Love Like War

@ FallenHope95

Seeing Stella beginning to unbutton the shirt, Matteo frowned deeply. Did she think he was going to forget about this just because she was going to get naked? That was definitely not going to work. Though as he noticed the small wound on her stomach, Matteo let out a swear under his breath. It seemed that Stella had gotten closer to danger than he realized. God if only he could smack the stupid out of her, he would.

Matteo headed over to the cabinet, opening it up to pull out a first aid kit. The man kneeled down on one knee in front of Stella, setting the first aid kit on the floor before opening it up. "Well you got yourself injured doing that? See how stupid of a decision that was?" Matteo told her as he motioned at the small wound on her stomach. "You need to be careful when danger is around. What am I going to do if you get yourself shot or something? Did you think about that?" The man shook his head at her.

Taking out an alcohol wipe, Matteo started to clean the small wound, looking it over as he did so. It was deeper than he cared for but not so deep that he should stitch it up. This just meant that the wound would scar and stick around for a while. "Also, if you did decide to come down and join the fight or see what is going on, at least bring a weapon with you. I rather you not get involved but if you feel like you need to, come down prepared. A weapon in hand and the readiness to use it against someone. Either hide or be ruthless, do you understand?"

His head lifted up, looking into her eyes for a moment. "If something ever happens like this again, and you decide to join in on the danger, I want to see a pile of unconscious people around you. You hurt them, you do not let them hurt you." His refocused his attention on her injury, rubbing some ointment on it before laying a bandage over it.

@ Sweet.Persephone
Keeping her gaze downcast, Stella slowly turned her head slightly to the side. She couldn't stand looking at Matteo when he was disappointed in her. She went against him, she caused him to worry about her and had injured herself in the process. What was she thinking? How could she have been so careless? She should have listened to Matteo and stayed up in the bedroom like he had told her to do. She should have waited like a good girl, but. What if Matteo had been the one with the knife wound instead? What if it was deeper and he was dying? Stella wasn't sure she'd be able to live with herself if the last thing Matteo was to see would have been the man who took his life.

"I'm sorry," Stella said quietly as she shifted her head downwards and watched as Matteo cleaned her wound for her. Wincing slightly as the alcohol wipe stung as it touched the torn flesh on her stomach. "I understand," Stella said quietly as she looked Matteo in the eyes. His chocolate orbs that Stella felt like she could constantly get lost inside of. Her lips purse together as she watched him getting back to tending to her wound. His touch was so soft, which didn't reflect his attitude at the moment. She could hear the worry for her in his tone. She had made him worry, and that fact alone scared the shit out of Stella and made her want to redo everything.

"It was too quiet," Stella said quietly as she slowly moved a hand to rest on top of the bandage that Matteo place on her stomach. "I was scared you were hurt. I didn't want the last thing you saw for felt being the man who killed you. I wanted to be by your side, to care for you but." Stella stopped as she glanced towards Matteo. "I made you take care of me instead." Stella's shoulders sagged a little bit more. She could not believe she had gotten stabbed in her own home. "Who were those guys? Why did they break in?" Stella asked quietly, wanting to change the topic from them to something that would hopefully get the heat off of her.

@ FallenHope95

"It's not that you can't come downstairs at all when their is an attack." Matteo told her, his voice beginning to soften as he spoke to her once again. He had been upset but he knew better than to push it too hard. Right now, Stella was under his thumb and he didn't want to ruin that because of what had happened that night. What a waste that would be. "I just want to make sure that when you come down, you have full intention of protecting yourself. If you're worried about that, you want to be by my side if I get hurt, then feel free to come down and check on me but have a knife or a lamp or something."

Once he finished up with her stomach, Matteo looked back up and started to roam over her body. His eyes stopped when he noticed a bruise forming around her arm where he had grabbed her and brought her downstairs. Another swear left his lips before he started to shake his head at himself. "I'm sorry, baby." He murmured as he reached up and lightly rubbed his thumb over the arm bruise. "I didn't mean to grab onto you so hard. I was just worried." Matteo leaned forward and lightly pressed a kiss against her bruise. He shouldn't have done that. While he didn't actually love Stella, Matteo didn't want to be seen as an angry or abusive fiancée.

