Chapter 45 Olivia #2
I blink. Stefan is watching me with concern. “Sorry. What?”
“I asked if you’re okay. You zoned out.”
“I’m fine. Just tired.”
Elena narrows her eyes. “You should go home and rest. Both of you.”
“We’re not leaving you alone,” Stefan argues immediately.
“I’m not alone. I have nurses checking on me every five minutes. And guards outside my door. I’ll be fine.”
“Babushka—”
“Go. Spend some time at the manor. Take a shower. Sleep in a real bed. You’ve both been here long enough.”
“I want to stay,” I insist.
“And I want some privacy. An old woman needs time to think without you two hovering over her like anxious mother hens.”
Stefan and I exchange a look. “She’s right,” I admit. “We could use a break.”
“See? Olivia understands.”
He sighs. “Fine. But we’re coming back later.”
“Not today you’re not. Come back tomorrow.”
“Babushka—”
“Tomorrow, Stefan. That’s an order.”
He opens his mouth to argue, then closes it again. “Okay. Tomorrow.”
Elena smiles. “Good boy.”
We say our goodbyes. Elena makes us promise to eat something and get some rest. Stefan kisses her forehead and I squeeze her hand one more time.
“I’m so glad you’re okay,” I whisper.
“I’m glad you’re here, dochka.”
We leave the room. The guards nod as we pass. Stefan is quiet in the elevator, his jaw humming with tension.
“She’s going to be fine,” I tell him. “She’s strong. Stubborn. She’ll be dancing at our wedding just like she said.”
“I know.” But he doesn’t sound remotely convinced.
We’re halfway to the parking garage when Stefan stops. “Shit.”
“What?”
“We have an appointment. The OBGYN. It’s today.”
I pull out my phone and check the time. “Oh, wow, you’re right. In an hour. It completely slipped my mind.”
“Do you still want to go? We can reschedule if you’re too tired.”
I think about it. I am tired. Exhausted, actually. But I also want to see our baby. Hear the heartbeat. Make sure everything is okay.
I need a reminder of why I’m doing all of this. Why I’m trying so hard to fix things.
“Let’s go,” I say.
Stefan nods. We head to the car and drive across town to Dr. Kostas’s office. The waiting room is quiet today, just one other couple sitting in the corner. We check in and sit down.
Stefan takes my hand. “Are you nervous?”
“A little. You?”
“Yeah.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know,” he murmurs. “The fear isn’t reasonable. It’s just there.”
“Nothing’s wrong,” I reassure him. “The baby’s fine.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I’d feel it if something was wrong. And I feel fine. Great, actually.” He still looks uncertain, so I lean my head on his shoulder. “It’s going to be okay,” I whisper.
The nurse calls us back a few minutes later. She takes my weight and blood pressure, asks the standard questions about symptoms and discomfort. I tell her everything’s been fine. No bleeding or cramping, and the nausea has pretty much disappeared altogether.
“Great,” she says, making notes on her tablet. “Dr. Kostas will be right in.”
She leaves and Stefan helps me up onto the exam table. The paper crinkles beneath me as I settle back against the pillows.
“Comfortable?” he asks.
“As comfortable as a woman can be on an ice-cold table covered in tissue paper.”
He chuckles and takes my hand. “I’ll take that as a ‘sort of.’”
Dr. Kostas knocks once before entering. He’s wearing his white coat over a suit, his wire-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. Today’s tie is a deep navy blue instead of his usual blood-red.
“Dr. Aster. Mr. Safonov.” He nods to each of us. “How are we feeling today?”
“Good,” I say. “Tired, but good.”
“That’s to be expected. You’re in your second trimester now. Energy levels should start improving soon.” He washes his hands at the sink. “Any concerns since your last visit?”
“No. Everything’s been normal.” I look at Stefan and add, “Well, normal as far as the baby is concerned, at least.”
“Excellent. Let’s take a look at this baby, shall we?” He wheels the ultrasound machine over and squirts gel onto my stomach. It’s cold and I flinch. “Sorry about that,” he chuckles. He presses the wand against my belly and the screen glows to life.
Static at first, then shapes. Movement.
And there it is. Our baby.
Bigger than last time. More defined. I can see the curve of the spine, the tiny fists, the profile of the face.
“Beautiful,” Dr. Kostas murmurs. “Measurements look perfect. Heart rate is strong.” He clicks a few buttons and the room fills with the rapid thump-thump-thump of the heartbeat.
Stefan’s hand tightens around mine. His eyes are fixed on the screen.
“Everything looks good,” Dr. Kostas continues. “Weight is right on track. Development is progressing normally.” He moves the wand slightly. “Would you like to know the sex?”
I look at Stefan. We’d talked about this before. He said he wanted to know. I wasn’t sure. But now, seeing our baby on that screen, I want to know, too.
“Yes,” I say. “We want to know.”
Dr. Kostas adjusts the angle and points to the screen. “See this right here? That’s your daughter.”
My breath catches. “A girl?”
“A girl,” he confirms with a smile.
Stefan doesn’t say anything. I’m worried that something is wrong… until I glance over at him and see tears streaming down his face.
“Stefan?”
He wipes his eyes roughly with the back of his hand. “Sorry. I just… A girl.”
“You’re happy?”
“I’m terrified,” he admits. “But yes. I’m happy.”
Dr. Kostas gives us a moment, busying himself with printing out ultrasound photos. When Stefan has composed himself, the doctor hands us the pictures.
“These are for you. Keep them somewhere safe.” He wipes the gel off my stomach. “I’ll see you back here in four weeks. Call if you have any concerns before then.”
“Thank you, Dr. Kostas.”
“My pleasure. Congratulations, both of you.”
He leaves and I sit up, smoothing down my shirt. Stefan is gazing down at the ultrasound photo like nothing in the history of human civilization has ever been more beautiful.
“A daughter,” he says softly.
“Are you disappointed?”
“No. God, no. I’m not disappointed.” He looks up at me. “I’m just... I don’t know how to do this.”
“Do what?”
“Raise a girl. Protect her. Keep her safe in a world that’s so fucking dangerous.”
I slide off the table and take his face in my hands. “We’ll figure it out. Together.”
“What if I screw it up?”
“You won’t.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yes, I do. Because I know you. And I know you’ll do everything in your power to give her a good life.”
He pulls me close and buries his face in my neck. “I love you,” he whispers.
“I love you, too.” I laugh and take his hand. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
We walk out of the office and into the parking lot. The sun is setting and the world is gilded. Stefan opens the car door for me and I slide into the passenger seat.
As he drives, I watch the city pass by. The buildings, the people, the endless traffic. This is the world our daughter will grow up in. This chaotic, beautiful, terrifying world.
And I need to make it safer for her.
I need to end the war between Stefan and his mother. To stop the violence before it touches our family again.
My mind is made up. I’ll meet with Natalia. I’ll listen to what she has to say. And I’ll find a way to make peace.
For Elena.
For Stefan.
For our daughter.
I have to.