AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Too bad we’re having a boy,” he fires back, “named Yuri.”
“As the person carrying the baby inside of her body, I think I would know.”
He leans over the island, dark eyebrow arched. “And as the man who put that baby inside of your body, I’m positive it’s a boy.”
So much for not getting hot and bothered in the middle of the kitchen.
“You’re wrong. But even if you’re not, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want a healthy baby.”
“I’m right,” he insists. “And I want a healthy baby, too. I just also want to live in a house where I’m not outnumbered by females.”
I laugh. “Are you afraid of us or something?”
“I’m not afraid of anything, but that doesn’t mean I want you all ganging up on me all the time.”
“I am always on your team, Yakov.” I carry my plate over to the sink and stretch on my toes to kiss his stubbled cheek. “Except right now. Because you think I’m having a boy and I’m so clearly pregnant with a little baby girl.”
Yakov stretches his hand across my stomach and bends down, biting my lower lip. All the blood in my body pools between my legs. I’m instantly lightheaded and buzzing with desire.
Yakov’s eyes darken. “Whatever you’re thinking right now, save it for later when we’re alone.”
I fan my face. “These pregnancy hormones are turning me into an animal. I feel like I’m in heat.”
“Well, I have plans right now. But if you want a distraction, I was going to see if you wanted to invite Kayla over.”
I inhale sharply. “Really? She can come here? Today? It’s safe?”
“She can if you want her to. It’s safe.”
“I want.” I throw my arms around his waist. “Thank you.”
Yakov kisses the top of my head and starts to hand me his phone… right as it rings.
He checks the number. I know before he tells me that it’s the hospital because his mouth flattens into that familiar disappointed line. “Just a second.”
Yakov turns away and takes the call, pacing back and forth as he talks to Nik’s doctors.
Every morning around this time, they give Yakov a call to tell him how Nik did over the night. The calls are short, but they linger in the air for a long time afterward. This time is no different.
“Any news?” I ask when Yakov turns around.
He grips his phone in white knuckles, the shadows in his eyes a few shades darker. “It’s the same as always. No improvement.”
A few weeks ago, I would have searched for the exact right words to say to make Yakov feel better. I would have twisted here on the spot, desperate to hold him, but too afraid to make a move.
Now, I close the distance between us, wrap my arms around his tapered waist, and whisper against his chest, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re always fine,” I say softly. “That doesn’t mean there isn’t something on your mind.”
He takes a deep breath. “It’s bizarre that my life is moving on without Nik here. He should be here for this. And even though you’re still pregnant, he’d be whispering curse words to your stomach and trying to corrupt our kid.”
“He absolutely would be doing that,” I chuckle. “But you never know… he still might. There’s time?—”
“The doctor told me not to expect a miracle.”
I squeeze him tighter. “Okay. So you don’t expect a miracle; I will. Balance.”
