Aubrey's POV:

It's been two months since our engagement, and today I'm currently seven months pregnant.

For the past two months everything has been pure bliss for East and I. Easton has been home a lot more, every now and then he needs to go into work to sort things out but ninety percent of the time he's home with me helping get everything set up in our baby girls room.

At first I wanted to keep the room neutral so we could move our furniture babies into the room as well, but as Easton pointed out we have more than enough rooms we can move the cot into when the time comes.

Our little girl hasn't even arrived yet and we're already planning more children. Easton wants a big family, and I do as well.

Arriving home from the shop I make my way into the kitchen carrying a few shopping bags and place them down on the kitchen bench "East?" I call out

"Babies room." He calls back.

I put the cold things in the fridge quickly and make my way upstairs. I walk into the room and my mouth falls agape

"what do you think?"

"East, it's so beautiful." I step into the room looking around

He has the back wall painted in soft pink, a white crib now built as well a dresser and a changing table. Everything is perfectly in place.

"I'm glad you like it." He smiles as he stands up and dusts himself off and makes his way over pressing a kiss to my lips. "I've been thinking, we only have two months to go, we should really start thinking of some names."

"I was about to make us some lunch, I'll go and do that while you clean up and we'll talk about it?"

"Sounds perfect." He presses a kiss to my nose causing me to giggle softly.

We sit down to lunch together at the table. It's nothing fancy, chicken and avocado fergasa with melted cheese, but it's what I was craving

"Do you already have a name in mind?" I ask taking a bite of my food

"I've had this name stuck in my head for a while, I was thinking Alena Claire Raven."

I look up at him, my eyes filling with tears. "I love it so, so much."

"Oh baby don't cry." He puts his food down and moves closer wrapping his arms around me. "I just wanted to have something with meaning, and this way she has your mother's name as part of hers as well."

I snuggle into him, holding him close "It's perfect."

Easton's gesture is beyond words. Of course, using my mother's name as part of her name is something I had been thinking about but not something I wanted to put out there in case he felt I was pushing him into it. My mother's name was Lena, so putting the A in front of it, is a nice difference while still being similar. And having Claire's name as her middle name is the most perfect gesture of how much she meant to me.

"Come on babe, eat up." He whispers as he kisses the top of my head.

I kiss his lips quickly and get back to eating my lunch.

After lunch we spent some time watching TV. This is my favourite place in the world, just snuggled up together, without a care in the world

Buzzzzz buzzzzz buzzz

"I have to get this." Easton whispers as he sits up quickly before standing to his feet and answering the call

"Don Lorenzo, what can I do for you?" He slicks his messy hair back from his face.

I watch as he listens intently before letting out a long sigh.

"My girlfriend is due to have our baby girl in two months, I just I-"

He listens again clearly cut off by the person on the other end. I sit up and move to the edge of the couch as I watch him pace back and forth, a worried expression on his face.

Whatever this phone call is about. It's something bad. 

"I'll see you soon." He hangs up the phone and turns to me giving me an 'I'm sorry' half-smile

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"I have to go to Italy, me and the rest of the boys."

"What? Why?"

"Because sweetheart the Colombians have started in on the Don and his family, and the reason they're after them is because of me so I need to help them."

"You can't help them from here?" I frown

"No baby, the Colombians have started war, they've killed half of their men in planned attacks, they need our help and I have to help them, they'd do the same for us."

"Okay." I nod and stand up. "We still have two months because Alena is born, I'm sure you'll be back before then?"

He looks at me and sighs softly

"East, you'll be back before she's born right?"

"I'll try, I'll do everything in my power."

I nod as a tear rolls down my cheek and wipe it away quickly

"Sweetheart." He takes a step closer and wraps one arm around me while the other hand runs over my hair, attempting to soothe me.

I snuggle into him and cry softly in his arms for a moment, then pull back and wipe my tears once again shaking it off.

This is what I signed up for, this is what being with Easton means and I knew that from the beginning, so now I need to shake it off and let him do what he needs to do, I can't stop him or make him feel guilty.

"Just promise me you'll come back to me."

"I promise baby, I'll come back to you, you and our baby girl."

"When do you have to go?"

"The sooner I leave, the sooner I can come home." He pulls his phone from his pocket once more. "I'll phone dad and the boys, you don't mind if we have a meeting here right?"

"Of course not, let the girls know they are welcome to come as well."

♠

It's around five when everyone arrives. Easton uses our kitchen table as the meeting room, luckily the table is big enough.

The boys all sit at the table, and Easton begins the discussion. Amara and I sit in the living room together.

"Do you know what it's about?" Amara questions as she sits next to me, Oli in her arms.

"They have to go to Italy, something about a turf war and Easton said they need to help them."

"What all of them are going? Even Easton and Nate?"

"Apparently." I nod my head

"Neither of them should be going, we have a new son and you're due soon, what if he isn't back in time?"

"I don't know." I say sadly "But that's what he said."

Amara looks at Oli and I see the tears welling in her eyes as she snuggles him a little closer.

About an hour later, Nate, Easton, Lane, and Leo enter the living. "Some of the boys are headed to Italy now and we'll leave  in the morning," Easton says with a sigh

"You're going as well?" Amara questions Nate with a sad look on her face.

"No, I'm going in his place." Lane speaks up "he needs to be here with you and the baby."

"But what about Aubrey? She's due soon and depending on how bad this is Easton might not be back before the baby is born." She protests

"Amara, I have to go." Easton says softly "Aubrey understands, right baby?"

I nod my head "yeah, I understand."

Kneeling in front of me, Easton places his hands on either thigh and looks up at me. "I was thinking maybe you can stay with Amara and Nate while I'm gone, or Angie and Caleb?"

"No." I shake my head. "I'm staying right here at home."

"We'll leave you too it, we should get packing" Lane speaks as he and Leo leave the room.

"Later." Easton replies not taking his eyes off me. "I don't want you here on your own, it's not safe, what if something happens? There is no one here to help you."

"I can defend myself East, you taught me."

"What if you go into labor and you're on your own?"

"You promised you'd be back before the baby is born." I frown

"Okay, okay." He backs away and stands up "if you want to stay here, stay here."

"You're welcome to stay with us if you change your mind." Amara offers with a smile "it might get a little lonely on your own."

"I've been alone most of my life, I'll be fine." I stand up and make my way into the kitchen, not wanting to show any emotion in front of them.

"Fuck." Easton sighs softly and shakes his head "This is why I was so scared of allowing myself to fall in love with her in the first place, how can I do this to her? She'll never forgive me if I'm not back in time."

"You have to do what you have to do to keep her and the baby safe man, we'll be here for her." Nate responds

Thank you to everyone who has followed my Instagram and joined in the clue hunt so far! Some of your guesses have been SO close, while others have been way off, either way it's been so much fun having my readers involved. Clue two is out now, so follow my Instagram!

I also wanted to mention someone posted the nicest comment I've ever received, that she would love my books to be published in a hard copy form. This is the dream! but I have no idea how to make it a reality, but with your support, maybe one day I'll get there.