Matteo pressed a second kiss against her arm before he shifted back. His eyes glanced off to the side as she asked about the men who broke in. They were men from her family coming in... but he didn't want to say that. Matteo had a suspicion that they were looking for her. "I don't know who they are yet but I am going to know by the end of the night. And who knows why they broke in. Maybe they wanted to steal something. Maybe they wanted to kill me." He shrugged. "We'll know soon enough."

@ Sweet.Persephone
Watching Matteo, Stella's eye slowly shifted towards her arm where she had been grabbed. Her lips slowly slipping into a deeper frown. She didn't realize it would be so visible already. She was hoping that the mark wouldn't have shown up till morning and she could have said that she had been the one who did it to herself instead. She didn't need Matteo worrying about her. She knew he was a good man, to her at least. Matteo would never mean to hurt her like that. Sure, they had rough sex sometimes, but that was for pleasure. This was just a spur of the moment sort of thing.

"I know," Stella said quietly and offered Matteo a small smile. "It was just an in a moment thing, I know you didn't mean to," Stella said quietly as she watched him kissing her arm. The cute little action caused a small smile to appear upon her lips. Then, just as quickly as the smile on her lips had appeared, it disappeared. "You're not going to be coming back to bed for a while then, are you?" Stella asked quietly, getting a feeling that he was going to be doing something bad to those guys who had broken in. Although, she was also not completely sure she'd be able to sleep well on her own after everything that had happaned a moment ago.

Slowly, Stella wrapped her arms around her waist loosely. Not wanting to put too much pressure upon her stomach wound in case she caused the thing to bleed once more. "Can I stay with you? Or at least down here?" Stella asked quietly as she looked at Matteo with worried eyes. "I don't want to be alone, I'm still a little scared."

@ FallenHope95

"It will be a while since I get to go to bed." Matteo told her, reaching out and lightly rubbing her knee. He allowed the silence to fall amongst them. Though his eyes shifted up when she asked if could stay down there with him. Matteo glanced off to the side as he thought over whether or not Matteo wanted Stella to be around. If this was a normal situation, the man would have no issue on seeing her torture someone. Hell, he would probably push her to assist him in the act. But this time, it were members of her own family. What if she remembered too much? What if Matteo allowed his little play thing to snap back to her true reality?

But there was a large opportunity here and did Matteo really want to let it go? Not only could he push Stella to go darker for him, to get her to torture someone with him, but it would be a member from her own group. Maybe.... Maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea if Stella tortured one of them and he let that one person go to send a message. Or he sent a video of her doing so to her family? That was sure to confuse them, to piss them off. And that was something the man really did not want to pass up. It was just too good. He'll just have to make sure that none of her memories come back. Maybe if he gagged them?

Matteo glanced away so she couldn't see his face as a sick smile moved across. God this was amazing. He shook his head for a moment, forcing the smile from his face before turning back to Stella. He gently squeezed her knee before nodding to the woman. "Yes, you can stay with me." Matteo stood up. "I am going to question the men that broke in."

@ Sweet.Persephone
A small bundle of butterflies started to flutter inside of Stella's stomach as she waited patiently. She really didn't want to go upstairs on her own. What if someone was still in the house? Did they sweep the place to make sure that it was safe? Stella was scared, she was terrified. She really didn't want to be alone right now. She was about ready to bed Matteo to let her stay near him if he mentioned her going back upstairs.

As a moment passed, Stella felt her bottom lips tremble slightly as Matteo turned his head towards the side. Slowly, Stella started to part her lips. Ready to start begging only to close her mouth when he finally looked towards her. The words that left Matteo's lips caused a small sigh to escape through her nose as her shoulders slowly sagged from how tense she had been just a couple of moments ago. He was okay with her staying down here with him, that was a huge relief to Stella.

Watching Matteo stand up, Stella slowly nodded her head in understanding. "You're okay with me watching that?" Stella asked, a little surprised that he was going to allow her down here while he talked to the men. Then, her eyes slowly looked down at herself. She was dressed in his shirt still and it had a little bit of blood on it. "Want me to go and change real quick?" Stella asked as she looked back up at him, not sure she wanted to walk around half naked in front of his men or these people who broke in. It was already embarrassing that one of his guards had seen her like this.

