Daniil chuckled, kissing my stomach again.
Banging erupted against the door, interrupting our privacy.
Artur hollered, “What’s the damn verdict?”
“I already said she’s pregnant,” Ember stated loudly.
Daniil sighed, zipping and buttoning my pants.
Lev argued, “You can’t know that just because she puked.”
“I’m not taking your word for this. I want to see the fucking test,” Eva griped loudly. “If I’m going to have to put up with another damn brother, I need to know so I can shoot myself now.”
“Fuck you,” Artur griped. “We’re not that bad.”
Daniil rested his head against my stomach, sighing again.
Roman griped, “At least we don’t leave tampons and bras everywhere. We’re fucking men. We don’t want to see that shit from our sister.”
“My point exactly,” Eva muttered dryly.
Running my hands through his hair, I pulled his head back. “Let’s get this over with, so I can eat. I’m hungry.” Now that I knew the complete truth and was oddly calm, I was starving.
Daniil grinned as he stood, his chest puffing up a bit. “Definitely a boy.”
I rolled my eyes. “Or I just puked my guts up and have nothing left in my stomach.”
He smirked. Then he rolled his shoulders, almost moving in front of me protectively as he opened the door. Everyone backed up, stumbling over themselves, some even falling back on the bed or dresser or even plastering themselves against the windows as he walked into the room. He must have one hell of a look on his face for everyone to be reacting like that. Even the owners of Lion Security backed up.
Daniil went immediately to Ember where she sat cross-legged on top the dresser as she played with her ponytail, apparently going for a bored look. I know he had seen what she ordered on our tours around the table earlier, but I had already puked on her in revenge. I mean, after all, I could have aimed it somewhere else. He didn’t need to yell at her for it.
Even though Grigori and Ember weren’t getting along—at all—Grigori was suddenly in front of her, standing there with his hands in his back pockets, also with a calm look on his face. But still standing there protectively as Daniil stepped toe-to-toe with his son.
Ember stood on the desk, her hands landing on Grigori’s shoulders as she leaned over him, staring down at Daniil. “I won’t do it again. But she needed to know.”
There was a silent pause as Daniil raised his head to her. Still, I couldn’t see what kind of look he gave her, but I did see her hands tighten on Grigori’s shoulders, and his hands moved from his pockets and back, wrapping around her legs, holding her against him. Brent and Cole didn’t seem to like that much from where they stood, and actually started to move forward, but Roman and Artur smoothly slid in front of them, completely blocking their way.
This was ridiculous, and I was getting a little irritated with all of the testosterone flying around. Daniil was just supposed to come out here and tell his kids, and the rest of the nosy group, the news. Not start a brawl in my room. I clapped my hands loudly, ending this shit, stating clearly, “I’m pregnant. Everyone, be happy and tell me congratulations or get the fuck out.” I kicked Daniil in the back of his right leg while he still stared at Ember. “You too, Papa.”
There was a silent pause, and then Daniil turned swiftly from his son and Ember, pulling me against him. And in the process managed to bump his son hard, Grigori and Ember falling back onto the dresser in a tangle of body parts and limbs. Everyone started talking around the room about my pregnancy. I scowled up at him asking, “Is that how you treat your children?”
Whispering in my ear, he said, “Take another look.”
Even as Roman, Artur, and Eva walked up to us first, I glanced around Daniil’s shoulder, seeing Ember and Grigori untangling themselves. Their eyes were still cold and remote, but both of their cheeks were flushed and they were even breathing a little heavily. Oh. Guess Papa did know best on that one.
“Nice,” I murmured, nodding with appreciation.
I would like to actually see the bitch end up with Grigori.
“Thank you,” he said, kissing my neck before looking up to his children. “Well, you’re going to have another brother. And Eva, no more theatrics.”
I blinked and sputtered, “Wishful thinking on his part. I have no clue what it is.” I waited to see what they would say. They were really quiet now.
It had to be weird. Hell, it was weird for me.
Instantly, Eva bent, stunning me, and kissed both my cheeks and pulled me into a hug. “Congratulations. And I’ll keep my fingers crossed for a sister.”
Artur yanked me away from her, repeating the kisses and hug process. “And I’ll cross my fingers and toes for a brother.”
