We start off in December and jump to February in this chapter.

"I know what I want for Christmas," Kenna says as she crawls onto the bed and straddles his hips.

Bash smirks, his hands on her hips. "What?"

"A trip to Scotland to visit my family," she says. "With Emilie. She needs to meet my family."

"We can make that happen but..."

Kenna narrows her eyes accusingly. "You totally told your family we'd spend Emmy's first Christmas with them, didn't you?" She asks, getting off him and the bed entirely.

"I'm sorry, I had to," Bash says. "It's James's first Christmas too and Catherine and Henry want to go all out."

"So, how will we do it?" Kenna asks, searching her drawers for a set of pyjamas. "Breakfast here, lunch at your parents' and dinner at mine?"

"We can do Christmas Eve with my family and then leave that night to spend Christmas Day with yours," Bash says. "Compromise, sweetheart. Now, hurry up, I'm getting tired."

Kenna turns to send him a playful glare. "You? Tired for sex?"

He chuckles softly, closing his eyes. "Long day at work," he tells her. "It's the Christmas season so we have a lot of people off on leave and don't get me started on everyone applying for paternity or maternity leave."

"So, you're bearing the brunt and working?" Kenna asks in a babyish voice. "Poor you!"

Bash scowls playfully and turns on his side, getting ready to fall asleep. "I'm falling asleep!"

Kenna rolls her eyes and forgets about the pyjamas, deciding to stay in her underwear as she gets back into the bed. "No, stay awake. Just a quick one," she tells him, bringing him in for a kiss. "Our Christmas gift can hopefully be a positive test."

"We've been trying for three months or so," Bash states. "Don't put pressure on anything,"

"I know," Kenna replies, nibbling at his neck. "But my family are firm believers of speaking things into existence."

Bash chuckles. "Fine. Have your way with me but you have to deal with Emilie's teething tomorrow," he tells her.

Kenna scoffs and gets on top of him. "Urgh, fine," she mutters, kissing him deeply.

...

"Hey, sweetie!" Kenna says, hugging Mary before taking a seat and waving over a waitress. "Two Jack Daniels, please."

"Actually make that two glasses of water, please," Mary says, giving the waitress a smile before turning back to a scowling Kenna. "Trust me."

After getting their waters, Kenna takes a sip from hers. "Why couldn't I have a Jack?"

"Because you're trying for a baby, remember?" Mary replies, chuckling softly. "And I'm pregnant."

Kenna gasps, reaching out to squeeze Mary's hand. "Oh, my God. Congratulations! H-How far along are you?"

"Uh, about eight weeks," Mary says. "That trip away to Monaco helped wonders. I think time away helped our marriage."

"How do you mean?" Kenna asks softly.

"You and Bash weren't the only ones arguing," Mary admits. "Francis and I have been at each other's throats for a while. I don't know, it's crazy and then the trip away came and we're back to working together and being on the same page."

Kenna smiles a little. "I'm glad for you both. Francis and I spoke about you and Bash, we love you a lot and sometimes we may drive each other crazy but it's worth it."

Mary beams happily. "Yeah. We're hoping for a girl this time. Francis already wants to get the nursery underway but I've managed to cool his jets for now. Just until we've passed the thirteen-week mark."

"Smart idea," Kenna replies. "So, what are you guys doing for Christmas?"

"Christmas Eve with the Valoises and Christmas Day with the Stuarts," Mary tells her.

Kenna grins. "Same! Well, with the Beatons but we'll be travelling together then. Get Emilie and James more acquainted as cousins and future playmates."

Mary squeezes Kenna's hand. "You know you'll get that positive again, right?"

Kenna shrugs. "I don't know... I know it's early days, so to speak, but I thought trying would be easy."

"Trust me, it isn't," Mary admits gently. "Before we got married, I think Francis and I had about two lost pregnancies, one chemical and one miscarriage. Then James came along and we're smitten with him. Our little rainbow baby."

"I never knew you had miscarriages," Kenna says softly. "Have I been a shitty friend or-"

"I was here, you were in Scotland... Dealing with being attacked and everything," Mary says softly. "The day I came to see you, I had the chemical pregnancy. But you needed me and I couldn't make it about myself when I had Francis and you had no one."

Kenna's eyes water. "I'm so sorry-"

"Don't be," Mary tells her, giving her a small smile. "We're here and healthy. You're going to make Emilie a big sister soon, don't stress about it. God has a plan for everyone."

Kenna nods shakily, wiping fallen tears. "I love you."

