Page 68 of Arranged to Marry the Bratva

"I never knew I could love someone this fiercely," he says.

"Me too." I lean my head on his shoulder. "Our little family."

Nikolai wraps his arms around us both. For a moment, the world is reduced to just the three of us—together.

***

That evening, after a few blissful moments in the shower alone, I sigh and get dressed. I go outside to find Nikolai already finished and waiting to go.

"We should get going. My family will be waiting," I tell him.

Nikolai nods, though his jaw tightens slightly. He's still uneasy around the Zolotovs despite my reassurances. Old habits.

I dress the baby in a ruffled pink onesie and matching headband, then pack the diaper bag. Nikolai watches me, amused.

"I love how you always dress her up like a little doll."

"Our daughter should look her best when meeting her uncles for the first time," I tell him.

While my sisters-in-law were an integral part of helping me through the first few days of motherhood, my brothers were unfortunately out of town. The baby was two weeks premature. In a hurry, like her mother, Genevieve had commented.

Truthfully, I want to show off our perfect little girl. Having her has healed the rift between the Orlovs and Zolotovs. She represents a new beginning.

Nikolai just shakes his head and smiles indulgently. He carries the bassinet and diaper bag, and I carry the baby as we head out to the car.

The drive to the Zolotov estate is short. Boris, Lev, and Damien are waiting on the front steps, faces alight with anticipation. As soon as I lift the baby from her carrier, they descend in a chorus of "oohs" and "ahhs".

Lev tickles her tummy. "Hello, little one. I'm your Uncle Lev."

Boris makes silly faces until she gurgles. "You've got the Zolotov smirk already!"

Damien just stares, enraptured. "She's so tiny..." he whispers.

My heart swells, seeing my brothers so taken with their niece. The past doesn't matter now. We are a family again.

Nikolai squeezes my shoulder, sharing my joy. The future for all of us looks bright.

I carry my daughter into the sitting room, where Ivan, Mikhail, Sergei, and Vanya sit on the sofa, talking to some of our cousins who have just arrived from Russia. Vanya rises to embrace me the moment she sees me, mindful not to disturb the baby.

At her heels, Lara follows. “Oh, look at those toes,” Lara giggles.

“How was your flight?” I ask her lightly.

She looks at me with round, pretty eyes. “So worth it, now that we get to see this little nugget,” she coos.

"Let me see her," Vanya says, taking the baby from my arms. "Oh, she's just beautiful. Look at those big brown eyes!"

I beam with pride as Vanya runs a gentle finger over the baby's peach-fuzz hair. From the corner of my eyes, I see Ivan introduce our cousins Abram, Vladimir, Denis, and Mark to Nikolai. Mikhail subtly puts an envelope into Nikolai’s coat pocket. “For the baby,” he insists when Nikolai tries returning it.

"Motherhood is the greatest blessing," Robin says wistfully as she joins us and peers into Vanya’s arms. "But also the hardest job you'll ever have. Don't hesitate to ask me anything."

I'm touched by her offer.

"I'm sure I'll need lots of advice," I say. "Especially from someone as experienced as you."

She smiles at me exuberantly. After all, we’re just two mothers sharing our love for our children.

The tender scene is interrupted by a blur of pink as Pippa bursts into the room. "Where’s my goddaughter? Let me see her!"

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