21

Viktor hated flying that much I deduced. I glanced back at his face to see him leaning back into his chair, eyes shut hard, hands gripping the arm rests hard. The mild turbulence we experienced was not helping. His fear was genuine and I smiled gently and took hold of his hand. He slowly opened his eyes and looked down at me. I looked up at him and rubbed the top of his palm.

"It's okay. I'm here." I replied pulling out one of my head phones and offered it to him. "Want to listen? It may calm you?" He looked at my earbud unsure but he nodded and took it and leaned over to me a bit so the headphones didn't stretch. Fire on Fire by Sam Smith was playing. He listened as the chorus played and I watched the tight look on his face gently ease up, and his hand curling around mine that caressed his hand. I listened to this song because it was deep and filled me with raw passion and emotions when I painted. It also soothed my mind when I first started to fly. I could tell Viktor was taken in by the music his eyes calming even more.

"Fire on fire would normally kill us, but this much desire, together we're winners. They say that we're out of control, and some say we're sinners. But don't let them ruin our beautiful rhythms." Sam sang and we found each other looking at deep, eyes as we were both devoured by the beautiful chorus. Sam Smith spoke to me and I could tell he was speaking to Viktor too. "Cause when you unfold me and tell me you love me and look in my eyes. You are perfection my only direction it's fire on fire."

The turbulence did not take Viktor's attention from me at all. An hour in, we were both in our own devices, Viktor was on his phone watching boxing matches and I had my notepad on my lap sketching some new work. I figured it was time to recreate The Giver only this time she would not be of my mother, but of me. I sketched quietly, my headphones in my ears as Viktor's headphones were in his, both our knees gently knocking against one another to give us comfort. His leg was large compared to mine. I sketched my body from the side, round from pregnancy. I curved my pencil down my head to show the curliness of my hair. My hand was on my stomach and I realized I had left a large space open behind my new giver. What could I put there? I didn't want to just be alone like my mother was. That's why I drew her alone, because it was just her raising me and my brother. I found myself glancing over at Viktor to see his eyes focused on his phone.

I thought of him for a moment as I wondered how upset his father must be that he's up in the air with me instead of on the ground training to rebuild his own legacy. My fiancé had definitely grown since I first met him in the rain months ago. He was shy, a secret weapon only used when in the ring. But now there was more to him. He had feelings and fears just like everyone else. He wasn't a brute, but someone I relied on for not only my protection but for the protection of our child. I looked back at my notepad and continued to sketch.

After a very long flight, I had finished the simple sketch. Only this time, Viktor's large form was behind me, his hands on my stomach, his head tilted down with my own to look at my large stomach. His face, his eyes, his jaw line, his body all perfectly drawn out as he stood behind me.

I wrote in cursive on the bottom right, The Giver and The Protector. Once at the airport, we had a car already waiting for us, thanks to my aunt. I told her I would be staying in a nice hotel that was between her home and Donnie's. She had constantly questioned why I would so randomly do that until I told my fiancé would be with me. The sun was just coming up. Luckily there were no cameras or reporters. It was early and everyone was tired. I don't think hardly anyone recognized Viktor which was a good thing. We made it to the hotel and relaxed for a few hours. I was on my back gently rubbing my stomach and Viktor was between my legs resting his cheek below my hand. It was like he was trying to feel for any form of the baby. His large hands moved about my stomach and so I moved my hand so he could do so.

"What if we have a girl?" he asked in slight amazement. "She will be my little princess." I grinned at the thought.

"She will be daddy's little girl." I replied and he looked up at me with happy eyes.

"Or a little boy who will want to fight as well." he said and I nodded slowly. My phone buzzed indicating I had a text. It was Aunt Alicia simply wanting to make sure we were safe. I told her we were and that we were going to rest before seeing Donnie. I also asked her not to tell her I was here. She agreed. I looked down at Viktor to see he was completely passed out atop of me. His head rose with the breathing of my body. I smiled and just rested against my pillow letting sleep take me. As we slept, I could feel his large arms embrace me and pull me into his body, his face rubbing into my stomach. We were up by one and after we got cleaned up and grabbed food, we were in the back of the same car on our way to my brothers. Viktor's eyes were just staring out the window. As I looked at him I couldn't help but be worried for him being here.

Adonis was probably still healing and seeing him probably would not be good for reconciling. Once we arrived at his condo, Viktor removed his seatbelt. I placed my hand on his lap and he looked at me casually.

"Stay in the car?" I advised. His jaw tightened just a bit as he looked out my window before nodding.

"Da." he replied lightly and we both leaned in and shared a gentle kiss before I stepped out and moved up the stairs to his place. My stomach was tight and my heart was beating faster than I had ever imagined. Once I was at the door I knocked a few times and just looked around. I hadn't been to their new place. Auntie gave me the address. It was nice, very urban. The door opened and Bianca stood in the doorway radiant and beautiful. She seemed shocked to see me, but her eyes sparkled in seconds.

"Astrid!" she said happily and spread her arms out. At least someone is happy to see me. I embraced her, feeling her stomach poke into me.

"Hey, B." I replied. She rubbed my back some.

"I'm so glad you're here." she said pulling back and looking at me. I nodded gently.

"How is he?" I asked. She sighed some and looked back over her shoulder.

"He's existing." she said and looked at me and I looked down with guilt.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come here." I replied and she shook her head immediately.

"No you're twins and you both need to talk." she said glancing over my shoulder at the sound of a door closing. "Someone with you?" I turned and looked to see Viktor stepping out and leaning against the door of the car. I tensed heavily and looked at B who looked confused as to why he was here.

"Well you know we've both been dating…" I said and she nodded slowly.

"Yeah I know." she said with distance in her tone and finally looked at me and I nodded.

"Well two more things. We're getting married… and I'm pregnant." I replied and her eyes widened and she covered her mouth with both her hands, her beautiful nails shining.

"What! Oh my god, Astrid that's great!" she said hugging me tight once more. I smiled and hugged her back.

"B who's at the door!" I hear my brother yell from inside. We pulled back and looked inside the hall, then at each other.

"He plans to stay out here." I replied and Bianca looked over my shoulder as if thinking and then at me.

"No. He should come in." she said strongly and stepped inside the house. Now this was definitely something I did not expect to hear from her. All our worlds were about to collide together expect for Aunt Alicia and her lover being here. I turned to Viktor and waved him over and he nodded and moved up to the porch and took my hand.

"Let's go." I said and led him insde.