Page 31

Seven months later

Emma applies more blush to my cheeks. “I still think you should have Yakov walk you down the aisle. He’s been like an overprotective father to you.”

I flick my bangs out of my eyes. “We’ve had this conversation a million times. I’m walking myself down the aisle.”

Allie chuckles. “I think it’s very feminist of you.”

That’s not why I’m doing it, but I’d rather not dwell on the fact that today is my wedding day and not one single member of my family will be attending.

I’m not sad about that fact but rather excited about the prospect of starting fresh.

Though my mother is the only person I wish could have been here to see me get married. She would have loved Anton, and I have no doubt that in another life, her and Maria would have been wonderful friends.

The thought brings me comfort as my father comes to mind.

It became clear that no one survived the explosion at his warehouse, and I’m yet to shed a tear at the thought of never seeing him again.

“Can we just focus on getting me ready to actually walk down the aisle? Because at this rate, I won’t get married before this baby decides to make an appearance.”

I look down at my pregnant belly and smile. This was definitely not part of the plan, but I couldn’t be happier with the way things turned out.

Beatrice sighs. “I love a wedding.”

Emma laughs. “Me too. Free booze and hot men in tuxedos, what more could a girl ask for?”

I point my finger at her. “I swear, you are not allowed to hook up with anyone. These people are my family now, Emma.”

“Well, lucky for you, most of them are married. Though, didn’t you say Anton had a brother? Is he single?”

I groan, and Emma grins, a twinkle of mischief in her blue eyes.

Allie shakes her head. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she behaves. Or maybe she’ll finally get her hands on Yakov.”

Emma’s eyes alight with mischief. “I bet he’s kinky as fuck.”

“Poor Yakov.” I chuckle.

Emma ends up having to touch up my makeup three times as I’m crying with laughter as the four of us get ready.

I can’t believe how lucky I am to be surrounded by wonderful friends.

“We really need to get you dressed, otherwise Anton’s going to think you’ve gone into labor or something.”

“Please don’t joke.” I very ungracefully get to my feet and wince as my back twinges. “I would rather not spend my wedding night in a hospital bed pushing a beach ball out of my vagina.”

“You’d much rather spend it on all fours as Anton?—”

“Emma!” Allie, Beatrice, and I all cry out at the same time.

Eventually I’m zipped into my dress that hugs my bump perfectly, and I follow behind the girls, all dressed in identical pale pink gowns, as we make our way to the main ballroom of the plaza hotel.

I always thought that I would be a bundle of nerves on my wedding day. Perhaps that there would even be an inkling of doubt as I made my way down the aisle toward my future husband, wondering if perhaps I was making the right choice.

But as Anton comes into view, and I catch sight of his smiling face, I realize that nothing has ever felt so right.

My eyes start to sting, and I haven’t even made it to the altar yet.

I’ve never seen him look so happy.

I knew today would mean a lot to him, to have not just his cousins stand beside him, but his brother too.

Maria even sits in the front row, nestled between Bianca and Zara.

Maria’s Alzheimer’s has remained fairly stable over the last few months, and I think being around family more has played a role in that.

While I applaud Anton for taking on the brunt of the responsibility that comes with his mother’s illness, seeing her benefit from having all of the children around as well as Nikolai has made him realize that he doesn’t need to do it alone anymore.

It makes my heart swell to know that no time at all, we’ll have our very own baby to add to our ever-growing family, and I cannot wait to watch Anton become a father.

After my mother died, I never thought I would experience what it was like to feel truly loved ever again.

But then I met Anton. He was the man I never saw coming, the man I was never meant to fall for, and yet here we are, about to declare our love for one another in front of all our friends and family.

This was the life I was always destined for, and I cannot wait to start living it.

I had initially planned on being the last man standing on the dancefloor at the end of my wedding. But then again, I never thought I would be eight months pregnant, my feet screaming at me, and I’m so tired I’m worried I might actually fall asleep standing up.

