Page 128 of Prince Charming

She wanted to know where they went from here.

Was it a fling or did he want a life with her, with her kids?

It was a lot to ask. So much to hope for.

Was she being greedy, wanting it all?

She was too afraid at that moment to even ask.

“Breathe.” He smiled. “Hey, Anna?”

“Da?”

“You look beautiful.”

Her face flushed as she smiled back at him.

He tipped his head down a little, “and I think those people over there are waiting for you.”

She whirled around so fast she almost toppled over. Thank god for Tag holding onto her.

The most beautiful screams of, “Mama!” burst her heart wide open, and she took off into a sprint, landing hard on her knees in front of Galina and her babies.

The moment was surreal, one she hadn’t been able to envision ever happening. And yet, here they were. A mass of arms, the tightest hugs, and lots of crying.

“Thank you, thank you. Thank you so much, Galina.” She repeated over and over into Galina’s shoulder, who was crying too.

“Oh,Lapushka, we are so happy to be here with you. Thank you for sending the things so we could be here.”

In Russian, she asked quietly, “was everything okay, you were not stopped at all?”

“No,Lapushka, I was worried, but everything was fine. The children slept most of the way.”

“And Anatoly doesn’t know you came here?”

“No, he lost interest quickly.”

The fear she’d held in her stomach forever melted away, leaving behind this overwhelming feeling of happiness. It was Lily who spoke first once Marianna eased from kissing their little faces.

They looked so grown up already, her heart pinched.

On her knees, Lily looped her arms around Marianna’s neck, bringing their faces together. “Mama, you’re here.”

“Da, Lily-pad. Mama is here. I missed you. I missed you so much. I’m not going anywhere else, this I promise.” She told her daughter in a mix of English and Russian. Her Lily smiled so big. Though Pasha let Marianna sweep him up in their initial happiness and pepper kisses over his face, he was now hanging back, clinging to Galina’s leg. Peeking at her with his solemn face.

“I missed you so, so very much, my Pasha.”

It would take time to earn his smiles again, she realized that.

Marianna would do anything she needed to, to make it right.

Leaning over, she brushed a loving hand on his sweep of dark hair. “I love you more than the moon and the birds.” She said the same thing she told them every night at bedtime. “Are you ready to see our new home? We have lots of toys for you.” He didn’t flicker any emotion other than to stare at her with his dark-dark eyes. It was Lily who stepped in and took her brother’s hand. “Ready, Mama.”

Oh, her heart.

She turned away for a second while she swiped at her tears, and found Tag, quiet as could be, standing with a trolley of suitcases.

She’d forgotten about Tag!

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