Page 60 of Unholy Matrimony
“Then you guys will figure it out. Lenya and I will be there for you guys. We will get through it together.”
We sit there, and the guys come in and huddle in the corner. Chatting about god knows what. Mila’s contractions are coming very close together and a nurse returns to check on her. “I need to do a cervical check. Can everyone but the father leave the room, please?”
Ilya, Lenya, and I step out into the hallway. Both men look at each other wide-eyed. The nurse comes out of the room and calls for the doctor and another nurse. I peek into the room and Mila looks like she is going to vomit. I rush in, grab a bin, and hold it in front of her. She let it all go. Oleg grabs a towel and wipes her mouth.
A doctor comes in and has the nurses set up. Mila screams, “The baby is coming now! I can feel him.” The doctor tells Mila to hold on and not push. Oleg gives the doctor a hard stare. “How the fuck is she not supposed to push?” She grabs onto my hand, “P…Please don’t leave, Lina.”
I squeeze her hand in mine. “Never. Let’s have this baby.”
Alexei Popovich Olegov came into this world with a fury. His little lungs let out his battle cry as they placed him on Mila’s belly.
He is beautiful. Tiny, but fully formed and absolutely perfect.
Oleg cut his umbilical cord, and the nurse scooped him up, and they began doing the checks. Mila is shaking like she is freezing. Oleg wraps his arms around her. “Can we get an extra blanket? My wife is cold.”
The doctor looks up. “It’s not from the cold. It's adrenaline and hormones.” Alexei continues to scream, and the nurses poke and prod him.
They return with a little bundle wrapped in a swaddle. Mila takes him and kisses his little face. He stops crying as if he knows he is safe now. I take a step back and let Oleg and Mila have time with their son. I head out into the hallway and Lenya and Ilya stand up from being crouched against the wall.
“Well?” Ilya presses. “Your nephew is perfect! Tiny but perfect.” Lenya pats Ilya on the shoulder. Ilya makes his way to the door and knocks before entering. I walk over to Lenya and wrap my arms around his neck. “Soon this will be us.” “Soon, Tsvetok3. Soon.” He kisses me, pulling me closer to him.
We spend the next few hours admiring this beautiful family. When it was my turn to hold Alexei, I cried and cooed over his tiny little toes and fingers.
Mila finally speaks as I am cuddling her little boy. “We want you and Lenya to be his godparents. Even though you are more like his aunt and uncle, it's what Oleg and I want. Ilya is already his blood. This way, we are all tied together forever.”
“Of course we will,” looking at my husband, he nods. I motion for Lenya to come closer. “It’s your turn, moy lev4. Get some practice in before our baby is here.”
Seeing my husband hold this tiny baby does something to me. My heart is full of joy, but it also turns me on so much to see him look so paternal.
“Voin5, we all heard your powerful cry when you came earth-side. That’s what you are, Voin6.” He snuggles Alexei to his chest.
After many hours, we decide it is time to let Mila and Oleg have time with their son. We hug and kiss everyone goodbye. And head into the hallway.
Alexei will spend a few extra days here to be sure there are no underlying conditions. But all looks well. Lenya takes my hand as we make our way across the main entrance of the hospital on our way out to the parking garage.
Once back in the car, he turns to face me. “I am going to see my father next week and ask him about taking on a different role within the bratva. Seeing that baby, he opened my eyes. I never want to worry that I won’t come home to you and malysh7. I don’t want to be my father’s lion anymore.”
Holding onto his face, I kiss it all over. “I will stand beside whatever decision you make, whether you stay where you are currently or if you take on another role. I will support you, Lenya.”
1. love
2. Flower
3. Flower
4. my lion
5. Warrior
6. Warrior
7. baby
Chapter twenty-seven
Leonid
Ihave everything I want to say planned out in my head. Lina and I went over everything multiple times the past week, just so I didn’t sound like an idiot. The Bratva is my life and my family, but so are Lina and the baby. I need to make sure I am there for them. If I continue to be the lion, I may never get to see my child born.