I stopped walking. "That's different."
"How?"
"Because back then I was imagining some perfect man," I sighed, lowering my voice so Sofia wouldn't hear. "A perfect... father."
"How do you know he won't be a good father?" Yekaterina's voice turned gentle. "Anna, you've seen how he is with Sofia these past few days."
"But how can I be sure?" I countered. "What if this is just some passing interest?"
"Are you sure that's what you're really worried about?"
Her question stopped me cold. "What do you mean?"
"I mean... maybe you're not just worried about whether he'll be a good father."
I knew what she was getting at. Watching Alexander and Sofia together these past few days, I felt more than just approval of his potential as a father. There were other, more complicated feelings stirring.
"Katya, I don't want to talk about this." I walked to the stairs, making sure Sofia was still sleeping upstairs.
"Fine, but you have to face reality," her tone turned serious. "Sofia has the right to know who her father is. And if you don't give them a chance, if Alexander turns out to be awful, you can always end things."
I bit my lip. "Yeah."
"Talk to him tonight. I can come watch Sofia."
"What? Tonight?" My heart hammered against my ribs.
"Is there a problem?"
"I can't... I just..." The words stuckin my throat.
"Breathe, Anna."
I did, closing my eyes and trying to calm down.
"My offer stands," Yekaterina said. "Think about it and text me."
"Okay. Thanks."
"Anytime. Love you."
"Love you too."
I hung up, shoved the phone in my pocket, and headed upstairs to Sofia's room. I pushed the door open gently and found her awake, sitting up in bed, working intently on something in her drawing pad.
"Baby, did you sleep well?"
"Mommy!" She looked up, face bright with excitement. "I had the most amazing dream!"
"What kind of dream?" I sat on the bed's edge.
"I dreamed about Alex!" she said excitedly, then handed me her drawing pad. "Look, I drew the three of us!"
I looked at her picture—three stick figures holding hands, one was her, one was me, and one was Alexander. Childish, but full of innocent joy.
"Mommy," she put down her crayon, eyes sparkling as she looked at me, "I want Alex to be my daddy. Can he?"
The direct request caught me completely off guard.
