Page 46 of Shattered Oath

Aurora

“Maria,” I hear Lev’s deep voice resound in the garden. He is playing hide and seeks with our daughter. I smile as I sink lazily onto the picnic blanket and let the sun kiss me.

We are back at the beach house in Miami. No matter where in the world we’ve been to, nothing’s ever good as this place.

How time flies.

I can’t believe it has been five years of pure bliss with Lev. Who knew I would end up falling in love with “the Devil”?

He isn’t the Devil anymore, Aurora.

He is my redemption. My angel.

“Peek-a-boo, Papa!”

I smile when I hear Maria’s tiny voice. I’m glad we named her after Lev’s mother. Some things deserved to be remembered.

I caress my swollen belly and love the way the sunshine warms the taut skin there. I can’t wait to welcome our second baby to our family.

“Run, little mouse!” I hear Lev call out, and Maria’s loud giggles fill the garden.

“Mama! Save me, quickly!” Maria screams as she falls beside me, scrambling behind my back as Lev joins us on the blanket. “Papa says he’s going to eat me up!”

Lev laughs as he brushes a kiss over my forehead, then stoops down and presses his lips to my belly.

“Don’t let him eat me!” Maria giggles breathlessly as she presses herself against me.

“I can think of better things to eat,” he murmurs and my cheeks flush.

God. Five years and the man can still make my toes curl.

“You’re safe with me.” I smile as I caress her cheek when she peers around my shoulder. She’s like a tiny female version of Lev and I love every inch of her.

I laugh when Lev pounces again and starts tickling Maria, her little feet kick wildly in the air.

“Papa. Enough! Enough!” Maria shrieks in between her laughter.

“Okay, princess. Your wish is my command.” Lev ruffles her hair adoringly.

Maria catches her breath for a split second before she stands and runs to the flower pot across the garden. It’s still as beautiful as it was that first night that Lev and I shared a romantic dinner here, except now there are more of us who dance here.

“How are you,Solshinko?Are you comfortable?” Lev asks. His eyes are full of concern and love.

I almost can’t believe how lucky I am. I have a man who loves me endlessly, a daughter who is adorable, and another baby who I’m sure will add to the many blessings in my world.

I might not have had the best family growing up but seeing what I have now, I know I have it all.

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours,” Lev says as he kisses the tip of my nose.

I laugh as I stare into his eyes. The same eyes that drew me in from the first day. I reach out to caress his face.

“I was thinking about how lucky I am,” I tell him.

“You? No, I’m the one who is lucky,” he disagrees. I guess I’ll never win this particular argument. He always insists that he is the one who is lucky.

I guess we both are.

“Well, at least we agree on one thing,” I tell him.

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