Page 123 of Beautiful Scar

“Good work, little man,” Tigran says, fist-bumping Roman.

“Where’s my mom?” he asks.

“Upstairs,” I tell him, scooping Amelia into my arms. “Come on, enough jumping.”

Tigran chuckles and comes up with us. He pinches my ass on the way to the top. “Don’t you worry, little momma bear, I would never let our precious baby girl hurt herself. But she’s got to explore sometime.”

“When she’s eighteen, she can jump off the couch.”

Lena’s waiting in the kitchen. “Did I hear something about jumping off a couch?” she asks, eyebrows raised. She comes out from behind the counter, one hand cradling her pregnant belly.

I pick up my wine and take a long sip. “Only my reckless husband encouraging bad behavior.”

“Fun behavior,” he corrects, grinning, and ruffles Roman’s hair. “It was this little monster’s idea.”

“Mommy, come watch,” he says, beaming and running around. “I can jump too!”

“Oh, god,” she says with a sigh. “What did he do?” But she gamely follows her wild little three-year-old into the basement and lets him show off for a while.

Eventually, we end up in the backyard. Roman and Amelia play together in a sandbox Tigran built for them while we relax at the table. “When’s Arsen coming?” I ask Lena, and she only shrugs.

“Who knows? That man’s been working too much lately.”

“Things have been busy.” Tigran’s smile slowly fades as he glances at me. “We’re lucky, you know. The city almost tore itself apart, but Alexan did the right thing.”

“Worked out,” I agree, still watching my baby girl. “And now everyone’s prosperous.”

“And busy,” Lena adds.

“Lots of new jobs.” Tigran smirks and strokes a finger down my hand. “Making us all rich.”

“Can we not talk business right now?” Lena asks with a big groan. “I get enough of it at home.”

“You’re right,” I say, squeezing Tigran’s fingers. “Anyone hungry? I put together some snacks earlier.”

“You two still don’t have a housekeeper?” Lena asks incredulously. “I’d fall apart without Nikkita.”

“Assuming she doesn’t poison you first,” I tease, getting to my feet. “But I don’t know, I sort of like taking care of the house. It’s not forever.”

“She keeps saying that,” Tigran says, stage-whispering. “And yet I suspect she likes getting all domestic.”

“Some people do,” I say, glaring at the two of them as they grin at me. “Nothing wrong with it.”

“Totally agree.” Tigran gets up and stretches. “I’ll help my beautiful domestic goddess carry out her lovely cheese plate.”

Lena waves us off. “And I’ll make sure the children don’t do anything dangerous… again.”

I head into the kitchen with Tigran at my back. He puts an arm around me once we’re alone and kisses my neck, nuzzling against me. “What are you doing?” I ask, a little thrill running through my core as he pins me against the counter.

“I was just thinking. You haven’t had a panic attack in a while.”

I laugh lightly and lean into him. “That’s good, right?”

“It’s very good, kitten. It’s very, very good.” He nuzzles me, huffing like a hungry bull. “You know, every time I see Lena all pregnant like that, I keep thinking about having more babies.”

“Easy for you to say. You don’t have to squeeze them out.”

“Tell me you don’t want a big family.”

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