A breath got caught in my throat. I'm pregnant? But—but—how...I mean...I don't even know what I mean. I looked down at his smiling face when he cups my hand with his. I stared at him, confused. He cups my face and kisses my forehead." I thought I wasn't pregnant...you looked so relieved." I said in shock.

"I am...I suspected you were pregnant when you threw up after smelling the vinaigrette. I didn't want to get my hopes up but I couldn't stop myself from picturing us having a child."  He confessed. My heart fluttered." Getting you pregnant so soon wasn't in my cards—I stop using condoms weeks ago...this was bound to happen. Sorry—I should have been more careful." He said, smiling sadly. I knew his mind had shifted to his kids. I pulled his head into my chest, hugging him.

"Joel, you have to take her to court," I told him. He sighs, hugging me back.

"I know." He says. We jumped, when the door burst open, Adina stood in the doorway with demanding eyes.

"The suspense is killing me!" She blurted.

"Adina!" Joseph yelled, grabbing her waist and pulling her away." Sorry."

"Joseph!" She wailed. "Stop!"

"No, you stop." Joseph cornered.

"Dad, it's ok. She's pregnant." Joel says. Adina gasped then screamed.

"Yay. I'll call a colleague of mine—to see if she can fit you in tomorrow." She says, sliding out of Joseph's grip and skipping off. Joseph was too shocked to move but soon he smiled.

"Congratulations." He said. I give him a small smile. Thanks...I guess. "Joel, can I talk to you?"

"Yeah," Joel replies before turning and pecking my lips.

-

While Joseph and Joel had their talk on the patio, Adina and Kimberly give me their top picks for baby items, schools, etc. The shock of it all was just settling in. I'm too in shock and freaking out to absorb any tips they were giving. This is all too soon. Never in my life did I picture myself being a jobless, 24 old-year-old, pregnant woman. But it's not like I couldn't go back to work for Joel but I didn't want to be an assistant anymore—my heart isn't there anymore. I need to get back to writing my book and stop wasting time—especially now that I have a baby on the way. When Joel and Joseph stopped talking, we said our goodbyes and went to Joel's place.

-

I laid in bed staring blankly at the city, cupping my belly. I jumped when Joel wrapped his arms around me. I relaxed, sinking into him. "What are you thinking about? You've been silent the entire ride here." He asked. I shrugged. "Hun, look at me." I turned to look into his eyes, I couldn't hide the sadness in my face.

"I'm just...shocked—"

"You're not ready." He said. I shook my head.

"I'm not but I want to have this baby. I just—I just need time to wrap my head around this." I stated. "It's a lot to take in."

"I get that." He said pressing his lips against my forehead. "I'll be here for you—whatever you need, I'll do my very best to give it to you."

"I know, baby," I said, kissing him. He cups my face, deepening the kiss. He pulls away. His teeth reflecting the city lights. "What are you grinning about?" I asked. He shook his head.

"I'm just happy." He said before kissing me.

-

It's Sunday so I didn't have to hold Joel hostage to have him to myself. I started my morning right...by throwing up. She said sarcastically. I flopped into bed groaning." Here, hun." Joel said. I sat up to see him with a mug. I took it and the smell of ginger filled my nose. "That is for your nausea and mom said that she got us an appointment for today at 2." He said. I took a sip. Today? But it's Sunday. Oh well.

"Ok," I said into my mug. He opened the balcony door. I watched his butt move in his white boxers. It's so cute.  He caught me staring and I looked away.

"You know, I saw you right?"

"Hm? Saw what?" I asked innocently, looking at him as I took a sip.

"Hm." He breathed narrowing his eyes at me." Come on breakfast is ready."

"Can't I get it in bed?" I asked, in a baby voice.

"No. You need to move around, laying all day  is just going to make you feel worst." He says walking over and pulling me to my feet. I groaned. "Stop that." I groaned louder. I jumped when he slaps my butt.

"Don't do that if you're not going take me right now."

He smirks. "I want to but I need to get something in you first, you're eating for two remember." He says, taking my hand. "Ahem! Or three...maybe even four. But who's counting? Ahem!" He mumbles, under his breath.

I looked at him. "What did you just say?" I asked.

"Hm? Say what?" He cornered.

"You said something."

"Nope, you probably heard something from outside. It's pretty noise out there." I cornered.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Hm."

