She pulled back, puckering her pouty lips. “Kiss?”
Sasha smiled, smacking a loud kiss to her lips before putting her down. “Bye, princess. Be good.”
She sat on the carpet, waving in that way an almost three-year old did, up and down and super floppy. I smiled at Sasha as he went past. He jerked his chin at me and let himself out.
I walked into the room and sat by Mirella. “How are you doing?” I asked quietly.
She let out a long sigh. “I’m doing okay.” She was clearly lying.
“You need a break,” I told her honestly. “You’re exhausted.”
She shook her head, but her mouth betrayed her by yawning. “I’m fine.”
I stood, pulling her up by her arm. “Go. Shoo. Get some sleep. And don’t you dare come down until tomorrow morning. You’re off duty.”
She smiled, blinking tiredly. “If you’re sure…”
“I’m sure,” I uttered, gently pushing her out the door. “Now scoot.”
Mirella shuffled down the hall to her room and closed the door behind her. It was nice having her around, but the poor woman needed a break every now and again. It was only natural that she was bound to succumb to fatigue.
Lidiya pulled on my hand, and smiling, I reached down to pick up my chubby bubby. “Hey, you,” I said, smacking a kiss to the plump cheek. “You want to play with me?”
“Pay a me, Eena.” She kicked her little legs, trying to get down. I chuckled and let her feet touch the ground. She ran to the tea set and I followed. She poured pretend tea and we ate pretend cookies, and she said the same thing she’d been saying for a whole week.
“Mama sweeping.”
It broke my heart every damn time. My expression sad, I repeated gently, “Yes, baby. Mama’s sleeping.”
How did you explain to a two-year-old that her mother was dead?
You didn’t. It was distressing enough as it was that she would be permanently separated from Irina, and regardless of how many times I had been told Irina was a bad mother, I was sure Lidiya didn’t see it that way. I liked to believe Lidiya loved her mother. Children were funny that way. When they gave an emotion, they gave it all. I wanted to believe that even Irina was not immune to her daughter’s love.
Lidiya soon got sick of playing and grabbed her blankie, throwing her thumb into her mouth. She approached me like it was no big deal to come on over and curl up on my lap, her legs dangling and her head resting on my chest.
I loved these moments, where it was just me and Lidi, where she gave that love so freely, almost as if she knew I needed it. I knew she wasn’t my daughter by blood, but she was the daughter of my heart.
Ten minutes passed, and the little angel was definitely asleep with all dangly limbs. I kissed her forehead and held her tight. I didn’t need any more than this.
I whispered into her hair, “I would have given anything to have a child like you, my Lidi. I’m glad you’re home.”
From behind me, in the open doorway, came, “You want children?”
Turning my head, I saw Lev standing there, a soft expression on seeing his two favorite girls. I smiled. “I love kids.” I quickly added, “I thought you were meant to be working, mister.”
He leaned his tall body against the wall. “I find myself distracted.”
I understood. Lev’s attempt to bury himself in Bleeding Hearts’ books was not working.
“Come here,” I told him.
He didn’t hesitate. I knew what he needed.
Once he was seated next to me on the sofa, I gently passed Lidiya over to him. The chubby little girl was hefted effortlessly onto Lev’s lap. She snuffled in her sleep, but quickly got comfortable on her father. He breathed a sigh of relief and pressed soft kisses into her hair.
He loved her so damn much. I found myself getting choked up over it.