I shrugged. “Enough that it’s making me wonder.”
She smiled and hugged me. “Oh, this is so exciting!”
“Nothing’s official yet,” I whispered back as we hugged.
Literally. Nothing was official between me and Sergei. Claire asked about marriage, and I was still wondering about whether that step would happen next for us. Because if I was pregnant, he should know.
It was hard to tamp down the thrill of being a mother again. To bring a brother or sister into the world for Maisie to grow up with. She was already thoroughly invested in Claire having a baby soon. She had big plans to spoil him or her.
Nervousness kept me in check, though. If I took a test to see if I was pregnant, and I told Sergei, then I’d always wonder if he would only propose because of the baby. Not out of love.
That’s nonsense.
You know he loves you.
“It’s still so exciting!” Claire said. She went stiff, hugging me awkwardly.
“Um. I think something more exciting is happening right now, though.” I reared back, holding her upper arms. “Either you chugged too much water and peed your pants or?—”
“Itishappening!” Mikhail announced, jumping over toy boxes like they were hurdles as he ran toward us.
“Or your water broke.”
We both looked down at the puddle of liquid on the floor. More wetness stained her maternity pants.
“I stand corrected,” she stated, matter-of-fact.
“You said nothing was happening yet,” Mikhail exclaimed, taking her hand.
“It’s not! I don’t have contractions. Not real ones.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Hang on. You’re a doctor and you’ve got an encyclopedia of medical knowledge in your head, but you’ve never been pregnant before.”
“These are just Braxton Hicks,” she said.
“Because you’ve lived through them before to know? How long have they been going on?”
She winced.
“Claire…” I scolded.
“Never mind. Long enough.Ifthey were the real thing.”
“Oh, you’ll know now.” I guided her to the door with Mikhail. She had already asked if I’d accompany her at the hospital, desperate to have someone not associated with her lastexperience at the hospital with her. I was more than happy to be a new, friendly face to help her through labor.
Sergei waved me off as he held Maisie. They’d be entertained until the baby came.
And forty hours later, the sweet little boy decided tofinallymake his appearance. Owen was a healthy and hale boy with a set of lungs that would rival Maisie’s.
Being part of Claire’s birth and helping both her and Mikhail to get through the process was a gift I’d treasure. Anya was there as well, and between both of us, we did all we could to make sure Claire didn’t “go insane” without an epidural since the first one failed and they couldn’t do another.
I was driven home, eager to see my baby. And my man. Sometimes, it really hit me how wild it was that I once saw Sergei as the enemy. He was mine. My lover. And maybe the father of my next baby.
Putting my hand on my stomach, I sighed and wondered so many what-ifs that I could hardly keep track of them all.
Whatever the future held, Sergei would support me and guide me through it all. Just like I hoped to be able to always offer him the same kind of trust and love he deserved.
39
