47. Lev
Because we can’t wait, I marry her the very next day in Igor’s hospital room with only Feliks, Igor, and Enya in attendance. Still recuperating from his bullet wound, Feliks is sitting in a chair beside the door nursing an open bottle of champagne we smuggled in, while Enya lies with Igor on his bed, her tiny body snuggled tightly against my giant friend.
I wear a suit, and my stunning bride looks like an angel in a sheath of champagne satin. It clings to her beautiful curves as well as the heavy swell of her stomach where my baby is growing.
God, every time I see her belly, I’m overcome with love for her and the baby she’s nurturing in her womb.
She smiles across at me, and I can see the love shining in her big eyes. She’s carrying a tiny posy of flowers she picked from the garden, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her look so beautiful.
I’m so fucking in love with her I can barely see straight. I want the priest to hurry up and get it done so I can kiss her as my wife for the very first time.
This woman is everything.
When it comes time to exchange rings, Feliks walks over and holds up his pinkie, where two rings gleam in the dull light of the hospital room. “You’re full of good ideas, my friend, but marrying this angel is the best one you’ve ever had.” He gives me a wink, and I take the first ring from him and slide it onto Brooke’s finger, promising her my devotion for the rest of our lives together.
When it’s her turn to take the ring from Feliks’ finger, he says with a cheeky grin, “He knows he’s punching above his weight marrying you, beautiful lady, and don’t you ever let him forget it.”
With a grin, she slides the wedding band on my finger and vows to love me until death and beyond, and I believe every word. No more doubting this woman, ever.
I’m about to kiss her when her eyes suddenly widen, and her hands go straight to her belly.
“Oh my God… Lev!”
Alarm bells take off in my mind. “What is it? Is everything okay?”
My panic turns to relief when she grabs my hand and places it on her round belly.
“The baby… I just felt her kick.” Her face beams up at me just as a little thump pushes into the palm of my hand. “There, can you feel it?”
Another thump. Then another. And another.
“Oh my God, she’s having a party in there.” Brooke laughs.
But I’m overcome with such an intense emotion that I can’t make my lips work. It’s a feeling I could never describe and one I have never known before now. It’s like a rush of pride. Of pure love.
I place both hands on her belly.
My baby.
I never cried at my parents’ funerals. I never cried when my grandpa died, either. In fact, I’ve never cried when life has kicked me in the balls and presented me with things normal people actually cry about. But right now, during one of the happiest moments of my life, I finally feel those tears pricking in the back of my eyes.
I struggle through the intense feeling, and I smile through my tears.
“My son has a strong kick.”
“Your son? I think you mean your daughter,” Brooke says, laughing.
I step closer so there is no space between us, both my palms still on her belly as I look down on her beautiful face. I don’t care what sex the baby is. Whether I have a son or a daughter, they will be more loved than anything or anyone on this planet. And it’s only now in this moment, as I feel him or her moving against my palm, that I realize I could have it all taken away from me—the power, the prestige, the wealth—and none of it would matter, as long as I have these two in my life.
“Zayka…” I tilt my head to kiss her, moving my hands from her belly to her jaw. “I’m so crazy in love with you.”
“Good because you’re stuck with me.”
I smile against her lips. “Tell me you love me.”
“More than life.”
With a rasp, I kiss her fiercely, and she melts into me as our kiss deepens. I need to get her out of this dress and into our bed now.
It’s when the priest awkwardly clears his throat that we stop. “Let’s wrap this up, shall we? There’ll be enough time for that.”
“Then you’d better be quick, Father. I’m not sure I can hold off much longer.”
I look at my wife and see the love shining in her eyes, and all I can think of is how much I will always love this woman.
She has been my best decision. My biggest win. My greatest love.
She’s brought out the human in me and taught me two valuable lessons in life.
That some things aren’t worth fighting for.
While others are worth giving your life.