Stella

I sat across a man who looked to be nearing seventy, his white hair thinning at the top and the wrinkles in his face were hard while he looked to me.

Why did I agree to having a session with the family therapist?

Right... Lorenzo asked and I said yes.

"How have you been transitioning into your relationship with Maximus, the mafia and being pregnant?" Mr. Jones asked, going straight to the point.

I shrugged. "It's been a transition, trying not to think too much on it and focus on getting to know Max and being a parent. When I spend time with his family I focus on them being a family and not mafia."

He tilted his head, taking a moment to process my words. "What is your view on perfection?"

"Perfection?" I repeated. "It's pretty in nature like sunflowers, snowflakes..."

"What about in humans?" He asked. "Can people be perfect?"

I shook my head. "Of course not.

"What if you met someone who seemed perfect." He countered.

I shrugged. "I'd enjoy it till I found their imperfections. If they don't have any then I would think they were fake. No one is perfect, and it isn't wrong to be imperfect."

The pen in his hand tapped over his knee. "Yet from what I hear you are perfect. You're a beautiful woman. You support Maximus. Well behaved. Already accepting your role in the family. Seems to me you are being perfect."

I couldn't help but scoff. "So, because I'm making the best out of a scenario I never thought I'd be in, I'm trying to be perfect? And therefore, I am fake?"

He put his hand up defensively. "I didn't say that."

Withholding a sigh, I gave a tight smile. "You are trying to make me connect my thoughts on perfectionism to how I am acting. Maybe next you are going to ask about my childhood, how my relationship with my mother molded me and so on. I guess this is where I tell you I saw a therapist for a few years in my early twenties."

His hand went down to rest on his notepad. "It was not my intension to ask about your past or make you feel like I am psycho-analyzing you. Lorenzo wanted us to meet so that he could make sure you are okay and have the support you need. You have been through some traumatic events in the past, what is it now, five or six months?"

My hand rested on my ever-growing belly. "Met Max over six months ago, pregnant now slightly over five months."

He gave a slow nod. "Six months, from going from a regular civilian to someone who is now aware of the mafia world and is now in the middle of a mafia family. I'm curious on how you are handling that, unless it is something you are still processing the meaning of."

I licked my lips. "You think that maybe I am not acting perfect because I am being fake, you think that I am perfect because I don't understand my life right now?"

The therapist shrugged. "It doesn't matter what I think, just trying to find out what you think."

"What I think." I took a breath. "I am well aware of the status of my life. One day I was a business owner interested in mysterious handsome Italian man where my worry was of my Nanna's health. Then I was kidnapped, held hostage and oh right pregnant. I am well aware of the status of my life right now, I am also aware that as much as Max wants to say that I am under extra security because I am getting further in my pregnancy, it actually has to do with the fact that Carnellio is still out there."

The therapist didn't say anything, using the silence to keep me talking.

I glance at the clock and looked back to him. "I smile every day, I talk with Max and never get mad at him when he works late. That's not because I am perfect because believe me I have wanted to snap at him for it. But it's because I know this is a dangerous life. I would never tell Max to leave his family when they are worried for an oncoming attack. And I cope with that, that fear of possibly dying and losing Max and our children by smiling. By being the best I can, because if I don't handle, then I break. I don't act perfect for the people around me nor to live in oblivion, but because I am carrying the child to a member of mafia family, and I need to get out of bed in the morning. I love Max, I focus on that and our future."

The room was silent for a couple minutes before he spoke. "That's very honest of you."

I shrug. "Well what can I say, Max's self-awareness is rubbing off of me."

The doctor gave a slow nod. "It is always important to be self-aware. It helps make sure you are taking care of yourself and are on the right path for you."

"Exactly." Giving a forced smile I get up from my chair, the action a bit of a struggle with my growing stomach. I should not be this big already. "I am afraid I have to go, I have plans with Esperenza and Anastasia, don't want to keep them waiting. It was nice to meet you Doctor."

He smiled from his chair. "And you, Stella."

Leaving the room, I begin walking around the estate to find Max, quickly finding Tate and asking him where he is.

Walking around, I try to remember the direction I was given to find Max but I think I am lost. Passing one of the men they point to where I am apparently going leading me to a large door.

Opening it I felt my eyebrows raise as I stepped into the massive basement gym. My eyes finding Max immediately as he fought on a mat with Romano. They both moved against each other making me lean against the wall watching Max's muscles move. God he always does something to me.

Romano said something and motioned his head towards me making Max glanced over his shoulder. He smiled when he saw me, his eyes getting darker when he saw how I was looking at him.

"Stella, what have I done to be graced by you?" Max said walking over to me while I pulled my eyes away from his perfectly sculpted body.

