Page 151 of Toxic Salvation
I blink back tears and watch them together. Kovan takes several pictures, then catches my eye. I give him a nod.
“Time to introduce Vitalii to the rest of the family.”
“Vitalii?” Luka gasps, looking between us. “You named him after Dad?”
“We did,malysh,” Kovan says, ruffling Luka’s hair. “Is that okay with you?”
“Yeah!” He nods enthusiastically. “It’s a great name. This way, Dad and my baby brother will have a special connection.”
“That’s a beautiful way to look at it, honey.”
Kovan opens the door, and within seconds, my hospital room fills with familiar faces. Charity, Pavel, Osip, and Waylen hang back to let Mom have first access to the baby.
Holding Kovan’s arm for support, Mom approaches the bed. Her features are softer and more relaxed than I’ve seen them in months.
“Oh, sweetheart, he’s an angel. So beautiful. He reminds me of Waylen when he was a newborn.”
“He’s handsome then?” Waylen pipes up from across the room.
“Heishandsome,” Osip says. “Which means he definitely doesn’t take after you, Waylen.”
“I disagree. It’s clear he looks like his paternal uncle,” Pavel insists, grinning. “Look at that dark hair. He’s a mini-me for sure.”
Charity pushes the boys aside and rushes to my bedside. “Oh, V, I can’t believe it. You’re a mama!”
“I was a mom the day I met Luka,” I say, giving him a wink. “Now, I’m a mom of two.”
“You haven’t told us his name yet,” Mom points out, stroking Vitalii’s cheek.
I nod to Kovan, and he makes the announcement. “Everyone, meet Vitalii Thomas Krayev.”
“Thomas?!” Mom says in shock, her hand flying to her mouth. “Vesper, honey, you named him after your father?”
“It was Kovan’s idea,” I admit. “What do you think?”
Mom stares at me, then bursts into tears. Full-on sobs that shake her whole body.
“Oh, Mom,” I whimper. “Someone hug her. I can’t get out of this bed.”
Waylen rushes to her side and wraps his arms around her shoulders. “Come on, Mom. This is no day to cry. We have to celebrate the latest addition to the family.”
“I’m sorry,” Mom hiccups. “I just… I didn’t expect that.” She leans toward me and lowers her voice. “I thought you were still angry with him.”
“I am,” I say. “But that doesn’t mean I’ve stopped loving him. I just wish things had been different. I’m hoping Vitalii will be the best of both men he’s named after.”
Mom shakes her head, eyes still filled with tears. “I’m so proud of you, honey. You deserve a happily ever after.”
“Speaking of happily ever afters,” Kovan says, squeezing my toes under the blanket, “there’s something we need to tell everyone.”
I slip my engagement ring back on under the covers, then pull my hand out to reveal the enormous diamond. “We’re engaged!”
Charity squeals so loudly that Vitalii nearly wakes up. Mom bursts into fresh tears, and the boys start congratulating us with whoops and hollers. I watch happily as Waylen gives Kovan a hearty hug that doesn’t even look forced.
Luka passes Vitalii to Mom, and she sinks into the armchair by the window, cooing at him. The boys form a loose circle around Kovan to chat as Charity slips into the bed beside me and hooks her arm through mine.
“How are you feeling?” she asks, though her eyes keep drifting to Pavel.
“Tired. Sore. But mostly, happy as hell.”
