Chapter 37

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Ava

" I sn't he adorable?" Lisa says, smiling.

I haven't seen Lisa since I left for the cabin. When I came back to the apartment, she was back home spending time with her parents. I've missed her and am glad that she's finally home.

"He is. Aren't you, baby boy?" I kiss the top of my son's head.

"How are you feeling?" she asks.

"Exhausted but happy."

"I can take him if you want, so you can rest," she tells me. A nice gesture, but I can't see myself handing him over to anyone.

"No, it's okay." I hold him tight, not wanting him to leave my side. He's my world.

"Where is your baby daddy?" she asks in a whisper.

"Not sure. He needed to take a call. Don't you have to be at work?" I look at her, smiling.

"I do, but I don't want to go. I just want to stay here and watch him," she laughs.

"He isn't going anywhere. You go to work. Baby, tell auntie Lisa she has to go."

"Fine. But I'll be back when I get off." she smiles.

"You'll be tired. Go home and get some rest. Once we are home, you'll quickly tire of us. This little man will be waking you at all hours of the day."

"Text me if you need anything." She squeezes my shoulder.

"I will. Thanks for coming."

"Always."

She leaves, and I'm left admiring my sweet boy. I know they tell you babies don't look like anyone when they're first born, but I swear he has Viktor's jawline. Looking at my baby boy is like looking at a mini-Viktor.

"You're as handsome as your father. I just hope you won't be demanding like him." I hear a chuckle. I spy Viktor standing at the door. "What?" I can't help but smile.

"Nothing. He's barely opened his eyes, and you're bossing him around. Yet you say I'm demanding." He kisses the top of my head and gently caresses our son's cheek.

"I've never felt a bigger love than the one I feel for him," I say, looking at our son.

"I know exactly what you mean. Are you up for visitors?" I look at him, confused. "My mother is here. She wants to know if she can see him."

"Of course, she can. She's his grandmother. What is wrong with you? Why would you keep her waiting? Go get her." He smiles as he exits. A minute later, he returns with Anita.

"Sweetheart, it's so good to see you." Anita walks over. I notice her eyes are bright with unshed tears.

"It's good to see you too. But why are you crying?"

"I'm just happy." She squeezes my shoulder as she smiles.

"Would you like to hold him?" I ask her.

"Can I?"

"Anita, that is such a silly question. Of course, you can." She opens her arms, and I hand her my son. A few tears escape me.

"Those better be happy tears," she teases.

"They are. I'd love to take a shower if you don't mind," I lower my voice. "I don't really trust the nurses with him."

She laughs.

"I was the same with Viktor. I wouldn't let him out of my sight. It wasn't until he could talk that I eased up a little."

"I know he's in capable hands."

"You take a shower. I'll be here loving this handsome little man. Viktor, why don't you help the woman who just gave birth to the most perfect boy on this earth."

"I thought I was perfect," he retorts, pretending to pout but failing.

"The title has been stripped from you." We all laugh.

"Come here." Viktor takes my hand and gently helps me out of bed.

Our son is a few days old now. Even though it was a natural birth, I still feel weak and sore.

"Thanks. There should be clean clothes in the closet."

I enter the bathroom while he gets my things. I turn on the shower and get in, letting the water wash over me. It feels so good. Relaxing. Especially since I know my son is being taken care of. I want to go home. I want to sleep in my own bed. I'm over the hospital.

The door opens, and Viktor walks in.

"You can just drop it off. I should be out in a few minutes." But I don't get a response. The next thing I know, Viktor is naked in the shower with me. "What are you doing?" I ask in shock.

"I'm going to help you shower."

"You're not supposed to be in here. Besides, I'm still bleeding." He seems unfazed by the red water going down the drain.

"You're the most beautiful woman in the world. A little blood isn't going to kill me." Is it crazy that I find his words sexy?

"Viktor—" I start to speak, but he kisses me. It's a passionate kiss, the first time he's kissed me since our son was born. I feel a fire igniting all over my body, the desire to be claimed by him. I pull him closer, he's hard, and I want him inside me.

"None of that. You need to behave, baby girl. I'm just here to help you shower. Now turn around so I can wash your hair."

I give in to how good it feels as he washes my hair. I feel loved and cared for. He's gentle but rough at the same time. I can't help the moans coming out of me. Somehow, I've forgotten all my worries and the drama we have faced thus far. He turns me around to rinse my hair. Afterward, he grabs a loofah and carefully washes every inch of me. Then I hear our son wail.

"Shit, you made me forget why I was in here," he chuckles.

"Someone is hungry. Better come out," I hear Anita say. There's humor in her voice. I turn off the water. I swear I dry and get dressed in less than sixty seconds.

"He's not going anywhere," Viktor teases me with butterfly kisses.

"Stop distracting me. Our son needs me." I leave the bathroom. "Sorry, Anita, I kind of lost myself in the shower."

"I bet," she winks.

"Nothing like that," I can't help but giggle. "I swear it's the first proper shower I've actually taken since he was born. It never feels right to leave him alone." She hands him to me.

"I could watch him, you know," Viktor says from behind me.

"Yeah, you can, but…." I trail off as I sit on the chair and position our son.

"Harsh," he laughs.

"Have you kids decided on a name?"

"No. We seem to have come to a standoff," Viktor answers.

"What are some of the options?" she asks.

"We're down to two. But they both sound so good. I want to name him after Viktor, but he doesn't want to," I say.

"What do you want to name him?" she asks Viktor.

"I want to name him Nikolas, after your father."

"It's a strong family name. I considered it when I first found out I was pregnant with you. It means ‘victory of the people.' "

"I didn't know that," I look at the angel in my hands. His perfect nose and strong jawline. "I love it. He looks like a Nikolas."

"When I suggested Nikolas, it was a hard no, but fifteen seconds with my mother and you cave." There's that pretend pout again.

I shake my head, and he laughs.

"What can I say? Anita was more convincing."

"I should get going. I don't want to overstay my welcome." Anita says.

"You don't have to go," I say.

"This is family time. You guys need to bond with Nikolas. I'll come to the house later in the week." She takes a last glance at Nikolas, blowing him a kiss. But her words replay in my head. I wait until Anita is gone before I speak.

"What did she mean at the house?" I switch Nikolas to the other breast.

"I want you at the house. You aren't going back to the apartment."

"No way," I say louder than I intended, making Nikolas flinch. I pull him off my breast and start burping him.

"I need to know you're safe at all times."

"Last I checked, your wife still lives in your house," I say bitterly.

"Ava—"

But my rage is boiling to the surface. "Get out." I lay Nikolas on the hospital bassinet.

"I'm not leaving."

"I. Said. Get. Out!" I enunciate.

"Everything okay here?" A nurse pops her head in.

"Yes. Mr. Manarch was just leaving." We stare at each other in a fight of wills. There's a mixture of anger and darkness in his eyes. But I don't care.

"I'll be back to get you in a few hours," he says as he leaves.

The man is infuriating. I refuse to be roped into the Manarch life. Viktor is a married man, and I'm pretty sure his drama with his father hasn't changed. I need to protect Nikolas. He's the most important person in my life. I'll not let the expectation of him being a Manarch deter me from that.