Hi Readers: What are you guys thinking of the story so far? I hope you guys like it, as I'm quite fond of it. However, I would like to ask you guys a question before we begin. I would like to know what you guys prefer when it comes to chapters. Do you prefer chapters that are shorter, which means that I update more often? Or do you like the long chapters, but less updates? That's really what I want to know, what you guys want; either (a) shorter chapters and more updates, or (b) longer chapters and less updates. Let me know.

Chapter Twenty-One

They ended up not making love to each other, not taking things nice and slow with each other with nothing but the sheets on top of them; with good reason, as it turns out that a certain newlywed expectant mother was hungry. Hungry for a late lunch that she most certainly needed to eat due to the fact that she's currently pregnant with her and her husband's first child. And that was Matt's fault, it was his fault that he and Alex haven't eaten enough; especially when he knows that she (as his gorgeous, sexy pregnant wife) needs to eat more now due to the fact that she's pregnant with their child. So, that's precisely why he was now standing in the kitchen making them some lunch, while wearing the same outfit which he wore when they flew down here early this morning, which is something that (in retrospect) Matt can't help but wonder was a mistake. Maybe them leaving so early is the reason (other than the fact that his wife is pregnant) that Alex is so tired and hungry at the moment, because they left too early this morning; so, that's something that Matt left like they were going to need to talk about. Especially when it makes other things make a lot of sense now, at least to him.

Now that he's had a chance to think back, it makes a lot of sense why she's so tired and wanted to stay in bed for such a long time; at least, until now. Because now that she's rested, she wants to be down here on the main floor of their home. More specifically, she wants to be outside in the backyard playing with Cassie and Theo. And Matt had to admit, he loves the sight; the sight of his pregnant wife playing with their current children. However, he just hopes that she's taking it easy, which is precisely why he decided to go check on the woman he loves after having just put some chicken (which his household staff bought for him when he told them that they were coming down, to tell them that they needed to stock the fridge and clean the house) into the toaster oven so that it could heat up, which meant that he had a few moments to spare. Moments which he could use to check on his wife outside, and just make sure that she's okay and taking it easy as she plays with their little dogs; something that any good, responsible new father and husband would do if he was in this situation. Then again, it might also be due to the fact that he's been living in this mindset for a while.

Even though Hallie wasn't really pregnant, she sure acted like she was which meant that Matt also acted like the dutiful fiancé and pending father to their "child", so she had a lot of practice when it came to what a pregnant wife needs to do. And one of those things is making sure that his wife is hydrated, which is why he needs to go outside in the first place; so that he can bring his wife the water bottle which he just filled up for her to consume as she plays with the dogs in this Florida heat, something which (somewhat) concerns him as he doesn't want her to overdo it. Yet at the same time, he also knows that Alex knows her limits and won't ever push them; hell, he's seen her stop a photoshoot when she thought it wasn't safe…and he made sure that she wasn't fired based on the temperatures that were recorded that day. And that, in turn, led to him creating a new policy. If it's ever above 90-degrees outside, models are allowed to take breaks whenever they wish to for the health and safety. As well, models are allowed to push back at the team if they believe they are in an unsafe work environment (something his lawyers appreciated as it made their jobs much easier).

Apparently, they always got a lot of complaints from current and former models prior to him putting that rule in place; but now, there's less complaints. And that's something that he's happy about, as it means that more of his staff are happy in the positions that they have at the company; and it also brings up the spirits and their overall sense of happiness at work. Happiness that seems to have spread to his own home based on the way that his beautiful wife was currently yelling at their dogs right now. "C'mon Theo. Bring the ball to mama. Bring it here." Smiling as he heard Alex say that, Matt couldn't help but fall more in love with that gorgeous (pregnant) wife of his; something that he's incredibly happy about due to the fact that he can't wait to be a father to that beautiful baby of theirs, regardless of the gender. The baby which Matt already knows he's going to love from the moment he or she is born, from the moment they're placed into his arms for the first time; when he gets a real chance to interact with them and press a kiss to their forehead. The forehead that will be so soft, as that's what a baby's skin always is, incredibly soft in the moments after their born.