-

After breakfast, I had a quick nap while Joel did for cleaning. Now, we're watching Scott Pilgrim vs The World, while Joel rubs my feet. I took the last sip of my tea.  He takes my empty mug places it on the coffee table then lays between my legs. I played with his hair until he began dozing off. When his phone vibrated on the table, he woke up and quickly, grabs it. He looked at it then sat up. I got on my knees and hugged him. It's Gean's iMessage chat. My blood ran cold when I saw her name. The entire conversation in Portuguese and the majority were long-ass paragraphs from Joel and were from two days ago and Gean finally replied with one word: no.

I wrapped my arms tighter around his shoulders and kissed his neck when he clenched his phone until his knuckles turned white. He began typing. I looked up to see in English: I'll see you in court. He turns off his phone and dropped it on the table. Look what you've done now Gean, now his mood is going to be all sour and I'll have to deal with it. I rocked him, trying to comfort him as much as I could. He reaches behind to wrap his arm around me with a breathy sigh. "I know you didn't want to have to do this but it's the right thing to do," I whispered. He kept silent, staring into space.

"I just want my children." He said, five minutes later.

"I know," I said. He let go of me and gets up. "I'm going to get air." He said, going upstairs. I sat there, hugging the head of the couch. Joel came down with a grey t-shirt, jeans and black Balenciaga Speed Trainer and of course the jewelry I got him last year. He had some clothes in his hands. He hands them to me. I frowned. I didn't recognize them especially the matching Balenciagas. I narrowed my eyes at him. "Whose clothes are these?"

"Whoever puts them on and they fit." He replied, sitting on the arm of the couch. "Hurry up or I'll dress you myself." I glared at him.  The shirt was a white and blue flannel with thigh-length jean shorts. I took off my red romper and threw it at Joel's face with a smirk. I yelped when he grabs me, pinning me on the couch. He nibbles on my neck, I giggled as I tried to break free.

"Joel!" I screamed when he holds both of my hands with his left hand and slide his right into my panties.

"Remember who got you pregnant." He said toying with me. I laughed.

"That failed to be a threat caveman, you can't get me pregnant when I already am." I pointed out.

"No shit Sherlock, heh...I mean I come from a family of multiple births." He said, pecking my lips, "there is a chance you're going to have multiple...dadada! Babies." He said, evilly. I stared at him blankly.

"I swear to God, I'm will leave your ass if you give me more than one."

"Ha! That's what you think." He said, just as dry as my tone.

"You're saying you won't let me leave?" I asked. He smiled before kissing me. I moaned against his lips. He lets my hands go and wraps my legs around his waist. I lifts his shirt over his head and tossed on the coffee table, his jeans, boxers and my panties followed. He trailed kisses down my neck to my chest then kissed me back up to my lips. He enters me, throwing my legs over his shoulder. He thrusts into me, biting his lip.

I grabbed his head and pulled his lip from between his teeth. "Ah!" I moaned after one hard thrust.  He groaned as my nails sunk into his back. His head fell back, resuming his slow pace.

"Fuck." He breathed, he looks down at me. "Are you comfortable?" He said with his eyes half-closed. I nodded. "Good." He whispered kissing me. He made sure to keep his full weight off of me, he nestled his head in my nape and I cradled his head.

"This is where you sing." I reminded. He chuckled.

"Leave me alone." He said. I giggled.

-

After sex and a nap, we showered and went to his parent's house for lunch. We're in the backyard and I'm on Joel's back, regretting getting on it in the first place. "The first one to that tree gets Grandpa's 1982," Jarrett said, letting the twins on his back. The twins are wearing matching white overalls and red shirts while Jarrett wore a red shirt and knee-length jean shorts, barefooted.

"1982?" I asked Joel.

"It's an old Porsche." He replies.

"That's not fair...you see who I have on my back!" Joseph protests. Joseph reeked of sugar daddy vibes. His salt and pepper hair reflecting the sunlight. His yellow vest stretching under his muscular chest, black track pants, and Nike's on his feet. Adina wack him across his head. Adina is wearing a loose red-orange blouse, black leggings, and Nike's.

"Ow!" He protested.

"What do you want me to do? Kimberly pregnant!" Jarrett protests.

"Wait, you guys thoughts I'm run with Aubrey on my back?" Joel asked in disbelief. To be honest....yeah. They nodded. "Hell no! I just didn't want her on her feet too long." Oh—well that makes sense.

