Jasmine fluctuated between impatience for the arrival of her babies and dragging herself through the pits of depression.

She spent her days exercising, preparing the nursery and avoiding Cristiano as much as possible. He stopped by her parents house for dinner many times. His relationship with her parents, siblings and brother-in-law had grown over the last few weeks. They all finally warmed up to him and their conversations were as civil as they should be. Over coffee, most nights were spent talking about everything from arguing over politics, music and mutual interests concerning business.

However, talking about trivial things was the farthest thing from Jasmine's mind. It was impossible to read what was written in his eyes. What was he thinking? What was he feeling? She would search his compelling features for a sign of reaction.

There wasn't anything, just hard cold stone.

It was driving her crazy. Sometimes she could have sworn he was staring through her, making her feel like she was wearing nothing beneath her clothing. But for all she knew, it could have been a figment of her overactive imagination.

Mostly, he avoided talking directly to her. Jasmine swallowed the pain that knifed through her as her stomach churned in a sickening knot.

A cold chill never left her body. Her throat would work convulsively to ease the strangling constriction of threatening tears that warned her she was ready to have a breakdown.

Her air of poise was thin. She had assumed he would see things her way. That he would be soul-searching and not see everything in black and white. But he remained indifferent like nothing happened. Of course, he was more distant than before but it did nothing to give her any measure of reassurance.

So much for the man who would love and cherish her. So much for his declarations of love and being the man worthy of her. She had brought it on with her actions but she was not prepared to pay for the mistake. But at least it showed her he was not the man for her. He never was and never would be.

There were dark smudges beneath her eyes, evidence of countless night of sleep. Over and over again she went over the events. What had she hoped to gain? Had she thought if she denied him her heart that he would want her so badly and try harder to win her affections? If that had been her subconscious plan, it had backfired with agonizing consequences.

She still hurt, but she had learned to live with it and conceal it from others.

"Jasmine what's wrong with you?" Camelia asked gently, entering her bedroom and closing the door behind her.

Intense pain flashed across her face. "What's wrong with me? Nothing. I'm fine. Just impatient and wanting to be done with being pregnant. I don't know how women enjoy it for this long. I don't like getting fat. I don't enjoy the fact my feet are swollen. Nothing fits. I'm always tired. I don't sleep and hate the fact that I can't sleep on my stomach. I don't like any part of it."

Camelia shook her head. "I can imagine it isn't easy. You have a few more weeks before the babies are due and you'll forget it all and go back to your normal weight and routine. But that's not what I meant. You and Cristiano–"

It took all of Jasmine's control not to blanch at her statement.

"Are over." She finished. "I don't want him around me. If I had a choice I wouldn't have him around my babies either. I want him to go away and never come back. Every time he's around I cannot stomach the sight of him. I want him to go away."

She sounded bitter to her own ears. Dammit, but she was furious. She was angry with her life. Angry at herself. She was always this independent woman who prided herself on her self-discipline. A woman who was always in the driver's seat. Fate turned her life upside down and it was yanking her in every direction she didn't want to go.

Camelia frowns. "But I thought you two had finally grown back to each other. What happened?"

Jasmine clawed at her hair, succeeding in blinking back the tears and swallowing her anger.

"We are not meant to be, that's all." She shrugs not seeming concerned. "He and I don't want the same things."

Jasmine had to sit down, placing a hand on her hard mound. The wave of Braxton hicks contractions started. She'd been experiencing them for the past few days. Her babies would fold into a hard football. It was uncomfortable as long as they lasted but after a minute the skin relax once more.

"Braxton hicks again?" Camelia guessed.

Jasmine nodded, tight lipped. They were becoming more frequent as were her doctors appointments. She had to go in for a check every week now that she was close to her delivery date.

"Look Jasmine, I know it's hard to overcome everything that's happened to you but. . .I hope, no I wish you happiness and I will support you in anyway I can. I'm here and if you ever need me, even to talk, I can help you. You are not alone. You never will be."