"A meeting with the family therapist that I was asked to do by Lorenzo. It ended so I thought I would come say 'hi' while I was here. Haven't seen you in a while." I look to Romano and wave. "Hey Romano."

Romano nodded his head as he walked to a punching bag. Right.

"Fucking work." Max muttered stepping up to where I was. "But go back, you met with Dr. Jones?"

I hummed. "The man isn't into foreplay huh? Likes going straight into your mind and why you are who you are."

He awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and gave a reluctant nodded. "Yeah, the old doc is old school. Think Lorenzo may be looking into a new one for when he retires, hopefully soon."

I hummed while my hand moved to take out the printed copies of real estate from my bag. "Very subtle, leaving them posted on the door ensuring I see them."

He smirked. "I want to make sure we get the best place and can move in before your due date."

Giving an unconvinced hum I place them back in my bag.

He pulled me close to him so he could kiss me, my lips moving against his with a chuckle. Taking a breath, I gagged and stood back. "God you smell bad."

He smirked leaning towards me. "Bad? No this is hot, this is my man is a fucking badass and smells like he can take on anyone."

Laughing I shake my head leaning farther away from him. "No, it's bad, really bad. Go shower please or I am going to throw up."

Taking a step back, Max put his hands up in surrender.

"I'll be at the kitchen." I say smelling whatever food Anastasia was cooking up.

Turning around I leave him to go shower and make my way to the food.

Entering the kitchen, I give Anastasia a hopeful smile. She rolls her eyes and points at food on the counter. "Doing prep before we leave, help yourself."

With a triumphant smile I take a seat and eat what she gives me, the room playing some soft Russian music.

I was busy eating some delicious baked zucchini fries, only noticing Max when I smelt his cologne.

Swiveling to him, I smile. "Much better."

He rolled his eyes and went to grab a fry, his hand getting wacked by a spatula. "Ow! Anastasia!"

Anastasia went back to cooking. "Not pregnant, no snacks. You wait for dinner."

"Maximus." Lorenzo called into the room, motioning with his head for them to go talk.

"Be right back." Max stepped out of the room.

I continued eating, watching Anastasia put food in the oven to cook for a few hours. I didn't need to wait long till Maximus came back in after some raised Italian in the hallway.

Looking at his hesitant eyes I knew what he needed to talk about. "You have to leave, don't you?"

He nodded bringing his hand to push back the hair on my shoulder. "It won't be for long, our connection needs to meet Romano for when he takes over and Shaw will only do that if I was present. Paranoid bastard."

Wrapping my arms around his neck I smiled. "Then go, I'll be fine. Got Tate, Sebastian and others watching over me. Plus, I have a whole inventory of bridal and prom gowns coming in so I will be running around. Go do what you need to but if you take two months again I will come over there and do the meetings myself."

"Get it done within a week then." Lorenzo said walking into the kitchen towards the expresso maker. "Don't need a lose pregnant woman going after my allies, again."

Laughing I looked at Lorenzo. "I only did it once." Lorenzo slowly turned to me, his eyes holding little humor. "And never again."

He shrugged taking out his expresso. "He deserved it. Your flight leaves in two hours get ready."

Lorenzo walked out letting me turn back to Max, my mouth quirked thinking about the Don of the family. "He likes you."

Cocking my head, I look to Max. "Huh?"

He chuckled kissing me briefly, "Your face says exactly what it is that you are thinking. Lorenzo likes you, he just has a hard exterior."

"You all do." I said with a sigh, everyone in the family keeps their cards close to their chest when it comes to a new comer. And I could tell some are still waiting to see whether or not they approve of me.

Max rubbed my arms. "I know you are mad about me leaving."

I rolled my lips. "Yes, but me being upset about you having to work won't help any matters. How about when you catch Carnellio, I will pick a house."

He lightly couched. "Stella, your five months pregnant..."

Straightening my head, I smiled sweetly. "Gasp, I am pregnant? That explains the backpain, constant hunger, needing to pee, my fat belly and raging hormones. You should get packing if you want to make your flight. I have to go, got plans with the girls at the baby store."

Kissing his cheek, I walk past him towards Anastasia and Esperenza who were ease-dropping outside the kitchen.

"Love you!" He called after me.

Turning my head, I smile back. "Love you, now catch the bastard."

Walking to the ladies ahead of me, I squint my eyes at Esperenza. "Stop looking like you want to cause trouble."

Esperenza rolled her eyes. "How much control do I have with picking out different baby items."

"None." I glance over to Anastasia. "I'm trusting you to keep her in line."

Anastasia chuckled. "I'll do my best."