Anton senses my wavering energy and instantly scoops me into his arms while announcing to our guests that they are welcome to continue the celebrations but that the bride will be having an early night.

I am mortified, but then Anton gives me the look that tells me he will also be joining me in the early night, and I soon forget all about leaving the party early.

He doesn’t set me down onto my feet until we’re outside the door to the honeymoon suite.

I can’t stop smiling at Anton as he fishes around in his jacket pocket for the key, in complete awe of how handsome he looks.

Anton unlocks the door to our honeymoon suite before bending down to scoop me back into his arms.

“Anton!” I squeal as I wrap my arms around his neck.

“It’s tradition.” He carries me into the room and kicks the door closed.

“I didn’t think we were bothering with tradition, seeing as I’m already knocked up.”

“I fact I take great pride in.” Anton bends down to nuzzle my neck. “Now, what do you want first? A bath or a foot rub?”

“A foot rub.” I sigh as I think of my very swollen feet.

Anton chuckles and moves to settle me on the enormous bed that is littered with rose petals.

“I will say, this is the part I’ve been looking forward to the most.” I Iean back on my elbows.

“Oh yeah?” Anton smirks as he shrugs out of his jacket.

His white shirt clings to his muscular body, and I take a moment to admire my new husband, the man that I get to legally call mine .

“Not that.” I laugh, and Anton’s smile falters. “Taking off these damn heels.”

I groan as I kick off my offending shoes. “I thought I could cope with all the aches and pains after almost two decades of ballet, but pregnancy is something else.”

Anton laughs. “You don’t have much longer to go,”

Anton kneels in front of me and reaches beneath my dress to start rubbing my swollen ankles.

“Thank goodness,” I groan.

“Are you excited?”

I catch something like worry flash in his eyes and instantly feel bad for groaning all the time.

I don’t want him to think I’m not looking forward to the prospect of motherhood.

“Of course, I am.” I reach out to stroke his cheek. “This baby is a blessing, and so are you. But I do miss seeing my own feet.”

“And ballet.” He turns his head to kiss my palm.

Despite assuring him that this baby doesn’t mean the end of my ballet career, I know that Anton still feels guilty for the fact that I had to stop dancing after the winter showcase last year.

“I do miss ballet, but my spot is still waiting for me to begin back next spring. And the IOD has a great daycare…”

“We’ll hire a nanny,” Anton says, and I roll my eyes.

“I don’t want to push this baby out and then just go back to my old life as if nothing’s changed, Anton. I want to be present, to raise this baby with you while also dancing. It will be hard, I know, but I’m no stranger to hard work.”

“I’m so proud of you, Nina.”

He moves to place his hands on either side of me and leans in to kiss me softly. But I’m in no mood to take things slowly.

I take Anton’s face in my hands and force my tongue into his mouth, moaning at the first taste of him.

“I need you,” I gasp just as someone knocks at the door.

“So does someone else, apparently.” He chuckles as I let out a groan.

“Not funny.”

“I’ll be right back.” He flashes me a wink, before going to answer the door.

My eyes roam over his body, my pulse quickening as I think of all the ways I’m going to show Anton just how much I love him.

I become so lost in my own fantasy that I jump at the sound of the door closing.

“Someone was thinking dirty thoughts.” Anton laughs as he sets a huge bouquet of white roses down on the table.

I don’t bother to deny it as I get to my feet and shuffle over to him.

“Oh wow, these are beautiful.” I bend down to inhale their sweet floral scent. “I wonder who they’re from.”

Anton opens up the card, and we both read the handwritten message inside.

Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Koslov

May today mark the beginning of a long and happy life together…

I place a hand on the swell of my stomach, my heart racing.

Anton turns the card over. “They didn’t sign it. And I don’t recognize the handwriting…”

“I-I do.” I don’t need a name to know exactly who they’re from. “They’re from my father.”