"I love you too, you crazy bitch," Mary replies, giggling with Kenna. "I think you really do need that Jack."

"Oh, I do," Kenna says, laughing. "I really do." Then she holds up a finger. "Just one sneaky one."

...

Henry raises his brow, throwing the files onto his desk as he crosses his arms and says, "Okay, tell me what you want now."

"I never ask for anything," Bash says indignantly, taking a seat.

"Fair enough," Henry says thoughtfully. "So, what is the one wish I, your ever-loyal genie, can grant you today?"

Bash rolls his eyes at his father's sarcasm before saying, "Remember the drug trials that Margot's team were doing at Valocare?"

"To help men's fertility issues, yes, I remember vaguely," Henry says, leaning forward in his seat now, inquisitive.

"A friend of mine is having some difficulty in that department and I said I'd take a look," Bash replies.

"Well, ask your sister," Henry tells him. "She's the one training to be a doctor and is leading the project."

Bash rolls his eyes. "I know but you're a guy, you'd understand..."

"What friend?"

"School friend."

"Which one?"

"The one from my second school, the one I didn't get kicked out of," Bash quips. "And old friend, Papa. He just needs this one favour and he'll owe me a debt in return."

Henry sighs heavily, writing down an address before handing it to Bash. "Talk to Margot."

"Dad-"

"She won't say anything," his father says knowingly before he readjusts himself in his seat and gets back to work. "Close the door on your way out."

His sister invites him into her office, offering him a drink but he declines as she sits down and waits for him to explain his presence with some curiously amused glint in her eyes.

"Your friend?" She asks. "Daddy told me."

"What did he tell you?"

"Just that your friend needed help but we're trialling so many things from erectile dysfunction to low sperm count," Margot tells him, digging up a dossier from her desk drawer. "Like, Divix is going to change a lot of men's lives. We have different doses for different situations but overall and hopefully, men's fertility could improve in France and then across the globe."

"And how long has this been in the works exactly?" Bash asks, looking through the sheets of information.

Margot tuts. "Mads started it back when Pepe was still alive. She gave it to someone on my team until I took over. So about thirty years or so."

"And are Valocare any close to mass production and putting it out there?" Bash asks, raising his brows at diagrams. His little sister is very detailed.

Margot's lips quirk upwards slightly as she nods. "By next Christmas, it will be in production."

"Is there any way my friend can use it now?"

Margot winces, taking the dossier and quickly flicking through it before landing on a page and showing her brother. "Many drawbacks. That's why we're still trialling."

"Shit," Bash mumbles, scanning the side effects. "Heart attacks?"

"Well, to those who have underlying heart issues," Margot says, shrugging a little. "Okay, fine, this does have a slight risk of causing arteries to narrow."

Bash rolls his eyes a little. "High blood pressure, atrial fibrillation, headaches, nausea, low libido?"

"Hey, I didn't say it was perfect," Margot tells him with a giggle. "That could be a side effect otherwise men could have pretty good sex lives. Like, really good sex lives." She collects the dossier back. "Look, this isn't a long-term fix. The standard duration that Divix should be taken is for three months at a time. If it doesn't work for the patient, then it is strongly advised not to continue on with treatment. Your friend has a lot to think about because right now, the bad outweighs the good and he has to ask himself is it worth it?"

"I thought you'd be glad to get a potential patient who is willing to pay," Bash asks her.

Margot raises an eyebrow, slipping her short, wavy brown hair behind her ears. "Sebastian, what does your friend have?"

Bash shifts on his seat. "Low sperm count."

"Oh, right," Margot says, brows raised in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes."

"Seriously?" Margot asks, confused. "But-"

"He has it, okay?"

"Well, I guess you could still conceive but it would be quite difficult if you're shooting blanks," she mutters thoughtfully.

"Not me, my friend," Bash reminds her. And the baby wasn't mine anyway.

Margot scoffs lightly. "Well, your friend surprises me because... have you met his family? All the men in his family are so fertile. Like insanely fertile, it's ridiculous and I guess it could be hereditary but that's normally from the father's side-"

"Margaret," Bash snaps.

"Are you sure?" Margot asks softly, her face softening now as her grey eyes stare into his greens.

"I don't know," Bash mumbles. "Can I sleep on it?"

She nods. "Of course, you can. You didn't have to make up-"

"Don't tell anyone," Bash requests. "It's already embarrassing enough and I don't want Kenna to know."

Margot nods eagerly. "Of course. But seriously though, our family is like a quarter of the damn country," she jests lightly. "How did you...?"

