KISS'S POV
The last month of pregnancy felt like walking around with a small watermelon glued to my stomach—and still pretending I was fine.
Augustina was worse. Her due date was almost here, and she moved like a ticking time bomb in designer heels.
"Remind me why we're doing this again?" she asked, dragging her feet as we entered the mall.
I laughed softly, balancing my belly as I pushed the shopping cart. "Because your daughter and my twins deserve to look fabulous the moment they open their eyes."
She groaned. "They won't even see what they're wearing, Kiss."
"Still," I smirked. "Style runs in the family."
We spent nearly two hours choosing baby clothes, tiny socks, soft blankets, and enough stuffed animals to start a mini zoo.
Adrian and Isaac had begged to come, but we both knew how that would go—Adrian would panic over prices and Isaac would argue with every mannequin that looked suspicious.
By the time we were done, my back was screaming.
"Coffee?" I asked hopefully.
"God, yes." Augustina rubbed her belly. "Before my spine resigns."
AT THE CAFÉ
The café smelled like roasted beans and quiet peace.
We found a cozy corner by the window, ordered lattes, and sank into the seats like survivors.
I sighed. "Finally. Five minutes of peace."
"Peace is overrated," Augustina said, sipping her drink. "But coffee isn't."
We were laughing softly when a sharp voice sliced through the air.
"Well, well. Look who we have here."
I froze.
That voice.
I didn't even have to look up to know who it was.
Ella.
Of course.
She was standing a few feet away, arm linked with Eric—her ever-faithful shadow.
Her expression was painted with fake sweetness and venom.
I turned slowly. "Ella."
"Kiss," she purred. "Didn't expect to see you shopping for babies so soon. You move fast."
I didn't flinch. "Well, unlike you, I don't waste time crying over lost causes."
Her smile twitched.
Eric tried to pull her back, whispering something, but she ignored him and stepped closer, eyes scanning my belly like it offended her.
"So, Adrian finally put a ring on it?" she sneered. "Tell me, how does it feel knowing you trapped a man with pregnancy?"
I smiled faintly. "You'd know—if anyone ever stayed long enough to love you."
The café went silent. People turned. I could feel Augustina tense beside me.
Ella's face reddened, her hands curling into fists.
"Careful," I warned quietly. "You don't want to make a scene."
"Oh, I'll do more than that," she snapped, raising her hand. "You think you're untouchable just because—"
But before her palm could swing toward me, a strong hand caught her wrist.
Augustina.
Her voice was calm—but deadly.
"Touch her again," Augustina said evenly, "and I'll forget I'm pregnant."
Ella blinked in disbelief. "W-What?"
Augustina pushed her hand back, hard enough that she stumbled—straight into Eric's chest.
"I swear," Augustina continued, stepping forward, "I'll beat the living hell out of you, pregnancy or not. Don't test me, Ella."
The café went silent again, the tension electric.
Eric caught Ella, eyes wide, whispering for her to stop, but she glared at us, trembling with rage.
"You two think you'll find happiness?" she spat. "You won't. Neither of you. You'll both lose everything."
Then she stormed off, dragging Eric with her.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Even the barista froze mid-pour.
AFTERMATH
I turned to Augustina quickly.
"You okay?" I asked, reaching for her hand.
She smiled weakly. "Yeah… I'm fine, just—"
But her sentence broke off, her face twisting in sudden pain.
"Gus?" I whispered, panic spiking. "Talk to me."
She gasped, clutching her belly. "Oh God—Kiss…"
Then the sound came—a small, wet splash against the tiled floor.
My heart dropped.
Her water had broken.
"Augustina!" I yelped, half-standing. "Oh my God—oh my God!"
She winced. "Don't panic, okay? Just—ah!—don't—"
"Don't panic?!" I was already fumbling for my phone. "Adrian! Adrian, pick up the damn phone!"
People around us started murmuring, some rushing to help.
The call finally connected.
"Adrian!" I nearly screamed. "It's Augustina—her water just broke—we're at the café inside Star Mall—please hurry!"
"What?!" Adrian's voice exploded from the speaker. "We're coming! Stay there, Kiss—don't move!"
I could hear Isaac in the background shouting, "WHAT DO YOU MEAN HER WATER BROKE?!"
I held Augustina's hand tightly as she tried to breathe through another contraction.
"It's okay," I whispered, tears forming. "You're okay, Gus. Help's coming."
She nodded weakly. "If—if this baby comes right here, I swear—ahhh!"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence," I muttered, blinking rapidly. "You're not giving birth in a café."
Within minutes, the sound of rushing footsteps filled the hallway.
Adrian and Isaac came running, both pale and terrified.
Isaac nearly tripped over a chair. "Oh my God, Gus!"
"Where's the car?" Adrian barked.
"Outside!" Isaac shouted, already scooping Augustina into his arms despite her protests.
"Isaac, I can walk!" she snapped.
"No, you can't," he said firmly. "You're mine, and I'm not taking chances."
I grabbed the shopping bags, still shaking.
"Go! I'll call the rest!" I yelled, already dialing the family group chat.
IN THE CAR
Adrian squeezed my hand as Isaac sped toward the hospital.
"Breathe, Kiss," Adrian said quietly. "She's going to be fine."
"I know," I whispered. "But it's happening so fast…"
He smiled faintly. "That's life with our family. Nothing ever comes quiet."
I looked at Augustina in the front seat, her head pressed against Isaac's shoulder as he whispered soothing nonsense.
And despite the fear, the chaos, and the mess, a part of me smiled.
Because this was our life.
Loud. Fierce. Unpredictable.
And filled with love.