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Alexei smirks and flashes me a wink.
“Let’s go and celebrate you.” He holds out his hand for me to take.
I cling to Alexei’s arm for support as we make our way down the stairs, a huge grin spreading across my face as I take in all of our friends and family who are gathered in the foyer.
Grinning, I spot Mikhail, Danil, and Dimitri.
They really have started to feel like my family over the past few months, and I’m so grateful that my son is going to grow up with so many people who love him.
My eyes move just past Dimitri, and I let out a squeal as I spot Zara.
“Careful, solnyshka.” Alexei helps me down the last few steps.
Zara is already forcing her way through the crowd, so the moment my feet are on solid ground, she throws her arms around my neck and holds me tightly, or as tightly as she can considering the size of my bump.
I pull away to put my hands on Zara’s shoulders, glancing over her once to make sure she’s really okay. “I missed you! I can’t believe you made it.”
After the attack, she spent weeks in the hospital recovering from her surgery and healing from the internal injuries she’d suffered. It was heartbreaking to see her in so much pain, but I spent every moment I could by her side until she was discharged a few weeks ago.
“Of course I came.” Zara laughs. “It’s your baby shower!’
“I know, but I didn’t want you over exerting yourself.”
“I think I’m the one who should be saying that to you, B.” Zara chuckles, wrapping an arm around my waist. “Not long to go now.”
“Eight weeks.” I place a hand on my growing bump.
“It’s gone by so fast! I swear that always happens when it’s other people’s babies. When I’m pregnant I bet the months are going to feel like years.”
“It would be so worth it because our kids could grow up together, so you better get to work.” I knock my hip against hers. “I’m sure Dimitri would be more than happy to offer his services.”
“Oh my god,” Zara groans.
“I’m just saying…”
“I don’t think I’m ready to give up champagne just yet. Speaking of which, I need a refill. Go and mingle, we can chat later.”
Zara presses a kiss to my cheek, and the moment she steps away, an arm wraps around my waist and a warm body press against my back.
“Hello, zhizn’ moya.”
My eyes flutter closed for a moment as I let myself become enveloped in Alexei’s musky scent.
“Mmm…” I reach behind me to run my hands through Alexei’s hair.
His hot breath is in my ear. “You’re not ready for round two, are you?”
I wiggle against him and let out a soft gasp as I find him already hard. “Blame it on the pregnancy. It’ll be the one thing I miss.”
“As much as I would like to whisk you away back upstairs, we should probably go and greet the rest of our guests.”
“Only if I can open presents after.” I pout, tilting my head back so I can look at Alexei.
Every time I look at him, he takes my breath away. I never thought I could be so lucky, and the fact that we’re so close to bringing a child into this world makes my heart want to burst.
We came so close to losing it all, and I will never stop being grateful that everything turned out all right in the end.
Alexei presses a quick kiss to my lips and when I pull away, I spot Dimitri heading our way.
