'Mmm...'
I leaned back in my chair as I let the red caviar and cream cheese savor in my mouth.
It was a very common Russian lunch, red caviar, with cream cheese or butter, and homemade bread. Sadly, I didn't have any homemade bread, but this one seemed to be just fine.
I frowned. I had been eating strange foods in the past days.
'No, actually, you've had strange food cravings. The food itself isn't too weird.'
I stared outside the window. New York City was busy as usual, and that was also because summer was slowly coming to an end.
It was already August 1st. I decided to wear an outfit that greeted August with a good note. A red and pink floral dress with white background seemed to be the perfect dress for today. It was slightly windy, so I found a matching rosy pink jacket, and uniform color stilettos. A pair of pearl earrings topped off the outfit perfectly.
I looked at my little desk calendar. Wow, it had been two months already. Two months since our anniversary. I smiled as I leaned back again and the memories from the memorable night filled my mind. Yes, a memorable night indeed.
I sat upright in my seat as my stomach began to turn and twist and send an awful feeling all through me. No, come on!
I was going to go to the restroom, but something hinted to me that I wouldn't make it, and so I had to use the trash bag in my office to relieve my stomach.
I groaned. Ugh, perfect memories interrupted with a little bit of a stomach flu.
My eyes went wide, plate-wide, as I abruptly stood up.
No, no, no... no way, no way at all. It can't be!
I stared back at my desk calendar. Yes, our anniversary was exactly 2 months ago, June 1st. Suddenly it all made sense. Everything made perfect sense.
I rushed out of the office.
'Wait, Maria. You need a plan. A good one, this isn't... this isn't a little thing.'
I calmly and as collectedly as possible headed back to my office. Now, I had to think up of a plan.
My plan involved me being alone. I had to somehow leave the office for an hour or so without Alexander's eagle eye watching over me. The only time he allowed that was in Venice, with Lexi and Amelia. So, they had to be a part of the plan.
I quickly called up Lexi.
"Good afternoon, I got some spare time and it would be very delightful if we could get together in an hour, or maybe a little sooner? What do you say?" I asked as soon as she answered my call.
'Please, Lord, please let her be available and willing to take me out. Oh please!'
'That sounds lovely, Maria! How about we meet up at this little restaurant that Carol absolutely adores.'
I practically jumped up for joy. Thank you, Lord, for answering prayers! Amen!
'Yes, that sounds perfect. I'll see you in about an hour.' I once more calmly stated.
Now that part A was taken care of, I had to take care of part B. Alexander.
I slowly got up and hesitantly made my way towards his office and knocked. The sound echoed off of the wooden door and through the hallway.
"Come in."
I nervously turned the handle and opened the door. It was a long time since I had stood here. He hadn't changed the office at all, however. It was still covered in magnificent paintings and orchids stood on shelves which held exquisite and decorative statues as well as many thick books. There were a few picture frames of the two of us, and that melted my heart just a little.
"Maria? I was not expecting you here."
He sat at his desk, a large oak desk, and in a comfortable black, leather armchair. He looked like those men from movies, a very important and intimidating person, and that's exactly how he looked like. Important and intimidating, radiating power but also... the slightest hint of kindness and worry.
"I'm sorry. Lexi Jonathan invited me to lunch with her daughter, Amelia. Is it alright if I go right now?"
I saw his thoughts through his eyes. It seemed as if he was performing massive and difficult equations, taking into account all the different variables. He slowly cocked his head from one side to the other, his fingers gently tapping on his desk. Finally, the thought process was completed and he looked at me.
"Yes. I suppose it's alright."
That was it. No, 'be safe, darling!' or 'make sure you don't go for longer than an hour!' or anything of that sort. It was surprising, to say the least.
"Thank you." I simply stated with a wide grin and headed out. I quickly ran to my office, grabbed my purse and hurried out. I had an hour to get to Lexi and Amelia.
But they were not my first stop. Oh, no they were not. I rushed to our driver, who was very shocked to see me all by myself but he offered me a hand into the car either way.
"Where to, Mrs. Vasilievna?"
I thought about it. Well, I only knew one place where I could get taken care of.
"Women's Hospital, NYC Health."
His eyebrows shot up as soon as I said the words.
"And sir," I said, as he turned to look at me, "This is just between the two of us. My husband will not know of this, is that perfectly clear?"
He nodded, and zipped his lips and threw away the lock.
I nodded with approval and leaned back in my seat. It only took a few moments for us to reach the hospital, and I thanked the driver, once more mentioning our agreement to silence.
He simply zipped his mouth again and that answer suited me. When I reached the receptionist, I got nervous. This hour would say a lot.
"Ma'am, may I help you?" The lady asked. She looked awfully annoyed with her life and job.
