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EPILOGUE

ANASTASIA

“You can do this, baby. One more push.”

Mikhail's deep voice calms me as he wipes the sweat from my forehead.

Another wave of contractions cripples me. I squeeze his hand harder than I’ve ever gripped anything in my life.

The pain is so fucking bad, I can’t see straight.

“Take a deep breath in and push, Ana. We have to get him out on the next one.”

Fuck. This feels like it’s been going on for days.

“I can’t take anymore.”

“Now Ana!” The midwife calls out from the end of the bed. The room is filled with beeping and I close my eyes, letting a scream rip through my lungs and I push with everything I have left in me.

It takes everything out of me as I sag back against the bed.

Newborn cries fill the room, I look up and smile.

“You did it, pretty girl.” Miki presses a kiss to my head and squeezes my limp hand.

The smiling midwife brings him over and places him down on my bare chest.

“I’m so proud of you,” he croaks out and that brings tears into my eyes as I look down at our little boy.

A mass of dark chocolate hair, long thick lashes and a perfect little button nose.

“He’s so perfect, Miki,” I gush. I can’t stop smiling, it almost makes the pain bearable.

“Just like his momma, then.”

Miki leans down and kisses the top of Misha’s head.

“You’ve given me the greatest gift, Ana. And the best possible life.” He nuzzles his face against mine.

In this moment, having my new little family cuddled against me, I close my eyes and enjoy the calm.

This is everything I could have ever dreamt of. My heart is so full of love and joy, I will never forget this.

Every single bit of pain was worth it.

And just like he promised all those months ago, he held my hand through all of it.

“Hey, big man. Can you help me?” I throw my legs over the edge of the bed.

Everything aches so damn much.

Mikhail has been incredible with Misha. He told me I had to get my rest. Miki holds Misha on his chest. His huge hand nearly spanning our baby’s whole body.

He walks over and holds out his arm, getting me to my feet.

“I hate being this weak.” I tell him.

It’s annoying me, I want to get up and help out. I want to just go home. But they have to monitor my iron levels and blood pressure.

I’m hoping to leave today, two days is quite enough in this bright white room.

“The doctor came while you were napping, he said you’re both clear to go.”

I tip my head back, relief washing over me.

“Oh, thank God.”

He wraps his arm around my waist and cuddles me against him. I stroke the side of a sound asleep Misha.

“My god, you look so hot being a daddy.” I look up at him.

“Hmm. You can call me daddy all you want, pretty girl.” He winks.

It’s going to be a long six weeks.

“Daddy Miki.” I slide my hand up his chest.

“Has quite the ring to it, maybe we can try it out.”

He leans down and captures my lips.

“You mean when we can make another one of these beautiful creations?” He smirks.

My eyes nearly pop out of their sockets.

And then he chuckles and my blood pressure lowers.

“I’ll give you a year.”

“I can deal with that. See if I can give you a little girl to run circles around you.”

He rests his head on top of mine.

“A mini version of you would be perfect, Ana.”