Page 51 of Pregnant Bratva Virgin

As Emily cries out on the last push after twelve hours of labor, tears of joy are what I’m left with when the doctor hands us our baby wrapped up in a blanket.

“Congratulations, Emily, here’s your healthy baby girl,” the midwife announces as I pull down the edge of the tiny blanket, to touch our little girl’s tiny hand. I’m in awe of her already, and my body’s shaking. I just know that I’ll protect and guard her with my life until my last breath.

Tears stream down Emily’s face as she sobs, and we exchange heartfelt glances. “You did good, my love, so good,” I croak, the words I want to say choking up in my throat. I slick her hair back as she closes her eyes, holding our child.

“Thank you,” she whispers, leaning her body against mine.

“I love you, Emily, and I think I have from the day I saw you in my club. I’m sorry for any pain I’ve put you through, but I’m not sorry about marrying you.” I lay the confession bare the words spilling out with no regret.

“I love you too. And I’m happy being married to you, even if we started out rocky. That’s not how it’s going to end for us. Look what we made,” she says proudly, kissing our baby as I hold out my shaky arms to hold my child.

“She’s too precious. What are we going to name her?”

“Arabelle. She’s got a playful, but gentle spirit, so I think her name should be Arabelle.”

I let the words linger in the air, nodding my head, holding this small being in my arms. “Arabelle. I love it, Mom. Arabelle it is.” I bend to kiss Emily softly, returning my gaze to our child. “Welcome to the world, Arabelle Utkin. You’re the prettiest little girl I’ve ever seen.”

I return Arabelle to Emily who holds her close to her chest, wanting to bond with her. “You’re finally here. I can’t believe it,” she whispers, kissing my baby’s head. The emotionsflowing through me are indescribable, and all the angst about complications of Emily’s delivery have changed to euphoria.

Later on that night as Emily lays awake, I think about the nursery, and what life is going to be like once we arrive home. “I’m glad I had the chance to paint the nursery. I think the giraffe border makes it.” Winking at a very exhausted mom, I hold Emily’s hand as Arabelle curls up sleeping on her chest.

“I agree. I know we have the cot for her, but I don’t think I can be apart from her. I like her right here on my chest.”

“Hey, I’m going to need my turn holding her too,” I add indignantly, but with a smile.

“I’m going to want you with me every step of the way, hubby.”

“I like the way you say that. I love you.”

“And I love you. This is one of the happiest days of my life.”

After a long, tiresome, but rewarding day, we head home with our love bug and things change as we work into a routine together as a family, and months pass by, and our relationship is better than ever.

Once upon a time, the club and all my business ventures were solely what mattered to me, but Arabelle’s birth has changed me profoundly, but those changes were already occurring with Emily. My priorities have shifted and I’m only at the club if I need to be.

Emily’s breastfeeding, but every now and then when she’s tired or needs a rest, I convince her to bottle feed so I can contribute a little more. Today is one of those mornings. I’m due to work, but Laura’s coming over to visit.

“Morning, sunshine,” I say, kissing Emily hello as she pours herself a juice and I test the baby bottle, making sure the milk is the right temperature.

“Good morning,” Emily yawns, different these days, there’s a motherly glow to her that brings more radiance to her. Motherhood suits her. “You look good with a baby bottle.”

She squeezes my butt from behind as I grin, standing beside her as she shifts Arabelle into my arms. “My specialty,” I mumble as I slowly coax the bottle into her mouth and the doorbell rings.

Emily answers it to a woman I’ve never met before. After the liver transplant, Laura has completely transformed from the frail woman I met in the hospital long ago. Her hair is thick and healthy, filled with strands of salt and pepper. Her skin is a normal color and she’s smiling from ear to ear.

We take photos as a family and talk a little. Later on, there’s going to be more visitors with my side of the family coming over to meet Arabelle. I don’t think there’s going to be any dull moments in my house ever again.

I wouldn’t have it any other way. And as the night ends and Arabelle sleeps close by in her crib. I feel complete. Spooning Emily, I kiss her back. We’ve walked together hand in hand, bound by a child, but our love has blossomed into something I never thought I would experience.

True love.I would die for both if I had to; the Bratva is only part of my world, but Arabelle and Emily are the completion of it.Forever.

Epilogue - Emily

Fast-forward a year later…

“This is a very proud moment for me. It’s our first event under the Hope Orphanage House, an initiative very, very close to my heart. You see, I was an orphan at the Darcy Home for Boys and Girls, and if I didn’t have that place, I might have ended up on the streets of Chicago as a young child, or worse trafficked or dead.” I stand on the podium behind the lectern giving my inauguration ceremony speech for my new orphanage house under my name. “It’s a dream come true to be able to change the course of history and the lives of young orphans from all around the world. Not just Chicago. It’s been a labor of love, and not one I take lightly. This is important work that has to be done. Thank you, and welcome to the first chapter of Hope Orphanage with many more to come.”

Loud applause rings out from the crowd as dignitaries, volunteers, important government officials, and powerful people stand. Even Chicago’s mayor is here. Overwhelmed by the huge amount of support, I hold back my tears not wanting to ruin my makeup. Stacy, Kiara, and Laura are all in the front row cheering and supporting me.

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