Page 87 of Forced Bratva Bride

Max is out with his brothers and Stefano. We sent them to the beach with the kids to get them all out of the way so we could have the house to ourselves.

“It’s almost time. Max just messaged to say he is on the way home,” I say excitedly.

“Fyodor also just messaged me, but are you going to tell us what this is all about before they get here?”

“Nope. You're going to have to wait and see, but honestly, guys, I can’t thank you enough for helping me set this up. I wouldn’t have been able to get it done without you.”

Kat, Lia and Darya all huddle around me, grinning excitedly. “Group hug,” Darya says, pulling us all together. I have never had a family like this, a bunch of sisters who have my back through anything and everything. It feels amazing.

“We’re back,” Kiril’s voice carries through from inside the house.

“What is going on here?” Maxim asks, looking around the garden in shock as he steps onto the patio and sees the outside dinner table set up beautifully, and all the decorations around the yard.

“We are having a party,” I grin.

Stefano walks into the garden. “Wow, did I gatecrash something I wasn’t supposed to attend? I don’t remember getting an invite.”

“Your seat is already set at the table,” I laugh, hugging him. He has become a part of the family, and has been coming to every single one of our get-togethers. His whole demeanor has changed, and sometimes I even smile while I watch him with the kids or talking to the other guys. He never had a family like this before, either, and being part of one now has really made him a calmer, friendlier and more open person.

The kids come running in, squealing with excitement and grabbing at the balloons. “We went to the beach and are having a party all in the same day?”

“Oh my word, this is the most perfect timing. I am starving,” Kiril says, taking his seat at the table.

“I think we all are,” I say. “So let’s settle down, and I will ask the chef to start bringing the food out.”

We eat, and laugh, and the guys tell us all the amusing things that the kids did at the beach, including digging a hole big enough to bury Paval in, and then refusing to help dig him out.

“I still have sand in places where sand should not be,” he chuckles.

My stomach flips with excitement. It is time.

I look at Maxim with a massive grin on my face. “What are you up to?” he whispers. “I know that look, and you are up to something.”

I lean over and kiss him, then stand up and tap my knife against the edge of my glass.

“Oh my goodness, she is going to finally tell us,” Darya says excitedly.

“Tell us what?” Maxim asks with his brows knotted and the side of his mouth curved into a confused smile.

“Thank you so much, everyone, for being here today. I am so grateful for every single one of you, and the way you've all made me feel like a part of your family. I love you all, and you all make this house a home. So"—I take a deep breath—“I wanted all of you here when I shared some very special news.”

I turn to Maxim and wrap my fingers in his. His brows knot more tightly together and the look of anxiety on his face deepens.

“Max, my person, the love of my life…" I take another deep breath. “The father of my baby—"

“What?” he gasps.

“We're pregnant,” I grin.

He leaps out of his chair and immediately lifts me in his arms. “We're pregnant?” he yells loudly. “We are having a baby?” he can’t stop laughing, and makes me laugh, too.

He spins me around, practically knocking the chairs over.

The entire family erupts in loud, excited chatter, and someone pops a champagne cork.

Max drops me gently to my feet and leans down to kiss me. But he can’t stop smiling, so the kiss doesn’t work as well as it should. “I’m sorry, I am just so happy,” he grins.

Later that night, Max lifts the blankets of our bed so that I can climb beneath them and snuggle up against him, both of us naked.

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