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one month later - the gala 🤩

Jo

"Did you hire movers?"

I looked over at Mom, nodding. "Yes."

"Good. I don't want you to hurt your back."

"I'm going to be helping them," I said, taking a drink of my champagne.

"Well, leave the heavy lifting to them," she said.

I looked over at her for what felt like the thousandth time. I knew she was just being my mother, but with that came the overbearingness. I couldn't take it.

"So when are you moving?"

I rubbed my eyes, my eyes meeting Adora's for a split second. She smiled a comforting smile, and I looked over at Mom. "Thursday."

"Why wouldn't you do it while everyone's still here so we could help?"

"That's okay, it'll be stressful enough-"

I caught myself, biting down on my lip. "For just two people. Wouldn't want everyone else stressed."

She rubbed my back. "Look at you, always caring about everyone else."

"That's me," I muttered, smiling when I looked at Dad.

"How come Lena and Alexis aren't here yet?"

I leaned my head back, earning a chuckle from Dad.

"One more question," I mouthed, my eyes wide.

"The King women have always made an entrance at these things," Dad said, grabbing another glass of champagne.

"As you did," Mateo said, pressing a kiss to Mom's temple.

I flexed my jaw, looking away from them. I tapped my foot and watched the door like a hawk, watching the important people flow through the door.

None of them were quite as important as Lena, though.

"Sorry," Fred said, "I was talking to Milo."

"That little piece of shit?" I muttered, looking over at him.

He chuckled, nodding. "Yeah."

"Is Cecilia coming?"

"Yeah, she is. Alexis spent hours doing her hair and makeup for her."

"I know she's doing all that shit for Mi," I said, "and he doesn't deserve a second of her damn time."

"She's actually got a date," he said, grinning over at me.

"Oh?"

"His reaction is going to be absolutely priceless," he said, chuckling, "I, personally, can't wait."

I felt my stomach do a somersault out of the blue, making me look over at the door. A smile pulled one of the corners of my mouth up as I saw Lena.

"Butterflies, man."

He chuckled and we both turned to face them, our jaws dropping at the two of them strutting over to us.

"We're getting laid tonight," we both said.

Lena smiled, biting down on her lip. "Hi."

"This is a sin," I muttered, grabbing her hand. I spun her around and lifted an eyebrow.

"It's your favorite color."

I trailed my hands down her waist and to her backside, holding her close to me. "You are unmatched."

She pressed a kiss to my cheek, her lips against my ear. "You don't look so bad yourself."

"I tried," I said, looking down at her as she pulled away from me.

"God, you're shorter than I thought."

I looked over at Mom, wide eyes.

"How tall are you, Jo?"

"I'm 6'4", Mom," I deadpanned.

"And I'm precisely 5'6" with these heels," Lena said, softly smiling up at Mom.

"Cute," Mom said, walking away from us.

"She is painfully out of pocket."

Lena giggled, wrapping her arm around my neck. "Let's go talk to people and get champagne from every table."

I pressed a kiss to her head. "Sounds like a plan."

~*~

Milo

"I've seen some of the baddest women here, man."

Santiago looked over at me, his eyes narrowed. "Happy to hear it."

"I can't talk girls with anyone."

"Hate to hear it."

"It sounds like you're recycling responses."

He shrugged, grabbing his glass of champagne. "I don't really know how to talk women anymore."

"Come on, you don't talk about Adora?"

He lifted an eyebrow, looking away from me.

"I knew you did."

"So, are you ever going to settle down?"

I shrugged. "Maybe. Probably not."

"Your sister used to say the same thing when she was sixteen."

"Well, look at her now," I said, my eyes going round, "holy shit, look at her now."

Santiago chuckled. "You might stay a bachelor for the rest of your life, or you might find that right girl and be a family man."

"The thought irks me."

He patted my back. "It's the most rewarding thing in the world."

"Hi, Milo!"

I looked down at Arabella. "Hey, kiddo."

"Come dance with me," she boldly said, holding out her hand.

"Yes ma'am," I said, chuckling as she pulled me away.

"So," she said.

"How do you know how to do that?" I asked, looking down at her.

"Dance?" She asked, "oh, my mom and I go to dance lessons. Anyways."

"Anyways."

