EVERYONE TOGETHER

Leyla was in the late stages of pregnancy, and Naru had never been happier.

His wife—ex-wife, but who cared about technicalities—was beautiful. Her belly was big, her face was glowing, and she radiated a mix of calmness and power.

Meanwhile, Kaito and Maya had gotten married, and in between all the changes in her life, Leyla had managed to meet her mother-in-law. Or ex-mother-in-law. Who could even keep track anymore?

Akihiro was constantly hovering around the palace, always at Leyla's service. It didn't matter what she needed—bringing her tea, finding the best pillow, or simply keeping her company—he was always there. Their friendship was growing stronger by the day.

Naturally, Naru was jealous.

"How is it that Akihiro gets more time with my wife than I do?" he asked Kaito one day.

Kaito chuckled."Brother, he's basically playing the role of a lady-in-waiting."

"A lady-in—what?!"

"You know, someone who serves the queen? Someone who follows her, helps her, keeps her company…"

Naru raised an eyebrow."So, you're saying Akihiro has become… Leyla's lady-in-waiting?"

"Exactly."

"I'm going to kill him."

"Oh, are you?" Akihiro's voice chimed in as he approached with a tray of tea. "You know, your wife loves my tea. So, if you want to stay in her good graces… maybe you shouldn't kill me."

Naru growled."This is unfair. Everyone has stolen my wife! Akihiro is her best friend, Kaito is her brother, Maya is her new sister, and I… I'm last in line!"

Akihiro laughed, patting him on the shoulder."Ah, Naru… You should've figured it out sooner. When you love Leyla, you don't love her alone. You get the whole package."

Naru rolled his eyes, but he couldn't disagree.

___

Naru had never seen anything sexier in his life.

Leyla stood in front of him, fresh out of the bathroom, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders, wearing…

Black lace lingerie.

And her belly? Huge. Round. Beautiful.

Naru didn't know where to look. His eyes darted from her chest to her belly, from her belly to her thighs, and then back again. His brain short-circuited.

"Leyla…" he said in a strained voice, and she simply raised an eyebrow, leaning against the doorway while lazily draping her wet towel over her arm.

"Yes, dear?"

Naru opened his mouth, then closed it. Opened it again.

"You… walk around like this? Just… like this?"

Leyla laughed.

"Naru, this is how I live."

Naru ran a hand down his face.

"Do you not see how much of a torture this is?"

She let out a theatrical sigh and walked toward the bed, swaying seductively as much as her belly allowed.

"Oh, my poor husband…"

"Ex-husband," Naru muttered.

"My poor ex-husband…" she corrected herself, slowly lowering herself onto the bed.

"Just when I think you couldn't possibly be any more attractive, you prove that I'm an idiot," he said, sitting beside her and running his hand over her belly.

Leyla chuckled.

"Lucky for you, you're aware of that."

Naru sighed.

"You know, I thought you'd be… slower… calmer… less… fiery during pregnancy."

Leyla looked at him as if he had just claimed the Earth was flat.

"Are you insane?"

"Well… I'd be happier if I were, but with you, I don't have a choice."

Leyla laughed and pulled him by the collar of his shirt.

"You know, I have to admit, I'm pregnant, but I feel hotter than ever. Literally. Like I'm burning up."

Naru swallowed hard.

"That… is good…"

"Actually, there's just one problem."

"What problem?"

"Well…" she said, lazily running her hand down his chest. "You know we've been struggling with positions…"

Naru frowned.

"It's hard?"

"You know… the belly… the weight… gravity…"

Leyla laughed as Naru flopped onto the bed beside her, covering his face with his hands.

"This is a crime. A crime against nature."

"Oh, stop being dramatic," she said, pulling him back toward her.

Naru frowned.

Leyla sighed and tried to reposition herself.

"Maybe we can try… like this?"

"No, no, wait… what if I go… here?"

"Then you'll crush my belly, you idiot."

"Okay, okay… what if…"

"No."

"But if I just…"

"No."

"And if I move a little—"

"NO, NARU!"

"Then how?!" he cried out.

Leyla blinked.

"I think we just found something you're not good at."

Naru looked like she had just insulted his entire bloodline.

"I take that statement back—give me a minute."

And, of course, after some time, they somehow managed to figure it out… with a lot of laughter, swearing, and at least one accidental fall off the bed.

Naru struggled. But when he finally got the hang of it…

Well, he did the job right.

As always.