@ FallenHope95

Matteo stopped and thought for a moment as Stella asked about her outfit. He glanced over at the women before shaking his head a bit. It wasn't even something that the had thought about - if he was being completely honest. And Matteo supposed that he didn't really care who looked at his gorgeous little mind slave as long as they didn't touch. But it was clear that Stella wanted to get changed and he wasn't going to stand in the way of that. "Yes, you should get changed." Matteo said, pausing for a moment. "Bring me down some clothes as well when you come back."

The man walked out and yelled down the hallway of the basement, asking for a guard. One man came running, holding a rather large gun in his hand. Matteo looked to him before speaking. "Take Stella upstairs to the bedroom to change. Bring her back down here as well. Protect her until we know that the house is cleared."

Once the guard gave him a nod of understanding, Matteo turned back to Stella. He pressed a kiss against her forehead gently. "Don't take too long." He told her. The man then walked away to head into one of the rooms that had a man that attacked them. He glanced over at the man's tied up and unconcious body. He was currently attached to a chair. Matteo put a gag in his mouth before just waiting for Stella to come back.

@ Sweet.Persephone
It was a relief to Stella that she was allowed to change. Something about being almost naked in front of the men who tried to kill them made her uncomfortable. Yet, she was fine if it was Matteo's men. She trusted them, they wouldn't hurt her. They haven't hurt her. Still though, being able to wear something that'd cover more than her butt was pleasing to the young woman. So, Stella Noded to Matteo before going to change into something more covering.

Upstairs, the guard had Stella wait in the hall outside of the bedroom before allowing her inside. She could see him doing a search of the room and made sure to thank him before walking in herself. Grabbing a pair of black leggings and a plain grey shirt, Stella quickly changed before grabbing something for Matteo and heading back down to where he was with the captives.

Walking through the house and towards the basement, Stella started to feel a bit of nerve tightening in her stomach. Did she really want to watch what Matteo was going to do to those people? Last time, she just went back to his office and waited there. Why was now any different? Why didn't she ask to have a guard upstairs so she could go back to bed? There were so many why's to this situation, yet Stella still found herself walking forward. Being lead like a lamb to the slaughter as she followed the guard towards the door that Matteo and who knows how many captives. What Matteo planned to do, Stella wasn't sure. What she did know though, was that she wanted to be closer to Matteo. He made her feel safe.

Not wanting to think about it for much longer, Stella did her best to block out her thoughts. She knocked on the door once she was directed what door Matteo was behind. Then, she walked inside and over to the man who's been her one constant since she woke up. "I brought your clothes," Stella said quietly, doing her best to no look towards the man who was in the chair.

@ FallenHope95

When Stella walked back into the room, he looked over at her and offered a little smile. "Thank you, love." He said as he took the clothes from her, getting dressed once he had done so. Once he was clothed, Matteo walked over to the unconscious man, looking over his face before a moment before bringing a hand up and slapping him across the face. His hand dropped down to his side when the stranger's eyes opened.

"Good, your awake." Matteo said as he took a step away from the chair. "I have a couple of questions for you. Mainly about why you came here to try and kill me and my fiancée." Matteo motioned over to Stella to the man. "Though I have a feeling that you aren't willing to talk to me right away so I thought it would be fun to play with you some first. Besides, I can't ignore the instinct in me that is begging to torture you after you busted into my house."

Heading over to the closet, Matteo opened it up to reveal a myriad of torture devices. Matteo cracked his knuckles as he looked it over. Though before he reached for anything, his eyes shifted over to Stella. "Actually, I should give the honor to my fiancee first. I'll do what I want with you after she's done."

Matteo motioned for Stella to come over to him. "Come Stella, pick something fun and I'll let you play with this man for a while. To show him why he shouldn't come here and try to kill us."

@ Sweet.Persephone
The sound of the slap echoed through the room and caused Stella to flinch. The sound echoed through her mind, over and over. Causing a small headache to form, thoughts and feelings surfaced followed by her heart rate starting to pick up. The small room, the faint smell of iron, and the pain. Memories of pain-filled Stella and she felt like she wanted to start crying. Then, when the man opened his eyes. It felt like a stab in the chest. The light brown eyes, the small scar that ran across his right eyebrow. Stella knew him, she had this feeling that she did. How though, when did she ever meet this man? Who was he?

