Page 80 of The Bratva's Arranged Bride

“I promise…I promise we’ll be better,” she said just above a whisper. “I want this…you. Us.”

In turn, that was exactly what I needed to hear, and despite the weight of the day, I gave her a gentle smile.

“Then it’s decided…we will love each other regardless of what comes our way,” I said with an air of gentle finality. Carefully, I reached out to caress the swell of her stomach. “And our little one will only ever know that love.”

Tia’s soft, teary smile filled my chest with warmth, and she sniffled. “That’s all I could ever ask for.”

Unable to resist, I pulled her a touch closer and leaned in to gently capture her lips with my own.

There was a sweetness laced with determination in that embrace, and it reflected the promise exchanged between us.

In all ways, we would be better. Do better.

I was ready to do everything in my power to make sure Tia never had to feel that kind of distant cold again. To make sure we never ended up like her parents.

That was my oath to her.

Chapter 30 - Tia

The house was alive with energy from the moment we arrived.

As promised, Livia, Silvia, and Angel went out of their way to throw the baby shower together at Aria and Daniil’s place. They didn’t hold anything back, from the pastel balloons, the table full of food and treats, and more decorations than I could take in at once.

It was all so sweet that I could hardly fathom just how much work they put in to celebrate the baby.

I had been to a handful of baby showers before, but none felt quite as warm and vibrant as that one.

It wasn’t just because it was my baby at the center of it all, but from everything surrounding us, and all the things I had to heal from.

Over the last few months, I had more than my fair share of hurdles to get over, and I managed to do it with the help of Val and his family.

From learning how to truly connect with Val despite our shaky start, digesting everything that had to do with my dad, and coming to terms with the life I never saw for myself previously…it had been a lot, but thanks to them, the journey had been that much easier.

That vibrant laughter from his family throughout the baby shower while we played games, opened gifts, and ate everything the girls picked out helped warm me even further.

Everyone was there, along with their spouses and children of their own.

After everything, I felt lost for a while as I tried to understand what I had been through and what it meant for me moving forward. I was feeling so many things at once that it was easy to lose myself in those seemingly endless mental circles.

But through it all, I started leaning on his family for support, and for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged.

They were a constant source of reassurance and guidance, and they never let me feel unwanted.

I was too quick to judge them before for their empire and how they operated. Even if I had to experience the dangers of their world firsthand, I knew they were still good people.

They cared fiercely for one another, and while they could be brutal when a situation called for it, they were also immensely kind and loyal.

It was easy to let those preconceived notions of mine blind me, but I knew better then.

After the baby shower was over, Yuri and the girls volunteered to help bring the gifts over to the house despite not needing to.

Of course, Yuri spent the entire time talking about anything and everything while the girls clung to his every word, but I found myself smiling through his antics, finding it amusing despite how Val could only sigh. But even if he didn’t show it, I knew he thought it was funny, too.

Once they went home and it was just the two of us, I stood beneath the shower and let the warm water relax me after the busy day. Going through the motions of my routine, I got lost in thought, considering what was ahead of us.

In just a few short months, we were going to be parents. Before, it was a scary thought, but after everything and being able to see the support system behind us, I knew we had nothing to worry about.

Before long, I heard the quiet shuffle of clothes coming off, and a moment later, Val stepped in behind me, placing his hands on my waist.

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