Lev sighed tiredly. “She’s home for good.”
Nas smiled sadly at that. “I know you wanted her home, but I’m sure you didn’t want her to come home this way.” She wrapped her arms around Lev’s waist. “I’m sorry, Lev.”
He gave her a light squeeze. “Thanks.”
When Nas released him, Sasha squeezed his shoulder. “We got you. You need anything, you let us know.”
With their kind offer, they left, and taking Lev by the hand, I led him upstairs to our bedroom, locking the door behind us. I pulled Lev toward the bed and he took the hint, lying down. I curled into his side and waited.
He stroked my side a long while before he whispered, “I thought I killed her.”
I kissed his tee-covered chest and spoke softly, “You didn’t, sweetie.”
“I know,” he drew in an unsteady breath, “but I thought I did.”
I didn’t respond. He’d tortured himself enough over the passed twenty-four hours. It was haunting him that he could have been the cause of Irina’s death. He needed time to come to grips with the fact that he didn’t do anything wrong.
And I would be there, even in silence, if that was what he needed.
A week passed rather quickly.
Under the unforeseen circumstances, Sasha decided to close the club up until the following Thursday, re-opening next Friday, giving us all time with our little Lidi bear.
She had adjusted well, if the shrieking giggles were anything to go by. We all fought for her attention, but the place she seemed most comfortable was in Lev’s arms, just watching the world from way up high.
The change in Lev was incredible.
He was smiling more, laughing more, and not even just at Lidiya, at everyone. My sweet man was trying hard to be the daddy Lidiya deserved, but Lev was Lev. He was special that way, and one day, I knew Lidiya would see him for the man he was.
Bunches of flowers started to arrive at the house. Letters of condolences followed. Igor Alkaev politely asked Lev to attend Irina’s funeral, but Lev respectfully declined. He told the man, “I’m sorry for your loss, Igor, but let’s not pretend here. Irina made my life hell in any way she could. I’m sorry she’s dead, but I won’t be coming to her funeral. Neither will Lidiya.”
It was a sad moment, but I was proud of him.
Igor asked Lev if he and his wife would be able to see Lidiya on occasion, and Lev told him he would need to think about it. We spoke about it at length, and Lev called Igor back to tell him that if they wanted to see Lidiya, they would have to come to the house and do so under Lev’s supervision. The old man was offended at the offer and hung up on Lev.
Two hours later, his wife called back and accepted the offer.
We understood they were grieving, but after all the shit they pulled, they were lucky Lev was offering even that. Igor Alkaev did not deserve to see Lidiya, but we both understood they genuinely loved Lidiya, and she should not be punished because their families didn’t get along. The fact Lev was giving them an opportunity to see her at all was a miracle, in my opinion.
I walked into the living room, smiling wide at the sound of Lidiya’s wild laughter. I found her on the floor, kicking through her laughter, with Sasha noisily pretending to eat her belly. “Stop, Asha!” she cried through her mirth. “No mo! No mo!”
It was hilarious to see a man in a suit reduced to this.
Sasha lifted his head. “No more? Are you sure? Because I’m still hungry.”
Another peal of giggles. “No mo. No. Asha pay a me?” she asked as she stood up and ran to the corner, where I set up her tea set.
Sasha checked his watch. “Baby, I would love to play with you, but I need to go.” He walked over to her. “Come here.”
Lidiya was already holding her arms up. I watched from the door as Sasha lifted her and cuddled her tight, holding a hand at the back of her head tenderly. “I love you,” he told her quietly.