"So, I'm thirteen. You're twenty one. Think you can wait five years?"

She beamed up at me, making me chuckle.

"You're a sweetheart, Ari," I said, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.

"I'm taking that as a maybe."

I looked over at the people still pouring in. I knew these things were huge, but I had no clue that this many people would be here.

I had to do a double take at the sight of Cecilia standing by the door, almost unrecognizable. She was standing with a guy, and they looked to be close.

I knitted my brows together, keeping my eyes locked on them.

Arabella looked up at me, resting her chin on my chest. "She's pretty. Who is she?"

"That's Cecilia," I answered, my jaw taut.

"Do you like Cecilia?" She asked, grinning.

"No."

"Yes, you do."

I looked down at her, sighing. "It's complicated. We're friends."

"You definitely like Cecilia," Arabella muttered, "I would too if I were you. She's beautiful."

"You're way ahead of your time, kid."

She smiled up at me and I tapped her nose. "Don't you dare find another dance partner, okay?"

"Got it."

I walked away from her and over to Cecilia, smiling. "Hey."

"Hi," she greeted, obviously a bit off guard.

"I forgot you were coming."

I could tell she fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Well, here I am."

"Who are you here with?"

Her date made his appearance, holding a glass of wine out to her. "I snuck it for you."

She giggled. "Uh, Milo, this is Dex."

"Dex," I said, nodding, "nice to meet you."

"You, too. How do you know Cecilia?"

"Uh, we're close," I said, "we kind of work together."

"Oh, you work for the Kings."

"I do, yeah," I said, nodding.

"Well, that must pay well," he chuckled.

I smiled a fake smile. "How do you two know each other?"

"We have a night class together," he said, "the only young people in it."

I nodded. "I see. Well, you two have fun."

I struggled with getting those last two words out, clearing my throat. I plastered on a smile and she nodded up at me.

Dex walked away but I grabbed her arm, pulling her into me. I trailed my eyes down her body, nodding.

"You look good."

"Thanks," she said, her eyes on my lips, "I-I'll see you."

"Yeah," I said, letting her go. 

I turned around, absolutely defeated as I walked back to my table.

~*~

Fred

"Are we ready?" I whispered, earning an excited nod from Alexis.

I tapped my knife against my glass, earning the attention of the entire table.

"I figured since everyone's here," I said, "it'd be a good time to make this announcement."

Alexis clapped her hands together and grabbed the gift bag from under the table, standing up. "I have gifts for all of you."

She passed out the gift boxes to everyone at the table, excitedly sitting next to me.

"Open them," Alexis said, biting down on her lip.

I smiled, gently rubbing her back. Everyone opened their custom-made gifts that Alexis had put a lot of thought into.

Mom held hers up, lifting an eyebrow. "You're pregnant? Again?"

"Alessandra," Dad firmly said, a confused look on his face.

Alexis's happy eyes turned to eyes filled with defeat. "Y-yeah."

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Abuela aggressively asked, her brows knitted together, "you are so out of pocket, it's ridiculous. You always have been."

Jo looked over at me, a soft smile on his face. "Congratulations," he mouthed.

I smiled, looking back at the cat-fight erupting in front of us.

"How was a simple question out of pocket?"

"You knew your intent," Abuela sneered, her eyes in thin slits.

"I was asking a question. I forgot, I can't open my mouth when you're around. I was just asking, considering the way the last time panned out."

"Mom," Jo snapped.

Abuela cleared her throat, ruffling her fingers through her hair. She looked to Val for comfort, but he seemed to urge her on.

"I know you've had nothing but perfect attempts," Abuela said, "so I know you can't understand, but you need to have a little bit of compassion."

The tension at the table was undeniably thick.

"Congratulations," Adora said, obviously excited for us.

"Was I the only one that noticed that its twins?" Cecilia innocently asked, a sweet smile on her face.

Dad looked down at his ring, gasping. "No way, you're having twins!"

I chuckled, nodding. "Yeah."

He cleared his throat, smiling. "I remember when I had twin babies."

I smiled, looking over at Jo.

"Now look at you," he said, "here you two are."

I knitted my brows together. Dad didn't get emotional, that wasn't his strong suit.

"Excuse me," he said, clearing his throat as he stood up.

