by Leslie North
There weeks had gone on in a similar fashion with him directing his troops during the day, and making love to her all night. The time had flown by, and when the last two days arrived, he had made sure to try to make her see they had a future together.
Arriving at his home, he gently roused her, “Jasmine, we are here.”
He watched as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes and checked on Mikhail. The child was still sleeping, exhausted from his sleepless night and painful earache.
Misha insisted on taking the sleeping infant from her arms, allowing her a chance to stretch her tired muscles. Telling Sergei quietly that he needed to send someone back with his car, he handed him the keys and then turned his attention to the lovely woman still standing next to the car. She looked like a sleepy kitten that had just been awakened and wasn’t quite sure where it was yet.
She hadn’t said more than a few words since they had left her former apartment. He hoped that her friend had not upset her more than she already was, but Dasha had been correct when she encouraged her to be open to everything.
Jasmine followed Misha into his home, noticing the comfortable furniture and modern conveniences, but it didn’t make much difference. She was lost in contemplation of what her life might have been like if she had found Misha when she first found out she was pregnant.
She liked to think that he would have married her then, but maybe that was just a pipedream. He seemed to be trying to make up for lost time now, but she wondered how long that would last.
Misha took Mikhail to his own bedroom, lying him down in the middle of the bed and surrounding him with pillows to keep the baby from rolling off. There was only one furnished bedroom in the house. “Will that work?” he asked her, the first words he had spoken to her since having arrived at his home.
Jasmine simply nodded, afraid if she opened her mouth, everything she was feeling would come pouring out and Misha didn’t deserve that. No one did. She would just have to handle her emotions internally and put on a brave face.
Chapter 12
“Come,” he said quietly, leading her from the room. He glanced at the dark circles beneath her eyes and the way her cheeks drew slightly in. “Are you hungry?”
Jasmine shook her head; she couldn’t eat when she was this upset. Her stomach chose that moment to make itself known and remind her that she hadn’t eaten since lunch the day before.
“Well, I guess your stomach is smarter than your brain. Come on, I’ll fix you something to eat.”
Jasmine followed him down a long hallway, which opened up into a beautiful kitchen, complete with stainless steel appliances, and dark gray marble countertops sitting atop whitewashed wooden cabinets. The white tiles on the floor and ceramic tiles on the walls completed the look. The kitchen was gorgeous!
Jasmine took a seat at one of the bar stools situated around the large kitchen island and watched as Misha pulled eggs, vegetables and some diced ham from the fridge. She had forgotten his predilection for omelets. That’s exactly what he made her. He didn’t ask what she wanted in it, he already knew.
Cooking breakfast together had become a ritual with them beginning with the second morning he’d slept over. Jasmine had enjoyed starting her day with someone other than her thoughts and had quickly learned just how sensual cooking together could be.
She watched him move around the kitchen and realized that some things hadn’t changed. She still loved seeing him work around the kitchen. His strong muscles in direct contrast to the gentle way his whisked the eggs together, or the way he carefully turned the omelets over.
Misha poured the eggs into the pan, adding meat and vegetables before turning to her, “I spoke to Dmitry on the way here. He’s going to make some calls about your visa. He thinks he can get it renewed as if it never expired.”
Jasmine nodded, “What happens if he can’t do that?”
“We’ll cross that bridge if it arrives. I also asked him for a favor and before you get upset, I want you to hear me out.” He waited for Jasmine to nod before he continued, “Dmitry is having Julia and Desi put together a small gathering for Saturday afternoon.”
“Why? I thought they were planning their own weddings?”
“At this gathering,” he continued as if she hadn’t interrupted him, “I will be introducing my family to my son. And my wife.”
He watched as the words sank in and a protest rose to her lips, “Wait. Before you get angry, think about it. You did not give birth to Mikhail in a hospital. There is no record of his birth other than Dasha’s word and if it gets out that she delivered him and didn’t report it, she’ll lose her license to practice medicine.”
Jasmine hadn’t thought of the fact that Dasha could suffer consequences for having helped her. “I don’t want Dasha to suffer for me.”
“I know,” Misha nodded, turning the eggs over, “That is why we must marry. Russia is a very patriarchal society, this you know well. No one will question his parentage once we are married. He will be free from criticism or speculation, and his Russian citizenship will be secure.”
“I want him to have American citizenship,” Jasmine threw out there.
“Really? Think about it before you make that decision. As my heir, he stands to inherit a third of the richest empire in Russia.” Seeing her eyes widen, he laughed, “I’m surprised you didn’t do your homework once you found out who I was.”
“How would I have done that? I sold my laptop to buy diapers months ago and in order to use the computers at the public library, I would have had to show them some form of I.D. which I didn’t have.”
Her words made him feel ashamed. His woman shouldn’t have had to suffer so!
“Sorry. The Fedosov family controls all of the mining in Russia and as such, is the largest and richest empire in the country. Mikhail is entitled to a third of that empire, but only as a Russian citizen. You know that the government doesn’t allow foreigners to inherit.”
