[Seventy-Eight]

|Chapter 78|

🤍⚡️

𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸

𝖣𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒 𝗋𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝗍𝗂𝖼 𝗈𝗋 𝖻𝖾𝗆𝗎𝗌𝖾𝖽

"Welcome to America!" I greet Dana, Leona, and Elvira as they exit down the stairs of the plane.

"Lara!" Leona rushes towards me.

"Sweetheart, I said no running," Dana scolds her.

"Sorry, mama," she apologizes. I miss Elara a lot."

"I miss u too," I squeeze her tightly and place a little kiss on her cheek. "I bought a gift for you but we'll have to wait until we get to the house."

"Ooo, I can't wait," she claps her small hands together.

Dana and Elvira finally arrive at where we are standing and Dana grins widely. Embracing me tightly she says, "Hi hunny! You look great."

"Thank you. I feel great," I respond.

Elvira rolls her eyes and smiles. I pull her into a long hug and she groans. "Too much touching."

"I'm only touching you because I miss you a lot," I pull away, smiling. "I'm guessing Carson and Mr. Moldovan are arriving a bit late?"

"Yeah, hopefully they'll be here by tonight."

"Alright, let's get you all to the house."

"I call shotgun!" Elvira races to the passenger seat.

"I want to sit with you, mama," Leona drags Dana to the backseat.

Once the nice gentleman loads their bags, we pull off. "Did you cook anything? I'm hungry," Elvira complains.

"No, I didn't because I did not have the time. But, I do have leftovers from yesterday's dinner."

"That's ok with me, she shrugs."

"I know Emmy is at work but will he be home soon?"  Leona questions.

"Yes, I asked him to be home for when you guys arrive but he's dealing with a lot right now." Unfortunately, Seb got himself in some legal mess that has to be handled before it progresses.

Dana sighs, "My son is always busy."

"He sure is," I agree.

"I heard you are going to the event now. Did you pick your dress already?" Elvira asks.

"Yup. Emilian helped choose it and I can't wait for you guys to see it.

"My brother actually made a decent choice for once?" Elvira asks.

I roll my eyes, "Give him so credit. He knows a little bit about fashion and women's clothing."

"Yeah, ok."

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"Welcome to our home. You can make yourselves comfortable until Emilian arrives."

"If I knew y'all had all of this space, we would have stayed here," Dana says as she looks around.

"I wouldn't mind, but Seb would definitely disagree with that," I giggle. "Maybe next time though."

"Lara, I'm hungry," Leona whines.

"Me too," Elvira adds.

"Alright, alright, come on," I lead them to the kitchen. "Leona, would you like pizza?"

"Yes, please."

"What about me?" Elvira folds her arms and frowns.

"Leona is my favorite, so she gets the pizza. You can have whatever else you find in the fridge."

"Emilian is better," she mumbles.

I giggle, "Shut up. How many slices do you want, Leona?"

"Three, please."

"Ok." I place three slices in the oven to be warmed up.

"Elara, when am I getting a little niece or nephew?" Elvira frowns. "I want a little bestie."

"Whenever your brother decides to make me his wife."

"Ugh, I'll encourage him before my brother can no longer reproduce."

I gasp, "Shut up, my man is not that old. You will have a niece or a nephew shortly after we're married."

"Good, because I'm getting tired of this little girl," she pushes Leona.

"You're rude!" Leona folds her arms. "That's why I'm getting pizza and you're not," she sticks her tongue out.

"Whatever," Elvira responds, rolling her eyes.

"Where's Lorenzo?"

"Italy."

"Oh. For work?"

"Yup."

"When will you see him again?"

"Next month if we're lucky," she responds.

"Damn, that's a long time. I would be pissed as hell if Emilian had to be away for that long."

"Trust me, he knows I am pissed, but I couldn't stay mad at him while he's alone."

"Yeah, I get that. Do want something to drink?"

"What do you have? Wine?"

"Emilian has some in his office, but you'll have to ask."

"Awwww," she whines. "But that's your boyfriend."

"But I'm not the one who wants the wine."

"Ugh," she rolls her eyes and stands up. "I'm eating anything I see in your fridge."

"Fine with me, but the pantry is empty, so don't waste your time in there. I need Emilian to go to the store."

Grabbing my phone from my purse, I dial Emilian's number.

"Hi, baby," his deep voice come through the phone.

"Hey," I blush. "What are you doing right now?"

"I'm packing my things and I'll be on my way home."

"Have you sorted everything out?"

"Nope, but I need a break and I want to spend time with my family."

"Okay, well, the pantry is empty and I forgot we have nothing to cook for dinner."

"We can order dinner, baby. No big deal."

"No, Seb I want to cook for them," I respond.

"Do you really have to?"

