Page 130 of Wicked Arrangement

Gran smiles and looks at me knowingly, “I wondered when you’d finally tell me.”

“You knew?” I ask incredulously.

She chuckles, “I had my suspicions, you forget, Kimmy, I know you like the back of my hand.”

Yaroslav looks at me tenderly and kisses my hand before turning his attention to Gran. “Mrs. Walsh, if I may, I’m sure you have concerns for Kim and the baby. I just wanted to try to assuage those. I swear that I will do right by Kim and our child, I love them both very much. In fact, the reason I came today was to ask you something.”

Gran inclines her head to show she’s listening and for him to continue, “Ask away.”

“I come from an old-fashioned family, one that honors traditions. Since you’ve been Kimberly’s sole parent, I felt it only right to let you know my intentions and ask for your blessing. I have every intention of marrying Kim, that is if you both agree,” he says.

My mouth drops open in surprise, of all the things I expected to happen, this wasn’t it. I struggle to comprehend what he’s saying, and I feel giddy that he’s actually said it. Yaroslav wants to marry me. My heart swells with love and excitement as I imagine being his wife. I realize I want nothing more than to be married to him and raise a family together.

Gran’s eyes sparkle and I can tell he’s won her over with this gesture. Instead of her potentially feeling like I’m leaving her behind, she’s now become a part of our future. He’s respecting her traditional values and how important we are to each other and the bond we have as well.

“Kimmy has become a strong independent woman, I’m sure she doesn’t need my blessing. But if she wishes to marry you, you have my blessing, of course. I think you’re a wonderful young man who can provide and care for her,” Gran replies.

Yaroslav nods gratefully, “Thank you, ma’am, I will always do right by her and put our family first.” He turns to me, looking nervous, “So, Kim, what do you say? I know it’s an unconventional way to ask but—”

“Yes! Of course I want to marry you!” I exclaim, cutting him off.

He looks thrilled and I give him a chaste kiss for Gran’s benefit, squeezing his hand and looking at him lovingly with tears of joy in my eyes. We all begin excitedly talking about the wedding and the baby. Eventually, I realize it’s almost time for us to leave and we still need to invite her to move in.

“Gran, we had one more thing we wanted to ask you. We were thinking that perhaps you could move in with us. That is if you want to? You can help with the pregnancy and when the baby is born, and more importantly, we’ll be together again.”

Gran looks at me sadly, “Oh Kimmy, that’s so sweet of you. But we both know that I’m slowly fading away, my memory is deteriorating. I can’t ask you to care for me on top of a baby, I’m more likely to be a hindrance than a help. I love you so much,but I’m sick, I don’t want that to hold you back and get in the way of your happiness.”

I’m surprised Gran’s acknowledged her Alzheimer’s. Part of me always wondered if somehow it was something she’d forgotten. She never seems to realize when she’s having an episode, nor does she acknowledge it after. Now I realize that she’s likely been hiding her feelings and fears about this disease to protect me.

I shake my head. “No. You’ve always taken care of me, it’s time for me to look after you. I swear, I’d rather have you close and spend what time we have left together than be apart. We’ve got it all planned out, we’ll hire a live-in carer, and you’ll have your own studio room in our house. You, Yaroslav, David, this baby, you’re my family, you are my happiness. Please say you will?” I plead.

Gran looks at me carefully, checking my sincerity as well as Yaroslav’s. “Alright, of course, I’d love to live with you. But you have to promise me one thing, when I start to get too bad, when my memory has completely faded, you’ll put me back in here. I can’t bear the thought of risking hurting any of you, especially not the baby if I have an episode.”

Yaroslav nods, “I promise,” he says solemnly.

“I promise,” I echo.

“Well then, I’d say this is cause for a celebration. I get to live with my beautiful Kimmy and, god-willing, meet my first grandbaby. If only we had some champagne!” she exclaims happily.

“There will be plenty of time for celebration,” I promise, my heart feeling full of love and happiness.

Chapter 68

Yaroslav

Isurvey the scene, making sure everything is perfect. I’ve prepared a candlelit dinner on the beach for Kim. The team I hired has done a fantastic job, I must admit, considering they only had three days’ notice. The wooden gazebo they set up is littered with fairy lights that twinkle like stars above the table. Accompanying the gentle lapping of the waves is a soulful singer and piano player I hired to serenade us. The caterers have arranged a beautiful menu of Kim’s favorite foods, and the waiters are well-presented, professional, and most importantly discrete to give us privacy.

I check my Rolex anxiously adjusting my tie—I’m wearing an impeccably tailored suit for the occasion, perhaps an overkill but Kim deserves the best—if David played his part well, Kim should be walking down the beach any minute now.

Right on time, I see her, walking barefoot along the sand toward me, heels in hand. She’s wearing a beautiful coral-colored silk gown that compliments her skin color perfectly. It shows off her new, fuller figure and ample cleavage, skimming over the slight curve of her stomach. Her hair has grown out enough now that she’s decided to weave in long, thick braids with golden highlights. She looks like a goddess and I’m again in awe of this woman and how lucky I am.

“What’s all this?” she says, looking pleasantly surprised as she takes everything in. “I thought we were going out to eat?”

“I decided I want you all to myself. I hope that’s okay,” I purr, taking her in my arms and kissing her gently on the lips. “You look divine, I’m tempted to send everyone away and ravage you right here, right now,” I add seriously.

She giggles, the sound melodic, “Well, you’ll have to wait, it took me ages to get ready I want to at least enjoy dinner before you mess up my outfit!”

“Your wish is my command,” I reply, pulling her chair out for her to sit down.

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