Jasmine knew all of this and nodded. “I can see your point, but how am I to take him back to American with me…”
“Stop. I will make a deal with you. You’ve had ten months with our son. I want the same.” Misha had thought about how to entice her to stay in Russia without attempting to leave, and this idea had just popped into his head, but it was a good one!
“What?! Misha, please don’t try to take him away from me…”
“What are you talking about now? Why would I take him away from you? Oh… you thought I meant… Jasmine, I care for you and want to get to know our son. I would never take him from you. Never!”
Jasmine felt stupid for having jumped to conclusions, but she was tired and things were happening very fast. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have thought that way.”
“No, you shouldn’t have, but it just goes to prove my point. We need time to get to know each other. Really know each other. I am proposing that you agree to marry me and stay in Russia for no less than ten months while I get to know my son and we see if we have a future together as a family.
“At the end of those ten months, if you still want to return to America, I won’t stop you. I’ll even let you take Mikhail with you, with my blessing.”
“Why would you do that?” Jasmine asked, not seeing what he was going to get out of the arrangement.
“Everything. I’m counting on the fact that in ten months, you won’t want to leave Russia. Or me. Do you agree to my proposal?”
Jasmine looked at him as he dished their meal onto two plates, sitting one in front of her before walking around and taking the stool next to hers. “Jasmine?”
“I…”
“Don’t over think this. Let me help share the burden of caring for our son. Give me ten months to show you what our lives could be like.”
Jasmine longed to say “Yes.” Misha was the perfect man for her; she’d known that those many months ago. But, she had to find her brother. She just had to. “Misha, I have to return to the states.”
“Your brother?” he inqu
ired, already having a solution to that argument. “What if I told you that a very good friend of Dmitry’s also happens to have a brother who runs a PI service? All I have to do is make a phone call, and this man will be on the case. He’s good, Jasmine. Very good. If your brother is out there, this man will find him.”
“But the cost…”
“…is something a husband would willingly pay for his new bride. Let me do this for you. We will be married on Saturday, introduce our son to my family, and then see what the future has in store for us.”
“What about your commission?”
Misha smiled at her, “I was offered an early out and took it last week. I haven’t even had a chance to tell Dmitry and Alexey yet. They’ve been a little preoccupied with their brides-to-be and the South Africa project.”
“South Africa project?” Jasmine inquired.
“That is a whole other discussion. One that can wait. I need your answer.”
Jasmine looked down at her hands, seeing the chipped and broken nails – a visual representation of the mess her life had become. Misha was offering her a chance at happiness, not just for herself, but also for her son. Their son. He was offering her what she’d always wanted – a family.
Looking up at him, she was unable to stop the tears that filled her eyes or clogged her throat. She tried to speak but then simply nodded her compliance.
Misha kissed her tenderly before turning her to face her plate, “Eat, and then we’ll see about getting you some much needed rest.”
Jasmine took the first bit of her eggs and moaned in delight, “These are fabulous. But, I can’t sleep. Mikhail will be waking up anytime and needing to be fed.”
“You will rest until that occurs and then instruct me on what needs to be done. I know you are a strong woman, but your days of caring for Mikhail all by yourself are through. I’m here now and I want to learn everything there is to know about caring for him.”
Jasmine nodded, wondering if he would still be so eager if Mikhail had another sleepless night. Only time would tell.
Chapter 13
The next day, Misha made good on his word and contacted the American PI, giving him all of the information Jasmine had obtained from her PI. After several minutes of discussion, the call had been disconnected and the man promised to get back to them in a few days with more information.
Jasmine couldn’t believe how fast everything was changing. No more wearing double and triple clothing to stay warm. Misha’s house was very cozy, and as the temperatures continued to drop outside, she knew she would soon be very thankful to be out of the Ligovo apartment.
After eating breakfast, Misha had suggested she take a bubble bath, remembering how much she used to enjoy lying in a tub full of warm water and just letting her mind float where it would.
The small apartment in Ligovo had only had a small shower, no tub. It had been more than eighteen months since she had enjoyed the luxuries of a bath. The lure was more than she could resist and she eagerly nodded, making sure Misha would be around to hear Mikhail if he awakened early.
“He’ll need to be changed when he first wakes up and then he’ll want to play for a few minutes before he eats.”
Misha physically walked her to the luxurious bathroom, pushing her inside and pulling the door shut as he told her, “I can handle it. Enjoy your bath. I don’t want to see you again until your skin is all pruny and at least an hour has passed.”
Jasmine smiled at the closed door and then turned to survey the bathroom. She felt like she had died and gone to heaven. The jetted tub was deep and the water was warm. She found some bath salts beneath the sink and added them, putting the scent of vanilla in the air as they dissolved.
She removed her clothing and sank into the water, moaning in delight as the water helped drain away the tension in her muscles. How did I manage a year and a half without a bathtub?”
She relaxed back into the tub, letting her eyes close and her mind drift.
