She glances at me, then seems to relax when the boys lower to the floor together.
“We can make a spaceship,” Milo suggests as they begin sorting through the pieces and deciding what they want to build.
Lev considers it, then says, “Tower.”
“Let’s make a tower spaceship!”
Lev nods.
Sloane lets out a soft laugh beside me. I slide an arm around her waist and pull her into my side, pressing a kiss to her temple as we stand there watching them.
The boys sit on the rug, surrounded by scattered bricks, their heads bent close together while they build something bigger than either of them understands.
I peer at Sloane. “This thing they’re building, that’s a family. And there’s no one else I’d rather build one with than you.”
She lets her head rest against me with a soft sigh. And as she does, I can’t help thinking of my father—of his rage, of the way he ruled through fear, of everything he tried to beat into us.
But he didn’t win. He lost that power a long time ago.
Because I have something he never did: a family who loves me.
SLOANE
“I know this room doesn’t look like much yet,” Kirill tells him. “But you can make it into anything you want.”
Milo turns toward him so fast his sneakers squeak against the wood, his eyes going wide like he just heard the best news of his life. “Really? Anything?”
Kirill lets out a laugh, glancing back at me, and I know with a deep-rooted certainty that I love this man.
“Well…” He drags the word out a little. “Within reason.”
“I want a space room!” Milo blurts.
Kirill doesn’t even hesitate. “We can arrange that.”
My baby’s whole face lights up in a way I’ve never seen before, and it chokes me up. I’ve spent so long wishing I could give him more, dreaming of a better life for him, and maybe now he can finally have it.
“I already love living here.” Milo circles slowly in the middle of the room. “This is the best house ever.”
Kirill ruffles his hair. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Alright, you two,” I interrupt. “How about we change into our pajamas and go brush our teeth?”
“Me too?” Kirill teases.
“Sure.” My gaze drifts over him—gray sweats, a simple black T-shirt—before he drags me into him. “Though I do like what you’re wearing right now.”
My teeth catch my bottom lip, and he leans in, brushing a kiss against it.
“Ew!” Milo giggles, already darting toward the dresser, where his clothes have been neatly folded and put away.
Kirill goes serious now, the back of his hand brushing along my cheek. “Are you doing okay? I know today has been a lot.”
He’s not kidding. I haven’t had this much excitement in a long time. My sister. Eli still being a problem. Moving here.
And…
My stomach flips.
