The months that followed the gender reveal party went by smoothly.

I returned back to work, full-time, instead of working at home. Sometimes Asche would stay at home with Stephon to watch over him, to his irritation, or he'd spend all day with me at my office.

And during those times at my office, he's mostly sleeping on the couch that I brought in for him. These days, he can barely keep his eyes open. His feet are swollen and his stomach looks really huge. Asche can hardly walk without complaints of his back aching.

My heart went out to my mate. He looked as if he was ready to burst. Dr. Reynolds said that it was only a matter of time before his body undergoes changes in preparation for childbirth. We all were waiting in suspense, wanting to know if he'll need a cesarean or if...well...if it'll pass through his anus.

Asche did his utmost not to worry. Each passing day was torture. We all weren't sure when the baby would come, would she make any indication that she's ready? I sighed as I browsed through a selection of wedding rings on a jewelry website.

I've been planning how I'd propose to Asche. I desired to marry him as soon as possible but I didn't want to rush him into anything.

It's been over a month since I started searching for the perfect pair of rings. I knew my taste in jewelry matched Asche's because we wore the pendant I bought him mostly every day that he came to the office. I made sure he came early in the mornings when the building was sparsely populated. I didn't want any questions to arise.

Asche wasn't a talkative person, at times and he gets irritated real fast when he's being questioned a lot. My mate slept soundly as I thought of ways to tie the knot with him. I wanted to propose to him in front of our family; with Kirk present, Falcon, Felicia, and Stephon. I want all of us to share this life-changing moment.

I tapped my chin, staring at a diamond ring that I was positive Asche may love.

I think this calls for Falcon's input. He's married after all. And Felicia...oh gods...she's sleeping with Kirk now. How could I not have seen that coming?

I glanced at Asche who slept on his side, facing me, his body rising and falling slowly with parted lips. His baby bump stood out more profoundly now, a reminder each day that he's my divine miracle.

I shouldn't take the phone call here. I don't want him to overhear our conversation. Even if he's sleeping.

I got up from my desk, taking my cellphone with me. I stepped out of the room after I tucked a blanket over him.

My PA hailed me and I nodded in greeting. I dialed Falcon's number and he picked up soon after. "Hey, brother. How's everything at the office?"

"Everything is going smoothly, thanks for asking. Are you and Stephon doing alright? How's the baby?" I asked, going over to a waiting area to have a seat near a window.

"The baby's fine. He's almost three months now." He beamed.

"I'm glad to hear that," I said, genuinely happy for my brother and his mate. "Listen, I called because I need your advice on where I should propose to him."

"So, you really wanna make him completely yours?" I heard the amusement in his voice.

"Yes, Falcon." I sighed. "Now can you help me out?"

"Of course!" He exclaimed. "Anything for my big brother. Well...let's see...Asche is a guy that likes fancy things. So why don't you start it off with another gift and a candlelit night on the ocean? Isn't that where you first met? Try to give the proposal an important meaning. Illustrate what you feel for him and how you see him by doing the simplest things. Take him on your yacht. Wine him, dine him and propose to him. Pour out your soul to him. I'm positive he'll melt right in front of you. Drop some hints to him as well, make sure he won't be fully surprised by it."

I mused over this information, nodding. "So I tell him that I want to spend the rest of my life with him and I should ask him if he sees a future with me? He did agree to have more babies with me."

"Is that so?"

"Truly," I grinned. "First love, then marriage, and then we have six children."

"You've got a very big dream, Drakos." He said flatly.

"Oh, don't be a spoilsport. I bet I can have more offsprings than you. Your cock is weak while mine is potent."

Falcon scoffed, "I beg to differ. I sneezed and Stephon became pregnant."

I snorted. "Well you sneezed and I merely blinked, impregnating, Asche, with twins. So whose sperm is stronger than whom?"

"You dirty little rascal."

"I thought so," I was grinning widely now. "Let's stop this childish banter and get to more serious topics. Are you guys attending? I want us all to be there."

Quickly sobering, he responded, "How can I not? You're proposing to your soulmate, I must witness such an occasion. I've already played the events of the gender reveal so many times!"

"I'm sure you did," I told him, crossing one leg over the other as I stared out the window. "I hope you're ready to raise a child."

"I was born ready." He said enthusiastically.

"I do recall you soiling yourself many times with a snotty nose and a tearstained face. You nearly drove mother mad."

Falcon groaned. "Must you bring that up? It's embarrassing."

I chuckled. "You clung to me like a newborn would to its mother's teat. So cute."

"Drakos!" He wailed.

"Alright. I will cease my teasing."

"Thank you," He sighed. "Now back to matters at hand, are you okay with that venue?"