Then, it was like the spell was broken by the command that escaped past Teo's lips. Her bright blue eyes blinked, once and then twice before breaking her eye contact with the stranger. An instead looking towards Matteo as she slowly walked towards him, and then glanced towards the closet with multiple instruments. Some looked scarier than others, some old-looking and others are new. Some Stella had no idea what where and others she had a vague idea. The thought of using any of these things upset Stella's stomach. She didn't want to use any of these things, She wasn't sure she had it in her.

Raising her gaze, Stella looked up towards parted her lips. Wanting to tell Matteo that she couldn't do it. That she was too scared, but one look at Matteo caused Stella to give up. Her lips pursed together, and her shoulders dropped. That look that Matteo gives her always causes her to give up her argument. To give in to him and obey, that look of authority and domination. He was her master and she was his slave. She was wrapped around his fingers, like a marionette doll. Looking back towards the tools, Stella slowly looked over everything once more. Then, she slowly reached towards a crowbar. Her gaze briefly glancing towards Matteo to see if he approved or not before retrieving the weapon of her choice.

Then, she slowly walked towards the man who was in the chair. His gaze was hard, unwavering but Stella had this weird sense that he knew she was only doing this because she had to. That he could see right through her, somehow. He was aware of what had happaned to her. Shifting her gaze towards Matteo one last time, for courage. Stella waited for a nod, a command. Anything from the man who she thought that she loved unconditionally before looking towards the man and starting the torture that she was being told to duel out on this stranger who tried to hurt them.

Raising the crowbar, Stella brought the slightly heavy piece of metal down on the side of the man's right leg. A muffled scream escaped from the man, but Stella ignored the sound, and instead raised the thing and swung at his leg again. This time from above and with a little bit more force. A loud sickening crunch echoed through the room, indicating that the bone was either fractured or broken. Blood started to form on the man's pant leg as gashes formed on the injured leg.

Then, Stella switched to hitting the men on the other knee. Hitting him till she heard the crunch. Then, she used the crowbar and swung down on the man's right hand. Smashing some of his fingers with the crowbar and repeating that motion till they were turning purple. Then, she raised the crowbar and smacked the man across the face with the crowbar. The sharp end cutting his right cheek as it skimmed across his cheek. Once she was done, Stella could feel herself panting from that little bit that she'd done. Her stomach was squeezed and she felt like she was going to throw up. Raising her gaze, Stella looked up towards Matteo. A deep frown appearing upon her lips. "I really don't want to do this anymore." She said quietly and then glanced to the man who was bleeding on the chair with some visible bruising forming on his hand. Stella's bottom lips started to tremble slightly, shocked and upset with what she was just forced to do. She could feel herself breaking down. Her hands slowly shook and she could feel tears building in her eyes.

"What have I done?" She breathed out quietly, her words barely a whisper.

@ FallenHope95

A grin came over his face as he watched Stella work on the man. It had been clear to him from the beginning that his dear little plaything had no interest in torturing this man. Matteo had been worried that would be the case. He had thought that she would say no, to try and convince him that she should not do it. Though, it seemed desperate her own desires to not want to, Stella had still done it. Hell, the woman turned back to him and waited for a nod before she even continued. Despite her own desire not to, the woman had listened to his command. This pleased him.

What he didn't like was how she reacted when she was done. It seemed that while it was easy to get Stella to do the act, she felt disturbed by it after. Well, that was too bad. Though Matteo couldn't really say he cared much about how she felt after as long as the woman continued to do as he said. He looked over her eyes for a moment as she looked back at him before he walked over to where Stella was standing. Matteo reached over and took the crowbar out of her hand before he leaned in and pressed a kiss against her cheek. He wondered if that would calm her down. Stella was normally so easy to please.

"What a good girl," Matteo whispered to Stella. "It's okay, you can be done now." Matteo pressed another kiss against Stella but this time to her forehead. He then shifted her so that she could move out of the way and stand by the wall. Once Matteo was just facing the man in the chair, he held onto the crowbar tightly. His eyes narrowed and a scowl came over his face. "You must have thought that it would be easy to get rid of me. Well you were wrong."