But their forehead is not the only forehead Matt is excited to press a kiss to, as he's also excited to press a kiss to his wife's forehead; something which he plans to do the moment he can as he walked up behind his wife. But while on his way to do so, he first decided that he would set their water bottles down on the table; as he didn't want to be holding them as he stood behind his wife, which is precisely what he was now doing as he walked up behind her and his hands on her hips (something he did the moment he was standing behind her). And he always does to due to the fact that it was one of his two ways of telling Alex that he was here with her now, while the other was him bending down and pressing a sweet kiss to her shoulder. Something that made Alex smile the moment he did so, but not as much as she smiled when she heard what Matt said after he kissed her shoulder. "If that's how you play with our dogs, then I can't wait to see how you interact with our little one here." Smiling as she felt Matt cuddle up to her and place his hands on her stomach, Alex soon moved her hands to his arms as she leaned back against his muscular chest. The chest she loves.

The chest she loves to cuddle up to and sleep on, the chest she plans on sleeping on for the rest of her life. "I thought you were in the kitchen making us some chicken." Matt nodded, as he was in the midst of making them some chicken. "I just put it in the oven. Might be ten or fifteen minutes before it's ready; so, I decided to come spend some time out here with my family." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, while also turning around in his arms and stepping close to him; before wrapping her arms around his neck and smirking as she got nice and close to the man she loves, who also decided that he wanted to get close to her. Something which he did the moment his beautiful wife was standing close to him, as he moved his hands to her hips and smiled at her. Meanwhile, Alex decided to ask her husband a question which she needs to ask him due to the fact that she needs him to clarify something for her. "Family, as in me and the dogs, or me in the baby?" Smirking, Matt moved his hand to the side of his beautiful wife's face before leaving a soft kiss on her lips. After which, he took things nice and slow with the woman he loves more than anything in the entire world this afternoon.

And only after the kiss did he finally answer the question that she just asked him, while also flashing a big grin at the woman of his dreams. "Both." Smiling as she heard Matt give her that answer, Alex got close to him before wrapping her arms around his neck and cuddling up to him; while Matt moved his hands to her hips and just held the woman he loves close to him. After which, he kissed her shoulder as they both cuddled up to each other on the back patio of their home this afternoon; something that they plan on doing while they eat lunch together, and that Matt wants Alex to start doing now. "Listen, how about you sit down where I can see you rather than way out there?" Alex laughed as she leaned back and looked at the man of her dreams, while also placing her hands on his chest. "Let me guess, someone's already worried about me?" Sighing, Matt let Alex go before grabbing her hand; after which, he led her towards the couch that they have here on the back patio where he plans on talking to her. "There are multiple reasons, the first is because it's where I need to be right now." Looking at her husband, Alex was confused as she didn't understand what he was saying.

So, she asked him what exactly he meant. "What are you talking about?" Turning around to face his wife once he was close to the couch, Matt smirked as he stepped close to Alex and intertwined their fingers. "If I want to sit out here with you for a bit, I need to be able to smell the chicken, so I know when it's ready." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, before stepping close to the man of her dreams and putting her hands on his muscular chest; while Matt placed his hands on her hips and stared into her eyes. "Meanwhile, I can still play with the dogs as we just take it easy with each other." Matt agreed with Alex, kissing the woman he loves as he holds her close to him here on the back porch of their home. "Exactly." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, while wrapping her arms around him. "Anyways, I was hoping to talk to you about something." Matt was confused, as he thought everything was okay with them. "Is something wrong?" Alex was surprised to hear Matt ask her whether something was wrong, because she hates it when he actually assumes that. "Babe, you know how I feel about you automatically assuming something is wrong." Matt sighed as he looked at Alex.

