Bella's POV:

I stay in the shower for longer than I usually would. Mostly just standing under the water, as it runs over my body, thinking about everything. From Jex to my family, to the baby, then back to Jex's words once more.

Sighing deeply I turn the water off and step out. Reaching for the rack, I grab my towel and begin drying my body.

Knock, knock. The bathroom door sounds.

"It's just me. I ordered some dinner if you're hungry," Jex calls through the door.

"I'm not hungry," I reply, as I pull my panties on, followed by sleep shorts and a singlet.

"If you change your mind, I ordered you a bowl of rice and sweet and sour beef strips."

Of course he ordered my favorite meal. Just the mention of it is making my mouth water, I've been craving it for a week now.

I brush my wet hair quickly and open the bathroom door. The second I do the aroma of the food hits my nose and I breathe it in. Following my nose I find myself in the living room, where Jex is currently sitting upon the couch, eating his honey chicken and rice.

"Couldn't hold out huh?" He asks with a grin.

"You know damn well that this is my favourite food in the world. You did it on purpose," I pout, as I sit down. I then take my bowl of food and a fork, then begin eating.

...

We eat in silence, other than soft murmers coming from the TV, which is playing at a low volume. I look over at Jex a couple of times and he looks back at m, but neither of us say anything and we continue eating.

Finished with my food, I place it down upon the coffee table in front of me once more and take a long sip of my water. I then lay back, letting out a soft yawn.

"You look exhausted," Jex finally speaks.

"You look worse," I comment.

"Kick a guy whilst he's down why don't you," he rolls his eyes with a grin.

I giggle softly for a moment, then bite down on my bottom lip looking up at him once more. Is this how it's going to be now? Are we just going to act like nothing happened?

Jex places his bowl down on the coffee table next to mine and turns to me. "I'm so sorry for how I spoke to you Bella. I'm just so tired and over worked. I know that isn't an excuse, I just lashed out on you and I shouldn't have."

"I'm sorry as well. I'm sorry that I over stepped my authority."

"Don't you apologise," he takes my hand. "I was the dick, not you," he pulls my hand to his lips and kisses it sweetly. "I honestly didn't mean what I said. Of course it's our house baby, not just mine and you're right. I appointed you as equally in charge of the Vipers. You had every right to ask them to leave," he sighs softly. "I'm kind of surprised you're still here to be honest."

"If I'm being honest, I'm not sure I'd have anywhere else to go anyway. You know I can't go back to my family home. I can't go to my brother's or my other family members; and I wasn't about to bring Alyssa and Mal into the middle it," I sigh softly. "I did do some thinking while I was in the shower though."

"Oh?"

"I think you're right about the house and about the crew. I really shouldn't have asked them to leave, I'm not the leader of the Vipers, that's your role. You had them working on something that means a lot to you and I over stepped," I sigh softly. "See the thing is Jex, I don't want to be part owner of the Vipers with you anyway. It's all you, I just do the paperwork and you don't really need me for that. You just let me do it so I feel like I'm doing something," I cast my eyes down to the couch. "And you're right about the house. It's yours, I just live in it."

He sighs deeply and hangs his head. "I'll regret saying that for the rest of my life Bella. I didn't mean it, but I know I can't take it back now," he shakes his head.

Looking up at him once more I speak. "Jex after everything that's happened with Ace, then you saying the things you did. I'm starting to see that I really don't have anything. I've nothing I've worked for on my own. I don't have a house or a car, or ..."

"You do have a house Bella. We have a house and I told you I'll get you a new car."

I shake my head. "I don't think you understand. I don't want any of that. I want to work for it on my own and get things for myself. I can't keep relying on others to keep me safe and a roof over my head. My entire life my dad has taken care of me. He's given me money, cars, a roof over my head, a job and now that he's not doing all of that for me, you are. And I just ... I think I need to make some changes."

"W-what are you saying? Do you want to move out on your own and into your own house?"

"No, I'm saying that I want us to get our house together," I squeeze his hand. "I want us to move into a family home to raise our babies in. A house that isn't solely yours or mine, but ours. A place that we choose together, that we pay for together."

"Babies?" He raises a brow with a grin. "Does that mean you forgive me?"

"I don't want us to fight, it's not worth it," I rub his hand gently. "I love you and if I was in Marni's situation; if I lost you, I honestly don't think I would survive it."

"You're not going to lose me," he pulls me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. "But if I ever lost you I don't think I'd survive either," he kisses my head a few more times. "And if you want to get a house. If you want to go fifty-fifty so you feel like it's yours, then that's what we'll do. But I really didn't mean what I said. This home isn't just mine, it's ours. If you weren't in it, it would just be a house, not a home. I love you Bella, so much."

I pull back looking up at him and press my lips to his. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer, deepening the kiss. After a few moment I pull back, my nose still against his and I give him a Eskimo kiss. "I love you too," I peck his lips once more.

"Let me take this rubbish out and we'll head up to bed. You're tired and so am I. Tomorrow is a new day," he stands to his feet.

"Jex wait," I call quickly.

He turns quickly and sits back down. "What? Whats wrong?" He asks worry all over his face.

I take his hand and place it on my stomach. "Give it a second," I say with a smile.

As I finish speaking there's another kick and I look up at Jex, who smiles widely. "He's kicking," he says excitedly and presses his hand a little firmer against my stomach. A moment later another kick and he laughs happily, looking up at me. "Is this the first time he's done this?"

I nod my head with a smile. "First time."

"I'm glad I didn't miss this."

"Me too," I smile softly.