*I apologize for taking so long to post this chapter, but now that school is out I'll be able to post more frequently. I think this little series will only have 1 or 2 more chapters, so hopefully you like this one!
15 hours later…
I'm screaming and swearing like I never have before and Dimitri hasn't berated me once for it – which is honestly extremely smart on his part because I'm in no place to be told to stop doing something.
"Keep pushing, Rose. The baby's crowning, that means you're almost done." Dr. Charleston coaches me from the foot of the bed.
I push for what feels like hours but just minutes later I hear a baby crying.
My eyes pop open and immediately go to the screaming tiny infant in the doctor's arms.
"It's a girl," he says before turning away and handing my baby over to a nurse. I keep staring, not believing that I just pushed that undersized human out of me or that I could love her so much already.
I feel Dimitri kiss my cheek and I finally turn towards him. Once again he has tears in his eyes.
"You're exquisite Roza," he whispers as he kisses me again, on my mouth this time.
Before I can say anything to him the nurse brings the baby over and lays her in my arms. My vision tunnels and all I can see is a tiny smushed face – two shut eyes, red cheeks, a mouth open but not crying, a head full of dark hair – and I'm in love. I had a terrible pregnancy but I don't remember any of it now, all I know is that I'm holding my daughter and she is spectacular.
Without turning towards Dimitri I whisper, "She's a little miracle." And it's the truth. Our daughter is a miracle – born from two parents that were not supposed to be able to have children – and she's also extremely small because she was born so early.
I look up at a nurse and ask how much she weights. I know it won't be much and that she'll have to stay in the hospital for a while, but I also know she has all ten fingers and toes and that if she wasn't alright she wouldn't be in my arms right now.
The nurse smiles before speaking. "She came in at 4lbs and 7oz and 16in, which really isn't bad for a preemie. She also seems to be doing fine breathing on her own so I'd say, if there are no complications, that she could go home in about three to four weeks."
"That's good news," Dimitri says before looking back down at our daughter. "Can I hold her, Roza?" He asks the question with such reserve in his voice that I look into his face.
I laugh just a little bit at his hesitation. "Of course you can," and I lift my arms up and towards him to hand over our baby.
He takes her in his arms so carefully that I almost giggle again but the look of adoration on his face keeps me quiet. Dimitri and I have been through so much together, both good and bad, but I've never seen him look so calm or peaceful nor have I ever seen so many emotions on his face at once.
Dimitri softly bounces his arms side to side while placing gentle kisses on her cheeks and forehead. I keep a smile on my face as I close my eyes and unintentionally fall asleep.
"Rose. Roza, time to wake up, there are people waiting to see you." I feel Dimitri's lips against my ear and his hand on my shoulder shaking me gently. I open my eyes slowly and look into his eyes.
"How long have I been sleeping?" I ask my voice rough with sleep. I look around the room for the baby and see her sleeping in a small crib at the foot of my bed.
"About three hours. You deserve all the sleep in the world after today but Lissa and Christian are here to see you, as are your mom, and Abe."
I groan while covering my face with my hands. "Am I a horrible person if I ask for Lissa before my mom?"
"No, Rose. I'll go get her." He places a gentle kiss on my forehead before going to get my best friend.
Only seconds later, Lissa and Christian both come in with Dimitri trailing behind them and closing the door. "I thought I only asked for Lissa?" I say with a pointed look in her husband's direction.
"Yeah, like you could make me sit in a small room trapped with your parents." Christian says with his trademark sarcastic tone. Lissa throws a side eye glare at him. "But more importantly, I couldn't wait to see your demon spawn."
"Christian! Oh my god, he's joking about everything. Now let me see my new niece." Lissa moves to the end of the bed and looks down at my daughter and tears spring into her eyes faster than a speeding bullet. "She's so beautiful, Rose. Can I hold her?"
"Of course you can, Lis. You don't need to ask." Before I even finish the sentence Lissa has expertly picked up my small sleeping baby.