"Well, put her down!" Jarrett protests.

"Not until you guys are ready for real this time—to eat my dust," Joel said, cockily. Joseph laughed, he puts Adina down and takes a leaf out of her hair.

"I'm your dreams," Joseph said. Joel lets me slide off his back and I joined the girls to the right of the guys.

"Julien, Julius come over here," Kimberly ordered. Kimberly is sporting a loose floral dress and blue flip flops.

"But I wanna race too," Julius said.

"Please mommy." Julien pleaded.

"Let them run killjoy...we'll give them a head start," Joel said. Kimberly glared at him.

"If anything happens to them, I'll have your...tushy on a platter." She said firmly. Joel ignores her turning his attention to the twins, he took their hands and lead them more than halfway to the Crape Myrtle. I smiled when he gives them both fist bumps.

"Although he's an asshole, he's great with kids, I can grantee that," Kimberly said, looking at me.

"Don't call him an asshole!" Adina and I hissed in unison. We looked at each other, grinning.

"Wait, why does he always ignore you?" I asked Kimberly.

"He thinks I nag too much." She replies.

"Because you do!" Joel yells. We all looked at him.

"Shut up! No one's talking to you!" She yells. Joel rubbed his ear.

"Do you guys hear someone talking?" Joel asked, Joseph and Jarrett. Joseph slaps Joel across the head. Jarrett burst out laughing almost double over as he did lunges.

"Ow!" Joel protests. I shook my head. I swear you can't go a day without misbehaving. What am I going to do with you? Jarrett does a 360 spin then claps.

"Let's do this!" Jarrett yells.

"Hold on," Joel said, walking towards us. He hands me his phone and keys before stealing a kiss. I blushed when he pulled away smirking. His gaze shifted to Kimberly, he smiles smugly. "What? You want one too?"

"Yes, I would." She replied. Joel walked towards her and whispers something in her ear. Kimberly laughs so hard tears rolled down her cheeks. She pushes him away. "Go away!" She said laughing. Joel chuckled before joining the other men. Jarrett glares at Joel. Joel looks at him and pushes Jarrett's face to the other side.

"Relax, I'm taken. Besides...no one wants your Thing One looking girlfriend—"

"Joel!" I yelled in frustration. "Behave!"

"What! I'm joking! Kimberly knows she's pretty. Fudge sticks! I can't even say what I want anymore."

"Look at him talking about Kimberly looks like Thing One when he looks like the caca that comes out of Shiloh's tush tush." Jarrett said, laughing. Kimberly burst of laughing.

"Oh my gosh," Adina says.

"Shiloh?" I asked.

"Our 12-year-old, Akita." She replied.

"Ok first off, Voldemort, relax. That's what you're breath smells like, 24/7." Joel said to Jarrett. Kimberly wheezes at that one. Jarrett's jaw dropped. "Don't take on the fire when you can't handle the burn."

"I swear, I wonder if all of you were swapped with someone else's children," Joseph mumbled. "Can we start, please!"

"Yeah." Jarrett and Joel said.

"Adina," Joseph said.

"On my mark," they all got on their hands and knees. "Ready.......go!" They zoomed ahead. The twins began running when they saw them coming. It was a good race....for about 5 seconds. Jarrett was ahead followed by Joseph and Joel. Joseph pulled Jarrett's collar yanking him back causing Jarrett to fall flat on his back.

"What the hell! Dad! You cheater." Jarrett yells, groaning. Joel jumps over Jarrett and speeds up, he swerved Joseph before Joseph could grab his collar. Joel grabs Julien just as Julien was about to trip on his laces. Joel stops to tie Julien's shoes. Joseph slows down to let Julius win.

"Wow," I said, shaking my head. It's a fucking clown show off here. I love it. Lol.

"This always happens," Adina said, sighing.

"At least he made Julius win." Kimberly pointed out. Adina and I agreed.

"Yeah but I now look at Joseph in a whole new light...I wonder if he cheated on any console games we played." I wonder with my brows furrowed. Adina laughed.

"I wouldn't put it past him," Adina said, laughing. She checked her watch and gasped." Joel, it's almost 2!" Joel was chasing the twins when he heard her.

