Several weeks passed since that night.

When we left the hotel and went back home, Falcon, Stephon, and Kirk were all there waiting for us. Along with Asche's newly adopted puppies. They were adorable and very loving creatures.

They prepared a special dinner for us, per Asche's request and we all sat down and ate together. It felt incomplete without Felicia, who was still out on a business trip, but I consoled myself with the fact that she spoke with me every day, wishing both of us well.

It was only a matter of time before she returns, showering us with gifts. She was excited for the birth of our baby just as much as I was. I'm thankful for her support despite what occurred before she gave me her blessing.

Stephon and Asche still kept their respective distance, but when a conversation sparked up, they'd contribute. The tension between them eased a bit, however, it still became awkward between the two on some occasions.

I do hope that they can put aside their differences and get along for the sake of the children.

Asche was due for his five-month ultrasound today. Today is also the day of our baby's gender reveal party, planned by my brother and his husband.

The plan was to have the baby's gender hidden from the both of us, only for Stephon and Falcon to know so that they can do whatever it is that they have planned for us.

Felicia volunteered to help with the decorations and baking the cake. She arrived two weeks ago and ever since she landed, she visited a lot, especially bringing gifts.

She had already bought a crib, cases of diapers, cases of wipes, a baby swing, lots of toys, and tons of unisex clothing. In addition to those, Falcon and Stephon bought dozens of canned formulas, all in different brands. Falcon explained that he bought a wide variety just in case the baby couldn't stomach some of them.

I understood his reason and I was simply thankful for their contributions. Don't get me started on Kirk. The guy went and redecorated the guest room and turned it into a nursery. It was almost completed, we just needed to know the gender of our baby to add the final touches.

And that is where we were headed, about five minutes away from Dr. Renold's private office. It was after six p.m., the perfect time to get out. I didn't want Asche to be exposed to inquisitive and leering eyes. His stomach was considerably big now at five months.

Every day I looked at him, I found peace, I found comfort and I found myself tearing up because I loved him so much and he means everything to me. I don't see my future without him and our child in it. When he said he loved me, I felt like I could burst with delight. My stubborn mate finally told me what I was dying to hear.

Zyros loved him too. He wanted to take Asche flying, soaring above the trees. Maybe one day we can do that after he gave birth.

Right now, it didn't want to risk his or our child's wellbeing.

As we drove to Dr. Reynold's office I laced his hand in mine as I stared ahead.

He gave me a timid smile, and my face lit up with joy.

"So you said you wanted a girl," I gave him a quick glance then returned my eyes to the road, the Maybach moving smoothly along the asphalt.

"Yeah. I always wanted a little sister growing up, so I wouldn't mind raising a daughter. I always thought dressing up girls was for fun and they're so adorable. But if it's a boy, I don't mind. I'll still love him regardless."

I brought our hands to my lips and kissed his fingers. "Once it's a healthy baby, I don't care." I contributed, turning into the parking lot of a large plaza.

"Falcon and Kirk made a bet. Falcon thinks it's a girl and Kirk says it's a boy. After Dr. Reynolds writes the gender on the picture the envelope, we can take it to Stephon so he can arrange the balloons." He said, unbuckling his seatbelt after we came to a stop.

I grinned, following his action and opening my door. "How much did they bet for?"

"Three-thousand dollars. I'd like to see who wins."

"I bet my bottom dollar Falcon is salivating at the mouth for his prize. He loves to win and he's a sore loser. Wait a sec, baby, let me open that for you." I closed the car door and went around to open his side and help him out.

He smiled up at me, "Thanks. You're such a sweetheart." He kissed me and I closed the door behind him, locking it, giving him a charming smile.

The plaza was hardly busy on a Sunday, a perfect day for us to get out. Asche wore a large, colorful t-shirt with a glitter unicorn in the middle, and a pair of dark denim. He chose to wear flip flops instead of sneakers. I recognized those colors on the shirt. Must be an LGBT shirt. Interesting.

We walked hand in hand to the last office space at the end, buzzing the door. Dr. Reynolds popped up from beyond the glass door, pressing the buzzer to let us in.

"Mr. Armamder, Asche, it's great to see you two." He shook Asche's hand and then mine, leading us further into the office that was so neat. The waiting area held several chairs placed along the walls, with a coffee table beside the end of each row, holding magazines and books for patients and visitors to read.

We walked into the hall that held a few rooms. We entered one with a reclining bed and a large machine behind it. A chair was nestled beside the bed where Dr. Reynolds instructed me to have a seat, telling Asche to lie down and raise up his shirt and unbutton the flap of his pants.

His tummy was fully exposed.

Asche looked utterly enthusiastic.

I took his hand in mine and our eyes met as Dr. Reynolds got the machine started, placing Asche's information into the machine.

