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In that moment, I know that I am.
I’m theirs, just as much as they are mine.
Together, we’ve built something beautiful, and something real.
As I close my eyes, I let myself feel it; the peace that comes with belonging.
And finally, I let go of all the uncertainty.
Taking a deep breath in, I open my eyes once more, feeling my heart skip a beat as I notice both pairs of icy blue eyes gazing down at me.
I slip my hand out of Nikolai’s, and I move away from Mikhail.
I feel my body beginning to tremble, because I know that this is the moment.
I’ve been holding it inside for too long, unsure how to say it, but now, I can’t keep it in any longer.
Slowly, I take hold of both their hands, and I inch them closer towards my body.
I move them lower to my stomach where a tiny life resides.
Confusion flickers in their eyes, but something shifts in them soon after.
Realisation dawns on them.
And finally, they understand.
I smile softly, my voice thick with emotion as I speak.
“I’m pregnant.”
I say, the words tumbling out, filled with pure joy as a few happy tears slip down my cheeks too.
For a moment, neither one of them speaks.
Their eyes are locked onto mine, then they move to my stomach, and then to each other.
There’s disbelief in their expressions.
Nikolai’s hand tightens around mine, his eyes never leaving me.
“Are you sure?”
Mikhail finally croaks out, his voice soft, full of wonder and awe, as if he can’t quite grasp the reality of this.
I smile through my tears, nodding at them both.
“I’m sure. I’ve missed my period, and I took three different tests too.”
The tension in their bodies break, and without another word, they both move in, their arms wrapping around my body as they hold me tighter than they ever have before.
I bury my face between their chests, my eyes filling up with tears from the sounds of their racing hearts, as well as the soft whispers of promise that fall from their lips.
“We’ll keep you safe.” Nikolai says, his voice rough with emotion. “And our baby too. I swear it, Chiara.”
Mikhail’s arms only tighten further around my body.
“We’ll love you both with every breath we have. Always.”