"For now." His hands moved to massage my shoulders, and I practically melted. "Thought I'd come check on you."
"I'm good. Just watching the kids play."
Mikhail's eyes moved to Zara and Mila, and something soft crossed his expression. "They’re getting so big."
"I know." I watched Zara laugh as she tagged Mila, both of them shrieking with joy. "I can't believe how much Zara’s grown in just a year." Not just in height, she’s learned so much too.
"That's what happens." Katrina adjusted Daniil, who was starting to stir. "They grow up when you're not looking."
Mikhail's hands stilled on my shoulders, and I felt him tense slightly. I knew what he was thinking about, our baby and what it would be like to watch our child grow. About the family we were building.
"You okay?" I asked quietly.
"I am." He leaned down again, his lips brushing against my ear.
I reached up and covered one of his hands with mine, squeezing gently.
Katrina stood, cradling Daniil. "I'm going to put him down for his nap. You two want anything from inside?"
"We're good," I said. "Thanks, Kat."
She disappeared into the house, and Mikhail came around to sit in the chair beside me. He pulled it closer until our knees were touching, then took my hand.
"Are you happy?" he asked.
"Ridiculously happy." I squeezed his hand. "Are you?"
"More than I ever thought possible." His thumb brushed over my knuckles. "You gave me everything, Shanice. A family. A future I didn't know I wanted until I had you."
"You gave me the same thing." I looked out at the yard and I thought about everything that’s happened over the last year. "A year ago, I was terrified that I was making a mistake. That I wasn’t being rational about what I wanted with you. I didn't know if I was making the right choice. But now?"
"Now?"
"Now I know saying yes to you was the best decision I ever made."
His eyes darkened with emotion. "I love you."
"I love you too."
He stood and pulled me to my feet, wrapping his arms around me. I settled against his chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart.
His hand moved to my stomach, resting there gently. "You're going to be an incredible mom."
"You think so?"
"I know so." He kissed me softly. "And I can't wait to see it."
"Me neither."
We stood there for a long time, wrapped up in each other, watching Zara and Mila play. The afternoon sun was warm, the sound of children's laughter filling the air. This was what happiness looked like for us And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
"Mikhail?" I said quietly.
"Yeah, baby?"
"Thank you. For everything. For fighting for us. For giving me time to heal. For making me feel safe enough to love you."
"You don't have to thank me for that."
