He rolls his eyes at my sassy reply. “It’s always good to check in,meraviglia.But I’m glad you’re in high spirits. I know everyone is really excited to see you.”
“I am too.” And it’s the truth.
I’ve already met half of our guests. In fact, I share blood with them. The other half, I’ve been virtually meeting with for months now. I’m ready for this step, and I’m not scared.
As two blacked out SUVs roll to a stop on the pavement just in front of us, I’m not surprised to see Dmitri hop out first. He was driving, but he makes a point to round the vehicle to open the door for his wife and presses a kiss to the top of her head before opening the passenger-side backdoor.
“Hiiiii,” Jade sing-songs, waving wildly as she notices us. “Ahhh, I can’t believe we’re finally meeting.”
She practically skips over to us and pulls us both into a dual hug.
“I have to help get the babies out of the car,” she says on an exhale before pulling back. “You two are so beautiful,ugh,I love it. I’ll be right back.”
Matteo chuckles and follows behind her, quickly being handed a child. Little Isobella clearly just woke up from a nap, probably having slept on the plane ride here. Her chocolate brown hair has gotten longer, and her curls bounce in two little pigtails as Matteo walks her over to meet me.
“Hi,” I say softly, hoping I’ll find recognition in her eyes.
“Can you say ‘hi’ to Aunt Anya?” Matteo asks, bouncing her slightly on his hip. She’s wearing a little pink dress with white shorts underneath, and matching white shoes. She’s as cute as a button and looks just like her mother.
“Hi,” she echoes quietly, shyly laying her head against her uncle’s chest.
Matteo grins, setting his chin softly on top of her head to hug her closer. “Such a smart girl, you are.”
Before I know it, the rest of the crew has come over to greet us too, in no rush to make their way inside the house. Dmitri is holding a very squirmy Cesar, while Jade cradles their youngest, and Ivan carries what appears to be three very full baby bags.
“Hello, Cesar,” I greet softly, stepping closer to my eldest brother.
He gives me a gummy smile and waves his hands at me while trying to lean away from his dad to get me.
“Fair warning, if you hold him right now, he’s going to drool on you.” Dmitri nods down at little Cesar.
“He’s teething and thankfully he doesn’t seem to be in a ton of pain, but he’s slobbering constantly,” Jade explains, chuckling as she does.
“I wouldn’t mind,” I tell her with a shrug, looking away from Cesar to peer down at the almost two-month-old in her arms. The reason that their trip took so long to plan but the true reason for the trip all together.
Viktor needed to be old enough to travel safely without compromising his health with an overexposure to germs, but he also needed to meet his grandfather. Dad hasn’t been able to see him yet, and I know he can’t wait.
So much so that he doesn’t wait for us to even come inside before he caves, coming out to stand with us. Jade grins as she puts Viktor in his arms, not even waiting for him to ask before she passes him over.
“Isn’t he handsome? I think he looks just like Dmitri.”
Matteo chuckles and shakes his head. “He doesn’t look like anyone yet. He’s a baby.”
Jade rolls her eyes, waving him off. “What would you know? You looked like a thumb as a baby.”
Matteo gasps, offended. “You never even saw me as a baby.”
“I’ve seen pictures,” she tells him before sticking her tongue out.
Dad doesn’t mind their antics but encourages them to end for the sake of hospitality. “Come on, let’s get you all settled in.”
Giving my brother and his family enough time to get settled was simple enough. They wanted to unpack and set up the babies’ sleeping arrangements. So while they worked, Matteo and I watched the twins while Dad and Ivan took turns holding Viktor.
Before I know it, we’re all sitting down at the table for dinner, and Jade is the one meeting new people.
“Lev and Mikhail, you’ve met,” my father points them out, nodding to his brothers. “But this is Lev’s wife?—”
“Irina,” my aunt cuts in, introducing herself with a smile. “It’s so nice to meet you, Jade. Matteo and Anya have told me so much about you.”
