Adaline's point of view:
I wake up the next morning with a massive headache. It feels like a hangover but I know I didn't drink a drop. Because I'm pregnant.
Instead I fought with Dad again. On Christmas Eve.
And then I cried my eyes out as soon as we got home. I cried the whole night in Wladimir's arms.
And now I feel horrible.
I open my eyes and stare at my man who is already awake. Just like the whole night, his arm is still wrapped around my waist. His large hand is resting on my stomach.
On our baby.
"Hi." I whisper. My eyes are probably still red and puffy.
"How are you?" His grey eyes are filled with worry as he brushes through my hair with his fingers.
"I feel like I drank too much last night. I feel sick." I admit. I really do feel like I'm going to vomit any moment but I know that has nothing to do with my Dad. It has to do with the baby I'm growing. "I'm sorry for yesterday."
"It's not your fault."
I shake my head. "I've ruined Christmas Eve for you guys. If I hadn't brought you-"
"You didn't ruin anything." He ensures me. "It was your father who couldn't hold his tongue."
I sigh, "It'll get better." That sentence has become my mantra. Maybe if I tell myself it often enough I might start believing it.
"Maybe next Christmas Eve we're actually going to stay until dessert." He says with a smirk on his lips.
I can't even laugh. I was really craving my Mom's pastries. Jo told me she made my favourite cake. Suddenly, I start craving that lemon sponge cake with a raspberry filling. But not even that will make me walk back home.
Not after last night.
"You're craving that lemon cake now, aren't you?"
I blush, "Am I so easy to read?"
He shrugs, "I've known you for some time."
"I think I want to go to work today." I lie into his face as I remember the appointment I have today. The one I cannot miss. "If I can't fix my problems I can at least fix someone else's."
"Okay."
"You're not upset that I'm leaving you alone on Christmas Day?"
He shakes his head with a soft smile on his lips. "No. I'll spend the day with my Dad."
I don't deserve this man. He's too good to be true.
Wladimir's point of view:
I stare at my kitchen island that's full of ingredients for Della's favourite cake.
"You really think you can pull this off?" My Dad asks me with clear skepticism.
"It's why I called you."
"I can cook but not bake. Those are two different pairs of shoes, son."
I let out a sigh, "She was so heartbroken last night. I just want to make her happy even if it's just for a split second."
"Her father's an asshole." Yesterday is still fresh in his memory.
"No, he's not. He's actually really nice and funny. He's just hurt and feels betrayed."
"You're defending the man that beat you black and blue?"
I look at my Dad and shrug. "He's her Dad. You'll never hear me say something bad about him. He was my best friend, too."
My father sighs, " You're just like your mother. She could never hurt a soul as well... I didn't think he would really snap on Christmas Eve."
"Me neither. He knows it's Della's favourite holiday. Besides I thought with the whole family around he would keep himself together."
"So, how are we going to swing this?" He asks, nodding towards the lemons, flour and butter. "I think we need more than that."
I scratch my head before pulling out my iPhone. "There's only one person who can help us out."
I decide to call Gabriella.
"Wlad, I'm so sorry for-"
"I need you help." I interrupt my best friend and mother of the love of my life.
"Anything."
"What exactly goes into your lemon cake?"
"What? You're calling me to get the recipe for Della's favourite cake?"
"Yes. I'm sure it won't be as good as yours but I thought I'd give it a shot. With my Dad's assistance."
"Wlad, that's so sweet of you! You're baking her her favourite cake!"
"Well I'm trying."
"I know and she's going to be in tears when she finds out. But I can't give you the recipe."
"But-"
"I'm going to show you. Clear the space because I'm bringing all the Boltons with me. Including Ana. Troy crossed the line yesterday. I deserve to make up for it properly." She says before hanging up.
My father stares at me. "And?"
"Get ready for a Bolton takeover."
Adaline's point of view:
I stop in front of the car collection that's parked in the underground parking lot. Over the last three weeks I have hidden all the evidences for Wladimir's Christmas present in his silver truck. By now it's filled with toys, porcelain food bowls, wet and dry food, cat litter, cat trees, cat toilets and cat brushes.
And today's the day I get to pick up the little fur babies.
I unlock the black Tesla and get into the car. I've already put two cat carriers in the car a few days ago. It's a three hour drive to Cardiff.
Three hours until I see those two white Persian kittens again. I fell in love with them when I first saw them. They were just eight weeks old then. By now they're twelve weeks old.
They're ready to come home.
Wlad will be over the moon!
Wladimir's point of view:
Half an hour later, the door bell rings.
"I'll get it." My Dad says before walking to the front door. A wave of noise fills the flat immediately as Gabriella, Jo, Nate, Rory and Ana walk inside.
Gabriella definitely wasn't kidding when she said she'd bring the Bolton gang. And they all have their hands full of ingredients for Gabriella's lemon cake. "Put everything on the kitchen island." Gabriella delegates with ease. Adaline will be just as great with our future children.
I watch the triplets and Ana walk into the kitchen that I cleaned with my Dad.
"How much did you bring?" I ask shocked. "I wanted to bake one cake. Not a dozen!"
"Wlad, one cake is not going to be enough. Not for Della. I know my daughter. She goes nuts over this cake. She needs at least two and so do we." She says before pulling my Dad into a hug. "About last night-"
My Dad shakes his head. "Let's try to move on."
"Where's Della?" Nate asks me.
"At work."
"She's working?!" Jo asks with sadness in her voice.
I turn around and stare at the triplets. "She'll be home this evening."
"Did she say that? Because I know how she is. She says she's home at eight but then walks in the next morning totally dog tired after a long surgery." Nate starts arguing.
"She promised." We all know that Boltons keep their promises.
Rory nods. "Good. Then I at least didn't cancel the tennis club for nothing."
"Guys, get out of your coats and shoes. Wash your hands and get ready to work." Gabriela says with a clapping. The triplets do what they've been told immediately.
"They're making the cake?" I ask shocked.
Ana grins at me as she gets out of her coat and shoes. "You'll enjoy Mom chasing them through the kitchen. Watching her delegating the work is the best part of making the cake."
"Not funny!" Nate says before sticking his tongue out.
"I used to be in your place. Della and me perfected the recipe. I know what you've been through!" Ana answers.
"I can't wait until you start having kids with Jake. At least then Mom lets us off the hook." Jo says with a sigh.
Ana blushes at her sister's words but doesn't say a word.
"Where is Jake anyway?" I ask her.
