Epilogue - Katie

One month later

I kicked the heavy bag with a satisfying thump, but it hardly swung at all on its chain. I kicked it again, deciding what to do next in our home gym. I'd been working out as rigorously as the doctor allowed, and loved the newfound feeling of accomplishment in getting fit and strong. It wasn't just good for my health, or the baby's health, but it helped me feel like I could better defend myself if I ever needed to again.

I'd also learned how to shoot, and while I didn't enjoy it as much as the kickboxing or hand-to-hand combat that Aleks had been teaching me, I was getting more accurate at hitting targets. Just another way to become a better mafia wife.

It hadn't quite settled with me yet, and I definitely didn't need to know every last detail of what Aleks and his brothers did, but I adored my husband. With that, I'd come to accept his family's traditions.

With a loud grunt, I kicked the bag again, sending it swinging a little further this time.

"Whoa, there," Aleks said, appearing in the doorway in his workout clothes. I took in his rippling biceps and hard chest on full view in the snug tank top, and moved my eyes down to his powerful thighs under his basketball shorts. "Don't overdo it."

He always balked at me, trying to do even the least strenuous activities, and I rubbed my small baby bump that had just started popping out. He knew as well as I did that I wasn't overdoing anything, but he couldn't help worrying. It was nice to see his softer side and even nicer to think I'd helped bring it out.

"Are you ready to get your ass handed to you?" I asked, same as I always did before one of our self-defense lessons.

He laughed. "Do we have time? What about your appointment?"

I grabbed his wrist to look at his watch. "We have plenty of time for a quick lesson," I said. "You're just extra anxious about this one."

"Aren't you even curious?" he asked.

Today we might be able to find out the baby's sex, and he was all but champing at the bit to know if we were having a boy or a girl. I pretended not to care, and for myself, I didn't at all, but I knew how much he wanted a boy, so that made me anxious. Aleks probably only cared because of how much he father was angling for a male heir to carry on the Fokin legacy.

Papa Fokin was a formidable man, and it wasn't until our third video chat that he actually cracked a smile in my direction. Aleks and his siblings all assured me that he liked me just fine, and that was just his way with everyone, so I took their word for it. I couldn't wait to meet him in person when we traveled to Moscow, but that wouldn't be until after the baby was born.

I would have been completely satisfied if I could have even gotten the same reception from Jenna as I did from Aleks's father. But she had been deeply hurt when I finally spilled the beans about everything. She'd swallowed my story about Aleks being nothing more than a fling that wouldn't last through the end of the year, because I'd never lied to her about anything other than the small fibs so she wouldn't worry about money.

Springing the marriage and baby on her all at once had been a blow, and she'd iced me out for a whole week before letting me know how she felt about it all.

Jenna was pissed she hadn't been informed about the wedding, let alone invited, and no amount of promising we were going to have a huge ceremony after the baby arrived would appease her. Not even tempting her with being able to pick out the bridesmaids' dresses had made her forgive me yet. It only made it worse when she found out who I'd married, shrieking about Nataliye's father and how much older he was than me. I suspected she and Nat had started a chat together to talk about how badly I'd betrayed them both.

It was only this morning that I had a glimmer of hope. Jenna messaged me saying she'd canceled her ski trip. Not because she was too angry to accept any gifts from Aleks and me but because she wanted to spend Christmas with family. Yes, even her new family. I called her immediately and she snappily said she wanted to talk to Aleks. As soon as he got on the line, she let him have it for a solid ten minutes, then said she'd see us in a few months and hung up. Needless to say, she didn't know what Aleks did for a living yet. We'd have to ease into that conversation.

Aunt Marjorie was all in from the moment I confessed, thrilled to have a great nephew or niece, and she promised she'd be healthy enough to join us in California for the holidays.

Nataliye was our last holdout. We both messaged her every day. Aleks still didn't get any replies, but a couple days ago, I got an emoji in response to a funny meme I sent her. It was something. It was a start, and neither of us would give up. She was my best friend, and I missed her terribly, especially when I had so many new things going on in my life. I kept her updated about my lunch box business, now with three delivery people and an assistant cook to help me put them together.

