Page 44 of Pregnant By the Mafia Boss

“Well, here we are with the test results.” He hands over two sheets of paper. “Vitamin C and B12 are crucial and need to be boosted. Your iron is a little lower than I would like, but that’s normal with a pregnancy. I can recommend a multivitamin and offer alternatives to get you back on track.”

“Thank you, Doctor, that’s great,” I tell him, glad it’s something simple. We discuss a few other things I’m new to in the pregnancy and then before long, I’m up on the table with my belly exposed, the cool ultrasound gel smoothed out over it.

“This is the fun part of my job. I get to tell you what sex the baby is,” Dr. Shiels says with a glow to him. I can tell this is a job he loves, and it’s evident in the pictures on his office walls of all the babies he’s delivered.

“Wow,” I gush, seeing the outline of my precious baby on screen, and hearing its heartbeat for the first time. Unconsciously, I reach out for Ruslan’s hand, digging my fingers into his palm without thinking.

I watch the screen as Dr. Shiels moves the thick liquid around my belly making faces as the nurse stares on with a delighted look on her face as well. “Well, well, well, congratulations to you both, it looks like you’re having a baby girl.”

Emotional and happy, I glance over at Ruslan whose mouth curves into a smile as I cling on to him. “A girl. Wow. That’s great.”

“It sure is. I have two, and they’ve turned out to be wonderful human beings.”

“That’s great.” Ruslan smiles down at me on the table, but there’s disturbance written on his face, and I wonder what it’s about. I enjoy the moment, but by the time we get into the car, heading for home, I find out why.

Ruslan’s initially quiet as I sit in the passenger seat, backtracking through everything and trying to guess why he’s suddenly giving me the silent treatment.

“Can I ask you question?” Ruslan begins, the start of his sentence is not a good omen.

“Yes, you didn’t seem too talkative back in the doctor’s office so I’m glad you have something to say now,” I reply with a jab of sarcasm, rolling my eyes as I look out into the afternoon traffic.

“What?” he challenges, turning off the main freeway.

“I think you heard me, Ruslan.”

“I think you heard the doctor too. You’re not eating properly and taking care of yourself. Did you see these test results?”

Scrunching up my face, I dismiss him. “Some of its normal. I don’t know what to eat all the time. It’s my first baby.”

“Yes, but I have chefs on call. Anything you want or need to be made for you, can be. Vitamins are available at your disposal. There’s no excuse, Fiona,” he scolds, spanking me with his words.

“How dare you!” I fly back at him. “You don’t know anything, you’re not even at home most of the fucking time, and the doctor could barely get a fucking smile out of you when he told you we were having a girl!” I launch, my emotions running high as tears overflow and I look skyward.

Ruslan scoffs, shaking his head. “You have no idea what I’ve been doing.”

“That’s just it, Ruslan. I fucking don’t. You knock me up, only to leave me, and we’re having a family.”

“One which I’ve been trying to protect, warding off threats from the outside, and keeping you safe.”

“Keeping me safe, keeping me safe,” I parrot, fed up with his lack of attention. “Everything doesn’t have to be about keeping me safe. What I want is for you to show up for us, Ruslan.” I thump my head back against the headrest, the heavy conversation casting its dark blanket over us both.

Ruslan sighs, the usual sharpness in his eyes dulling as we idle at the traffic lights. “Right,” he says tersely, strumming his fingers on the wheel, not giving me anything to go on.

“Right? Don’t you have something better to say?” I poke, his criticism pouring fuel on the fire brewing inside me.

“Start eating properly, Fiona.”

“Start showing up for the family you’re about to have,Ruslan,” I push back, craving what the happy couple in the doctor’s office had.

Ruslan stares straight ahead, the light turning green as we head down the back road to the estate, the silence between us, excruciating.

“I was overwhelmed,” he reveals quietly.

“What?”

“Isaid,I was overwhelmed—back there in the doctor’s office. I wanted to say more, but seeing the baby’s legs kicking inside of you….”

A sense of relief floods through me as he opens the remote-controlled gate and we head down the circular drive. “So, you’re not a robot,” I say with a smile.

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