- Welcome home! Meavy greets me with a hug.

I return her embrace and we go inside. Cordelia can't wait to see her room. She rushes upstairs with Meavy who wastes no time in showing her his masterpiece. I follow them up the stairs at my own pace, hand in hand with Gabrielo.

Max's room is amazing. Even the front door has been redone to be more vintage in engraved wood. The decorations and the paint make you feel like you are on a cloud. Everything is in pastel colours with lots of blue and pink touches that give a feeling of sparkle. Not to mention the bed that looks like a huge hot air balloon and the cloud-like decorations hanging from the ceiling.

Cordelia's room looks like a small tower with a slide and stairs connected on both sides. There are even little stairs and decorations that look like a princess castle.

It's really impressive. It's like a very elaborate bunk bed.

The work they have done in a few weeks is incredible. I didn't think they would get it done by the time we got there. Cordelia thanks Meavy and Cole with a hug and a smooch each.

We leave her in her room to play. It's time to discover the baby's room. I am so excited! We walk down the hall to our room. I turn to Cole and Meavy who look nervous.

- We forgot to mention one little thing," Cole begins, scratching the back of his head.

- 'What's that? Gabrielo asks as he comes dangerously close to Cole. 'If you didn't mention it, you must have something to blame yourself for.

- Not necessarily. It's just that you weren't asked," my best friend explains.

- Meavy, explain yourself," I asked, seeing her look away before turning to the others. You want to know what happened on my 20th birthday?

- We redid part of the flat to make the baby's room," she explained hurriedly.

- But what else?

- The cost of the work is $300,000," Cole finishes, "which we have to pay for today.A nervous laugh escapes Gabrielo. He grabs Cole by the shoulder and forces him to look him in the eye.

- What work? he asks calmly. I thought I told you there was a room next to our bedroom. Not to do any renovations.

- Gab' listen, I'm going to make sure that-

- You're not going to make sure of anything. You know very well that money is not the problem," says Gabrielo. We'll work it out together.

Cole sighs and sulks.

- Alma, please deal with your friend," adds my husband.

- Gabrielo, why don't we go to your room before we decide anything? I suggested, sensing the heavy atmosphere.

- If that makes you happy," he growls, catching me by the waist.

- Is that okay? I ask our two best friends.

They nodded and glanced at each other before sighing.

- How much did the rest of it cost, apart from the work? I asked.

- It's really best if you see the room first," Cole advises. You can judge it more quality wise afterwards.

We walk into our room, which looks unchanged except for the huge wooden double door next to our bed. We walk through the entrance into the new room.

It is beautiful. I would expect nothing less from Meavy. All the furniture is placed to fill the room and there is plenty of room to sit. She has even added a bed so that we can sleep next to it. I walk around the room before turning to see Gabrielo's face.

He's got that businessman look on his face as he examines some new merchandise. I walk over to him and take him in my arms. He returns my embrace and kisses me briefly.

- What do you think?

- It's good," he grumbles.

- Which means we can leave them alone, doesn't it, darling? Besides, we gave them carte blanche to do whatever they wanted with the flat. They should have warned us, but we also have our share of responsibility.

 - Okay. It's okay," he said, sitting down on one of the sofas. - Did you hear that? You're all forgiven. 

Cole picks me up and lifts me off the floor. Gabrielo quickly takes me back into his arms.

 - Thank her from afar, he advises. Touch your girlfriend since she's on your left. 

- Calm down, Mr Possessive," Cole exclaims. Oh dear, love really does make your head spin. 

I turn to Meavy who looks away. Oh yeah? 

- So Gabrielo knows, but not me?

 - Alma, she calls. Cole told him....

- I didn't say anything. I just wish I'd known from you, that's all.

- I know," she mumbles. I was going to tell you today over lunch.

I smile at her before leaving the room. It's already six o'clock and time for dinner is quickly approaching. Cordelia has accompanied me downstairs to make dinner with me. We're going to make a cheesecake and lasagna. Thanks to the help of my trainee cook, we finished faster than expected.

Gabrielo came to see how things were going in the kitchen before he went out. He has his arms around my body as I try to cook as best I can.

- You really don't want to hire a cook?

- No thanks, Gabrielo. Cooking is my pleasure and the only thing I have to do in this house. We have maids who clean, do the laundry and a butler who does the shopping. That's more than enough. You even hired a housekeeper.

- If you say so. Just remember, if you ever change your mind, we'll hire right away. I'm not going to let you wear yourself out when I can avoid it. 

- Get tired? I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gabrielo nodded his head, determined.

- What do you want me to do to get tired?

He looks around and observes Cordelia. He waves his hand at her before bending down to speak into my ear.

- I'd rather have you in a bed under me than in this kitchen.

- Gabrielo!

- What? You asked me a question and I'm answering it! Women, I swear. 

- Very good, sir," I said, kissing him. Now I'd appreciate it if you'd get off my back so I can cook properly. You're getting in the way and I'd like not to cut myself today.

He releases me and sits down on the counter to help Cordelia, who can finally start making the cheesecake. I put the lasagna in the oven and go out to let Gabrielo and Lia work. Meavy is in the middle of a discussion with Cole facing each other. They look concentrated, which is strange coming from them.

- Alma, how much? asks Cole.

- How much of what?

- Just tell us a number.

- 1 000.

- Okay, then, I'll bet you $1,000 that they have a girl," Meavy says.

- And I bet they get a boy," replies her boyfriend.

- Stop betting on my offspring, both of you," I say, sitting down. There are four months to go before the birth. And we don't even know the sex of the baby.

- All the more reason to place a bet," Cole exclaims. You really don't want to know?

- No, we'd rather know later. Now, end your bets and come and eat.

The table is set and everyone starts to eat. After dinner, Meavy and Cole went home and Cordelia went to sleep. I'm finally on my warm bed waiting for my husband who is in the shower. He joins me a few minutes later and takes me in his arms to sleep.

- Alma, my mother called to say we're going to a family dinner. What do you think?

- No problem. Tell me when to go and we'll go," I reply, about to fall asleep.

- Are you sure? he asked, lifting his head from my neck.

- What's the matter? Don't you want to go?

- Not really. My aunts and cousins will be there and they're... How can I put it? Overbearing.

- I think we'll be fine. Trust me on that.

- If you say so. They think we're going to have a wedding ceremony to mark it symbolically, he laughs.

- It's just to celebrate and see our loved ones. We've already signed the papers for six months.

- That's not wrong. What about Max? he asks suddenly. Now that we've got Cordelia at home, I thought we could bring him along too.

- I agree. Might as well have them all home. I'd rather get used to having them around before I give birth so I don't feel too overwhelmed by all the things to do.

- Should we call tomorrow to pick him up?

- Absolutely!

I feel Gabrielo's hand go down my nightie. He starts to pull on the elastic of my panties and I feel the sleep leave.

- I thought we were supposed to be sleeping," I asked, watching him stare at me.

- Of course we were. Afterwards," he mumbles, placing kisses down my neck.