Page 90 of Cruel Russian Monster
“Jaro…the baby…” she croaked.
She knew?
I kissed her gently.
“You’re both okay. You and the baby…you’re fine.”
I pulled out my phone and called Tomas.
“Yes, sir?”
“Can you bring in two bottles of water? Just come straight in.”
“Yes, sir.”
I pocketed the phone.
“Vera, why didn’t you tell me…?”
“I found out right before I called you,” she said softly, nuzzling into my neck. “But then I decided I wanted to tell you in person.”
She looked up at me.
“I’m sorry I left home without Tomas. I just wanted to surprise you.”
A tear slid down her cheek. I wiped it away.
“You have nothing to be sorry for. You’re here, in my arms…with our baby growing inside you.”
Just then, the door opened, and Tomas walked in with two bottles of cold water.
“Sir. Ma’am.”
“Thank you, Tomas,” I said as he placed the water on the small table next to the bed before slipping out.
I pressed the button on the side of the bed. When it was almost in an upright position, I stopped it. Leaning over, I grabbed a bottle of water, opened it, and held it to her lips. When she’d had enough, I closed it and placed it back on the table.
I placed a finger under her chin, and she looked up at me.
“Vera, you said something back there…before you fainted. What was it?”
Her eyes darted away, then met mine again as a pink hue glistened on her cheeks.
“I love you,” she whispered.
“Say it again,” I growled softly.
“I love you, Jaro. I never stopped loving you.”
“I love you too, malishka.” I kissed her softly. “I promised to marry you when you finished college. We didn’t plan for things to happen this way… but I fell for you all over again somewhere between throwing you in that U-Haul and our trip to Florida.”
I kissed her again, this time more passionately. When we finally pulled away, I rested my forehead against hers and just held it there.
Then I pulled back slightly.
“Dr. Decker wants to take you for an ultrasound. Do you want to do it now?”
“I almost lost you today,” she whispered. “Can you just hold me?”
