Page 97 of Vendetta Crown

"What did you have in mind?"

"A baby shower." The words bring an unexpected smile to my face. "With the documentary finished, the trailer ready to go, and the nursery set up, we should do something just for us. For the babies."

Ruslan's hand traces gentle patterns on my belly. "When would you want this to happen?"

"Next week, maybe?" I twist to see his expression. "It would give me something else to think about besides the trailer release. And honestly, it might be nice to have a normal milestone for once."

"Normal." He chuckles softly. "I'm not sure that word applies to anything in our lives."

"I know. But we can pretend, right? Just for one afternoon?"

His smile reaches his eyes, crinkling the corners in that way that makes my heart flutter. "Consider it done. I'll have Daria start arrangements tomorrow."

"Nothing too extravagant," I warn, though I know it's probably futile.

"You're carrying the Dragunov heirs. Extravagance is mandatory."

I roll my eyes but can't suppress my smile. "Fine. But I want it to feel intimate. Special."

"It will be. I promise." He kisses my temple.

Another sharp jab from inside me makes me gasp.

"That was a strong one," I say, looking up at Ruslan as he raises his eyebrows.

"Are you alright?" His hand immediately covers mine, concern etched across his face.

"Yes, just another enthusiastic little kick. Our son is practicing his boxing skills."

"How are you so sure that it's our son doing the boxing and not our daughter?"

"I just have a feeling." I guide his hand to the spot where I felt the movement.

We wait together, his palm warm against the stretched fabric of my dress, until another kick connects with his hand. His eyes light up, that rare smile breaking across his face.

"You know what I just realized?" I say, leaning back against the window frame. "We still haven't talked about names for our babies yet."

"You're right. We haven't." Ruslan's expression shifts to something more contemplative. "Not with everything that's been going on."

"We should probably start thinking about it." I stroke my belly gently. "The babies come whether we have names ready or not. I'm just not sure what I'd want to name them."

"Did your parents have any specific reason for naming you Jamie?" he asks, his voice softening when he mentions my birth name.

I feel a familiar twist in my chest at the mention of my birth name, but it's less painful than it used to be.

"My dad was a huge space nerd. So he named me after James Webb, the man who helped America win the race to the moon."

The moment I tell that to him, Ruslan's face lights up. The lines around his eyes crinkle slightly as he digests this little piece of my past.

"So you were always meant to stand among the stars," he says, his golden eyes warm with amusement.

"Do you find that terribly funny?" I ask, unable to keep from smiling.

"No." He shakes his head, that smile still playing on his lips. "It suits you. Your father chose well."

His words wash over me like a balm. It's strange how something so small can create this moment of lightness between us when everything around us feels so heavy. Even the simple appreciation of my birth name, and his acknowledgement of what it meant to my father.

It's brought just a single ray of light to what has otherwise been a very dark day.

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