Page 79 of Devil's Bride
I nod my appreciation and catch a glimpse of their backs before the door shuts.
“Finally,” I exhale and climb onto the bed next to her, pulling her close, being careful not to disturb our hours-old baby. “We’re alone.”
She nestles into my side and I hug her. “You really wanted us to be alone, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Silence settles between us, save for her steady breathing and the soft coos from our daughter.
“This is a lot.”
“I know.”
She looks up at me, peering deep into my eyes. “I meant, this is a lot for you, isn’t it?”
“It is,” I nod. “And I know it’s a lot for you, too. I can’t believe any of this is real and... and I mean, maybe I’m a bit scared I could mess this up.” The apprehension and anxiety eat deep each time I remember what the birth of our baby means. “Irina, you’ve seen me, inside and out; I’m no role model. What if our daughter grows up to hate me. What if—”
“Stop.” She grabs my hands and kisses my palms. “Take a deep breath...”
I do.
“Good.” She kisses my cheek. “Now, let’s go back to the moment when you had her in your arms.”
My fingers run through the silkiness of her hair and the moment our gazes meet, time stands still. The sun has set fully now, but I see the reflection of the ceiling bulbs in her eyes. In that moment, I get lost in their depths; in the pure beauty and love Irina offers me. I deserve none of it but I’ll be damned if I ever let her go because, deep down, I know I’m unworthy.
I trace the gentle curve of her jawline, her skin is as soft as silk. She leans into my touch, her eyes never leaving mine. My gaze falls to her lips and I feel the overwhelming urge to kiss her but I resist, wanting to savor the moment. I feel like I can see into her soul, the spark of attraction, the flutter of excitement, and the depth of her emotions. And she sees the same in me—the adoration, the passion, and the love.
“What are we going to name her?”
Her voice is so soft, I almost miss it.
“Oh, I knew the name the second someone said Moscow.”
Her eyes shimmer under the light and the brightest smile appears on her face. “So, it’s Moscow?”
“Fuck, no.”
She laughs. “Should we say our thoughts at the same time?”
I smile. “Whatever makes you happy.”
“Good. On three.”
I nod.
“Okay. Three, two, one...”
“Sofiya,” we say at the same time, and after a baffled moment, we burst out laughing.
She winds an arm around my waist and buries her head into my side but I damn the resistance and tilt her chin upward. Inching closer, I cover her lips with mine and kiss her as softly as I can, hoping it can convey what I can’t say in words.
When we pull back, she’s blushing. “What was that for?”
I place another kiss on her forehead and hold her close.
If I don’t get to spend the rest of my life with her, then there is no life to spend. She is my forever, my beginning and my end. They both are.
“Thank you for loving me.”
THE END