Jasmine smiled. Her sister was everything to her. But to burden her with her own problems she needed to work out on her own was not necessary. Camelia was in the last stages of graduating in fashion design and insanely busy remodeling her new home, not to mention a newlywed plus dealing with school, she didn't have the heart to ask for her help. She had enough responsibilities to deal with.

"I know that, and thank you. I means a lot. I just have to figure out what I need and don't want."

Camelia nods. "I want to remind you that Stefan, mom, dad and I are attending the annual auction ball tomorrow night. I asked Sammy to come over–"

Jasmine held up her hand. "Absolutely not." She interrupted. "I don't need a babysitter. I'll be fine all on my own. Don't worry about me and enjoy yourselves."

"Well we can't leave you alone especially since your close to your due date." She argued. "He's coming no matter what you say. It'll give me a peace of mind knowing someone I trust is with you. Besides this year, I know I will be enjoying it since I won't be on that stage and auctioned off to the highest bidder." Camelia wiggled her eyebrows.

"What will you wear? Red?" She asked, smiling and stroking her belly.

Camelia laughed, flushing a bright pink. "No, the mysterious lady in red has officially retired. That dress will never ever be worn ever again. It will forever be on the mannequin like some rare iconic piece to be admired but never touched."

"I don't blame you." Jasmine agreed.

"Try to rest and I'll see you tomorrow before we go." Camelia crossed the room and hugged her.

"See you tomorrow."

****

Jasmine was lounging in the living room when the doorbell rang and watching TV. She got ready to get up when Mona gestured she stay comfortable.

She heard Sammy's high pitched voice and Mona's subdued Arabic accented voice vibrate through the foyer. It almost sounded like they were bickering.

Seconds later, Sammy enters looking posh as always. He was dressed in leather pants and red blouse, and his signature Chanel bag hanging from his arm.

"Look at you!" He explained, shaking his head. "Lookin' like roadkill. When was the last time you saw a mirror?"

Jasmine rolled her eyes. She felt like shit. The Braxton hicks contractions were increasing and she was very uncomfortable. They were sharper than ever and she had a dull back ache that hasn't gone for hours.

"Gee thanks Sammy." She said sarcastically. "It's good to see you too." She grabbed the remote and began flipping the channels.

"Let's get this party started and order pizza, it's ma cheat day. What'd ya like? My treat."

"I have no appetite but if you insist get a veggie pizza no meat." She replies.

"Not in the mood for Italian sausage?" He sends her a mischievous wink reaching for his cell phone from his bag. "It's been my usual topping lately."

He presses a few buttons on the screen. It's on speaker as they listen to the ring tone.

"Uh, no. Definitely no Italian sausage." She answers quietly.

"What's been going on with you and that Italian anyway? Anything new or are you still keeping him on a tight leash? I figured he'd be here."

"He's on no leash. He's free to go as he pleases." She responded evenly, hoping he'd drop the subject.

Jasmine stopped flipping through the channels and found HBO playing reruns of the vampire series True Blood.

"Ohhhhh, baby, this sounds juicy and in dire need of a session with Moi." He held up a finger for her to wait as a voice floods the line.

"Prince street pizza, this is Chantel, how can I help you?"

"Hey boo."

"Hey Sammy! It must be your cheat day. You want your usual?"

Jasmine quirked an eyebrow listening.

"You know it, but no Italian sausage this time. My pregnant BFF ain't in the mood for no meat, especially the Italian kind."

"What a shame. You and I both know they're thick, succulent and one of a kind." Chantel responds.

Sammy fans himself and walks over to a side table and picks up a wedding picture of Camelia, Stefan, Zayn, Annie and Julien.

"Girl, these St. James hookers got all the succulent sausages they need." He turns to look over at Jasmine from head to toe. "Believe me."

Jasmine was not amused. Not in the least. He could take his jokes and his pizza and shove it. She flipped him off as he finished ordering and returned her attention to the television.

Chantel chuckled and replies, "Alright, I'll have it ready for you in 20 minutes."

"Ta-ta." Sammy ends the call.

