"Yes, princess?"
"Is the secret mission about Mama?"
"What makes you think that?"
She looks up at me with those green eyes that are so much like her mother's. "You said it's a secret for Mama, not from Mama, and Valentine's Day is coming."
I stare at her. "You figured that out by yourself?"
She nods proudly. "I'm smart."
"You are," I agree. "Too smart."
"So what are we getting Mama?"
"Many things."
"Like what?"
"You'll see."
She pouts. "I want to know now."
"Be patient."
"I don't want to be patient, patience is boring."
"Where did you hear that?"
"Mama says it when she's waiting for food."
I laugh and shake my head. "Of course she does."
Viktor takes us to an Italian restaurant that Anya loves, and I carry her inside where the hostess immediately recognizes us and leads us to a private table in the back. Anya insists on sitting in her own chair instead of a booster seat, and shestraightens her spine and folds her hands on the table like a tiny businesswoman about to conduct a meeting.
"I will have the spaghetti with meatballs," she tells the waiter with complete seriousness. "And apple juice, not orange juice, and the meatballs have to be cut into small pieces so I don't choke."
The waiter looks at me with raised eyebrows and I shrug.
"You heard her."
"And for you, sir?"
"The carbonara and a water."
The waiter nods and disappears, and Anya turns to me with her hands still folded on the table.
"Now tell me about the secret mission."
"We're going to pick out some things for Mama's Valentine's Day present."
"What kind of things?"
"Flowers, jewelry, a bag, a dress, candles."
Her eyes light up. "Can I help?"
"That's why you're here."
