“You are pregnant. You need a gown that pushes up the breasts but flowers over the belly.” The young girl says in her French accent. She turns and starts calling out things in French, and Asher takes my hand and leads me to the back of the store.
“The guards must get us some non-alcoholic champagne,” Asher declares as we sit on the sofa in the back.
Arseny sends Leon before they join us. “Do you expect us to be part of the bridal party?” he asks curiously.
“Yes,” I say. “All three brothers and Asher.”
Luka smiles. “I can be the best man, and Asher can be the Maid of Honor.”
“Kervyn will pick his own best man,” I point out. “Don’t be cheeky, Luka.”
“Cheeky is his middle name,” Asher jokes.
I try on so many dresses, and they all look so beautiful. I don’t know which one I want, so Arseny buys them all for me.
“Whatever you don’t wear, you can return,” he comments.
“Or donate to a charity?” I ask.
Arseny looks at me strangely but nods. “Yes, I suppose you can do that too.”
From there, we go to more stores and sample more foods. All in all, we have a fun afternoon, and I arrange to do it again in a few days. Between that, I plan the nursery and shop online for things I want to decorate it with. I decide I want to paint the mural on the wall myself and surprise Kervyn, even though I don’t know if it’s a boy or girl yet.
Arsney, Luka, and Leon basically cavity search every delivery person that comes onto the property. One UPS worker is so used to it that he ‘assumes the position’ almost immediately after knocking on the door.
I become obsessed with planning the wedding, fixing up the nursery, and going to doctor checkups that, in no time, two months fly by, and before I know what’s happening, I’m already six months pregnant.
Kervyn and I are falling back into a relaxed, comfortable routine, though Kervyn is a little annoyed I won’t let him see the nursery painting progress. He doesn’t know about the mural, and I’m determined to surprise him.
Chapter 17 - Kervyn
I’m up before Penny every day. Most nights, she’s sleeping in my room because she’s scared, or so she says. Today, I’m expecting Danil to join us for breakfast, but I know Penny was up late painting the nursery, so she will probably be sleeping in.
I don’t mind. She needs her rest.
I come downstairs to the terrace, where Danil is already sitting to the right of my usual seat. “Kervyn,” he greets me.
“Danil. Good morning.” I smile. “It must be urgent if you want to see me before you’ve had your breakfast.”
“Yes, there are things I want to discuss with you,” Danil says, pouring us a mug of coffee each. “Things I think are best discussed between the two eldest sons.”
“You refer to me as a son still, but I’m going to be a father soon,” I comment, taking the coffee. “What is it?”
“I’m concerned about your fiance and the wedding she’s planning. Luka had a copy of the guest list for the invitations, and that’s a lot of people.”
“They’re mostly our family, Danil.” I shrug. “And people that we know. Penny has Asher and a few old work friends she’s inviting. It’s not her that’s got the big family. It’s us.”
Danil purses his lips. “We don’t have to invite every single person we’re related to.”
“She wants a big wedding. It’s what she’s always wanted,” I say. “Let her have it.”
“It could bring unwanted attention to us and the family in general, the other side of the family that we don’t want regular people talking about.” Danil sips his coffee and looks at me seriously. “You don’t need all this fanfare.”
“Danil, don’t stress so much,” I brush him off. “Penny wants a lavish wedding, and I’ve promised her she can have whatever she wants. That’s the end of the discussion. You should be more concerned about finding out who killed all my guards. Is there any news?”
Danil sighs and shakes his head. “No, there isn’t. I have some leads, but so far, no one has said anything.”
“Well, focus on that instead of my impending nuptials. Okay?” I say. “Let’s not argue over something like this. It’s one special day, that’s all.”
Danil opens his mouth to say something else, but Penny walks in. I smile. She’s dressed in dungarees and a shirt underneath. She’s wearing trainers today instead of sandals and has a bandanna on her head.
“Morning, Danil,” she says with a smile. “It’s nice to see you.”
Danil stands and gives a strained smile. “Good morning, Miss Winters. Kervyn, have a good day. I’ll see you at the office.”
He walks out, and Penny watches him for a moment before she turns to me. “Did I do something wrong?” she asks.
“He’s just moody,” I say, motioning to her seat. When she doesn’t reach for any food, I look at her curiously. “Not feeling well?”
“Actually.” She gives me a shy smile. I love that shy smile. “I wanted you to spend the day with me, taste-testing cakes and trying on your tuxedo.”
I bite my lip and close my eyes briefly before gently looking at her and lowering my voice. “Penny, I have to work. I’m needed in the office.”
She gives a playful pout. “You’re the boss. You can do whatever it is that you feel like doing, surely? And you said no holding back, right?”
I raise an eyebrow as she gives a rue little smile. I smirk. “You’re learning bad habits from Luka.”
“He is an excellent teacher,” she says.
