Chapter 27 - Arina

I watch as Igor calls Yvonne, but I can already tell the tension is gone. I turn around to Luka. "Please, just let him go. He didn't want to hurt me."

Luka looks at Kervyn, who, without turning around, nods his head. "Let him go, Luka."

Matvey carefully steps around Luka, then Arseny, to skirt around to stand behind Igor.

"Thank you," I say softly.

"Yvonne will be waiting for you to pick her up," Igor tells me. "Go, no one will know where you are. You have my word; none of us will bother you."

I look at Kervyn and then at Igor. "Go. Catch a taxi with Matvey back to the house. I need to make sure you're all okay, both you and Kervyn before I leave," I say.

Igor looks at Kervyn, then at me, and nods. "Okay, Arina. Whatever you want."

He turns and grabs Matvey by the arm, muttering to him in Russian. I'm pretty sure he says stupid boy , which makes me smile. He's such a protective big brother. I turn back to Kervyn.

"You're not mad, are you?"

"No, but I wish you wouldn't leave. We've just got you back," he says, stepping toward me.

"I just need to figure things out. Yvonne will take good care of me, I promise, and if anything happens, I will call you." I go up to him and hug him, then I hug each one of my brothers before I hug their wives, and I leave. I see Alfie, who opens the car door for me.

"Thanks, Alfie."

"You're welcome, Mrs. Sidorov," he says, going around to get in the car.

We remain silent on the drive to the resort, and I pray the whole way that Igor will keep his word and stay in his lane.

We arrived at the resort, and as promised, Yvonne waited outside. She climbs into the back and puts a hand on my shoulder. "It's good to see you."

"Thank you, did Igor tell you?"

"About the baby? Yes," she breathes. "Alfie, take us to my apartment downtown."

"Won't Igor show up there?" I ask quietly.

"It's mine and Alfie's little secret," she says. "Sometimes I get tired of my brother and need a break too. Tell me about the baby. Have you been for a scan?"

"No, I only just did the pregnancy test a while ago during the first week I was with the Milovs. I don't know what to do at all. I've never really had a family." I take a few deep breaths, and Yvonne takes her cell phone out and starts texting.

"I'm going to arrange for a doctor to come to do a mobile scan at the apartment so we can see how the baby is doing. Alfie can get you some prenatal vitamins, and then I will send him to pick up your clothes and things from the Milovs and our house so you're comfortable." Yvonne sits back as she texts.

I sigh with relief. "I knew you were the right person to call."

"We're sisters; of course, I was the right person to call. How did the Milovs treat you? Were they excited to have you around?" Yvonne asks, putting her phone away.

"Yes, it was a lot. They have a lot of kids in their family, so my little one will have lots of playmates. Hannah, one of my sisters-in-law, is trying for another set of twins. I nearly panicked that I was going to have twins, but it runs in the Milov mother's side." I turn in my seat to face her. "Twins don't run in your family, do they?"

"No, thank God. Igor and Matvey are enough to deal with," Yvonne laughs. Her phone goes off, and she checks it. "The doctor will be there by the time we're there. We'll just do a normal scan and make sure the little bean is developing nicely."

"Little bean?" I ask.

"Oh, they all look like beans or peanuts when they start. It's adorable," she smiles.

"Little bean," I repeat with a smile.

We arrive at the apartment and find the doctor waiting outside. Yvonne shows us both inside, and the doctor sets up in the living room. "Please lie down and lift your shirt."

I lie down as he asks and lift my shirt, exposing my belly. He brings out a large tube of gel. "This is going to be cold at first."

I brace myself and clench my teeth as the cool gel hits my skin. He then puts up the monitor on the coffee table, takes the wand, and moves it along my belly. I watch the monitor, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for until he presses on my stomach, and a little image pops up.

"That's the baby," he says. "Looks healthy, and you're about four weeks along from the length and growth."

I cast my mind back to what we did four weeks ago and remember me in the waitress outfit. I blush crimson and Yvonne giggles. "Everyone knows how babies are conceived, so you don't have to be embarrassed."

The doctor wipes me down with a cloth and turns off the monitor. "The scans are saved to a flash drive. I'll have them delivered to you."

"Thank you for coming so quickly, Doctor Kimberly." Yvonne shows him out as I sit up. She comes back with a list. "This is from the doctor. It's a list of the vitamins you'll need, things to avoid when eating, and some recommended reads."

"This is a bit overwhelming," I admit.

"You've got two families that love you very much and are going to see you through this," she says, sitting beside me and taking my hand.

"Two families that want to kill each other," I say quietly. "My brother wants to kill my husband and vice versa. What if they hadn't listened to me today and had shot each other already? I would never be able to live with myself."

