Chapter 50
Chapter Fifty
Katya
Two Months Later
Almost six months pregnant and I’ve truly popped. My once-flat stomach has stretched to a healthy and full bump, growing slowly every day. I’m close to the end of my second trimester and the reality that there’s a life growing inside me has completely settled in.
I can feel the baby moving daily now. What started out as tiny but distinct flutters, shifted into more noticeable rolls, and finally sharp jabs that are so strong they almost hurt.
My little pumpkin loves to stretch, taking up as much space as possible, kicking Mommy’s vital organs like the little inconveniences they are when they’re in the way.
Today is a special day for my growing peanut and for me as well.
It’s our baby shower, and the day that Leon and I reveal the sex of the baby to our families.
I couldn’t decide if I wanted to know before the birth or not for months upon months, but then the planner inside me won out.
We found out what we’re having at my most recent scan, and I’m so glad we did.
Shopping for the little one has become so much easier, and so has brainstorming name options.
Everyone we invited to the house for today’s festivities have been slowly trickling in over the past half hour or so, filling the space up with ease.
Traditionally baby showers are women-only, but as much as I adore the idea of a girls day, there’s simply too many important people in our lives who should be here too.
Besides, that tradition sprouted from a history of gender roles where child-rearing was viewed strictly as women’s work.
And with an active father like Leon as your husband, that kind of sentiment isn’t fitting.
We’re still planning to have a few separate activities during the party, leaving time for the women to all get together and chat about motherhood and all the fun girly things.
From what I’ve heard of Leon’s plans for the men, they’ll be drinking and playing poker in the basement which I find strangely cute.
The boys, of course, will have free rein of the house.
They haven’t seen most of their uncles since my wedding with Leon, and I know they’re so excited to be with their little cousins as well.
Leo has been attached to little Cesar’s side since the toddler showed up with his parents as our first guests.
Jade, Dmitri, and their three children were a happy sight for the boys and for me as well.
Although Cesar and his twin Isobella are only two, the age difference between him and Leo is small enough that they can play together easily.
Isobella was invited to run off with them too, of course, but the shy girl stayed firmly in her Uncle Ivan’s arms, needing more time to warm up to the new environment.
Rayna and Apollo came next, baby in hand, a sight that thrilled Jade. Viktor and Vaughn live right next to each other and see one another almost daily, but they still smile when they come in contact.
Surprisingly, Melani and Emilio showed up early as well, dressed impeccably with their two kids accompanying them.
I only met the couple briefly at our wedding, but Leon has told me more about them since.
Melani was Cleo’s only friend, and she wasn’t too happy with Leon after her death.
She was furious about being kept in the dark, and the two of them exchanged some less than kind words at the funeral.
Whether she’s forgiven him and gotten over her grievances or not, she hasn’t shown any signs of being moody or rude.
She’s the picture of pleasantness, encouraging her five-year-old son Valerio and her three-year-old daughter Mila to talk to Bastian and the rest of the younger kids.
I don’t know her well, but I imagine I might lash out at the wrong person too if my friend died without ever telling me she was sick.
I know there’s tension where Melani and her sister are concerned, and I was worried that inviting them both may be cause for concern, but Sienna is actually in Paris currently, so there shouldn’t be any tension.
At least as long as Rayna doesn’t get irritated with her.
But Leon has told me that our friend promises to be on her best behavior.
“Well, that’s everyone,” my husband tells me, having just let our last few guests inside. He takes a long sip of his champagne and shakes his head, chuckling to himself. “This is going to be a long day.”
“You say that like you’re not happy to have all your brothers here,” I tease, lifting up on my toes to kiss his cheek. “You can’t fool me. I know you’ve been looking forward to being smothered with familial love.”
“Not all of them,” he points out, shrugging nonchalantly. “Elio has to keep an eye on Sienna while she’s out of the country, and Matteo is away on Morozov business.”
Leon’s youngest brother is technically not a Moretti anymore since he joined the Bratva that Dmitri’s family operates.
He fell in love with Dmitri and Ivan’s little sister and fell so hard that he moved across the country and changed his whole life to make sure she never had to do that for him. It’s the sweetest story, really.