"Work emergency."
"It's Christmas Day."
Ana shrugs, "Della's working, too."
Adaline's point of view:
After a three and a half hour drive I have finally arrived at the breeder of the Persian cats. I park the black Tesla in front of a farmhouse and get out the two cat carriers from the rear bench. I can't believe the moment has finally come!
It's so peaceful here just half a mile away from Cardiff. The tiny village in which the breeder lives in is so cute! There are pebbles on the driveway. Fields of grass surround the cobblestone house. I saw cows, sheep and pigs on the way here. This right here is the pure farm live.
It's the perfect place to breed Persian cats.
I walk over to the glass double doors and see Harvey, the breeder, already opening the doors for me.
"Dr. Bolton! Welcome!" He greets me with a smile on his face. "Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas! I'm so excited to bring them home! Where are the girls?" I ask as I stop across him.
"In the living room." He waves with his hand to show me the way. I know that he's keeping the Persian cats in a separate house as I've driven past the impressive main house. Breeding Persian cats must really pay off.
I walk down the hallway and stop in the doorway of the living room. My heart does somersaults in my chest as I see the cutest 12 week old kitten playing with each other. The Persian is the glamour kitty of the cat world. Their beautiful, flowing coat, sweet face and calm personality have combined to make them the most popular cat breed. They are high maintenance but Wlad will love taking care of them. They're both so fluffy that I want to cuddle with them and never let go. Persians have always been bred to have a round head, short face, snub nose, chubby cheeks and a short, cobby body and these two kittens are exactly what I wished for. They're both white. One of them has silver eyes just like Wlad and the other one has deep green eyes that remind me of my Grandma Di.
I can't believe I already love them so much!
They make my heart melt.
"I forgot how cute they are." I breathe out before placing the cat carrier bags on the floor. The two fluff balls rush over to me immediately. With curiosity they start sniffing the grey and navy cat carriers. I start petting them and they start purring immediately. "I love them!" I whisper as they lay down in front of me to let their stomachs.
"Their immunisation cards. They already are vaccinated and dewormed. But you still have to get them neutered when they're about six months old. They are microchipped in case they get lost or stolen." Harvey hands me the two yellow immunisation cards.
"I can definitely see why someone would try to steal them." I put the cards into the pocket of my jeans.
"Did you buy everything? Cat litter? Food? Toys?"
I nod.
"Cat trees and toilets?"
I nod again. "Everything is ready for them."
"Well, then I guess you're good to go." He says before opening one cat carrier.
I already paid for those two. "How can you let go of them so easily?" I ask as he places the first girl into one carrier.
"It's not easy but it's my job. I've been breeding Persian cats for over twenty years now. What will you name them?"
I haven't even thought of names yet. "I don't know. I haven't decided yet. My boyfriend will help with the decision."
"Your boyfriend is really lucky because those are two beautiful kittens." Harvey says before putting the second cat into the same carrier. "They have the perfect bloodline. You shouldn't expect any health issues."
"I thought they each need their own."
Harvey shakes his head. "Those sisters are inseparable. Besides that way they won't get lonely on the drive home to London."
Home.
I can't wait to surprise Wladimir with them!
Wladimir's point of view:
The smell of baking lemon cake fills the whole living area. The triplets are sitting on the teal velvet couch across the fireplace as they listen to one of my Daddy's stories from his time in the Russian army. The triplets really baked the cake on their own and watching Ella delegate them was a lot of fun. They were quick and efficient- with baking and cleaning the kitchen.
I don't think my kitchen has ever sparkled this much.
Ana, Ella and me are sitting at the breakfast bar, all having an eye on the four lemon cakes that are still baking in the oven.
"When did Della day she'd be home?" Ella asks me.
"At six."
"It's a quarter to six, so I think she should be here any minute." Ana answers as she rests her chin on her hands.
"Are you excited for the wedding in two weeks?"
"Fifteen days." Ana corrects me with a grin. "And yes, I am. I had my last dress fitting last week. We've picked out the right flowers and I changed the cake."
"Really? I thought you like blackberry."
"I went for chocolate instead." Ana says to her Mom. "But I'm still having that peony bouquet."
Ella smiles. "I had one as well."
"I know. I have a feeling it's going to be a Bolton tradition." Ana winks before looking at me. "Dad's going to behave in fifteen days." She promises me.
"Ana, I'm not so sure."
"But you're coming. I want the whole family there. Which means Sergej, you're coming as well!" Ana calls out.
My Dad waves his left hand in the air. "I already bought a tux!" He yells back before continuing his story for the triplets.
"And I'll be there as well." I promise Anastasia. "Della and me are not going to poof."
Ana giggles, "Did Della say that?"
"No. She said melt into the thin air."
"Ah, yeah that sounds like my daughter."
Suddenly, the front door opens. Adaline walks in with a grey bag in her left hand. "Oh hi!" Her navy eyes stare at her mother, sister and me before wandering through the living room. "What are you guys doing here?" She asks confused. "And why am I smelling lemons?"
"My Dad and I tried to bake your favourite cake but it didn't turn out to be as easy as I thought so I called your Mom."
"And I brought your siblings along." Ella says with a soft smile on her lips. "I mean, you didn't had a slice yesterday."
"You baked me my favourite cake?" Della asks me with tears in her eyes.
Oh, shit I didn't want to make her cry! I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her. "I didn't want to make you cry."
She shakes her head before placing the grey bag on the drawer next to the door. "I cannot believe you did that after yesterday!"
"What's in the bag?" I ask her after letting go.
Suddenly, quiet miaows start filling the silence. The heads of the triplets swing around at the sound. Did I really just hear a miaow?
"Are those kittens?" Jo asks with a wide mouth. A second later all three of Della's siblings rush over to us, totally forgetting about my Dad.
Nothing beats kittens.
Della nods before looking at me.
"You brought me kittens?" I whisper, not able to hide the emotions in my voice. She knows how much I wished for another cat like Снежинка. I loved that Persian cat so much! I'd love to have our future children grow up with cats like her.
"I brought you your Снежинки." She whispers to me.
"No!" I breathe out shocked. She brought me white Persian kittens?! I'm speechless! I wrap my arms around her again. "I love you!"
"I'm just making sure your dreams are all coming true." She whispers into my ear before kissing my left cheek. "And I love you, too."
"They're so cute!" Rory says as she stares into the grey bag. Miaows greet her.
"What are their names?" Nate asks.
