Page 39 of Bride of the Bratva King (Blood & Bride #1)

Mila

Viktor and Katya turn one year old on the same day our federal partnership succeeds beyond everyone's wildest expectations.

The Baltimore operation was flawless—seventeen arrests, complete dismantling of a trafficking network that had operated for years, and zero casualties.

Miami followed two weeks later with similar results.

Chicago wrapped up this morning with the kind of coordinated precision that has federal officials talking about expanding our pilot program into a permanent arrangement.

And tonight, we're celebrating all of it with a birthday party that includes both FBI agents and reformed Bratva families, because our world has become exactly that complicated and wonderful.

"Mama," Viktor says clearly, reaching for me from his high chair with chocolate cake smeared across his face.

"Yes, sweet boy, Mama's here."

"Dada," Katya adds from her own chair, banging her spoon against her tray with the kind of authoritative rhythm that suggests she's going to be giving orders from a very young age.

"Both your parents are here," Alexei confirms, appearing beside me with a camera to capture our children's first birthday chaos. "And we're not going anywhere."

The garden party is in full swing around us—children playing on the playground equipment Alexei had installed last month, adults mingling with the easy familiarity of people who've learned to trust each other despite vastly different backgrounds, and enough food to feed a small army because Irina believes every celebration should be excessive.

"Agent Castillo," I call out, spotting our federal partner by the dessert table. "How does it feel to be eating birthday cake with a bunch of reformed criminals?"

"Surreal," she admits with a laugh. "But effective. Three major operations eliminated in six months, zero federal casualties, and intelligence that's led to fourteen additional arrests."

"And the expansion proposal?"

"Approved this morning. Washington wants to formalize the partnership and extend it to other cities."

"Other families?"

"Starting with the Petrovs in Philadelphia and the Kozlovs in Boston. Dmitri's recommendation carried significant weight."

I scan the party until I spot Dmitri and Katya Petrova near the playground, watching their own grandchildren play with the kind of contentment that comes from knowing the future is secure.

"He's been invaluable," I agree. "The transition wouldn't have worked without his support."

"Speaking of transition," Agent Castillo says with a meaningful look, "rumor has it there might be another announcement today."

"What kind of rumor?"

"The kind that involves expanding families and strategic timing."

Before I can respond, Alexei appears at my elbow with that particular smile that means he's been planning something.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he says, "if we could have everyone's attention for a moment."

The party gradually quiets as people gather around the patio where Viktor and Katya are holding court from their matching high chairs.

Our children have learned to command attention with the kind of natural authority that probably comes from growing up in a house where important decisions are made daily.

"First," Alexei begins, "Mila and I want to thank everyone for celebrating this milestone with us. Viktor and Katya's first birthday, the success of our federal partnership, and the beginning of what we hope will be a new era for all our families."

Applause ripples through the crowd, and I can see genuine emotion on faces that have seen too much violence and loss over the years.

"But," Alexei continues, "we have one more announcement to make."

He looks at me with such love and anticipation that my heart skips several beats. We planned this moment carefully, choosing today because it represents everything we've built together and everything we're planning for the future.

"In four months," I say, taking his hand and resting it on my rounded belly, "Viktor and Katya are going to become big brother and sister."

The silence that follows lasts exactly three seconds. Then the celebration erupts with cheers, applause, and the kind of joyful chaos that happens when people who've learned to appreciate good news receive more than they expected.

"Twins again?" Dmitri calls out from across the patio.

"Just one this time," Alexei confirms. "We thought we'd start small."

"Small is relative in the Morozov household," Katya Petrova laughs.

"True," I admit. "But we're optimistic about our ability to handle three children under two."

"Optimistic or delusional?" Agent Castillo asks with amusement.

"Both, probably."

The next hour passes in a blur of congratulations, strategic discussions about expanding cribs and security protocols, and the kind of gentle teasing that comes from people who've learned to balance serious business with genuine affection.

By the time the last guests leave and we've settled Viktor and Katya into their cribs for the night, I'm emotionally and physically exhausted from the day's celebrations.

"Happy?" Alexei asks as we finally retreat to our bedroom.

"Overwhelmingly happy."

"Even though we're about to have three children under two?"

"Especially because we're about to have three children under two."

"You realize this means the house is going to be complete chaos for the next several years."

"I realize this house has been complete chaos since the day we got married, and somehow we've managed to build something incredible in spite of it."

"Because of it," he corrects. "The chaos is what makes it interesting."

"And what makes us stronger."

"Definitely that."

He begins unbuttoning my dress with the careful attention of a man who's learned that pregnancy makes everything more tender, more precious, more worthy of reverence.

"How are you feeling?" he asks as he reveals the rounded curve of my six-month pregnant belly. "Physically, I mean."

"Good. The morning sickness is completely gone now, and I actually have energy again. Dr. Petrov says everything looks perfect."

"And emotionally?"

"Excited. Nervous. Grateful that we get to do this again."

"Even knowing how complicated it's going to be with the federal partnership and three small children?"

"Especially knowing that. This baby is going to grow up in the world we've created together—safer, more legitimate, with opportunities we never had."

"A world where being a Morozov means building things instead of destroying them."