I longed to tell her everything about the pregnancy but didn't want to rub it in her face. If nothing else, though, Nat could never resist a baby. She'd come around when it was time to meet her new half-brother or sister, and Aleks and I would be waiting with open arms.

I was so lost in my thoughts I missed an easy opening to flip Aleks onto his back and crow about finally beating him in one of our mock battles. The next thing I knew, I was in a tight hold.

"Okay, there are two ways to get out of this one," he reminded me, his grip firm around my chest, his hard muscles pressing against my backside.

I knew exactly how to break out of the hold, but I turned in his arms and smiled up at him instead. "What if I don't want to get out?"

He grinned, and I slid my hands over his pecs to grip his shoulders. His head dipped to brush his nose against mine. "This is one way to weaken an opponent, I suppose."

"I think I've had enough of the lesson today," I said, rubbing against the bulge that pressed into my belly. "Maybe we can use the rest of our time more wisely."

His hands lowered to cup my bottom, lifting me slightly so that his stiff shaft nestled just where I wanted it. I moaned as he kissed me, parting my lips with his tongue. My morning sickness had completely dissipated, and I'd become a ravenous beast where Aleks's touch was concerned. I just simply couldn't get enough, and he was happy to keep up.

"How do you smell so good after working out?" he asked, nibbling down the side of my neck.

I was too busy breathing in his masculine scent to answer, and when he reached the scoop neckline of my sports bra, he completely took my breath away. A moment later, the top was off and tossed to the side. I glanced at the open gym door, but no one but a guard or two was in this wing, and they'd keep far away unless one of us called them.

With his hands firmly behind my back, Aleks eased me to the mat. Smoothing my hair out on both sides of my head, he smiled at me with wonder.

"I love the way you look at me," I told him, getting choked up with emotion. That was another side effect of pregnancy, it seemed. Becoming a sex fiend and crying at the drop of a hat.

"That's good because I love looking at you, my beautiful wife." He laughed and kissed my nose. "Don't cry. Let me make you scream instead."

With that, he lowered his head and suckled my breasts, teasing each nipple to a tight peak. I lifted my hips, moaning as I dragged my fingers through his hair. I muttered some nonsense words as he stroked the side of my waist, slipping his fingers under the waistband of my leggings. His touch set me on fire, and he was dragging out every second until he found my most sensitive spots.

I grew impatient, remembering our important appointment, and began tugging my leggings down.

"Okay, I get it," he said, acting disappointed. "I don't get to savor every inch."

He helped me get the pants down around my ankles, and then they followed my sports bra across the gym to land on the free weights.

"You can savor as much as you like later," I told him. "You know how I am now."

"Yes, let's celebrate the news later," he agreed, sliding his hands from my ankles to my thighs.

I closed my eyes, hoping we'd have something to celebrate. As much as Aleks told me he just wanted a healthy baby, I knew how big of a deal it was to have that boy in the family. He reminded me constantly that his stubborn brothers couldn't stay single forever, and the hopes of all the Fokins didn't rest squarely on me.

He kissed the inside of my thigh, spreading my legs, and any thought that didn't involve his tongue flew out the window. He made a soft moaning sound that drove me wild just as he began to circle my clit and I dug my fingers into the mat underneath me.

"So delicious," he murmured.

I cried out, grabbing his hair, but still holding on, needing this sweet torture to last. My phone beeped on the other side of the gym.

"What the hell is that?" he asked.

I shoved his head back down between my thighs, breathless and needy. "Alarm for when it's time to get ready to leave."

"How long?" he asked gruffly, his lips hovering and his breath against my flesh, making me writhe.

"Fifteen minutes til we walk out the door," I said. It was supposed to be long enough to grab a quick shower and change. This was more important. "Hurry, keep going."

He chuckled and swiped me with his tongue, pushing deep. Gripping my hips, he got serious, lapping at me like a lollipop with a prize at the center. It only took seconds until I was wracked with one of his glorious orgasms. That was the prize, and I was lucky he was so generous with doling them out.

He kept his tongue against my clit, dragging out the ecstasy until I was tearing at his hair. It was only when I let go, and my arms flopped to the mat that he rose and tugged down his shorts. I weakly reached for his big cock, loving the silky feel of his stiff shaft under my palm. He let me stroke him a few times, before glancing at his watch.

