Page 43 of Unholy Matrimony

The doctor gave us some information and scheduled a next appointment with Lina for a few weeks from now. The doctor hands me an ultrasound picture. “For your desk at work, Papa,” Lina smirks, and I thank the doctor. I helped get Lina cleaned up and dressed. I help her stand up and she is a little wobbly. “We need to get you something to eat.” I say, taking her by the hand. The doctor had told Lina that fasting was now off the table so she could eat anything she wanted.

Once we are in the car, I ask her, “What do you want to eat, malyshka8?” She sits and thinks for a moment, and says, “Piroshki,” licking her lips. I find the nearest shop that sells them and run in and buy them. She is sitting in her seat eating like she has never eaten piroshki before in her life. She takes one out and holds it out to me. I raise my eyebrow at her offer. “You can’t expect me to break the rules by myself.” I take it from her and state, “I will gladly break the rules with you, moy lyubov,9” I take a bite and savor the delicious flavor and flaky crust.

Over the next week, Lina has been in a cycle of feeling great and having all the energy in the world. To having her head in the toilet every five seconds. Luckily, I have been able to stay with her to care for her. Since taking care of Yuri’s men, Pakhan has left me alone. We have told no one about the pregnancy yet, but the twins are suspecting something is up.

I settle Lina into bed after a pretty rough bathroom trip. She just lays there whimpering. I put a call into her doctor and she said it sounds like Lina might have a condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum. She tells me I need to make sure she stays hydrated and if it gets any worse, I might have to take her to the hospital. She will put in for some medication, and she can have a home health nurse come and do some IV fluids. I sit at the edge of the bed, wiping her forehead with a cool washcloth.

A knock on the door startles me. Alina appears in the doorway carrying a tray. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but I thought we could try just some broth. It will give her some hydration and nutrition.” I nod and she enters. Setting the tray down, I lean down to Lina’s ear, “10Moy koroleva, I am going to sit you up so we can try to have you drink something.”

“Okay,” she whispers. I prop her up with plenty of pillows. Alina hands me a bowl full of broth. I hold it up to Lina’s lips and she takes the smallest sip. We wait. She keeps it down without vomiting. Progress, no matter how small.

My phone pings and I open the app that lets me know where I can pick up the medication and a phone number to call to set up the home health nurse. As I am about to dial, I get two text messages.

Ilya: You can't hide from us forever. We do know where you live. We owe you dinner for winning the bet. Do I need to text Lina to ask if her husband can come out to play?

“Asshole,” I say under my breath as I smirk at the message.

The second message catches me off guard completely. My father never sends text messages.

Pakhan: Looks like you haven't lost your touch. I'd like for you and your wife to come to the house for dinner. Does tonight work?

Blyat!11 No, tonight doesn’t work. Lina can barely lift her head from the bed, let alone eat anything.

Lenya: Does Lina need to come? She might have plans already. Maybe another night.

Pakhan: Tonight is best. Make it work.

Well, this is turning into a shit-show. I look at Lina, who is slurping away at the broth.

“Feeling any better,” I ask. She looks up at me from her bowl.

“A little. Who knew a baby could make you so sick?”

“Apparently neither of us knew.” I scoot closer to her and crawl in between her legs. I lift her shirt and I kiss her belly.

“Malysh, tebe nuzhno byt' dobrym k mame12.” Lina is looking down at me, kissing her stomach. “I love when you do that. I bet they do too.”

“Tsvetok13, I know you are not feeling well, but my father is requesting we come to his house for dinner tonight. I tried telling him you might have plans, but he isn’t taking that as a reason. I was going to run and grab the medication the doctor prescribed, and maybe it will be enough to get you through tonight?” I tell her as I kiss the palms of her hands. “Do you think we could try to get through it?”

Lina shakes her head yes, and god this woman makes me love her even more. Even though she is so sick she can barely get herself to the bathroom, she is entertaining the idea of dinner with my father. I pull her face to mine and kiss her lips. After I stand up, “Okay, I'll go grab the prescription and we will get ready to head over there.” I grab my keys off the bedside table and head to the door.

Thirty minutes later, I have the medication, some ginger-flavored candies, and bubbly ginger soda. The pharmacist said those can be very helpful in combating the nausea. When I walk into the bedroom, Lina is dressed in a simple black dress. She is gorgeous and if she wasn’t so sick I would say fuck the dinner and I would eat her instead.

1. wife

2. baby

3. Flower

4. Hello

5. wife

6. love

7. Yes!

8. baby

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