"Yes, well, Matvey is a moron." Yvonne smiles sadly. "But I firmly believe love triumphs over everything, so let's see what happens."

I nod and look around. "Well, this is home for now, so why don't you show me around."

***

I stay in the apartment, not daring to go out in case either family finds out where I am. I just don't want to face that. Yvonne stays with me, so I'm not alone, but I miss Igor. I also miss Kervyn. I miss being passionate with my husband, and I miss the family vibes I had with my brothers and their wives.

Today is like any other day, except when Yvonne comes in, I can tell she's excited.

"What's up?" I ask.

"Your brothers want to meet you to discuss something," she says with a smile. "Come on, it'll do you good to see them."

"That isn't fair to Igor," I say quietly.

Yvonne puts her hands on her hips. "Get dressed and come along. It could be important."

I sigh and slide into some comfortable leggings, an oversized shirt, and trainers. My hair is in a loose ponytail, but it's neat.

Alfie is waiting for us downstairs with one of the company vehicles, and he opens the door for us. "Thanks," I say as I climb in.

"Where are we meeting them?" I ask Yvonne.

"At Kervyn's house," she says after a while. "Don't worry, I'll be there the whole time."

I nod and fidget with the hem of my shirt. I'm nervous that they're going to cast me out and never speak to me again. Or that they'll make me choose between Igor and them.

We arrive at Kervyn's house and climb out of the car. Penny is standing by the front door. "Oh, Arina," she says as I reach her. She gives me a big hug and a smile. "I'm so glad you came."

"Of course, Yvonne said it was important."

"It is," she says. "Come, we're meeting outside on the deck where we're having lunch."

I follow her, glancing back at Yvonne, who looks completely at ease with the situation even though she's technically in the enemy's home.

I walk out the double doors leading to the deck and pause. My Milov brothers and sisters-in-law are all seated around the table with Kervyn at the head. On the other end are Igor and Matvey, and they are joined by Yvonne, who smiles brightly at me and says, "Surprise."

"What's going on?" I ask, confused.

Kervyn and Igor both stand up. "We've missed you, first of all," Kervyn says. "Igor probably more than us. We decided amongst ourselves that a lifetime of hate isn't worth losing you over, so we've called a truce and agreed to join forces rather than fight."

Igor looks at Kervyn while he talks, then turns to me. "It's up to you, though, if you want this. Neither of us is going to force you to make this decision."

My heart clenches in my chest, and I put my hand on it. I can feel the tears forming in my eyes.

They did this for me. No one has ever done a grand gesture for me like this before, and this is definitely the grandest. I know they've just let go of a lifetime of hate for me. Igor has wanted revenge his whole life, and he's willing to let that go because it will make me happy.

"What do you say then?" Yvonne encourages me.

I wipe my eyes. "Yes, of course, I want us to be one family."

I rush to Igor first and leap into his arms, kissing him deeply. He holds me close to him, and when we break the kiss, he looks lovingly into my eyes.

I then hug each person there one at a time, ending with Kervyn.

I whisper in his ear, "Thanks for being the best big brother."

He chuckles and kisses my head. "You are most welcome."

Kervyn gestures to the table. "Sit, let us have lunch. I've had the chef whip up some Russian specialties so Arina can start getting used to what her homeland tastes like."

I smile and sit beside Asher with Igor to my right as the servants bring out the food.

"Where are the kids?" I ask curiously.

"With the nannies at Mama Milov. This was going to be chaotic enough," Hannah says with a smile.

"Your poor mother," I say. "All seven babies at one."

"She doesn't mind, she loves it." Kervyn smiles. "And according to her, she's your mama now, too."

I smile softly.

We all ate our lunch, and Igor explained each dish to me while Luka mocked my pronunciation of Russian words. It's all a wonderful feeling.

When the food is done, Igor stands. "Thank you for the hospitality, Kervyn. If I may, I'd like to take my wife home now."

"If that's what she wants," Kervyn says, looking at me.

"That's exactly what I want," I smile, getting up. We all hug, say our goodbyes, and promise to get together for lunch ASAP.

I get into one car with Igor while Matvey and Yvonne get into another vehicle. Once we're in traffic, I shift up against him and pull his arm over my shoulders.

"Hmm, I missed having you in my arms," he murmurs.

I smile and trace a circle on his chest. "This doesn't mean I've forgiven you," I look up at him as I speak. "What you did was terrible."

"I know, I'm so sorry." He leans down and gently kisses my lips. "I would do anything to be with you. I was so scared I was going to lose you."

"You must always be honest with me, Igor." I look at him sternly. "Promise me!"

"I promise always to be honest with you. To take care of you and our children and to always love you as though my next breath is my last. How's that?"

"Hmm, very romantic." I smile. "Very clever."

"I thought of it all myself," he says, kissing me deeply.