Update day! Some cute Zeke x Tatiana moments ahead, prepare yourselves!

Ps. I'm curious what ship names you guys have in mind, let me know if you have any ideas!

Lots of love <3

Chapter 27

Tatiana

She stirred awake when she felt soft lips leave small kisses across her face.

She slowly opened her eyes to see Zeke knelt next to the soft, white linen bed, his face bathed in moonlight.

"Good morning, beautiful." He gave her a small smile, one that she shyly returned.

"You need to wake up mon ange, you haven't eaten anything in hours." He said, catching a small tendril of her hair that fell in front of her face and wound it back.

She cleared her throat before speaking. "What time is it?"

"It's eight in the morning." He replied softly, almost whispering so as not to disturb the quiet morning. "You've slept the whole day. Well, whole day back in New York anyway."

She groaned, sitting up slightly. She hated jet lag, it always felt like her body couldn't catch up on time.

"We're really in France." She said as if she was still trying to grasp the idea.

The events that had transpired in the past few hours seemed unreal. From the party, to meeting her real father, finding out about a half-sister and being engaged to the man she hadn't been able to stop yearning for in the few months that they had known each other.

She felt like she was Cinderella at the ball. She had her prince charming but at what cost? Her thoughts were in such a jumble, worrying about Verratti who turned out to be her real father, wondering about Angelica, and thinking about her previous step-siblings and what they must be thinking right now.

By now, she was sure, they knew. It all felt like a dream, with a tang of bitterness that went with it.

However, along with the bitterness were a few drops of sweetness in the form of Zeke. The small kisses they exchanged, how her skin tingled with each brush of his skin on hers, and all the other little moments she had shared with him ever since they found out they could be together, even if it had only been a few hours.

It was bittersweet.

"Yes, we're really in France." Zeke said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "My home turf, I guess you could say." He said jokingly, making her smile.

As much as she wanted to stay buried under the fluffiness that was the comforter, she knew she had to leave the bed at some point. She started raising herself from the bed but a searing pain that shot up her side made her gasp, causing her to fall back on the bed.

Zeke lurched forward. "Easy." Zeke warned, wrapping an arm behind her shoulders and helping her slowly get up. "After you get something to eat we need to have someone take a look at your ribs."

She breathed slowly, the pain subsiding. She only nodded in reply.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you." He murmured, his hand caressing her bruised ribs, hands running softly across her skin.

She shook her head. "No, it wasn't your fault. Besides," She added. "I've been banged up worse before, I can handle it." She said, trying to make him feel better.

It didn't work. Zeke only gritted his teeth, rage and anger burning in his eyes as he stared into the distance. To whom it was directed too, she didn't know.

"Zeke." She quickly called his attention. After a few moments of still being lost in his thoughts, she lifted her hand to his chin and gently turned his face to her.

"I'm fine." She said, staring into his eyes to try to relay to him that she was there, safe. "I'm right here."

He slowly shook himself out of his thoughts, his eyes clearing of their rage. "Right where you should be." He said firmly, making butterflies flutter in her stomach.

He gently helped her up, an arm around her shoulders as they walked out of the bedroom, through the small halls, and down the stairs.

Her memory was a bit off ever since the flight. She could faintly recall falling asleep in Zeke's arms, waking briefly when they landed and were escorted into a glossy black vehicle and being carried into the bedroom. Now, as she walked through the house--fully conscious, she couldn't help but admire the residence.

Much like the bedroom she slept in, the rest of the house took a very light theme; full of eggshell, creams, and wood tones. The living room was filled with a small wooden coffee table and comfortable wicker like couches, with throw pillows that accentuated the colors of the room. Glass windows took up majority of the outer wall with a fireplace stuck in the middle while a soft white carpet dominated the floor.

They passed through and continued on to the kitchen, where the low hum of conversation was coming from. Her eyes briefly touched on the light brown ornamental lights that littered the ceiling and the picturesque dining area before she zeroed in on the two men chatting seated in front of the countertop while an unknown woman stood in front of the stove, cooking what seemed to be an omelette and some bacon strips in two different pans.

"It just doesn't make sense." Vasily said to Vincent, a glass of orange juice in his hand. "They could have chosen to attack any other event in the year, why choose an engagement party?"

"It was an engagement party between Verratti and Vasiliev, not to mention the godfather was in attendance." Vincent replied.

Vasily set down his glass. "Exactly, I mean you would think that--"

Zeke cleared his throat and gave them a pointed look, making Vasily stop short and for him and his uncle to turn towards them.