Della looks at me, "Yeah, what are their names?"
I think for a moment. "How about you three decide?" I ask the triplets.
"Girls or boys?"
"Girls." Della answers with a smirk on her lips.
"I think she looks like a Lily." Rory says, pointing at the kitten with the silver eyes.
"I like it. And her sister?"
"Luna?" Nate asks.
"Two Ls?" I ask.
Jo shrugs. "They're sisters after all."
"Good. Lily and Luna." Lily's the silver eyed cat and Luna the green eyed cat.
Della bends down and looks into the cat carrier, "Welcome home, Lily and Luna."
"We don't have anything for them." I breathe out. No toilet. No food. Nothing.
"We do. I hid everything in your truck over the last weeks." Adaline says with a smirk before walking into our guest room.
"Can we play with them?" Nate asks.
"Yes but we need to carry their stuff up here first." Della says before placing the carrier on the bed. "I couldn't carry everything at once so I thought to bring Lily and Luna home first."
"We'll bring the stuff!" Jo volunteers.
"I'll carry the cat litter." My Dad says with a smile on his lips before closing the door of the guest bedroom.
I bend down and stare at the two white fur babies. Both miaow as they see me. "They're perfect."
"They are." She whispers before opening the cat carrier. She reaches into the cat carrier and hands me one. "Lily."
She's so tiny and fluffy! I fondle Lily and she starts purring on point. She has the same silver eyes as me.
"And that's Luna." She says before cuddling with Luna. The green eyed Persian cat starts purring as well. "I think they like their new parents."
My heart makes somersaults in my chest. She has never looked more beautiful. "You make dreams come true, Adaline Elizabeth Grace Bolton."
She grins at me as Luna places her tiny paw on the bridge of her nose. "That's my speciality." She quotes me.
Adaline's point of view:
I watch Wlad playing with Lily and Luna. He's sitting on the floor in the guest bedroom, holding a feather wand and both kittens are chasing after it. We've placed their food and water bowls as well as their cat toilets in the guest room as I've read that the kittens should slowly ease into their new home and explore room by room.
I take another bite of my lemon cake before sitting down on the edge of the king sized bed. He looks so free and happy. If I had known he'd be so happy than I had bought him those kittens a lot sooner. For a brief moment I debate to tell him now about our baby instead of in nine weeks. But then I decide against it.
Because every third pregnancy ends before the 12th week.
That scary thought is enough to change my mind. We're not out of the woods yet.
My Mom and siblings as well as Wlad's Dad have left just half an hour ago - but not without saying goodbye to Lily and Luna.
"I need you to clean their cat toilets." I say as I know pregnant women can be near around cats but not get in contact with their poo. "But I can take care of the daily grooming." I offer.
"Yeah, sure no problem." He chuckles as Lily catches the feather.
"Wlad, I'm serious." I say with a grin on my lips. It feels weird to share his attention but I guess I have to get used to that. Especially in 39 weeks things are going to change and I will have to divide my attention as well.
"I will." He promises me without looking at me.
He's not listening. "Wlad,"
He looks over his shoulder, "I promise. But I don't know why you're so weird about it. You cut people open on daily basis."
It's because I'm carrying our baby and getting in contact with our cats' poo can do harm. "I'm not. I just need you to take of that for a little while."
"How long?"
"Huh?"
He turns around and moves the feather wand with him, causing both kittens to follow him. Suddenly his attention has shifted from them to me. His silver eyes stare at me as I hold the fork with a piece of lemon cake on it. The fork starts to shake under his intense gaze. "How long do I have to clean their toilets?"
"Oh, you know... for a while." I quickly do the math in my head. "Until late October or early November." I'm due on November the 6th but I know that a lot can happen during that time. Some babies come earlier, some come later and some... some don't get born at all.
Because every third pregnancy ends before the 12th week.
The thought scares the shit out of me. I can't loose our baby.
"November? That's almost a whole year!"
I nod. "But after that I can clean their toilets for a year. Does that sound like a good deal?"
"Do I get a night of sex on top?" He asks with that adorable smirk on his lips.
I growl as the shrill sound of the ringing bell fills my ears. I roll over in the bed and snuggle deeper into Wlad's chest. It's almost midnight. Who the hell wants something from us now?!
The bell rings again in my ears. "Go away!" I mumble as Wlad shifts underneath me. "No." I hold on to him. "Stay."
The bell rings again.
"Della, someone clearly wants something from us."
I shake my head. "We're not home."
"Adaline,"
"Fine!" I hiss before climbing out of the bed. I pick up a morning gown from the bench in front of the bed and wrap it around my naked body. I need sleep!
I'm pregnant so I need as much rest as I can get! I stop in the doorway as the thought unravels in my sleepy mind. Pregnant. I'm about four weeks along today. It's such a fragile stage that I shouldn't even think about it. I could lose our baby in every given moment, especially in these early stages.
Every third pregnancy ends before the 12th week. I shiver at the thought. My next appointment with Dr. Ross is in six weeks. But even if I'll see our baby in six weeks again nothing's really certain until the 12th week - and even afterwards things can go wrong.
"Are you alright?"
I wince at Wlad's voice and look over my shoulder, "Yeah. I just considered going back to bed again."
He grins at me as the shrill bell fills the silence again.
"I'm coming!" I yell before marching through the living area. I wrap my hand around the handle of the front door and tear it open, "What?!"
I stare at my sister who looks like her world just broke apart. Her face is puffy and red. Her green eyes are filled with tears and her hand that's holding on to her silver suitcase is shaking so much that the suitcase nearly falls.
"Ana, what happened?"
"He's a fraud!" She says in a high voice before sobbing.
I let go of the doorknob and pull her into a hug. My sister starts crying even heavier in my arms as we stand in the hallway. I rub circles on her back as she releases all her emotions in my arms. My heart clenches at the sounds she makes and I almost cry as well. "Come inside." I whisper after a few minutes have passed by.
She nods and I let go of her before feeling Wlad standing behind me. A heatwave overcomes me despite the disturbing news. He walks past us and picks up her silver suitcase without asking a question. She's staying with us for as long as she wants.
"How about a glass of wine?" I ask my sister as we walk into the living area. "Wine always helps me. To calm down the nerves." Suddenly I remember that I'm pregnant again. I don't know why I keep forgetting it. "Or maybe tea. We have a lavender and camomile mixture." I offer as Wlad brings the suitcase into the guest bedroom.
