Chapter 27 - Nikolai
With all instructions passed to clean the scene of war, Boris, Damien, Lev, and I venture out to catch up with Anoushka and get an update on Fedor.
When we step outside, I see Anoushka at the open door, talking to Fedor. Such a deep sense of love flows through me while watching this incredible woman check up on my brother after the trauma she’s been through.
I couldn’t have ever dreamed of a better wife.
But then, I watch Anoushka's eyes roll back into her head. She extends out a hand, sways, and collapses, limp and lifeless, into Dima's arms. Panic surges through me, and I can barely feel my feet as I run to her side, my face contorted with fear and concern. "Anoushka!" I cry out, my voice cracking, as I take her from Dima.
“Anoushka!” Boris yells next to me while Damien instructs someone to get some cold water.
"Nikolai, what's happening?" Fedor's weak voice comes from the backseat of the car, his injuries from the earlier altercation still fresh and painful.
"Get the convoy ready, now!" I shout, my heart pounding in my chest. Boris, Damien, and Lev snap into action, their faces etched with worry for their sister. I carefully settle Anoushka into my arms, feeling the weight of our entire future resting upon my shoulders. Her beautiful face is pale, her chest barely rising and falling with each shallow breath.
What the hell is happening here? Tears stream down my eyes as I try to assess if she’s shot or injured.
“Did we miss something?” I call out to Boris as the tears keep rolling down my cheeks. “The baby!” I bellow. “Where the hell is the convoy?”
“Nikolai, breathe,” Damien tells me, trying to take Anoushka from my arms.
“No!” I roar. He backs off. I clutch her closer, waiting for the cars.
“Lev, Dima,” I hear Boris tell them beside me. “Fedor needs urgent care too, but we can’t take him to the hospital with the injuries he has. There would be an inquiry, which could lead us all to trouble. Take him to our home, call for the doctor, and set up the medical unit in-house. Make sure he’s alright.”
"Take care of Fedor," I order Dima and Lev, my voice hard with urgency when the instructions are done.
"Got it," Dima nods, closing the door to the backseat where Fedor lies and getting in the front while Lev takes the wheel. The car wheels off.
My mind races as I glance at Anoushka's fragile form. What if I lose her? The thought is unbearable, a sharp pain stabbing through my heart.
Just then, more cars drive in.
"Let's go," I bark, sliding Anoushka gently into the back of a waiting car and cradling her head in my lap. Boris tells the driver to get off and takes the wheel while Damien climbs in beside him, their expressions somber and determined.
We speed off toward the hospital.
As we race through the streets, I can't help but stroke Anoushka's hair, desperately willing her to wake up. "Please," I whisper, my voice choked with emotion, "say something.”
"Stay strong, Nikolai," Damien murmurs from ahead, but I can see the worry in his eyes. I ask for the bottle of water and sprinkle some drops on her face. Her eyelashes flutter, but that’s it. She doesn’t wake.
I gently place my hand on her belly and kiss her forehead, praying all my strength into her, knowing that now is not the time to fall apart.
Damien notices from the front. I catch him watching me in the rearview mirror. “She’s a fighter,” he says.
I can’t find any words. I just nod, my gaze never leaving Anoushka's face. Time slows to a crawl as we speed toward the hospital, every passing second an eternity.
Anoushka's eyes flutter open for a brief moment, giving me a glimpse of the fear hidden within their depths. "Nikolai," she whispers, her voice weak and trembling. I squeeze her hand gently, trying to convey my unwavering support.
"Stay with me, Anoushka," I plead, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions. Her eyes drift shut again, and a shudder runs through me at the thought of losing her.
“Is she awake?” Boris asks in a near-panic from the front. “Anoushka?” he calls out to the backseat, flicking his gaze between the road and the back. “We’re here. You’re safe.”
“You hear that, my love?” I whisper to her, taking her hand gently and giving it a small squeeze. “We’re almost at the hospital.”
I think I feel her squeeze my hand back ever so gently. Damien calls the head of the hospital just before we reach, informing him of the situation.
