Deadly Vows (Avilov Bratva #2)

17. Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Aleksandr

A quiet knock woke me from my sleep. Sasha’s small, inquisitive face peeked in. “Uncle Aleksandr, are you awake?”

I smiled and beckoned her inside. “Come in, printsessa .”

She tiptoed into the room, careful not to wake Talia. “Maxim and I are hungry. Will you make breakfast?”

I glanced at the clock. It was still early, but I didn’t mind. Spending time with Sasha and Maxim had become a part of my routine. “Of course. Let’s make some pancakes.”

Sasha’s eyes lit up with excitement. She was only five years old but full of energy and curiosity. Maxim, the more serious one, was always watching out for his sister. After so much loss in their lives, I was determined to give them the family unit they deserved.

Maxim joined us as we headed downstairs to the kitchen, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Good morning, Uncle Aleksandr.”

“Good morning, Maxim. Ready for pancakes?”

He nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. I began gathering ingredients, and the kids eagerly helped. Maxim carefully measured the flour while Sasha cracked the eggs, her small hands surprisingly adept. I thought about how much they had changed my life as we cooked. They brought a sense of normalcy and joy that I hadn’t known I needed.

Talia joined us a little while later, her eyes brightening when she saw us. “Good morning, everyone.”

“Hi, Talia,” the kids chorused. They adored her, and she had taken to them as if they were her own. Her presence had a calming effect on all of us, and she was the reason for love and warmth that now filled our home.

Talia eagerly accepted the cup of hot coffee I gave her after I kissed her on the forehead. “Oh,” Talia murmured in surprise, placing her hand on her belly. “The baby is awake,” she laughed.

“My son is a morning person?” I teased.

“My daughter definitely is,“ Talia smirked. Grabbing my hand, she placed it on her belly. I waited in anticipation to feel the baby move.

“Wow,” I whispered as Talia’s belly moved like a wave beneath my hand. “That was incredible,” I murmured against her lips, kissing her firmly.

“Can I feel?” Maxim asked.

“I want to feel the baby too!” Sasha whined.

“You can both feel the baby,” Talia smiled. They placed their hands on her belly until they felt the baby move. Their eyes went wide with surprise.

“I can feel her!” Sasha squealed, her blonde pigtails bouncing up and down from her excitement.

“That was weird,” Maxim grimaced.

I couldn’t help but laugh. Somehow, despite all my wrongs, I was blessed with these three. My family.

“Everyone sit,” I ordered. “The pancakes are ready.”

They hurried to sit at the table. I placed a plate of pancakes in front of each of them and watched them dig in.

“Mmm, these are so good,” Talia complimented around a mouthful.

“The kids helped. I think that was the special ingredient,” I smiled.

I took my plate and sat at the table, joining them in light chatter while we ate.

After breakfast, we decided to take the kids out for the day. Talia suggested bowling, and Sasha and Maxim enthusiastically cheered. We piled into the car, and Dimitri drove us to the nearest bowling alley.

The bowling alley was bustling with activity, with pins crashing and children’s laughter filling the air. The bright lights and vibrant colors added to the fun and excitement. Talia insisted we use the rental shoes, but there was no way I was putting my feet in used shoes. Instead, I bought each of us new shoes from the retail store in the corner of the alley. I also purchased new bowling balls and matching bags.

Sasha and Maxim were eager to get started, and even Talia seemed more animated than usual. Dimitri isn’t a bowling fan but couldn’t say no to the children after they begged him to play, too.

As we played, I marveled at the ease with which we slipped into this family dynamic. Sasha and Maxim competed to see who could knock down the most pins, their laughter echoing through the alley. Talia cheered them on, her movements graceful despite her growing belly, her face alight with joy. Dimitri did his best to curb the string of Russian curses he spewed each time he threw a gutter ball.

“Your turn, Uncle Aleksandr,” Maxim called, handing me my blue bowling ball.

I took the ball, settling its weight in my hand. I rolled it down the lane, knocking down all but one pin. The kids cheered, and Talia gave me an approving nod.

After a few games, we decided to take a break and get pizza. The kids chattered excitedly about their scores, and Talia leaned into me with a contented smile.

The pizza parlor attached to the bowling alley was lively, filled with the tantalizing aroma of melting cheese and fresh-baked dough. We found a table near the window, and the kids immediately debated which toppings to choose. Maxim wanted pepperoni, while Sasha insisted on mushrooms and olives. Ultimately, we compromised and ordered a large pizza with half pepperoni and half veggie.

As we waited for our food, I watched the kids color on their placemats, their concentration intense. Talia reached across the table and took my hand, her touch sending a warm shiver down my spine.

“You’re good with them, Talia,” Dimitri stated, nodding at the children.

“They’re the best. They make it very easy to love them,” she replied.

I looked at her and the children, my heart full of love. “They deserve the best,” I chimed in. “You all do.”

“And you give it to us,” she assured, her hand resting on her belly. “All of us.”

The pizza arrived, a steaming masterpiece that made the kids’ eyes widen with delight. Maxim devoured his slices with gusto while Sasha carefully picked off the olives and set them aside. Talia laughed, and the sound was music to my ears.

“Uncle Aleksandr, can we do this every week?” Sasha asked between bites, her eyes hopeful.

I smiled, wiping a smudge of sauce from her cheek. “Of course, Sasha. We’ll make it a tradition.”

“Dimitri has to come, too,” Maxim insisted.

“ Da . I wouldn’t miss it,“ Dimitri smiled, taking a big bite of pizza.

We spent the rest of the afternoon at the bowling alley, the hours slipping by in a blur of laughter and love. When we returned to the mansion, the kids were exhausted but happy. I carried Sasha to her room while Maxim got ready for bed.

After tucking Sasha in bed, I went to Maxim’s room. Sitting up in bed, he looked at me intently. “Uncle Aleksandr, are you going to marry Talia?”

The question caught me off guard. I paused, searching for the right words. “Why do you ask?”

He shrugged, pulling the covers over his legs. “Because you love her. And she loves you.”

His simple, innocent words struck a chord deep within me. I remembered the night before when I finally told Talia I loved her. The look in her eyes when she said she loved me too was something I would never forget.

“Yes, Maxim,” I said finally. “I am going to marry Talia.”

A sleepy smile spread across his face. “Good. She makes you happy.”

“She does,” I agreed, feeling a warmth spread through me.

“Will she be our new mom?” he questioned, hope shining in his eyes.

“Of course,” I assured him. “She loves you and Sasha as much as the baby.”

Satisfied, Maxim lay down to sleep.

“Good night,” I whispered, pulling the covers up and tucking him in.

I left his room and found Talia in the hallway, her expression thoughtful. “This was a perfect day,” she whispered.

I nodded, taking her hand. “And we will have many more days like it.”

Tears glistened in her eyes, but she smiled softly. We stood a moment allowing our love and future to settle around us. It was a future I had never imagined, but now that it was within reach, I couldn’t wait to embrace it.

We returned to the master bedroom, and the house was quiet. As we lay in bed, Talia nestled against me, I thought about how far we had come. From the moment I met her, I knew she was special. She had brought light into my life, which had only grown brighter each day.

“I love you,” I whispered, my hand resting on her belly. “And I will love our child with everything I have.”

“I love you too, Aleksandr,” she replied, her voice filled with emotion. “And I know you will.”

As we drifted to sleep, I felt a sense of peace I had never known before. Knowing I had found my family, which I would protect and cherish with all my heart, was a peace. The world outside might be dangerous and unpredictable, but here, in this moment, we were safe. We were home.