After all, he knows that. He's just still in that mindset. "Sorry. It's just…" Looking at his wife, Matt decided to be honest with her. "With the exception of you and the baby, I haven't had much good things happen to me lately." Alex looked at Matt as he said that, before nodding as that was the truth. "I mean, my engagement imploded, I learned that I was deceived in learning that I was having a baby with her…which is big when I have such a good BS meter when it comes to business." Alex agreed with Matt. "And I'm just…I guess I'm not used to the constant good news thing yet. I'm still waiting for the outcome of everything that happened." Alex just looked at Matt as he said that. "What are you talking about?" Matt sighed. "What if my quick change makes people thing things are unstable at the company?" Grabbing her husband's hand, Alex agreed with him as she stroked it with her thumb; after all, she understood where he was coming from. "I get that. And if that happens, then we prove them wrong. And if someone backs out of a deal, then we go to their competitor and make a better deal with them that brings them more money." Matt was shocked as he heard Alex say that.

I mean, how in the world did she already think of that. "How in the world…" Alex laughed. "What? You don't think I listen in sometimes on your business calls? Or read some of your papers? Babe, I want to be there for you. And that's something I want to talk about, how we're going to deal with business." Matt agreed with his wife, ready to have that conversation.

He decided to go check on the chicken ahead of having quite a serious conversation with the woman he loves. A conversation that he could tell she was both excited and nervous to have with him, not that she has anything to be nervous about. I mean, she is the co-majority owner of the company, which means that she has every right to express her views. Plus, he wants her to express her views as his wife, the woman he loves and his partner in all of this. This is going to be a lot to deal with, and he's just grateful that he's going to have her by his side through all of it. Something that he could never say when he was with Hallie. They just weren't a team when it came to the business, which is why he's so grateful that he has Alex in his life. She's truly the love of his life and he's so proud that he has the ability to call her his wife now. The woman he loves and craves more than anything in the entire world. And that's precisely why he's more than ready to just hold his wife in his arms as they take it easy with each other. And maybe, even make love to her in bed at some point (again); but not yet, as first they need to talk about something that's on Alex's mind. Something quite serious.

Something that seems to be keeping her attention away from him (and the door) and on something else entirely, something that was making her nervous; when there is absolutely no reason to be nervous when it relates to him. He wants her to feel like she can always talk to him, as he's here for her; he'll always be here for her as her husband first. "Alex?" Turning her head as she heard Matt come out, Alex was a bit worried as she thought he said something to her. "Sorry, did you say something babe?" Matt shook his head in relation to that question, as he didn't; he was just a bit worried about her and what she was thinking about. "No, I just saw you deep in thought. So, how about you get up and let me sit down on the couch? Then, you can sit in my arms as we cuddle up to each other and take it easy. You need to breathe and just relax for the sake of that little baby of ours." Alex agreed with Matt as he said that, before getting up and moving close to the man of her dreams. The man she loves more than anything in the entire world.

After which, she put her hands on his muscular chest and smiled as she kissed him softly, which Matt responded to by putting his hands on her hips, and just taking things nice and slow with the woman of his dreams. "God, I love you so much." Alex agreed with her husband as he told her that, well aware that he loves her more than anything in the entire world. "I love you too, and I am so glad that this is what we're doing right now. But listen, you need to concentrate and just take it easy mister. No slacking off." Matt smiled as he heard Alex say that, before leaning in and kissing the woman of his dreams. "I swear, you have no idea just how much I truly love you." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that, smiling as she kissed her incredible husband softly. "I love you too, now sit down so that I can cuddle up to you and take it easy." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife as she said that, before slipping off his sandals and moving to sit down on the couch; which Alex soon did as well as she didn't want to waste any time she had right now standing up.

