When Jolan woke up, the four of us watched Cars before Joel took her to karate. They didn't come back until 6:30. It's 8 now and I'm watching them through the slightly opened door with a small smile. Joel is reading them a bedtime story, Jolan had fallen asleep before he even finished the first page. Jovanni sat on Joel's lap staring at the pictures with his thumb in his mouth. Joel and his mini-me, so precious. I could see how much love he has for them. Nothing is hotter than a good dad. "Jo?" Joel whispered. Jovanni rests his head on Joel's chest, looking up at him. "Time for bed." Jovanni climbs off Joel's lap and laid beside his sister. He's a timid one. I wonder if he'll ever be as energetic as his sister. Joel kissed their foreheads and lifted the blankets to their chins. He turned on the star nightlight before turning if the lamp and shutting the door." You could have come in, you know." He said without looking at me.

"And distract papa bear in action, no way," I teased. He chuckled then turns to looks at me. He cocked his head and folded his arms.

"Papa bear, huh?" He questioned. I nodded. He chuckles again. "It's funny," he started, "the more they're with me, the more I can't bear to be apart from them."

"That's love for you," I stated. He just stared at me thoughtfully. He pushed off the wall and slowly walked towards me. I backed up until my back hit the railing of the balcony. "Is it too early to ask you to have all my future babies." He said, with a cocky grin. Wow, you want more? Well, grow a vagina, Joel.

I smirked and cocked my head. "How much are we talking?" I joked. He cupped my face and kissed me. Deep and hungrily. My knees buckled.

"As much as we can." He breathed, against my lips. He lifted me into his arms and took me to the bedroom. He laid me on the bed and him in between my legs. He kissed my bare stomach. "I can't wait to meet this little one and the rest to come." I giggled when he light nibbled the skin above my navel.

Wait what. "Wait, you were serious?" I questioned. I stared down at him. He met my gaze with a serious look on his face. My heart fluttered.

"I'm serious," he said, spreading my legs wider, "dead serious." He added.

"But we haven't had that talk—"

"We're having it now." He retorted. He entered me. He let out a slow breath. My feet sink in the bed. He moves slowly but deep. "Oh fuck...Aubrey." He whispered, under his breath. I wrapped my legs tightly around him and pulled him to lay on me.

"Ah." I moaned as he sinks deeper.

"I want a big family...you, me, Lani, Jo, little Janell and our 9 other children—"

"You want me to give you 9 more!"

"Yes."

"Joel!" I screamed out, he digs deep and stayed there.

"Shh. You'll wake the kids." He whispered. I covered my mouth with my hands trying to keep silent as much as I can but it was one hell of a task. I sank my fingers into his back when he moves faster. "Yes 9 more children and that's final, Aubrey....fuck!"' He cried out when I clenched my walls.

"So bossy," I teased. I pushed him off me and climb on top of him. I rode him. He grunted, grabbing my ass. "You're not going to force me to have 10 kids for me , Pereira."

"It's not like you have a choice, Hun, if I could you pregnant once—I'll do it again." He said, laughingly. I punched his arm. He grunts then grabbed my arms and pinned them behind my back. I groaned. He kissed me, roughly. I bite his lip. He groaned.

"You insufferable man," I said. He smiled then kissed my neck.

"Your dream come true, Hun." He said. I pulled free of his grip and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Maybe." I teased, smiling at him.

I jumped when he slapped my butt. "That's a yes. No, if, but or maybe around here." He said. I rolled my eyes. He chuckled before kissing me. "Well, you're my dream come true." I blushed.

"Why?"

"Well because...you're caring, short, beautiful and you put up with me." He replied.

"Your not that hard to deal with," I stated. He shrugs.

"Maybe but—I doubt anyone else can get me the way you do....which is why I'm beyond happy that I trapped you." He says. I burst out laughing, letting my head fall onto his shoulder. He laughs too.

"Isn't it the other way around?" I asked. He shakes his head.

"In this case, no. I was the one who got you pregnant, though it was completely unintentional...so...on all intent and purposes—consider yourself trapped." He said, grinning.

I rolled my eyes. "Bite me." I muttered. He turns his head to bite my wrist. "I'll bite you back, I promise you." I gasped when he began thrusting again.

"I'll bite you here then." He said, rolling his hips.

I moaned. "You always did bite me good there." I said, laughing.

He shakes his head, laughing." I try." He says. We laughed harder.

-

Everything was going great until the sunlight seeped in, pulling me out of my dream of Joel and me going house hunting in Alaska. I groaned and turned away from it. As I was drifting back to sleep, something pulled my feet. I looked down and saw Joel at the bottom of the bed, smirking. Oh, go away. I rolled my eyes then closed them, trying to go back to sleep. He pulled me again but this time all the way to him. "What? What you want boy!" I hissed. You better not want sex, you had me up until 2 am! Let me rest!

"Your attention would be nice." He answered. I sat up. He's wearing a white shirt, a lavender tie, and dark pants. I got on my knees and kissed him.

