"Mama? Would you like to hold Ivan while I help Rose clean up? She wants to have a shower."
Olena beamed at her only son.
"Is that alright Rose?" she checked.
"I think you've earned the first cuddle after Mama and Papa," I said with a smile. "Comrade – take some photos."
Dimitri hovered in front of his Mama taking pictures with the camera as well as with his phone. We'd agreed we'd wait until I was cleaned up and we'd moved across to the room next door where we'd be staying for a few days before inviting anyone else in to meet Ivan. I wanted to look a bit more composed before we took the photos we'd text to all our friends announcing his arrival.
Olena settled in an armchair to have a nice long cuddle with her newest grandson while Dimitri helped me into the shower. My hair was lank, and I could smell the sour slightly fetid stench of perspiration. Celeste had promised me the first shower after I gave birth would be one of the best of my life, and as I stepped under the spray, Dimitri hovering nearby like a mother hen, I had to admit she'd been right.
I lathered my hair, loving the feeling of the water through it as I rinsed it until it ran clear of suds. I used my favorite jasmine body wash liberally until I felt clean again. Turning off the spray, I toweled down, changing into a pair of very comfortable and extraordinarily unattractive granny knickers, topping them with a pair of yoga pants, a nursing singlet top and an open button-up loose shirt.
"I see what they mean about motherhood not being glamorous," I grumbled, putting a sanitary pad the size of a small surfboard into my underwear.
"I don't care. You have never looked more beautiful to me," Dimitri said, stepping forward to embrace me. "I love you so much. You and Ivan. I can't believe you made me a Papa! We're a little family now" he said, wonder in his voice.
I smiled at him. I couldn't believe it either. It seemed completely surreal that when we stepped out of the bathroom, there'd be a baby there we were responsible for. I couldn't wait to see and hold him again, but I also wanted these last few minutes with just Dimitri and me.
"I love you too, Comrade. I know things are going to change now – but that's never going to change."
"Never," he agreed, lowering his lips to mine in a sweet and loving kiss. "Come on milaya; there's a young man who no doubt wants to check out your breasts. Of course, I entirely understand the fascination," he teased.
"You're a pervert," I laughed as we moved back out into the room.
"Are you ready to go across next door?" Olena asked, still sitting in the armchair cuddling Ivan.
"Yes. Let's get out of here," I said, looking at the room. There was blood all over the bed and the towels on the floor; it looked as though a massacre had occurred.
Olena placed Ivan into a perspex crib that sat on a wheeled base, and I pushed him through to the room next door. Where the birthing room had been about practicalities, this room had been set up more like our room in guest accommodation. There was a queen-sized bed, a little table, two comfortable armchairs and even fresh flowers on the table. Dimitri would be staying here with Ivan and I. Babushka had thought it very peculiar and unnatural when we'd told her of our plans; in Russia, the father sometimes didn't get to see his partner or child until a few days after the birth. But Dimitri and I had been adamant - he needed to bond with his son every bit as much as I did.
"You ready to tell the world about our little man?" I asked Dimitri as he fussed with the pillows on the bed, making a comfortable place for me to sit.
"I am!' he replied with a huge grin. "Mama? Can you take some photos with my phone?"
Dimitri sat on the bed, opening his legs for me to gingerly sit between. I picked up Ivan and leaned back against my Russian God's chest. Dimitri wrapped his arms around the two of us from behind. Olena took heaps of photos; some we were looking at the camera, some at Ivan and in a few at each other. Ivan was sleeping, so I carefully placed him back in his crib, taking the phone from Olena to snap a few close-ups of him. I sat back down next to Dimitri, tapping out our message on Dimitri's phone.
Dimitri and Rose are thrilled to announce the safe arrival of their son Ivan Dimitrievich Belikov, born 22 August, 4.18pm. 22 and a half inches, 9 pounds. Mother and baby are doing well.
I attached four photos and sent it out to the group Dimitri had already created on his phone for this purpose.
"You'd better go get them," I laughed to Dimitri, meaning the group patiently waiting down the corridor.
With a huge grin, Dimitri left to announce our little man's arrival. Moments later our room was crowded with well-wishers; Abe, Alberta, Yeva, Pavel, and Celeste. It was standing room only at the crib as the five of them jostled to look at the newest little Belikov.