Adora looked up at him and watched as he walked away, chewing on her lip.

"Just give him a second," she whispered, "so, do we know the sexes yet?"

"No, not yet," Alexis said, cupping her belly, "I'm so happy I don't have to suck in anymore."

Adora giggled, grabbing her hand. "I'm so happy for you guys."

"Congratulations," Mom said, "I didn't realize my question would be insensitive."

"Thank you," Alexis said, smiling a tight smile.

I stood up, walking over to Dad. "Hey, old man. You good?"

"Yeah," he said, nodding, "sorry about that."

I shook my head. "You're alright."

"You're just so grown up," he said, smiling over at me, "it feels like yesterday, you were eighteen and I was screaming at you twice a week about a girl."

I nodded, wide eyes. "I'm praying my sons do not turn out like me."

Dad chuckled. "You seem confident in the fact that you're getting two boys."

I shrugged, smiling. "It runs in the family."

"Bet you one grand you'll get two girls."

I nodded, crossing my arms over my chest. "You're on."

~*~

Milo

"Do you want me to be honest?"

I looked over at Dex. He actually seemed like a pretty cool guy, but I didn't like him.

"Sure," I said, taking a sip of my champagne.

"The only reason I offered to bring Cecilia to this," he said, "you know how girls are after you take them home from things like this."

I looked over at him. "I'm sorry?"

"Prom, nice events," he said, "you know what I'm talking about."

"I really don't, man."

He chuckled. "You're guaranteed to get laid."

I slowly pulled my champagne glass away from my lips, my eyebrows furrowed. "Oh?"

"And from what I've heard, Cecilia's a virgin."

I licked my bottom lip in an attempt to not lose my cool.

"So that's just guaranteed-"

I stood up, my jaw taut. "You shut your fucking mouth."

He chuckled, standing up. "And if I don't?"

Jo rushed over to me, grabbing my arm. "Cool it before Fred sees you."

He tried to pull me away, but I wouldn't budge.

"And just so you know, she isn't a virgin," I said, smiling, "I actually happen to know the guy-"

"Milo!" Jo yelled, grabbing my shoulder.

He pulled me away, looking at me with angry eyes. I ripped my arm from his grasp and stormed over to the door, my jaw taut. Jo followed me to the more quiet area of the huge, loud space.

"He pissed me off, Jo."

"That's Cecilia's date, isn't it?"

"No, that's the guy that just wants to bone her when this is over."

Jo chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, that guy sounds like you."

I looked over at him, my eyes narrowed. "You're a piece of shit."

"So him disrespecting her pissed you off?" He asked, "Mi, you do the same shit."

"Okay, well, he can't do it," I said, shrugging, "plain and fucking simple."

"But you can?" He asked, "Mi, you are no better than him. Unless you change your act around-"

"Hey, do me a goddamn favor, and stop lecturing me," I said, eliminating the space between us.

Jo roughly shoved me off, his eyes enough to scare anyone off. Except me.

"Handle your shit," he said, his voice a low hum.

"I beg your pardon?" I asked, tilting my head over.

"Handle your shit!" He yelled, "you can't learn to respect her, you are nothing more than that guy. If his behavior bothers you and yours doesn't, you're a hypocrite."

I flexed my jaw, angrily watching as he began to walk away from me.

"Oh," he said, his jaw taut as he turned around, "you rear up on me like that again, you know where to send your hospital bill."

"You are all bark no bite," I deadpanned, brushing past him.

"Do you want to know why? I know you're fucking weak," he said, "any guy that acts like you do is weak. You know how I know you're weak? Because if you had any strength, whatsoever, you would've already put your pride aside about Cecilia. And if you would've done that, you could've been here with her tonight. But look at where we are."

"Look at where we are," I said, walking away from him.

~*~

Alexis

"You better get your brother before I do."

I turned around, smiling up at Jo. "Why is that?"

"He's a piece of shit."

I lifted my eyebrows. "Yeah."

"Don't you dare let your son turn out like that."

I smiled up at him. "Fred definitely wouldn't."

He wrapped an arm around my neck, pressing a kiss to my head. "I'm so happy for you guys."

I smiled, wrapping my arms around his middle. "Thank you."

