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“I really thought I might not find you in time,” I breathe after several minutes of perfect silence.
Pyotr’s hands still, and his arms hold me close. “I was sure you would think I’d stood you up,” he confesses, the pain in his voice visceral. “After everything I’ve done, I don’t know how you managed to come to the conclusion that your brothers had me.”
“I didn’t right away,” I admit, turning to look up at Pyotr. The bruising on his face somehow only makes him look more ruggedly handsome and dangerous. I’ll need to get some ice for it soon so it doesn’t swell.
“Tell me,” he murmurs, brushing a strand of hair back from my face.
Warm embarrassment pools in my cheeks as I think back to my version of the night. “I thought you did stand me up, and I called Nico’s wife, Anya. She’s helped me so much lately. And was there for me when I first thought I might be pregnant….”
Pyotr’s grip tightens reassuringly around me, but he lets me finish my story without interruption.
“I only figured it out by chance,” I say. “I called her because I kept chickening out about telling you I was pregnant. And since she had Clara when she was young and out of wedlock… well, she’s just full of insights and great advice.” I smile warmly, thinking about everything Anya has done to help and support me.
“Anyway, somewhere along the line, she happened to mention Nico was working late, and that, combined with you going missing, triggered a memory about something Nico said when I was confined to my room… I don’t know. I just got this terrible feeling. I called and called my brothers, but no one was answering. And when Nico finally picked up, I knew for sure.” I shudder, recalling the sound of Pyotr’s agonized scream.
“My knight in shining armor,” he teases lightly, kissing me.
I smile. “It was the least I could do after you saved me.”
Pyotr sighs, his gray eyes deep with emotion. “We’ve had a few too many close calls lately.”
“Yeah, let’s not do any more of those.”
He chuckles. “Deal.”
“Are you really… okay about having a baby?” I ask tentatively, watching his face closely.
A warm smile eclipses his face. “I’m actually really excited to have a child with you. I can’t wait to see a little Silvia running around.”
“Or a little Pyotr,” I remind him.
His deep laughter rumbles through my chest. “Yes or that.”
Joy expands my chest at the genuine happiness he radiates. I rest my cheek against his chest, listening to his heartbeat again. It’s crazy to think that just a few short months ago, Pyotr and I were at complete odds with each other. Now, it feels like we fit so perfectly; I don’t think I could be happier with anyone else.
I don’t know how it happened, but against all odds, I’ve found my person. My arranged marriage managed to put me with the perfect person for me. And just like out of a fairy tale, we’ve found our happily ever after.
EPILOGUE
SILVIA
Three Months Later
Dinnerware clinks joyfully as my family gathers around the dinner table–my parents, me and Pyotr, my three brothers, along with their significant others, Clara. Even Bianka’s brother, Ilya, and his wife, Whitney. The Matron is still in New York, and I think we’re all fairly thankful for that. Because this room has never felt so full of happy people.
Not my mother, so much, though she’s already well into her second glass of wine and seems content to simply sit and watch quietly.
Pyotr squeezes my knee subtly under the table, sending a jolt of warmth through my body, and I give him a playful smile.
“So, you’re all done with morning sickness, you think?” Cassio’s fiancée, Bianka, asks me from across the table.
“God, I hope so,” I joke. “But it’s been nearly a week without incident, so I think I’m out of the woods.”
Anya beams. “Now’s when the real fun begins,” she says knowingly. She reaches over and smoothes Clara’s curls affectionately.
I rest my hand on the humble baby bump I’ve been keeping my eye on lately. Every step of the way has been fun for me. Well, maybe not the throwing up part, but that hasn’t been too terrible, and knowing that a little life is growing inside me makes up for it.
Pyotr’s stepped up like I wouldn’t believe, reading parenting books and talking about them with me. I’m still a little nervous about being a first-time parent while still trying to finish my degree. But as my father so kindly pointed out, I’m studying art, so how hard could it be?
