Alexei, Her Russian Billionaire

Jenny sighed as she looked around the room, juggling a glass of water and Nikolai as he rested his head on her shoulder, drowsing peacefully.

“This is beautiful, Maya. Alexei knows how to create a scene. And you look amazing.”

Maya grinned and gave her a small spin, pouting like many of the models she had photographed. She laughed when Jenny made a face.

“Maybe you should stick behind the camera with that look rather than in front of it.”

“Oh, stop it.” Caroline chuckled, tapping Jenny’s arm. “Maya looks incredible.”

“Flatterers.” Maya stuck her tongue out. “I’m not getting signed up just yet.”

“Let me know when you think about it.” Caroline gazed at Nikolai, who opened his eyes briefly to look at her before shutting them again. “Your son is just adorable.”

Maya smiled with pride.

“He is, isn’t he?” She passed her glass to Caroline and gently eased her son from Jenny’s hold. “Let’s have the little man back.”

Jenny pouted but let him go. Maya cuddled Nikolai, kissing his head.

“And he’s good. I didn’t hear a whimper through the ceremony.”

“He was too busy cuddling his auntie.” Jenny giggled.

Then Maya noticed something. Jenny had been acting a little broody in the last few days, taking more cuddles than normal from Nikolai and looking at him with a certain light in her eye that Maya recognized. Not long ago she had had the same glint.

“Jenny, is there something you need to tell me?”

Jenny bit her lip. Suddenly she was looking nervous. She fiddled with her glass.

“I don’t want to say. I only found out this morning and this is meant to be your big day.”

“Forget about this being my big day. What did you find out?”

Jenny hesitated. Then it came out in a rush.

“I’m pregnant.”

Caroline gave a squeal and hugged her. Maya then took her turn, careful not to squash Nikolai.

“Oh, my God! Congratulations, Jenny! What does Rodrigo say?”

“He’s delighted.” Jenny reached into her purse and drew out a sparkling ring, which she put on her finger. “He asked me to marry him.”

Maya had wondered about that. She had seen Jenny with the ring when she arrived to get ready but then Jenny had hurried to the bathroom and it wasn’t there anymore. Now she knew why.

“It’s about time.” She declared. “I wondered when he was going to ask you.”

Caroline laughed.

“He’s been telling us all about it last week but he wanted to wait until after the wedding. But then Jenny surprised him and he knew he had to make it special.”

Maya rolled her eyes.

“Why does everyone need to wait? Even if it wasn’t my wedding day, it’s Valentine’s Day. Romantic things happen all the time. I’m just glad it’s happened.”

Jenny blushed. Caroline laughed and sipped her champagne, nodding towards Alexei as he stood at the other end of the room talking to Ivan and his mother.

“So Alexei is forgiven now?”

Maya grinned.

“We’re still working on it. I’m not letting him off the hook completely. But he’s nearly there.”

In actuality Maya had forgiven Alexei a long time ago but she was being cheeky and drawing it out to see what he would do. Alexei had relaxed and his paranoia had toned down. He was getting better at not being jealous, although Maya didn’t mind it when he was a little bit jealous.

He was an amazing father. While Maya had to get up in the nights to feed Nikolai due to her breastfeeding, Alexei looked after Nikolai during the day so Maya could get some sleep. He was more adept at changing diapers than she was and he took him for a walk every day. Once she was able to walk further than across the apartment, Maya went with them. The bond between father and son was clearly there and Maya loved watching the two of them together.

Jenny straightened up and nudged Maya.

“I think he wants you.”

And Alexei had indeed extricated himself from his mother and best man and was approaching them. Maya went to meet him and reached up for a kiss that she felt all the way down to her toes.

“Hey, gorgeous.” Alexei drew back with a grin. “How’s our little guy?”

“In a good mood.”

Nikolai shifted against Maya’s shoulder. Alexei put his glass down on a passing waiter’s tray and lifted him out of Maya’s arms, cradling his son in his own.

“Come here, kiddo. Come to Daddy.”

Maya laughed.

“Kiddo? You’re sounding more American every day.”

“You could say I’m growing accustomed.” Alexei chuckled. “I thought I’d let you know: Ivan wants to propose to Caz but he wanted to check he wasn’t stealing our thunder, so to speak. It’s meant to be our wedding day.”

Maya didn’t care. She didn’t want it all about her, not on a special day like Valentine’s Day. She was going to have to share her wedding anniversary on the same day so there was no point in kicking up a fuss about it. She smiled and shrugged.

“I’m happy about it if you are.”

“I told him to wait until he’s spoken to you about it first.”

“I’m not fussed. It will make Caz happy. She’s devoted to him.”

Caroline and Ivan’s relationship had blossomed, especially after Nikolai had been born. Ivan had appeared to realize that he had been running away as well and had chosen to make it a proper relationship instead of seeing Caroline whenever they were free. Caroline had clearly fallen for him at that point so it wasn’t hard to get her on board.

“Just like I’m devoted to you.” Alexei kissed her head. Then he gave her a rueful smile. “Am I still in the doghouse?”

“I’m marrying you, aren’t I? Surely that says something.”

“But I’ve still got a lot to make up, haven’t I?”

“Absolutely.” Maya lied. She grinned and slid in next to him, hugging him around the waist. “You can start tonight. Jenny said she’s taking Nikolai so we can have a proper wedding night.”

“I like the sound of that.” Alexei purred. Adjusting his son onto one arm, he put his other arm around his wife and kissed her. “I do love you, Maya.”

“And I love you.” Maya nibbled at his lip before drawing back. “And I’m looking forward to going to Barbados tomorrow.”

“You think you’ll have any energy with Nikolai coming with us?”

“I should think so.” Maya grinned. “Honeymoon now and then another one when he’s older and can stay with family.”

“I’ll look forward to that one.” Alexei winked and leaned in. “I love making you scream.”

Maya giggled and poked him in the side.

“You always do.”

The end.