“Damon, as a matter of law I have to ask. Is it alright if I discuss these matters with you in front of Alexa?” I gave him a curt nod. “Of course, I keep no secrets from her. “
“Very well, please take a seat so we can begin.” I gave Alexa’s hand an encouraging squeeze and held out a chair for her to sit. After I had taken my seat beside her Dr. Madison started.
“Damon, a few months ago you brought me a patient by the name of Tatiana Ivanov.” I nodded my head in understanding. Mentally I let out a sigh of relief. This was not about Nik and Evie at all. It was about that woman I had met months ago and assisted her with medical care for her and her unborn child.
“Yes, I remember.” Dr. Madison gave me a sad smile.
“Over the past few months, I have seen Tatiana at least twice a week. As you can remember she was a high-risk pregnancy.” I Nodded again. I remembered the doctor saying she had pre-preeclampsia.
During the past few months, Tatiana had begun to open up to me. She confided in me that her pregnancy was one born of prostitution. She was an active prostitute and she continued to work even during her pregnancy. I offered to get her help. I even went so far as to provide her with numbers to services designed for women who were trying to change their lives. She refused me every time.”
I felt Alexa’s hand tighten around mine. I couldn’t imagine what was running through her mind. I hoped that she would give me the opportunity to explain.
“Why are you telling me all of this?” I asked the doctor, concern laced my voice.
“I made Tatiana a promise. I intend to make good on my word. Tatiana gave birth to a baby boy three days ago. He is a healthy little guy despite the rough pregnancy. He was born almost a month early but is gaining weight and coming along just fine. He was born 5 pounds 7 ounces and 19 and a half inches long.” Dr. Madison paused letting the details sink in.
“Tatiana knew the risks of her pregnancy and was very proactive in ensuring that she had everything in place should the worst possible scenario happen. She was very diligent in her paperwork and what she wanted to take place. She knew who you were. She knew that you were a rock star and that you were well off. She also knew that you had a good heart and that you would one day make a wonderful father. It is my understanding that at one point the two of you had grown close.” The doctor cut his eyes over to Alexa realizing how his words might sound. He amended his statement. “She told me that you were a good friend to her when she had no one to turn to. I can attest to that as I know first had that you paid for and provided her medical care even when the two of you were no longer speaking.
“What is it you are trying to say to me Doc?” My mind did not want to comprehend what he was implying.
“Damon, what I am saying is this. Tatiana passed away during childbirth. She knew that it was a risk to carry the baby to term and I had advised her to abort the baby. It was very clear that she would have a choice to make, her or the baby. Tatiana chose the baby. She also made it clear that she had no family and no way to determine who the baby’s father was.”
“Before she went into labor Tatiana had all of the paperwork filed and everything set up for the baby. She left her baby to you. There are no forms to fill out just a few papers to sign. That is if you decide to take the baby. I will give you and Alexa a few minutes to discuss it. Once you have made your decision just give me a call. You have my number.”
Dr. Madison stood and walked out of the room. My head felt like it was about to explode. Tatiana had passed away giving birth. I couldn’t believe it. I also couldn’t believe that she was a prostitute. Though, if I was being honest, it did explain a lot. I felt Alexa squeeze my hand.
“Are you okay?” I nodded my head slowly. “What do we do?” I needed her guidance. I put a ring on her finger. The decisions were no longer just mine, they were ours.
“What do you want to do?” She was so understanding, my heart swelled even more with love. I turned in my seat to face her, taking both of her hands in mine. I looked down at the rock on her finger and smiled for the first time in the past hour. That one bit of happiness that no one could take away. She was mine.
“This is our decision. Yours and mine. We are a team.” I promised her. “Did you ever sleep with her?” I shook my head adamantly. I explained to her about the website and meeting Tatiana. I told her everything, well almost everything. I didn’t tell her how I masturbated in the bathroom of the boutique or how the short skirt Tatiana had been wearing made my dick hard. But I did tell her everything else. Everything that mattered. Alexa listened patiently as I told her everything leading up to never hearing from her again.
