I shrugged, not wanting to lie or be too blunt. I was terrified of the pain of childbirth, and it sounded like it wouldn’t be easy. But I didn’t want to scare him or have him worried about me.
Honestly, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal compared to the other things I’d endured. All those years of beatings, and I’d survived it. Having a baby was a natural thing women did. They were meant to bear children, just not to be bred.
“I’ll be fine,” I promised him.
He raised his brows, skeptical as he licked his ice cream.
“Your mother is a very tough woman,” Alexsei said, seated next to me on the loveseat out here with the mild weather.
“The toughest,” Misha agreed.
He had some authority to state that, too. Misha had unfortunately witnessed my being struck and passing out at the cabin. After that day when the Dubinin task force eliminated the Riveras, the day I’d killed Erik and Yusef, we’d all come back a little worse for wear.
The explosions had gone off just as we’d all escaped. It was a booby-trap mechanism that the Riveras had hidden, and I was forever grateful that it had been found in time. I suffered a few bruises and scrapes. Alexsei was a little more cut and injured because he’d blocked me from the explosion. We were all thrown down and the debris hit his back, but we were all alive. It couldn’t have been a pretty sight when we came home to the mansion.
The immediate medical attention soothed any worries about our being gravely wounded. And the doctors checked me and the baby obsessively until they deemed us both healthy.
Healthy. And late.
I sighed, rubbing my hand over my large baby bump. I was tied for a record with Raisa for being five days late now. Nothing was comfortable. Everything was itchy. I felt like I wanted to crawl out of my skin with how huge I felt and couldn’t move. But hey, the baby just didn’t want to come out yet.
“Are you excited?” Misha asked.
He was too cute, so curious and chatty tonight.
“I amveryexcited.”
“Not as excited as I am,” he said.
“Hey. I’m the most excited,” Alexsei said.
“Hmmm.” I raised my hand. “I think I get to claim that.”
I was excited to get this baby out and meet him or her. I was excited to reach my feet and put shoes on. Just being able to reach anything would be great. Yet, I wouldn’t rush it. I wouldn’t panic.
This baby would come when he or she was ready.
Unless… he or she just does not want to.
At that point, I would be induced, and I really hoped to not have to go that route. It might’ve been silly of me, but I really wanted this to be as natural as possible. Not forced. Not expected or under an order of medicine. After too many years of having no control over my life, I wanted to start this little one’s with no contingent factors.
“I’m excited,” I said. “And nervous about the whole process.” Alexsei took my hand and kissed the back of it. “But I’ll be fine. It will all be fine,” I repeated.
So long as this baby wants to come out!
“You forgot impatient,” Alexsei reminded me.
I cringed. “It’s just so hot.”
Misha held up his ice cream to share with me for a cool down.
“And everything gives me heartburn.”
Misha lowered his offer.
“I can’t move. I can’t walk. I can’t even breathe anymore.” The baby kicked and stole my breath right then. “Ow.”
“Can’t you do anything to hurry it up?” Misha asked.
