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“For my girls? Of course.” He nodded and they cheered excitedly.

“Let’s go buy cars!” Arabella yelled, jumping up and down, and I shook my head at her before laughing.

“And shiny jewelry!” Athena shrieked, throwing both arms in the air.

“Airplane!” Ilaria yelled and Kingsley started barking in excitement.

“Kingsley wants treats, by the way.” I stood upright and he brushed his tongue on the inside of his cheek, fighting a smile.

I wrapped my arms around his waist as I smiled, resting my chin on his chest. “Better hope the next one’s a boy.”

“How am I ever going to say no to you?” He asked and I innocently shrugged.

“That’s the point. You don’t,” I said and he pecked my lips.

* * *

“It’s a boy!” I groaned in certainty, squeezing Antonio’s arm and he glanced at me then back at the road.

“If you break my arm, I won’t be able to carry you around,” He mused and I bit down on my teeth.

I grabbed his collar, yanking him toward me. “If your son breaks my goddamn vagina, I won’t be able to have sex with you.” I forced out through my teeth and he looked over at me in disbelief.

“What’s goddamn?” Athena asked from the backseat and I squeezed his arm tighter.

“What’s sex?” Arabella asked and I started focusing on my breathing.

“Don’t worry girls.” I forced a smile. “I’ll explain it to you after I get out of jail for manslaughter!” I glared over at Antonio.

“Manslaughter!” Ilaria threw her arms in the air before continuing to eat her lollipop.

We pulled up to the house and Rosalia hurried to unbuckle the girls and get them back inside.

We were on our way home from a day out when my water broke. I thought we could drop the girls off first before going to the hospital, but I was gravely mistaken.

Another staff member hurried to put my hospital bag, along with the baby’s, in the car and we were off again.

The drive was longer than necessary, but before I knew it, I was in a hospital bed with both legs up, heavily breathing.

“You birthed twins, Nirah. How hard can one little boy be? You got thi—” My head whipped to him as I squeezed his hand in mine. “Extremely hard, I’m sorry.” He cleared his throat. “I just mean that—“

“Why don’t you mean to shut up?” I snapped and his mouth clamped shut as he nodded.

I threw my head back, closing my eyes and soon enough, I could feel him coming.

I groaned in pain and both the nurse and Antonio reached for my hands but I shook my head. “Don’t touch me.”

“You ready to push for me?” The doctor smiled brightly and I nodded. “Will the father be cutting the umbilical cord?” He asked and I nodded.

“Yes.” I said and Antonio’s head jerked to me. “You helped with the twins and Ilaria, didn’t you? Catch this one as well.” I swatted him away.

He hesitated. “Nirah—“

“Cut the cord or come. Here.” I seethed through my teeth and he turned to the doctor, agreeing to cut the cord instead.

I exhaled a calm, shaky breath, gripping the bedside rail.

“Don’t break the bed.” Antonio teased and I scoffed, a wide smile across my face.