Page 93 of Slightly Married

I bit my lip, suppressing a smile. This wasn’t how I’d planned to tell him, but the moment felt right. “Yes, children.”

He stared at me, confusion slowly giving way to understanding. “Michaila, are you saying...?”

“I’m pregnant,” I confirmed, unable to hold back my grin any longer. “Found out yesterday. It’s early. Only about six weeks.”

The color drained from K’s face. “But... TJ is only three months old.”

“I know!” I laughed, giddy with the absurdity of it all. “Apparently we’re exceptionally fertile when not doing IUI procedures. According to my doctor, it’s completely safe. Unexpected, but safe.”

I bounced on my toes, unable to contain my energy. “I had this whole surprise planned for tonight, which included a cute outfit for TJ, but I just couldn’t wait another minute to tell you. Are you happy? I’m happy. I mean, I freaked out for about twenty minutes when I saw the test results, but then I just started laughing because—”

“Michaila,” he interrupted my rambling, with a stunned expression still frozen on his face.

He swayed, and for a moment I thought he might faint.

“You’re unhappy?” I asked suddenly uncertain, my excitement dimming as I registered his shock.

“No!” he exclaimed, snapping out of his daze. “No, just... processing.”

His hands came up to frame my face, eyes searching mine. “Another child,” he whispered, wonder creeping into his voice. “Our family is growing already.”

“Is that okay?” I asked softly.

In answer, he leaned forward and captured my lips in a kiss so tender it brought tears to my eyes. Against my shoulder, TJ made a small sound of protest at being squeezed between us.

“More than okay,” Konstantin murmured when we broke apart. “Perfect, in fact. Though perhaps we should revisit the discussion about nannies.”

I laughed. “As long I get to choose who she is.”

“I love you, Michaila,” he said. “More than I ever thought possible.”

“I love you too,” I replied. “Even when you organize my makeup by color instead of type.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “That’s the best way to arrange it.”

“It most certainly is not,” I countered. “But I suppose I’ll keep you, anyway.”

“You have no choice,” he reminded me, his hand coming to rest on my stomach. “You’re contractually obligated.”

I smiled up at him, remembering the business arrangement that had brought us together and the love that had transformed it into something neither of us could have anticipated.

“Best contract I ever signed,” I whispered against his lips.

Outside, the party continued without us, family and friends celebrating the christening of our daughter. But in the nursery, with TJ nestled between us and the promise of another child growing inside me, we celebrated the family we created and the love we found, against all odds and expectations.

The contract might have brought us together, but it was love that would keep us that way.