Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 59983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59983 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
While her pregnancy was a smooth experience overall, the loss of her parents was a time of much grief. Our marriage is stronger because of it though. I truly believe that she came to love me even more, and saw me as the partner she’s always wanted and needed because of how her parents simply couldn’t live without each other. That was the binding love that she’d always hoped to have, and despite the losses, and the danger that lurks on the periphery, we’re closer together than ever before.
“Need anything?” Margarita, pausing as she enters. Her arm is linked with one of my guards she’s been dating since the incident with Roman at the bakery.
“Why do you ask?” I joke, standing upright and smoothing my hand over my suit. “I didn’t fall asleep standing up again, did I?”
The guard huffs and shakes his head. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“Luka’s baptism?” Margarita asks.
“No. The day that the boss can lighten up and be loose enough to crack a joke.” He smiles as he says it, which takes the sting out of his words, but it’s all good. Life is good.
I laugh with them before they move further into the church. It’s already filling up with guests and well-wishers, many who were in attendance at the grand wedding ceremony that made Liliana Mrs. Sokolova. It hardly matters who’s here though. The only ones I’m focused on are my son and wife.
I sigh happily, marveling at how of all the men in the world she wanted to choose me, to pick a life with me.
“I heard that,” Viktor says.
He comes up behind me, having handed Luka over to Jenni. So far, she’s having more luck keeping the baby quiet. I narrow my eyes, studying her method. Bounce in her step, check. Slight sway, check. But she also stops short after the sway before she turns to pace the other way. Maybe that’s the trick.
“Heard what?” I ask as my assistant and friend stands with me. I yawn again.
“That you’ve harnessed the ability to crack jokes now.” He smirks at me, then watches Luka. He’s not just the godfather but the besotted uncle.
I shrug. “Blame it on Liliana,” I say around another yawn. “She makes life brighter.”
“She sure has thawed you out,” Viktor admits kindly. “And I mean that in a good way. If I had to guess, it’s like she’s given you a new take on life.”
“She has.” I wake up at her approaching me, looking like a goddess. Like my queen. “And I plan to make sure she never regrets it.”
Viktor steps away as Liliana reaches me. I pull her in for a hug, unable to keep my hands off her for long. But she protests, shaking her head so her golden hair sways over her shoulders. “No, no, no.” She steps back and exhales a long breath.
“What? What’s wrong?”
“The second you hug me and I lean on you, I’m bound to fall asleep on your shoulder.”
I smile and pull her close anyway. “I have a couple of tricks to wake you up if need be.” I slide my hand down her back and cup her ass.
“We’re in a church,” she teases, her tone naughty and playful. Over this last year, I’ve had the adventure of a lifetime in guiding her sexually, helping her learn what I like and she loves.
“For now,” I whisper into her ear. “But the second we’re out of here—”
She laughs lightly. “Then we’re at the reception.”
“Where Viktor and Jenni can be excellent godparents and give us a chance to slip aside for a quick moment to—”
Luka cries, and I groan, dropping my head to rest it against hers. She’s still all smiles, patting my cheek.
“Sounded like a good plan, though,” she teases, winking before stepping away to get our son.
I hold on to her hand though, reeling her back to me so I can kiss her.
“Every plan is a good one so long as I know you’ll be a part of it.” I press my lips against hers once more, wondering if this love for my wife will ever cool or fade, long after the honeymoon phase is over.
EXTENDED EPILOGUE
LILIANA
Six months later…
Ipause at the mirror in the bathroom and check myself for any sign of a leak. Luka’s so much easier to calm now that he’s starting on solids, but there’s no end in sight to breastfeeding yet.
And soon enough…
I can’t fight the grin tugging at my mouth. Anton doesn’t know it yet, but our family is already growing. My doctor said it’s always possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding, though in theory it’s not supposed to be as likely. Theories don’t hold up against how fertile I am apparently. According to the test I took at the bakery this morning, our next baby is already on the way.