Page 63 of Unholy Matrimony

“Da15, I’ll be right behind you.”

After showering, we make our way to the kitchen to find something to eat. “Will you get me a glass of water so I can take my medication?” I grab a glass and fill it with water as she gets her pills out. She hands me a plate with some fruit, cheese, crackers, meat, and pickles. “I ate the last of the pickled tomatoes, so this summer we will have to make sure we make plenty.” I grab her wrist and pull her into my arms. As I hold her tight, I feel my heart swell with love and I murmur, “You're the most important thing in my world.”

We sit down at the table, and I tell her about my meeting with my father.

“Do you think he will consider it?” She says after I finish.

I wipe the crumbs from my hands and shrug, “I think so. I don’t see what he wouldn’t. I’ve been doing my job for nine years.” Lina stands and tries to take my empty plate from me.

“You know I can clean up after myself, right? You don’t have to do everything.” She bends down and kisses the tip of my nose. “I like to do it for you.”

“Don’t forget, tomorrow morning we have the ultrasound to find out if this baby is a boy or a girl. Let’s relax. I feel the couch and my book calling me.”

1. Son

2. Flower

3. husband

4. Flower

5. my lion

6. Flower

7. Flower

8. baby

9. baby

10. baby

11. Shit

12. Baby

13. Flower

14. Flower

15. Yes

Chapter twenty-eight

Kalina

The waiting room at the doctor's office is full this morning as we wait to be called for our ultrasound. Lenya has been on his phone most of the time, talking with his father and the twins.

He says he has to drop me off at home after the appointment and head to my family's warehouse to deal with some paperwork.

After their demise, Raisa and I inherited the warehouse, and it's not like she nor I were going to cause problems. We just let Lenya take care of everything. A nurse emerges from behind the door, calling my name. She ushers us into a room. A big TV is on the wall and the ultrasound machine. A loveseat is pushed up against the wall for the expectant fathers.

“You just need to remove your coat and pull your shirt up for the ultrasound,” she motions for me to get on the reclined table, “The technician and doctor will be in shortly.”

Lenya removes my coat. “Are you ready? I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” he says with a nervous smile.

“Me too,” I climb up onto the table and lay back, “but I am more ready to see this little one. I’m not sure if I want to know the gender though. I want to be surprised.”

---