Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 97634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97634 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 391(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
She said nothing in response, but the sweet smile she gave me and the way her expression softened told me my girl wanted that, too.
I rested back on the bed, and she immediately rolled toward me, setting her hand on my abdomen. I placed my palm right over hers and slid it over so it rested on my newest tattoo. I stared into Claudia’s eyes, feeling my cold, dead heart beating only for her.
“Do you know what tattoo means the most to me? Do you want to know which one is my lifeline?”
Her breathing picked up and her pupils dilated. She adjusted herself, coming closer, and fuck did that feel good.
I moved our conjoined hands away so she could see the fresh ink in script tattooed right over my heart.
Malehnkaya ptichka
“Eto ty. Moya malenkaya ptichka. Pryamo nad moim serdtsem. Tam gde tebe mesto.” I leaned in and kissed her. Slow and thorough. “This is you. My little bird. Right above my heart. Where you belong.”
Claudia
Three years later
Roman wailed so loud I was pretty sure he reached decibels not known to the human species.
I murmured sweet Italian words to my baby boy and scooped him up out of the crib, bracing his chubby little body on my hip.
I could hear Mischa laughing from the living room, and a smile touched my lips as she spoke to Sasha. I left Roman’s nursery and headed to the living room, where I saw Mischa scratching behind Sasha’s ear. The dog licked her cheek, causing Mischa to giggle loudly.
Dmitry sat on the floor and leaned against the couch, his legs outstretched, his feet crossed at the ankle as he grinned as Mischa and Sasha played a few feet from him.
I adjusted Roman on my hip, my one-year-old baby boy not so little anymore. Although he’d been big when he was born. A whopping nine and a half pounds.
Not only was he the spitting image of Dmitry with a headful of thick black hair and bright blue eyes, it seemed he’d also be just as big when he grew up.
And then there was Mischa, our daughter who was tiny in body but fierce in spirit. Hell, she had a temper on her that rivaled any capo or Pakhan.
“Roman,” she squealed and ran over, tripping over her feet and giggling.
Roman held his hands out and whined for Dmitry, who chuckled again and stood.
“Papa’s boy for sure,” I murmured. “I carried him and birthed him, still breastfeeding him, too, but all he wants is Papa.” I rolled my eyes, but it was all in teasing.
I loved that Roman was so attached to Dmitry, and that my husband was the best father I could have ever asked for.
“Everyone loves me, detka,” he said and leaned in and kissed me on the lips, lingering a little, which let me know if the kids were asleep he would have taken this further.
He pulled away far too soon, and I cleared my throat. He chuckled for a totally different reason. Gorgeous bastard knew the effect he still had on me.
He took Roman to the center of the living room so he could play with his toys. Sasha came over and gave our boy a wet kiss on the side of his head. Roman laughed but was soon too occupied playing with his blocks with Mischa.
I stood there a moment, staring at my family, feeling so much love for them it was bursting out of me. I’d never known this was what true happiness felt like, and knew it would only continue to grow.
These three souls brought meaning into my life. I was a sister, a wife, and a mother.
Dmitry glanced up at me and gave me a slow smile. He mouthed, I love you, malehnkaya ptichka.
My heart did that funny thing in my chest whenever he looked at me. And I knew what that was.
I was whole for the first time in my life.
The End.