"Yes."

"Fine," he sighs. "Are you going to send a list or can I pick you up?"

"You want me to come with you, huh?" I smile.

"I would prefer that," he says.

"Do want me to ask if they want to join?"

"They'll be sleeping, love."

"Ok but hurry. I miss you," I tell him honestly.

"Stay on the phone with me and tell me about your day."

"Baby, I would love to do that but I'm trying to feed your sister and put her to sleep. She's already half-asleep on the couch."

"You don't have to hang up. I just want to hear your voice."

"Ok, baby but I'm setting the phone on the counter."

"FaceTime me," he says and hangs up.

I sigh calling him on FaceTime and putting the phone on speaker.

"You look gorgeous," I see a smirk on his face.

"Thank you, baby." I walk over to Leona. "Leona, the pizza is ready."

"My pizza?!" Emilian asks.

"Yes, Seb, your pizza."

"But I was looking forward to eating that tonight.

"Lovey, I'll make more for you."

I place Leona in a seat around the island and ask, "Would you like orange juice, iced tea, or lemonade, hun?"

"Ummm, iced tea please."

"Okay. Baby, say hi to your sister."

"Hi Leona," he says sweetly.

"Hi Emmy," she responds excitedly but tiredly. "I miss you."

"I miss you too, baby girl. I'll be there shortly don't worry. Just eat all of your food and take a nap for me."

"Kk."

"Baby, did you give her the gift yet?" he asks me.

"No, Seb, she's too tired right now. We'll give it to her together tonight."

"Alright, sounds good."

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"Is everyone sleeping already?" He asks as he throws his dress shirt onto the bed.

"Mhm."

"Where's my momma?"

"In the guest room sleeping with Leona."

"Good. Are you changing also? You don't have to look too cute in the grocery store."

"What if I wanted to look cute for you?".

"Excuses," he chuckles. "You look good though." He pulls me into his arms.

"I know."

"Edible even," he admires me from head to toe.

"Let's go, Seb," I blush.

"Lips first." I peck his lips twice and his lips linger on mine for a bit. "I don't know where you thought you were going without my kiss."

"To the store, duh." I stick my tongue out.

He slaps my butt roughly and says, "Yeah, ok."

"Ow, baby," I hiss.

"I could kiss it for you," he smirks.

"You wish," I push him off me. "Can you hurry put a shirt on, Seb?"

"Yeah, but I have a question," he says nervously.

"Ok," I fold my arms.

"I kinda told the guys I was free today and I agreed to go to the gym with them. Do you mind if I go?"

"Baby," I pout.

"I'll make it up to you," his hand rests on my chin as he looks down at me regretfully.

"You don't have to make it up to me. I just want you to have fun and make it back in time for dinner."

He leans down to my lips and I stop him for a second, "You better be home for dinner or you're butt is going to be on the couch."

"That's fair," he responds and he mumbles against my lips, "I love you." He then goes to the closet to changes into a muscle tee. I usually despise the look of muscle tees but it looks so good on him.

"Ooo, baby I like that. Where has that been hiding."

"I usually wear them to the gym in the morning because I didn't think you would like how it looked on me."

"I honestly don't like them on most men, but on you I love it." I admire his physique for a second. "I'm so attracted to you, ugh."

"Really? I couldn't tell," he smirks.

"Oh, shut up. Now that I think about it, I think I'm only less touchy because I have more self-control than you. And also because I don't wanna be that clingy girlfriend that annoys you."

"Elara," he looks at me seriously.

"I know it won't annoy you but I guess it's just me overthinking," I smile innocently.

"I don't think you understand how much it means to me when you're clingy, baby."

I blush and pull him into me, "Noted, but... we will have to finish this conversation later, Mr. Moldovan."

"Now I don't want to go to the store," he massages my waste.

"Emilian, stop," I pout. "I'll drive myself if I have to."

"Woman, you know that's not happening. Let's go."

I grab my black purse and he grabs his wallet.

"Have I ever driven for you, baby?"

"I don't think so," he says as he switches the lights off. "Why? Do you want to show off your skills?"

"Nope. I would rather watch you drive me around," I grin.

He chuckles and kisses my forehead, "You're so cute."

Forty-five minutes later, we are at the grocery store, standing in the snack aisle, arguing about freakin chips.

Ok. Maybe not arguing. But we have a slight disagreement.

"Seb."

"Elara."

I fold my arms and walk away from him.

"You're not possibly upset because I said no takis." He thinks he's my damn parent.

"Shut up, I'm going to the dairy aisle whiles you pick all the snacks you want."

"Baby," he calls out and I roll my eyes.

This woman is going to kill me. She's ignoring me because of one statement that I now regret. She won't even let me touch her but that could just be because we're in public.