She watched the main character, Sookie Stackhouse entering vampire sheriff Eric Northman's Vampire club Fangtasia. The show was one of her favorites when it first aired. She had watched it as religiously as fans waited and watched Games of Thrones every season.

Jasmine suddenly gasped.

Another contraction hit her. She bent forward and held her breath, wrapping her arms around her middle. Pain flooded her brain. A sharp band of pain tightened across her abdomen.

She exhaled slowly, laying back against the cushions. Sammy's back was turned to her. He was placing his handbag and phone on the coffee table.

A knot of worry furrowed her brow.

The contractions were becoming more intense and stronger. Were they truly Braxton hicks or the real thing? Could she be going into labor already? She wasn't due for another three and a half weeks.

Sammy sat on the opposite couch, crossed his legs and clasped his hands in his lap looking like a professional. "We have twenty minutes before the pizza arrives. Now. Time to tell Dr. Princeton what's going on. I won't charge you cause you're family."

"I feel so honored." Her tone dipped with more sarcasm, burying her face in her hands.

Sammy ignored her as if she hadn't spoken, keeping a professional poised expression on his face.

"Where's that prince of yours? Shouldn't he be worshipping you like a queen that's about to give birth to his heirs?"

Jasmine's laughter was void of emotion. He was doing the exact opposite.

"He's probably brooding somewhere in his house to avoid me."

"Come again?" Sammy shifted, leaning forward.

"I did the same exact thing he did to me, Sammy." She blurted in exasperation. "I used him for sex and treated him like a whore I had no use for after the deed was done."

His mouth hung open. He blinked at her like he couldn't have heard her correctly.

"Hold up! Y-you and h-him." He stuttered. "Had sex?"

"Yup." She shrugged like it was no big deal.

"You let him?" He asked still flabbergasted.

"In my defense it was my raging hormones." She explained.

"Jesus." He rubbed his face not seeming to believe the news. "Honey, that sex God can make a cat horny. Don't go and blame it on hormones. Hell, the man fucks people with his voice when he speaks!"

Jasmine could only shake her head, glancing at the television screen. Sookie and Eric, the vampire sheriff of the town, were having a staring competition. He appeared as though she was about to be his next meal and Sookie's glaring eyes stood up to him in challenge.

"All this happened, and now I find out!" Sammy's voice broke through her intense study of the characters.

Her gaze shifted to him. He was seated at the edge of the couch and he had the audacity to look insulted.

"I'm not usually prone to share my sex-life, if you must know. You're the only one that now knows. Does that make you feel a little better?" She asks.

"A little." He agrees. "So you used him to satisfy a sexual craving? Was it worth it? What did he say?" He fired off questions.

Jasmine took a calming breath. "I was turned on. He was there. He did nothing but preform and I told him afterwards, thank you. He looked pissed knowing he was just a stud and it meant nothing more. He left and never looked back."

"When did this happen?" Sammy inquired and steepled his fingers together.

Leave it to Sammy to ask the most private of questions and act calm asking them.

Jasmine rubbed her forehand. "During the baby shower. I went to my room for a quick soak in the tub and I found him in my room waiting when I came out."

His eyes brows shot up in interest. "All that humping got you in the mood?"

"No." Jasmine released a frustrated breath and rolled her eyes. "Like I explained. I had been in the mood for a while and he caught me off guard and vulnerable and I just went for it."

"You hoe! This is juicier than a soap opera! So you extracted your vengeance for what he did . . .and how do you feel now?"

With an impatient shake of her head, she said, "I feel like dog shit. I was sick to my stomach and I haven't been feeling any better for it. It was low of me. I admit I wasn't thinking but I got him back, didn't I?"

"He hasn't been normal since you did the deed?" He asked.

"Nope. He's hurt. Probably pissed. Payback is a bitch." She mused, returning her attention to the screen once more. "Now he knows how it feels. I hope it's burning him to death."

But then another very physical pain caught her by surprise. It was so strong she had to arch off the cushions.

"What the hell is going on now?" Sammy nearly shouted.

