Dangerous Beauty: Part Three: This is War (39 page)

“You don’t ever have to thank me for that baby. That’s my job. I’ll do anything for my family, you know that.”

“I just want you to know that you’re appreciated. I love you.”

Smiling, Nathan pressed a kiss to her lips. Last week Carter had gotten very sick. So much so that they’d had to push back meeting Kyle’s daughter almost two weeks so that she could remain in bed. She could barely move without getting sick. Nathan hated seeing her in such a condition, but he knew it was necessary. The babies were growing and Carter was about to enter her second trimester. Nathan was proud of himself for taking such good care of his wife while she was sick. With Gabriel’s help, he was able to get Carter everything she needed and make her feel comfortable during one of the worst weeks of her pregnancy so far.

“I love you, too, Carterina.” He sighed and hugged her closer as he closed his eyes. “What time are the guests arriving for Sofia’s party?”

“I told them it’s a lunch, so I’m hoping they arrive around two. You promise to be finished with your meeting by then?”

“Yes, honey. I promise.”

“Good,” she said, satisfied with his response. “Do you want to hear the babies before we take a shower?”

Nathan immediately hopped up from the bed and went to grab their fetal Doppler from the closet. This was his favorite part of the morning. Ever since they’d gotten the thing in the mail last week, Nathan had been using the hell out of it.

After he got the device he threw on a pair of boxers and walked back into the bedroom, finding Carter already in position. She laid on her back with the gel already out and ready for him. The first time they’d did this they mapped out the positions of both baby A and baby B so that they would always be able to find them fast.

“You ready, baby?”

She smiled and nodded. Nathan sat on the floor next to the bed just as Carter squeezed the gel on her belly. Switching on the small machine, she placed the microphone on her belly.

“Are they low now?” Nathan asked her.

“Yeah.” She took his hand and guided it. “Do you hear? That one is my heartbeat.”

Then she moved their hands over about three inches and a faster heartbeat sounded in the room. The heart was beating at 165 beat per minute.

Nathan smiled wide. “There he is. Baby A.” His baby.

Carter giggled. “He could be a she, Nathan.”

“Of course, baby.” But Nathan’s gut was telling him it was a boy, so he was going with that.

After another minute they moved on to find their baby B, who was positioned a bit higher than he—or she—was last time. Baby B had a heart rate of 160 beats per minute.

“That’s our babies in there, I can’t believe it,” Nathan exclaimed with awe.

They were voicing they’re excitement softly while listening to their precious baby B’s heartbeat when an abrupt thump against the microphone caused them both to jump back.

They both stared at Carter’s stomach in horror.

“What the fuck was that?” Nathan whispered frantically.

Carter shook her head emphatically. “I don’t know. I didn’t feel anything. I’m only ten weeks.”

“I thought the doctor said they don’t kick yet?”

Carter covered her mouth as amusement entered her eyes. “They don’t.” She laughed a little. “That was so scary, Nathan.”

Nathan shook his head, becoming amused by it himself. “We shouldn’t have watched that movie the other night.”

Carter laughed. They had just watched Devils Due a couple nights before. It was a movie about a young newlywed couple that became pregnant with the anti-Christ.

“Do you think that maybe we woke him up this morning, when we had sex, and he’s mad at us?” she asked as her laughter subsided. “Do you think it disturbs their sleep when I come? I have to ask my doctor that.”

Nathan thought for a moment, then cocked his head to the side and asked. “So, you’re saying our unborn child just gave us … a warning?”

They looked at each other then burst into a loud laughter.

~*~

For Sofia’s welcome lunch, Carter thought she would tap into her southern roots. She’d lived in the South in a small town for a long time, and she had learned how to make southern cuisine from the numerous cookbooks she’d made her father purchase for her. She was making southern-style buttermilk fried chicken breast, incredibly cheesy homemade baked macaroni and cheese with a buttery cracker crumb topping, candied yams with marshmallow topping, some bomb ass southern-style collard greens, sweet and buttery cornbread, and for dessert peach crisp and homemade—yes homemade—French vanilla ice cream. Carter had bought an ice cream maker months ago, determined to learn how to make her own ice cream. She’d finally used it for the first time today and the ice cream was damn perfect.

