"Your best is not very good," she informs me seriously.
I can't help but laugh.
Konstantin watches from the window, and every time I look up, he's there. Watching me. Smiling.
When I come back inside, frozen but happy, he immediately wraps me in his arms.
"You're freezing."
"Natasha is a harsh taskmaster. She made me rebuild the snowman's head three times."
"She gets that from her great-aunt." He rubs his hands over my arms, warming me. "Hot chocolate?"
"God, yes."
In the kitchen, Anya is already making hot chocolate for everyone. She hands me a mug topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
"How are you doing?" she asks quietly while the others are in the living room. "Really?"
"Happy. Really, genuinely happy." I smile at her. "It's strange—a week ago I didn't even know this family existed. Now I can't imagine not being part of it."
She smiles back. "That sounds about right. These Volkov men have a way of completely upending your life."
"I know from the outside it looks crazy, but—" I touch the ring on my finger. "This feels right. He feels right."
"Then that's all that matters." She squeezes my hand. "Welcome to the family. For real this time. And fair warning—Yelena is already planning your baby shower."
"I'm not even pregnant yet!"
"Yet being the operative word. She's prepared." Anya grins. "Just wait. She'll have names picked out by New Year's."
***
Later that evening, after dinner and more family time, we pack for the trip back to Vancouver. Konstantin moves around the room efficiently while I fold clothes.
When we head downstairs one last time, Yelena is waiting with several bags of food.
"For the drive! For home! Must eat!"
"Mama, it's only a three-hour drive," Konstantin says.
"So? You get hungry! You must eat!" She starts loading containers into our bags. "I make extra borscht, and pampushky, and—"
"Mama, aren't you coming with us?" I ask.
"No, no! I stay here few more days! Give you two alone time!" She winks unsubtly. "You are engaged now! Need privacy! I stay with Dimitri and Anya, visit little Natasha."
"You're staying to give us alone time?" Konstantin looks suspicious.
"Yes! Is good! You have whole penthouse to yourselves! No babushka walking around!" She waves her hands. "You can... how you say... celebrate engagement properly! Make noise! I don't want to hear!"
My face burns. Dimitri is laughing in the background.
"Mama."
"Is decided! I come back for New Year!" She pulls us both into a hug. "You have week alone! Use it well! Make megrandchildren!"
Dimitri and Anya hug us goodbye.
