Sofia sucked in a breath. So, it was positive after all. Feeling dazed, she left the test on the bathroom counter. She washed her hands, then crept back to bed. Lying on her back, she stared up at the ceiling, wondering what Aurora would do in this situation.
Would her sister quickly gather herself then inform her husband over dinner about the news using her calm and collected voice?
“Stop comparing yourself to Aurora. She’s gone.” Sofia didn’t know when she stopped trying to emulate her sister.
Maxim had seen right through her act. He was fine with Sofia being her usual imperfect self, or rather in his eyes, he didn’t want to change a single thing about her.
Sofia found herself drifting off to sleep. A nap might help her recharge. Maxim and she had that charity event to go to after all. She would tell him after the ball, Sofia decided, not before. This event was a big deal to her husband. The last thing Sofia wanted to do was screw anything up.
What felt like minutes later, someone gently shook her. Maxim smiled as she opened her eyes. He stooped down, kissing her. Maxim lifted the sheets and rested a hand over her stomach.
Her heart went into overdrive. Did Maxim know? It wouldn’t surprise her if Lev told him about this afternoon. Lev didn’t keep anything from his brother, after all.
“Are you feeling better?” Maxim asked. “Lev mentioned you wanted to stretch your legs and went with him to the pharmacy.”
“Was that all he said?” Sofia asked, sitting up. She patted the empty space next to her. Maxim slipped into bed with her. He reached for her hand and gave it a kiss.
“Is there more the two of you aren’t telling me?” Maxim asked.
He lowered her hand only to tip her chin with two fingers. She met his demanding gaze and knew she couldn’t hold out on him. Sofia had to tell him before the event.
“I wanted to wait until the event was over, but here goes,” Sofia said.
“Sofia, are you asking me for a divorce?” Maxim’s tone had turned cold. He relaxed when Sofia rested her hand on his thigh.
“No, it’s not that. Let me finish,” Sofia said. “I didn’t have a stomachache this morning. I insisted on going to the pharmacy with Lev because I suspected it was something else.”
“Something else?” Now he looked alarmed. “Sofia, I have access to the best doctors in the country. What is it you have?”
“Maxim, stop interrupting,” she said.
The knots in her stomach disappeared and laughter bubbled out of her. It was a little comical and sweet, seeing her ruthless husband reduced to a doting spouse.
“I left something on the bathroom counter. Go see what it is,” she told Maxim.
Maxim frowned. “Are we playing a game? I mean, we do have some time for a quickie.”
Sofia couldn’t stop smiling. All her initial fears and doubts faded. “Go look. Please?”
Her plea got him moving. He entered the bathroom and emerged, looking stunned. He held out the pregnancy test to the light.
“Sofia, tell me you’re not pulling a mean prank on me,” he said softly, his tone unreadable.
Sofia got up from the bed and approached him. Maxim set the test down at a nearby table and watched her like a hawk, or a large predator.
Sofia placed her hands over his broad shoulders and tiptoed to kiss him on the mouth.
Maxim’s hands were immediately on her. He gripped her close, kissing her fiercely, possessively.
A familiar tingle of anticipation crept down her spine. Sofia’s breasts felt suddenly full, and moisture gathered between her legs.
“It is really true?” Maxim asked after releasing her mouth. “You are with child?”
“Our child,” Sofia said.
Maxim said something in Russian. She didn’t need to understand. The look in Maxim’s eyes told her everything. “Why were you going to wait so long to tell me the good news?” he asked, stroking her back.
“Because I didn’t want anything tonight to go wrong. You’ve been working so hard, so many late nights,” she murmured.
“My sweet and caring angel,” Maxim said. “Some days, I still wonder what I did to deserve you. I’m glad you told me now. A baby. Imagine that.”
“Yes,” she said, smiling up at him. “I can’t wait.”
“Neither can I.”