Chapter One Hundred and thirty five

Damien's POV;

I was caught up in train of thoughts of how to work my way into other continents of the world without having to meet anyone like Cheryl's father on the way. Almost impossible but I liked the thought.

Someone twisted my doorknob and I thought it was Ariana but unfortunately it wasn't.

"Heard you finally got laid." Aiden chortled, plopping down on the seat opposite me in my study.

"Who told you that?" I deadpanned.

"Tracy mentioned something about an after sex glow on Ariana and I connected the dots." He shrugged, grabbing my glass of whiskey to take a sip.

"You have no respect for me." I scowled as I watched him gulp down the scorching liquid, hoping he would choke.

"Whatever man. How was it?" He grinned.

"How was what?" I feigned ignorance.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about grouchy pants."

I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I'm a married man and it's inappropriate to discuss my bedroom matters with anyone else." I said, rocking slightly on my seat.

"You're right but I'm not asking about Ariana, I'm asking about you." He said. Same difference but I answered anyways.

"I was her first." I said unable to hide the pride in my tone.

His mouth fell open.

"Whoa! Man, you struck gold." He literally applauded me.

"You lucky bastard! You better treat her right." He said more seriously.

"I always do."

"I mean you should make her feel like it was worth it, that she didn't make a mistake. Ariana is so innocent and she might be thinking that the vibe would change now that you guys have done the deed."

"You think so?"

"Of course you idiot. Virgins always overthink every little thing. Make her feel extra special at every opportunity you get okay?"

"Yes dad." I sarcastically muttered.

"You're crazy." He chuckled and I joined in.

"You never got to tell me how the trip to Berlin went." He reminded me.

"Cheryl's father is still the same asshole he was, ten years ago." I frowned, reminiscing on the fucked up scenario.

I let him know what happened but the highlight of it all was me smiling as I told him about Ariana's love confession.

"Look at you so in love. I never thought I'd see the day." Aiden seemed thoroughly impressed and sounded like an old man.

"Love is a sweet feeling after all. I never thought it'd happen." I said as I leaned my head back, staring up at the bookshelf behind me while I rocked slightly on my swivel chair.

"I think you've been in love from the first day you set eyes on her but you just didn't realize it until when you did." Aiden stated.

I sat up on my seat as his words piqued my interest.

"Why do you think so?"

"I don't think so, I know so. Man, you talked about her every time we met up, since you first saw her photo." He said.

"I was a playboy back then, it was thrilling to think of her as my next conquest." I dismissed his point.

"True but I've known you since we were kids and you've never talked about a female every single day. It was always you wanting to see her and when you eventually did, you reminded me of how beautiful and hard-working she was." He laughed for a bit.

"And, after you two got married it was either you two fought about something or you did something fun together. No conversation ever ended without Ariana's name involved, until now."

"Fine, I get it." I gave in, with a fulfilled smile on my face.

"Oh shoot!" He exclaimed, glancing at his phone screen.

"Tracy's been calling, I have to go now."

"See you around." I stood up and gave him a bro hug before he rushed out.

Tired of working, I put my things aside, gulped down the remnants of my glass and locked the door behind me.

***

"You're so good with babies."

"I know right."

"You'd make a great mom."

"Totally!"

I heard different voices as I approached the living room.

"What's going on here?" I questioned as my eyes took in the scene before me.

Ariana was feeding the baby from a bottle as she paced the room and literally everyone had their eyes on her as she did. She indeed fit perfectly into the scenario of a nursing mother. But, that wasn't the plan. At all.

"Hey Damien, I thought you were busy with work." She acknowledged me, still pacing slightly.

"Yeah, I just decided to take a break and come join you all."

She showed off her perfect dentition in a broad smile.

There was murmuring here and there after my statement. It was no surprise why they all reacted like that. I was trying to make up for all the times lost while being caught up in my past but they didn't know that, only Ariana did.

I took a seat right next to my mom and she gave me one of those affectionate smiles that I had ignored for the last sixteen years. I returned it before turning back to everyone present.

"So, what were you guys talking about?"

Conversations soon started up and for the first time in a long time, I had a great time with family. Laughing without a care in the world for once. I didn't realize how much I had missed out on up until now.

***

"Look at you bonding with the family." She said in a teasing voice, poking my sides with her slender fingers as we prepared for bed.

I tried my best not to laugh but a chuckle eluded me all the same.

"I'm just taking your advice." I downplayed it, ruffling my hair a little bit - something I did whenever I got a little flustered.

"It's still your decision to take my advice or not and I'm glad you did." She said before holding my face in her palms. I looked straight into her eyes for a few seconds before shutting mine as she covered my lips with hers.

"I love you." She said, when we broke the kiss.

Warmth filled my heart. I still hadn't gotten used to her saying those words to me.

"I love you more."