"Happy?" I questioned with so much attitude...I don't know—something to the something—I'm too tired to think. He swatted my butt. I whimpered. Asshole.

"Kind of." He smirked.

"Where's Jolan and Jovanni?" I asked, rubbing my eyes.

"Lani is at school and Jo is watching tv. Today, I want you to spend some time with your stepson." He said. My jaw dropped.

"Stepson? We're not married and we haven't even been in a relationship for a month yet and you've already claimed me as your children's stepmom. Besides they're way too young for this kind of drama," I pointed out, folding my arms, "plus I don't have a single maternal bone in my body."

"Bullshit. You did fine yesterday, Jo let you hold him faster than he did with most of my family. Besides he's good practice for Janell." He pointed out.

"You mean Jairo."

"Yeah, that's what' I said...Janell." He said. I rolled my eyes. Why do I even bother?

"But seriously Joel...you telling Jolan that I'm her stepmom...it's too much. She's too young for all this."

"So, you're not ready to marry me then?" He whispered. My heart jumped. Did I hear him correctly or there's something in my ear? I blinked.

"What?"

"So, are you going to get dressed or what?" He says, checking his watch.

"That's not what you just said," I said, in disbelief.

"You're really telling me what I didn't say?"

"Yes. Because that wasn't what you said!" I protested.

"What did I say then?"

"If you're not ready to marry me?" I repeated. He smirked.

"Is that a proposal?" He said, pulling me into him.

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Dream on."

"Maybe I will," he ran his fingers down my back. I shivered. "Get dress, Hun." He slapped my ass and walked off. My mind replayed what he said. Maybe...he didn't say anything...it could've been just my imagination. I sighed as I laid back down.

Is it wrong for me to want a proposal? I am carrying his baby after all—but I don't want me having his baby to be the only reason he's marrying me. I want the love and the gushy stuff, sharing a small home somewhere beautiful and quiet. I'd watch from afar as Joel curses under his breath as he teaches the kids golf for some strange reason knowing fully well he hates the sport with a fire breathing passion. I jumped up when Joel said. "Babe are you re—" I stared at him wide-eyed. Uh oh. He places his hands on his hips. "Every day is a test with you."

"What! Look who's talking—you can't go anywhere without misbehaving!" I argued.

"Lies. All lies." He said, walking towards me. He told over me with a smirk.

Narrowed my eyes at him. "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing just admiring, give me a kiss." He said. I went on my knees before I could even kiss him he threw me over his shoulder. "I. Told. You. To. Get. Ready." Every word he uttered a light smack on my ass followed. I rolled my eyes. I can't believe I fell for that. He takes me to the bathroom then puts me down in the shower. I closed the door and turned on the water. I frowned when he stepped in. Naked.

"What are you doing?" I asked. He takes my blue lufa glove and pull it on his giant chicken cutlets he calls a hand...lol. I sucked in a laugh. He squeezes my shower gel into his hand.

"I can't trust you not to waste time so...shut up and let me bathe you."

"What the fuck! No!" I exclaimed, moving away from him.

"Hey! Hey—calm down. I'm an expert at this, ok. It was bound to happen someday so don't be mad it's happening today."

"Don't I get a say in this?" I asked.

"No...I left you to get ready—and you fucking went right back to bed. Now, come here." He said. I sighed and walked towards him. I'm too hungry to argue. He began bathing me, he's being so gentle and he took his time. I stared at his overly focused face. I turned for him to do my back.

"I'm surprised you're not making this sexual," I said. He chuckles.

"It's a struggle not to but I have to keep it clean because when I bathe my son...I don't want a mental image of you all soaped up like this, bursting through my head."

"Oh, that makes sense."

"I can control myself you know." He said, into my ear. The lies you tell.

"Sometimes I wonder." He chuckles at that.

"Shut up." He said, laughing.

"Do I at least get a kiss?" I asked. He turns me around and kisses me. I guess it was supposed to be a quick peck on the cheek but it escalated quickly. Joel slams me into him then lifts me. "I can control myself my ass." I said, against his lips.

He pulls away looking at me blankly. "You just had to point that out, didn't you?" He grumbles. I laughed nodding.

"Yes, cause if the roles were reversed you'd laughed and go on and on."

"Damn." He whispers. "this woman is going to be the mother of my child." I made a face at him.

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean."

"It means I can't do anything without you doing it back to me!" He exclaimed.

"Then don't do anything you don't want me to repeat."

"So everything? That's crazy." He said. I punched his shoulder.

-

After having Joel bathing and he picks out clothes from me while I sat on the bed regretting my life decisions. This man....is so...so....so...brazen and a brunch of words I can't think of right now. After he dressed me, he pulled me downstairs to the living room. Jovanni sat on the coffee table, watching Sophia the First. His eyes glued to the tv and his mouth slightly opened. Joel sat behind Jovanni, pulling me to sit as well. "Jo." Joel called. Jovanni looked over his shoulder with those big eyes. "Come here, little man." Jovanni got up and ran over, biting his lip. He was wearing a blue striped creeper. Joel sat him on his lap, smiling at him. "Ready for some fun with Aubrey?"