"Well...we didn't exactly meet each other for the first time on my yacht," I explained.

"What?" Falcon said, perplexed. "If not there, then where?"

"At my publishing company. He likes to read books. It kicked off from there." I traced a heart on the glass window absentmindedly.

"Bloody hell, there goes my excellent plan." He said in defeat.

"We can figure something else out, for now, let's think about it and link up tomorrow with our ideas," I suggested.

"Sounds like a plan. I will call you tomorrow, hail up Asche for me. Talk to you later."

He ended the call and I placed the phone down, pinching the bridge of my nose. I had to figure something out quickly. Either I marry him before he gives birth or after.

After wasn't an option, I needed to mate with him before then. If I didn't, Asche would continue to age and mercy forbid, what if something goes wrong in childbirth?

I ran my hands down my face and sighed. One day at a time, Drakos.

My PA appeared before me, wearing a frown. "Excuse me, Mr. Armander, you have a visitor." She looked uncertain if she should be telling me this.

"Who is it?" I asked, uncrossing my legs and standing up.

"She said her name is Lisa."

"Shit," I muttered. "Why is she here?"

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

"It's nothing. Bring her this way, please." I said exasperatingly.

"Yes, sir." She strode off with her stilettos clipping on the floor.

I haven't seen that blasted cunt in months. Why is she here now? Everything is going fine between me and Asche, I don't need the extra drama.

I didn't bother to sit down because this conversation would be brief and right to the point. Lisa came strolling in wearing a chiffon, white dress that cascaded to her ankles. Her hair was pulled back into a loose ponytail, her features tight and filled with worry.

My PA excused herself, leaving us alone. I looked at her and she gazed at me with pitiful eyes. Her baby bump was no longer there.

What exactly happened?

"Why are you here?" I asked icily.

"Drakos I need your help." She pleaded. "I lost the baby."

"My condolences," I said, my voice void of emotion.

She took a few courageous steps towards me and I glared at her. "Lisa, I have no attachment to you. We are no longer lovers thanks to your infidelity. So why are you here, telling me this? Furthermore, I was not sure that you were carrying my child, you flung your pussy like a flying saucer. It was your deception that caused you. I have nothing to offer a lying, leeching bitch like you. I am not the man you once knew, he is long dead. I'm immune to your manipulative tendencies. Begone, Lisa, before I have security escort you out."

"But Drakos--" Her eyes flooded with tears. "I'm sorry! I truly am!"

"Security!" I yelled, feeling repulsed by her. It's women like her that cause it to be hard for the faithful ones.

Two guards dressed in blue came rushing in with alarm plastered on their faces. "Escort her from my premises please and see to it that she never steps foot in here again."

"Drakos!" She screamed as they tugged her away. "I never meant to hurt you! I love you!" Her voice died out as they dragged her away. She drew a lot of attention will her irrelevant screaming. This woman has a serious issue.

"Everyone get back to work," I ordered as they all stared at the commotion nosily. Their heads snapped down instantly and I strode off, heading to my office when my PA came to me once more.

I cursed under my breath. Can this day get any worse?

"Yes, what is it?" I asked, annoyed.

"I sincerely apologize for disturbing you once more, but there's a woman on the line that wants to speak with you. She said her name is Emilia Price."

"Emilia Price? Which line is she on?" I began to head towards my office.

"Line two, sir."

"Thanks, I'll take it from there."

I slipped into my office stealthily, trying not to rouse Asche awake. I sat down and picked up the phone, pressing line two. "Drakos Armander speaking."

"Thank goodness. I thought you'd never take my call." A female's voice said.

"May I ask who's this, besides your name?" I leaned back into my chair and crossing my legs over the desktop.

"I apologize for my bad manners. I saw you about two months ago with a young man, my nephew, who I've been searching for for years. I cannot get in contact with him and I decided to reach out to him through you."

My eyes sought out my sleeping mate. Does Asche know that this woman is searching for him? And why did he not try to reach out to her?

He never mentioned his parents or close relatives. I assumed they were all dead. Something isn't right.

"How did you lose contact with him?" I asked.

She took a moment before she responded, "His parents died and he was placed in foster care. I couldn't get custody over him."

I listened to her yet I didn't believe her.

She was lying.

"You think me a fool? Asche never mentioned anything about an aunt. He never even mentioned his family, so where do you fit in?" I sneered.

"I am his aunt!" She declared, hotly. "He's my sister's son and I'm trying to get in contact with him. This is not a lie I'm telling."

"You may be telling the truth about that part, but I don't believe the rest of what you've told me. I'll tell Asche that you called and I'll leave it to him to contact you. Have a nice day, Ms. Price."

"Wait!" I hung up the phone and gritted my teeth. Today is going quite smoothly.

***