“Do you really want to know what I think?” She asked. My heart lurched in my chest. I knew what I wanted but I was so afraid to say the words for fear that she wouldn’t want the same thing.
“What do you want?” I asked nervously.
“I want to go meet our baby.” My jaw dropped as her words echoed in my ears. I jumped up and pulled her into my arms. “I fucking love you.” Alexa laughed and hugged me tightly. “You know, with a baby so soon, perhaps we shouldn’t have a long engagement.” I nipped at her full lower lip. “You read my mind, though I never intended to give you a long engagement. I figured one way or another I could coerce you into marrying me sooner rather than later.” She laughed and slapped at my chest.
“Call the doctor and see how soon we can take our baby home. I wonder if it is a boy or a girl.” I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed the doctor’s number. ‘It’s a boy,” I told her with a wink.
Dr. Madison instructed us to go up to the nursery. The baby would be ready to come home in a few hours. We had paperwork to sign and needed to schedule appointments to bring the baby to the doctor for checkups along with a few instructions on care.
On the way up to the nursery, Alexa and I discussed baby names. I knew Tatiana was Russian as well and I wanted to give him a good Russian name. Thankfully Alexa agreed as long as it wasn’t a name that would cause him to be picked on at school or made fun of.
We agreed to wait until we met him to decide on a final name. She believed that you could look at a baby and tell if the name fit. As we rode the elevator up Alexa had compiled a list of what she deemed acceptable names.
Zakhar, Zac for short, Viktor, Sasha, Stas, and Mikhail were at the top of the list so far. I had a personal favorite I was hoping she would go for, I hadn’t told her yet. It was the name I had given the baby in my mind when I first saw him on the screen during Tatiana’s sonogram.
We had made it to the nursery both of us pausing in front of the large glass window. We started wide eyes at the rows of swaddled infants. Alexa leaned against me and I wrapped my arm around her. Several hours ago I was as happy as I ever thought I would be. Alexa had agreed to marry me and be mine for all eternity. Less than an hour later I had been in a panic fearing the worst for Nik and Evie and their unborn child, now here I was with my fiancé about to bring home a baby and feeling happier now than I was when Alexa had said yes. I was going to be a father. I was going to a father to a tiny human. My heart swelled in my chest. I couldn’t believe it. I squeezed Alexa into my side tighter.
“Are you ready to be a mommy?” I whispered into Alexa’s hair. I hear a sob escape her lips and I pulled her into my arms. “Yes, more than anything.”
Dr. Madison came around the corner clearing his throat to get out attention. “Would you like to meet your son?” Tears welled up in my eyes and I gave him a curt nod.
“Follow me.” We followed him into the nursery and he ushered us to a set of rocking chairs where we sat side by side. A nurse came up behind the doctor with a baby swaddled in a white blanket, a blue and pink striped beanie on his head. She placed the baby in my arms. He was so tiny and light. He was absolute perfection.
There was a small patch of black hair on his head that matched Tatiana’s hair color. His face was squished up and wrinkled like a little old man. He was adorable. I couldn’t help the tears tha
t slid down my cheek as I watched his tiny lips mimic the sucking motion I often watched Karina do that when she was that little.
I could see so much of Tatiana in him. I silently sent up a prayer of thanks to her. She had given me the greatest gift of all times and I would love him as my own. His tiny fingers poked out of the top of the blanket and I reached out with my hand to stroke them.
Alexa’s voice was soft and soothing as she peered over at the baby in my arms. “Do you know what we will name him?” I smiled down at him. “Feodora, it mean’s God’s gift. Dominik Feodora Sokolov.” Alexa smiled up at me and wiped away my tears with her finger. “I think that is a perfect name.” I gave her a watery smile. “Would you like to hold him?”