"Audi," Jovanni said, pointing at me.

"Yes, Audrey," Joel said, nodding. Jovanni reached for me. I took him. He stared at me. He turned his attention back to Joel, smiling. Joel leaned towards us, he kissed Jovanni's forehead then pecked my lips. "So cute." He said. I rolled my eyes and looked at Jovanni, who was staring intently at me. I made a silly face and he giggled.

-

"Audi!" Jovanni screamed as he ran towards the fountain. I grabbed him, letting out a shaky breath. He's a runner. I spent most of the morning chasing him around Central Park, I'd put him down for a second and he takes off with the Flash or something. He giggled when I blew raspberries on his cheek. He tried to blow one back but what I got was his mouth rubbing against my cheek. So cute! I took him to the Bethesda Fountain. I sat on the wall with him on my lap, I turned slightly so he could see the ducks. "Look at the ducks, Jovanni." I cooed. When he saw them, he got restless and tried to slide off my lap to go into the water. Oh jeez.

I end up having to get up. "First-time mom?" I looked behind myself and saw a woman in her early thirties. She had a sleeping baby in a dark carrier.

"No. He's my boyfriend's son but I am expecting," I informed. Jovanni yawned and hid his face in my nap.

"Oh, he's a cutie. What's his name?"

"Jovanni," I answered.

"Oh, shoot I forgot to introduce myself...Elisabeth." She said  with an outstretched hand. I took it.

"Aubrey." I smiled at her. She's easy on the eyes, long, chestnut hair, piercing dark eyes. She's dress in a paisley shirt and black leggings.

"Wait, you said you're expecting...congrats." She said, smiling.

I smiled back. "Thank you."

"How far along?" She questioned adjust her straps.

"Two-three weeks," I replied as I rocked Jovanni.

"You like brownies?"

"Love them," I replied.

"I have a container full of you don't main indulging with me." She said.

I smiled at her. "I'd like that."

-

I stood outside of Jolan's classroom with Jovanni at my hip, sucking on a popsicle. Elisabeth and I spent the rest of the morning eating brownies and talking about last weeks episode of Rupaul's Drag Race. She told me she lives at the Plaza and she recognized my face which is why she came to introduce herself. She's a lawyer  and her husband, Raphael's, law firm. At around 1:30, we were on our way to pick up her son. I texted Joel asking which school Jolan went to and it turned out she attends the same school."Aubrey!" Jolan called as she ran towards me, she hugs my legs. I smiled down at her. She looks so cute in her uniform; a powder blue shirt and a black, blue, and green plaid dress over the shirt with a white sock and black ballets. She had two bows that matched her dress wrapped around her shoulder-length wavy pigtails.

"You had a good day at school?" I asked, she nodded.

"We drew pictures."

I gasped. "That sounds amazing, I bet you drew the best pictures."

"Yes!" She agreed, jumping around me. "Where's daddy?"

"He's still a work...you don't mind us going to the aquarium do you?" I asked. She gasped.

"Do they have turtles?" She asked.

"I think so."

"Yay! Let's go, Aubrey!" She said, pulling my hand. I laughed.

"Ok. Ok. We'll go after we meet up with Elisabeth."

"Elisabeth? Who's that?" She asked.

"Someone I met."

"Ok!"

-

We at the Central Park Zoo. "Look at the snow leopard, Jovanni." I said. He stared at the big cat with a serious face. I looked at Elisabeth, who was wiping off ice cream off her son, Harley's, mouth. Jolan stood beside Harley holding his hand and eating her vanilla ice cream. As soon as Elisabeth finished wiping off Harley's mouth, the two ran off.

"Not again." Elisabeth said, sighing. "They'll elope if we're not careful." She joked, as her speed-walked  after them. I laughed, nervously. Joel would kill me, and yapped my ear off as he does the deed. The moment the two of them were introduced it was like something went off into their heads that'll give Joel a heart attack if he saw this.

I sighed. "At least they're having fun." I pointed out.

"True." She said, glancing at me. "I'm surprised Jovanni isn't running around with them."

I looked at Jovanni, who was looking around with one hand in my hair and the other in his mouth. "Maybe because he sees a lot of people he doesn't recognize."

"Oh. That would explain a lot...he's been clinging to you all day."

I grinned. "Cause he's my NumNums." I said, giving his cheek a ton of kisses. He lays his cheek on my lips when I stopped. Elisabeth and I laughed. Let me take a picture of you guys. I took my phone out of his diaper bag and handed it to her. I smiled for the picture. "Smile Jovanni." He looks at me then looked over my shoulder. I laughed shaking my head. She hands me my phone.

We started walking again when we realized Harley and Jolan were moving again. I switched Jovanni to my other hip. My stomach began to turn. I reached into my pocket and shoved a ginger mint into my mouth. "You're feeling sick again?" She said. I nodded." Do you think you can handle two more encounters?"

"Yeah," I muttered.