Page 63 of Deadly Vows

Talia

I woke up to a tightness in my abdomen, sharp and sudden, pulling me from sleep. I blinked in the darkness, trying to catch my breath. It wasn’t the first time I’d felt discomfort. After all, I was nearly nine months pregnant, but this was different. This wasn’t the slow, dull ache I’d grown used to. It was sharp and intense, and something told me it was time.

I turned my head toward Aleksandr, still asleep beside me, his strong arm draped over my waist. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm, and gently nudged him.

“Aleksandr,” I whispered, my voice strained as another wave of pain hit. “Aleksandr, wake up.”

He stirred, blinking groggily in the dim light of the bedroom. His hand tightened around me instinctively before his eyes fully opened. When he saw the look on my face, he sat up quickly, immediately alert.

“Kiska?“ His voice was low, laced with concern. “What is it? Are you okay?”

I pressed his hand against my belly, where the tension had settled again. “I think it’s time.”

His eyes widened, and I saw the realization dawn on him. In an instant, he was out of bed, pulling on clothes and reaching for his phone with a sense of urgency that made me laugh, despite the pain.

“You’re sure?” he asked, glancing back at me as he dialed Dr. Daria’s number.

I nodded, clutching my stomach as another contraction hit, stronger this time. “I’m sure.”

Aleksandr’s calm, commanding voice cut through the tension as he spoke with Dr. Daria, who was already preparing to meet us at the hospital. He hung up and then turned to me, his expression filled with determination. However, I could see the excitement and anxiety swirling behind his eyes.

“We need to go now,” he said, pulling me up gently and helping me into the clothes we’d laid out weeks ago for this exact moment. “Dr. Daria will meet us at the hospital. I’ll call the others.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I stood. My body felt heavy, and each step reminded me that the baby was coming soon. Aleksandr kept his arm around me as he led medownstairs, moving quickly but carefully as if I were something fragile that could break at any moment.

In the car, the contractions came faster, each one pulling a soft moan from my lips. Aleksandr glanced at me repeatedly, his jaw clenched as if he was trying to stay calm for my sake but was ready to burst with worry.

“Just breathe,” he whispered, squeezing my hand as we sped through the quiet streets toward the hospital. “We’re almost there.”

I nodded, focusing on my breathing, trying to ride the waves of pain. It felt surreal, like all those months of waiting and preparing had led up to this one moment, and now that it was here, everything was moving so fast.

By the time we reached the hospital, the contractions were coming every few minutes, and I could barely catch my breath between them. Aleksandr parked quickly and then helped me out of the car, his arm steady around me as we made our way to the entrance.

Sandy followed closely behind us with Sasha and Maxim, who looked nervous.

“Sis, are you okay?” she asked, her hand gently brushing my arm as she stepped beside us.

I forced a smile, even though the pain was becoming overwhelming. “I’m okay. Just…ready for this baby to be here.”

She laughed softly, but her eyes were filled with sympathy. “You’ve got this. We’re all here for you.”

Inside the hospital, everything moved quickly. The nurses settled me into a room, and Dr. Daria arrived not long after.Her calm, professional demeanor was comforting. She checked on me, speaking in soothing tones, reassuring Aleksandr and me that everything was progressing as it should.

Hours passed, though they felt like days. The pain ebbed and flowed, each contraction pulling me deeper into the rhythm of labor. Aleksandr stayed by my side the entire time, holding my hand.

Sasha and Maxim came in and out of the room, their faces peeking around the door, sometimes running in to kiss me or ask how I was doing before Sandy pulled them back out. Dimitri and Nikolai had also arrived, pacing the hallway outside, both men looking uncharacteristically anxious. Even Olga had come, checking on me frequently.

At one point, the pain became almost unbearable, and I squeezed Aleksandr’s hand so hard that I was sure I’d leave bruises. He didn’t flinch, his eyes never leaving mine, even when I cried out.

“You’re doing amazing,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Just a little longer.”

I nodded, though I was exhausted. My whole body was trembling, my muscles aching from the strain. But I knew he was right. I could feel it, the baby was coming.

Finally, after what felt like a year had passed, Dr. Daria told me it was time to push. I gathered all the strength I had left and did as she said, bearing down with everything I had, my entire world narrowing to that one moment and goal.

Aleksandr held my hand, whispering encouragement in my ear. His voice was the only thing anchoring me to reality.

And then I heard it - a small, wailing cry that filled the room. Our baby was here.

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