Carter hated to toot her own horn, but she could help it. She was a badass cook, and she knew it. Maybe there were perks to growing up sheltered with nothing to do but acquire numerous skill in hopes of future freedom.

“I like the way you stir that. I’ve never seen anyone make cheese sauce that way before,” Mickey sighed. Resting his face on the palm of his hands, he stared longingly at the cheese as if it were the most beautiful thing in the world.

Carter smiled. Mickey was obsessed with her cooking. It was so cute. “Would you like to taste?” she asked.

She had to ask him. He was sitting over there watching her and looking so damn adorable. Carter couldn’t help but imagine what it be like when her kids sat at the island in the middle of the kitchen to watch her cook. Mickey had that baby boy quality that just made her want to pinch his cheeks.

“Yeah, I’ll taste it,” Mickey answered, making Carter smile, “if you let me lick it off of your finger.”

And just like that, she was reminded that Mikilo Valente was not a baby boy. He was a naughty boy. Adorable atmosphere obliterated. Mickey could be such a loveable tool sometimes, but Carter knew exactly how to handle him.

Carter smirked. “How about I let you lick it off the sharp end of my knife?” She arched a brow and placed one hand on her hip. “Your blood should add a little extra flavor to the cheddar.”

He tossed his head back and laughed loudly. “You’re fucking psychotic, Carter.” He shook his head. “I swear my life sucked when you were gone.”

“I know.” She winked. “You’d be lost without me, Mikilo Valente.”

He chuckled softly and lowered his eyes. “I’m serious, Carter.”

When he lifted his eyes back to hers, Carter saw that he was indeed serious. He was being sweet again and he never failed to make her want to cry every time he was sweet.

“I really missed you, Carterina,” he said softly. He swallowed as a pained expression flashed across his face. “I still feel like shit …”

Carter sighed and walked over to him. “Well you shouldn’t,” she said as she wrapped her arms around Mickey’s waist and rested her head on his chest. She felt his arms go around her and his chin rest on her head. “I don’t blame you for anything, Mickey. I never did, and I never would. What happened was unfortunate, but I found Gabriel and my father, and you guys found all three of us, and brought us back home.”

“All five of you,” he whispered. “Don’t forget about my little nephews.”

“Don’t listen to Nathan, Mickey. We don’t know if they’re boys yet.”

“But he has a gut feeling, and I can attest that Nathan’s gut feelings are always right.”

Carter chuckled and pulled back some, looking up into his eyes. “How does he always get you on his side?” Mickey was his big brother, Nathan’s biggest fan. It was cute.

“It’s a long story,” Mickey sighed. “Nate’s always been my big brother. There hasn’t been a day in my life that he hasn’t been there. Kyle and Lucca since I was almost two, and Dante came a little late, but we love him just the same.”

Carter nodded. “I know. I love how much you all love each other.” She reached up and pinched his cheek gently, making him chuckle. “Are you done killing my mood now?” she teased.

He nodded. “Right after I say I love you.”

That made Carter’s smile widen to a grin. She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. Hugging him tightly, she whispered, “I love you, too.”

“I mean, how can I not love you? You’re the female version of me.”

“Aww,” Carter sighed and placed her hand to her heart. “That’s so sweet, Mickey. You’re the female version of me as well.”

Mickey laughed. “Shut up, Carter.”

Carter gave him a good-natured slap on the chest. “All right, come over here and watch me pour the hot cheese sauce on the macaroni noodles.”

“Only if I can make sex noises while you do it.”

Carter rolled her eyes. “Oh my God, you’re like the biggest idiot on the face of the planet. Why are you so immature?” Men were so … stupid. “Go ahead and make whatever noise you’d like.” He so wasn’t going to make sex noise.