Matteo gripped the crowbar by both sides before pressing the bar against the man's neck, now choking him with it. The man flopped around in the car, struggling, doing his best to breath. But he was unable to get away and eventually, the man passed out. Matteo dropped the crowbar to the ground. He would interrogate him in the morning, when Stella wasn't around.

The man turned back to her, a bit of a smile on his face. "Lets go to bed."

@ Sweet.Persephone
For the first time since Stella could remember, she was having a lazy day. Lying stretched out on her back on the bed, wearing nothing but a pair of black lace panties. Her bright blue eyes stared up at the ceiling as she allowed for her mind to wonder. Moving from one thing to the next. It's been about two months since that scary break-in, two months since she'd first tortured someone. Six months, since she'd first started to help Matteo with small things and almost eight months since she woke up without any memories. What the fuck was her life?

Slowly, without even really thinking about it. Stella moved her hands from their position above her head and moved them to rest on her stomach. Her still very flat stomach. Earlier that morning, it was like any other day. She and Teo had their morning romp in the bed. They had breakfast and then he went to work, while Stella went to a doctor's appointment and then planned to go shopping after. Only, things didn't really go the way that the young lady wanted. What she thought was just some sort of small stomach bug turned out to be something bigger, well it was small now but it was going to be big soon.

"Pregnant," Stella said quietly, her fingertips slowly running up and down the sides of her bare flat stomach. When she had gotten home from the doctor's appointment, Stella had gone straight to the bedroom and stripped the pretty dress she decided to wear that morning for Teo and kicked off the heels before collapsing on the bed. Which, was where she had ended up staying for the rest of the day. She turned away the house staff when they'd come and ask if she was okay or offered her lunch or a snack. Her mind was too frazzled right now to think about food. She was too stunned into silence, worrying about being a mom to a little human. Wondering what Matteo would think of something like this. Did he even want kids? Were they ready? Stella still didn't have all of her memories back, how could she take care of something if she couldn't even take care of herself.

The sound of the door opening caught Stella's attention. No one in the house dared to open the door to her or Matteo's bedroom without permission. So, she didn't need to worry about having to cover up. As it was Matteo walking into the room. "Hi," Stella said quietly and then looked back up towards the cieling like she'd been doing all along. Her fingers still kept their slow movements as she let the silence surround them. Not a clue in the world on how to bring up the 'p' word to Matteo.

@ FallenHope95

As Matteo walked into the bedroom, he was a little surprised to see his fiancée laying on the bed wearing only her panties. Though, for a moment, a grin came over his face as he thought that this was probably Stella's way of giving him an afternoon surprise. He was more than ready to fuck Stella until she started to forget her name - which was basically the only thing that pretty little hard of her remembered.

"Hey there." Matteo said as he walked over to her. Although it had been a nice thought, the way that Stella looked up and quickly looked away made him thing that his fun time in between the sheets with her was not what was about to happen. Even so, the man made his way over to the beautiful woman that was on the bed and pressed a gentle kiss against her cheek before shifting and pressing one against her lips. "How are you doing today?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her. "Any particular reason you're laying on the bed half naked during the afternoon?"

While waiting for her to respond, Matteo headed into the closet to change out of his work clothes - or in the least to take off his suit jacket and tie. "Did your day go okay or did someone bother you?"

@ Sweet.Persephone
Sensing Matteo moving towards her and hearing the steps, Stella knew that Matteo probably wanted to have sex or something. On a normal serconstance, Stella would be more than happy to have some afternoon fun. The feeling of Matteo's body against hers and turning her this way and that as he pounded into her and making her mind spin. But the news just kept coming to the front of her mind. Rewinding over and over, like a none stop repeating video that she couldn't turn off.

"I didn't want to dress up today," Stella mumbled quietly, her voice coming out a little monotone as well. Breathing in through her nose, Stella slowly exhaled through her slightly parted lips. Her head turned and she watched Matteo walk into the closet to start changing. Her mind running through the options that she had at the top of her head for what she could tell him. The truth, or should she lie? Was she ready to tell him something that could change their lives for the next eighteen years plus? Or, did she want to wait and think it through more?