Time where she could be all cuddled up to her husband, rather than standing up ahead of him having to go back inside to check on the chicken. "How long until the chicken is ready?" Matt smiled. "It's ready whenever you want to eat, but at least not until after we talk." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, before climbing into Matt's lap and moving to cuddle up to him Laying down on his chest, she soon wrapped her arms around him and smiled as she laid her head down on his muscular chest; after which, Matt left a soft kiss on the top of her head to show her that he was very comfortable here with her in his arms. "God, I love it when you cuddle up to me like this." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that, well aware that was the case. "I can tell. Now, just take a breath and take it easy babe." Matt agreed with his wife, while running his hand up and down her back. "I should be telling you that." Alex agreed, as that most certainly was the truth. He should be telling her that rather than have her tell him that. "Yeah, sorry." Matt shook his head.

After all, the last thing he wanted was for his wife to think that she needed to apologize. "Hey, don't apologize and just breathe. We're here for each other babe, just like we'll always be here for each other." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, smiling due to the fact that most certainly is the truth. She'll always be here for him, just like he'll always be there for her. "And you have no idea just how much I already appreciate that. Already knowing that you'll always be there for me, just like I'll always be there for you." Matt smiled. "And our children, can't forget about our children." Alex laughed. "Let's just concentrate on this one for now, this first child of ours." Matt agreed with his wife, smiling as he ran his hand up and down her back, while also kissing the top of her head. "So, you wanted to say something about the business?" Alex agreed with Matt. "Yeah, I just heard your worries about how you might loose business; and I just wanted to remind you of something." Matt agreed with his wife. "When it comes to business, people should want to work with you based on the product and work you do; not the image you present." Matt agreed with Alex, as that was true.

As was what she said next. "If them cancelling a deal just because of the scandals that weren't of your making, then they don't deserve to waste your time in creating deals with you. You aren't a type of man who wants to be all profit driven. You put your money back into your employees by giving them the services. And like you said, you like to make them happy. And I think the same should go for you. If you're so frustrated working with someone day in and day out, then why are you still working with them? You have a million things to deal with in your own business, dealing with someone else's business is not your problem; if they waste your time and money, then they shouldn't get the benefits of having the Casey brand attached to their projects. You worked too hard to change the imagine of the company for you to be dragged down by other people." Matt agreed with Alex. "And the scandal that could erupt from all this?" Alex laughed. "Oh honey, they've got nothing on you. You beat the odds as a kid, and you're a successful businessman who was abused as a kid. People like you are rarely this successful. You beat the odds and are thriving. If they don't trust you, who will?"

Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, while also running his hand up and down her back as he pressed his lips to her forehead. And damn is he happy to have Alex here in his arms, as they both just hold each other close and take it easy with each other. "We are so just going to head back up to bed after lunch, aren't we?" Alex laughed. "Last time I checked, we at least needed to walk the dogs before we did that." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife, as that most certainly is the truth. They need to take a walk with the dogs after lunch to make sure that they get exercise. "And that's what we're going to do. We can take a walk down the beach for the first time as husband and wife." Alex smiled as she heard Matt say that, really liking the sound of that. "First time as husband and wife, love that idea." Matt smirked as he wrapped his arm around Alex again and leaned in to kiss her softly. "I love you." Moving her hand to Matt's neck, Alex agreed with him and took things nice and slow with the man of her dreams. "I love you too." After which, she decided to sit in his lap and just take things slow with her husband. "No walk." Matt agreed with Alex, smirking.

For some reason, Matt just knew when he first proposed them going to the beach that they were never going to the beach; not when they can instead do something else. When they can just take it easy and relax at home with each other, on the first day of their honeymoon. Nor was he surprised that Alex decided to stay home, rather than come with him on the walk with the dogs that he just took; in fact, he's happy that she stayed home because of what she's wearing for him now that he's home. Now that he's with her in the foyer of their home, giving her the pleasure she desires from him, her husband, and the father of their child. The kisses that he was giving her, and the moments where he was sucking on her neck. Oh, those neck kisses were really turning Alex on; and they both knew it. They both knew that Alex was really turned on as Matt sucked on her neck, giving her precisely what she wants right now as they hold each other close. It's just so much fun and they are both so glad that this is what they're in the midst of doing right now, as Matt holds his pregnant wife in his arms and sucks on her neck. "Somebody likes this, don't they?" Alex agreed, moaning.

