My hair stood on end from running my hands through it. If Raina screamed one more time, I might very well kill the doctor. I thanked every god in the known universe I’d left Vera in the waiting room with Viktor, Cerys, and their daughter, Alina. If she’d seen her mother like this, it might have scarred her for life.
“Push, Mrs. Sobol,” Dr. Pierce said.
“I…” Pant. Pant. “Am…” Pant. “Pushing!”
She squeezed my hand and I worried she might break the bones, but I’d let her. I’d fracture every bone in my body if it would take away her pain. I hated the way she suffered through this delivery, but we’d arrived too late for them to give her much for the pain. Her contractions had gone from six minutes apart to two minutes far too fast. I’d half expected to deliver my son on the side of the road. Instead, he’d stubbornly remained inside Raina for several more hours.
“You can do it, lastachka.”
Her gaze held mine, and then she screamed long and loud. One more big push and our son entered the world. My sweet Raina collapsed back on the bed and looked seconds away from sleep. I couldn’t blame her. The delivery had been far from easy on her, and I knew she hadn’t been sleeping well the past few nights.
“You did so well, lastachka. Our son is beautiful, like his mother.” I kissed her brow. “Rest a moment.”
The nurses carried our boy away. He returned, clean and wrapped in a blanket. The hair on his head wasn’t quite as dark as Raina’s, and I wondered if it might be the color of mine as he got older. But his skin was the same beautiful gold as his sister’s.
“Ivan Sobol,” I said as I took him in my arms for the first time. “Would you like to see your mother?”
I carried him to Raina and helped her sit up to hold him. A nurse remained, to walk Raina through the first nursing, and our boy latched on right away. He drank greedily, until his eyes began to droop.
“He’s so small, Feliks,” Raina said. “So defenseless.”
“That’s why he has me.” I kissed her, then our son’s head. “I’ll keep the monsters away, until he’s old enough to take care of not only himself, but his mother and sister too.”
“Have you told everyone?” she asked, glancing at the door.
“Nyet. I wanted another moment with the two of you, but I’ll get Vera. I’ll ask the others to wait at least fifteen minutes before coming back to see Ivan. They won’t stay long. Everyone knows you’re exhausted.”
I stopped in the doorway, admiring Raina and Ivan. Discreetly, I took out my phone and snapped a picture. With a smile, I saved it and went to get our daughter and inform my friends and colleagues my son had been born.
In the waiting room, everyone stood the moment they saw me.
“Ivan has arrived and is currently nursing.” I grinned. “But he’d very much like to meet his big sister. Vera, are you ready to see your mother?”
She bounced on her toes and ran to me. I lifted her into my arms.
“Does he look like me?” she asked.
“A little. I think you’ll like him. And he’s going to need you. You’ll have to teach him all sorts of things.”
“Feliks, tell Raina congratulations,” Cerys said. “We’ll wait here to give the four of you a little time to bond. Just send a nurse to get us when Raina is ready for visitors.”
“Thank you.” I looked around the room. “All of you. We’re glad you could be here with us.”
Carrying Vera down the hall, she gasped when she first saw her brother, then squirmed to get down. She went running for the bed and I had to catch her, placing my hand on her shoulder.
“Be gentle, Vera. Your momma still hurts, and you might startle Ivan if you move too quickly.”
She nodded, eyes wide as she stared at the baby. “He’s so cute. He’s really my brother?”
“Of course.” I ran my hand over her curls. “Let me help you up beside your momma, but be still once you’re on the bed.”
She lifted her arms and I picked up her, placing her beside Raina. My wife put her arm around Vera, tugging her closer, as they both peered down at Ivan. I took another picture, and knew I’d frame it for my office.
I’d thought I needed power. Money. To be feared.
What I’d really needed was in this room with me. A family. Love. And a wife who accepted me, darkness and all.
“I love you,” I said. “All of you.”
Raina smiled at me, looking tired, yet radiant.
“We love you too, Daddy,” Vera said, not even taking her eyes off the baby.
I’d been a heartless, soulless man. I’d had nothing to lose except my pride.
Now I had everything to lose… and God help anyone who tried to take my family from me, because I’d rain down hell and bury them all.