"That's it," the doctor says, moving closer. "Just breathe through it."
When it passes, she's shaking. I grab a cloth and wipe her face gently.
"I thought you'd punish us," she continues. "All three of us. Make an example of my parents. And me… I didn't know what you'd do to me."
"I sat them down," I say. "In my office. Like they were guests instead of prisoners. I told them the truth. That theft from the Bratva usually results in a death sentence. That I would be well within my rights to make an example of them." I pause. "But then I told them I loved their daughter. That made them family. And I don't kill family."
Lena's eyes fill with tears. They spill over, running down her cheeks. "My mother cried. She kept saying 'thank you' over and over."
There's a soft knock at the door, and Mary peeks her head in. "How are we doing?"
"Fine, Mom." Lena manages a smile. "Just talking."
Mary steps inside, her eyes soft with concern and a wry smile. "Your father is wearing a hole in the waiting room floor."
Lena laughs and shakes her head. "I bet he is. But I also bet he wouldn't step a big toe in here even if you threatened his life."
Mary laughs. "I wouldn't bet against you on that."
Another contraction hits, stronger this time, and Mary's attention shifts immediately back to her daughter, holding her hand.
When it passes, Lena looks exhausted. Mary slips out of the room with the excuse that she wants to give the would-be parents some privacy and that she'll check in again soon.
"Your mother is warming up to me," I say to Lena.
"She likes you," Lena says. "She always has. It's just… complicated. You're not exactly the son-in-law she imagined."
"No," I agree. "I'm probably her worst nightmare."
"You're mine," she says, touching my face. "That's what matters. And they're trying, Aleksandr. That's more than I hoped for six months ago."
I must have a look on my face because Lena frowns at me. "Tell me."
"Tell you what?"
"Whatever you're thinking," she says with a stern look. "I can see that you're debating on telling me something, so if you don't tell me right now…"
I raise my arms as if in surrender. "Alright, alright!" I say with a soft chuckle. "I just heard that your Uncle Orleg has finally surfaced."
I pause, but she just raises an eyebrow at me. Her face doesn't pale as if frightened about what I'll do and she doesn't look worried at all.
I shrug. "I guess he figured since you are with me, alive and healthy, he's safe to come out in public again."
Another contraction starts, and she curls forward with a gasp. The doctor moves closer. "We're getting very close now."
When the contraction passes, Lena is panting. "I thought you were going to punish me."
My eyes widen in surprise. "Because your uncle is back?" I ask incredulously.
"No, silly. After you talked to my parents and told them you weren't going to kill them. Remember? You took me to my room. I thought I was in serious trouble."
Oh, she's back to the conversation about the night she tried to help her parents escape. Shit, trying to keep up with her train of thought right now is a challenge!
"But instead, you made love to me. Slow and gentle. You kept telling me you loved me, over and over, until I believed it."
"I meant it," I say. "Every word."
"I know that now." She touches my face. "But that day, I was so scared. Of you being the Pakhan and nothing else. Of losing the man I'd fallen in love with in that cabin."