Her eyes grew bright with excitement. “I would love to.” I passed the baby off to Alexa and pulled out my phone. I snapped a picture of the most beautiful sight in the world, my gorgeous fiancé and my adorable son. Slipping my phone into my pocket I stood and went in search of the doctor. I was ready to get the paperwork signed so I could take my family home.
It took me six hours to finish crossing all of the T’s and dotting the I’s before we were able to take Dominik home. Even though it felt like forever it worked out in our favor I was able to make the required calls to get everything in place. I had the bedroom next to mine set up as a nursery and any and everything little Dominik would ever need. A few favors later and a car seat was brought up along with a well-stocked diaper bag and the perfect outfit to take my little man home. This was the one thing I loved about being filthy rich. I expected a call from Borya and my accountant at any moment.
I hired a designer to decorate the nursery in a rush. I hoped she was as good as her reputation. I asked for a grayscale nursery with pops of blue. I was informed that everything would be put in place before we got home. I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out and I couldn’t wait to see the look on Alexa’s face.
The onesie that came in the diaper bag for his going home outfit was a long-sleeved white gown that said ‘Perfect’ across the chest in bold black print. A black beanie was also in the bag with his name in white lettering. It was perfect for my baby rocker. The tiny white booties completed the outfit. Yes, my estrogen was pumping.
I had left Alexa with Dominik while I signed paperwork and arranged everything. I didn’t want to give her any additional stress. To be honest, I was being selfish. I wanted to do this for my little man. I made a silent promise to allow Alexa to decorate the nursery for our next baby.
When we pulled up to the house it looked deserted. That explained why I had not received any calls about people coming in and out of the house. Everyone must have decided to give us privacy to celebrate our recent engagement.
I held the baby carried in one hand and wrapped my other arm around Alexa. She looked positively glowing considering the whirlwind of a day we had.
As soon as I opened the door we were stunned by loud cheers of surprise. All of our friends and family had gathered around the foyer with glasses of champagne in their hands. To say I was shocked was an understatement. I looked to Alexa and noticed she was just as surprised as we were. As we stepped further into the room the look of shock transferred on to everyone’s faces as they took in the baby carrier in my hand.
“D, where did you get a baby?” I smiled brightly and shouted my own surprise.
Both Igor and Anna Kiev’s parents and Borya and Diana Ivan’s parents rushed over to the baby I was holding. Borya snatched the carrier out of my hands and walked into the living room with the baby followed by the other three parents. I was left with Alexa to explain everything that had happened. After what felt like forever of explaining, I was finally released to from my interrogation to check on the baby.
I walked into the living room to find Diana holding tiny Dominik in her arms while Borya, Igor, and Anna cooed at the baby. I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture of the five of them. I couldn’t wait to share these memories with my son.
“What’s his name?” Anna asked in Russian. “His name is Dominik Feodora Sokolov.” I could hear Katinka translating for us.
“Why not give him the Feodora as a first name? It is a good name.” Borya’s voice boomed. I gave a chuckle and shook my head. “I do not want my son to be teased for the rest of his life, father.” Borya let out a laugh of his own.
“Yes, American’s can be cruel about names.” I shook my head and laughed. “Do you what to know about him?” I asked gesturing toward the baby that lay sleeping in Diana’s hands. “Net, We know all we need to know. He is our grandson. Where he came from do not matter.” Igor and the mothers agreed. “then it is done.” I changed to English now that the parents were satisfied. “Everyone, I would like you to meet my son Dominik Feodora Sokolov. He was born two days ago. As of today, I am his legal father and once we are married Alexa will be his legal mother.”
“But when are you getting married?” Anna asked motioning between Alexa and I. “That you will have to ask Alexa. She carries my balls in her purse.” I shot Igor a knowing grin.
Other Titles by A. D. Herrick
Rock On: A Heavy Metal Romance
Rock Harder: A Heavy Metal Romance
Break Down
Echo
Echo
A. D. Herrick
Copyright © 2017 A. D. Herrick
All rights reserved. No parts of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, establishments, organizations, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously to give a sense of authenticity. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead, events, or locales are coincidental and not intended by the author.