As Carter began to pour in the creamy cheese sauce, Mickey moaned. “
Mmm, Yes, pour that cheese
…”

Carter laughed. “Shut up, Mickey. You’re such a fucking horn dog.”

“I swear to God, you have to make me some of that cheese sauce. I’m going to pour it on one of my girls and lick every bit of it off.”

Carter frowned in mock confusion. “So you’re going to waste your time blowing her up just to melt her with a bunch of hot cheese?”

Mickey burst into a dramatic fit of laughter. Carter shook her head and laughed along with him. She loved messing with Mickey.

“What’s so funny?” Gabriel asked, waking into the kitchen.

“Mickey’s girlfriend,” Carter answered while putting the topping on the macaroni dish.

“Oh I get it. It’s hilarious because he doesn’t have one,” he teased, causing Carter and Mickey to chuckle.

“Mom and
Dad
back yet?” Gabriel asked sarcastically as he folded his arms and leaned over the counter.

Anastacia and Cesare had taken their first trip together as a couple to relax and visit their deceased daughter’s grave.

Mickey laughed. “They said they were almost here. I think their trip was successful. They’ve only been together for two weeks, but I pretty sure my father’s about to propose, which is something I thought I’d never be saying.” He put his hand to his heart. “While I still feel for Angelo, you know, for losing the sexiest woman in the world,” Carter and Gabriel rolled their eyes, “I’m happy for my dad.”

Carter smiled. “I’m happy for both of them. Cesare is the sweetest to my mom. He gives her diamonds and flowers and so much love. He’s so charming,” she sighed dreamily.

Cesare truly was kicking ass at being her mother’s boyfriend. Carter loved her Daddy Angelo, but the man didn’t have a romantic bone in his body. He was a little too consumed with his work. Carter hoped he’d learn how to take a break when his grandchildren were born.

“So that’s what women want, huh?” Mickey asked. “Flowers and diamonds, and shit?”

Carter giggled and nodded. “It’s a sweet gesture that will earn you many rewards, Mikilo Valente. My husband showers me with love, sweet words, flowers, diamonds, and chocolates imported from all over the world. And, well …” She ran her hand over her rounded baby bump. “I’m sure you can tell how much I appreciated the gestures.” Carter’s little wake up surprise that she’d given Nathan this morning had been a well-deserved thank you for taking care of her last week. God she wished she could go grab him so they could run upstairs and continue what she’d started this morning.

Mickey laughed and wiggled his brows suggestively.

“Don’t brag you bitch.” Gabriel sighed right before he groaned, “I need to get laid.”

Carter laughed, pushing thoughts of her naked husband aside for the moment. “You should probably go on a date first, dear brother.” She knew he wasn’t looking for a relationship, but she hoped he’d at least get to know the person he slept with before jumping into bed.

Gabriel snorted. “I’m not interested in dating anyone, Carterina. I just want to fuck.”

Damn.
Guess he didn’t want to get to know the person he slept with.

“What did I walk in on,” Dante asked as he walked into the kitchen.

Mickey tossed Dante a beer. “The sad story that is Gabe’s sex life.”

“It’s not that sad.”

Carter shook her head in merriment, and her eyes shined with laughter. “Yes it is. I thought that you’d have already hooked up with a few people by now. Literally everywhere we go you’re hit on by both men and woman.”

Gabriel pursed his lips. “I have standards, Carterina. Give me a little credit.”

“I think I can help you,” Dante said, capturing everyone’s attention.

All at once their brows raised in surprise.

Dante chuckled. “I think I have some friends that may meet your standards, I mean. I’m going to a party tonight, and I thing you should come. I’ll make sure you have fun.”

Gabriel gave Dante that flirtatious smirk Carter had seen him give many men and women that had hit on him since he’d move here.

“Well, I’m not really supposed to attend parties or go anywhere. You know, because my father’s a lunatic and all. Shadow would never allow me to go to a party in the city.”