Page 157 of Nine Months to Love

I wave goodbye to her as she escorts the nurse into the room. In the elevator, I close my eyes and let my head come to rest against the mirrored wall. I can rest, though just for the length of the ride down. Just long enough to pretend that everything is going to be okay.

That Elena will wake up fully and go home and get back to yelling at me for working too much.

That Olivia will marry me and we’ll have our baby and build a life together.

That Iakov was telling the truth and my mother is the only enemy I have left to worry about.

I let myself pretend I can protect them all. I need to be certain of that. I have to be.

Because if I can’t save them… who can?

45

OLIVIA

I’m reading an article on my phone about prenatal vitamins when I hear a soft groan. My head snaps up to see that Elena’s eyes are open. Not the foggy, medicated half-consciousness from yesterday, but actually open.

Clear. Focused.Alive.

“Elena?” I set my phone down and lean forward. “Elena, can you hear me?”

Her lips move, but I can’t make out what she’s saying, so I stand and move closer to the bed.

“W…water,” she rasps.

I grab the cup from the bedside table and hold the straw to her lips. She takes a small sip, then another, then pulls back.

“Better,” she whispers.

“Oh my God. You’re awake. You’re really awake.” I’m already reaching for the call button to summon a nurse, but Elena’s hand catches mine.

“Wait.”

I freeze. “What? Are you in pain? Do you need?—”

“Just... wait. Let me… look at you first.”

Her eyes travel over my face, like she’s memorizing every detail. “You’ve been here,” she says. “The whole time.”

I feel my throat tighten. “You remember that?”

“Bits and pieces. Like a dream.” She squeezes my hand weakly. “Thank you for staying,dochka.”

My eyes sting. “You don’t have to thank me. You’re family.”

“You could have gone home and rested. You’re pregnant.”

“I’m fine. The baby’s fine. And I wanted to be here.”

Elena’s mouth curves into a small smile. “You’re a good girl, Olivia. My grandson is lucky to have you.”

“I’m the lucky one.”

“No. You’re both lucky to have each other.” She shifts slightly, wincing. “Help me sit up a little?”

I adjust the bed controls until she’s more upright. Then I press the call button. “I’m getting a nurse,” I tell her. “They need to check your vitals and?—”

“Yes, yes, in a minute. First, tell me what I’ve missed.”