Page 99 of Caught By the Bratva Boss

“I want you to have my babies, and if I can’t out another one in you right now, then—”

The officiant cleared his throat. Blushing scarlet, Lily hid her face in my chest. I couldn’t help it, I laughed. “Well, we will just have to practice a lot until I can knock you up again.”

Holding her to my side, I walked us up the aisle together. We said our vows, our voices clear and our promises forever, and it would be forever for us. It might have started out as something with a time stamp on it, but no more.

Turning to her, I drew her hands up to my lips. “I will love and cherish you through this life and the next,” I promised. “This is forever, Mrs. Popov.”

Chapter 131

Lily

Wails filled the air, but it was like music to my ears. After thirty-six hours, it was finally over, and instead of my grunts and groans, I was finally hearing my child’s voice for the first time.

I flopped back on the bed, my sweaty hair stuck to my forehead, and let out a ragged sigh. Daniil was next to me, my hand clasped in his tightly. There were little half moons dotting the back of his hand where I had dug my nails into his skin when I pushed. I felt my heart swell. Any more and it would explode.

“You did it.” Daniil’s voice was full of wonder. “My beautiful, amazing wife, you did it.” He bent over to kiss me.

“I’m all sweaty and gross,” I said on an exhale.

He chuckled against my lips. “You’re neither of those things. I’ve never wanted you more, Lily.”

From the end of my maternity bed, the midwife chuckled. “There will be none of that here, Mr. Popov. And even if you could, which you can’t, you really don’t have the time before things kick off again.”

Shaking my head with a smile, I turned to her, but it was Danill who spoke. “Is everything ok? He held my hand tightly as the small writhing bundle was wrapped up in a clean white blanket.

“Everything is perfect. She is—”

I heard Daniil swallow hard. “I have a daughter?”

Turning my face to him, I searched his face for any sign that he was disappointed. Had he wanted another son? But his face was just full of rapt amazement.

The midwife passed the bundle to him. He held her gently, cradling her in his massive hands like she was something precious made of the purest crystal. “I have a daughter,” he whispered. “Lily.” Flicking back the blanket, he quickly counted her fingers and her toes. “Lily, she is perfect like her mom. She even has your hair. My sweet, beautiful Valentina.”

I did a double-take. “I’m sorry, did you just call her Valentina?”

He flicked his eyes at me. “Yes. We met because of a video you sent to another man on Valentine’s Day, Lily.”

The midwife smirked but didn’t say a word.

“I think it’s right we name our first child after that special day. Unless you don’t like it?”

He searched my face, and I found myself smiling. “I love it.” My voice cracked on the last word. A grimace pulled my features tight as a pain rippled through my still swollen abdomen and shot down into my back.

“Oh.” My hands scrambled to my stomach. My face scrunched up until Daniil and our daughter were nothing more than a blur.

It felt like fire being ripped through me. Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed.

“Lily.” Daniil’s voice was panicked. Holding Valentina securely in one arm, he took my hand, letting me squeeze it.

“What’s happening?” Demand made his voice bitter. “Help her, she’s—”

Dying. He was about to say dying, and I had to agree. It felt like I was being ripped apart from the inside out. The pain was so intense that it was impossible to even suck in a breath.

“Help her.”

“I am helping her,” the midwife said. “Let’s put little Valentina in her crib so you can help your wife with the next one.”

The world stopped spinning, and for a minute, the pain vanished. I looked at Daniil, and he looked back down at me.