Her Russian

Epilogue- The Birth

It didn't seem possible but Galina was only days away from giving birth. She hadn't had any issues with the pregnancy or her heart, so they were glad of that but she was tired all the time and eventually Dr. Markov put her on bed rest.

Right now Ilia was with her, sitting behind her in their bed, rubbing her shoulders back and belly. Aleksei had really gotten more active in the last couple of weeks and she was carrying him very low.

She was at the point of feeling so uncomfortable, that she was crying so Ilia decided she needed a bath. He'd installed a deep garden tub for her so she could lay and float on her back while he rubbed her belly.

With all of the reading she'd done in the past few months, she recognized that she was now experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions in her lower back.

Once in the tub and on her back, the pressure was almost immediately released as Ilia rubbed her belly and instantly he made her feel better.

"Are you feeling better, detka?"  His voice was soothing and gentle.   "I am, so much better thanks to you and this tub.  He's coming and soon.  I just have this feeling" his wife told him.

Ilia was till rubbing her belly when Aleksei kicked hard and Galina's belly started rolling.  "Ah!" Galina groaned.  "Oh God he's using my bladder for a football."

"Come on baby, let's get you out and into bed.  We'll get you dressed and I'll get you something to eat" her husband told her.

As soon as Galina stepped from the tub and got dressed, her body felt off.  "Ilia would you please call Dr. Markov.  I don't feel very well" she said as she laid down on her side.

The look of concern from her husband was not lost on her as he picked up his phone and called the doc.  He was there in a matter of minutes, did a cursory exam and then broke the news.

"My dear, you are in labor" came his joyful news.  How was this possible?  Her water never broke and she remembered that she was in the bathtub.

"Doctor is it possible that my water broke in the bathtub?"  She asked.  He nodded and then picking up his phone, called for his assistant and started issuing directives.

Things went quickly from there, as Tori got the bed stripped, protective covering on the mattress and then had the bed remade in a matter of minutes.

She did all of this while Ilia assisted Galina in walking around to help with the labor process, every step seemed to cause discomfort but she was a trooper and never complained.

On the way back to their room, she leaned forward holding her belly as another contraction hit.   Ilia watched as the breathing exercises helped and they were able to continue walking.

"Are you ready for this, daddy?"  Galina huffed as another band of pain hit.  "Oh God!"  Ilia was about to lose his mind but tried to remain strong.

"I am so ready baby and I will be here every step of the way, I promise" his words a source of comfort.  They had both decided early on that, barring any complications, Galina would give birth at home.

Dr. Markov and two assistants came into the room and Galina settled and comfortable in bed in minutes.  "Let's see how you are progressing" Markov said.

"Well little Aleksei is bound and determined to make an entrance by late lunch, early dinner" the doctor surmised.  This was really happening, a baby!   Part Ilia, part Galina.  Their heir and child.

Two hours later and Galina was in full blown labor, sweating, crying, cursing her husband one minute and saying I love you the next!

"Oh Jesus!  I've got to get this kid out of me!" Galina wailed as another strong contraction erupted.  Ilia clinched his jaw so tightly she feared he might break his teeth.

Three hours later, she was dilated to a seven as things progressed as they should and Dr. Markov gave her one more opportunity for an epidural.

She tiredly looked at her haggard husband when he said "I can't stand to see you in this much pain.  Please detka, take it and get some relief."

"You won't think less of me?"  How could she be worried about that.  Ilia scoffed and said "Baby you are like superman right now.  I don't know how you've gone this long.  You are one of the strongest people I know.  I could never think less of you for any reason."

His answer was sweet, calming and reassuring as they gave the doctor the go ahead.  Sitting her up, with Ilia in front between her legs, she rolled her spine so the anesthesiologist could administer the medicine.

Thirty minutes later Galina was relaxed and the pain had all subsided. Ilia had relaxed also and then his phone pinged, announcing that his mom had arrived.

Leaning over, he kissed her forehead and told Galina that Valeria had arrived. "She can come in" his wife said to him. Nodding he went out to fetch her.

Ilia, Valeria and Galina plus three doctors were in the room with them now and just then Dr. Markov checked her progression and announced that she was now at an eight.

"It won't be too much longer and we should have a baby!" His tone was steeped in excitement as was everyone else in the room.

"Are you ready, mama?" Ilia asked, his face shining, tears in his eyes. "So ready" she smiled back. They kept their eyes on the monitor as another contraction came and went, but Galina didn't feel anything.

Two more hours went by when the doctor came back in to check on her one more time.  "It's time!" Dr. Markov said excitedly.  Galina nodded as Ilia kissed her forehead.

"When I say push, bear down, count to ten, let up and take a breather, okay?"  Markov asked.  "Let's do this" Galina said.

After much pushing, breathing and counting, Aleksei Nikolai Savin, came into this world, weighing seven pounds even and was twenty inches long.

He had his father's wild hair and skin coloring and everything else was his mother.  Ilia looked like he was on another plain as he walked around holding his son, their son.

Walking back towards Galina, he handed the precious bundle off to her so she could feed him.   "Thank you so much, detka, for our son.  He's beautiful just like his mother" Ilia smiled at his wife.

"I love you, Ilia.  With everything that I am and every breath inside me" Galina told her husband.

"I love you, detka.   With everything that I am and every breath inside me" Ilia responded with a kiss.

Thank you everyone for reading Her Russian!  Thank you for the reads, votes and comments!  Check out my next book, Bella Mafia!