Six Years Ago...
"Pappa?" A tiny voice echoed through the cramped office like the first birdsong after a storm. The owner of the voice stood in the doorway, light from the hall cast his thin shadow into the darkened room, where a tall blond man sat behind a cluttered desk, illuminated by a single lamp. Berwald placed a hurried period upon his final sentence, then looked up towards the small, anxious boy.
"Peter?" came the deep reply, voice hoarse from lack of use after hours of work. "Are ya okay? Where's Tino?" Concern fell heavy in his voice; his ten year old son would never interrupt him in his office unless it was absolutely necessary.
"Oh.. uh.. I'm fine. Daddy is making dinner..." Peter trailed off as his Pappa let out a sigh of relief. "And.. I just.. I know I'm not suppose ta bother you while you work..." Peter's eyes fell to the ground, suddenly finding himself nervous. His hands began to shake, and he grabbed hold of the door frame for support.
"Peter..." Berwald pushed his glasses back into the proper place, then stood and made his way through stacks of books and folders to sit on the carpeted floor in front of his trembling son. He crossed his legs and pulled Peter into his lap."What's botherin' ya, Älskling?" He brushed Peter's blond hair from his face, making a mental note to trim it after dinner.
Peter relaxed into his Pappa's arms, and for a moment considered dropping the subject before he'd step too far, and ask for ice cream instead. However, when he felt his Pappa's kiss on the top of his head, courage surged through his small body once more. "Pappa, I've been thinking a lot. And... You know I love you and Daddy, right?"
Berwald tensed. "Ja. We love you too, Peter. väldigt mycket."
Peter sighed, relieved, "Good. So I was wondering... Could we find my birth family?"