The guest bedroom... we're going to have to turn it into a nursery for our baby. Our baby... As soon as I notice the wide grin on my lips I start thinking of dead kittens and the smile disappears. Instead tears start forming in my eyes.
Shit, that wasn't a smart move either.
"Tea sounds nice." Ana's voice interrupts my thoughts.
"Okay." I smile softly at Ana before walking over to the open kitchen. I put water into the electric kettle and put it on.
"Wlad, I need you to run his DNA through your system." Ana tells my man as he walks into the living room again.
"Sure. I need-"
"I brought his hairbrush. It's in a plastic bag in the suitcase." She interrupts him. "Don't leave a stone unturned. I want to know every detail."
Wlad nods as I get three cups out of the cupboard. "Okay. I'll get right to it."
"No, you can do that tomorrow. I'm sorry for the surprise."
I put two bags of tea in the mugs. "Ana you're always welcomed."
Wlad nods at my words. "Stay as long as you want."
She smiles at Wlad. "Thank you."
"You're family." Wlad says with a shrug. "I'll give you some alone time." He says before walking back into our bedroom.
I fill the two mugs with hot water before I walk back to my sister who is sitting on the teal coloured couch across the open fireplace. Luna has already found her, giving her comfort in a way only a cat can. Her hand is petting the white Persian kitten. She pulls a tissue out of the tissue box before blowing her nose.
"How about you start at the beginning and tell me everything?"
Ana nods before wrapping her hands around the white porcelain mug. "Jake told me yesterday that he wasn't really a lawyer but a CIA agent who worked undercover."
"A CIA agent?" I ask back surprised. Lily starts climbing up the teal velvet couch before sitting down in my lap.
She nods, "And then when we visited Mommy and Daddy today, I told Mom in the kitchen. She freaked out and ran into Daddy's study where Jake and Daddy were. I didn't understand it at first. But then..." she gulps.
"Then what?"
"When I walked into the room Daddy and Jake were pointing guns at each other. Loaded guns with their fingers on the trigger."
"What?!"
"Turns out Jake is not a CIA agent and that's not his real name. His real name is Sasha Belov."
I frown. "I've heard that name before."
"That's because he used it in Monaco. To get into the underground casino. Where you played against Derek Grosfield."
A shiver runs down my spine at the mention of Derek. "What does that mean?"
Ana shrugs. "It means he lied to all of us, Della. He's an assassin who was hired by Roman. A Mexican mafia boss who wanted Daddy dead."
My mouth falls open, "What?!"
Ana's lower lip starts trembling. "Jake, I mean Sasha, was not the reason why Daddy left us but it's just as bad."
"But he didn't kill Daddy."
Her big green eyes stare at me, "Because he fell in love with me. I was just supposed to be a means to an end. But then... Then we met in Marrakesh and not in London like I saw and Jake originally planned us to meet."
"So that's why you were so confused when he asked you to marry him?"
She nods. "At least it makes sense now. I queered his pitch by meeting him on accident in Morocco."
"Where is Jak- I mean Sasha now?"
"At home. I couldn't stay there. I couldn't even look at him anymore. How could he do this to me? He pretended to be Prince Charming when he really was the wolf in sheep's clothing."
Wladimir's point of view:
It's a little after three in the morning when the door to our bedroom finally opens. I can hear how Della walks around the bed that I'm laying in and into the dressing room. She switches on the light, gets out of her morning gown, puts on panties and one of my black v-neck t-shirts before walking back to the bed. She climbs in and lays her head on my chest.
"How's Ana?"
She sighs, "Confused... Heartbroken... She feels betrayed."
"What happened?"
"Apparently Jake Ballard is not his real name. That's Sasha Belov. He's an assassin that was hired by someone called Roman to kill Daddy. He used Ana to get close to Dad but fell in love with her and threw away the mission. He payed Roman his money back."
"He... He's an assassin?" I ask as my heartbeat increases. How did I not see it? Why didn't any of my bells shrill?!
"Not anymore. Don't worry he won't hurt us. He's in love with Ana. That's more powerful than money ever can be."
I lift myself and rest my back against the headboard. "Della, if he-"
"Do you keep any secrets from me?"
I frown at her question. Ana must've risen those thoughts within her. "Of course not."
She exhales and smiles. "Good."
"Do you?"
Adaline's point of view:
I gulp at his question. I'm pregnant - that's about the biggest secret there is. "Yes." I whisper.
"Yes?" Wlad asks me back with wide eyes.
"But I can't tell you now."
"Why not?"
"Because not enough time has passed by yet."
"Well, when has enough time passed by?"
When I've passed my first trimester. "Soon. Next year." I promise him.
"Is it a big one?"
I'm carrying your baby - of course it's big. It's huge! "Yes but it's nothing bad. It won't upset you."
He narrows his silver eyes at me. "Why won't you tell me now?"
Because I'm only four weeks along. That's nothing! "I explained to you. Be patient. I know you are very patient." He waited for me for almost three years.
He sighs, "Okay."
"Okay." I echo him before kissing him softly.
Wladimir's point of view:
I zoom into the old birth certificate that's written in Cyrillic. It took me a lot of work to dig that deep into Jake's, I mean Sasha's, family history. Troy found out that Jake Ballard was the fake identity he created to get close to him. The assassin whose name is Sasha Belov, got the job offer from Roman, a Mexican mafia boss. He was paid to kill Troy Bolton and he should use Anastasia as his entrance ticket which he needed to get through those tough security walls that Troy has build around him and his family.
But now, the name Sasha Belov doesn't seem correct as well. Sasha told us that he was an orphanage just like Ana before the Boltons adopted her. But unlike Ana, who very much has a family tree, Sasha doesn't have one. He got the last name Belov simply because he didn't had one. As a newborn he was left on the doorstep of an orphanage in a village 300 miles from Yekaterinburg. There was no note. Just a newborn wrapped in a white blanket with the name Sasha stitched on it.
And that white blanket gave him the last name Belov because that baby boy was as innocent as white blanket he was wrapped in. Belov is a common Russian surname, derived from the word Bely (белый, meaning "white").
Anastasia has managed to give me a strand of hair so I could do a DNA analysis. I ran it through a data base that one of my IT consultants has created. That database has access to hospitals all over the world, to the FEDs and even secret army projects. If Sasha's relatives don't live in some abandoned tiny village, than I will find them.
But what I found out shocks even me.