"Alright, I need your name, age, date of birth, and address." Dr. Reynolds prompted and I waited eagerly for Asche to relay his information. I had a lot more to learn about him. He was so secretive about his personal life.

All I knew was those two ingrates betrayed him and left him to suffer. I shoved their vile faces from my thoughts and focused on my beautiful mate as he answered Dr. Reynolds.

"Asche Daxon, age twenty-one, um...my date of birth is the twenty-fourth of October, nineteen ninety-eight, I live..." He paused glancing at me, asking silently for my approval and I nodded, giving him an encouraging smile. "...on Skyline Drive."

Dr. Reynolds punched the information in with rapid moving fingers. Asche's eyes were glued on to the screen as he did so.

"I was told you guys want to know the gender of the baby but you'd prefer for it to be placed in an envelope instead for a gender reveal? I'll have you know, you cannot watch what's going on because in some cases, parents are able to discern the gender. Is that okay with you both?" He laid his eyes on us and I looked at Asche and he looked at me.

"You okay with that, love? He can print out the screenshots for us. So it would be like we weren't missing anything. He can also place it on a memory disk if you'd like."

Asche nodded, "That's fine. I'll settle for the screenshots and the disc."

"Great, let's get started then."

He squirted a tube of clear gel on an object that looked like a miniature vacuum cleaner, pressing it on Asche's stomach after turning the monitor slightly. It made a sound of galloping horses as soon as it touched down on his stomach. Asche chose to hold my gaze as Dr. Reynolds moved the strange object all around his stomach, pausing to tap away on the keyboard.

"Is the baby okay?" Asche asked.

"Perfectly fine. Though, I must say, it is big for its gestational age." He noted, staring in awe at the screen.

My brows drew together. "Should we be concerned?" I asked, feeling my heart sink when Asche's face flooded with worry.

He turned to face us, "Possibly. The estimated size of your baby is 1.93 lbs. That is the average size of a fetus at twenty-seven weeks. Asche is only twenty-one weeks. I'm afraid by the time you reach seven months, the fetus will no longer have enough space in the womb. I may have to induce labor."

"What?" Asche stared at him in horror.

"Calm down, love. Everything is going to be alright." I got up and kissed him.

"Will it affect Asche in any way?" I asked Dr. Reynolds and he gave us an uncertain look.

I felt Asche tense and I stroked his hair, kissing his forehead. He settled down a bit.

"It may be a strain on his back and lower abdomen. This is not a normal child he's carrying so I cannot say exactly what to expect. But I advise you to keep him off of his feet and make sure he gets sufficient rest every day. So far, your baby is doing well. I'll print out the pictures and record the others on the memory disk. Fear not, this has happened in some cases of pregnancy. Some fetuses grow rather quickly and it happened in this case. I'll schedule another appointment for you to come back in two weeks. I must keep a close eye on his progress."

"Thanks so much, doctor. I'll make sure to take your advice." I gave Asche a pointed look and he scowled. He despised staying in bed but I didn't care, it would be done in his best interest.

Dr. Reynolds finished up and gave us the envelope after Asche cleaned himself off, urging us to come back in two weeks. We left his office and slid into the Maybach, heading home.

Asche kept silent for the duration of the ride and it unsettled me. His lips were formed in a frown as he glanced out the window.

"What's wrong?" I asked, stroking his cheek.

He sighed. "Why can't anything go right in my life?"

I frowned. "Why would you ask that?"

"Because from the day I was born I've been going through a lot. I just want to be happy. Is that too much to ask for?"

"Oh, baby, is this about what Dr. Reynolds said?" I ran my hand down his thigh and captured his hand in mine.

"Yes!" He said exasperatingly, throwing his head back against the headrest. "I'm scared. What if the baby gets so big, it suffocates? What if my womb combust? What if my circulation is cut off? Oh my gosh, I'm gonna die--"

"Asche!" His lips snapped shut and he drew away from me, curling up in the chair. "Oh, baby, I didn't mean to yell at you." I stopped at a stoplight and reached out to comfort him in a hug. "Stop saying such things and believe that you'll make it. You're strong. That I know. Only you were able to conceive my child after I've bedded countless women. That must mean something. Come on, baby. Look at me. Let me see your beautiful face."

A sob escaped his lips and I turned him into my arms, kissing him tenderly. "You will be alright. I vow to keep you safe and I will ensure that you deliver successfully."

He held on to me, sniffing. "Will it come out of my ass?" I heard the fear in his voice.

I smiled, finding his question humorous. "I'm not sure, baby. We'll know when the time comes."

"My ass is history." He groaned sorrowfully.

I couldn't help but smile at his remark. My mate is so dramatic, it amuses me.

"I'll still love you, loose ass and all." I stroked his hair.

He released another pitiful groan and I chuckled.

Oh, how I love him so.

***