Vasily coughed awkwardly. "Morning." He greeted them. Tatiana could tell they didn't particularly want her there to hear that conversation but she didn't take notice and instead greeted him back.

"Good morning." Vincent greeted them as well and she returned it with a warm smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired." Tatiana replied as Zeke guided her forward to sit on a barstool. "But I'll manage."

"Maya, how's the food coming along?" Zeke asked the woman who stood cooking in front of the stove.

"All done." She said, placing some food on a plate and placing it in front of her with a flourish. "Enjoy." She smiled at her kindly before leaving the kitchen, probably to do a few chores.

"She's very sweet." Tatiana commented once she was out of earshot.

"Who, Maya?" Vincent asked. "I've known Maya her whole 20 years of life. She's far from sweet." He said good-naturedly.

"She's only 20? Damn." Vasily commented.

"Now don't you go getting any ideas, Vasily Kozlov." Vincent Reproached him. "She's like a daughter to me and I'd hate to have to kill you." He said and they bickered back and forth, a warm and cheerful atmosphere taking over the room which made her smile.

She slowly ate her food, enjoying the omelette immensely as the men talked about business, women, home, etc. They steered clear of what transpired a few hours ago, it being the elephant in the room.

When she finished her meal, Zeke led her back into the room she slept in which turned out to be the master bedroom. He showed her to a huge walk-in closet that had apparently been stocked overnight.

"All of these are in your size." Zeke gestured to the entirety of the right side of the closet. Tatiana walked forward to admire the decadent clothing, all of which still had their price-tags on them.

She took her time to appreciate them. "This is too much for a temporary stay, and far too expensive." She said as she ran her hand across the dresses and gowns hung up, the gold railing glinting from the light.

"We don't know for how long we'll stay here, mon ange." Zeke replied. "And it's not as if we cannot afford the lavish lifestyle." He added with a small smirk.

Tatiana only nodded, going through the sleek eggshell drawers with gold handles. She opened one and was shocked to find an assortment of fine lingerie.

She turned towards him with an eyebrow raised, lifting up a particularly see through black piece of lingerie; if you can still even call it that what with its lack of coverage and the many straps and garters attached.

Zeke coughed loudly upon seeing it, unbuttoning the top button of his white dress shirt and pulling it down as if it was suddenly too tight. She looked on in amusement.

"Nina was the one who stocked the house." He explained, looking away from the piece of cloth she held in her hand.

She only laughed, placing the lingerie back in the drawer and burying it underneath the other more acceptable pieces. She'd never wear that in a million years.

"This side has mine." Zeke said, gesturing to the wall opposite hers that is lined with suits and other everyday wear.

"I didn't realize we shared the room." She thought aloud as he led them back outside into the bedroom where the morning light filtered in through the wide windows that overlooked a view through a balcony, a small seating area in front.

"I didn't know as well until we arrived." Zeke bit his lip, glancing at her face. "I can always stay in another room--"

"No." She said too quickly. "I-I mean, I don't mind if we share." She cleared her throat, looking away.

"You're cute." She heard him laugh softly before he walked up to her, his close proximity invading her senses as he lifted a hand to her cheek.

She didn't know how long they stared into each other's eyes. Her green eyes stilled, the forest within calm as it slowly waited for the blue storm to collide with them. Seconds could've been minutes, she didn't care. All that mattered in that moment was that he was there, with her.

His other hand brushed a tendril of hair that fell in front of her face before slowly leaning in. Her heart pounded in her chest, realizing that this would be the first time they actually kissed since the night she found out he was... engaged. They've been avoiding each other's lips this whole time, only ever exchanging a small peck on the forehead or cheek.

His lips slowly brushed against hers, feather light, his mint flavored breath fanning over her face. He drew back a bit to look into her eyes, eyes that reflected exactly what he desired as well before he moved forward to fully kiss her.

Their lips were a hairsbreadth away when a knock sounded through the room, making them stop short.

"You lovebirds better be dressed otherwise you'll be late for the doctor's appointment." Vasily teasingly said from the other side of the door before they heard his footsteps receding in the hallway.

Tatiana laughed softly as Zeke sighed in disappointment, amusement evident in his eyes.

"I should get dressed." Tatiana said with a small smile. "Later." She added, mischief shining in her eyes.

He laughed, giving her a small kiss on the lips. "Later." He agreed, a promise clear in his voice as he left her to get ready for the day.

Translations:

mon ange - my angel

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