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Six Months Later

I stared at the screen as the ultrasound tech moved the wand over Vasha’s belly.

We’d tried before to see our kid, but the little fucker hadn’t cooperated.

Now though…

A smile spread across my face.

Yep, no doubt about it.

We were having a boy.

I only half listened as the tech talked and measured, asking Vasha questions.

I was too focused, staring at my son.

My throat grew tight with emotion.

No way my kid would ever grow up unloved, not the way Vasha and I had.

I’d make sure he knew every day how much he was wanted.

“Luka,” I said.

“We should call him Luka. It’s a good Russian name, in honor of his beautiful Russian mother.”

She gave me a smile and squeezed my hand.

“And I was thinking we’d call him Aten to honor your Egyptian heritage.”

I just stared at her.

It wasn’t like I had any idea what the rest of me was made up of.

I’d only known about my mother because of the bit of digging Surge had done years ago.

As much as I didn’t want to give my birth parents a second thought, I knew that one day our kids would ask about their grandparents.

Maybe she had a point.

“Luka Aten?” I suggested.

“I like it,” she said.

“Luka Aten St. Clair. It has a nice ring to it.”

“Well, congratulations, Mom and Dad. I’ll print off some pictures of your baby, then they’ll schedule your next appointment on your way out. Do you have any questions?” the tech asked.

I’d forgotten she was even there.

I shook my head and Vasha did the same.

We’d already read every baby book we could find.

Neither of us wanted to fuck up our kid.

The closer her due date got, the more nervous I became.

Rocket had said that when the time came, everything would just click inside me and I’d know exactly what to do and how to act.

I wasn’t sure I believed him, but I hoped he was right.

I helped Vasha back into her clothes and paid up front while she set her next appointment.

When we stepped out onto the sidewalk, I admired the way the sun glinted off her silvery white hair.

We’d been together a little over six months, nearly seven, and every day I found her more beautiful than the day before, and loved her even more.

It had taken me three months, but I’d finally told Surge thank you for putting her in my bed that first night.

Best thing that had ever happened to me.

“Want ice cream?” I asked.

It had become our ritual after each appointment.

She shook her head and looked a little green.

“I think those days are behind me until this baby arrives. I had a little from the freezer last night and it came right back up.”

I rubbed her back and pressed a kiss to her cheek.

She’d had a rough go of it.

The morning sickness had hit during her second month and hadn’t let up even a little.

Although, the foods and smells that triggered it seemed to change all the fucking time.

Made it hard to buy food, that was for damn sure.

Not that I was complaining.

I’d do anything for her, even run two towns over at three in the morning because she was craving a particular dish from a diner over there.

Whatever it took, I wanted her to be happy, and to know how much I loved her.

I could tell her all day every day, but it didn’t matter unless I showed her.

I helped her into the SUV and drove us back to the compound.

I’d left Fox and Cotton painting the nursery.

I’d heard the fumes would be bad for Vasha, so they’d started early this morning when we’d left the house.

I’d told them to open the nursery window and shut the door to the hall, and I hoped they’d remembered.

By the time we got home, my stomach was growling, but my sweet Vasha was asleep with her head resting against the window.

As carefully as I could, I pulled her from the vehicle and carried her inside.

She roused outside the nursery and looked at the closed door in confusion.

“You said you wanted the room green since we didn’t know if we’d ever discover the gender. Fox and Cotton painted it earlier. The door needs to stay shut probably another day for the smell to die down. I’ll let you see it after I get the furniture together.”

She snuggled closer.

“You’re going to be an amazing dad.”

Whether or not I was, I didn’t have a doubt she’d be an incredible mom.

She’d changed her diet, her sleep pattern…

anything the books suggested would be better for the baby, she’d taken it all to heart and had done her best to care for our kid before he even got here.

I laid Vasha on the bed, slipped her shoes off her feet, then stretched out next to her.

Placing my hand over her belly, I smiled as our kid pushed against me.

I didn’t know if he hated sharing his mom with me, or if he just wanted to say hi.

I couldn’t wait to meet him!

Although, I hoped he stayed tucked safely inside Vasha until he was good and ready to come out.

As sick as she’d been, I sometimes worried she wouldn’t carry to term, even though the doctor didn’t seem concerned.

“Rest, zolatka .”

“Thought you’d want to celebrate the fact we’re having a boy. Don’t all men wish for sons?”

I could hear the exhaustion in her voice.

Running my fingers through her hair, I massaged her temples.

“Yes, I’m happy we’re having a boy, but I’d have been just as thrilled over a little girl who looks like her mom. I love you, Vasha, and our kid. All that matters is that you’re both healthy and happy. We’ll have some fun when you’re up to it. Right now, just sleep. I’ll stay right here.”

“Promise?” she murmured, nearly asleep again already.

“Promise, kroshka .”

I kissed her forehead, the tip of her nose, then her lips.

She smiled and burrowed against me.

Holding my wife was one of my favorite pastimes, and I knew I’d never grow tired of it.

Or of Vasha.

Our lives would never be perfect, but I knew they would be amazing, just because we had each other.

And now we’d have another person, one we created together, and I couldn’t imagine anything better than that.

I watched her sleep, admiring the delicate arch of her brows, the fullness of her lips, and her overall beauty.

It wasn’t just her looks, though.

My Vasha was gorgeous because she had a good heart.

Even after all the evil she’d seen, she was still the sweetest, gentlest woman I’d ever known.

And she was mine.

For always.