Satin Princess(121)

“Polina,” Jessa repeats. “Hmm. Let’s circle back to that one.”

I chuckle. “Oksana?”

“Let’s give the kid a chance, shall we?”

“Yana?”

“Yana,” Jessa repeats with awe. I can hear in her tone that she likes the name right off the bat. “Do you know what it means?”

I smirk. “Ironically, it means ‘gift from God.’”

“Why is that ironic?”

“Because I don’t believe in God.”

She kisses my jaw. “I do. Especially after the way you came into my life.”

“So you believe in a God with a sense of humor? Because only a real sick bastard could’ve dreamed all this up.”

“God made you, so I’d say he’s hilarious.”

It’s my turn to roll my eyes and poke Jessa in the forehead. She laughs and cuddles up against our child.

“Is it Yana then?” I ask.

She smiles contentedly and looks down at the child in her arms. “What do you think, baby girl? Is that your name?”

She yawns and her big eyes blink open. It’s just for a moment, but it’s enough to see that her eyes are a clear, uninterrupted gray.

“Anton! She has your eyes.”

“Yana,” I whisper.

“I think it’s her name,” Jessa says. “Yana Stepanov. It’s perfect.”

Slowly, I remove myself from the position behind Jessa. I plump up the pillows behind her back and then reach for my coat hanging in the corner.

“What are you doing?” Jessa asks curiously.

I don’t answer her. I just retrieve what I want from my coat pocket and walk back to her.

“I don’t know. What about Jessa Stepanov? How does that sound?”

Jessa snorts. “I’m not naming her after me.”

“No,” I say gently. “Her name is Yana. I was thinking about you.”

“What do you—”

I hold out the black velvet box and open it for her. At the sight of the champagne diamond nestled in the velvet folds, Jessa’s mouth falls open.

“Anton…”

“Jessa Gilmore,” I say, “will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Her eyes drift from the ring to me. “I… I didn’t think you’d ever want to get married again. Not after… well, you know…”

“I’d do anything for you, Jessa. Anything to keep you safe. Anything to keep you happy.”

Her face lights up. “Of course I’ll become Mrs. Stepanov. Of course I’ll marry you.”

With our daughter nestled between us, I lean in and kiss Jessa soft and deep. It feels like the best way to seal this promise. The three of us here, together. The start of our little family.

Everything satin and pure and perfect.