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I can see Avraam rolling his eyes in my peripheral vision. This confirms that these two have a history, and there’s probably more that she can tell me about how he was when he was younger. She seems like she wouldn’t shy away from telling me every painful detail of his childhood.
“We’d like some privacy,” the doctor snaps, shooting Avraam a sharp look while waving her hand for him to leave. “We’ll be in the living room. Should be an hour, maybe half if there aren’t any complications.”
Avraam lets go of my hand and hurries off. Russian men always seem so scared of their female counterparts. I wonder if I can learn something from Dr. Klara. Avraam isn’t afraid of me at all.
I follow Dr. Klara to the living room, where she has me lie on the blue couch with pillows piled behind my head. “You are a very lovely woman,” she says, smiling sweetly as she unravels a few tan cables from her cart. “Avraam was never so great with women. Always scaring them off.”
“He was a bit of a puzzle when I first met him, but he’s sweet.”
“He’s changed,” she says, nodding in approval. “That’s a good sign. Men like him don’t change unless they find the right woman. You two will be fine, so long as you put him in his place from time to time.”
I can’t imagine what that would entail, but I don’t question her. My first priority is making sure the baby is healthy, and then we can talk about what it’s like to date a Bratva boss.
“So, before we even get started with the ultrasound, is there anything you want to bring to my attention?” Dr. Klara asks, cocking her head to the side like a bird. “Anything that’s changed since you found out about your pregnancy?”
“Well, I feel sick all the time,” I reply dryly. “Like, all the time. Especially in the morning, but it could be any time.”
That’s normal, but if it gets to be too much, there are some herbs that can help. Try peppermint and ginger tea. Red raspberry leaf as well, but there’s reason to stay away from it until at least the second trimester.”
I nod, trying to remember what she’s telling me. I’ve always just drank iced tea, so anything else doesn’t sound quite as nice, but have to leave my comfort zone for this. Being pregnant has already kicked me out of it.
“Anything else? Any discomfort or trouble sleeping?” she asks, putting on a pair of white latex gloves.
I shake my head. “No, everything else is fine. Maybe I’m a bit more irritable than usual.”
“Make Avraam give you a massage. That should help,” she says with an encouraging smile. “Now, I’m just going to put some jelly on your stomach, so if you’d lift your shirt, we’ll get started.”
For some reason, I expected the ultrasound to be a lot more uncomfortable than it actually is. Dr. Klara is gentle, and being able to see the baby for the first time is exciting. She can’t tell me whether it’s a boy or a girl yet, but just seeing the little blob and knowing it has a heartbeat is enough to put butterflies in my stomach.
“We’ll just print off a few pictures so you can share them with Avraam. Everything looks very healthy, and you’re coming along fine.”
My heart is warm with renewed appreciation for the life that I have. Being able to bring another person into the world is a serious blessing, and having no obvious complications makes me breathe a little easier.
As we wrap up the session, I remember that I wanted to ask Dr. Klara about Avraam.
I clear my throat, feeling nervous even though I shouldn’t be. We’re all family here. “So, uh, you saw Avraam a lot when you were younger?”
She shrugs. “Occasionally, but him and Damien were troublemakers from the beginning. Always up to something. I wasn’t nearly as mischievous, so I stayed out of their business.”
“That’s smart.”
She laughs. “Yes, but you know, here I am now. I know all about Damien and Avraam’s dealings, but I’ve chosen to stick around to support the Family. That’s what’s most important, after all.”
“True,” I say, considering her words seriously. “So, it doesn’t bother you… all the crime?”
“You come to terms with it once you realize it’s what the world is built on. Every business, every politician, and everyone with any amount of wealth is committing crimes like they’re racing each other to Hell.”
I hadn’t thought about it like that, but I guess she’s right. The only people you see thrown in jail for it are the people who can’t afford good enough lawyers, or the ones who commit their crimes out in the open.
“Don’t stress too much about it,” Dr. Klara says with a twinkle in her eye. “It’s not good for the baby.”
“Right,” I say, more to myself than to her as she packs up her stuff to leave.
I have to enjoy myself. I’m always so uptight about everything, and Avraam has given me the opportunity to live like few others can. Why would I waste it by being a grump?
I can do better. If not for myself, then for the baby.
I place my hand over my belly, smiling as I realize the gift I’ve received.
