Page 55 of Forced By the Bratva Beast

I see the longing in Sophia’s eyes. She wants what they have, and as her eyes shift back to me, I sense the letdown she feels with me. Still guarded and not knowing how to say it, I open my mouth to say something funny, but Arina interjects.

“Mommy, I’m hungry! Can we get something to eat?” I would stay and talk to Ruslan, but he’s been occupied by Sergey, another one of our uncles. It leaves us standing together as Fiona and Sophia make promises to catch up in the future.

“It was so good to see her. She looks so good. It’s almost as if she’s a different person,” Sophia claims, clearly impressed.

“Yes, my cousin has done well for himself, but so have I,” I hint. “Can I get you a plate to eat? I can see my uncle’s starting the barbecue soon,” I point out, gesturing to it.

“I should eat and keep my blood sugar levels right. We can get a plate together.” We walk back to the main table and while I make up her plate, my mother sidles up to us both.

“Why have you held her back from me today?” my mother scolds. “Sophia. It’s nice to see you again. We didn’t have much time after the wedding.” Linda—my mother is overprotective, but not without reason.

“I haven’t been holding her hostage. She is in high demand and many people want to talk to her,” I add calmly as Sophia’s eyebrows arch up.

“Ah I see. Sophia, are you ready for the baby, dear?”

“I guess. I’m a new mother and I have no idea what to expect, I’m sure I’ll figure it out along the way.”

“Hmpf.” Sophia eats her potato salad as my mother digs into her arsenal of lectures. Standing beside Sophia, I’ll do my best to shield her from the comments. “Is it a boy or a girl?”

“Girl,” Sophia replies cheerfully.

“A girl. She will need to be strong to be a part of the Utkin family. She will need to be nurtured and guided the right way,” she lectures. “I have two boys. Perfect match, but very different, Sophia. Motherhood is very important, and you will need to do more than figure it out along the way.”

“Mother—” I interrupt as she keeps going, giving Sophia advice on how to bathe the girls, teething and Russian dress.”

I can see how fed-up Sophia is getting with the situation as she passes me an annoyed look.

“I’m going to be fine thanks,” Sophia says sternly, and I direct her away as we meet more family, Sophia’s mood lifting.

“She gets better in time, I promise.” We sit together for a while enjoying a peaceful moment, Sophia leaning against me as we listen to old Russian stories from our uncle.

Suddenly Sophia leans forward gasping. “Shit. I think I just had a contraction.”

“What? Is it—” Sophia looks at me, closing her eyes wincing.

“Yep. I think I’m having the baby. My bags are in the car. Let’s go.” Because Sophia’s calm, I am. Taking her hand, I guide her out as the aunts gather along with Fiona. It’s a quick dash to the car as the contractions come on hard and fast. I keep my eyes on Sophia the entire time waiting for her cues.

“I’m fine, but the contractions are close together. So close. I feel the baby,” she adds as we navigate through the traffic to the hospital.

“What does that mean?”

Sophia glances over at me through labored breaths. “What it means is this baby is coming quicker than we might want it to be.”

“No. I want the baby to come,” I reply with a huge grin. “I can’t wait.” A different type of adrenaline runs through me. This is different from anything I’ve ever experienced. It’s not a car chase, or a mole in our Bratva organization, or moving gun artillery across the globe. No, it’s a baby, and it’s Sophia leading the way.

I reach out, my heart opening as I clasp her hand in reassurance, and the world is smiling at her.On us, and I realize I don’t want a divorce after the baby arrives. I want us to be a real family.

We reach the emergency room, dashing to reception while I handle the paperwork and Sophia’s led through to the prenatal ward. I follow along, my heart conducting its own stampede in my chest. I’m out of my depth, and thirty minutes later as I stand near Sophia holding her hand, and with the midwives in place, I can’t believe how fast everything is going.

“This baby wants to come out fast, you’re dilated all the way, and it won’t take long. Soon you’re going to have to push, Sophia,” the midwife tells her.

Sophia shakes her head, breathing deeply, closing her eyes. “No. I can’t. I have to push now?” she ask, delirious, sweat forming on her brow.

“Yes. It’s unusual, but this is what’s happening with this baby,” the midwife explains.

“It’s an Utkin. Of course, it wants to come out and see everybody,” I joke, the midwife and doctor laughing. Time moves quickly and Sophia has the baby.

It’s an indescribable feeling seeing the child wrapped up in her arms. I kiss her forehead a few times, wanting to tell her everything I feel inside.

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