Chapter Text
Alina knew rushing around her husband's chambers was only increasing her heart rate, and as a result, her nerves. But she had to do something, so she found herself dealing with her panic by rearranging their schedule.
She was so engrossed in their January engagements that she didn’t hear the door opening, or see her husband pause in the doorway.
“What are you doing up so late?”
She jolted, not expecting him back anytime soon. He tilted his head at her from the doorway. Alina resisted the urge to look him up and down, letting the mess of papers in front of her distract her. There’s was too much to do and so little time if she was to send her letters to Fjerda and Novyi Zem.
“Rearranging our schedule. I feel like I’m forgetting something!”
She frowned and threw her hands up, letting the papers fall to the floor and on his desk. Aleksander watched on with arched brows and shrugged.
“As long as we don’t miss the winter negotiations with Shu Han and Fjerda, moya sol.”
She froze, eyes wide. “Saints, we won’t be able to make it!”
“Why not?”
Aleksander frowned, watching Alina pace with her head in her hands.
“I’m so stupid! How could I forget?”
“Alina.”
“Could we ask them to come here? No, that wouldn’t work either.” She wove her fingers into her hair and tugged so hard he worried her scalp would bleed. His irritation and concern bled into his voice.
“Alina!”
“What?” She whirled to face him, hands falling to her sides.
He sighed and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around his wife. His irritation ebbed as she laid her head in his chest. “Why are you rearranging our schedule, milaya? What are you not telling me?”
She sighed into his kefta, shoulders finally relaxing. “We can’t go to the winter negotiations because that’s when our baby is due. And we won’t be able to travel to the front or host the Novyi Zem delegation afterward like we planned either.”
Alina‘a head whipped up, and she tried to pull away, mumbling, “I forgot to change the date for the Winter Fete!” before Aleksander pulled her back into his chest. She looked up to see shock written on his face. She’d forgotten to pay attention to his reaction, too worried about making time to birth their child to concern herself with the father of her child’s response.
“Alina,” he whispered. “Say it again.”
She blinked a few times before understanding. “Our baby,” she smiled.
Aleksander smiled and tilted her chin up, kissing her softly. Alina rested her forehead against his. Her heart rate slowed for the first time since the Healers announced her pregnancy that morning.
“Alinochka?”
Warmth bloomed in her chest.
“Yes, Sasha?”
“Let me handle the schedule, lapushka. You need your sleep.”
She grinned up at him. “Sleep is not what I want right now.”
His answering kiss had Alina remembering how she’d gotten pregnant in the first place.