Sasha's DNA is directly connected to the House of Romanov. The House of Romanov was the reigning dynasty in Russia from 1613 until 1917. His great-great-great grandmother was Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia, who was murdered with her family by members of the Cheka, the Bolshevik secret police, in Yekaterinburg on July 17, 1918. But Anastasia's body was never found. There were rumours that a British ship, upon King George's request, waited for the Romanovs in Murmansk to bring them to Britain. But due to the anti-German feeling - and Alexandra being German was a problem - in Britain during that time, King George withdraw his invitation. But that doesn't mean Anastasia didn't get to London.
Maybe she did.
I didn't believe it either so I ran his DNA through the system three times but the result remained the same. Sasha has the same mitochondrial DNA as the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia. That means there were offsprings of the House of Romanov that survived the murder. Offsprings who then created Sasha.
Offsprings of one of the most prestigious royal family ever. But my hope of finding any relatives that are still alive was quickly destroyed as there are none. I found out that Sasha does not have any soul on this planet that is blood related to him. Of the 53 Romanovs that were alive in 1917, it's estimated that only 35 remained alive by 1920. If there was a great cousin, an aunt or uncle alive I would have found them. I would even find his biological parents. But I didn't find anything.
It's like they have been swiped off like the Romanovs once were as well.
"Did you find something?"
I wince at Della's voice. A second later I can feel her hand on my shoulder. "I did and it's shocking."
"Why's that?" She leans forward and her heavenly smell fills my nostrils. She gives me a sense of peace and purpose.
"The DNA analysis my guys made revealed that Sasha Belov is actually Sasha Romanov. He's a direct relative."
Her navy eyes widen. "How's that possible?"
I shrug, "I don't know. Ever since the Romanovs were killed in 1918 there were no offsprings. No one survived this."
"Then how come Sasha shares a Romanov DNA?"
I shrug again, "I don't know. It's surreal and shocking but his DNA doesn't lie." His DNA strands are almost the exact ones that the Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Olga Andreenva Romanoff. He's related to them. He's a direct relative!
She frowns, "So that means his parents are still alive?"
I shake my head, "No, I don't think so. My system didn't show anyone else on this planet that shares Sasha's DNA."
"But you don't have 7.7 billion different DNA strands saved on that data base. His parents, if they're still alive, could live in some abandoned village similar to my grandpa. Remember it took my Dad over twenty years to hunt him down and in the end he lived in the smallest village of Spain. Sasha's parents could do the same. They could live in an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. Just think of how widely spread Siberia is. They could live up north or any other place. After all they had to flee back in history. They found exiles all over the world. They could be everywhere."
"But if they ever got into a hospital than I would have their DNA in my system. Every hospital, every police station and federal government's computers - I have access to every source there is."
She sighs and rests her chin on my shoulder before wrapping her long arms around my body. "Does that make Sasha a Prince?"
I gulp, "I don't know. There are no direct offsprings to the Romanovs anymore so there are no Princes or Princesses I think."
"But that makes him a prince I think. He could reclaim the throne. I mean it means he owns palaces all over Russia. He even owns the stunning winter palace in Saint Petersburg!"
I smile as I remember when we visited it with her Mom and Ana. By that time Ana and Della were only eight and we decided to discover the city's history before we flew back home. That weekend turned the three headed Bolton family into a four headed one.
"Will you tell Sasha what you found out?"
"I have to. It just sucks that it raises more questions than it provides answers."
Della nods, "Then you should call him. I'll tell Ana. Sasha might have lied to all of us about his heritage but his love for Ana is true. And I won't let Ana destroy her happily ever after."
"Okay."
She kisses my left cheek softly, "Ana saw the four of us at your dacha in Siberia. She was married to Sasha and I was married to you. I did my part to make that vision come true. She better fulfil her part as well." She runs her fingers through my hair, "Because we will be married at some point and she is going to be as well. I know it. I felt it deep in my heart." Her navy eyes fill with a thin film of tears and I fondle her left cheek.
"Tell your sister. This wedding is not called off until we say so."
She smiles and nods before kissing me again but this time on the lips.
Adaline's point of view:
I knock on the guest bedroom that's next to Wlad's study before walking inside. My sister is sitting on the king sized bed cross legged and her eyes are close. Lily is sitting on her lap, fast asleep. She's meditating. The rays of the sun fill the bedroom. Ana has been staying here since three days, ever since she found out about Jake's false game.
I close the door and walk over to the bed. "Ana,"
She opens her bright green eyes. "Hi."
"Are you meditating?" I ask before sitting next to her on the bed.
She nods, "I'm trying to focus on my visions. What Jake, I mean Sasha told me just turned my world upside down. It doesn't make sense. I didn't see any of it happening, Della."
"Well, maybe what you saw was not what was supposed to happen after all. Remember when you told me that you guys should have met in line in a Londonderry Café and not in Marrakech?" She nods. "You thought the reason why you hesitated to accept his marriage proposal was that he was the reason why Daddy left. Turns out it's not Sasha's fault at all. That man fell in love with you and threw his assassin plans overboard for you. He chose love over his job. He risked his life only to be with you. That man is your soulmate, Ana. You don't walk away from your soulmate."
"Della, I feel deeply hurt and betrayed. I thought I knew him. I thought I knew the man I fell in love with and now less than two weeks before our wedding he drops this bomb?!"
"He could have kept his mouth shut and just marry you, Ana. Maybe you would have found out ten years later or maybe not at all. But Sasha chose to come clean before starting this new chapter with you."
"Aren't you mad at him at all?"
I shrug, "Not really, no. I mean sure he could have come clean sooner but I'm glad that he did."
"He didn't come clean. Daddy forced him to come clean."
"Does it matter how he came clean? All that's important is that you know."
She sighs. "I don't know..."
"Do you still love him?"
"Yes." She whispers.
"Then you have your answer." I say and embrace her. "I just want you to be happy. You're my little
sister and if he was dangerous I wouldn't push you back into his arms. But he's no danger to you. He never has been."
"I'm not sure if I can marry a fraud, Della."
I let go of her, "Wlad did some digging into Sasha's family history. With his hairbrush he did an DNA analysis."
"So that means you know who is parents are?"
"No. But we found out that Sasha is the great-great-great grandson of the Grand Duchess Anastasia Of Russia."
Her green eyes widen, "He's a Romanov? But that's impossible!"
