Page 55 of Knocked Up by the Bratva

I glance at Timur, who’s standing rigidly by the bed, his eyes dark and focused on Tyler. Despite the tension in his posture, I can see the worry there too, buried beneath his usual hard exterior. For once, I’m grateful for his strength, even if he doesn’t show his fear the same way I do.

“It’s just a minor infection,” the doctor finally says, and relief floods through me like a wave. “We’ll keep him under observation for an hour, just to make sure his fever comes down. He should be fine after that.”

I exhale a shaky breath, my heart finally slowing as the doctor’s words sink in. Timur’s hand finds mine, gripping it tightly as if he’s been holding his breath too. The contact grounds me, reminds me that I’m not alone in this. For all his flaws, Timur is here with me.

We sit together in silence as we wait, both of us watching Tyler as his tiny chest rises and falls steadily. His fever is already starting to subside, and I feel the tension slowly leave my body.

“You okay?” Timur’s voice breaks the quiet, his tone softer than usual.

I nod, though my heart is still heavy with the weight of the night. “Yeah… I just got scared. I’m not used to this.”

Timur’s grip on my hand tightens for a moment. “He’s going to be fine. You don’t need to worry.”

I glance at him, surprised by the quiet reassurance in his voice. It’s rare for him to be this gentle, but it comforts me more than I expected. Maybe he does care more than he lets on.

***

I sit by Tyler’s bedside, my nerves still frayed even though the doctor said everything would be fine. His tiny chest rises and falls steadily, but I can’t relax. My mind keeps going back to the panic I felt when I first touched his feverish forehead. What if the doctor was wrong? What if something else happens?

I don’t even hear Timur walk into the room until he’s standing next to me, a coffee cup in his hand. He holds it out to me, and I blink up at him, surprised.

“It’s your favorite,” he says quietly.

I take it from him, a bit stunned that he noticed something so small. “Thank you.”

The warmth of the coffee spreads through my hands, calming me a little. It’s strange how something so simple can make me feel better, but the real comfort comes from Timur’s presence. He stands there, watching me, his expression unreadable. He’s not a man who shows his emotions often, but right now, there’s something in his eyes that makes me feel… safe.

“As long as I stand,” Timur says, his voice low and firm, “our child will always be safe. That’s my promise to you.”

His words hit me harder than I expected. There’s a sincerity in them that I can’t ignore. He’s not just saying this because it’s what I want to hear—he means it. For the first time in a long time, I feel like I’m not carrying all the weight on my own. I’m not alone in this.

Without thinking, I set the coffee down and stand up, moving toward him. I wrap my arms around his waist, burying my face against his chest. It feels natural, like something I’ve been needing to do for a while.

“Thank you,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.

Timur’s arms come around me, holding me close. It’s a rare gesture of intimacy from him, and I can feel the tension in his body, as if he’s not used to this kind of softness, but he doesn’t pull away. Instead, he holds me tighter, and for a moment, I let myself sink into him, absorbing the strength and warmth he offers.

I pull back slightly, looking up at him. My heart is pounding, not from fear or anxiety this time, but from something else—something deeper. I’ve tried to fight it, but now, in this quiet moment, I can’t hold it in any longer.

“I think I love you,” I admit softly, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

For a second, I think I see surprise flash across his face, but it’s gone just as quickly. His expression softens, and he reaches up to brush a strand of hair away from my face.

“I’ve felt something for you from the first day I met you,” he says, his voice quieter than usual. “I didn’t know what it was then, but now I do.”

My breath catches as his hand cups the side of my face, his thumb tracing my cheek. There’s a gentleness in his touch that I haven’t felt from him before, and it sends a shiver through me.

“It’s love, Jennifer,” Timur continues, his eyes locked on mine. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

The weight of his words sinks in, and I feel a surge of emotion so strong it nearly overwhelms me. I never thought Timur was capable of love, not the kind of love that would make him vulnerable, but hearing him say it… I believe him. Everything feels right.

I lean up, pressing my lips against his, and he kisses me back with a tenderness that surprises me. His hands slide down my back, pulling me closer as our kiss deepens, and for the first time, there’s no hesitation. I’m not holding anything back anymore.

When we finally pull away, both of us breathless, I rest my forehead against his, closing my eyes for a moment.

“I was so scared,” I admit quietly. “I didn’t think… I didn’t think you could feel this way.”

Timur’s arms tighten around me, and I feel the strength of his promise in the way he holds me. “I’m not an easy man, Jennifer. I’ll always protect you, and I’ll always protect our son.”

---