Chapter 229: Big family
"Guess I was wrong. This is the veritable heaven..."
When I found myself surrounded by naked women, each of them unbelievably beautiful, those words didn't feel out of place.
Apparently, Luciana's idea of a communal pool bath was truly a great one. A few hours ago, when I was led to this indoor sunken bath by these women, how was I supposed to keep my composure?
Around me stood women, each more stunning than the last, wearing only delicate undergarments. They gathered close, chatting amongst themselves, while Isabella pressed her hips against me, driving me insane.
I clenched my fists tightly, trying to control my breathing. This was a sweet torture being played out against me. I had never thought Luciana would go this far. Sure, it was meant to be a "relaxation" session, but who could've predicted such a seductive kind of relaxation?
Isabella turned her head slightly, flashing me a mischievous smile. "Ethan, you seem a bit tense. This is a place for you to enjoy yourself, isn't it?" she said in a soft yet provocatively cunning tone.
Luciana, standing by the edge of the pool, stepped into the water slowly, her eyes fixed on me. There was warmth in her gaze, but I couldn't tell if she was trying to soothe me or push me further. One thing was certain though: this place was truly a piece of paradise, becoming more enchanting with each passing second.
I felt a light touch on my back. Evangeline had approached, clad in nothing but her delicate underwear, her wet hair cascading over her shoulders. "Ethan," she whispered softly in my ear, "relax. We're here with you. Enjoy this."
As Isabella pressed her soft, wet curves against my hips, my attention was momentarily diverted when I saw Roxanne suddenly leave the pool, looking uneasy—or maybe I was imagining it.
"I'll check on her. You stay here," my mother said.
As I watched Luciana follow Roxanne out of the room, I felt a bit relieved. Gently, I pulled Kayle, who stood behind Isabella with a displeased look at her mother's actions, closer to me. Her large chest caused ripples in the water, and as I wrapped my arm around her waist, Kayle blushed immediately.
My other hand reached toward Isabella's chest. While juggling the mother and daughter, Ellera stood behind me, gently tracing the knife scars on my back. Meanwhile, Evangeline and Avanne were engrossed in a conversation.
Kayle's shy and flushed expression stood out, even amidst the intensity of the atmosphere. As my hand softly caressed her back, she trembled. "E-Ethan…" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes avoided mine, but her body leaned closer.
Isabella, on the other hand, continued her teasing. Her warm breath brushed my neck as she smiled. "I wonder how long you can hold out," she said, her voice both sly and mocking. Just as my hand reached her chest, she leaned even closer. The heat and feel of her skin were intoxicating.
Behind me, Ellera's touch added a layer of unease. As her slender fingers traced the scars on my back, she said in a calm yet deep voice, "These scars... they must have a story." I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. As her touch lingered on my scars, a new emotion replaced the lingering pain.
Evangeline and Avanne, still engaged in their conversation, turned their attention toward me. "I think Ethan might need some time to get used to this," Avanne said, sneaking a glance at me. Evangeline, smiling, added, "Getting used to it? I think he's already adapted quite well."
Just then, Luciana returned, her expression serious, indicating something important had happened. "Ethan, come here," she said gently.
Reluctantly, I left the women behind and climbed out of the pool to follow her. In the adjacent bath, Roxanne stood, her face weary but with a contented smile.
"What's wrong, Roxy? Are you feeling unwell?" I asked.
Roxanne smiled at my question and shook her head. "No... Ethan, I think we're going to have a child soon."
Hearing Roxanne's words sent a wave of warmth through me. It was something I'd been hoping for, but hearing it from her directly was an entirely different experience. The joy and pride in her eyes mirrored in me as I slowly approached her, placing my hands on her shoulders.
"I knew," I said with a soft smile, "but hearing it from you is more beautiful than anything."
Roxanne's face lit up for a moment, my words seemingly giving her a boost of courage. She placed her hand on her stomach and pressed gently. "Ethan," she said softly, "this isn't just ours—it's something everyone here is a part of, right?"