"Love, come here."

"Stop talking to me, Emilian." I messed up.

As she walks away, a tall, white woman walks up to me and asks, "Excuse me, Sir, I saw you from over there and I think you are handsome."

I don't want to be mean because she sounds sweet and genuine but I'm pretty sure she saw that I am with Elara. "Thank you. My fiancé thinks I'm handsome as well," I give her a tight-lipped smile.

"Oh, where is she?"

"Does that matter?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Oh, I didn't mean for that to come off as rude. Sorry for bothering you," she apologizes and walks off.

"Who was that?" Elara asks curiously.

"If you hadn't walked off, you would know." Oh no. That definitely pissed her off.

"Noted," she says and grabs the shopping cart, walking off with it.

I follow her and wait until we are in an aisle alone. I pull her towards me and she refuses to make eye contact which causes me to chuckle.

"Baby, I know we're not about to argue over chips," I tell her. She continues to avoid me. "Love, please talk to me," I plead.

Nothing.

I sigh and say, "I guess we'll talk when we get home."

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"Hi, momma. Did you rest well?"

"I sure did. Where's Elara?"

"Upstairs, upset with me."

"Well, why aren't you up there?" she begins to push me out of the kitchen.

"I need to put up the groceries, momma."

"I'll do it. You just make sure my daughter-in-law is ok."

"Momma she needs her space before I can talk to her. Trust me, I'm not going to leave with her upset with me."

"You're leaving?"

"Yes, I'm going to the gym but she doesn't mind."

"Of course, she minds. She just loves you too much to not say it. If she knows you enjoy something, she would want you to do it."

"I know, I know."

"When are you going to propose to her, sweetheart?"

"Momma you know when."

"Well, you're taking too damn long. I wouldn't be surprised if she left you," she rolls her eyes.

"Momma, we haven't even been together for a year yet, we'll be fine."

"Sweetheart, love has no timeline and I need grandbabies before I die."

"Don't worry about that, momma. And stop saying things like that," I shake my head.

"Oh, shut up. Give me grandkids and I'll leave you alone."

"Bug Lucian or Carson, not me."

"You're my oldest son and almost 40. Elara saved you from me disowning you."

"Really, momma?"

"Hell yeah! Now go to her," she wacks me with the kitchen towel and I head upstairs to our bedroom.

I find her in bed, under the comforter and I hear her watching her favorite YouTuber. My hands find their way to her hips and I climb in next to her.

"Are you still upset with me?"

"I can't stay mad at you and you know that. I'm just slightly annoyed with you."

"Can I have a kiss?"

"Can you?"

I groan, "Talk to me, baby."

"We'll chat later, you're late for the gym," she tries to push me out of the bed.

"Elara, you come before anything else and you know that. Speak."

"I really don't wanna," she pouts her lips and kisses me.

"Why?"

"Because," she kisses me again.

"Baby, did your period begin early?"

"Maybe," she bites her lip. Well, that explains a lot.

"Are you in pain?"

"I was in pain earlier but cuddling makes it much better."

"I'm staying home then," I kiss her cheek.

"No your not, lovey. I'll talk and you leave."

"Why are you trying to get rid of me?" I smirk.

"What? I'm not."

"Mhm, sure. If you want to talk, then talk."

"Well... I didn't like how you spoke to me. The tone was off-putting. And I also don't like how you were being petty."

"I apologize, baby. I didn't mean for that to come out as it did. I didn't want it to sound like I'm telling you what to do. I respect your decisions, even though they're sometimes not the best."

"What's so bad about buying a box of takis?"

"Everything. Plus, I feel like when you complain about being unhealthy, it's all my fault because maybe I enable it. I want to encourage you to reach your goal and be completely happy with yourself."

"Awww, well now I understand. My bad decisions are not your fault but I love that you care. It's more of a mental thing for me."

"Yeah, I'll maybe watch my tone in the future though. I'm sorry."

"That's fine. On the bright side, my unhealthy decisions keep this booty fat."

I burst out laughing, "Yeah, I don't think so."

She sticks her little tongue out and I lean towards it, and she leans away.

"No, you're trying to be nasty," she giggles.

I lean down to her neck and mumble, "I'm going now." I leave a trail of kisses from her chest, up to her lips.

Her fingers play with the hem of my shirt as I look into her eyes, "Elara, move your hands."

"Fine," she pouts. "I can't even touch my man."

"You can, but not right now." I reluctantly stand up and watch as she stares at my body. "You're 100% using me for my body. Look at those damn eyes," I chuckle.

"Shut up," she mumbles with a gorgeous smile on her face. She's so beautiful.

"I love you, baby," I tell her as I grab my keys.

"I love you too, drive safe and enjoy your workout."

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xoxoxoxoxo