"He looks like Dimka did," Yeva said approvingly. "Well done, Маленькая внучка," she said to me, seating herself in one of the two armchairs.
"He's beautiful," Alberta said, looking at him with happy tears. "Congratulations!" she said coming over to hug me. "You too, Belikov," she said hugging him as well.
Ivan opened his eyes, and for the next half-an-hour was passed around. He was content, only getting a little fractious towards the end.
"Rose? Dimitri? Are you happy for me to announce his arrival to the campus?" Alberta asked as everyone was preparing to give us our space so I could try feeding him again.
We both nodded. I wanted the world to know my special little guy was here!
Alberta picked up the handset of our phone, punched in some numbers, and the four tones rang across campus signaling an announcement was about to be made.
"Students, staff and Guardians, I'm delighted to announce the arrival of St. Vladimir's youngest, Ivan Dimitrievich Belikov born an hour or so ago. He's a handsome, healthy little man – twenty-two and a half inches and nine pounds. Mom and baby are doing well. Please give the new family their privacy."
After that everyone made their farewells and left the three of us alone.
"How are you feeling, Roza?" Dimitri asked.
"Hungry," I laughed.
"I'll ring the kitchen. Anything, in particular, you feel like?"
I thought about it for a moment.
"Nothing too spicy in case it goes through my breast milk," I said. "Something with meat and vegetables."
Dimitri busied himself on the phone while I picked up our boy. Opening my top, I unclipped one side of the nursing singlet, trying to get him to attach. I don't think I was doing it right, but it didn't hurt, and he seemed happy enough lapping at my nipple. I looked up to see Dimitri looking at the two of us with an enormous goofy grin on his face.
"Do you have any idea how perfect you look doing that?" he asked.
"Really?" I replied shyly.
"Really," he confirmed, coming to sit beside me on the bed.
"I don't know if he's getting anything, but I'll try for fifteen minutes each side," I said. "Your Mama told me she'll come at 10 am tomorrow, and we can give him his first bath, and she'll help us get a good latch for feeding. Now isn't there a special phone call you'd like to make?" I asked tentatively. "It will be about 6 am there…"
He nodded. "If they're interested, do you mind if I send them a photo of him? I won't send one with us, just one of him."
I nodded, reaching across to stroke his arm.
"I'm sure they'd love to see him."
Moving to sit in one of the armchairs, Dimitri used his mobile to ring St. Petersburg – the current location of Ivan Zeklos' parents. They'd contacted Olena when they'd heard news of Dimitri going missing, so she'd called them when he escaped, telling them he was well and additionally was going to be a father. They'd been effusive in their congratulations and said they'd love to hear when the baby was born. Dimitri had told me that if the baby was a boy, and we used the name Ivan, he'd like to ring them and tell them himself.
He was bouncing one leg up and down – a sure-fire sign he was nervous. He knew Ivan's parents bore him no ill will regarding their son's death, but it was still painful for Dimitri to speak with them.
The phone must have been picked up because Dimitri started talking in his native tongue. His tone was respectful and gentle, but as he spoke, I could see the tension leaving him. I couldn't understand anything, but I did hear when he said our son's full name. They must have taken it well because Dimitri was smiling. He spoke for a little while and signed off.
"They're touched we named him for Ivan. They asked for our address to send something for him."
"That's sweet of them," I said, stifling a yawn. I switched Ivan to my other breast, but he wasn't doing much. I think he was as tired as I was. I stroked his little cheek to try and rouse him, but his eyes closed and he fell back to sleep.
"I'll put him down," Dimitri offered, taking him from me. Despite being a very healthy size, Ivan still looked tiny in my Russian God's arms. Dimitri had settled him into his crib when there was a knock at the door – our dinner had arrived.
The kitchen had outdone themselves! Two enormous serves of roast beef with vegetables and oven baked potatoes in a hearty gravy. For dessert, chocolate iced doughnuts piled on a plate, the topmost with 'Welcome Baby Ivan!' iced in white on the chocolate topping.
"Many congratulations!" one of the Dhampir ladies from the kitchen said as she passed the laden tray to Dimitri. "You just let us know if there's anything you fancy," she said to me. "Breastfeeding can take it out of you, so you'll need to keep your strength up. How does a cooked breakfast sound for tomorrow? 7.30? 8 am?"