Chapter One
How to be a teenage girl…
Allie rapidly typed into the search bar on her laptop. Hoping that she would find all the answers she needed on the small screen in front of her. She diligently pecked away at the keyboard. She had never been a teenage girl. At least not that she remembered anyway. Thinking that perhaps trying to be one now would help extinguish this restlessness inside her. Her skin itched and crawled beneath the surface. A soft hum of energy reverberated throughout her body. The feeling had been growing and growing with each passing day, driving her to near madness.
She sat cross-legged on the thick gray cotton rug in her living room, her laptop computer resting in her lap. Her jean clad legs warm from the heat radiating off the computer’s fan. She leaned back against the front of the charcoal gray suede sofa as she stretched her arms above her head. Tilting her head side to side she popped her neck. As each vertebra cracked and settled into place, a warm tingling sensation worked its way down her spine, and her pink, faded cotton t-shirt lifted to expose her midsection. She watched the search results populate her screen. Growing Impatient, she chewed at her bottom lip, dragging it between her teeth before releasing it with a plop – a nervous habit she had adopted since watching teen dramas on the television. She twisted her long brown hair into a messy bun on top of her head, securing it with a set of chopsticks that were left lying on the coffee table. It was a trick that took her weeks to master, having watching hours of demonstration videos online.
As the search results compiled on the screen Allie scrunched her nose up in frustration. She scrolled through the results looking for one that fit her needs, none of which looked promising. “How to be a gorgeous teen… Not exactly what I was looking for. Come on, I know it’s here.” She said becoming anxious. ”How to have a great life when you are a teen… Nope, not it.” She spat out irascibly letting out a huff of air. “How to be a perfect teen girl... Perfect!” Allie exclaimed excitedly to herself, clapping her hands, wiggling and shaking her body in excitement. Still full of glee, she clicked on the link to read the article, her attention laser focused on the screen in front of her.
Gleefully skipping past
the introduction paragraph, she went straight to the highlighted points. “Keep smiling... I can do that, seems easy enough.” She spoke out loud optimistically. She set the laptop to the side and began practicing her smile. The corners of her mouth turning up, she smiled brightly, the whites of her teeth flashing as she tilted her head from side to side. Raising her right hand, fingers pressed together she smiled brightly and began waving softly, gently tilting her hand side to side. “Perfect, I am so going to be the best teen ever.” She said excitedly between clenched teeth trying not to break her smile.
“Practicing for a beauty pageant?” Sam razzed from across the room watching her practice her smile and wave. Annoyed Allie turned toward him and stuck her tongue out at him and blew a raspberry. “Very mature Al.” Sam scolded from the door way. “I’m learning how to be a teenager.” Allie said excitedly, her eyes gleaming. Sam Paled. “Why would you do that?” Sam’s faced pulled in distaste. “I’ve never been a teenager and I want to be one now.” Allie said adamantly pursing her lips at his dejection.
Sam was bewildered. “I have never heard of anyone wanting to be a teenager. They usually want to skip straight to being an adult Al. What happened to your quest to train goldfish?” Allie scrunched up her face in distaste. “Why would anyone want to be a grown up? It’s boring and it makes you itchy. Besides, I doubt you know anything about being a teenager. Oh, and to answer your question, I got broken fish so I couldn’t train them.” She shrugged him off. ”They kept opening their mouth like they were trying to talk but nothing came out. How can I teach them how to ice skate if they can’t communicate with me? ” Sam chuckled warmly and turned his back on her, calling over his shoulder. “Have fun with learning to be a teenager, Al.” He walked out of the room leaving Allie to continue her research. Accustomed to Sam’s teasing, Allie returned her focus on practicing her smiling.
Rocking Away: A Heavy Metal Romance (Slava Pasha Book 3) Page 15