I shrug, "Wlad ran the test three times because he couldn't believe it either. But the result remained the same. He's a direct descendant of the Romanovs. That means he's-"
"A Prince. He is the heir of the throne. He should call the Romanov Family Association that was founded to unite the descendants. Do you know that Prince Philipp is a descendant of the Romanovs as well?"
"What? That means Sasha is part of the British Royal Family as well?" It gets even more confusing now!
She nods. "The Duke of Edinburgh is the grandnephew of the last czarina, Alexandra, as well as the great-great-grandson of Nicholas I. Sasha would be the great great great great grandson of Alexandra. So that means technically they're related if Sasha informs the Romanov Family Association. Their president is Princess Olga Andreenva Romanoff. She lives in London."
Princess Olga? So that means Sasha has the right to be called a Prince now as well? "I think Sasha should decide what he wants to do now."
"He already knows?"
"Wlad is telling him right now but I think he might want to come over to see the evidence himself."
"He's coming here?" Ana asks with wide eyes.
I shrug, "I know I would want to see the proof first hand so I can imagine he's going to."
She sighs.
"Maybe you guys can make up. I'm sure he has called you a zillion times."
"I wouldn't know. I turned off my phone."
I sigh, "Ana, you're still wearing your engagement ring. You still love him. You don't have to call the wedding off so quickly."
"I haven't made any calls yet." She whispers and bites on her lower lip. "I just said I needed time to think."
"And have you thought about him?"
She rolls her green eyes at me. "Della, it's not so easy."
"Yes, it is!"
"Della, he wanted to kill Daddy when we first met. He was hired by a man called Roman to kill our father! Our father, Della! He may not be any danger to me but he sure as hell Is for Daddy!"
"He is not. Daddy knows how to protect himself and us. If he were than Sasha would have already been killed."
"Daddy pointed a loaded gun at his face when I walked into the study."
"But he didn't pull the trigger. Instead he wanted an explanation. Because he knows that Sasha's the love of your life, Ana! Your freaking soulmate! Get off of your high horse and stop being so judgemental. Yes he lied to you but he did it out of love! He didn't do it to hurt you! And he sure as hell didn't touch Daddy!" I hiss at her.
"But he wanted to!" She hisses back at me.
"He's a good person!"
"We are all good people when someone gives us a chance to be!" My sister starts waving with her hands.
"So, give him a chance. Give him a chance daily. Let him be a good person right next to you. Don't judge him just because he made a mistake."
"He didn't just made a mistake. He wanted to kill Daddy. Our Daddy!"
"He wanted but didn't. In fact your love changed him."
Ana sighs, "Della this is not as easy as you think."
"I didn't say anything about easy. Do you think my relationship with Wlad is easy? It's not right now because I'm under pressure. Daddy's putting pressure on me because he thinks I'm going to cave in and leave Wladimir. But I will not cave. I will not leave Wladimir. And he will see that."
"Della,"
"Look, I don't want you to experience the same pressure. But so far Daddy has left you alone which means he trusts you enough to handle the situation. It means he'll be okay with whatever you decide to do. He will walk you down the aisle. Something I can't even dare to dream of." I gulp as tears start building in my eyes.
She grabs my hands and nods. "I guess talking to him won't hurt."
"Good. I'm sure he's thrilled to see you again."
As on call the door bell rings.
Ana jumps up from the bed. "He's already here?! I can meet him like that! My eyes are all red and puffy. My whole face is puffy. I should-" I grab her hands.
"Ana, this man loves you from the deepest part of his heart. He has seen you without makeup a hundred times. Don't worry about how you look because to him you will be the most beautiful woman on this planet. Despite the red eyes and puffy eyes."
Ana chuckles at my last sentence, "So, I do look like I just cried a river didn't I?"
I shrug, "Maybe an ocean." I joke.
Wladimir's point of view:
I open the front door and see Sasha standing across me. Now that I know of his heritage I can see a few, very slight, Romanov trades.
"You said you had something to tell me?" He asks me.
"I do." I confirm and hold the door open.
"Is she here?" Sasha asks me as he walks inside.
"She is. But I'm not sure if she wants to see you. I suggest we talk in my study." I say as I close the front door. The door to the guest room stays closed so I'm not sure if Ana wants to talk to her fiancé. I don't even know if they're still engaged.
Sasha nods with a sad look on his face. "Which door?" He asks as he has never been at my home before. Despite asking me to be his best man.
"The door on the left."
Sasha walks through the open living area, passing the teal velvet couch that's contrasting against the light grey walls and oakwood floors. "Nice place." With that he opens the white door to my study. "And nice view." He says as he looks through the glass wall that shows the Thames and the man boats passing by.
"Thanks. Have a seat." I gesture towards the two armchairs that stand across my glass desk. "Ana asked me to make a DNA profile by using your hair from your hairbrush." I start. "I don't have to tell you that you did a brilliant job at constructing this fake identity. You fooled me and you fooled Troy and trust me we're not easily fooled."
"What did you find?"
"Your heritage."
His green eyes widen. "My heritage?"
"I even found your true last name. But I'm not sure if you can use it."
He frowns at me. "I don't understand."
I lean against the glass desk. "You're a Romanov. Your great-great-great grandmother was Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia."
"What?"
"You share the same DNA strands as the Duke of Edinburgh who is also a relative of the Romanovs." I explain into his confused face. "Your last name is not Belov. It's Romanov. Your name is Sasha Romanov and while Della is convinced that makes you at least a Prince I am not so sure. But I don't know how the details work to join the Romanov Family Association or get even the last name let alone a title."
Sasha stares at me with a wide mouth for more than a minute. Then he gulps. "Are you sure?"
I nod. "I ran your DNA through the system three times because I didn't believe it either."
"And what do I do now?"
"I suggest you talk to Ana. I've printed out some copies for you in case you want to join the Romanov Family Association. Of course that would mean you are ready for the pressure that comes with such a last name." I lean slightly forward. "Sasha, it's one thing to be a Bolton. The Boltons are a very powerful family, familiar to the Rotschilds or the Astors. The Boltons come from very old money, their fortune dates back to the early 18th hundred but that's nothing compared to Royalty. That's nothing compared to blue blood. While the Boltons have connections all over the world, including the underworld, I want to remind you there's a reason why Franklin is not a part of this family and Troy has such a strict security system. Because of people like Roman. Because of people like you used to be. Protecting his family is what's dearest to Troy's heart.
