SWNOVELS Chapter Shattered Crown: EPILOGUE
Two Months Later
“Okay, so … we have news,” I announce, glancing at Maxim and linking our fingers, aware of all eyes on us.
The room’s full of expectant faces—our friends and family gathered in the Kozlovs’ Long Island mansion. Everyone’s on edge for our big announcement, the one I’ve been itching to share.
Andrei’s got his arm around Georgia, looking every bit the protective husband, while Georgia’s hand rests on her baby bump. Their toddler whirlwind, Anya, is doing laps around the room, her giggles bouncing off the walls. Daniil and Bianca are making themselves cozy by the fireplace, and over in the corner, Leo and Alyona are lost in their own little world.
“Don’t tell me you’re breaking up already?” Daniil frowns, causing his wife Bianca to hit him on the shoulder.
“Let the woman talk, will you?” she says with a smirk.
Maxim shoots Daniil a joking—I think—death glare. “We’re not breaking up,” he confirms. “In fact, it’s the opposite.”
Taking a deep breath, feeling the steadying presence of Maxim’s hand on my back, I announce, ‘Maxim and I are expecting a baby.’
Cheers sweep through the room. Georgia is the first to rush over, her eyes shining with happiness, pulling me into a tight hug. “Oh, Kira, that’s wonderful! A cousin for Anya and the bun in the oven,” she says, pointing to her round belly. Having just passed the twelve-week mark, it looks like our little ones will be close in age.
Before coming to New York, Maxim and I got a clean bill of health from the doctor—a huge relief after the harrowing ordeal I suffered at Nadya’s hands.
Andrei claps Maxim on the shoulder, a broad grin on his face. “Congratulations are in order. Hard to believe I’m welcoming you into our family with open arms, but life is full of weird surprises.”
“Don’t I know it.” Maxim’s eyes glint with amusement, his lips curling into a knowing smirk that says more than words ever could.
My family is still adjusting to Maxim being a new, unexpected part of our inner circle. Not so long ago, he was at the top of their shitlist. Aly’s cool with him now, but Leo and my brothers are still thawing out, considering their rocky history. Maxim gets it, though. He’s patient, knowing time often fixes things. Plus, a new kid on the way doesn’t hurt.
Bianca and Daniil are next to rally around us with warm smiles and jokes about lack of sleep and dirty diapers.
“Yeah, very funny,” I toss back at Daniil. “Uncles change diapers too.”
“Do they?” he scratches his chin. But when Anya runs by, he scoops her up into his arms and twirls her around, eliciting giggles from the little girl.
My husband comes up behind me, his hands, large and reassuring, cradling my just-beginning-to-show belly. ‘Looks like he’s already wrapped around his niece’s tiny finger,” he whispers.
His words draw a soft chuckle from me. “That’s for sure.”
In the midst of the laughter and teasing, my gaze drifts across the room, catching sight of Leo and Alyona. They seem a bit removed from the excitement, their expressions thoughtful. Maybe Aly is considering her own future as a mother, or maybe she’s thinking about her new role as a big sister. I give her space, knowing it’s a lot for anyone to take in.
As Daniil and Bianca head off after Anya, Maxim pulls me aside, away from the family buzz. With a feather-light touch, Maxim traces the outline of my jaw with his fingertips, his gaze holding mine with a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. ‘Kira, you’ve turned my life around in ways I never imagined. Having you and our baby … it’s more than I ever hoped for. And to think I came so close to losing it all …”
“But you didn’t,” I say, both of my palms flat on his chest. “I’m still here, this baby is here, and I want nothing more than to stand by your side, every day.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” He gives me the faintest of smiles before reaching into his pocket.
He gets down on one knee and presents me with a ring that’s sheer elegance featuring a large, pear-shaped diamond cradled in a band of polished platinum.
I’m so overwhelmed that I’m speechless.
‘This ring was your aunt’s,’ he explains, his eyes never leaving mine.
“My aunt’s?” Emotion builds in my chest and catches in my throat. “But how…”
‘We found a stash of her jewelry in the cabin, hidden beneath the floorboards. The rest of her collection is at home. I had this one restyled and fitted for you. I think Masha would approve.”
My hand comes up to rest over my mouth as all the emotions bubble to the surface. Joy, excitement, love.
“Will you marry me?’ Maxim asks, on one knee before me.
‘But we’re already married,’ I argue as tears start rolling down my cheeks.
“We are, but this time you deserve a real wedding, not a bullshit society one. A day with your friends and family present. Only people that we love and care for.”
I can’t help but laugh through my tears, happiness beating a drum in my chest. “Jesus, yes! Of course I will marry you again.” He slips the ring onto my finger, and it fits perfectly—like we do. “And again and again and again. The answer will always be ‘yes’.”
“You make me so damn happy,” he says, leaning down and capturing my mouth with his. By capturing, I mean plundering. He’s practically fucking my mouth in front of my family, and I have no intention of stopping him.
“Ahem.” It takes someone clearing their throat for us to finally pull apart.
Aly and Leo stand before us, looking everywhere but at us.
‘Don’t let us interrupt you,’ Leo jokes. ‘We’re not in any rush.”
‘Well, in that case…’ Maxim makes a move to pull my face back to his, but I stop him with a hand on his chest.
‘That was a joke, honey. He definitely wants us to stop.”
Maxim growls his displeasure, but then his eyes land on Aly, who stands in front of her father with a hopeful expression. ‘A baby? I’m going to be a big sister? And you’re going to be a father … again.”
His head dips briefly, then he fixes his eyes on his daughter. “Maybe this time, I won’t fuck it up so badly,” he says softly.
“You didn’t totally fuck it up,” she says with a small shrug. “We’re here now, aren’t we?”
Leo’s eyes lock with Maxim. “Just don’t go chasing this kid around the Mediterranean in a stolen yacht.”
Aly frowns at Leo. “The yacht wasn’t stolen, was it?”
Leo smirks. ‘I’ll never tell.’ His eyes cut to me, and he kisses my head, wrapping me in his strong arms. ‘Big congrats, sis. I’m happy for you, even if you’re with this mudak.” He tempers his words with a small smile.
‘Show some respect to your father-in-law,’ Maxim deadpans. With a little smile of his own, he adds, ‘And brother-in-law.’
Men are weird, but I guess this is their way of making peace, slowly but surely.
Aly steps in front of me, her face lit up with excitement. ‘I can’t believe this,’ she says, her voice trembling a bit. She wraps her arms around me in a tight embrace, a hug that speaks louder than words ever could. ‘You’re going to be an amazing mom, Kira,’ she whispers, pulling back enough to look me in the eyes. ‘This baby is going to be so loved.’
I smile, feeling a surge of affection for my best friend, my family, and for the man who showed me what it is to love and be loved.
“And to think you thought I was crazy for switching places with you in the wine cellar of Maxim’s home,” I point out.
“Oh, I still think you’re crazy.” Aly rests a hand on her hip, narrowing her eyes playfully. “But it’s the good kind of crazy.”