Page 61 of Unexpected Bratva Baby
I kiss her deeply, pouring all my love and devotion into that single gesture. She responds eagerly, wrapping her arms around my neck and pulling me closer. We stay like that for several minutes, lost in each other. Finally, I break the kiss and sit up, gazing down at her flushed cheeks, swollen lips, and tousled hair that makes her even more beautiful in the afterglow of our lovemaking. The emerald ring on her finger catches the light, a visible symbol of our commitment. I pull her closer, savoring the warmth of her body against mine. “You’re beautiful, and we should start planning our future,” I say, running my fingers through her auburn locks. “There’s so much to consider now.”
She nods, eyes sparkling with excitement. “I can hardly believe it. We’re engaged, and we’re having a baby. It’s like a dream come true.”
I kiss her forehead gently. “It is. Where would you like to get married?”
She hesitates. “I don’t know. I sort of imagined doing it in Scotland, but that seems impractical now.” She laughs, clearly not too disappointed.
I smile as an idea forms. “What if we had the ceremony on my yacht? A small, intimate affair away from prying eyes and potential threats.”
Phoebe’s face lights up. “On ‘The Scarlet Siren?’ That sounds perfect. Just us and our closest friends and family, out on the open water.”
“We could sail to a secluded spot,” I say, warming to the idea. “Exchange our vows as the sun sets over the ocean.”
“It sounds magical.” She exhales with pleasure while snuggling closer to me. “When should we do it?”
I consider for a moment. “How about in two weeks? That should give us enough time to make the necessary arrangements without waiting too long.”
Phoebe nods enthusiastically. “Two weeks it is. I can’t wait to be your wife.”
I kiss her deeply. When we part, I rest my forehead against hers. “And I can’t wait to be your husband.”
We spend the next hour discussing the details of our wedding, our excitement growing with each plan we make. Phoebe talks about the dress she wants to wear, and I promise to have my tailor create something perfect for her. We debate over the guest list, keeping it small and intimate as we’d agreed.
As the conversation winds down, she yawns, the events of the day catching up with her. Both of us still naked, I lift and carry her to the rooftop elevator down to the penthouse. Masha wags her tail as we step out, and I take Phoebe to bed. Since she’s nude, there’s no need for undressing. Getting in beside her, I pull the covers over us, holding her close as rests her head on my chest. I stroke her hair absently, amazed at how perfectly she fits in my arms.
Masha jumps into bed and lays across our legs, resting her head on knee and one paw on Phoebe’s leg. She seems as content as I feel.
“Mikhail?” murmurs Phoebe, sounding sleepy.
“Yes,lyubov moya?”
“I’m happy. Really, truly happy.”
I press a kiss to the top of her head. “So am I.”
As she drifts off to sleep in my arms, I close my eyelids too. For the first time in my life, I’m not just surviving. I’m living.
22
Phoebe
The sun rises over the horizon, shining brightly through the porthole in the dressing room of “The Scarlet Siren.” I stand in front of a full-length mirror, adjusting my flowing white dress. The fabric drapes elegantly over my mostly invisible baby bump, and I smile at the reflection.
“You look beautiful, Phoebe,” says Nastya, appearing behind me. She’s wearing a pale blue bridesmaid dress with her hair swept into an elegant updo.
I turn to face her, my heart fluttering with excitement and nerves. “Thank you. I can’t believe this day is finally here.” I’m a little sad that my parents can’t make it, but they’re on a long cruise, and I wasn’t willing to wait for them to return in two months.
I’ll have a lot of explaining to do then, but they’ll be happy for me once they get over the shocks—a new son-in-law and a grandchild on the way. I don’t plan to mention what Mikhailactually does for a living, of course. There are only so many shocks they can handle.
Nastya squeezes my hand, and I’m glad she’s here since my mom isn’t. “Are you ready?”
I nod, taking a deep breath. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We make our way to the deck, which has been transformed into a romantic wonderland. White flowers adorn every surface, their sweet fragrance filling the air. Twinkling lights are strung overhead, creating a magical ambiance even in the daylight.
Our small group of guests is already seated, a mix of Mikhail’s trusted associates and my closest friends, but we didn’t bother dividing by bride and groom side. I spot Masha at the end of the aisle, wearing an adorable tartan bow. She wags her tail excitedly when she sees me and rushes to my side, ignoring Mikhail’s attempt to call her back.
I pause to pet her and nod to him. “It’s all right. Who better to walk me down the aisle since my dad can’t be here?”