"I made stupid decisions when it came to sex," Bash admits. "But I won't let that affect my wife's life." He knows it was the chlamydia, he'd been dreading it. That's why he's been pushing for adoption in case Kenna gets her hopes too high but he hopes he can fix this.

"Bash?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure that this is what Kenna would want for you?" She asks him. "I mean, you have a beautiful daughter that you adopted and I'm sure your health means a lot to her and that little girl than a wishful chance."

Bash sighs heavily. "You know what? I'm in."

...

"My period started."

"Seriously?"

Kenna nods, fixing her hair up in the mirror. "Yep," she says, sighing. "It's funny. When you want sex, I'm suddenly on my period but when I want sex, you're tired and tell me to get on with it."

Bash wraps his arms around her waist, shifting her hair so he can nuzzle her neck as she sighs. "I'm sorry. It's just stuff at work. I promise when we go to Scotland, I'll leave things be for two weeks."

"I'll hold you to that," Kenna replies, meeting his lips for a soft kiss.

He grins against her lips. "Does that mean everything is off the table? Like you helping me-"

"Everything, Bash," Kenna says, giggling. "I'm on my period, I'm a no go area. And that means you suffer with me."

"Damn it," he mutters. "Because now, I'm like a dog on heat."

"Oh?" She asks, amused.

He nods. "I know. I woke up this morning and all I wanted, was you against me in that bed of ours," he says, kissing her neck. "What a shame. And I thought we could really be successful this week."

Kenna's eyes sparkle. "I love your enthusiasm, Monsieur," she says, grinning. "You'll get a reward when it's over then."

"Can I choose my reward?"

"If you must," is his wife's reply before she slaps him off lightly to do her makeup.

...

"No side effects so far?"

"What are you doing here?"

Margot grins mischievously. "What? Can't a sister visit her beloved older brother at work?" She asks, perching on the edge of his desk. "I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay. I still don't like the idea of using you as a guinea pig but you do you."

Bash gives her a tight smile. "You are an amazing sister, sister dearest. So concerned over my health."

"What good am I if I can't tease you at the same time?" Margot asks with a chuckle. "Tried it out yet?"

"Nope. Kenna started her period this morning," he replies, seeing Catherine walk by and stop curiously at the sight of her daughter. "Anyway, can you help me with a present? She says all she wants is to spend time with her family for Christmas but you know her."

"She'll be expecting something," Margot nods in understanding. "I'll see what perfumes are available. Should I gift wrap it in lingerie to set the mood?"

Bash scowls. "Get out," he says, making her laugh as Catherine bursts her way inside. "Ah, just in time. Would you mind taking your daughter away from my office? You can follow right after."

"I will, but I have a quick question," Catherine says, taking a seat as he groans in displeasure. "What do you think Emilie will like for Christmas? I was looking at Cartier charm bracelets-"

"She's five months old-"

"Earrings-"

"Again, five months old."

"Or her name set in her birthstone for display in her nursery, with a Swarovski chandelier," Catherine gushes. "The first granddaughters are always exciting."

Bash raises a brow. "Emilie won't know the meaning of money let alone jewellery or some useless chandelier. She most likely will chew on the thing and ruin it. Just get her a stuffed teddy or something. We could add it to the hundreds she has already."

"Hmm, teddies are so overdone," Margot says, nodding with her mother. "What can I get my first niece?"

"Well, think about it outside. I'm busy, ladies," Bash says, shooing them off.

"Someone didn't get laid this morning," Margot mutters, receiving a stern glare as her mother cackles and leaves. "Call me if you feel unwell."

"Whatever, bye," Bash mutters before groaning and resting his head against his desk.

The women in his life were truly annoying.

...

"Not tonight," Kenna mumbles, turning on her other side to try and continue sleeping.

"We've waited a week, Kenna," Bash states. "Your period ended two days ago. And trying for a baby actually involves trying."

Kenna yawns. "I have had a long day at work today. We're doing Christmas orders and if I'm going to Scotland for however long we're staying there then I can't turn up to work tomorrow tired."

"When do you start work?"

"Six," Kenna mutters, turning to face him and cup his cheek. "I would, but it's already twelve. Emmy's teething is really bothering her so can you just give her the ring I put in the freezer to soothe her gums in the morning?"

"Sure," Bash replies, giving her a quick kiss. He wants to say that having sex will easily tire her out but she genuinely looks like she'd be non-responsive and fall asleep during it. "Night."

Kenna smiles, closing her eyes. "Night, amour."