"I'm pregnant." It just slipped, and Stella's eyes widened as she did so as well. She really didn't mean to let it out like that. So blatantly, it was so straightforward and not like her as well. "I'm pregnant," Stella repeated, this time her voice a little bit quieter as she looked up at the cieling once more and started to run the tips of her stomach with her fingertips once more. Her lips pursed into a thin line as she waited for Matteo to say something, to react to the news. To start yelling, or something. A slight fear started to slowly form inside of Stella. A need to protect the growing bean in her belly developing inside of her. Growing by the minute as she started to worry that Matteo wouldn't want the little life inside of her. That he was going to try and force her to get rid of it, that he didn't want to be a dad. What would she do if he doesn't want to? Would she be able to make it on her own? What will become of them? Shit.

@ FallenHope95

Matteo immediately stopped what he was doing when he heard Stella's words. I'm pregnant. His tie was hanging loosely around from his neck but he had managed to get his jacket off before the news was announced to him. For a moment, silence overcame Matteo as he just stood in the closet but slowly he walked out to the door, staring over at Stella. "You're pregnant?" He asked her, blinking slowly asked he asked her.

The man wasn't sure what to do or say. Or Hell, even how to feel. Stella was pregnant, and he had no doubt that it was his kid. After all, Matteo knew where she was at all hours of the day. Stella had his child growing inside of her. A hand moved up and slowly pushed through his hair as he tried to think this over. But, for once, everything inside that mind of his was jumbled up and lost.

"You're pregnant." Matteo repeated. This time he said it as a statement rather than asking a question. It took a moment but his hand dropped from his hand and Matteo slowly made his way over to Stella, sitting down on the side of the bed besides her. He glanced down at her stomach, where his child was growing inside of her.

The man took in a deep breath as he looked over her face slowly. "Are you not happy about this?" He asked. She didn't seem pleased about the news to him.

@ Sweet.Persephone
The sound of her own heartbeat sounded loud and clear inside of Stella's ears as she stared at the door to the closet. She could faintly hear him moving around, stripping out of his suit probably but the sound of her heart. Of her fear was muffling everything. Her blood pumped through her veins and the need to curl up and cry was growing. Especially when Matteo spoke the word that was sending fear, excitement, and nerves through Stella at an uncontrollable speed.

A simple "Yes," escaped from Stella as she watched Matteo step out of the closet. Her gaze remaining on his as she watched him. Silent as he was as she allowed for him to process the news. Her hands instinctively moved to cover her stomach where the fetus was when she noticed his gaze move towards her stomach. Her bottom lip slowly moved between her teeth as she lightly nibbles on the soft flesh. All of this nervousness was probably not good for the baby.

Not being able to take Matteo's gaze as he approached caused Stella to force her blue gaze back towards the ceiling. "I'm terrified," Stella said quietly in reply to Matteo's question. "I don't know the first thing about babies, or being a mom. I don't even remember my own mother. How could I care for something when I don't know anything?" Stella blurted out, her thoughts coming to the surface now that she had someone to vent to. "When I was told the news, I was so excited Teo. I cried in the office, I had an ultrasound and was in total awe, but. As soon as I left, it was like things just came crashing down on me. I don't even have contact with my own mom or family." Stella raised her right hand and wiped at her eyes as she felt tears starting to form.

"Then I got scared because I don't know if you want kids, I can't remember that. So I've been worried that you'd want me to have an abortion and I can't Teo. I can't get rid of something we created." Moving her hands, Stella pressed her palms to her eyes as she tried to calm herself down by taking a couple of deep breaths. "Everything's changed in a matter of moments, and it's just-It's a lot to take in. I don't know, Teo. I'm so scared right now."

@ FallenHope95

As Stella spoke, Matteo's eyes had turned to her stomach. He could not believe that his child was in there. It was crazy to think that the two of them accidentally created a whole baby but that was what happened. And he was so wrapped up in this fact, Matteo was able to only take in half of what Stella had said. Though from the little he got, he was able to figure out that she was freaking out. It made sense. Matteo was kind of freaking out to... Well, he felt a little more lost than anything else.

Matteo's hand moved over to her stomach, removing Stella's hands from it. He laid his own hand where hers had been, where his child was. "We're keeping it." Matteo decided. Her opinion on this matter didn't care to him. This was his child, and Matteo wasn't going to let anything happen to it. This was his future heir. Someone who he would love, and someone who would understand him because they were of the same blood. Nothing was more important than family.

