Hotel Six: A Call of Duty Fanfiction

Chapter 34: Change of Routine

"You're pregnant?" he exclaimed coming back into the water to meet her, the pregnancy test still in his hand.

A look of fear was deep-set on her striking features, making her face appear darker than usual. "I only found out this morning, I wasn't sure how to bring it up..." she said timidly. Truthfully, she had hoped not to say anything and eventually slip away, perhaps take cover somewhere for a while until she could adopt the baby out. But now that he knew she was pregnant, getting away wouldn't be easy, if possible at all.

All Vladimir could do was glance between her and the test in his hand, speechless. He had never looked so thrown off before; in fact, even when he was relaxed before, he had never had such a genuine expression of emotion on his face. It was almost uncomfortable for her, seeing him let his guard down like this.

"... Vladimir?" she said, hoping he would do something, anything. 

He finally breathed out a long sigh. "Well," he started. "This certainly came a lot sooner than I expected..."

She closed in on herself, gaze distant as she stared at the gently lapping waves in front of her. "I know... I thought we were being careful enough..." Sasha sighed and covered her face, feeling her knees start to go weak. "God, I'm so scared, I don't know what I'm going to do..."

Vladimir came closer and wrapped her in his arms. "You mean what we're going to do?" He swept her wet locks out of her face and looked her in the eyes. "I told you I'd take care of you, whatever happens."

"Yes, but you were talking about if I lost my job... And it was a joke..." When his gaze didn't waver, she felt a gravity take hold. "... Wasn't it?"

His brows creased upward, but there was a suggestion of a grin on his mouth. "I wouldn't joke about that. Whatever you need from me, I'm happy to provide it." He pulled her close and planted another kiss on her forehead. "When we get home, we can start making arrangements for you and the baby. Okay?"

She wanted to run, perhaps drown herself in the surf. God, no, this plan was going down horribly. She should have just thrown the damn thing away and avoid the whole situation; it would have been far better to risk losing her contact with him than be in this position. But she stuffed the idea and forced a smile, however nervous it looked. "Okay..."

He smiled down at her, stroking her wet, sandy hair. "... I love you, Sasha."

Neither Sasha nor Jessica had anticipated such words from Vladimir, but only Sasha saw the legitimacy of what he said. She smiled, almost tearfully, and giggled, bowing her head and covering her mouth. "I love you, too, Vladimir."

A few months passed, and the early summer weather in southern Russia was surprisingly warm. Sasha had become more accustomed to life in the Mother Land with Vladimir. Their life together was now more than trying to seduce intel out of him but instead was more like a normal, functioning relationship. Just as surprising as the pleasant weather was how domestic Vladimir truly was. He read poetry and tended to a garden. He was personally very sweet and affectionate and was very good at making her feel secure. He doted after her every day, making sure she didn't lift a finger unless she had to, and made her comfortable in her new environment. In fact, if she didn't know any better, it was almost like a was a decent human being and a stellar partner.

She hummed softly on a particular day when he came up behind her while she was reclining in the sunshine reading a book. He kissed her elegant neck and gave her a squeeze. "How are you feeling, my love?"

"Excellent," she said. He smiled and stood straight, and she noticed that he was wearing his maroon button-down and slacks. "Going to another meeting?"

Vladimir nodded, straightening his shirt. "Yes, I'm interviewing someone today."

She nodded. "Alright. Tell Yuri I said 'hi'." 

"I will." He came around beside her and knelt down with his hands on her slightly pouched belly. "You be good to your mother while I'm out, you understand, Vacilly?"

Jessica giggled, grabbing his hands and leaning up to touch her nose to his. "What makes you so sure it's a boy?"

"I can just feel it," he said, punctuating his statement with a kiss. "Promise me you'll let me know if you need anything while I'm gone?"

"I promise," she cooed.

"Good. I'll be back this afternoon. I love you." And with that, he walked back inside toward the front door.

When she was certain he was gone and she was completely alone, she pulled out her phone and dialed a number.

"Gal," said MacTavish. "How are things?"

"Good, but still fairly quiet. How are things on your end?"

"Gettin' better. Shepherd couldn't be patient for a moment, so he's got an informant of his own and you'll never guess who he put him next to..."

She raised her brows. "... Makarov?"

"Yep! We're finally gonna have someone on the inside, hopefully gettin' intel and eventually killin' him."

She felt sick to her stomach, like a deep-seated pain within her. "Funny you should say that..." The feeling started getting worse and she realized it wasn't the anxiety. "... Um.. Hang on, MacTavish, I've gotta call you back."

"You alright?"

"Yeah, can't talk right now." She hung up the phone and fought to catch her breath. It felt like a hard cramp in her lower abdomen, and she could hardly stand up. It let up for a moment and she breathed out a sigh. What the hell was that? She pressed on the underside of her swollen womb, smoothing her other hand over her stomach, wondering what the little life inside her was doing.