-

Joel and I sat in bed talking and staring at the ceiling, with our 5 copies of the sonogram between us. It's just one....thank God. We just got back from our doctor's appointment. I did a pregnancy test, to be sure it wasn't a false positive, I got prenatal pills and we'll be going back in a couple weeks. "How is Janell?" He asked.

"Cute but no."

"Josie?"

"No?

"Jade?"

"No. I like Janell." I replied. He curses under his breath.

"And you call me insufferable." He grumbles. I nudge his side with my elbow. "Oof!"

"Shut up. Anyway...Justin?"

"No, I have a nephew named Justin." He replies.

"Jedidiah?"

"Hm." He said, thoughtfully." Maybe....what else you got?"

"I have Jairo, Jace, Jeremiah, and Jayden."

"I like Jairo and Jeremiah." He says. I rolled onto my side snuggling up to him, with a sigh.

"We have time to figure the perfect name," I said, with heavy eyes.

"You're sleepy?" He asked. I nodded yawning.

"I don't know how I'm going to get anything done tomorrow," I mumbled.

"Tomorrow? What's happening tomorrow?"

"I'm going to continue my novel... that I haven't touched it in a while." I answered.

"Oh...do little at a time." He said, lifting my head onto his pillow and got up. He pecks my lips. "Sleep well hun, I'll start dinner."

My eyes were long closed but sleep had not yet claimed me properly. "Do you need help?"

"I'm good, thanks." He said, pecking my lips again. "Sleep." He whispers.

"Ok," I muttered, yawning.

-

Joel and I sat in the pit eating homemade turkey sausage with pineapple pizza. He finished up his last slice before taking our plates to the kitchen. I got up and went upstairs to brush my teeth. I changed into a silver silk nightie, Joel got me then climbed into bed. Joel came in with a mug, he hands it to me the goes to the bathroom. I took a sip, my head fills with beautiful thoughts of little Joel .0. I'm hoping it's a boy with Joel's big head and a beautiful smile. I smiled into my mug as I imagined the five of us; Joel, his kids, the baby, and I on the beach building sandcastles. The little ones running to and from the shore with their piles filled with more sand than water.

Joel .0 would drop his little self between all of us throwing sand on the castle making all of us laugh. "My sweet boy." I whispered rubbing my stomach.

"What are you smiling about?" Joel asked. I looked at Joel, blushing. He leaned over the edge of the bed, smirking.

"Nothing." I lied, softly. He crawled into bed shaking his head. He lifts the hem of my nightie then kisses my stomach.

"I don't know why you're mommy insists on lying like she doesn't realize she sound like she has a frog in her throat...it's pitiful really." He whispers to my stomach. I yanked a fistful of his hair. He chuckles. He lays down leaving his head my stomach as he drew circles around my navel. "Soon I'll be able to watch you try to move away or try to chase my finger." He said, sighing. "I plan to get have your older siblings living with me before you're born...and be one happy family." I almost miss that. I stared up at the ceiling. Me too Joel—it's cruel for her to keep you from them. I closed my eyes and said a small prayer for him to get to see him for at least an hour.

I opened my eyes and found Joel fast asleep with his arms around my stomach. I played with his hair.

-

I've been up for at least an hour, I couldn't sleep—all I could think about was his children. I carefully lift his arm off me and got out of bed then went downstairs taking my phone with me. When I got to the living room, I called Beth. She answered on the fourth ring.

"Aubrey? What's wrong? Please tell me nothing happened to my godchild." She answered, panicking. I called Beth after the doctor's appointment to let her the news only to find out Adina babbled the night before. She's lucky, I like her...lol.

"No, no. It's not like that," I assured her as I paced the living room. "I just need you to talk me down....so I don't hunt this woman down."

"Ok...who is this woman?"

"Gean," I answered, "for keeping the kids from Joel."

"Oh...yeah—that whole mess."

I stopped, frowning. "That's all you have to say? That whole mess?" Anger ripping through me. I took a deep breath to calm myself.

"I mean yeah the situation sucks but we as in you and I can't really do anything to intervene until we have evidence of abuse...but you can convince him to take her court." She states. I sighed.

"I guess I did convince him.... I saw been texting her;' see you in court," I informed.

"Wow...I wasn't expecting—well that progress, Bre, now please stop worrying yourself and get some rest." 

"Ok, thanks, Beth."

"No problem Bre, goodnight." She said.

"Goodnight."