Lowering his body over mine, he kissed me. "Later, we'll take our time."

I moaned as he thrust deep inside me, his own sounds of pleasure drowning out mine. "God, I love fucking you," he growled in my ear.

"Good," I said, getting lost in the feeling again.

I tightened my legs around his hips, my arms around his neck, and let go. As soon as he felt me spasm around his cock, he roared, pumping hard and deep. I don't know how we weren't surrounded by guards by the time we finally quieted down, but they probably knew how to distinguish the good screams by now.

We lay tangled up together for a few, panting moments, then Aleks hoisted himself up, bringing me with him. He carried me into the adjoining bathroom and we both stood under a stinging spray, rinsing away the sweat of both of our workouts.

I already had my appointment clothes down there, and he raced ahead of me in just his shorts, his skin still wet and gleaming from the shower. By the time I was dressed and had my hair in some semblance of order, he was waiting for me at the front of the house, tapping his watch in mock impatience.

"We're going to be so late," I said.

"I'll pay the fee," he assured me.

We went over our ever-growing list of baby names as our driver sped toward the medical center. He was against Aleksandr Jr. but I liked it. We got stuck on whether or not we agreed on Samuel for half the ride. All of our choices were boy's names, and as we got checked in for the appointment, my anxiety returned.

What if I saw disappointment in his eyes, if it was a girl? He adored his daughter and he'd love this one, too, but if it was there all the same, how hurt would I feel? The notion that he needed a male heir was ridiculous, and he agreed, but sometimes I wondered if he was just paying lip service. What if our child wasn't enough?

The doctor arrived, waving off our apologies for being a bit late. With the goo on my belly, I gripped Aleks's hand as she moved the imaging wand around. First, we heard the heartbeat that always delighted us at every visit, and Aleks squeezed my fingers, a big smile on his face.

"Everything looks perfect," the doctor said, still moving here and there across my small bump.

"It does," Aleks said, leaning closer to marvel at our baby's snub-nosed profile and tiny hands. The image was clear, even at this early stage, and we could see so much of what our future child would be like.

"If we can just get the little one to turn a bit, I can probably tell you what color to paint the nursery," she teased.

I glanced at Aleks just as he turned to look at me. Our eyes met, and he frowned at whatever he had seen in mine.

"Okay, here we go," the doctor said excitedly. "I think I can tell…"

"I don't need to know," Aleks interrupted.

I gaped at him. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged. "I mean, I don't care. Let it be a surprise." He could see I was shocked, and he continued. "I'm happy to have a boy, but I'd be equally thrilled if it's a girl who's as strong-willed, resilient, and hardworking as her mother. Or as stubborn as her half-sister or as smart as her aunts. Knowing our baby is healthy is enough for me."

Happy tears streamed down my face and I laughingly swiped them away. I hadn't realized how anxious I'd been about this until he put my fear to rest.

"Are you really sure?" I asked. He answered me with a kiss that told me all I needed to know. He really didn't care one way or the other. Except… "Well, there is the nursery, though. I wanted to do ballerinas for a girl and jungle for a boy, but I guess I could just do beige."

Aleks cracked up, startling the doctor, who'd stepped aside while we had our moment. "No beige. We'd better find out." He nodded, and the doctor grinned.

"Do you both really want to know?" she asked.

"Tell us," we prodded.

"You're probably going to want to buy some ballet slippers," she said.

Aleks whooped and dragged me into a hug. The doctor offered her congratulations and slipped out of the room.

"Another girl," he said, pulling the paper from the exam table to wipe off my stomach. He really was thrilled. There was no denying the joy written all over his face.

"You know I want to have more kids," I said. "I hope you're ready for that."

"Bring it on," he said. "But only because you want to."

"Well, only if you want to," I said magnanimously.

He laughed again and pulled me close for a soul-stirring kiss. I'd never been happier. There was nothing we couldn't face together, and just like he promised, I had faith everything would work out with our families.

"Oh, my love," he said, holding me close. "I definitely do. I want it all." He leaned back, growing serious as he shook his head. "No. I already have it all. As long as I have you."

"You do," I told him. "You always will."

*****

THE END