He pulled away from me, looking down at my bump. "How far along?"

"Twelve weeks?" I questionably said, rubbing my belly.

"That's awesome," he said, an smile of admiration on his face.

I looked up at him, tilting my head over. "You want it, don't you?"

He shook his head, knitting his brows together.

"Yes, you do," I softly said, smiling, "I know you."

He folded his arms over his chest, looking over at Lena. She was currently helping Arabella snap on her new bracelet.

"I'd like to think it could happen," he said, "but I'd fuck it up. I know I would. God, she'd be amazing, though. I'd love to see her have the chance to be a mom."

"You wouldn't," I said, "if the reckless twin can make his entire world revolve around family, the better off one can."

He chuckled, shaking his head. "I think the roles reversed over the years."

I looked at Fred and laughed. Fred was currently shotgunning a beer with Val that he'd snuck from the cooler, trying to hide it but not doing a very good job.

"That's the father of your children," he said, looking down at me.

"There he is," I softly said, smiling when he looked over at me.

He nodded towards his empty beer can, holding it up. I laughed and gave him a thumbs up, nodding.

Fred jogged over to us. He'd ditched his jacket and he looked a little less put together, but somehow, more sexy.

"You've got to come back here," Fred said, nudging Jo's arm.

"What kind?"

"Hell if I know," Fred said, "you go shotgun with Val, and I'll spend time with my baby mama."

Jo chuckled, wrapping an arm around Fred's neck. "I'm proud for you."

Fred smiled, winking at me.

"Alright, I'll see you guys later," Jo said, running off.

"Hi," Fred greeted, "are you as ready to go home as I am?"

"I'm ready to fuck you."

He looked over at me.

"I mean, this number," I said, flattening my hands against his abdomen, "I'd take you right here if I could."

"Lex," he nervously chuckled out, looking around us to make sure no one was listening.

"And do you remember that set I got when we went to the mall?" I asked, "those underwear?"

"Yes," he said, looking down at me.

"Those underwear," I said, nodding up at him.

He nodded, gulping. "Yeah."

I palmed his length, looking up at him. "But if I remember correctly, I'm overwhelming you with my sex drive."

"Oh, no," he whispered, "I can handle you."

"You sound confident," I said, my eyes fixated on his lips.

"I'm going to take you home and fuck you all night," he said, smiling down at me.

"I don't want to work you over."

Lena interrupted our conversation that was going to get way out of hand otherwise, a smile on her face. "I scheduled you guys for Wednesday of next week to look at nursery options."

I gasped, clapping my hands. "Yes!"

Lena smiled, looking over at Jo. "Is he shotgunning a beer?"

"He is," Fred said, wrapping an arm around my neck.

"It feels like we're nineteen all over again."

I looked over at her, and noticed the way she was looking at him. The way her breathing sped up, the way I could feel the heat from her skin.

"I'm going to watch," she giggled, walking away from us.

"They're in love again," I said, smiling as I rested my head against Fred's chest.

He rested his chin on top of my head. "Yeah, I think they are."

~*~

Milo

"Why'd you freak out on Dex?"

I let out a sigh, realizing my location had been discovered.

"I didn't freak out on Dex," I said, averting my eyes back to the skyline.

Cecilia sat next to me. "Yes, you did."

"He sounds a little dramatic."

She bit down on her lip. "What did you say to him?"

I looked over at her, my eyes narrowed. Cecilia was pretty. She didn't know it, but she was a pretty girl.

"He wants to bone you," I said, taking a sip of my beer, "and if you couldn't catch onto that, we've got some work to do."

I could tell that she'd chosen to digress about this particular subject.

"How'd you even find me?"

"Jo," she answered, an innocent look on her face.

I nodded. "He's got it out for me."

"I think he just really loves you," she said, "that's all."

I shook my head, keeping my eyes locked on the array of buildings in front of us.

"It's quiet up here," she said, "kind of like the city just completely disappeared."

"I fucking hate it," I said, shaking my head.

"So you love the city?" She said, "how it never sleeps? Never stops, at all?"

"Yep," I answered, finishing off my beer.

"You like the women," she said, "seeing people, being seen."

"If this is your attempt to size me up, you should stop now. I'm tired of having people on my ass."

"I'm not," she began,

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