"A world where our children can choose their own paths without inheriting our enemies."

When he makes love to me this time, it's with the gentle reverence appropriate for my condition but also with the passionate intensity of a man celebrating everything we've accomplished together.

"I love that you're carrying my child again," he murmurs against my skin as he maps my body with careful hands. "I love that we're building a family that will carry on what we've started."

"Three children, Alexei. Are you sure we can handle three?"

"We can handle anything together."

"Even when they're all teenagers at the same time?"

"Especially then. Can you imagine the strategic discussions we're going to have about dating and curfews and college choices?"

"Can you imagine the security protocols?"

"Can you imagine how proud Viktor would be, knowing his legacy lives on through the world we've created?"

The mention of my brother makes my chest tight with emotion. None of our children will ever meet Uncle Viktor, but they'll all grow up knowing his story, understanding that their safe and legitimate world exists because someone was brave enough to fight for truth.

"He would be proud," I agree. "Of the children, of what we've built, of the partnerships we've created."

"Of you, for having the vision to see what was possible."

"Of us, for being brave enough to try."

"Of our family, for proving that transformation is possible."

The climax builds slowly, sweetly, like a promise of all the gentle moments we'll share as our family continues to grow. When I come apart in his arms, it's with gratitude for everything we have and anticipation for everything still to come.

Afterward, we lie tangled together in contentment, planning nursery arrangements and security upgrades while listening to Viktor and Katya sleep peacefully through the monitor.

"Boy or girl?" Alexei asks, his hand resting protectively on my rounded stomach.

"We don't know, remember? We decided to wait and be surprised this time."

"Right. Though Dr. Petrov has been dropping hints that he knows."

"He always does that. Part of me wants to know, but part of me loves the mystery."

"What do you want it to be?"

"Healthy. Everything else is just details."

"But if you had to guess?"

"Girl. Strong-willed like her mother, beautiful like her sister, completely capable of holding her own with two older siblings."

"And if it's a boy?"

"Then Viktor gets a brother who can help him protect his sisters."

"Either way, they're going to be spoiled completely."

"Either way, they're going to be loved completely."

"By parents who transformed a criminal empire into something legitimate."

"By a family that proves change is possible when people are brave enough to try."

"Think our story will have a happy ending?"

"I think our story is just beginning."

"Good beginnings or challenging beginnings?"

"The best kind of beginnings—the kind where anything is possible."

I settle deeper into his arms, feeling our baby move gently beneath his protective hand.

Outside, the estate stands secure and peaceful, our children sleep safely in their beds, and the future we've built together stretches endlessly ahead—full of promise, partnership, and the kind of love that transforms everything it touches.

The future stretches ahead of us, bright with the possibility of continued growth, expanded partnerships, and children who will inherit opportunities their parents created through courage and determination.

In four months, we'll welcome another baby into our complicated, wonderful world. In three years, we'll probably be coordinating federal operations while managing school schedules and birthday parties. In thirty years, we'll hopefully be watching our children continue the transformation we started.

But tonight, we're exactly where we belong—together in the home we've built, surrounded by the family we've created, secure in the knowledge that love really can conquer everything when it's combined with strategic thinking and absolute determination.

Our children will grow up knowing they're loved unconditionally, protected completely, and free to become whoever they choose to be.

They'll understand that their parents fought for something better and won.

They'll inherit not just wealth or power, but the knowledge that transformation is possible when you're brave enough to dream of something different.

As if sensing the depth of the moment, Alexei turns to face me fully, his eyes holding all the love and wonder that still takes my breath away after everything we've been through together.

"Mila," he whispers, drawing me closer until there's no space between us, until I can feel our baby moving gently between our bodies. "I want to make love to you again. Slowly. Completely. Like we have all the time in the world."

"We do have all the time in the world," I breathe against his lips.

"Then let me show you how much I love you. How grateful I am for everything we've built together."

This time, when he touches me, it's with the reverent intensity of a man who understands that moments like these are precious beyond measure. Every caress speaks of promises kept, battles won, and a future secured through love and determination.

When he moves inside me, it's with the kind of careful passion that makes tears spring to my eyes—not from sadness, but from the overwhelming beauty of being completely cherished by the man who transformed his entire world to build a life with me.

"I love you," he whispers as we move together in the perfect rhythm we've learned over years of loving each other through triumph and crisis. "I love you more than my own life, more than anything I've ever built or conquered."

"I love you too," I gasp as the pleasure builds slowly, sweetly, like the culmination of every dream we've dared to dream together. "Always. Forever. In every life we might live after this one."

When we reach the peak together, it's with the kind of transcendent connection that proves some bonds are truly unbreakable. We're not just lovers or partners or co-conspirators—we're soulmates who found each other across impossible odds and created something magnificent from the ashes of our past.

"I love you, Mila Morozova," Alexei says one more time as we settle into each other's arms, our baby quiet and content between us, our other children sleeping peacefully in the next room, and our future stretching endlessly ahead—bright with promise and secured by love.

"I love you too, Alexei Morozov," I whisper back. "Thank you for giving me the world."

Tonight, that's more than enough.

Tonight, that's everything.

THE END