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Presently, Alexander and I are getting our first moment of peace in a while. We're at the penthouse in the city—the one we were originally supposed to stay at before his father had upended our plans. The penthouse is disposed over three floors, at the top of theGenesis, one of the properties his family owns.
Well,weown now, I guess.
It's quite different from the estate. Instead of the traditional decor, the penthouse is more modern and contemporary. It's all clean lines, huge seamless windows, slate and gunmetal. There's even a rooftop heated pool.
Though it's still not my preference, I like it a lot more.
It's just us here, too. Well, along with a few housekeepers and the army of guards that Alexander's position now necessitates. It's still less than the dozens of people that were in-and-out of the estate.
If I try, I can go a few hours without interacting with anyone.
I'm sitting in one of the chairs by the window that overlooks the bustling city below us. There's a light dusting of snow coating everything, and I've got a cup of tea to keep me warm.
In a couple of days, we’ll be heading back to Saint Frederic University. The logistics of it all will be crazy—but Alexander needs to finish his final semester to qualify for the Kingmaker Society.
He just has four months left.
In the interim, Ben will be his eyes and ears on the ground here. Alexander is confident that he can make it work, and I trust him. Already, he has a lot of great ideas for the Empire. I know he’ll accomplish them, and I’ll be by his side to help.
But in four months, I’ll befaralong. It’s already a bit nerve-wracking to be thinking of keeping up with all the appointments, redecorating the penthouse and preparing for a baby while also finishing my Freshman year at school, but I’ve been through worse.
And I’ll have Nya and Tara, which I’m looking forward to.
It will be a challenge, but I think we can handle it. It certainly seems more manageable than the shit we’ve been through the past few weeks.
"Do you want to go out tonight, or stay in?" Alexander asks, appearing from one of the doors nearby. He looks the most relaxed I've seen him in weeks, months even.
His hair is damp from a recent shower, sticking up at odd angles and flopping over his temples. He's shirtless and barefoot, with a pair of sweatpants slung low over his hips. Tattoos cover his arms and neck, the droplets of water on his abs glinting in the soft light. I almost feel overdressed in my wooly jumper, leggings and socks.
I drink in the sight of him, heat gathering in my core.
I want to leap over and maul him.
"Is that even a question?" I pull a face, my eyes traveling over the expanse of his chest. "I want some peace. I'd be fine sitting here for the rest of our vacation."
Alexander sits beside me on the chair.
There's hardly any space for his tall, broad frame, so I end up in his lap, much to his delight. I take a sip of my tea and set it on the side table beside us. Alexander slips his hand under my jumper, rubbing my belly.
I actually have a teeny, tiny bump now, though it barely shows in any of my clothes. But it's there, and he's obsessed with it.
We've had one more appointment with the obstetrician since the last one. Both Alexander and I agreed that we wanted to be surprised by the gender of our baby, and the doctor's obliged us.
I'm secretly hoping for a girl.
Alexander claims he doesn't have a preference.
"I have something for you," he says.
It takes me a moment to realize he's talking to me. He's taken up the habit of talking to the baby the past few days—even though the baby's much too young to even move in response.
He doesn't care, though.
"Me?" I ask.
Alexander nods. "It's something I've been meaning to give you for a few days now, but with how busy everything has been I couldn't find the time."
Is he talking about sex?