"Hi there, pretty girl," she coos. "Look at how small you are, small but strong, just like your mom." Lissa has gone into her own little world and the rest of us just watch her with amused looks on our faces.
Christian finally turns to me, "Any idea on a name?"
I smile at his words. "Well, Dimitri and I made a deal – he wants the name to be Russian in origin but I get to choose what it is and he can't say no once I choose."
"That doesn't really sound like much of a deal to me. Are you becoming a pushover in your old age, Dimitri?" Christian softly elbows Dimitri in the ribs.
Dimitri laughs, "I've always been a pushover when it comes to Rose, but I really don't care what name she chooses, I'm just happy to have a healthy baby."
I grab a hold of his hand. "I'm happy about that too, but I did pick a name, Vera. I thought, maybe her middle name could be Olena, if that's alright with you?" I look at him a little sheepishly.
Dimitri kisses the back of my hand. "Of course that's alright with me. It will be even more alright with my mother – she'll be honored – and I like the name Vera."
"Vera is such a beautiful name, Rose," Lissa sighs. I look over at her quickly; I didn't even think she'd been listening to us. She walks over to us and places Vera in my arms. "We'll go get your parents so they can see you. Both of them looked like they drank a hundred cups of coffee and I think Abe was really starting to scare the nurses."
Lissa places a kiss to my temple. "She's a miracle, Rose, I'm so proud of you." I stare at her with tears in my eyes. We've been best friends since childhood and I've always been the one to take care of her, but motherhood has changed Lissa and now she acts like everyone's mother.
"Thanks, Lis," I smile.
Christian comes over to look down at the baby. He delicately runs his finger down her right cheek. "She is cute, Rose, almost as cute as my girls."
Lissa just puts her hand over her face and reaches for Christian's arm. "We're leaving. We'll see you three later. Rose, I'll sneak you in some good food, the stuff they have here is basically prison food." They walk out the door but not before I can hear her say, "I can't believe you said that." I laugh as the door closes and I'm still laughing as my mom and dad walk in the room.
My mom rushes to my side as Abe shakes Dimitri's hand. "Rose, how are you feeling? You were in labor for hours." My mother may not have been around much when I was growing up but recently her maternal instincts have been stronger than ever.
"I'm fine, mom, tired, but fine." Vera yawns and kicks the blanket from her feet and I look at her smushed face. "Actually I'm amazing, I didn't know being a mom would feel like this."
I feel her move some of my hair behind my ear. "Yes, I remember the day you were born. I was alone and scared and angry with myself but when I held you for the first time all of that went away. I know it doesn't seem like it – with my leaving you alone so often – but I've never loved anyone the way I love you and that's never changed."
"I know, mom. Do you want to hold her? Her name is Vera." I lift my arms up so she can take my daughter in her own and because I'm me I can't help but add, "happy first day of being a grandma."
She stiffens a bit at my words but quickly turns to cooing and rocking. She walks over to Abe so he can see his granddaughter. "She has your dark hair, it seems," her words sound scornful but the smile on her face shows she doesn't mind the hair color in the least.
Abe just stares down at her face before startling us all when he asks if he can hold her.
I'm almost reluctant to say yes – I don't know if he's ever held a baby before – but I nod my head before he can see my hesitancy and be hurt.
He takes Vera in his arms and continues rocking her gently. I don't know whether to smile at the cuteness or laugh at the hilarity of a mobster holding an infant but he seems to have a knack for babies. Both my mom and Dimitri are surprised at how content he seems with Vera but I know immediately that he'll dote on that little girl the way he never got to do with me.
I stare around at my little family. Even a year ago I would have never thought my life would be like this, that Dimitri and I would have our own child, but I wouldn't want any other life than the one I'm living right now.
I give Dimitri what must be a breathtaking smile because his eyes go wide when he looks back at me. "I love you," I whisper so only he can hear and he gives me a breathtaking smile of his own before saying it back.
