Russian Roulette (Russkaya Mafiya) by Sapphire Knight Page A

wait to tell London all about this.
    Maybe this is just the sort of thing that Jeremy needs to start treating me better, like he used to. This could be exactly what we need and it’s all because of you, M. I’m going to call you M, because you’re my tiny miracle. I promise I’m going to be the best momma ever.
    Let’s see, Jeremy will be home in about two hours. I’m going to shower and get all freshened up. After I’m done, I’ll cook a nice dinner. I hope he didn’t get upset at work today. I know the factory stresses him out. Maybe now he will understand that it’s good I take all those college courses online. I’ll be able to get a job after the baby’s born and he will have less stress to deal with.
    I prepare one of his favorite chicken dishes and place it into the oven to cook. It should be ready right before he gets home.
    I take a deep, anxious breath and promise myself that everything will be fine. Jeremy will stop being so mean to me all of the time. He’s even started slapping me a couple times when he says I screw up. Now that I’m pregnant though I know he will stop. It’s not good for our little M.
    Jeremy will be so happy to have someone else to love him and show him attention. He’s obsessive about having all of my focus. I’ll call London with the good news after I let Jeremy know.
    I stuff my cheap phone into my back jeans pocket, that way it’s ready after I get done celebrating the good news. I wonder what Granddaddy will say when I get to tell him. He will probably be excited to have a little one around, as long as I’m happy.
    The oven timer dings and I grab my mitts to pull the chicken out of the oven. I place the large casserole dish on our little table I have set up for us and grab the bread. I pour a tall glass of milk for myself and straighten out the silverware for the third time.
    I can hear the rumble of Jeremy’s truck as he pulls up. I’m actually excited for him to be home. Lately I have been dreading it, but today is a joyful day.
    The front door slams open and it makes my heart speed up. I’ve developed a little bit of anxiety. The doctor calls them mini panic attacks, but that can’t be right because I have no real reason to be stressed.
    I have flutters in my belly when Jeremy steps inside. Not butterflies, but I almost feel as if I want to puke. It’s probably the baby. Oh no, I forgot about the morning sickness. I hope it’s after Jeremy goes to work, because he won’t like it cutting into his time.
    I smile, it may look a little fake but hopefully he will be too distracted with dinner on the table to notice. He looks grouchy and worn out. The factory and stress has been ageing him.
    He has grey eyes and long black hair that he tucks behind his ears. Girls in high school thought he was hot but Jeremy’s very shy. I was one of the only girls to talk to him regularly, so he asked me to be his girlfriend after a while.
    Jeremy has a long, muscular body like a swimmer. He’s always dressed in a pair of jeans and plain t-shirt. He has always reminded me more of a musician. He looks like he could be some depressed rock singer on stage.
    I look into his eyes and smile for real this time, thinking about M. I’m excited to tell him our news. I know it will cheer him up.
    He looks at me surprised, “You cooked Ritz Chicken, boo?”
    “Yes, Jeremy, I know it’s one of your favorites.”
    “And it’s done when I get home? Maybe you’re finally learning, boo, but where’s my tea? Gotta put some more effort into it, Emily.”
    “Right, sorry. I’ll get it. I have some great news to share with you.”
    “Oh yeah? Tell me this greeeeeat news you have.” He grumbles out.
    I’m not going to let it dampen my spirits. Today is about M and our future.
    “I went to Dr. Anderson’s office this morning.”
    “How did you get there?” he asks as he sits at our ugly little table and begins to cut into his chicken.
    “Oh, I took a cab, I was unwell.” I give him my