The Boltons get recognised everywhere but a Romanov... that's a different story. You would become Royalty. I'm sure Putin would be thrilled to announce a Russian prince. The media storm would be gigantic. But it is your heritage. This is your family. Through the association you would be able meet other family members but I want you to know that even among them you are going to stand out. Because you are as blue blooded as it can get. That means even the president Princess Olga is not as true blooded as you. You, my friend, are the only Romanov with a clean Russian Royal bloodline. You are not a half blood or a mixed blood of some sort like most of the association's members, no you are clean. The cleanest there is."
Adaline's point of view:
I sit down on the teal couch as the door to Wlad's study opens and Sasha walks out.
"Hi." Sasha greets me. "Listen, I'd like to apologise. I-"
"I'm not mad at you. I believe you. Ana's the one you should be apologising to. I know you love her and I know she loves you. She's just hurt. And confused."
"I know. I didn't mean to hurt any of you."
"Did Wlad inform you about what he found?"
Sasha nods. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
"I think you should talk to Ana. She's in the guest room." I nod towards the room.
He sighs, "Della,"
"She's the one who needs to take you back. She still loves you. Remind her of that."
He nods before knocking on the white wooden door that's next to the fireplace. After a quiet come in, he opens the door.
I watch Wlad walking out of his study before he joins me on the couch. Just having him so close to me gives me peace and comfort - something my Dad will never understand. He was so focused on Wlad that he didn't see the real danger that was in his other daughter's bed.
"Do you think they're going to make up?"
"Three days ago they still wanted to get married. That desire doesn't just go away like that. She still loves him and he loves her. That's all what matters. Why do people make it so difficult?"
He chuckles as he embraces me with one arm. "Seriously?"
"What?" I ask with a raised eyebrow.
"Let me remind you, it was you who broke up with me to find a cure for Parkinson's."
"Yeah, but that's different."
"How is that different?"
"I didn't lie to you. I didn't kill people for a living, I healed them. Plus, I've let you know that I would come back to you. I always played with open cards. Sasha didn't."
"He came clean in the end. Because he didn't want to start a marriage based on lies."
I nod at his words. "It's what I told Ana."
"How did she respond?"
I let my head rest against his chest as I tuck in my knees. "She's confused. She's hurt. She sees him as a fraud not as the man she fell in love with. I guess she doesn't know who is he anymore just because he told her the truth. But he's still the same man. I mean, sure he has a different name and a different job, but that's all."
"Do you think I should take Sasha under my wings?"
"You want to offer him a job?" I ask with a frown.
He shrugs, "He killed people for a living. He might as well protect them from people like him. He has the knowledge and the expertise."
"But first they need to make up."
"They will." He says with a nod. "Love always wins."
I look up, "Love always wins?"
His silver eyes look down at me. "Yeah. Look at us. We're still together despite the many obstacles in our way."
I smile and brush through his short deep brown hair. "There's no yelling yet so I think the chances are good."
"I think so, too. Are you hungry?"
My stomach starts growling on point.
Wladimir chuckles again, "I take that as a yes. What are you in the mood for?"
I think for a moment. "A typical Russian meal."
He grins at me, "Because Sasha's a Romanov?"
No because I'm craving Pelmeni. I really want those Russian ravioli. "Did Sergej showed you how to make Pelmeni?"
Wlad rises his left eyebrow at my words. "You want me to make you Pelmeni?"
I lift my head off of his chest. "No. I'd help you of course. And we're making a vegetarian version because I know we're out of minced meat."
"We've never made Pelmeni together before."
"It's not harder than Crêpes."
He grins at my words before kissing me softly. "Adaline Bolton, you are a dream come true."
Oh, his real dream is coming true in my uterus right now.
Wladimir's point of view:
I stare at the love of my life who is still fast asleep next to me. The sun has risen over the Thames and strikes of light fill the room. One of those strikes illuminate my woman. She's so gorgeous. Her chestnut curls are sparkling and her skin is glowing. I run my fingers through her curls and feel her silky locks.
God, I love this woman more than I can bare.
Suddenly, she stirs underneath me before opening her eyes. The navy in her iris starts sparkling as she looks at me. "Good morning, Солнышко." She says with a smile on her lips.
My heart explodes with love for this remarkable woman. "I love you."
"You showed me that pretty clearly last night." She says before lifting herself. "Do you know if Sasha's still here?"
"I don't even think they left the room yesterday."
"Great, then we can all have breakfast together."
I sigh, "Della,"
"Look, I need this wedding to happen. I need Ana to have her happy ending because she deserves it. Out of all the people in the world, Ana deserves it the most. More than me. She deserves to be happy and feel loved - and Sasha makes her feel that way. She needs him and he needs her." She explains. "Plus, Mom could use some endorphins in her body as well since Dad and me fought so much in this year and possibly the next decades. She needs to bunker those endorphins because I don't see an end to this fight. Which means, Ana has to forgive Sasha and marry him on January the 5th. She had her wedding dress designed by the creative director of Christian Dior. Her wedding dress is worth three million pounds, which Sasha paid for without needing to flinch! I mean, now we clearly know why he is so rich. But that's-" she stops talking as she looks at me.
I stare at her with wide eyes. Her wedding dress is three million pounds worth? How can one spend so much money on a dress? Is it made of gold and diamonds?!
"What?"
"Three million pounds?"
Della shrugs, "It's her dream dress. We looked for ages until she decided to have it designed. You'd be surprised how much money a woman spends on her dream wedding dress."
I can't wait to see Adaline in her wedding gown. But I have no idea what her dream dress would look like. "I see. Shall we see if they're already making breakfast in the kitchen?"
Adaline giggles at my question, "Are you kidding me? Ana's not a morning person. She's not awake before eleven!"
"She's a doctor." I point out. She works in shifts - some starting at three in the morning!
"Yeah outside from work she's not getting up before eleven, sometimes twelve. She believes she can make up on the lost sleep during the days she's not working." She grins at me. "What time is it?"
"Seven."
"Then we have four hours before either of them is awake because Sasha's not a morning person as well. Unlike us." She bites on her lower lip before pulling me into a passionated kiss.
I break away as the heat gets too hot. "We're out of condoms."
"That's okay." She says with a soft smile.
I lean back. "Really?" We wanted to wait before starting a family.
"Yeah. I'm fine with it."
"Della,"
"Trust me, it's okay."
"But-"
"You still want kids, don't you?"
"Of course." I answer automatically because I do. I want lots of kids with her. I can't wait to become a Dad and chase our toddlers through the hallway. There's nothing more I want than that.
