Page 12 of Hector's Reward

Chapter Seven

Carmen

Seven Months Later

The past seven months have gone by in a blur. The night after we killed the Popov’s, I grabbed my little treasure box from under the bed and that's the only thing I took before I moved in with Hector. When he asked what I wanted to do with the house, I told him I didn't care. He had people come clean it out and get it ready to sell. I love that he didn't ask questions or even raise an eyebrow, he simply did it.

Hector and I got married in a small ceremony with just his brother Benny, Pilar, Benny’s wife, and his parents three days after we met. We merged the rest of the Abrantes family with the Valladares family, which went over way better than anyone thought it would. Most, if not all, of the men were thrilled to be under the Valladares’ protection. I have to say that going from the house I grew up in to his was a huge culture shock. His family is insanely close, the kind of close where they are always there for you. Even if you need them at the drop of a hat, they will be there for you. Every single one of them welcomed me into their lives with open arms and made me feel like part of the family. It's something that I have always craved and to finally get it was a little overwhelming. Hector took me on a week-long honeymoon to Cuba where we laid on the beach all day drinking mojitos and sightseeing. Then every night when we’d go back to our hotel, we would make love until we passed out.

When we got home Hector and I both went back to work, and I started to learn some of the things that the future head of the family's wife should know. One of those things is you always knock twice before entering a room. Seeing my in laws naked and going at it in the pantry off of the kitchen of the main house taught me that real fast.

When I had told Hector what happened, he laughed and said welcome to the club. After that I always fucking knock on any closed door. While I was mostly mortified, I love that they are still so close after all these years and it gives me hope that Hector and I will be the same way. Hell, maybe a couple that kills together stays together after all. I chuckle at my own joke.

“What are you laughing about, girly?” James, my best friend asks walking into my office. My eyes widen and I lick my lips.

“Is that a cinnamon roll from Bianchi’s?”

“Would I be getting anything but the best for you dear? We know how much you crave sweets. Besides, you get cranky as fuck if you don’t have any.” I grin as he hands me the warm, gooey treat.

“You know it’s not me. It’s the bump okay. I blame it on that,” I insist, standing from my chair showing him the swell of my belly.

“Damn babes, you look like you're about to pop,” James gushes, his hands on my belly. I laugh and smack his arm. “

Shut your trap, I still have three months left.”

“You better get your hands off my wife, boy, before I snap them off,” Hector growls walking into our office.

“Oooh, Daddy’s mad,” James whispers to me making me laugh. it doesn't matter that he is happily married to Frank, the head of our department or that they have meet like twenty-seven times. Hector hates when anyone else touches me, even if it is my gay best friend. James lets go of my baby bump and lifts his arms up in surrender.

“I’ll leave you two to it,” he says making his way out the door. “Don't do anything I wouldn’t do,” he sing-songs before shutting it behind him. Hector huffs and I laugh.

“Hey baby, what are you doing here?” I ask as he places his big hands on my stomach, caressing where our twin boys are currently kicking each other.

“Missed you. Needed to see you,” he all but grunts out.

“I’ve only been at work for like two hours.” He sighs.

“I know, but it's all the way across town. I hate you being so far away from me. It makes me feel angst. What if something happened and I couldn't get to you in time?” I look up at him and see the genuine concern in his eyes.

“Why haven't you said any of this before Hector?”

“I don't want to stifle you. I want you to grow and become who you want to be it. I handled it better when you weren’t so far along but now that we have the babies coming soon and it scares the shit out of me,” he says rubbing my belly. When one of the boys kicks his hand, I watch him visibly calm down.

“Do you want me to quit?” I ask. It would kill me because I love my work, but I hate what it’s doing to him.

“Fuck no. You love your job and I know how important it is to you. Maybe we can just have you work from home or we can start some charities or fuck, I would be willing to build a new fucking firm next to my office if that’s what you want.” My eyes fill with tears and my lip trembles. Damn hormones. They make me want to cry at the drop of a hat.

“You are such an amazing husband. I love you so much. Yes, to all of that. I hate being away from you, too.” He wraps his arms around me.

“How the fuck did I get lucky enough to have you as a wife?” I grin.

“The same way I got lucky enough to have you as a husband.” He gives me a quick hard kiss.

“Why don't I take you home for the day and show you just how much I love you?”

“Mmm… Yes, please.” He grins and gives me a kiss before grabbing my cinnamon roll and placing it in my hands.

“Eat this first. I might not always get along with the man, but James is right. You do get feisty when you don't have your sweets.” I laugh.

“I still blame it on the babies,” he chuckles.

“Sure.” I slap his arm.

“Take me home, you brute. I want the good loving.” He raises an eyebrow.

“As opposed to every other day?” he asks chuckling.

Once home, he proceeds to do just that until I pass out.

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