Author's note: Thanks again to everyone who has read, reviewed, subscribed and favorited this fic! I'm so grateful for those who make their presence known and again, it's motivating. I hope you like this chapter.


Isabella tilted her head and spoke with a sympathetic voice, "What makes you think that?"

"We haven't made love ever since Michael and Mila were born! Three fucking months of nothing!"

Her dark eyes widen, "Really? Have you talked about it?"

Nika shook her head, "No but he was in the room when I asked my doctor when we could. But when six weeks came up..NOTHING!"

"Did you give him any signals like wearing sexy lingerie, touching him more than you usually or just kissing him passionately?"

With a meek face and voice she said, "Well..no. I thought that after everything he'd, you know, want it and let me know. And-uh..my body's not the same so.."

"You're afraid that he'll be turned off by your vagina?"

"Yes! It doesn't look that much different to me but him?"

"Have you been doing the kegels that I told you about?"

"Every day but I'm just afraid that it's not enough..is that weird?"

Her smile was reassuring, "Not at all. I felt the same way after I gave birth."

"What did you do?"

"Before the six weeks came up, Miguel and I talked about intimacy. It's not as carefree and spontaneous when you have young children but it's not impossible."

She curiously cocked her head, "How? For three months all we've been is mother and father and not husband and wife. All our time is about the children."

"It sounds like you two need to do three things, communicate your feelings, plan and find time and learn how to balance everything. When the kids were younger, Miguel and I had set days for sex."

There was a slight scrunch to her face, "Isn't that…boring?"

"On paper it sounds like it but when we it actually came time, it was incredible! Because that hour or two was just for us to bond not just physically but emotionally, we were lovers and not parents. But, don't misunderstand; this is not to say we lacked spontaneity."

"Tell me more." She leaned forward.

"Saturday was one of our days but if the kids had plans like a sleepover or they went to the movies with their friends on Friday night, we'd do it right then and there. When they were still in diapers, we'd sneak away in the bedroom or the hall closet during their nap, it was very fun," she proudly nodded.

"Sounds like it..wait, the hall closet?"

A smug smirk was on her lips, "When the opportunity presents itself, you take it..and don't knock it until you try it."

They both chuckled.

Nika graciously touched her forearm, "I'm so happy that I have someone to talk to about this. None of my friends have children, they wouldn't understand."

"Well I'm always here if you need anything, Nika. You're good company."

"So are you." Isabella raised her glass.

She lightly clicked the glass against hers.


Once their waitress left with their order, Agent 47 looked at Agent 18.

"What?" Agent 18 innocently asked.

Agent 47 had a hint of irritation in his voice, "Just ask."

"Ask?"

"What's bothering me."

He shrugged, "I wasn't going to ask you anything."

"Good."

"But.."

"Of course.." he said with a low sigh.

A bemused look came across his face, "But, I do believe there were two possible reasons behind your frustration."

"Which are?"

"The first is cabin fever. With the exception of your weekly visits to the academy and PFS offices, you've spent the past three months at home with Nika and the children. You miss being an active provider."

"What's the other?"

"You're sexually frustrated because you and Nika haven't had sex since the twins were born. But you're afraid of pressuring and upsetting her by asking. This problem is not a living being you can simply kill and be done with… So, you took out all that pent up energy and emotion on Karissa. Of course, this is just off the top of my head." He began drinking from his glass of wine.

He blinked feeling stunned, "How did you know that?"

"I found myself in the same situation after we became parents. Frank, it's perfectly normal."

"It doesn't feel like it." His stared briefly fell to the table.

"Trust me it is."

With a small nod he asked, "How do I fix it?"

"Both of you need to communicate with each other about your needs and you have to set aside time for yourselves. Isabella and I have date nights and when the children were still living at home, sex days."

"Really?" His brows curiously creased.

"Yes. On an 'off' day there would occasionally be a pocket of time and we'd seize it. It was fantastic! " He smiled.

He considered what his friend was saying, "Nika and I could do that.."

His dark eyes brightened, "I just got a wonderful idea. You both need time to reconnect as husband and wife. This weekend Isabella and I will take care of the twins while you and Karina go on a little getaway."

Surprised, he pulled his head back a bit, "Are you sure? We don't want to inconvenience you two."

"Nonsense! We don't have plans this weekend and I'm sure the Elaine would want a few days off. Besides, you and Karina need this time together. It's not as if you two had a really honeymoon.."

"True."

"I must let you know, I will NOT accept no for an answer."

A kind grin came to his mouth as he answered, "I'll make the arrangements."

"Wonderful! But that's not all."

"What else is there?" He asked sounding confused.

"It's been three months since you and Karina have had sex. You shouldn't rush into it," he shook his head.

"Foreplay?"

"Yes but not what you're thinking. It doesn't start in the bedroom, it begins here." He pointed to his head. "You see, foreplay is the long fuse connected to the bomb. The slow emotional build up you put Karina through will no doubt result in explosive passion later on."

He tipped his head to the right, "You're saying that I have to court her, again?"