"Good." She says before pulling me into another passionated kiss.
"Wait. Della, I thought we wanted to wait until we're ready."
She sighs, "I am ready and I know you are as well. We have been ready for the past year but you were afraid to bombard my Mom with not only our relationship but a pregnancy. Now that my whole family knows, there's nothing holding us back any more."
"But-"
"But what? Are you afraid to give my Dad a heart attack with a pregnancy? I don't care. My life isn't his. He is not the centre of my universe. But you are. We are. This..." She bites on her lower lip. "I love you Wlad and I'm ready to give you children. As many as you want. As many as we're able to have."
I raise my left eyebrow at her. "As many as I want? This is not just about me. We're a team."
"You're right. And how many do you want?"
I shrug, "I think three is a good start." Six kids would probably be too much to handle. But Troy and Gabi are handling six children just fine.
She nods. "Three sounds good."
"So, you're really ready? Without getting married first?"
She giggles, "That baby won't come out for a good 38 weeks. We still have time to elope and get hitched on some lonely island."
"38 weeks? I thought a pregnancy was longer."
"38? 42? There's really not much of a difference. As long as they have developed lungs, which is at 36 weeks, we're good."
I stare at her as she throws the numbers into the room like we're talking stocks.
"What?" She asks me with a sigh.
"You'd really elope and get married without your family?"
She licks her lips and shrugs. "It wouldn't be my dream wedding but it would meet the purpose. I want to be your wife and if that's the only way to get there than this is what needs to be done."
She amazes me. "You're amazing, do you know that?"
She nods with a smirk on her lips. "It's why there's a diploma hanging above our fireplace."
Adaline's point of view:
I add the frozen strawberries to the Wildside Jar of the Blendtec before closing the lid and pressing the smoothie button on the LED display. The berry mixture gets blended with my protein powder and almond milk. After burning so many calories with Wlad in our bed I definitely need some protein.
"What's with the noise?" I hear a loud growl behind me and turn around.
Ana is standing in the doorway of the guest room, covering her ears. Her blonde hair is messy and she's wearing Sasha's blue Oxford shirt. Yep, he definitely spend the night.
"Good morning, sleepy head. It's eleven thirty. Get your ass over here and have breakfast with us." I command.
Suddenly, Sasha appears behind her. He rubs his eyes as the Blendtec finishes the smoothie. He's only wearing a pair of boxer briefs. I can definitely see why Ana is so attracted to him. He's in as good of a shape as Wlad. "God, I hope you guys made some coffee."
"We did." Wlad says before getting two mugs out of the hanging cupboards of the white kitchen.
"Thank God, I really need that coffee." My sister says before walking over to us.
"So, what's the deal with the two of you now? Is the wedding still on?" I ask her as Wlad hands her a mug filled with coffee, cream and sugar.
"Della," Wlad narrows his silver eyes at me. "It's none of our business."
Is he kidding me?! It is our business. I look back at Ana or Jake. "Yes or No?"
"Yes." Sasha says with a small smile on his lips.
"Yes?" I ask.
Ana nods before grabbing his hand. "Yes. The wedding is still happening. Sasha and I will go to the Romanov Family Association today to hopefully get him in there."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Wlad asks them.
"No. But perhaps you could use to contact to get me some help. I'm sure changing my last name is not going to be easy."
"I'll give Putin a call."
"Putin?" Ana asks with wide eyes. "As in Wladimir Putin? Am I still dreaming?!"
"No." I assure her with a smirk.
"You know Wladimir Putin?" Ana asks my man.
"Yes."
"That's all you're going to give me?"
Wlad shrugs. "We've known each other for a few years. I worked for him a couple of times. He values hard work and he told me to call him if I ever needed anything. And today I will exactly do that."
"I knew you guys would get back together." I whisper before pouring the smoothie into two glasses.
"Della," Wlad sighs.
"What? You guys belong together. Just like Wlad and me." I say with a shrug before handing my man his smoothie.
Ana smiles at me, "I haven't forgiven him yet but I can't be without him. I love him and I want to be his wife. Despite the shit he has done I still trust him. It's weird but I decided to go with what my heart and gut is telling me."
"Speaking of that. Are you still going to take on the name Bolton?" Wlad asks Sasha.
"I think that's out of question. If the Romanov Family Association accepts me which I'm sure they will thanks to you, I think the only way is to become a Romanov."
"And I will take on his last name." Ana says with a soft smile.
"Really? You'll be a Romanov?" I ask her surprised. I thought she didn't want to give up the name Bolton.
Ana nods. "Bolton-Romanov just doesn't sound so good."
"Okay. Then you'll be a Romanov."
"I hope Dad won't take it so badly."
"Are you kidding me? I'm the one who's giving him a high blood pressure not you."
"Della, let me remind you that Sasha fooled all of us. I think the realisation has shocked Daddy a lot."
"Yeah of course but that doesn't mean he's going to kill him the next time he sees him."
"I don't know. He pointed a gun at me."
I wave with my hand, "That was just an overreaction."
"Like when he hit on Wlad?" Sasha asks me with a raised eyebrow.
"That was different. I've hurt and betrayed him. I've fooled him for the last six years."
I can't believe it's been already six years! "Anyways, my point is, Dad is going to forgive you. Because he saw how happy you make Ana. He sees your love and he has trust enough in Ana to make the right decision. Which is this wedding."
Ana sighs. "I don't know why he can see our love but not yours."
I bite on my lower lip and shrug. "I'm not giving up. One day he will stop with this feud."
"And until then we're going to be patient and wait it out." Wlad wraps his arms around me.
"That feud can easily last for a decade or more." Ana points out the obvious.
"I don't care."
Sasha takes a sip of his coffee. "Are you guys always up so early?"
"Yes. We're usually up at six."
"Six?!" Sasha's light green eyes are wide. "How did you ever live with her?" He asks Ana.
She chuckles. "Why do you think I spend most of my time with you?"
"I thought it was because you love me."
"Well, I do but that blender is also really loud." She says with a grin on her lips.
Suddenly, Luna and Lily's sweet miaows fill my ears. I look down as I feel their fluffy bodies against my bare legs. I pick them up and start petting them. They're so perfect with their tiny noses and sweet voices. But they are really active during the nights.
We might need to start looking for a bigger place.
Thank you for taking the time to read this chapter.
The next chapter will cover Ana's wedding. What do you think is going to happen?
Please review!
In gratitude,
Nicole