Page 73 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride
When I come down from my shower Benedikt has the breakfast table set with colorful flowers, similar to the colors on the cereal box.
He has set up the table to look like we are fine dining, with silver spoons and fancy place mats.
“What are you having?” I ask, noticing he has a bowl in front of his seat.
“I have decided to join you throughout this journey of weird cravings,” he muses, pulling my chair out for me.
I sit down, eyeing the cereal box.
“Is that a good idea?” I ask. “Some woman crave the strangest things during pregnancy.”
“I guess it will be a culinary experience like no other.” He shrugs, sitting next to me, our legs touching beneath the table.
He brushes his hand over my leg. “The fun part is that the three of us will be eating the same things,” he grins, glancing at my belly.
I don’t know why, but this simple idea, for him to eat whatever I want, to do this together—it melts my heart.
It’s proof that he means what he says—that he is going to be there with me every step of the way to support me and share this journey with me.
I thread my fingers through his and a mischievous grin streaks across my face. “I think for dinner tonight I want pickles and pancakes.”
He clamps his jaw, his eyes filled with amusement. “It’s going to be a long nine months, isn’t it.”
After breakfast, Benedikt heads out for the office and the long line of meetings that are set up for today.
I read for a while in the morning, but I’m fidgety and I want to get out, so I decide to go to the mall and browse around to waste some time before my appointment at three.
The doctor’s office is close to the mall anyway.
My head is still buzzing. Full of worry for the future, for the plans I’ve had to get revenge on Miron, for my growing feelings towards Benedikt, for our baby and for the secrets I’m keeping from him.
I can’t figure out how it all fits together. Or what I’m supposed to do with everything. How to handle it all.
But something has to change.
My body should be my priority now.
But will my baby ever be safe with Miron lurking in the background?
The mall is busy, full of people talking and laughing and rushing around.
I take my time, browsing different stores. I find myself walking into each baby store I pass, even though it’s way too soon to be buying things for the little one yet. It’s fun to look, and it takes my mind off my worries.
There is one particular item that I pick up and put down three times, telling myself not to start shopping for our baby yet, but wanting to get it for Benedikt, as a congratulations—and to say thank you. It’s the cutest little baby outfit, a fox onesie. With ears and a tiny little tail.
I muse over it for a long time before leaving it behind. I’ll be late for my doctor’s appointment if I don’t get going now, anyway.
The doctor is literally around the corner, so I walk, leaving the car parked at the mall. I enjoy the afternoon sun and thrum of people moving past me.
The door to the doctor’s office has a little bell that chimes when I push it open and step inside.
A young girl, around my age, smiles at me from the reception desk.
“Ulyana?” she asks. “Three o’clock with Doctor Lory?”
“That’s me,” I say, my stomach jumping with excitement. Being here makes it more real. I’m really pregnant. I’ve had time to process the news, and Benedikt is happy and supportive, so instead of anxiety, I am excited.
“She’s ready for you, you can go straight through.” The girl walks around the desk and gestures for me to go down a bright white passage. “That door at the end,” she points.
