EPILOGUE: Part 2

Dmitry immediately started the nursery room, letting her pick out the furniture. He made sure it was exactly the way she wanted it.

When it was completed, he went in to make sure everything was the way he ordered it to be. Satisfied with it, he then went and got Danica. He wouldn’t let her go into the room until it was finished.

As soon as she stepped into the room, she was amazed. It was something out of a fairy tale book.

“Dmitry, I love it. I absolutely love it and the cute little crowns at the top.”

He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her.

“Well, they are going to be our little princesses. I’m so glad you love it, but if there’s something you don’t like, just let me know, and I’ll take care of it.”

She turned around to face him, putting her arms around his neck.

“You did a great job, and I wouldn’t change anything.”

“Well, you picked out the furniture and decorations. I just had it set up and added the crowns.”

She was now seven months pregnant and very emotional. She couldn’t stop crying as she rested her head against his chest.

“I’m so glad my stepfather sold me to Rudy. If he hadn’t, I might not have met you and married the most wonderful man in the world. You make me feel so loved and so safe, and I wish there was something I could do for you.”

“What in the world are you talking about? You have done so much for me, you’ve made me happy and have given me a son, and now we are going to have two beautiful little princesses. No money or possessions are worth more than what you have given me. Now, young lady, it’s time for you to get back to bed,” he said, picking her up and carrying her back to her room.

The further along she got in her pregnancy, the more she needed Tabitha’s help. Her feet hurt, her back hurt, and she was always tired.

During this pregnancy, she did not crave ice cream as she did with David. Now, it was pickles and soft pretzels dipped in honey. Actually, she liked honey on everything—even her pickles.

He did everything to make her happy and comfortable, and he had her go into the swimming pool with him for exercise; even David joined them.

At night, when he made love to her, he was extra gentle. He had come to terms that when she reached her sixth month of pregnancy, he would no longer have sex with her.

But when he told her that they shouldn’t, she became very emotional and would cry, saying he didn’t love her anymore. So, of course, he gave in to her craving for sex—not that he was complaining, though.

He stayed close to home; his business was done from his home office.

She was now close to eight months pregnant and was starting to feel very uncomfortable; he would rub her back and feet at night.

He was very concerned about her health and had the doctor come over to check on her. He sat on the bed next to her while the doctor examined her.

He kept watching the man’s expression, and he could tell something was wrong.

“Why do you look worried?”

“Mr. and Mrs. Smirnov, your babies will be born sooner than we thought. I am unsure when, but it could be any day now. I highly suggest that Mrs. Smirnov be admitted to the hospital immediately.”

“No, I don’t want to go to the hospital yet; I don’t want to be away from my son or husband.”

“I know it’s not ideal, but it would be much safer for you and the babies to be in the hospital surrounded by doctors, nurses, and equipment in case you deliver early. It is very common for twins to be born before full term. I can have an ambulance immediately take you to the hospital.”

Dmitry knew his wife could be stubborn, so he had to convince her to follow the doctor’s instructions.

“Can you give my wife and me a few moments to talk?”

“Of course, I will just give David a checkup while I’m here. Please, take your time.”

“I’m not going to no damn hospital,” she snapped at him, crossing her arms over her chest.

He sat down on the bed.

“I know you don’t want to go and be away from David, but like the doctor said, you could go into labor any minute, and I would rather have you there safe and sound than have to rush you to the hospital. Tabitha and Dennis can bring David to see you every day, and I’ll always be there with you. Think about the twins; if there are any complications, you’ll be in the best place possible. Please, my love, agree to it for me.”

“Well, what happens if the babies don’t come early, and I’m stuck in there for a month?”

“Then so be it; it’s for the best.”

“We won’t be able to have sex there,” she said, giving him those puppy eyes.

He couldn’t stop laughing; even in her condition and feeling so uncomfortable, she was still thinking about sex.

“Do not worry, my love; we will still do it if the mood strikes us. I’ll just put my tie over the doorknob, letting everyone know not to come in.”

“Ha, ha, you’re so funny. Okay, I will agree to go, but only if you promise David can stay with us in the room.”

“I will make the arrangements. Our son can stay with us during the day, but at night, I will have Dennis and Tabitha take him home. The hospital is not a place for our son at night; he needs his rest.”

She knew there was no point in arguing with him; once he set his mind to something, there was no changing it.

Dmitry got her an extra-large room in the hospital; he had an extra bed for him to sleep on and a TV for her to watch.