In the morning, she wakes him up by nibbling on his ear. She feels vibrations as he chuckles, his arm wrapping her waist as he slides her to his frame. It's early and he too has work later in the morning but he doesn't mind.

"What time is it?" He asks, kissing her neck.

"Ten to five," she whispers. "I'll go shower in a bit. But I thought I could keep the promise I made you."

Bash grins as she straddles his hips. "You don't have to-"

"You wanted sex last night and I put you down," she says, running her hands over his chest. "Thank you for being patient. I know we're both busy and all but we have to make time for each other and Christmas will be all about that, okay?"

"Okay," he says quietly with a small smile. "So..."

"So...?"

"Come down," he says.

She leans down and he gently coaxes her head to the side so he can whisper something into her ear which makes her smile and chuckle.

"If that's what you want," she says, taking her nightie off before kissing him. "That's what you get."

...

On the flight to Scotland, Kenna shows Mary the pregnancy test she's just taken in the toilet stall. Negative, it says and Kenna sighs, shrugging indifferently before wrapping the test up and sticking it in her pocket.

"Don't stress about it-"

"It's been months. Months since I had the miscarriage, months since Sister Lyon said I could start trying again," Kenna cuts her off.

"You've not even been trying a year," Mary tells her. "Give it time. Seriously, don't think about it, okay? Just focus on Emilie for now and if it happens and it will, then you'll be so happy. Don't push things."

Kenna smiles wryly. "You and Francis are on the same wavelength and it's adorable."

"You and Francis still talk?" Mary asks, amused.

"Mostly bitch about you and Bash but yeah," Kenna says casually, making them laugh. "No, he's a great laugh and you're perfect together." She places her hands on Mary's growing bump. "This better be a girl."

Mary chuckles. "Oh, Francis is praying for a girl. I think he asked his mum for some baby clothes or something she's got saved from Claude's birth."

"Catherine handling your baby will be ten times more than she does with Emilie. She's obsessed with Emilie, gave her a damn nursery mobile that plays opera. I swear she's trying to annoy Bash and me," Kenna says. "Maybe your little girl will get that Cartier chandelier."

"Wasn't it Swarovski?"

"Exactly," Kenna says, making them giggle before they return to their seats and families.

They've taken the private jet and their husbands are none the wiser as Francis sleeps with James playing with the buttons on his shirt and Bash reads a book with Emilie fast asleep in her car seat on the chair beside him. He looks up, eyebrow raised.

"Manage to undo your jumpsuit easily?"

Kenna nods and sits in front of him as Mary sits on the other side across from Francis. "Yeah," she says. "How long until we get there?"

"About forty-five minutes or so," Bash replies, giving her a smile as she takes a sip of water from the water bottle on the side. "You alright?"

"Yeah," Kenna says, returning the smile. "I'm great." She watches as his attention is back on the book before she turns to Mary and shrugs lightly.

She sighs.

...

Christmas morning sees Kenna and Bash opening presents on Emilie's behalf as Kenna's parents wait in excitement on the sofa with cups of hot chocolate in their hands. The weather's cold so when Kenna sees that her mother has knitted a quilt from Kenna's old Selfridges dresses for Emilie, Kenna wraps the quilt around her daughter with a teary smile.

"Thanks, Mum. It's gorgeous!" She says, smiling down at Emilie. "Do you like it? Can you thank Nana and Popa?"

Emilie coos and Kenna's family swoon, especially her younger sister who comes and takes Emilie into her arms, making sure to go back to her seat with the quilt.

"Her eyes are so blue," her sister says, pressing a kiss on the baby's head. "When's her birthday again? I'll save it in my planner so I can get her gifts. She will be so spoiled."

Bash smiles, giving his wife a look before replying, "June 15th."

"So, what else did you get her?" Kenna asks, looking down at the present her husband unwrapped. "Really, Paise? Earrings?"

Paisley chuckles. "Mum said you got your ears pierced when you were five months old. I got them done then too."

"I'd rather not have my daughter screaming bloody murder," Bash says. "But we'll hold off for now and save it when she's older."

"It's better to get it done now, actually," Kenna says carefully. "She won't remember it and we can take her mind off the pain. It's not that bad, I'm still alive."

Bash sighs. "Fine. When the stores open, we'll see if we can get them done here," he replies, giving his wife a smirk.

"Thank you," she says, winking at her sister before opening a present addressed to her. "You didn't have to get me anything, Mum and Dad..."

