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Автор: Anastasia

"Are you sure that is what’ll make you happy?" I asked, thoughtful at his words. "Are you sure peaceful family life is enough for you or me? We can’t let Elsinger get away with his deeds, he can’t win, Connor, not while we’re still alive, me and you."

He looked at me, sadness in his eyes: "You’re right Lindsay, that’s what you wanted when you went away from your family to join O.S.I.R, that’s why I kept returning to the Bermudas. It’s our way to look for truth, isn’t it?" I merely nodded; he was like always voicing my thoughts.

"No way back," I faintly smiled and had a feeling we entered a dangerous zone with no return.

Days were flying enormous fast, I wished I could reach out and make them stop but being both a scientist and a down – to – earth woman I knew it was impossible. No one was able to stop life; no one would ever be able to do it. During the time I used to think about Peter and my whole life. It was as if I were viewing a stranger: so much has changed in the last few months.

"Lindsay," started Connor one morning, as we were sitting at the breakfast table, discussing our plans for the day. I used to joke Connor would always stay a Case Manager no matter what happened. He was just a born leader and I liked to be led by him.

quot; I lowered my eyes. On the one side I found it impossible lying to Connor, he would knew it anyway, on the other side I didn’t want to worry him.

Finally my usual straightforwardness won the battle: "Yes, I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather lately but don’t mind, I’ll be all right." "Lin," he took my hand across the table, "you have to see a doctor." He continued speaking, knowing I’ll protest and interrupting me: "Please, just to make sure you’re ok, if it’s nothing then you’ll be told so." I didn’t especially like doctors and I hated being exposed to the Russian language without any backing, it made me feel vulnerable, I still understood rather badly. Connor again read my thoughts: "I’ll come with you, don’t worry ‘bout speaking Russian." I couldn’t help jumping up and hugging him across the table, our cups flying to the floor.

"You’re a darling!" I smiled.

"Just look what you’ve done to the dishes!" he sounded strict but there was affection written on his face, in his wonderful blue – gray eyes.

An hour later I was sitting in front of a doctor who observed me with cold and attentive eyes. She asked me a lot of questions and even before I could understand them to the end, she wrote down the answers.

"Well, Mrs. Doyle," she choked on my name which made me feel sick but nevertheless it was a doctor as Connor’s been told and I patiently waited for further information, my once rather friendly smile frozen on my lips. "I have the very idea that you’re pregnant."

"I beg your pardon?" I didn’t quite understand the last word.

Her expression was exasperated: "You’re going to have a baby!" There was an irritated "oh, these Americans" look on her face. But I didn’t see it, I didn’t care what face she pulled. Her words were ringing in my ears. A baby! A part of Connor and me. I rushed over to hug the woman: "Thank you, that’s one of the best pieces of news I’ve heard in the last few weeks!!!"

The woman looked astonished but finally smiled: "I’m glad I was the one to tell you this." I exited the room, smiling.

"Honey, you look like a cat that swallowed a canary," Connor was waiting outside and although he didn’t’ show it, I knew he was nervous. "Just guess," I teased.

"No, Lin, stop," he laughed. "You know I’m sick with worry!"

"Well," I took my bag from him," we’re not going to US after all, not in the near future I think."

"Why?" Connor’s brow lifted.

"Not until our baby is born," I finished and waited for his reaction. "Lindsay, that’s simply gorgeous!" he pulled me off my feet and held up high. "I hope it’ll be a girl, just like you."

"Another Lindsay?" I asked in mocked horror.

"Oh, God, I just didn’t’ think about that," he admitted, grinning.

"And I do hope it’ll take after father," I laughed, "How do you imagine me managing together me and LJ?"

"LJ?" asked Connor, puzzled.

"Lindsay Junior," I explained.

"Oh, if you can’t do it, what about me then?" we continued joking like this as we were already sitting in the car.

"Let’s celebrate it!" Connor smiled at me across the seat.

"Sure," I answered. I remembered it was just like this on a cold January day, about ten months ago. It was a rather hot afternoon in October, the weather unusually warm and sunny, kind of Indian summer. We were sitting in the car, heading the Red Square in Moscow, me, Connor and AJ, Anne Julia, our daughter, who was one month old today.

"I bet AJ understands everything we say," Connor continued, casting a look at the sleeping baby in my arms.

"Oh, yes, she does, having such a father, professor doctor," I teased.

Then I grew serious: "Do you think it’s right to go to US in December? She’s still so small!"

Connor sighed: "I know honey, but I’ve got information that Elsinger is just around to quit, there’s some unclear story about him and the head of O.S.I.R. We have to pin him down before he escapes."

"I understand and still I’m already used to living here," I didn’t finish my sentence, which wasn’t important anyway; Connor always could read my thoughts.

"No more afraid of Russian language?" this time it was Connor, who mocked my linguistic abilities.

"You know what? Just try to speak to Russians 24 hours a day, as I did lying in the hospital with AJ!" I exclaimed. "I’d see what you did then." I paused and added: "Just made sure your tie is not dirty and acquire in a calm tone where you could bear the child."

Connor couldn’t help bursting into laughter and I joined him.

"Oh, Lin," he wept the tears of merriment away," you’re not destined to be a mother, you’ll always stay a naughty child!" Then he added. "It’ll be all right, Lin, don’t worry," he smiled reassuringly and though my fears didn’t vanish completely, they still were subdued by the sense of security that Connor radiated.

"Did you let Peter know?" I asked, throwing aside all the uneasy thoughts, genuinely delighted at the perspective of seeing Pete again. "No, it’ll be a useless risk for him, a rather stupid deed," Connor answered. Of course he’s already planned everything in his usual way. Connor smiled at me: "Relax, Lin, we’re going to make it, me and you." He looked down at our baby – daughter peacefully sleeping in my arms: "And AJ."

I smiled back. It was so peaceful here in Moscow. During the time I spent here I learnt to speak Russian rather fluently and to understand what people were saying. Perhaps it was because Connor made me speak Russian with him, perhaps because I spent a great deal of time with the doctors during the pregnancy and I had no interpreter at hand. Anyway I liked our life here, especially now that we had AJ.

"Lin, daydreaming becomes your bad habit," Connor’s laughing voice torn me out of my thoughts. "Honey, how are you going to be Senior Data Analyst again if you can’t concentrate?"

"Sorry," I smiled," I’ve just been lost in my thoughts." We left the car and entered the restaurant.

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