Page 45 of Pregnant By the Bratva

Epilogue

Sarah

The day is bright and full of possibilities as Ivan and I pull up to Luke’s house. The warmth of the sun mirrors the warmth in my heart as I watch Ivan park the car. It’s still surreal to think about how much has changed—how much my life has transformed from the dark, uncertain days of my past to the light and hope of the present.

I glance back at the car seat where Yelena is happily cooing, her chubby hands reaching for the toy dangling above her. Her big green eyes, so much like Ivan’s, sparkle with innocent joy, and I can’t help but smile. She’s the center of our world, the perfect blend of us both, and seeing her so happy makes my heart swell with love.

Ivan gets out of the car first, walking around to open the door for me. I step out, and together, we gently lift our daughter from her seat. As I cradle her in my arms, I feel the familiar warmth of Ivan’s hand on my back, guiding me toward Luke’s front door.

Luke’s house is cozy, radiating the warmth of a home filled with love and care. It’s still hard to believe that my little brother is now married and expecting a child of his own. I’m so proud of him, and seeing him so happy with his wife gives me a sense of peace I’ve rarely known.

The door swings open before we even have a chance to knock, and Luke stands there, grinning widely. His wife, Emily, is beside him, her belly round with their unborn child. The sight of them together fills me with happiness and a touch ofnostalgia. We exchange hugs and smiles, and Emily immediately reaches out for Yelena, who goes to her with a happy gurgle.

“Hey, little one,” Emily coos, holding her close. “Are you ready to spend some time with your aunt and uncle?”

Yelena giggles, clearly delighted by the attention. I watch them with a smile, feeling a pang of emotion as I realize how lucky we are to have family like this—people we can trust, who will love and care for our daughter as we do.

“She’ll be in good hands,” Luke says, his tone reassuring as he places a hand on my shoulder. “You two go and enjoy your trip. We’ve got everything covered here.”

I nod, feeling a mix of excitement and a bit of anxiety about leaving Yelena behind, even if just for a little while. “Thank you, Luke. It means a lot to us.”

Ivan steps forward, his usual composed demeanor softened by the affectionate look he gives our daughter. “We won’t be gone too long,” he says, his voice steady and reassuring. “Just a week.”

Luke waves a hand dismissively. “Take all the time you need. We’re happy to have her here.”

With one last kiss to Yelena’s forehead, I hand her over to Emily. The transition is bittersweet, but I know this trip is important—for both Ivan and me. We need this time together, away from everything, to reconnect and recharge.

As we walk back to the car, Ivan’s hand never leaves the small of my back. The reassurance in his touch calms my nerves, and by the time we reach the car, I’m feeling more excited than anxious.

The drive to the private jet is quiet, filled with a comfortable silence that speaks volumes about how far we’ve come. When we arrive, the sleek jet is waiting for us, its engines humming softly, ready to take us wherever we want to go.

Ivan turns to me as we stand at the foot of the steps leading up to the jet. His gaze is warm, filled with an affection that makes my heart flutter. “I wanted to take you away for a while,” he says, his voice low and sincere. “Just the two of us. No distractions, no work—just time together. We’ll visit a few cities, see the world, and enjoy each other’s company.”

A smile spreads across my face as I realize how much thought he’s put into this. It’s exactly what we need—a chance to reconnect, to explore the world together, and to strengthen the bond we’ve built. “I love the sound of that,” I reply, my excitement bubbling over. “Where are we going first?”

He grins, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “It’s a surprise.”

With a laugh, I take his hand, feeling a sense of adventure and freedom wash over me. Together, we climb the steps to the jet, leaving behind the worries and chaos of our everyday lives. As we settle into our seats, Ivan reaches over and takes my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles in a soothing rhythm.

The jet takes off, and as we ascend into the sky, I glance out the window, watching the world fall away beneath us. This is the start of something new, a journey not just across cities but into the depths of our relationship, strengthening the love that has grown between us.

The jet hums softly as we settle into our seats, the quiet luxury of the cabin creating a sense of calm that contrasts with the excitement bubbling up inside me. Ivan’s hand remains onmine, his touch warm and steady. The world outside the window fades into a blur of clouds and sky, but my attention is fully on him.

I glance at him, catching the way he’s looking at me—his gaze intense, filled with something deeper than just affection. There’s a spark there, a hint of mischief that I haven’t seen in a while, and it sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?” he murmurs, his voice low and teasing as he shifts closer, his arm sliding around my waist.

I bite my lip, a smile playing at the corners of my mouth. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” he replies, his tone a mix of playfulness and something darker, more demanding. His hand moves to my hip, pulling me closer until I’m almost straddling him in the wide, comfortable seat. “We’ve been so focused on Yelena… on everything else. Right now, it’s just you and me.”

The air between us thickens with tension, the kind that makes my heart race and my breath catch. It’s true—between caring for Yelena and the demands of our lives, we haven’t had much time to focus on us, or had the privacy to make love properly.

He pulls me onto his lap, his hands firm on my hips as he positions me exactly where he wants me. I can feel the strength of his body beneath mine, the heat radiating from him, and it stirs something deep within me, something that I’ve been missing.

“Ivan,” I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper as I wrap my arms around his neck, feeling the hard lines of hismuscles under my fingertips. There’s a hunger in his eyes, one that mirrors my own, and it makes my pulse quicken.

He leans in, his lips brushing against my ear as he speaks. “I’ve missed you, Sarah. Missed having you like this.”

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