Her father scoffs. "Of course, we did. We're just glad that Sebastian's here to join us this year."

"Because we got him something too," her mother adds, getting up to retrieve a blue-wrapped present. "Well, we wanted to thank you as a token of our appreciation for everything you've done and it's wonderful that we finally have the chance to physically thank you..." Her mother blushes and stuffs the gift into Bash's outstretched hands before taking a seat again.

Bash blushes himself as he neatly unwraps the gift. "Uh, thank you. You really didn't have to..."

"It doesn't amount to what you've done for us but, it's a start, we promise," Kenna's father tells him gently. "Go on, keeping us all in suspense here."

Bash chuckles and finally retrieves a watch from the box. He studies it in surprise, looking up at her parents. "It says, Herschel Ross?"

Kenna's eyes widen. "Mum, that's Grandad's watch."

Her mother nods. "Yeah," she says softly. "Lachlan doesn't think it's his taste, and your half-brothers don't think it's right to have it since they're not direct descendants but... I have no use for it and it brings back sad memories so I might as well give it to someone who will appreciate it and maybe when you and Kenna have a son, you can pass it down to him, something from his great-grandfather... Or you can give it to Emilie-"

"Thank you," Bash says quietly, staring at the watch in disbelief. "It's pretty nice. Rare."

Her mother chuckles wryly. "My father was a rich man. We didn't get along, I was young when I left my family to be with Kenna's father. Eighteen when I had Kenna. But that watch is what I got when he died a few years later. He thought Kenna was a boy, the name is quite popular with baby boys but he was mistaken and I didn't think I should give it to a girl if it was intended for a boy, but I don't care anymore. You can do what you like with it."

Bash takes the watch he bought from himself that was 'from Kenna' and he puts his new watch on, showing them. "My new favourite accessory." He turns to his wife. "Your parents are really kind."

"They kind of chose you," Kenna reminds him lightly before leaning her head on his shoulder, ignoring the knowing smirks her parents, sister and younger brother make.

"Kenna and I got you guys stuff too," Bash says, making his wife sit back up and retrieve a large pile of presents along with a card. "Uh, we got stuff for her older brothers. I guess you guys can give them to them when you see them next."

"We'll do that," Kenna's mother says before excitedly taking her present and opening it. "A-A necklace... Pearls!"

Kenna smiles happily. "You can wear it to Church or book club..."

Joanna smirks knowingly. "Why, thank you. Both of you, it's gorgeous."

Robert takes his present out of the envelope. "A country club membership card? To my former club?"

Kenna nods. "We'll pay for it entirely," she tells him carefully. "Every month without fail so you can hang out with your old pals. And to go with that, we figured you'd like new clubs. I may have gone a little crazy and also got you a whole new outfit... or two-"

"Or three," Bash drawls out. "You have to look the part."

Robert looks at them, stunned and Kenna nervously twiddles her fingers before he says, "You didn't have to. You must take these back and cancel-"

"Lend me your old clubs and we can head down there next week," Bash cuts him off as Kenna slips her hand into his.

"You're not going to-"

"Nope."

"T-Thank you," Robert mutters, standing to press a kiss on top of Kenna's head and shake Bash's hand. "I guess there are benefits of having a rich son-in-law..."

Kenna giggles and nods. "He's not so bad either..." She says teasingly. "I'm glad I stuck around," she adds just for her husband's ear.

He turns to her. He's glad she stuck around too.

...

"Emilie is..." Kiss. "With your..." Another kiss. "Parents."

Kenna giggles breathlessly as his lips roam her neck, one hand on the back of his head and the other on his shoulder as she's pushed into her former bedroom door.

"You smell good," Bash mutters. "What is that?" Then he smirks. "The perfume I got you?"

Kenna laughs softly. "Don't sound too cocky," she mutters. "I like it, you chose well!"

He pulls back, studying her face. "Probably because you're the only one in the world to have it. Courtesy of having a perfume branch at your disposal."

Kenna smiles. "And when will it be available to the world?"

"Never," Bash whispers, kissing her nose. "Because it's one of a kind, made for you. Merry Christmas, baby."

"Merry Christmas, Sebastian," Kenna purrs into his ear before she laughs when he attacks her neck with more kisses.

She drags his face to hers and kisses him desperately, beguiled by the way his lips move against hers and how he catches her bottom lip with his teeth in a gentle bite. Then his tongue slips in and she moans as he lets out a possessive groan at her reaction.

He stops kissing her, running his lips up her jaw before sucking on a sensitive spot beneath her ear that makes her shiver and her knees to almost buckle but he keeps her up.