He also brought her art supplies so that she could do her drawings while in bed. David did spend the days with them, but at night, he went home under the care of Tabitha and Dennis.

Of course, there was extra security around his home and in the hospital. After being in the hospital for a week, she started getting contractions in the middle of the night.

She was so glad that he was with her. After eight hours of labor, she finally gave birth to two beautiful twin daughters, both weighing in at six pounds.

“You did it, sweetheart; they are so beautiful, just like their mother,” he said, wiping the tears from his eyes.

She looked up at him and smiled.

“They are so beautiful, so strong and healthy. We must give them a name. I like the name Sophia for this one who came first, and for her sister, we will give her the name you picked out, Catherine.”

“Yes, they are good, strong names. I love you so much, sweetheart, and I promise to always protect all of you until my dying breath.”

He leaned over and gave her a big kiss. He was so glad that everything went okay, that she and the children were healthy, and that there were no complications.

Six weeks later, they were all in the family room. David was playing on the floor, and the twins were in their little bassinet when Dennis got to his feet, pulling Tabitha up with him.

“Dmitry, Danica, we have something to tell you. Tabitha and I eloped this morning.”

Danica jumped to her feet and hugged the two of them.

“Why did you elope? We would have given you a wonderful wedding right here.”

The newlyweds looked at each other and smiled.

“We didn’t want all that fuss; we just wanted to get married secretly,” Dennis said, taking hold of Tabitha’s hand.

Dmitry got up and gave her a hug. Then he turned and shook Dennis’s hand.

“Congratulations, you two. I can’t think of two people who are more suited for each other. Since you didn’t give me the opportunity to give you the perfect wedding, the least I can do is send you on your dream honeymoon. Wherever you want to go, it will be our wedding gift to you.”

“But who will help with David and the twins?” Tabitha asked. She worried it would be too much for Danica to handle alone.

“Our housekeeper is fantastic with our children, and she’s been dying to help out. I have Dmitry to help me, so you two are going to go on a long honeymoon and have the time of your life. I might even be able to talk him into changing some diapers,” she said, looking at her husband with love and admiration.

Dmitry cleared his throat.

“Where do you plan on living when you return from your honeymoon?”

“We discussed it, and Tabitha will move into my apartment, but she will still be here every day to help out with the babies and David.”

Dmitry shook his head.

“No, that will not do.”

Danica looked at him, horrified.

“Dmitry, what are you saying? You can’t expect her to live here and her husband to live at his apartment.”

“That’s not what I’m saying. This is a huge mansion; there is plenty of room here for everyone, and they can have a wing all to themselves. That is, if you two would love to call this your home. We are family anyway, even if we’re not related by blood. I like the idea of having my right-hand man under the same roof. So what do you two say?”

The newlyweds looked at each other and smiled.

“We would love to,” they both said simultaneously.

^FOUR MONTHS LATER^

Danica had just come from the shower, wrapped in only a towel. Dmitry was standing there shirtless and grabbed her. She let out a gasp from the force he used when he pushed her up against him.

“What are you doing?” As if she didn’t know. It had been so long since they made love, and she was as desperate as he was.

“I’ve waited a long time to make love to you. I will not wait another minute,” he said, ripping off her towel. Picking her up, he carried her over to the bed and laid her down. Pulling down his pants and kicking them away, he climbed in on top of her. His mouth came down hard on hers; he kissed her with the hunger and desire of a man who had been without for a very long time.

They rolled like thunder under the covers, their bodies intertwined, kissing and groping each other over and over. She wrapped her legs around his waist, begging him to make love to her, telling him how much she wanted to feel him inside her. She didn’t have to ask him twice; he was more than ready.

They were both exhausted and satisfied by the time they were done. It was as if it were the first time they had made love. It was sweet, intense, and highly satisfying.

To sum things up: Tabitha and Dennis were never able to get pregnant, but they considered themselves second parents to Dmitry’s children. Danica continued to draw; she was a fantastic mother, and her relationship with her husband grew, falling more in love than ever.

Now, Dmitry turned straight as far as his businesses were concerned. Men still feared him, and if they betrayed him, they regretted it. He still helped those who came asking, but only if it didn’t hurt innocent people. He also joined a group devoted to rescuing young women and girls from human trafficking.

He never stopped loving Danica, and their sex life stayed strong; both were as horny for each other as when they were first together. The children grew up strong and kind, finding love and having families. It wasn’t easy for the twins’ future husbands—they knew who he was and knew if they hurt his daughters it wouldn’t end well for them.

End of Book