"Yes, I need a checkup. Right now, I cannot afford to wait in any sort of line."
She practically rolled her eyes when I said that. "I can't do that, miss. There are rules and regulations."
"I'm sure. Please take a look." Her sour attitude was definitely getting me riled up.
I handed her a special card. This was a card that Alexander and I used only for special occasions, such as times when we needed something done very urgently. I still wasn't sure exactly what was on it, but whatever it was made the lady do a 180 turn.
"Mrs. Vasilievna! It is a pleasure to treat you! If you would follow me, you will get your doctor immediately!" She said with a very chirpy smile.
She handed me my card, and I proceeded to follow her.
I was shown to a patient room and, as the lady promised, a doctor was with me almost immediately.
"Good afternoon Mrs. Vasilievna. It is a pleasure to treat you today. My name is Dr. Mack and I will be treating you. What seems to be the issue?"
The doctor was a man that seemed to be in his high forties. He wore a suit underneath the white coat, and his name was sewn neatly on his coat. He seemed trustworthy; men in suits kinda had that effect.
"I have to get a little bit of a checkup. I have a few symptoms of a certain... life changer, and I need to double check my diagnosis." I have a sweet smile.
"Very well. Please describe the symptoms."
He sat on a chair and patiently waited for me to start the list of symptoms.
"Recently, I've had very strange mood swings. I've done things that I don't really do. I've also had strange food cravings. And I've had morning sickness, as well as naseau from certain foods for a good month or so. I know what all of this points to, and I just want to make sure that I'm not imagining anything." I stated, trying to calmly and efficiently portray everything.
Dr. Mack gave a very encouraging smile. It seemed like this happened a lot.
"Very well, Mrs. Vasilievna, but I am almost 100% sure that it is exactly what you think. I'm going to administer a urinary test. I'll be back in a few moments." He handed me a cup and walked out the door.
I sighed. But then I jumped up and down. Yes, this was actually happening... I could, I could... ah! This was extremely exciting I couldn't even contain myself.
Dr. Mack was back very soon and took my cup from me. Then, he returned with my results. I sat nervously in the patient chair, biting my lip, and waiting for him to confirm the diagnosis.
"You're right, Mrs. Vasilievna. Congratulations! Do you want to discuss options, or set up a date for an appointment?"
I didn't hear anything after that. I saw his mouth moving, but I had gone deaf. I didn't hear anything, I was just going over his words over and over again.
'You're right, Mrs. Vasilievna. Congratulations.'
I stared up at him. "I'm... I'm pregnant."
The words finally registered in my head and IÂ just stared at him. My life had just flipped upside down. This was actually happening... I was pregnant!
I stood up with a large smile and just stared at him. "I'm pregnant. I'm having a little baby. I. Am. Pregnant!"
I shocked myself, and him, when I flung my arms around his neck and then practically yelled, "I'm pregnant!"
He laughed, obviously completely used to such a reaction.
"Yes, Mrs. Vasilievna. You are indeed pregnant."
"Thank you, Dr. Mack! I don't need anything else, I will contact you later if I have any questions or concerns, oh thank you so much! This is a wonderful day! Oh, bless the Lord! Oh, I am a happy, happy person! Wow, God Almighty is a great God He has given me a little baby! I get to have my own baby!"
I waltzed out of the room and out of the building. The restaurant that I was going to meet Lexi at was at a walking distance, and so I didn't bother to call my driver. I simply walked, trying to clear my mind.
But it was doing the exact opposite. So many thoughts were filling my brain, it was immensely hard to focus.
How in the world was I going to tell Alexander? What would his reaction be? And what about his mother's and fathers? And what about my parents? Do I even tell them?
And when would the baby be born... let's see, pregnancy is nine months, I've already gone through two... seven left. August plus six months. September, October, November, December, January, February... February! I would have a bundle of joy in February!
We would need to get a little bedroom for the baby! Or would he just sleep with me in my room? Or would Alexander and I move into the same rooms?
And would I be able to work? Wait... what could I eat? Or, what couldn't I eat?
And what would we name it if it was a boy? Or a girl? Or we could even be having twins!
I reached the restaurant and met up with Lexi. However, my mind wasn't on the lunch at all. I was distracted and disoriented and apologized for my behavior, but Lexi just laughed it off. She could tell that something was clouded up in my brain.
Finally, two hours later, I was standing at the entrance of the Vasiliev World Inc. Headquarter's building. My husband, the father of my new little baby was currently working right inside that building, completely oblivious to the fact that he was going to be a father in seven months!
I bit my lip and stared up at the massive building.
Oh, oh, how our lives were about to change. Saying a small prayer, I took a step inside.