With one hand on the small of her back, arching her spine gently, he draws her closer and licks, nips and kisses her sun-kissed neck. She moans, and her eyes open and eye her bed.

"Bed, now," she says shakily.

He pushes back with the help of the door and pulls her to the bed before sitting down and guiding her down on top of him. Her hands brace on his shoulders and for a minute, time stands still as they gaze at each other. It's their first Christmas together. With a baby, no less and now, they will hopefully have two babies by next Christmas.

She pushes him back, his back landing on the soft material of her lilac, velvet bed duvet. He's dishevelled beneath her, her breathless above him.

"I love you," he whispers.

"I love you, too," she replies easily.

Then he sits up and kisses her and as much as she was going for the dominant play this time, she's powerless to resist whenever he kisses her like that. Her mind becomes muddled and all she thinks about is him.

"You're the only woman," he starts, his grip tightening on her hip as his lips graze over her neck. "Who can make me feel this way."

"Glad to be so," Kenna says lightly as she languidly rocks her hips in his lap, wanting to entice a reaction out of him.

She grins when he groans against her skin and she's never felt so powerful. Something about the Christmas spirit bringing out an animal that she never knew she had inside her. And she seems to forget the other times her she-wolf side comes out. He makes her so goddamn wild.

They start undressing each other quickly, the foreplay's becoming unbearable and she shoves his waistcoat and shirt off his shoulders, rolling her eyes playfully at how formal he dressed for a casual Christmas morning.

The rest of them were in their pyjamas and Kenna was in a simple day dress. He's relieved no one brought up the fact that he was overdressed, he was trying to make a good impression as it was and being overdressed was embarrassing.

"I love this suit ensemble," Kenna says into his ear as his chest rises and falls heavily, his body shivering. "Navy blue suits you. You should wear it more."

"Why bother," he starts. "When you'll take it off anyway?"

She giggles and takes the waistcoat and shirt off completely before pressing kisses down his chest. She grins when he lets out a lustful sigh, his head falling back as his eyes close.

Her hands get to work, unbuttoning his trousers and his groan makes her stomach tighten with want and desire. Reaching behind her back, she pulls her zip down and shifts so she can take her dress off and fling it onto the floor before straddling him once again.

"No bra?" Bash asks, grinning as his eyes rake over her body and his breathing slows down a tad bit.

"Well, I just didn't want to waste time," Kenna replies coyly.

His fingers circle her hips, sending sparks through her body and his hand is gripped by Kenna, slowing trailing up to cup her right breast. He knows what she wants and she shakily moans, closing her eyes as he works his magic. Then his cups her other one with his other hand and she finds herself breathless even more as she's inebriated by his touch.

"Argh!" She yelps when he flips them over suddenly and he kisses her, stifling her surprise before he shifts his lips onto her chest, his tongue hot against her skin as he sucks gently. "Leave all the bites you want there. Thank God, it's Winter."

He chuckles and she buries her fingers in his hair, clutching his face against her as her back arches to get closer. Then she wants his lips again and she pulls him back up, meeting his lips hungrily as her pulse pounds in her ears.

Bash groans, her smell filling his nostrils, making him a good kind of dizzy as he enjoys her taste. Her hips are flush against his and he grins when her breath hitches in her throat at the amount of want in her body.

"Kenna," he says, his voice tight with unravelling restraint and she breaths out a laugh against his lips.

"Just wait, my love," she whispers, flipping them back over.

"French."

"Attendez, mon amour," Kenna breathes out sultrily.

He grins. "I love it when you speak French."

"Speak Scottish back to me," Kenna says cheekily. "Something dirty."

He cracks up laughing, settling for a soft, "Bidh mi foighidneach."

Kenna grins happily. "Your accent is coming along," she says. "And I'm glad you'll wait."

She starts teasing him, and he jerks, hissing at her touch. Then she stops, emitting a frustrated groan from her husband as she pulls his trousers off completely, making him shudder.

He grabs onto her hand, pressing it against himself and she chuckles softly at his impatience, increasing the pressure against him. She's in control once again and she swears nothing is sexier than her husband at her will.

Kenna leans down, her lips centimetres away from his. He leans upwards and nips her bottom lip before kissing them fully.

"Stop playing with me, wife," he says against her lips.

"I've got the upper hand he-"

Then she's on the bottom again before she can even finish her sentence, his hands on her waist. He steals her breath with another kiss, trailing his lips down her neck, sucking and biting gently at her soft skin.