As the car pulls up to the hospital entrance, a team of doctors and nurses are already waiting with a stretcher, prepared to whisk Anoushka away. The moment the vehicle comes to a stop, they spring into action, lifting her fragile form onto the gurney. I can't help but feel a sense of helplessness wash over me as they rush her inside, leaving me standing in the wake of their urgency.
"Sirs?" A nurse approaches us, snapping me out of my daze. "Please come with me. We'll take you all to the waiting area."
I nod numbly and follow her through the sterile halls, my mind reeling with worry and fear. What if something goes wrong? What if… No, I can't allow myself to think like that.
"Here," the nurse says, gesturing to a row of chairs outside the emergency room. "Please, take a seat. We'll update you as soon as we can."
"Thank you," I manage to choke out before sinking into one of the chairs, my heart heavy with anxiety. Boris and Damien stand close by, their presence a silent reminder that I'm not alone in this fight.
As I sit in the cold, impersonal waiting room, my thoughts race, consumed by worry for Anoushka. The room feels confined, trapping me within its sterile walls. I can't shake the feeling that time is slowing to a crawl, each second an eternity.
Damien goes to get some coffee, but I refuse. He tries to get me to eat an energy bar, but I can’t focus on anything but her.
"Hey, Nikolai." Boris places a hand on my shoulder, his voice gentle and understanding. "We're here for you. And we know how much Anoushka means to you. She’s the light of all our lives, and she will power through."
Damien steps closer, looking equally concerned. "Boris is right. She'll pull through this, and whatever comes next, we've got your back."
"Thank you," I say, my voice barely audible. On any other day, their acceptance would have been all that mattered. Today, it hardly matters in light of what she might be going through.
Unable to sit still any longer, I rise from my seat and begin pacing the waiting room. My mind races with possibilities, each more terrifying than the last. What if she doesn't wake up? What if there are complications?
"Anoushka is strong, and she has us by her side," Damien adds, trying to reassure me still. "She's going to be fine. You have to believe in her.”
"I want to," I murmur, forcing myself to take a deep breath. "I just… I can't lose her. Not now, not after everything we've been through. And we’re about to start a family,” I hold back a choked sob.
"Hey, look at me," Boris says, grabbing my shoulder and turning me to face him. "You won't lose her. We're all in this together, and we'll do whatever it takes to make sure she's safe and healthy. Understand?"
I nod again, swallowing the lump in my throat. Their words give me a shred of hope to cling to, something to help me keep it together while I wait for news about Anoushka's condition.
"Thank you, both of you," I say, my voice stronger now. "For being here, for your support. I'm truly grateful."
"Of course," Damien replies, giving me a pat on the back. "We’re family now, Nikolai. And family sticks together, no matter what."
With that, I resume my pacing, my thoughts still consumed by worry but now tempered with a touch of hope. My heart aches for Anoushka and the child she carries, and I find myself praying to any god that will listen.
"Mr. Orlov?" The doctor's voice cuts through my thoughts, and I immediately stop pacing. My gaze locks onto him as he emerges from the emergency room, his face somber but not entirely grim. "Your wife and the baby are stable. We've managed to stabilize her condition, but she'll need to be monitored closely."
“What happened exactly, Doctor?” Boris asks.
“She seems to be in some kind of shock. Her blood pressure dropped. Apart from that, she’s quite alright. We can increase some vitamin supplements to support her during this pregnancy and, moving forward, try not to excite her too much. But, we will be keeping her under observation for a few days, just to make sure it’s not something we missed,” he explains.
I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, relief flooding through me. She’s stable. She was just in shock. There’s nothing wrong. "Thank you, Doctor," I manage to choke out. "Can I see her?"
Then, feeling selfish, I turn to look at her brothers.
Boris and Damien smile at me and give an encouraging nod.
“Tell her we say hello,” Boris says.
“And that we trust she’s in good hands,” Damien nods.
"Please, follow me, Mr. Orlov," the doctor leads me down the sterile hallway, my heart pounding with every step. As we reach her room, I take a deep breath before pushing the door open.
