“No,” I cry. “You said I didn’t need?—”
“I think that’s a brilliant idea,” Ilya says smoothly. “I won’t leave her side.”
“And the…dog?” the doctor asks.
“Won’t leave her side either.” Ilya once more stares down the doctor. “He has food, water, and doggy pads packed. We’re fine.”
“Ilya—” I start.
“I’m sorry,malyshka, but better safe than sorry.” Ilya doesn’t sound sorry. He sounds relieved. “One night. I’ll be here with Albert.”
“Very well,” the doctor says. “And tomorrow, as a gift for staying, we’ll do that ultrasound. It won’t be much, but?—”
“Yes.” I’m suddenly desperate to see the life we created. “You want to see our baby, Ilya?”
“Fuck yes,” he breathes.
When the doctor leaves, Ilya turns down the lights.
The hospital bed is comfortable and big for a hospital bed, and the room is nice for a hospital room. But I want to be home with him and Albert.
I want… I take a breath. I want whatever’s good for the baby.
Ilya kicks off his shoes, climbs on the bed, and holds me in his arms.
“We’ll be home soon,” he says. “Patience.”
And even though I want to argue, tell him I’m not about to sleep, my eyes grow heavy. I soon drift off into a happy, dreamless sleep.
“Ready?”the doctor says the next day, running the wand over my flat stomach.
The doctor offered to take us personally for the ultrasound. He stares at a screen.
Albert’s in his bag, snout out, and twitching it at all the new smells. Ilya’s free hand pets the soft, silky fur just above his snout, and his other hand holds mine tight.
I meet Ilya’s gaze. He looks as nervous and excited as I feel.
“We’re ready, right?” I say to Ilya.
“Since the moment I first saw you.”
His words roll through me, spreading warmth.
“Okay, baby looks good, but since it’s very early, you won’t see much, but…” He turns a knob, and a fast-paced beat fills the air.
It’s like I’m burning from head to toe in a special fire.
Because this is real.
We made a life.
An actual life.
And now we can hear its heartbeat.
Ilya’s eyes shine with tears, and he leans in, kissing my hand. Tears streak down my cheeks faster than I can wipe them away.
“Ready?” the doctor says again.