I nodded. "Yes, we're all together in this. And I'll do everything to celebrate this." I then turned to Luciana, whose gaze, though still serious, carried a maternal warmth. She seemed as if she had everything under control.
Roxanne stood and walked toward me, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. She hugged me tightly. "Ethan, I'm so happy to be on this journey with you," she said. The warmth in my heart grew stronger. Her happiness was my happiness. Wrapping my arms around her tightly, I whispered, "I can face anything with you by my side."
Luciana stood silently behind us, watching. Though she didn't intervene, the faint smile on her face showed she shared in our joy. As Roxanne's happiness filled the air, Luciana suddenly patted my back and spoke in a calm yet commanding tone.
"Let's go share this news with the girls!"
Roxanne's eyes sparkled with excitement but held a hint of embarrassment. "Luciana, is that really necessary?" she asked hesitantly. Luciana placed a hand on Roxanne's shoulder and gave her a warm smile.
"Of course it is! This isn't just your or Ethan's happiness; it's a joy for all of us. Every member of this family should celebrate this wonderful news." Luciana's voice was firm but laced with cheerful insistence. Roxanne, knowing resistance was futile, finally nodded lightly.
With Luciana leading the way, we left the bath. Roxanne's happiness radiated as we returned to the others by the pool. Isabella, Evangeline, Avanne, Kayle, and the rest of the women turned their attention to us the moment we arrived.
Luciana clapped her hands, instantly silencing the room. "Everyone! I need your attention for a moment!" she called out, her voice carrying an undeniable authority that drew every woman's gaze to her. Once the room quieted, she smiled and continued, "I have wonderful news for all of you! Roxanne and Ethan are bringing a new member into our family!"
As Luciana's words hung in the air, the women exchanged shocked glances. Isabella took a step forward, raising an eyebrow. "Wait, a second… Roxanne?" she asked, her tone carefully neutral, though a flicker of jealousy glinted in her eyes.
Evangeline, observing the happiness on Roxanne's face, took a deep breath. Slowly but with certainty, she asked, "Is this really true? Ethan is going to have a child?"
When Roxanne nodded in confirmation, a brief silence followed before Evangeline smiled warmly. "If that's true, then we all need to celebrate. After all, this marks Ethan's future."
With Evangeline's words, the mood shifted. The subtle tensions of envy and rivalry began to dissolve, replaced by a shared sense of joy. Isabella walked over to Roxanne, taking her hand gently. "Congratulations," she said with a shy smile. "This really is wonderful news."
Kayle, however, stood off to the side, her lips pursed in faint discontent. But after a moment, she plastered on a forced smile and approached Roxanne. "I guess it'll be all our turns to contribute to this family in time," she muttered with a touch of sarcasm. Roxanne, unfazed by the comment, remained radiant, her happiness overshadowing Kayle's veiled jab.
Sensing the lingering tension, Luciana quickly clapped her hands again to refocus the group. "Come on, now! This is a special day! News like this deserves more than a simple acknowledgment. Ethan, you and Roxanne, as well as everyone here, should savor this moment."
Luciana's words helped to ease the mood further. The women exchanged meaningful smiles, and a celebratory atmosphere began to take root. Avanne appeared with a bottle of wine in hand, grinning as she declared, "I think this calls for a toast!" She handed the bottle to Luciana, who in turn passed it to me with a smile. "Go ahead, Ethan. Raise the first toast."
Still holding Roxanne's hand, I accepted the bottle with a small smile. I lifted it into the air, my gaze sweeping over the surrounding women. Each of them looked back at me with a unique glow in their eyes, reminding me that I wasn't just a part of this family—I represented it. Turning to Roxanne, I gave her a warm look and declared, "To our new, big family." With that, I drank deeply from the bottle.
As I lowered it, the surrounding women began to cheer and clap, their voices filling the room with a sense of unity and joy. In that moment, I felt not only the weight of responsibility but also the incredible strength of the bond we all shared. This wasn't just about me or Roxanne—it was about all of us, together, shaping a future none of us could face alone. Continue your journey on empire