Page 56 of Kidnapped By the Bratva

As the evening winds down, and the guests begin to filter out, Sophia stays beside me, holding my hand. It’s a subtle gesture, but I can feel the strength behind it, like she’s grounding herself in the moment. When it’s finally time to head home, she lets out a soft sigh of relief as we leave the event behind and get into the car.

The drive home is quiet, but not in an uncomfortable way. There’s a sense of contentment that hangs in the air between us, a kind of peace I’m still getting used to.

Once we get inside, Sophia takes a deep breath, her expression shifting into something more serious. She looks at me, her eyes searching mine as if she’s trying to figure out how to say what’s on her mind.

“I have something for you,” she says, her voice soft, almost hesitant. “But… I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued by the sudden change in her tone. “Show me,” I say, curious.

She reaches into her bag, pulling out a folded piece of paper and handing it to me. It’s a hospital report, the official kind with her name printed neatly at the top. I glance down at the words, scanning the lines until one word jumps out at me:pregnancy.

My heart skips a beat.

“We’re having a baby,” she whispers, her voice barely audible as she watches me for my reaction.

I look up at her, stunned. This was the last thing I expected, and for a moment, I’m not sure how to process it. The idea of having a family wasn’t something I ever really thought about—not with this life, not with everything that’s happened. But now that it’s here, now that it’s withher, it feels… different. It feels right.

A family. With Sophia.

The thought sinks in slowly, but when it does, something clicks into place. I picture a future—one where it’s not just me anymore. It’s her. Our child. Our family.

I glance back at Sophia, who’s watching me with a nervous, almost anxious expression, like she’s bracing herself for something she’s not sure of.

I reach out, pulling her into my arms. “I’m happy, Sophia,” I say quietly, pressing my forehead against hers. “I wasn’t expecting this… but I’m happy.”

Her body relaxes against mine, and she lets out a soft, relieved breath. “Really?”

“Really,” I assure her, pulling her even closer. “I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

She wraps her arms around my neck, burying her face in my chest, and I can feel the tension melt away from her. We stay like that for a while, just holding each other, both of us processing the reality of what this means.

A baby. A new beginning. A family.

It feels surreal, but as I stand there with her in my arms, I know that I’m ready. For the first time in my life, I actually want this. I want a future with her, with our child.

“Thank you,” she whispers against my chest, her voice shaky with emotion.

I pull back slightly, looking down at her, my hand resting gently on her stomach. “We’re going to be okay,” I say, my voice firm. “You and me. And this baby.”

She nods, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “I’m just… I’m scared.”

I cup her face in my hands, my thumb brushing away a tear that escapes. “I’ve got you. I’ve got us. You don’t have to be scared.”

She smiles up at me, her eyes softening. It’s a look I’ve come to love, the way she looks at me when all the walls are down and it’s just us. She leans into my touch, and I kiss her forehead gently, sealing the promise between us.

We stand there for a few moments longer, just holding each other, letting the weight of this new reality settle in. There’s a lot we still don’t know, a lot that could go wrong. Even so, everything feels exactly as it should be.

Finally, she pulls back, her hands resting on my chest as she looks up at me. “So,” she says with a small, teasing smile, “are you ready to be a dad?”

I chuckle softly, shaking my head in disbelief. “I guess we’ll find out.”

She laughs, the sound light and full of hope, and I can’t help but smile too. Whatever happens next, we’ll face it together.

Extended Epilogue - Sophia

The Scottish Highlands are even more breathtaking than I imagined. The rolling hills stretch out before us, endless and wild, with deep valleys cutting through the land like something out of a dream. The cool breeze carries the scent of pine and fresh earth, the sky a perfect blend of soft blues and grays. We’ve been walking for about an hour, just the two of us, and for once, the world feels peaceful.

It’s exactly what I needed.

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