Claiming His Queen

The doctor said this could happen with how big he's grown over the last few weeks. I run my hand down my belly, turning to look at myself in the mirror. I look like I swallowed a basketball. A tap sounds on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” I call. Kailler comes striding into the room. She’s right on time as usual.

“Your mom is pulling up.”

“What? Why! It’s date night.” Why is everyone trying to ruin this for me? I love date night. I have ever since Aidon took me on my very first one. Tonight will be the last one I’m sure I’ll be having for a while. It took some serious work to finally get my husband to cave to this one. He hasn't been so good with giving them out now that I’m this pregnant.

“She said something about a mother knowing.”

“She knows shit.” I snap. Kailler’s eyebrows rise all the way up her forehead before she bursts into a rare fit of laughter. “Don’t tell her I said that,” I quickly add, only making her laugh harder. I love when I get this side of her.

It wasn't as if Aidon wouldn't give me a date night at all. Hell, every night the man is all mine, but I call it date night when we get to leave the estate or one of his compounds to go out into the rest of the world. Okay, it’s always at one of his restaurants, but you know what I mean.

I’d gotten a little spoiled with being out and about when we spent those two months out of the country where no one had a clue who we were. I’ll never forget that yacht in the French Polynesian Islands. Even though I loved all the time we spent there together, I have to admit that even I felt better back here the further I got along in pregnancy.

One of the great things about my mom and husband starting to trust each other is that Aidon could actually get away with being gone that long. These empires don’t run themselves, I suppose. And there is no better replacement at the head of the table than my mother.

I spin around when a small contraction hits me. Kailler’s laughter ends instantly. “What? Is something wrong?”

“Wrong?” I breathe through my nose, praying the pain goes away quickly.

“Why won’t you look at me?” Finally the contraction passes.

“Hmm?” I turn around with a smile. “Can’t a girl have some gas and not be called out about it? I’m expecting.” I blame it on my innocent baby, but he is trying to keep me from angel hair pasta. Which is funny because he’s the one making me crave it all the time to begin with!

“Pregnancy has made you feisty.”

“Well, I think you’re getting sweet.” Her mouth falls open. “I’m sorry! That was mean. You’re right.” My eyes start to water. Why would I say that to my best friend?

“Don’t cry.” Kailler starts to panic. She never does well in these emotional situations. I blink quickly willing myself not to.

“So you know her mom is here too?” Aidon says as he strolls into the bedroom. They might be on the same side for the most part, but my husband and mom can still throw jabs at each other now and then. I rather enjoy it when they do. “Are you about to cry, love?” He puts his finger under my chin, tilting my head back. I swear he can sense if my mood changes even if he’s not around me. He’s always so in tune with me and my body.

“I was going to start if date night got cancelled.” I look up at him through my lashes. Still holding out hope that there will be angel hair pasta in my near future. He lowers his head and kisses me. My hands go to his chest, my fingers digging into his button-up shirt as he deepens the kiss. All thoughts of date night fade away and my body starts to want something else altogether.

Kailler clears her throat. “Hey. You’re cock blocking.”

“She’s not. I believe your son is. We all know you're in labor.” I glare at him, making him smile.

“Can we get ready to go?” I finally give. He rubs his hand up and down my stomach.

“You don’t have to ask. I’ve already handled it.” I melt into him. Of course he has. Aidon always takes care of my needs. From the very start, he’s always given me anything I’ve asked for and made sure I was taken care of.

“Cora.” My mom comes rushing in next. I’m not surprised when I see she has a million bags in her hands. She drops them down as she moves toward me to wrap me in a hug. Well, she does the best she can with my husband being a brat and still holding my other hand. They share a look that promises death, but I don’t miss the level of respect they have for one another. I know that both of them would lay down their lives for me. I’d do the same for them.