"There is no reason to be scared." Matteo told her. "Everything will be taken cared of. We have this huge house, plenty of room with a child. I will hire nannies to help us. Our child will have the best, I can assure you. You will be taken cared of as well. We will find the best doctor during your pregnancy and have chef only make food that you can eat. There is not a single thing that we will not be able to obtain for our child."

@ Sweet.Persephone
Feeling Matteo's hand cover her stomach, Stella flinched slightly. Scared that Matteo was going to try and hurt the baby that was barely formed. Pulling her hands from her eyes, Stella rested her arms above her head and looked down as Teo spoke. Her body relaxing as she realized his soft touch. His words causing all of the anxiety that was washing over her to float away. To allow for her to feel comfortable with the idea that she too wanted to keep this little bean that was slowly starting to form inside of her.

"I don't want to tell anyone about the baby yet," Stella said quietly, her gaze shifting up towards Matteo's face. Taking in how he seemed to be entranced by her still flat stomach. "I don't want to get to stressed by people crowding me." Closing her eyes, Stella breathed in deeply through her nose and then slowly exhaled through her mouth. "I have something to show you too," Stella said quietly once she felt like she got her racing heartbeat under control.

Rolling onto her side, Stella reached over and grabbed the two small photographs that were on the end table. Then, she fell back onto her back and placed one on where the baby was inside of her, and handed one to Matteo. "There's not much to see, but the doctor circled where the baby's located and barely visible," Stella explained, The edged of her lips turning up into a small smile. "It's so small, we're going to have to protect it so that it can grow up and be strong."

@ FallenHope95

The man let out a low hum as Stella said she didn't want to tell anyone about the baby yet. He allowed that thought to sit with him, thinking it over. Was that really the best for his child or was that just what Stella wanted? In the past, he had put a lot of stock into her opinion because he wanted her to do certain things for him. Though now that she was carrying his child, things changed. His child mattered more over her memories and Stella's willingness to do anything for him.

Though he remained quiet as Stella rolled over and grabbed two photographs. He glanced down at the one that she handed to him, a little bit of a smile came over his face. It really wasn't much to look at, that was true. But it was his. His future heir. "I am going to keep this one." Matteo said as he folded up the picture and put it in his pocket.

His eyes shifted back down to Stella, his fingers tapping on the bed. "We can't tell no one." Matteo told her, having decided that her desire for completely privacy was not going to do. Though he was going to try and respect her wish for the most part. Besides, stressing Stella out couldn't be good for his child. "We need to tell 5 people. No more than that but it's not up for debate. The chef needs to know, so she can cook what you need and avoid what you can't have. I am going to get you a new doctor, they will need to know. Lastly, I want to tell your three personal guards. They'll need to more careful now. None of these people should crowd you so it shouldn't stress you out. I suppose we can wait to announce it to anyone else when you're ready or when you start showing."

@ Sweet.Persephone
Having Matteo take the picture out of her hand and pocket it caused Stella's heart to warm. He really was excited about the baby, which pleased her. This whole afternoon, she was freaking out. Thinking that he wouldn't want to be a dad. That he'd be angry and force her to get rid of the little beat, but. That movement, just caused everything she was scared about to fly out the window. They were going to be parents and she couldn't be more excited.

When Matteo turned down her wish for privacy, Stella's heart slightly sank. Her lips parting slightly to argue, but she stopped herself as Matteo started to explain. Then, something Stella didn't usually do happaned. She huffed in annoyance, the change in her hormones already showing with her small burst of irritation. Sure, she might understand where he was coming from but she wasn't happy with having people already know. The doctor said to wait because she was in a sensitive position right now, but letting those closest to her made sense. So, Stella really couldn't argue with Matteo. "Fine." She mumbled, doing her best to let the small burst of annoyance wash away.

Rolling to her side once more, Stella set her picture back onto the nightstand before sitting up completely. She crawled down the bed back towards Matteo and moved so that she was sitting on his bed. Her hands moving to rest on his shoulders as she tried to push him backward. Then, her hands moved to start unbuttoning his dress shirt. "I want to focus on something else now. I want sex." Stella said as she glanced up towards Matteo's eyes, wondering if he'd want to be on top of if he'd allow for her to take top.