In an enthusiastic tone he replied, "Precisely! One of the reasons why marriages fall apart is because spouses take advantage of each other and become too comfortable while not realizing the harm that they're doing. You must be dependable but not predictable in and outside of the bedroom. Understand?"

With a nod he stated, "I do…I've been reading."

A sly smile came to his mouth, "I hope it's the book I gave you for your wedding..the one with the positions."

In a low voice he said, "….Yes."

"Keep that in mind for later. What I'm talking about is the power of the tease."

His interested was piqued, "Tell me more."

Agent 47 listened to him taking in every suggestion then returned to the academy. He was getting into his car when he received a call from Declan. He listened to what his trusted friend and coworker discovered.

Declan asked, "So, what do you want me to do?"

"Send me a text with any developments; if it's urgent call me on my cell, I'll be out of the country."

"Got it, Boss. Hey, have a nice long weekend."

"You too."


Elaine welcomed Agent 47 with a warm smile, "Good afternoon Frank, how's your day been?"

"Good, yours?"

"With the twins there's never a dull moment but they're little gems. And Karina's upstairs putting them down for their afternoon nap," she sat down on the couch.

"Thanks." He went upstairs.

Nika gently set little Michael down in his crib and touched his chubby cheek.

"Nika?" Agent 47 whispered as he walked into the room.

"Hey you.." She smiled then planted a sweet kiss on his mouth. "How's everything at work and the academy?"

"Efficient, as they should be. You?"

"Lunch with Isabella was nice and the twins were playful and silly today. It was very cute."

He gazed at the sleeping infants, "As they should be. We should talk outside."

They quietly walked out of the room and into the hall.

"How was lunch with Miguel?" She asked him.

"It went well," after a pause he spoke again, "I miss you."

Her perfect brows slightly rose, "You were only gone for a few hours and I'm right here."

"That's not what I'm talking about." His arms wrapped around her waist, he pulled her body against his.

A sudden sigh of relief came from her, "I miss you too and I'm so happy you said that!" Her hands linked behind his neck.

"I should've told you earlier.."

"It's not all your fault..I should've told you how I felt. I mean, things changed. We weren't fighting about anything and I was scared that I'd ruin that. And my body's different, two babies came out of me and I need to lose weight five more pounds," her gaze went to the floor, "I-I wasn't feeling very sexy and I thought you could..without me asking.."

With the tips of his first three fingers he lifted her chin, "Nika, I was afraid too and that's normal but we shouldn't let that stop us from being honest with each other."

"I know.."

"And, if you want to lose weight to feel better about yourself, then I'll support you. But honestly, you're more beautiful than the first time I saw you." His hand held her face.

She tried to hide how complimented she felt, "You're just bullshitting me."

His head shook, "I'm not. You mean more to me now than when I saw you…and I love your curves."

A wide smile pulled at her perfect lips, "Really?"

"Yes, very much."

Her mouth softly met his, "Do you want to show me how much?"

Just then they heard Madison and Mai come into house.

A disappointed sigh left her mouth, "I forgot that the girls had a half day of school…"

"It's all right, we'll finish this."

"When all the kids graduate?" She joked.

He spoke with subtle pride, "This weekend. I made arrangements for us to getaway, a second honeymoon."

Excitement lit up her eyes, "That's great! Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Oooh, I can't wait to find out..when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow evening. Miguel and Isabella are watching the twins for the weekend, is that fine?"

"Of course, the twins love them. Come on, let's see the girls." She took his hand leading him to the stairs.


After putting their children to bed for the night, they walked down the corridor with their hands clasped. He opened the door for allowing her to enter first.

"Thank you. Now," she took his other hand and pulled him into the room, "let's finish what we started earlier."

"We will." His hands grabbed her firm full backside and pressed her hips into his.

A mischievous glint was in her eyes, "Finally."

When she went for his mouth he turned his head and whispered into her ear, "But not tonight." He let go of her heading for his closet to undress.

Confused, angry yet interested she followed him, "What the fuck? I thought we agreed to be more intimate?"

He spoke to her while changing into his pajamas, "We did."

Leaning in the closet doorway she folded her arms, "You just turned me down!"

An idea came into his mind, "Care to make a wager."

"About what?"

"The first person to beg for sex loses."

Her eyebrow lifted, "And the winner?"

"The winner gets to gloat for an entire week and the loser can't complain." He walked over to her knowing that she couldn't turn it down.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"What are the rules?" Her head cocked to the right.

"Touching and kissing are allowed. But it doesn't really matter, we both know how this will end."

An arrogant expression was on her beautiful face, "With you losing."

He brought his face close to hers, "And how do you know this?"

"Because I know how to make men want me, especially you…"

In a confident tone he said, "When I win, you'll be screaming for it."

She shrugged concealing how turned on she actually was, "Your arrogance will be your downfall. I'm taking a shower," she went into the bathroom and he followed her.

While he brushed his teeth she turned on the shower and seconds later he heard her moaning his name. Once he turned to see what she was doing his eyes widen at the sight of her using the handheld showerhead to satisfy her needs. The look of lust and determination she was giving him was too much. When he felt body begin to respond to her he spat into the sink before quickly leaving the bathroom.

"You should just quit now!" She happily yelled out.