Page 55 of Triplet Babies
She nods, approaching slowly. “I was almost to my car when I realized I don’t want to be alone tonight.”
I’m on my feet in seconds, lifting and carrying her to my bedroom as she makes a shocked sound and clings to me before she starts to laugh. “No one has swept me off my feet before.”
I smile down at her as I angle us through the doorway, not letting go of her until I sit her gently on the bed. “I’m happy to be the first.”
I want to promise I’ll spend every day sweeping her off her feet and making sure she never regrets the decision to stay, but I refuse to make promises I can’t keep, so I content myself with actions over words, making love to her for hours, until she’s exhausted and sleeping in my arms. In spite of my physical exhaustion, my brain remains wide awake, mulling over the complexities of my life and straining for a plan to be with her and keep her safe.
17
Sarah
Iwake to the sound of birds outside the windows and silk sheets against my skin. For a moment, I’m disoriented, forgetting where I am until I turn and see Yarik’s face on the pillow beside me. He’s still asleep, one arm draped possessively across my waist, and I take a moment to study his features in the morning light.
He looks younger when he sleeps, with the hard lines of worry and responsibility smoothed away. I can almost see the boy he was before his parents died, and he had to become a man too soon. The thought makes my chest constrict with an emotion I don’t want to examine too closely.
I rest my hand over my belly, feeling the slight firmness that’s becoming more noticeable each day. Everything feels fragile and bright this morning, like a life I never expected to live. Last night changed something between us, making some invisible barrier finally crumble. When he told me he wanted a future with meand asked for time to make things right, I almost believed we could have a real future together.
Almost.
Lying here in the pale morning light, reality creeps back in. He’s still engaged to Katya. He’s still part of a world where violence is commonplace and enemies lurk around every corner, and I’m still carrying his baby, a secret that grows heavier with each passing day.
The nausea hits me suddenly, sharp and insistent. I slip carefully out of bed, trying not to wake Yarik, and hurry to his bathroom. The morning sickness has been getting worse and more unpredictable despite the pregnancy book saying it should be easing down after ten weeks. Apparently, Baby didn’t read the same book. Yesterday, it lasted until almost noon, and I had to excuse myself from a meeting with Mrs. Nykova to throw up in the staff restroom.
When I emerge from the bathroom after availing myself of a wrapped toothbrush and toothpaste to brush away the disgusting taste lingering in my mouth, Yarik is sitting up in bed, watching me with concern. “Are you all right?”
I force a smile and return to the bed. “Just tired. It was a long night…and I wanted to brush my teeth.” I wink at him, trying to pull of sexy siren and hide worried, exhausted, pregnant lover/reluctant mistress.
He pulls me back into his arms, and I curl against his chest, breathing in his familiar scent. For a moment, I consider telling him everything. The words form in my throat, ready to spill out.I’m pregnant and will see the baby on ultrasound tomorrow. Want to come?
The words knot in my throat, tangled up with morning nausea, fear, and what such a confession would mean. Instead, I just kiss him softly and whisper against his lips. “I should go. Nina will worry if I don’t come home.”
He traces his fingers along my spine, making me shiver. “Stay a little longer.”
“I can’t. People will start arriving soon, and if they see me leaving your room...”
He sighs and releases me reluctantly. “You’re right, but I wish you could stay.”
I dress quickly in last night’s clothes, hyperaware of how the dress fits. The silk that flowed so elegantly yesterday now feels snug across my chest and hips, which is probably my imagination and fear presenting itself. I didn’t pop overnight…did I? I’ll need to be more careful about what I wear, how I position myself, and how I move through the world.
The drive home passes in a blur of conflicted thoughts. Part of me wants to turn around, march back into his bedroom, and tell him everything. The other part whispers that I should pack my bags and disappear before this gets any more complicated.
Nina is waiting for me in the kitchen when I walk through the door, coffee mug in hand and a knowing look on her face. “Good night?”
I pour myself a glass of water, avoiding her eyes. “It was fine.”
“Just fine? You’re wearing a silk dress you definitely weren’t wearing yesterday, and you have that glow that women get when they’ve been thoroughly?—”
“Nina.” I cut her off with a look. “It’s complicated.”
She sets down her mug and studies my face. “How complicated?”
I sink into the chair across from her and finally meet her eyes. “I think I’m falling in love with him.”
“Think?”
“Okay, know. I know I’m falling in love with him.” The admission feels both liberating and terrifying. “He said he wants to build a future with me, but he needs time to handle the situation with his fiancée.”
Nina frowns. “How much time?”
