49. Natalia

49

NATALIA

"I cannot wait for my doctor's appointment."

"That's not something I ever thought I'd hear from you," Kat teases.

I pull myself out of the pool and slip onto the empty chair between the girls. "It's been six weeks and this might be the day I get cleared to start working out as normal."

"Oh. Of course. ‘Working out.' " Kat bites back a giggle as she nods not-at-all seriously. "I know how serious you are about working out ."

Mila cackles. "Yes, I too get excited about healthy, vigorous physical exercise. Preferably of the horizontal variety."

"That's not what I meant, assholes." As both my friends throw me skeptical glares, I toss my hands up. "Oh, alright—that is what I meant. It's been almost two months of no sex and I'm ready?—"

"To get plowed?" Katya offers.

"For the no-pants dance?"

I wrinkle my nose. "Crude, but… not inaccurate."

I felt ready to go a couple weeks ago, but Andrey is a stickler for the rules where my health is concerned. He won't lay a finger on me until the doctor gives us the green light. His concern for me was touching at first, but now, I'd prefer a very different kind of touching.

"I thought Andrey would be the one itching to get me to this appointment, but…" I stare down at my conservative swimsuit. It's a bodysuit more than anything. The three-quarter zip is open, revealing the cleavage nursing has given me, but otherwise, I'm covered from neck to wrist.

"But what?" Mila prods.

I eye her tiny red bikini with no small amount of envy before gesturing to my own body. "I don't exactly look my best."

"For God's sake, Nat!" Mila cries. "You just had twins !"

"Right. Which is why Andrey basically pushed me off of him two nights ago." I put on a new lingerie set, sure I'd be able to seduce him. But he barely looked at me.

Kat waves me off. "You're crazy, girl. He wants you; he just doesn't want to impose on your body before it's ready."

"But it's ready. I'm ready!" I frown down at the pooch of my stomach. "Well, mentally, I'm ready."

"You're being ridiculous." Mila reaches for the sunscreen. "You're sexy as hell. Say the word and I'll take you to bed."

"Get rid of this tent you're calling a swimsuit and break out the cheeky bikinis. Andrey won't be able to help himself."

"You're one to talk. Why aren't you in a bikini?"

Katya never misses an opportunity to jump in the pool. But today, she's opted for sitting in the shade with her shorts and an oversized t-shirt I assume is Shura's.

She gives me a secretive smile. "Ah, well, funny you should ask… I have a little something to tell you two."

She continues smiling at us until I shake her shoulders. "Now is not the time to get good at secrets, Kat. Spit it out."

"I'm pregnant!"

I'm still dripping wet, but that doesn't stop me from throwing myself into her chair and bear-hugging the hell out of her while I scream.

"You're dripping on me," she gripes, though I can hear the smile in her voice.

Mila joins us in the huddle, squeezing us both. "I can't believe this!"

Katya finally manages to push us back to our own chairs. "I'm almost three months along. I didn't find out right away. I thought some of the symptoms were because of—" She cuts herself off. "Whatever, it doesn't matter. I'm so happy!"

"Why wouldn't you be?" Mila sighs. "You're having a baby with the man you love. What could be better?"

Katya shrugs. "I just never saw myself with a family. I fantasized about promotions and Stella McCartney suits. Not babies and white picket fences."

"Our kids won't be that far apart in age." I squeeze her hand. "This is gonna be so much fun!"

She laughs nervously. "I just hope I don't ruin this kid."

"You'll be fine. And if you need help, I'm here for you."

"We all are," Mila adds. "How does Shura feel about this?"

"He was thrilled. You know him—he's already drawing up the next twenty years of our lives." I hold my heart and Mila starts to get all misty-eyed. "Apparently, we're going to have a ton more kids. He wants a baseball team."

"And I'm sticking by it," Shura interrupts.

The three of us whip around to see our men coming down the stairs. I rush over and give Shura a huge hug. "I'm so happy for you two."

Gentleman that he is, Shura makes no mention of his damp shirtfront as he sits down beside Katya and drapes an arm around her shoulders.

Leonty nudges Mila. "We should get started. I want competing baseball teams."

Mila chokes on her orange juice. "Excuse me, but this body can't handle a baseball team. It's gonna be one and done for me."

Leonty just winks. "We'll see about that."

Their playful banter is like music to my ears. Is it possible that life can be like this? My friends happy? My family together? Everyone safe and thriving?

"What's going on in that pretty little head of yours, lastochka ?" Andrey slides a hand up my thigh, but stops a few inches short of where I really want it.

"Oh, nothing," I say coyly. "Just peeking into the future."

"And? What do you see?"

"Exactly this," I say. "But with a lot more children."

He raises his eyebrows. "Ours or theirs?"

"A mix." I blush. "Maybe not a whole baseball team, but I do want a few more."

"Sounds like a plan."

Those silver eyes of his are so bright, but the clouds hanging over our heads are never far away.

"I'm not in a rush, though," I add. "We both need time."

One eyebrow notches higher on his forehead. "Why do I need time?"

"Well…" I clear my throat self-consciously. "Slavik and Nikolai, for one."

His mouth turns down instantly. He knows how I feel about putting down roots with those threats out there, but I still hate having to bring it up. I want to live in this perfect little bubble.

"Of course. I understand." He squeezes my thigh and gets to his feet.

"Where are you going?"

"I have a little work to take care of before your appointment this evening."

Without warning, he strolls across the lawn. Even the others look taken back by his sudden departure. Grabbing my cover-up, I pull it on and run after him.

"Andrey! Wait."

He stops at the staircase. "Don't run. I don't want you exerting yourself."

"I'm not the one running." I cross my arms over my chest. "I didn't mean to upset you, but?—"

"You didn't upset me."

"Then why did you take off like a swarm of locusts were coming after you?"

He sighs, his face softening. "My reaction had nothing to do with you. It's Nikolai and Slavik. I want them gone."

"So do I, but we can't let them steal the little moments. We have to try to enjoy ourselves."

"It's hard when you can't even sleep at night," he bites out. When he sees my confusion, he drags a hand through his hair. "You've been having nightmares. You said his name."

I don't have to ask whose name I said. I remember the nightmare plenty well.

"Shit… I'm sorry."

"What are you apologizing for, Natalia? It's my fault."

"No, it's not. Don't say that."

With a sigh, he leans in and presses a kiss to my forehead. "I know you've only wanted to do therapy once a week since the twins arrived, but I think it might help to see her twice a week like you used to."

I'm so determined to throw him some sort of bone that I find myself nodding. "Okay, I will."

"Good." He grazes my cheek with the tips of his fingers. "I'll pick you up in an hour."

With that, he turns and walks off, leaving my skin tingling, my heart aching, and my core throbbing.