Page 140 of Mountain Daddy

He takes my face in his hands, thumbs stroking my cheekbones. “Lilly, I've been watching you throw up every morning for a week. You've been turning green at the smell of coffee. And you fell asleep sitting up on the couch last night.”

“Why didn't you say anything?” I ask, tears pricking at my eyes.

“Waiting for you to be ready to tell me.”

He drops to his knees so fast it knocks the breath from my lungs. Hands splayed over my stomach. Lips soft against my skin.

“Hello in there,” he whispers, voice softer than I've ever heard it. “I'm your father.”

I hold back a choked sob.

“This baby…” His voice is reverent, fingers tracing circles on my stomach. “Ours.”

I nod. Tears bite the corners of my eyes.

“Time we get married, don’t you think?” he says, looks up at me with those gorgeous grey eyes.

I laugh. It comes out choked. “Yes.”

Just like that. No ring. No speech. Just the truth, warm between us.

He rises. Takes me into his arms. We hold each other. No words. Just breath. Just heartbeats.

The churchin Fern Falls was built in 1892. Stained glass windows. Wooden pews polished to a shine. Flowers everywhere—roses and lilies and baby's breath turning the simple space into something magical.

I stand in the small room at the back, staring at my reflection in a full-length mirror. The dress is simple. White lace. Empire waist that hides the smallest suggestion of a bump.

“You look beautiful,” Rosa says, adjusting my veil. “Like a freaking fairy princess.”

I laugh. “A pregnant fairy princess marrying a Bratva enforcer. Tale as old as time.”

“The best kind of fairy tale,” she winks. “One with some spice.”

The door opens. Chleo peeks in, dressed in a tiny suit that makes my heart melt.

“Wow,” he breathes, eyes widening. “Mama, you look like an angel.”

I crouch down, careful not to wrinkle the dress. “And you look like the handsomest ring bearer ever.”

He grins, showing off the gap where his front tooth used to be. “Dad said I should come check on you. He's nervous.”

“Nikolai? Nervous?” I can't imagine it.

Chleo nods solemnly. “He keeps fixing his tie. Uncle Maksim told him to stop fidgeting before he strangles himself.”

I laugh, picturing the scene. “Tell him I'm ready whenever he is.”

As Chleo races off, Rosa helps me stand. “You ready for this? Marrying the most dangerous man in the mountain?”

“Former most dangerous man,” I correct. “And yes. I've never been more ready for anything.”

The music starts. Rosa squeezes my hand, then heads out to take her place as my maid of honor. I take a deep breath, pick up my bouquet, and step into the hallway.

The first thing I see when the doors open is Nikolai. Standing at the altar. Back straight. Eyes fixed on me like I'm the only person in the universe.

And then I notice the rest of it.

The church is full. Town on the left. Bratva on the right. Like the world's most awkward family reunion.

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