After which, she turned her head and smiled as she kissed the man of her dreams; the man she knew was just as turned on as she was. "Don't lie and tell me that you aren't turned on too based on what I'm wearing right now." Matt nodded, as he most certainly is turned on based on what his gorgeous wife is wearing for him. How could he not be turned on? "How was your walk with the dogs?" Smirking as he put his hand on Alex's neck, Matt leaned in and took things nice and slow with her. "Lonely." Alex agreed with her husband as he told her that, while continuing to take things nice and slow with the man of her dreams. "And just how much I repair your loneliness?" Matt smirked as he bent down and went to pick the woman he loves up in his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as he held her close; while at the same time, Alex wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled as she kissed her dreamy husband softly. "You weren't gone long." Matt smirked and agreed with Alex. "I had a gorgeous woman in my head the entire time telling me to come home to her so that I can get sexy time with my gorgeous wife." Alex smirked, agreeing with Matt.

After all, that's precisely why he's here right now; to get some sexy time with her, as they hold each other close and take it easy with each other in bed. "Don't lie and say that you aren't happy that you decided to come home to get sexy with your wife in bed?" Matt shook his head, as that was something that she'd never catch him do. "Oh, you'll never hear me lying about that. I'm thrilled that I decided to come home and be with you right now." Alex agreed with her husband as he said that, smiling as she kissed him softly once more. "Plus, we're still celebrating the fact that we're having a baby." Alex smirked as she felt Matt put his hands on her sides, before turning around as he kissed her; meanwhile, she wrapped her arms and legs around him nice and tight to make sure that she doesn't fall out of his arms. After all, that's the last thing she wants to happen right now. She wants to stay in his arms, as they take it easy each other and just have fun with each other. "Now this is how you spend your honeymoon." Matt agreed with Alex as he carried her away from the door, turning around in the process so that he can carry her upstairs to their room where they belong.

Walking into their room after setting Alex down on the ground, Matt smirked as he grabbed her blouse and started to undo it while he continued to kiss her as he continued to take things nice and slow with the woman of his dreams. The woman he loves more than anything in the entire world and is incredibly proud to call his wife now that they're married. And she's also the woman he wants to have in bed. "I am such an idiot." Alex was confused as she heard Matt say that, while also leaning back against the footboard of their bed and putting her hands on his toned chest. "Hey, what are you talking about." Matt smirked as Alex asked him that question. "Why did I even think I wanted to go anywhere, when I know that I want to be here in bed with you?" Alex smirked as she heard Matt say that, while running her hands down his toned chest; after which, she grabbed his shirt and went to take it off. Something that very much turned Matt on, as he helped her take it off and throw it away. Meanwhile, Alex put her hands on his chest and smirked as she kissed him. "Hey, at least you already corrected your mistake by coming home to me." Matt agreed with Alex as he kissed her, while she proceeded to grab his shorts and undid them; after which, she let them fall onto the ground, so her husband was in his boxers.

The tight boxers that she loves so much, but not as much as the lingerie that her husband loves, which was now revealed as her man just threw her shirt onto the ground, while also putting his hand on her neck and bending down to suck on it. "Oh, baby." Matt agreed with his wife, well aware that she loves the feeling of him sucking on her neck. After which, she ran his hands down her body and went to grab her shorts; the shorts that we just as easy to take off as his own due to the fact that they were just a button away from being undone. And now that they were undone, it was time for Matt to do the last thing, which is to pick Alex up in his arms and wrap her legs around his waist. After which, he kissed her again and just smirked as he took things nice and slow with the woman he loves. The woman of his dreams and who he craves more than anything in the entire world. But first, he bent down and grabbed his phone; something he needs to keep close heaven forbid something happens, which Alex understood. So, she always lets him do it; just as long as she gets this. Time with her husband where they can take it easy and hold each other close to one another in bed.