"7.30 would be perfect, thank you." I could see her trying to peer around Dimitri to see Ivan. "Would you like a little look?" I asked proudly.
"Oh could I?" she asked. "My grandchildren are all teenagers now!" She walked in and looked at our sleeping son. "Oh, he's lovely. Enjoy these precious first days; they grow so fast! I'll leave you to it. Don't forget to call if you need anything."
We ate our meal in almost complete silence. It had been such a long, eventful day and we were both drained. I was tired but not yet sleepy, so Dimitri found a movie on TV, and we sat propped up on our bed, the volume down low, me cuddled against Dimitri's side. Our phones had been pinging and ringing almost non-stop, but we'd turned them both to silent. There'd be time for congratulations tomorrow.
I woke at 4 am to the most beautiful sight ever; my love cradling our son and speaking to him in Russian. Dimitri turned to me and smiled. I got up to use the bathroom, sitting back down on the bed and watching them.
"He woke up a little while ago," Dimitri explained. "He wasn't crying, just snuffling differently. He's opening his mouth a lot, so he might be hungry?"
I settled myself into a comfortable nest of pillows, pulling up my top to expose my breast. Dimitri passed Ivan to me, and he seemed interested in the nipple, doing his best to latch on. The first time hurt like hell, but the second time I managed to get more of the nipple into his mouth, and he seemed happier with it. He fed for about twenty minutes, and I changed sides, doing the same on the other side. I could see a little liquid in his mouth, so something was happening!
After another twenty minutes, I suggested we check his nappy. Dimitri took him and unwrapped him, claiming to have a bit of practice with this aspect of things. To be honest, I was happy for him to do honors, especially when I saw the dark tar-like poop in his tiny nappy! It took Dimitri five minutes to get him all cleaned up and back into his crib.
"I probably need to feed again around six. Wanna cuddle and tell me how much you love me?" I teased, pulling Dimitri back into bed.
"Always," he said lovingly.
We stood at the runway waving as Abe's plane lifted into the sky headed for Chicago. One benefit of Ivan arriving five days early was Olena and Yeva had got to enjoy him for ten days before their scheduled departure with the Guardians from Omsk. I was crying as they left – I'd miss them both, but especially Olena. She had been wonderful! From helping me perfect my feeding latch through to sitting Dimitri and I down and giving us a preemptive lecture about conflict and parenting, she was just so across everything. I knew she was only a phone call away, but I was going to miss having her at my twenty-four-hour beck and call.
That said, I was ready to go home. I loved our time at St. Vlad's, but I wanted my own little cottage, our own space, and my own bed.
Despite Olena's lecture, things had gotten a little tense between Dimitri and I. We were both sleep deprived, and he was starting to irritate me being around all the time. I was trying to find my way with Ivan, but he'd make suggestions about the way I did things. It all came to a head when he tried to correct the way I was feeding – which is when I told him until he grew breasts and started lactating he could shut the hell up! I'm pretty sure Olena said something to him, because after that he let me do things my way.
Ivan and I had passed all our health checks with flying colors, and tomorrow we were scheduled to fly home to Pennsylvania. Dr. Olendzki had organized a referral to a Pediatrician friend to keep an eye on Ivan's development, but the consensus was so far he was looking, acting and developing just like a regular Dhampir. At our request, Dr. Olendzki had sent a deidentified DNA swab from Ivan to one Moroi lab to confirm this, and a deidentified paternity swab from Dimitri and Ivan to another. While Dimitri insisted the second test was not necessary, I wanted it. As I explained to my man, I didn't want there ever to be a shred of doubt in his mind about it – and I'd also like proof in case it ever became an issue for anyone else!
I climbed back into the van we'd driven to the runway in to find Abe and Pavel flanking the car seat where Ivan was sleeping. While Abe had ostensibly come to the airstrip to wish his Omsk Guardians farewell, the fact Ivan was with us was a pretty clear added inducement. Watching his fascination with my son was amusing. After his first nervous cuddle, he'd relish any opportunity to hold him.
"Are you looking forward to flying home tomorrow?" Abe asked as I took my seat in the van.
"I am," I said. "I want to get into our routine and get Ivan settled into his own room."
