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I would have been much worse if it weren't for my husbands' constant positivity. This pregnancy wasn't going as well as the last one. I had night terrors and panic attacks from the stress.
"I'm trying." Grace dabbed at the tear streaming down her cheek. "The timing sucks. I need Cole at home.”
"I know, Grace." Bastian's voice was calm and controlled. "You shouldn't be alone. I'll come over and stay with you and Hale.”
They weren’t living at Fort Marshall anymore. Grace was all alone in a big house she bought with Cole after they married. She didn’t grow up like Cole with live-in staff and everything at her disposal. Even after Grace inherited billions of dollars from Fitzy, she refused to spend it. Bastian helped her distribute the money between hundreds of charities.
"No, don't do that." She shook her head. "I'm okay. Stay with Alex. She needs you."
"We'll come over," I offered. "It's not a big deal. You live around the corner. Besides, we want to see you and Hale.”
I needed sleep and a shower, but Grace was my only friend.
"No.” She raised her hand to her mouth and yawned. "I'm going to nap with Hale until he wakes up."
I heard the front door slam, followed by several sets of footsteps. One of them sounded like heels clicking on the marble floor in the entry hall.
I patted Bash's knee and whispered, "I'll be right back."
He smiled in response.
I shot up from the couch and poked my head out of the room. Marcello strolled toward me with Cole and Olivia Maxwell between them.
I stepped into the hallway and waved to Olivia and Cole. And when they halted in front of me, I hooked my arm around Cole. "Congrats on Hale. He's adorable."
He held me at arm's length, his face illuminated with a grin that touched his blue eyes. "When did you see him?"
I tipped my head at the parlor. "Bash is on the phone with Grace."
Cole clutched Marcello's shoulder. "I'm going to say hi. I'll meet you out back."
Marcello nodded.
Olivia's eyes were red-rimmed from crying, holding mine before dropping to my stomach. "You're getting so big. When are you due?"
"The C-section is planned for the end of the month." I rubbed my hand over my belly and felt a kick against my palm. "The boys are ready to come out. And I can't wait. They won't stop kicking me."
Olivia chuckled. "I bet."
We'd met a bunch of times over the years at Drake’s parties. I caught them almost kissing at his last Christmas party. They had unresolved feelings they didn't act upon for some reason. I asked Drake about her once, and he said it's complicated.
I stood on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around Marcello's neck. "Is everything okay?"
He gave me a quick peck. "Olivia is staying here until we get back."
"Okay." I lowered my arms to my sides. "I can show her to the guest room."
"Thanks, princess." His fingers gripped my side as he kissed my cheek. "I have to do more recon with Cole. I'll see you at dinner."
Marcello grabbed my ass, making me squeal, and then he disappeared down the hallway.
"You two are so cute.” Olivia slung an overnight bag over her shoulder and smiled. "Marcello is super sweet and protective. He’s always been so good to Drake.”
"I love that about him. It's in his nature to take care of people." I latched onto her arm. "C'mon, I'll give you a house tour before dinner."
* * *
Marcello and Cole skipped dinner, which only caused me to worry more. Needing a distraction, I shut myself in my home studio and tried to forget about the last twenty-four hours.