She gasps as his hips fit between her thighs and she arches up against him, greedy for more contact. She has to have him now. Her eyes darken in displeasure when he chuckles, teasing her back as he continues his nipping at her neck, his stubble tingling her body.

"Oh, God..." She breathes out with a moan when he finally enters her.

Stars come into her vision as he starts off tantalisingly slow, hooking an arm beneath her back to bring her tighter against his body as pleasure surges through her.

"Se-Sebastian, I'm going to need you to go quicker," she demands breathily.

He delivers on her wish as he growls against her neck, her fingers latched onto his hair. She moves against him frantically as his hips continue to send her into a whole new high of ecstasy, her head throwing back deeper into the bed.

"I-I'm..."

"I know," she says tightly, feeling him breathe hard against her shoulder as he groans, long and low.

She cups his cheeks and forces her lips against his as they unravel together, getting pulled into a euphoria that both have never experienced before. She shakes against him, feeling him press her hips down as he explores her mouth.

When he pulls away breathlessly, he slips her hair away from her face. Looking down at her, he can't quite believe she's real and she's all his to enjoy. Hopefully forever as he kisses her, peppering kisses against her lips over and over again. He will never tire of her.

"Wow," she breathes out, her heart rate finally calming down. Her fingers curl around a lock of his hair and she grins shyly. "T-That was... unreal."

"Something about having sex when your family are downstairs is exciting," he jests, chuckling against her skin as he buries his head into her shoulder, her arms wrapping around his shoulders. "I know you took a test."

Kenna sighs. "It was negative."

He gets off her, pulling her up from the bed before pulling her duvet back and gesturing for her to get inside. He gets in after her and she pulls the duvet up to cover her chest for warmth as the duvet settles on his waist.

"No more tests, I can see the way it's taking a toll on you," Bash tells her. "And it's still early days. People try for years and are successful. It's not been that long, chérie."

Kenna nods. "I know. No more tests," she promises.

Bash smiles a little before it disappears and takes her hand in his. "I have to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"D-Don't freak out or anything..."

Kenna nods, frowning a little. "Oh, okay."

"I'm taking some pills..." He confesses.

"Are you okay?" Kenna asks in concern, cupping his cheek as she checks him over.

He smiles, nodding. "I am," he says, meeting her eyes. "It's just... It's to solve an issue that I have."

Her eyes narrow. "What issue?"

"I went to a fertility specialist," he tells her. "I got a bit concerned and well, I thought it would be a good idea since you saw your doctor and got your own health checkup..."

"I see." Kenna smiles now. "Your doctor prescribed these pills to make sure your little swimmers were working in top shape for me?"

He laughs at how coy his wife is and shakes his head. "No," he admits.

Kenna sighs softly, meeting his eyes. "Tell me."

"Margot got a friend of hers to prescribe them for me. From the drug trials that she's doing for male fertility issues. And uh, I've got lo-low sperm count. Because of the-"

"Chlamydia," Kenna finishes simply.

"Y-Yeah."

"Right," Kenna mumbles. "I see."

She removes her hand from his and rubs her fingers against her temple, rubbing the information into her cranium before she turns to him and furrows her brows in confusion.

"How long have you been on them?"

"A couple of weeks," he replies. "I don't know if it will work. This thing has many side effects that I could possibly have but I'll do anything if it means we get a baby at the end of it."

Kenna shakes her head. "I don't want you risking your life for a baby!" She cries out. "If we can't have kids, then it's fine. There are other options."

He studies her eyes and sighs heavily. "Kenna, it's going to be difficult-"

"I don't care," she tells him. "I'd rather have you."

"You say that now," Bash starts. "But you'll never forget that Emilie and I share the same blood and you're just there. I want a baby with you. I want to give you that. I love you and I don't want you resenting me for something I could fix."

"But at what cost?" She asks him tearfully. "Show me the side effects. Are they light like migraines and nausea or-"

"Heart attacks, atrial fibrillation amongst others," her husband admits. "But I'm healthy."

Kenna scoffs. "Stop taking those pills."

"Kenna-"

"If it's too risky then it doesn't matter!" Kenna snaps.

"I promise, it's not risky and I will stop taking it, the moment we know we're having a baby," Bash tells her softly.

She sniffles, leaning her head against his shoulder. "Please, don't get sick on my behalf."

"Our behalf," Bash says. "This is for us. For Emilie. For our family."

He presses a kiss on her head and holds her tight against him.

...

"No way," Kenna breathes out before she turns and searches for Bash. "Bash!"

