Page 124 of Born into Chaos

Me:

Well, I’m not waist deep in margaritas, but I’m still having a blast. How’s Vitya and Samantha?

Dad:

Perfect in every way.

Uncle Lev:

Awww, see? He’s warming up to his son-in-law already.

Dad:

Very funny. I was talking about mygranddaughter.

Uncle Lev:

Sure thing, brother.

Dad:

At least my son-in-law is Russian.

Uncle Lev:

Well, that just stings.

I laugh and send Vitya a text, telling him I love him. His response is immediate.

Husband:

I love you too, pcholka, so goddamn much.

I smile at his text and at seeing the wordhusband.I’d changed his contact info on my phone earlier, and I love seeing it. I still can’t believe the man I’ve been obsessed with for the last two years is finally mine.

My phone buzzes again when he sends me several photos. Apparently, my family has just been taking turns holding our daughter, and she seems to be loving every second of the attention. She took a nap in Uncle Matvey’s arms and then spent time laughing at the funny faces my brother was making while my dad held her. Another photo is of Dario holding her while Isabella smiles and waves at the camera, and the last one is of Luka, Dominic, and Vitya, each of them holding their kids and everyone is smiling at the camera. I quickly make it my lock screen photo.

Me:

Thanks for the photos. I love them! Here’s some of us.

I take one of everyone looking and smiling at me. I also get several unplanned shots before my mom grabs my phone and takes a bunch of me with Nat, Yelena, Mia, and Lara. I’m surprised they aren’t all fuzzy, but modern technology is pretty amazing and the pictures are all clearand no one’s head is chopped off, even though my mom’s hands are anything but steady at the moment.

After I send them to Vitya, I take a few of just Yelena and then send them to my brother.

Val:

Thanks, sis. God, she’s so fucking beautiful.

Me:

She is, and you’re welcome. You’re also welcome for what she bought earlier, but we’re never speaking of it again because you’re my twin and that’s gross.

Val:

Interesting. I won’t ask, but thank you.

Husband:

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