And damn does Alex love the way her husband is holding her right now, as it's absolutely perfect; it's precisely what she wants, and it turns her on oh so much. "God, you are such a turn on." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, smiling as he continued to carry her to their bed. "I can say the same thing about you Ms. Casey." Alex agreed with Matt as he told her that, smiling as he carried her to her side of the bed. After which, he proceeded to lay her down in their bed and just smirked due to the fact that his wife is oh so damn sexy. And Alex knew that, due to the fact that she always teases her husband whenever she gets a chance to do so. She always teases him and gives her a bunch of pleasure, pleasure that Matt revels in whenever he gets a chance to do so. And now that he had his wife in their bed, he was more than ready to do that as he climbed into bed with her. "God, the walk was so lonely." Alex laughed, agreeing with Matt as she slipped over in bed and laid down on her side; after which, Matt decided to do the same thing. "We aren't having sex yet, are we?" Taking a breath, Alex sighed as she looked at the man she loves, while also cuddling up to him.

After all, she wasn't sure whether she was ready for that. "Sorry babe." Matt shook his head, as he didn't want to hear her apologize for anything. If she doesn't want to have sex, then she's allowed to not want to have sex. And then, that's precisely what they're going to do. They're going to take it easy and just hold each other close, as they relax in bed. Plus, this is a great way for them to start their life as husband and wife as they hold each other close and take it easy with each other. "I mean, not that I want to say that I'm more than okay with this…oh, who am I kidding? Alex, all I need right now is you in bed with me as we hold each other close. Did you really think I wanted to take a walk with you when I can see that you're tired?" Alex took a breath as she looked at the man she loves, while also cuddling up to him and holding him close; at the same time, Matt wrapped his arm around his gorgeous wife to make sure that she was comfortable. And honestly, that's precisely what she is right now. She's comfortable as she cuddled up to the man of her dreams in their bed, something that will always be true. "Anyways, I want to celebrate something still." Turning his head, Matt smirked.

After all, he already knew what she wanted to celebrate; something that he wants to celebrate all the time now. And that would be the fact that the two of them are (a) married and (b) expecting a child with each other. A child that they want to take it easy for. "I just want to take it easy for our baby babe. So, if you aren't up for it then I'm okay with us just taking it easy right now." Alex agreed with Matt, smiling as she felt the same way; she was more than happy to just take it easy and relax with her husband due to the fact that it's what she wants right now. She wants to take it easy with the man she loves as they both held each other close in the comfort of their bed. "I love you Matt." Matt agreed with his beautiful wife as he turned his head and smiled at her. "I love you too Alex, forever." Alex smiled as she heard Matt tell her that, while putting her hand on the side of his face and starting to take things nice and slow with the man she loves more than anything in the entire world. "Sorry we didn't take a walk today." Matt shook his head, as he didn't want to hear that. "Alex, I want you to take it easy and relax." Alex nodded. "I'm just worried to go too fast. The first trimester is hard."

Matt was confused as he heard Alex say that. "What are you talking about baby?" Alex sighed as she looked up into her amazing husband's eyes. "Matt, I know how much you want to have this baby. How much you want to be a father. And I also know that it would devastate you if something happened. So, I just…" Looking down into Alex's eyes, Matt moved his hand to her neck and then kissed the woman he loves softly. "Baby, just take a breath and relax. I promise you; I love you and will never be mad at you. I'm here for you, and we're not going to think that way. This baby is ours, and I am not going to let anything happen to you or our baby. We're going to meet this little guy in the future, that's something that I'm determined to have happen." Alex agreed with her husband as he told her that, smiling as she loves the sound of that as she put her hand on his face. "I love you." Matt agreed with his wife as she said that, smirking as he bent down and kissed Alex softly. "What do you want to do right now." Alex smirked and then rolled over. "Maybe a back massage with kisses?" Matt smirked and agreed as he put his hand on her back, before bending down to kiss it as he gave Alex exactly what she wanted right now.

A back massage, with a bunch of kisses also being placed on her back. And damn was this a lot of fun.