Page 64 of Captured By the Bratva

Ivan nods. “Yes.”

Dr. Martinez looks back at me. “We’ll start with some basics today. I’ll need to take your blood pressure and weight to get a baseline, and we’ll do a quick ultrasound to check on your little one.”

I feel Ivan’s hand tighten around mine as Dr. Martinez motions for me to sit up on the exam table. She gently wraps the blood pressure cuff around my arm, checking the reading before jotting it down.

“Everything looks good so far,” she says. “Your blood pressure’s right where we want it, and we’ll keep an eye on it as your pregnancy progresses.”

She then checks my weight, recording the numbers. I’m acutely aware of Ivan’s quiet attention, his eyes watching every small detail.

“Now,” Dr. Martinez continues, pulling a small device from a drawer, “we’re going to do a transabdominal ultrasound. This will give us a first look at your baby and help us confirm how far along you are.”

I lie back, my heart racing with both nerves and excitement. Dr. Martinez dims the lights, and Ivan shifts his chair closer, his hand still intertwined with mine.

“This might feel a little cold,” she warns as she spreads gel on my lower abdomen. Then, she gently presses the ultrasound wand to my skin, moving it slowly.

For a moment, there’s silence. Then, a faint, flickering image appears on the screen. “And there we are,” Dr. Martinez murmurs, adjusting the screen so we can both see.

I gasp, staring at the tiny figure on the monitor. “Is that...?”

“Yes,” she replies with a warm smile. “That’s your baby. You’re about eight or nine weeks along by the looks of things so your guess wasn’t far out. And here”—she points to a faint flickering on the screen—“is the heartbeat. It’ll be a lot clearer after twelve weeks though, trust me.”

I glance over at Ivan, and his eyes are fixed on the screen, his usual composed expression melting into something softer. “Incredible,” he whispers, almost to himself.

Dr. Martinez moves the wand slightly, giving us a closer look at the tiny form on the screen. “Everything looks good so far. We’ll keep an eye on growth as we go, but I’m optimistic. Cathy, I’ll prescribe you some prenatal vitamins to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients you need, and we’ll schedule your next appointment for about four weeks from now.”

Ivan shifts his focus from the screen to the doctor. “Is there anything else she should be doing to stay healthy?”

Dr. Martinez nods thoughtfully. “Eating small, frequent meals can help with the nausea, and drinking plenty of water is essential. And, Cathy, if you’re feeling too tired, rest. Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on the body, so take it easy. And that goes for you too, Ivan,” she adds with a smile. “Keeping her comfortable is just as much your job.”

Ivan looks over at me, his gaze tender. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure she has everything she needs.”

Dr. Martinez hands me a few informational pamphlets on prenatal care, nutrition, and exercise. “Read these when you get a chance, and don’t hesitate to call us if you have any concerns.”

As the appointment wraps up, she pauses, her gaze softening. “Congratulations to you both. I can see that this baby is already very loved.”

“Thank you,” Ivan says, shaking the doctor’s hand. “We’ll return in four weeks.”

As we step out of the doctor’s office and into the afternoon sunlight, Ivan takes my hand and guides me to a quiet spot beneath the shade of a nearby tree. He pauses, turning to face me, his expression unreadable at first, then shifting to something softer.

“Cathy,” he begins, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a small, velvet box. My heart skips a beat, the world narrowing down to just the two of us in this moment.

“I married you once,” he says, his voice low and full of emotion. “But it was wrong. I did it for reasons that I’m not proud of.” He hesitates, taking a breath. “Today, I’m asking you again. But this time, as my partner, not because of any arrangement or contract. Just us, and nothing else.”

He drops to one knee, looking up at me with that intensity that’s always been there, now softened with something deeper, something I never thought I’d see in his eyes.

He opens the box to reveal a simple but beautiful ring, its elegant sparkle catching the sunlight. The letter ‘M’ is there, etched into the side. Now it feels like part of me.

“Will you marry me, truly? This time, because I love you and want to share everything with you,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “A life together, built on trust, respect and a real future.”

I feel tears welling up, my heart swelling with emotions I can’t quite name. I thought I was prepared for anything with Ivan, but this—this raw sincerity—it takes me by surprise.

I look into his eyes, seeing not only his strength but his vulnerability, his commitment, his love. And I know, deep down, this is what I’ve been waiting for.

“Yes, Ivan,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “Yes, I want that with you. I want all of it. Of course I’ll marry you.”

46

CATHY

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