Maxim clears his throat, and I look up. He smiles and nods to the end of the aisle, and there she is. My angel with red hair in a beautiful white dress. Somewhere in the background, the music starts, but I can’t hear a thing as my gaze collides with hers.
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that a part of me questioned if she’d actually show up. After all the shit we’ve been through together, I wouldn’t blame her. But I wouldn’t let her go either. Kat knows if she ever runs, I’ll be there to chase her. But as she walks down the aisle with Gleb beside her, I don’t think I have to worry about that anymore. The conviction on her face is as certain as the sun will rise in the morning. This is meant to be. She and I until the end of the world or our bodies turn to ash—whatever happens first.
When she reaches the end, and I extend my arm for her, I feel like I can finally fucking breathe again. But Gleb isn’t so quick to hand her off. Even though I know I already have his approval, I can still respect him for turning to me with a warning before he lets her go.
“Take care of my little girl, Lev.”
“Always.” I smile back at him like a fool in love.
Kat smiles too, and we look like a bunch of goofy characters from a Hallmark movie, but I don’t give a fuck. She’s mine, and I’m hers, and this is the best goddamn day of my life, so I’ll smile if I want to.
Maxim stands in front of us, poised and ready as the officiant, and I don’t know who’s more serious about their role between him and Josh. To me, it’s merely a formality when Maxim begins to recite the words that will link Kat and me together for life. In our hearts, minds, and souls, we are already bound for eternity. I’ve never been more certain of that as I repeat the vows that promise I will love her in sickness and in health, good times and bad, wealth and poverty. But in my head, there is so much more. I will love her until she’s old and gray. Pissed off and moody, or a shining beacon of light. I will love her in the blackest of times, and the brightest of times. In that, there is no question. My devotion to her will not waver, and I make it a point to slip that in as a whispered promise, something only she can hear.
Her eyes are glassy when she nods, whispering, “Me too,” under her breath.
When it comes time for the rings, Josh is a total professional, smoothly unlocking his safe and forking them over reluctantly. Kat and I both tell him what a good job he’s done, while Maxim sneaks a wink in his direction, making him beam proudly.
We finish the ceremony with a few of the traditions Gleb asked for, which included us both being crowned and stomping a couple of crystal glasses to bits. It makes no difference to me, and Kat was happy to include some of her familial roots in the ceremony. We could have gotten married anywhere she wanted, and I would have indulged her request. As long as Kat is happy, I’m happy too.
Never more so than when I finally take her hands in mine, and Maxim announces us as husband and wife.
“You look pretty well satisfied,” I murmur, draping my arm over Kat’s shoulders and tucking her into my side.
We’re both naked in our master suite, exhausted but content from the night of celebrations. The crickets are chirping outside the window, the lake gently lapping against the shore, and there’s a sense of peace between us that I’m fairly certain neither of us has ever felt.
“Are you sure you don’t want to go anywhere for the honeymoon?” I ask her again. “It’s not too late.”
“No.” She sighs in contentment, leaning her face against my shoulder. “I’ve seen too many hotel rooms to count. And I’m happy to stay right here. I think this is all we need.”
“If that’s what my wife wants.” I kiss her on the temple, and she grins.
“How do you think Gleb and Maxim are going to handle looking after Josh for the next few days?” she asks, a hint of worry in her voice.
“I think they’ll survive just fine,” I tell her. “They did a great job when you were in the hospital. But if you want him to come home to us, there’s nothing stopping that from happening either.”
She sighs in relief and squeezes me in her arms. “This is why I love you. I think I’d like that. I’m just ready for our family to be together.”
“I love you too, sweetheart.” I bury my face into her neck and inhale her.
“Oh!” She sits upright, dragging her warmth away from me. “I almost forgot. I have something else for you.”
“What is it?” I ask, but it’s already too late. She’s already bolting out of the room, giving me a nice view of her ass.
When she returns, she’s wrapped up in a blanket, much to my disappointment, and she has a cupcake in her hand.
“You didn’t get enough cake at the wedding?” I smirk, recalling how we smeared it in each other’s face before sharing a sugary kiss.
“This one is different,” she answers nervously, coming to sit beside me on the bed. “This one is for both of us.”
I’m not sure what she means by that, but when she sets it into my palm, she explains.
“I had a bakery make it special just for us. There’s a surprise inside, so we both have to pull it apart at the same time.”
“Okay.” I study her face, still uncertain why she looks so nervous. But it’s making me anxious too, and now I want to open this fucking cupcake to see what’s going on.
Kat and I both grip a side, and she counts to three. We tear it in two, and a tiny piece of paper wrapped up in plastic falls out.
“What the…?”
“Open it,” she insists.
I unfold the plastic and unravel the scroll to reveal a photo. A sonogram photo.
I blink up at her, and her eyes shine with tears. It takes me a few seconds to catch up, but once I’m there, I’m choking on my own words.
“Are you telling me you’re—”
“Pregnant.” She finishes for me with a nod.
I drag her into my lap like a caveman, tossing the cupcake aside and clutching her face. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, Lev.” She laughs. “Didn’t you notice me getting fat?”
“You aren’t fat.” I frown. “You’re as beautiful as always.”
“Well, this little belly isn’t from stress eating,” she assures me. “We’re having a baby.”
A million different thoughts war in my mind. I want to be excited, but I can’t lie because I’m fucking terrified too. Kat must recognize that in my face, and she touches me with a gentleness only she can possess.
“It’s okay,” she whispers. “We’re past the three-month mark. We’re safe, Lev. Everything is going to be okay this time.”
My forehead dips into hers, and our lips collide with a breathless, frantic energy. I’m going to be a dad again. We’re going to have a baby. And this time, I get to be a part of all of it.
“I want to know everything,” I murmur as I tear the blanket off her body and palm her belly. “I want to be there for every appointment this time. Every step. I’m going to take care of you. Tell me what you need.”
Kat laughs, the sound like music to my ears. “I don’t need anything. Just this. Just you and me and Josh, and our baby. We can find out the sex soon if you want.”