“They sent gifts,” I remind him cheerily. “And promised to come meet the baby when we’re ready for visitors.”
“I’m not upset about it.” He kisses the top of my head, setting a large hand on my bump. “Honestly, if everyone came we’d never have this little moment of peace right now. Matteo would be in the other room shouting for us to hurry up.”
“We should hurry up.” Taking his hand from my stomach, I hold it and start to guide him away from the entryway.
“Your child is starving and I’ll never be able to sneak treats from all the way in here.
” Besides, Bastian or Leo would come find us if we stayed hidden away for even a few more minutes.
I swear it’s like those two have alarm systems that go off in their little heads when they can’t see us for longer than ten minutes.
It’s hard to believe that the little boys who were once strangers to me are now my own.
I mean, Bastian went from being a shy, polite kid who called his dad ‘Father’ in public to the cutie pie who calls me Mommy and asks me to play piano with him almost every day.
Leo hasn’t changed much from the jovial little sweetie pie I first met, but he’s so affectionate now, hugging me constantly and always trying to snuggle when he can.
They’re the best kids anyone could ever ask for, and now they’re mine.
Our open living and dining area has been rearranged to accommodate such a large group, and it seems to work well enough so far.
There’s plenty of seating and surfaces to put things down.
Not to mention the kitchen is also prepared for foot traffic.
The whole island is covered in a charcuterie board grazing table situation, and the fridge is stocked with drink options for the kids and the adults alike.
“There she is,” Ana pipes up, spotting us as we return to the group.
Cassio’s wife is lovely, though we don’t talk as much personally.
She’s Jade’s best friend, and therefore I hear plenty of stories from her and even from my kids who love their Aunt Ana and her dog Sirius.
“We were beginning to think you regretted filling your house up with our chaos and decided to flee.”
“I’m too hungry to run away now,” I joke, rubbing my stomach.
My mom stands up from her seat on the couch as if she’s going to sprint to the kitchen to get me something to eat and a wave of appreciation for her swims around in my chest. She brought the whole family with her, of course.
And she managed to still show up ahead of most of Leon’s family despite a weather delay with their flight.
Leo comes rushing over to me before my mom can ask what I want. He looks at the hand on my stomach and frowns, jutting out his bottom lip as he peers up at me.
“Mommy, is Baby Sister kicking you again?” he demands, frustration evident in his tone.
My eyes widen and a collective breath is taken around the room.
Leo is none the wiser about what he’s just revealed, stepping closer to my belly and pointing an accusatory finger at my stomach.
“You leave my Mommy alone, she very nice!”
“It’s a girl?” my mother cries out, looking like she might faint as she sways on her feet.
Feeling a little choked up, I bob my head and look around the room. “So, um, surprise?”
A cheer erupts from our guests and Leon just laughs, looking down at our sweet kid who has no idea that he just did the one thing we tried to prevent.
We knew telling the boys ahead of time would risk the secret coming out before our announcement, but after weeks of Leo and Bastian keeping their lips sealed, I figured we were in the clear.
In hindsight, we might have realized that the boys both have grown into the habit of calling their little sibling Baby Sister when talking about her.
“Congratulations,” Dante says, his deep and clear voice rising above the nose. “Another Moretti girl is always a blessing.”
“Helps balance us out,” Apollo adds, nodding in agreement, lifting his drink in a silent cheers.
No one makes Leo feel bad for accidentally spilling the beans, and I don’t bother to even help him realize that he did. His intention was to defend me from rogue baby kicks as it is; I can’t let him feel guilty for such a little mistake.
“I’m so excited for you guys,” Jade exclaims, teary eyed and giddy. “That makes three girls and six boys. Dad, you’re going to have a whole army of grandkids soon enough.”
“Oh my goodness,” my mom gasps, clutching her chest as she closes the space between us. “A girl for my girl. I’m so happy for you, sweetheart.” She hugs me tight and then crouches down in front of me. “And you, you precious boy. You’re going to be such a good brother, aren’t you?”
Leo grins at her compliment, nodding happily. “Uh-huh.”