Chapter 12 Volodya #3
With a sigh, I help her fix her hair and put her back on the ground and then readjust the hard cock in my pants before grabbing her hand and leading her towards the front door.
My family would usually just barge in, and the fact that they haven’t means Nina must’ve insisted they knock like civilized people so they don’t walk in on something they shouldn’t.
“They’re going to love you,” I tell her, kissing her hand and opening the door to everyone, since they apparently carpooled or timed their arrival perfectly.
“Oh my god, it’s so good to meet you,” Nina says, already pulling Maddie into a hug. Dmitri is in Vasily’s arms, laughing and smiling and darting his big, blue eyes around.
The dogs run around, sniffing and wagging their tails, just as excited as Dmitri at having everyone together. Valeri comes in carrying a baby walker in the shape of a car and a diaper bag that’s loaded and busting at the seams.
“Maddie, this is my sister-in-law Nina,” I say, pointing at the woman who’s just now pulling away from the hug. “And this is Andrei’s wife, Svetlana.”
Svetlana’s resting a hand on her pregnant belly with a big smile on her face. She’s not that far along, but I swear she started the pregnancy glow thing on day four of her pregnancy. She can’t stop beaming and neither can Andrei.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Svetlana tells her, giving her a hug while Andrei waves to her from behind his wife. They hold up the pies they brought. “Mom made dessert for us and said she can’t wait to see the two of you together.”
Svetlana gives me a hug and says in Russian, “I never thought I’d see the day, Volodya.”
“You and me both.”
Svetlana grew up with us, and she’s the closest thing to a sister I have.
We were all thrilled when she got married to one of our top men.
The bear tattoo on her forearm is prominently displayed.
I watch Maddie’s eyes run over it, and I know she’s curious but doesn’t want to just come right out and ask.
Vasily gives her a hug, putting her attention on him instead. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too.”
While we all make our way into the kitchen, Valeri picks Maddie up and spins her around, making her let out a surprised laugh. “Hey, soon-to-be sister-in-law.”
“Oh stop,” she laughs, patting his shoulder when he puts her down and blushing like crazy.
“Maddie, come here for a sec,” I say, putting her out of her misery. “I want you to meet my nephew.”
Dmitri is the first baby I’ve ever held or been around, and it took me forever before I felt comfortable holding him.
I wouldn’t say it comes naturally to me now, but at least I know I won’t drop him.
I squat down next to his car walker, laughing when he grabs my hand and lets out a squeal.
He’s almost one, and looks bigger every time I see him.
“He’s so cute,” Maddie says, leaning down next to me. She sees the cat on his shirt and proudly says, “Hey, I know that one. Kiska!”
Svetlana nearly chokes on her drink while everyone else breaks out into laughter. Maddie scrunches her brow. “Did I pronounce it wrong?”
“What did he tell you that means?” Svetlana asks when she’s stopped coughing.
I scrub a hand over my face while she says, “Pussycat.”
“There are several words that can mean cat or kitty, but kiska is the only one that also means the first part of that word.”
I try not to laugh at the look Maddie shoots me. “You’ve been calling me pussy this whole time?”
I shrug and give her a smile. “It does also mean pussycat.”
“You’re in so much trouble,” she whispers.
I give her a wink. “Whatever you say, kiska.”
Dmitri laughs, pulling our attention back to him.
He grabs Maddie’s hand, making her laugh.
I watch the two of them, lost in the image of her with a baby, already picturing some future family of ours, and when I look up, I see the others staring at me.
Nina’s the most obvious with her mouth hanging open, but the shock in the others’ eyes is just as blatant.
I roll my eyes at them and tell them in Russian to fuck off.
“What does that mean?” Nina asks. She’s learning Russian, but it’s a difficult language, and evidently fuck off isn’t a phrase that she’s gotten around to yet.
Vasily laughs and pulls his wife in for a hug. “Something not very nice,” he tells her. “But don’t worry, zolotse, we’ll be the ones laughing at their wedding. You know, the one he swore he’d never have.”
When Maddie laughs, I stand up and grab her, picking her up as she laughs even harder. “I can’t believe you’re joining in.” Leaning closer so only she can hear, I add, “I think I need to remind you whose team you’re on, baby.”
I set her down, smiling at the look on her face.
It’s equal parts yes please and oh fuck.
There, that’ll give her something to think about for the next few hours.
With a grin playing at my lips, I get the hamburger patties so I can start grilling, leaving Maddie with all kinds of delicious scenarios floating around in that pretty head of hers.