There she lies, looking so fragile and vulnerable, hooked up to various machines monitoring her vitals. It's a sight that both pains and relieves me, knowing she's still here, fighting.
"Anoushka," I whisper, rushing to her side. I gently take her hand, careful not to disturb the IV. Her eyes flutter open, and she gives me a weak smile.
"Hey you," she murmurs, her voice barely audible.
"Hey yourself," I reply softly, my heart swelling with love and relief. "You gave us quite a scare, Anoushka."
"Sorry," she says, her smile fading. "I didn't mean to worry you."
"Shh," I soothe, stroking her hair back from her face. "You don't need to apologize. All that matters right now is that you're safe and getting better."
"I'm glad you're here," she admits, her eyes searching mine. "I was scared when I woke up alone. Is… is the baby alright?"
"Anoushka, my love, the baby is fine. You are fine. Neither of you are alone," I vow, my voice thick with emotion. "Never were, never will be. Your brothers are outside, refusing to leave your side.”
"Thank you, Nikolai," she whispers, squeezing my hand. “Please, stay the night?”
***
The sunlight filters through the partially closed blinds, casting a warm glow over Anoushka's serene face. Over the past few days, I’ve remained by her side, attending to her every need and ensuring she is comfortable. I feel more at peace as her condition steadily improves.
"Anoushka, how are you feeling today?" I ask softly, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"Better," she smiles weakly, her eyes meeting mine. "Much better, actually."
"Good," I breathe out in relief, my hand finding hers and giving it a gentle squeeze. "I've been so worried about you, and everyone misses you back home. The Orlovs and the Zolotovs."
"I’m sure," she replies with a small smile. "Thank you for never leaving my side. It means more to me than you'll ever know."
"And you mean the world to me."
She blushes at my confession but seems pleased.
A knock on the door interrupts our conversation, and the doctor enters with a reassuring smile. "Well, Mrs. Anoushka, I have good news. Your condition has improved significantly, and you're now stable enough to go home."
"Really?" she asks, her eyes widening in surprise and happiness.
"Absolutely," the doctor confirms. "Just take it easy and follow the prescribed medication and rest routine, and you should continue to improve. It’s important to do as instructed, for you are with child, after all."
"Thank you, Doctor," I say gratefully, shaking his hand. "We truly appreciate everything you've done for our family."
"Of course," he nods before leaving us alone once more.
"Can you believe it, Nikolai?" Anoushka exclaims, her excitement palpable as she cradles her belly. "We get to go home!"
"Believe it or not, my love, I'm even more overjoyed than you are," I admit, pulling her into a gentle embrace. "And there’s all that work to be done on the nursery.”
"The nursery," she whispers, tears glistening in her eyes. "I can’t wait!”
Her excitement is infectious.
Her hand reaches for mine, our fingers intertwining as we share a connection deeper than words can express.
"Remember our wedding day?" she asks, her voice soft and nostalgic. "We were practically strangers. And now… look at us—intertwined, inseparable, planning a nursery for a baby. Our baby."
"Every day, I thank the stars for bringing you into my life," I confess, my thumb gently caressing her hand. "You moved me in ways I never thought possible, Anoushka. I can’t believe I’ve never told you this before. I’ve been a bloody fool to wait so long, but I love you, Anoushka Zolotov. I absolutely fucking love you," I let out a pained groan, taking her hand to my mouth and giving it a long, lingering groan.
Anoushka's eyes well up with tears at my heartfelt confession, and she cups my face in her hands, her touch gentle and loving. "Nikolai, I love you too. And you were a bloody fool for never telling me before.”
I get into bed with her, take her in my arms, and give her a gentle kiss on her forehead. “I love you, I love you, I love you,” I tell her over and over again. “And never a day shall pass by without you knowing that.”
She looks up at me with wet, dewy eyelashes and flutters them shut. I place a hand on her chin and pull her toward me, tasting those soft, cherry lips, knowing that I would never feel another pair of lips against mine again.
And feeling blessed for the same.