"You'll have some unpacking to do," Pavel laughed, referring to the mountain of presents we'd received. Combined with the things we'd received for our baby shower it was far too much. Enough for two babies. Which led me back to a suggestion of Celeste's; that I put aside some of the items for a future child.
It wasn't something Dimitri and I had spoken about yet. He'd come to my appointment yesterday with Dr. Olendzki when she'd said that we could be intimate again as soon as I stopped bleeding and discussed contraception options with us. A lot came down to if and when we might want to try for a second child. A conversation we needed to have ASAP, as Dr. Olendzki was keen to have contraception sorted before we left for Pennsylvania. As she'd said at my appointment yesterday, she didn't know whether Ivan's conception was a miraculous one-off or if Dimitri and I would be as fertile as any other couple; but in the absence of any information suggesting otherwise, we should assume that we needed contraception if we didn't want another baby.
I was sitting at lunch in the commons with Dimitri when I decided to raise the issue. Ivan was asleep in the bassinet attachment of his pram, and we were enjoying a quiet moment in the sun together. Dimitri looked tired but happy – now we'd agreed to let each other do things our own way with Ivan we were more at ease with one another.
"Comrade? I should see Dr. Olendzki this afternoon or tomorrow to sort out contraception," I started, "'Cos I'm guessing you're not going to want to use condoms long term?"
Dimitri blushed which I thought was silly. We had a baby together. Unless we wanted another, we had to talk about this. Seeing he was embarrassed I continued.
"So the way I see it there's three options. The pill, the three-month shot, and the implant. I'm worried I'd forget the pill, so I've ruled that out. It's either the shot or the implant. The thing that worries me about the shot is it can take a while for it to wear off if we decide we want to have another baby, but the implant can be removed at any time if we decide we want another child.
Dimitri looked at me in surprise.
"You'd still consider trying for another?"
I laughed. "Well, Ivan's only ten days old, so not right now. But yep. I'm hoping to have at least one more."
Dimitri gave me a jubilant smile.
"I thought after everything you'd been through it might have put you off?" he asked tentatively.
"Well it's going to take me a long time to forget labor," I admitted, "But I don't like the idea of Ivan being an only child. Would you like a second?"
"Milaya, I love being a Papa. I want as many children as you'll give me! But we can start with a second…" he teased, pulling his chair closer to mine so he could lean across to kiss me. "So… When are you thinking?"
That was the sixty-four thousand dollar question.
"Well if everything is going well with your job and living at Abe's, I was thinking something like a year and a half gap? I don't want them too far apart. I have to take time off when they're little, so if we have them too far apart, it just prolongs the time before I can return to work or study or whatever." I was looking at him nervously. "And I was always envious of the kids who had siblings at school. It's like they were never really alone, you know?"
"A year and a half sounds perfect," my Russian God assured me. "Maybe we'll get a little girl next time?" he said hopefully.
Being home was blissful. While I'd cried buckets when I said goodbye to 'Grandma Bertie' and 'Auntie Celeste,' we were going to see them at Christmastime, both having accepted our invitation to stay over the Christmas break.
Dimitri, Ivan and I soon settled into a routine, and we were all much happier for it. I was worried I'd be bored at home, but nothing could be further from the truth. As Dimitri and I discussed, I joined a mothers' group in the town forty minutes away. I was nervous the first time I walked in, but everyone was welcoming. Before long, I was enjoying morning workouts with Dimitri and the Guardians, weekly visits from Janine, morning tea two or three times a week with Abe, and mother's group get-togethers in town. Between all that, helping Dimitri in the garden, and debating his never ending ideas for improving the cottage and the property, weeks turned into months, and soon enough we were preparing for our first Christmas.
I'd only seen Lissa once since Ivan's birth. She and Christian had left to settle in at Lehigh before we'd arrived back from Montana with Ivan. She'd come to court for a Royal function a week after we returned home, so I'd stayed at Abe's house in guest quarters for the night, and Lissa had come to visit Ivan and me there. She was very taken with Ivan and didn't want to let him go. We cleared the air, and while it would take us a while to get back to being as close as we once were, I now felt it was a possibility.
Now I wasn't pregnant, the bond was stronger again. Every now and again during the day Lissa would send me a thought or tell me to look at something through her eyes. It was like our personal one-way walkie-talkie, but it was nice to know I was still on her mind. I hadn't yet seen Christian, but they'd accepted our invitation to Christmas lunch so we'd see him then, which was awesome because it meant Eddie and Mason would be coming with them. The current plan was for them to only stay for the day, but Abe's main house would be finished by then, and he made it clear there was plenty of room for them there if they wanted to stay a day or two.
