Chapter 69

Kimberly

Sixt Months Later

I feel like a waddling elephant, my baby bump is now so big. I can’t believe how much time has passed already, the baby is now overdue, and I feel impatient to meet them. Being engaged to Yaroslav is like a dream, he treats me like a princess, showering me with gifts and taking care of my every need. Gran has been doing well since she moved in with us at our new home in Charleston, I think the familiarity of the city helps, she’s finally home. David has been much better too. He spends hours playing cards with Gran, they get along so well that they’re almost like an old married couple, bickering and all. It warms my heart to see them both so happy.

Of course, everyone fusses over me and the baby, I sometimes feel as though I’m wrapped in cotton wool, but I know they only do it because they love us.

On the business side of things, Yaroslav kept his promise to take a leaf out of Gillihan’s book and keep it outside of the home. However that doesn’t stop us from socializing as friends. Grace and Thomas regularly come over for dinner or barbeques with the girls, our friendship is going from strength to strength, as is their alliance.

Artem is another regular visitor. Despite the odds, he’s almost made a full recovery. He can walk, though he does have a limp and requires a walking stick occasionally. You can imagine the ‘old man’ and ‘pimp’ jokes he has to endure from Yaroslav, but I can tell that Yaroslav is delighted for his loyal friend. Artem continues to prove himself to be not only loyal, but also a valuable asset for running the business. With the baby soon to arrive, it is good to know we can trust him, so Yaroslav can spend more time at home.

Jackson has returned to England, but we regularly call him, and he’s promised to come visit once the baby is born. He seems well, though he’s still mourning Marta. We all are.

We’ve decided to wait to get married until the baby is born, the wedding will be in six months time. To say I am excited is an understatement. Both Yaroslav and I cannot wait for our baby to arrive now either. We decided we’d find out the sex of the baby when they’re born, we wanted it to be a surprise. We’ve had so many nasty surprises it will be nice to have a happy one.

The baby is pressing heavily on me, and I wake early. Yaroslav is still sound asleep. I watch him for a moment, his face relaxed and handsome, unbothered by the burdens his days often bring. I carefully climb out of bed, deciding to go downstairs and make a chamomile tea. As the kettle is boiling, I feel a strange sensation and suddenly, I feel wet between my legs.

At first, I panic that the baby has pressed on my bladder, and then the first contraction comes, and it dawns on me. Today is the day. I’ve gone into labor.

“Yaroslav!” I cry out “The baby is coming!”

***

After hours of what I’ve been told was a trouble-free delivery that felt anything but, Our baby is born into the world. Exhausted, I lie back as the doctor takes the baby to be cleaned up and my heart soars as I hear them cry. Yaroslav takes my hand in his and looks at me lovingly.

“You did it, you’re incredible, the strongest person I know,” he says adoringly.

“Congratulations, you’ve got a healthy baby boy,” the midwife says, placing the baby in a blanket into my arms.

It’s love at first sight, he’s perfect. His tiny fingers and long dark eyelashes. He mews and cries and my heart expands, I feel more love than I ever felt possible. I can barely tear my eyes away from him.

“Hello, little one, we’re your mom and dad, we’re gonna love you so, so much,” I say as I rock him gently.

“Can I hold him?” Yaroslav asks, his voice thick with emotion.

“Of course,” I reply, gently handing him over with the help of a nurse.

I look at Yaroslav’s face and I can see all of my emotions mirrored in his expression, he loves this baby boy as fiercely as I do. “What shall we call him?” I ask.

We’d agreed that if it was a boy, he would name him, and if it was a girl, I would.

“Oleg, for my father,” Yaroslav replies softly, his eyes never leaving our son.

“That sounds like the perfect name for our boy,” I reply proudly, my heart full of love.