husband's perplexed face.

“Look who finally decided to show up for his wife?”

One look at Beck's horrified expression made my gut tighten. I turned away swiftly, attempting to tug my body away from Riccardo's but he didn't relent.

“What the fuck is this?”

The shopping bags in his hand dropped to the ground with a thud, his eyes narrowing to slits as he stormed towards us.

Shit! Shit! Shit!

“Riccardo, let me go” I urged, trying to break free from his grasp but he held me tight. “Riccardo, he's going to—”

Before I could as much as get my words out, I was pushed away to the side, left to watch as my husband threw all of his weight behind a punch that slammed into Riccardo's jaw.

Oh my god.

The loud cracking sound made bile immediately rise in my throat, and for a second, I thought I was going to vomit right there on the floor.

Riccardo stumbled back a few paces as Dash let out an alarmed bark.

“Wow,” Riccardo chuckled, his hand going to soothe his jaw. “I gotta say, man, you hit like a bitch.”

“You fucking son of a—!” Beckett lunged at him again and the two men collided right in front of me.

Riccardo laughed humorlessly.

“You don't deserve her.”

Beck clenched his fist again.

I can't take this.

“Stop!” I implored, finally managing to speak as I stepped in front of him, my back to Riccardo. “Both of you. Stop!”

Riccardo hissed.

“He started this shit.”

Beck growled, balling his fists as he met his glare dead on.

“And I swear I'll finish it.”

God, I felt sick, really sick.

“I said stop! Stop okay? Rick, you can't just come in here and kiss me. And Beck, please stop throwing punches.”

“I wouldn't have to if he weren't busy kissing this dick head!” Beck snapped at me.

Honestly, I didn't know what to do. But at this point, I just wanted everyone out of the house. I heaved out a breath.

“You don't deserve her, you asshole. And I wouldn't have kissed her if you hadn't been such a shitty husband!”

“Rick—”

“You don't have any right to interfere in our marriage, asshole! I don't give a goddamn if you were married to her. This isn't fucking right!” Beck barked the last sentence, towering over me.

“Stop it, Beck, please. I'm pregnant and it's not good for the—”

“Oh, you're pregnant?” he laughed humorlessly. “I couldn't tell from how you had your tongue stuck in another man's throat! And maybe, just maybe, this pregnancy isn't even mine.”

His utterance had left me utterly speechless. I parted my lip but nothing came out. And deep down, the possibility of this baby being Riccardo's hit me.

I could have already been pregnant for Riccardo and not know before I slept with Beck.

When I remained silent for more than a minute, Riccardo stepped forward from behind me.

“She's pregnant. Don't yell at her. And don't you fucking say stuff that'll upset her no matter how true it may be.”

My husband's glare shifted.

“Well, if it isn't Mr. Righteous, stepping up to take responsibility if it's his.”

“I'd be over the moon to know that child she's carrying is mine because you don't deserve any of this. And you're going to end up all alone like you deserve.”

Something in Rick's words set a flame in Beckett's eyes and his look turned murderous.

Oh no.

I felt my blood go cold and my skin turn ashen. The vein in Beck's forehead pulsated as his gaze snapped to me and then to Riccardo.

Another Braxton hicks hit and I took in sharp breaths, my breathing becoming uneven. I felt lightheaded, dizzy, weak, nauseous, and in pain, and if Beck didn't get rid of that look, I was going to vomit and pass out.

“Hey, hey, calm down” Riccardo who had somehow been paying attention to me amid the raging war, suddenly stepped forward and pulled me to him.

“Get the fuck away from my woman!” Beck's temper sprang into another wave of action and he grabbed a hold of my hand, pulling me to him instead.

“She's not your woman you dick head! Now let her go because you don't know the first thing about treating her like the woman she is!” Riccardo challenged.

I parted my lips but nothing came out. I started feeling my head spin and the two men in front of me slipped away as the corner of my eyes clocked into darkness.

“Beck...” trailed off, suddenly reaching out to grasp him for support, but he was too far from me. “I don't feel so good...”

My heart raced as my chest tightened and my knees buckled. Nausea crept from my abdomen to my head and before I knew it, what looked like black clouds pressed their way into my vision. The world went black, the only thing heard was Dash's furious barks and Riccardo's voice.

“Isa!”

Thank you so much for reading! ✨