Misha cleared the breakfast dishes and was just about to knock on the bathroom door when Mikhail woke up. He changed his diaper and then played with him for several minutes. When the little boy started drooling and chewing on his fist, he decided that was his clue to get a bottle ready.
Mikhail drank the entire bottle down before deciding to play with his toes. Misha laughed as he struggled to grasp his toes. Glancing at the clock, he realized that over an hour had passed since Jasmine entered the bathroom.
He left Mikhail playing on the floor and knocked on the bathroom door, “Jasmine? Is everything okay in there?”
“Jasmine?” Misha knocked louder.
“Uhm… yes… I’m here.” Jasmine struggled to open her eyes. She was so tired! Pushing herself to a sitting position, she realized where she was and whom she was with. “I’m fine. I’m getting out right now.” Please don’t come in!
“If you’re sure. I’ve already fed Mikhail, so there’s no reason for you to hurry.” Misha wanted her to rest so that the dark circles beneath her eyes would leave.
“No, I’m getting out right now.” Jasmine stood from the tub, the water running down her body as she began to dry off with a towel. “Misha?”
“Yes?”
He was standing outside the door! If only he would open the door and take me in his arms. Maybe then I could believe all of this is really happening. “Nothing. I’ll be out in a few minutes.”
Jasmine finished drying off and then cracked the bathroom door open, looking to see if Misha had left her alone to dress. Thankful that he had, she dressed in the same clothes she had arrived in. Her wardrobe was scarce and she didn’t have the luxury of changing clothes more than once a day.
When she exited the bedroom, Misha couldn’t help but ask her, “Didn’t you want to put some fresh clothes on?”
Jasmine tried to contain the blush that threatened and simply shook her head, “No. These weren’t dirty and they’ll be fine.”
Misha narrowed his eyes at her and then stalked into the bedroom, pulling open the duffel bag containing her clothing and dumping it out on the bed.
“Misha, what are you doing?” Jasmine tried to stuff the clothes back inside, but he grabbed her arms and pushed her away.
“I’m gaining some insight. Let’s see, we have three pair of jeans, counting the ones you’re wearing. All of which have holes in them. You have another pair of khaki green pants. I see five t-shirts, one sweater, two tank tops, a pair of boxer shorts, and a bomber jacket. Throw in a few pair of panties and two bras, and that’s it.”
Jasmine bit her lip and struggled not to let his harsh examination of her failure bring tears to her eyes. Haven’t I already cried enough today! God, I’m turning into a water faucet!
“Well? I know you had more clothing that this when we were together. Where are your clothes?”
Jasmine shrugged.
“Jasmine? Tell me,” he asked, softening his tone and sitting on the edge of the bed.
Jasmine looked at him and then away, saying softly, “I sold them.”
“Why would you sell all of your clothes? Please help me understand.”
“They didn’t fit anyway. I needed maternity clothes and the only way the lady at the second hand place could help me was if we traded clothing. I gave her my clothes, and she gave me bigger ones. After I had Mikhail, she did the same thing for me to get normal fitting clothes again.”
Misha was shocked at the lengths to which she had been forced to go. “Why didn’t you go to the American Embassy and ask for help? Or call back to the states for help?”
“I already told you what the people at the Embassy told me. And who would I call back in the states? My dead mother? The brother I can’t find? Tell me, Misha, who would I call?”
Seeing this conversation agitating her again, he sighed, “I’m sorry. I seem to be harping around the same topic and it’s getting us nowhere. One more question and then we’ll speak no more of this today.”
Jasmine nodded, tired again even th
ough it was only mid-morning.
“Why didn’t you leave word at the university where you’d gone?”
Jasmine laughed hysterically, “Really? As if they care. After I started feeling better, Dasha took me over to the university where they presented me with a large bill and no certificate of completion. It seems my federal grants were contingent upon me completing my program of study. Since I didn’t finish, the final allotment of money wasn’t paid. I probably have to pay them back the first three installments as well.”
“So, you didn’t tell them where you were going because then they couldn’t hound you to pay the bill. I understand now.”
Jasmine nodded, “I’m sorry.”
“What for?” Misha asked.
“For everything I guess. For not trying harder to find you. For not telling Dasha who Mikhail’s father was. She probably would have recognized the name.”
“Possibly. I know Tomas would have.”
“How do you know Tomas?” It had not alluded her notice that he and Tomas seemed to be on very friendly terms.
“Well, let’s just say that he and I have fought alongside each other many times. We respect each other and that says a lot.”
“When I saw Sergei standing outside with Tomas’s men talking to him, I thought there were going to be problems.”
“No. Tomas and I go way back.”
“How exactly does one go way back when they’re only twenty-six?” Jasmine asked curiously.
“Why, to elementary school. Tomas was in the fifth grade when I was in second, yet together we ruled the school.”
Jasmine started laughing, “What, were you rising up against the teachers to make sure they didn’t steal anyone’s milk money?”
“Something like that.” Misha looked at her smiling face and grinned. He liked seeing her happy. “I have a few phone calls to make. What would you like to do while I make them?”
“Honestly?” Jasmine inquired.