Page 36 of Unholy Matrimony

He grabs my hand, and we run across the Nave. We grab our coats and run down the steps of the church, and don’t stop until we reach the parking lot. We stand next to our car and burst into a fit of laughter.

Lenya leans in and kisses me. He wraps his hand around my braid and pulls on it to tilt my face. “That was a very naughty thing we did. I doubt we will ever be able to look at that chair and think of anything else. I almost want to take that chair home and put it in our bedroom and keep it forever.” With a wicked grin, I reach up and capture his bottom lip with my teeth. I suck his lip into my mouth and then release it.

“Take me home, moy lev6,” I shiver as it's freezing out, “Take me home to our bed, and then you can continue your worship.”

I feel different, liberated. I guess that would be the word. Lenya makes me feel free. Never in a million years would I have ever had sex in a church. Let alone ever have sex. But the way his eyes never left my body made me feel so empowered. Sexy, like he said.

1. My beautiful flower

2. baby

3. Flower

4. baby

5. baby

6. my lion

Chapter sixteen

Kalina

Two Weeks Later

Lenya left very early this morning. I felt him kiss me goodbye, but I said nothing. I felt so cozy in our bed that I almost considered staying in it all day. Until I got hit with a feeling in my stomach so sour that I jumped from the bed and barely made it to the toilet, retching everything from yesterday into it. When I stood up, I still felt nauseous. I sat down next to the toilet just in case, and that was when the thought hit me.

The math adds up in my head. It was four weeks post-wedding night and I should have started my period yesterday. I’ve never been late, not even by a day. Luckily, I prepared for this moment. Mila and I had gone shopping for last-minute things she needed before the baby came, so I bought a box of pregnancy tests. I hid them in the back of the cabinet under the sink, hoping Lenya wouldn’t find them.

I crawled over to the cabinet and pulled the box out. Taking one out, I read the directions. Pretty straightforward, pee on a stick and wait three minutes. In my attempt to stand, another wave of nausea hit, and I crawled back to the toilet. This time, nothing came out. I’m sweating now, and feeling extremely shaky. Mustering the strength, I pull myself up and sit on the toilet.

Fortunately, I wasn’t wearing any underwear! Thank God for that, because I don’t know if I can stand upright. I put the cap on the stick and waited. I watch the window of the test change from stark white to light yellow. Before my eyes, the control line gets darker… but wait, is that a second line…Maybe I am seeing things. It’s the most agonizing three minutes of my life. I’m excited but also feel like I want to puke my guts out again.

There are two lines. Two fucking lines. Lenya got me pregnant. On our wedding night. When I gave my virginity to him. The night we became one.

Are we insane about wanting this so badly? I’m not oblivious to the fact we are having a baby to heal some trauma within the both of us. I know Lenya will be an amazing father. As much as he claims he is a “wicked man”, he would die for his children.

The nausea finally subsides enough for me to go to the closet and pull on some comfy clothes, and a pair of legging shorts, and I grab one of Lenya’s big t-shirts. Any plans I had for the day have now gone out the window. I climb back into bed. I grab my phone and shoot Lenya a text. The speed at which he responded was ridiculous!

Lina: I'm not feeling so hot today. I think I am going to just stay in bed.

Lenya: Are you sick, Lyubov1? I can leave and come home if you need me to.

Lenya: Just stay in bed. Alina will bring you soup and things to drink. Read and rest, malyshka2.

He says he isn’t a good man. Right now, he is rivaling the saints. I don’t want to tell him right away. I want to confirm everything with a doctor first and make sure I am pregnant. As I lay in bed, my hands drift to my belly, “Privet, moya kroshka3, I hope you are nice and safe in there. I promise to do everything to make sure I keep you safe. Your Papochka4 will make sure we are both safe.”

After an hour of talking to my belly, I drift back to sleep. Not knowing the time, after falling asleep Alina had come in and left some food for me on the bedside table. I woke up to the smell of soup and fresh bread. My stomachs gurgling woke me as if to remind me Hey woman, feed yourself! We’ve got a baby in here to grow. Warm soup fills my belly and helps keep the nausea at bay, Alina even left some bubbly water with lime to help keep me hydrated. She is amazing. We are so blessed that she is in our lives.

The door to the room cracks open and in walks Lenya. He closes the door as quietly as possible.

“Did I wake you, malyshka5?” The concern spread across his face. “How are you feeling?” He comes to my side of the bed and crouches down so that our faces are level. He holds his hand to my forehead. “No fever? Tell me what you need.” He places gentle kisses on my forehead and my hands. Not even worrying that he would contaminate himself, “Aren’t you worried you’d get sick too?”

He chuckles, “I would get to spend all day with you cuddled up in bed. Well worth the germs, if you ask me.”

“I’m sure it was just something I ate,” having eaten out the night before, it was the most plausible reason. Lenya scrunches up his face, pondering the suggestion. “Food poisoning? You think? Sergei’s always been fantastic about the quality of his food. I’ll call him and let him know.”

Guilt seeps in. I don’t want Sergei to get into trouble, all because I am not ready to tell Lenya. “It’s just a coincidence. I wouldn’t worry Sergei with it, moy Lev6.”

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