Jasmine braced herself to stay calm until it passed. She'd have to be stupid not to figure out these were not your typical Braxton hicks. She was in labour and if she was honest with herself she had been for the past few days but they were now increasing in frequency.

"Don't tell me we goin' to pop some babies! The pizza hasn't even arrived! The special onesies I ordered when they leave the hospital haven't arrived yet either! You cannot have these babies now!" He demanded.

Jasmine closed her eyes and collapsed back onto the cushions. Sammy was hyperventilating across from her, bouncing in his seat clearly agitated.

"Relax, they're probably Braxton hicks." She lied between clenched teeth.

Sammy looked unconvinced.

Her babies were a hard mass, stroking her belly repeatedly. She was definitely going into labour.

"Women don't bend over in pain from fake contractions! Oh my God! What am I going to do?!?" Sammy stood, pacing the carpet. "Vinnie and Val can't come! I ain't ready!"

What was he going to do? He wasn't ready? Jasmine nearly laughed out loud. He was acting like he was going to have the babies not her. His expression was sour, his breathing escalated and he was wide-eyed.

"Sammy calm down. I might be going into labour. It's not the end of the world. I'm the one that going to have babies not you." She reassured him. "Why don't you go get me a glass of water and stop overreacting. I'm sure I will be fine."

She tried to distract him but he impatiently dismissed her request. Jasmine bristled, she hadn't anticipated his reluctance and denial.

He takes out his cellular phone making panicky gestures. "What's your hubby's number? I'll–"

Jasmine stood, placing both hands on her lower back and frowned. "Stop! You will do no such thing. I haven't prepared anything yet for the hospital. I need you to help me upstairs and pack an overnight bag and the necessities the babies will require. Than, we need to go to the hospital."

Sammy fluttered his fake eyelashes furiously having a difficult time processing all the information at once.

"Sammy, we need to go. Now." She insisted.

He cursed loudly. "What about your parents? Can't they–"

"We'll call them when we make sure I'm really going into labour. We won't really know unless I'm checked by a doctor. If it's confirmed I'm having true contractions we'll contact them. Why should we interrupt their evening if its a false alarm?"

He cursed again and paced. "Why me? Why?" Looking up towards the ceiling as if the answer would descend from the heavens. "I've been through hell and back for the past year. I was kidnapped not once but twice. I've been beat up, held prisoner like some weak-ass bitch and now this! How much more can a diva take?" He moaned.

Jasmine instantly felt bad. Sammy has had one hell of a year. The last thing he needed was more drama.

"Its not like you're going to deliver these babies on your own, Sammy." She pinched her nose, shoulders hunched. Maybe she was asking too much from him. "It's fine. Look if its too much for you to handle I'll have someone else drive me." Jasmine stated, beginning to walk towards the double doors of the living room.

Tears misted her eyes. It hurt. Seeing his reluctance to help her hurt deeply. Despite her family and her undying will, she felt alone. No one knew the pain and suffering she endured and still carried around. Nobody would ever understand it.

He stopped pacing and turned to face her eyeing her closely. "What's the worst that can happen? It's not like I'm delivering your babies here. Let's get this show on the road."

"Really?" She asked hopefully glancing over her shoulder.

"Get your pregnant ass moving before I change my mind." He mutters and follows her.

Before she could thank him the doorbell rang. She and Sammy shared a look. That must be the delivery guy for Sammy's pizza.

"So much for having a girls night of martinis and junk food. While you're giving birth to your babies, I'll be stuffing my face in the waiting room getting fat. It'll give me something to do." Sammy announced in his sharpest lisp. "You think hospital cafeteria's serve alcohol?"

Before Sammy gave her a chance to respond to his outrageous question, he turned and strutted like a model out the French doors with swift yet unhurried strides.

Jasmine could only shake her head at his display, listening to his heels click on the tile in the foyer. While he went to get the door, she turns the television off, quickly did the best she could to tidy the living room and was ready to switch off the lights when she heard Sammy say, "I specifically ordered a pizza not an assholian sausage pizza."