Christmas was shaping up to be huge. Dimitri and I would be cooking for twelve adults; Abe, Pavel, Janine, Lissa, Christian, Eddie, Mason, Alberta, Celeste and hopefully Art as well as ourselves. Which reminded me…
"Comrade? Have you got Art's number handy?"
"Sure thing – what do you need it for?"
"I want to ask him to Christmas lunch."
"I've got a Council meeting next week, I'll ask him then," Dimitri said oblivious to my ulterior motives.
"I'm going to order supplies online," I quickly made up. "I need to order early, or they won't get here on time – so I need to know numbers."
"Fine," he said, tossing me his phone with Art's number before going back to supervising Ivan's tummy time, mumbling something about Christmas becoming bigger than Ben Hur.
I went out onto the porch, plonking myself onto the porch swing. As I'd anticipated, we used it all the time – it being a favorite spot for Dimitri and me to unwind of an evening.
"Dimitri," Art greeted, answering his phone.
"Hi Art, it's Rose actually," I said, thinking about how to get the required information across without being too obvious. "Is this a good moment?"
"Sure is – what can I do for you?"
"Actually, it was something I thought we could do for you. We're doing a big Christmas at our place this year, and Dimitri and I thought you might like to come? Most of us are on human time, so we'll be holding it at midday on Christmas, but you're welcome to come and stay a day or two early if you'd like to acclimatize?"
"That's very kind, but I was considering going to St. Vladimir's this year. Maybe work with some of the Dhampir students who stay on campus?"
"That's a kind thought," I said, mentally cursing myself for not ringing earlier. "I'm sure Alberta and Celeste will be disappointed to miss you. They're both coming to stay with us for Christmas. Alberta's going to be here for a fortnight, and Celeste is going to stay until New Years and then drive down to see her family for a week."
"Oh – it would be a pity to miss them. The whole reason I was going to St. Vlad's was because I had some ideas I wanted to run past Alberta. When are they coming in?"
"School finishes on the twenty-second, so they're flying across on the twenty-third. Alberta's flying back on the sixth and I think the plan is the plane will pick up Celeste on the way. Anyway, if you've got stuff to discuss with Alberta you're welcome to come stay. Between the main house, the guardian quarters, the workshop flat and the cottage, we've got plenty of space. Dimitri's planning to watch all the College Football games, and even if it's snowing, he'll be out there using that damn barbecue of his."
Art chuckled. "You had me at college football! Count me in. I've already booked the time off, so I might take you up on the offer to stay if you don't mind? If I stay at Court someone will no doubt find me and want me to work," he laughed.
"Oh, I'm so pleased! Dimitri will be delighted!" I said, hoping my Russian God wouldn't mind.
"When would you like me there?" Art asked.
"What about the twenty-third? That way you can relax a little before the craziness of Christmas Day?"
"Sounds good. In fact, why don't I pick Alberta and Celeste up from the airport and drive them to your place? It will save you making a special trip?"
"Oh Art that would be perfect thank you," I said, grinning like a Cheshire cat. The man had it bad!
I rang off, going inside to break the news we were having an extra houseguest for a week over Christmas. Dimitri wasn't downstairs, so he must be putting our little man down for a nap. Sure enough, upstairs Dimitri was standing beside the cot looking at our handsome son. I sneaked into our room, quickly putting on a very naughty pair of panties and a matching bra. It was only in the last week or so I had gotten back into my tightest jeans, and while there were still some obstinate areas I needed to work on, I was feeling almost back to normal.
"Comrade? Can you come help me with something in our bedroom?" I called out, loud enough to be heard but not loud enough to startle Ivan.
I heard Dimitri's soft footsteps padding across the hallway floor before the double doors to our room opened. My Russian God lifted one eyebrow when he saw me reclining on our bed dressed in some particularly inspiring underwear.
"What do you need help with, milaya? Did you misplace your dress?" he teased, desire unfurling in the depths of his brown orbs.
I pouted. "I was feeling a little lonely…"
-ooOOoo The End Part Three ooOOoo-