A/N: Sorry for the shortness of this chapter - the rest will be longer, I promise! This is just a short interlude into Anatoly's head.

Breakfast was an awkward affair. The girls were certainly thrilled to have their Пaпa back, but he felt so out of the loop that he couldn't really be a part of their conversations. And of course, the situation with his wife had not improved overnight, so that avenue of idle discussion was closed as well. Really, the only thing that Anatoly had accomplished over his night of fitful sleep in the guest bedroom was the decision that he would do his best not to touch the chess board, think about England, or mention that year ever again - well, at least not in the near future. A lifetime without chess? The one thing I can stay true to? Even Anatoly was not so nearsighted to believe himself capable of that.

As he finished his eggs, he grinned at his daughters eagerly. "What are we playing after breakfast, huh, girls?"

Alyosha tilted her head. "Пaпa, we always take a bath after breakfast."

Well done, he thought to himself sarcastically. Glancing at Svetlana, he winced at the knowing expression on her face. I told you so, she seemed to be saying. "After that, then," he added lamely. Svetlana just shook her head.

"Okay, Пaпa, we can play after baths," Natasha said sweetly.

"Of course we will, Лaпyшкa," Anatoly replied sheepishly.

Svetlana stood, taking her plate and stacking the girls' bowls on it. "Well, girls, go get ready for your bath. I'll be there after I clean up a bit."

When the sounds of their feet traipsing down the hall had faded, Svetlana walked to her husband and set down the stack of dishes none too softly in front of him. "If you're back, then I suppose I don't have to clean up after breakfast anymore," she remarked.

"Sveta, can't we please-"

"Tolya, I have made my position perfectly clear. Now it is summer, and the girls don't have to be in school. I personally would like to enjoy this summer, instead of defending my single state to all of our friends."

He stood, picking up the dishes. "I will do all the dishes you want if it will make you see that I'm not leaving again," Anatoly murmured to his wife's back as she turned to follow the girls.

"I heard that, Лапyшка," she replied. He brightened considerably at her bantering tone. "Don't think I won't hold you to it."

He tried his alleged increasing friendliness with his wife. "So I'll be doing the dishes for the rest of our lives, then?"

"Breakfast, lunch, and dinner," she called before opening the bathroom door.

Anatoly chuckled at the smile in her voice as he crossed the hall into the kitchen. It would be a long process, regaining his wife's trust-but he would do it if it would mean returning to normal family life.