"Study!"

She runs down the hall and breathlessly holds a finger up to him as she gathers her breath back. "C-Come with me, now."

Bash stands from his chair and follows his wife into their informal living room where Emilie is patiently waiting on her playmat, a rattle in her mouth. He grins, getting down on his knees to bring her into his arms.

"What is it?"

Kenna grins. "She's crawling," she breathes out in awe.

Bash looks at her in shock before turning to Emilie who stuffs the saliva-filled rattle against his chin. "B-But she's seven-months-old."

"She's a quick learner," his wife says proudly. "My dad started prompting her during Christmas. Two months later, she's crawling as if her life depends on it!"

Bash places Emilie back down onto the playmat. "Crawl for Papa. Come on, Emmy. Crawl for Papa."

Emilie stares up at him in confusion before continuing to chomp down on her rattle.

"No?" Bash says, turning to Kenna.

"Maybe we need to make her work towards something," she suggests. "She went for the rattle on the sofa that's when I noticed that she was speeding across the room in the first place."

Bash nods, gently taking the rattle out of Emilie's grip before going to the other side of the room. "Come on, Emmy. Show us what you've got," he says, shaking the rattle.

Emilie stares at him in disbelief before grabbing another toy entirely. She makes her parents sigh before Kenna takes the new toy and other ones entirely away from her reach.

"Crawl to Daddy, Emmy," Kenna says, placing the toys in the toy box.

Emilie starts crawling to Bash, making her parents gasp but then she gives up in the middle and redirects to the toy box that Kenna sits on top of to prevent Emilie from grabbing a toy with her recorder on in her phone.

"Well, she crawled," Kenna says, shrugging as they laugh and she lifts Emilie into her arms. "Well done, Emmy!"

Bash stands and kneels beside them, pressing a kiss on Emilie's cheek. "She's growing up so much... I can't wait until we have another."

"Same," Kenna whispers, looking down at Emilie. "Can you say 'mama'?"

"Or 'dada' is great too," Bash suggests, making them grin. "Come on, let's film some more so we can send it to our families."

Kenna giggles, placing Emilie down. "Come on, baby girl. Time to crawl."

...

"All good?" Kenna asks Mary as Mary takes a seat beside her.

Mary nods, rubbing her small bump. "Morning sickness is dwindling down but I think I ate something bad," she replies. "And I'm not loving going to the toilet all the time either. You sure you want to go through this?"

Kenna giggles, nodding as she rubs Mary's bump. "I went through it once, remember? Just didn't get a baby at the end of it..."

"Oh, Kenna, I didn't mean-"

"It's fine," Kenna says with a soft smile as her eyes land on James walking behind a crawling Emilie protectively. "He adores her."

Mary grins. "It's fun now that she's crawling. They were chasing each other before you came."

"Did you catch it on video for Bash and me?"

"Definitely," Mary replies. "So, how was work?"

Kenna sighs heavily, flinging her arm over the back of the sofa as turns to Mary. "Tiring. I think I needle-pricked myself a million times. We're doing a sweet sixteenth event and I regret it heavily."

Mary chuckles, patting Kenna's thigh. "I'm sure you and Leeza can handle it. I know you and Bash are really busy so I don't mind babysitting Emilie."

"Thank you," Kenna says gratefully. "Her nanny went abroad for university so we didn't want to ask Catherine and Henry in case they got some strict arse woman to look after our kid. I've heard horror stories, okay?"

Mary snorts and nods. "Fair enough. Aunt Mary for the win. I like spending time with Emilie, makes me wonder if I'll have a girl."

"One of each will be so fun," Kenna agrees. "Best of both worlds."

"Or the worst."

"Or the worst, exactly!" Kenna laughs as her phone rings. "I think it's time for Emmy and me to go home."

Mary stands up with Kenna. "Bash?"

"Yep," Kenna says, answering the call. "We'll be home in a bit, Bash."

"Don't freak out, but I'm at the hospital..."

Kenna raises a brow, turning to Mary. "I'm coming," she says before hanging out. "Can you look after Emilie for a few more hours. Bash has got himself in a situation that I have to deal with."

Mary nods. "Sure thing. I hope everything's alright?"

Kenna sighs heavily. "I'll tell you one day," she mumbles before bending down to kiss Emilie's head and then James's before hugging Mary and leaving. "See you guys later!"

She hears Mary's reply as she heads out the front door and straight to her car. She truly hopes it isn't anything serious otherwise she'll kill him herself.