EPILOGUE
Ivan
I watched as my mama and Dina cooked up new recipes to use in the diner. She turned them into weekend specials that were a huge hit. The sun glowed behind her as if she were an angel who filled my life with her love.
Dina looked up and saw me watching them. Her twinkling giggle made me smile as I walked to her, wrapping my arms around her waist. “Mama, I’m kidnapping Dina for a walk as the sun sets.”
“Fine, fine, Vanka. Go on, you two.”
I planted a kiss on her cheek and smiled as she patted my cheek. Taking Dina’s hand in mine, I led her out the back door and slowly walked with her to our special hill. We came here often, enjoying the warm evenings before they turned cold again.
“I talked to Katrine and Myka about moving into your house. The running around and yelling in joy led me to believe they were fine with it. I think each of them is going to take a floor for their own. Who knows, maybe they’ll find men that will help them fill the house with joy once again.”
“Are you sure? I want you to live where you’re happiest.” I looked into her eyes to see the happiness in them.
“I’m sure. I know we haven’t been together all that long, but I just can’t stand the idea of not sleeping with my Russian bear every night. After all, he’s my everything, you know.”
“Hmmm, the bear and I are going to have to have words. You are my everything, not his. He needs to move out and find his own female.”
Her giggle filled my heart. “I want you to know that you will marry me soon, and I’m going to take great joy in filling you with all the babies you want.
“I will, huh? I didn’t hear you asking me. You may be from Russia, Mr. Baranov, but I will have you know that here we ask the woman to marry them, we don’t order them,” Dina explained in her haughtiest voice.
I leaned and whispered in her ear as I caressed her skin under her shirt, “Please marry me, Dina. It doesn’t have to be today, tomorrow, or even this year. Just say you’ll be mine forever and always, please?”
Dina turned around in my arms and held my face in her hands as she looked deeply into my eyes. “How can I say no to the man I love more than anything? Yes, one day soon I will marry you, Ivan Baranov. But I will require a proper asking with a ring.”
Before she realized it, I held a ring box in front of her. “One like this?” I asked as I opened it. It was a beautiful blue diamond in her favorite color. It was flawless and perfect just as she was.
Her gasp and sudden tears in her eyes as she looked between me and the ring had me smiling as I took the ring and placed it on her finger. I kissed her hand tenderly as she whispered, “Ivan…”
“I love you, Dina Johnson, forever and always.”
THE END