"Hmm…good morning, darling," Ivan whispered sweetly into my ear before he kissed along my jaw line. I kind of liked it when he called me that. It made me feel like I was special to just him. And only me….
My stomach growled before I had a chance to answer. He chuckled and scooped me up bridal style. I wrapped my arms around his neck even though we were only going to the couch. His lips never left mine on the disappointingly short walk. He set me down on the couch and went towards the fridge where Toris was standing.
"Any ideas on breakfast?"
"Well we need to eat up what's left," Toris yawned, having woken up just before us. "We've got frozen waffles and sausages. I can try and make something with that."
"That doesn't sound very good," Ivan groaned, peering into the fridge. "Wish we had more than a microwave."
"I'll see what I can do."
We wound up eating the sausages with cheese on some bread and a bag of chips shared between us. Not the most gourmet meal but not horrible. I think we'll be eating out later.
After we had cleaned up the mess, Natalya came out of the bedroom. She looked a lot less green and had more colour in her cheeks. Her eyes didn't look as heavy as they had been yesterday. She immediately jumped on her brother's lap and smiled up at him.
"Good morning, braht," she sang out, even having a little more of her voice than yesterday.
"It's noon, silly girl," he chuckled before placing a little kiss on her lips. That better have been a brotherly kiss or he's getting a smack upside the head…
"You look a bit better today. Perhaps some medicine and a good night's rest was all you needed," he continued, feeling her forehead. "But you still have quite a fever."
"I feel a little better," she yawned, cuddling close to her brother. "Should we do anything today?"
I looked out the window to see the sun shining and all the snow had melted. A great day for November in New York.
"What about an amusement park? I was going to offer to take you all but the weather has been such crap," I spoke up, looking at Ivan with a sweetly smile. Secretly, I was planning on pretending to be scared so he would hold me close. Great plan.
"The sun is shining today," Toris noted, turning to Natalya. "Would you like to go, Natty?"
She seemed apprehensive but agreed after looking at her smiling brother. "Okay."
"We should go soon then," Ivan chuckled sweetly, brushing his sister's hair back. "Let's get you dressed."
He carried her into the bedroom and they both came out dressed within a few moments. Ivan looked quite handsome in his black sweater and jeans while Natalya wore her usual navy dress and a few sweaters. Seems like big brother wasn't taking any chances today…
After Toris and I were dressed, we headed off to the amusement park. It seems a lot people had the same idea and were a decent sized crowd waiting at the gate. Not too bad; just enough for a peaceful day out.
Natalya had given up Ivan's hand so she could rest her head on Toris' shoulder while we waited in line. I took the opportunity to hold his hand and squeezed it gently. He laughed before placing a little kiss on my forehead.
"Always so cute," he whispered against my skin.
Damn! How does he make me blush like this? Luckily, the others didn't notice it.
Finally we got past the gate and started walking around the park. The first ride we reached was a large Farris Wheel.
"Can we go on this one?' Natalya asked as she pointed towards it. "It would give a good view of the park."
"If you want to go on this one, then we'll go on this one," both Ivan and Toris spoke at the same time. After a silent moment of staring at the each other, they burst out laughing.
I joined in and Natalya pouted adorably to win back the attention on her. Geez…I could take lessons from her….she knew how to suck Ivan in…
Ivan and I took the seat behind Natalya and Toris so we could see whatever they were doing but not what we were. I think Natalya was using the time to snooze since she rested her head on Toris' shoulder again. Her head is always on his shoulder….he should ask her out already…
Turning my focus back to Ivan, I rested our hands together on the seat. "This'll will be fun. We should ride the roller coaster!"
"Sounds amazing," he sighed, shifting so he rested against my body. "I've always wanted to ride a roller coaster…"
"Why haven't you?"
"Well my neither of my sisters are into the big scary rides," he yawned, closing his eyes. "I doubt I would never be able to convince the Baltics…"
I stroked his hair absentmindedly, smiling down at him. "Why didn't you just go?"
"Going to the amusement park alone? If I was going to go, I would rather do it with someone special like my sisters," he sighed, almost sadly but it sounded more peaceful. "Even if we just ride the little rides, eat some sweets and sightsee; still a perfect day."
Here I stopped and thought about what he was telling me. If I wanted to go somewhere, I could ask Mathias or Gilbert, sometimes even Kiku. But I never really did much with Francis or Arthur. Even not a lot with Matty.
But here was Ivan, sacrificing what he wanted to do to be with his family. He talks about his sisters like they're the whole world. Even if he had been running away from one of them for so long. Perhaps I needed to do the same for my family….
"So you do things with your sisters a lot?" I asked him, getting more curious on the subject.
"Not as much as we used to. I hardly ever see my big sestra any more," he mumbled quietly, rubbing his eyes. "We only do things for Natalya's sake. She's a baby at heart."
I never really saw Ivan cry except for the bar and his worries for his sick sister. And I didn't like the sight at all. Maybe back then I would have but that's not heroic.
"Come on. Don't cry," I cooed into his ear, pulling him into a tight embrace. "The hero is here. The hero is here."
A few quite whimpers later and Ivan's tears dried. Now we were at the top; the seat sitting still for those few moments. But nothing changed too much. Ivan still was clinging to me but now he was looking into my eyes.
"You know, I used to think you were just a bumbling idiot. But now, you're more than that. A true hero."
With that, he pressed his lips on mine and urged me to part my lips. Our gentle kisses were on display for the whole park to see but I didn't care. My love was being showed all around; now I just need him to return it.
As if reading my mind, he pulled away for just a single moment. "I love you," he whispered into my ear but taking my lips again.
"I love you too," was murmured against his lips.
"Braht looks so happy," Natalya sighed happily, seeing it all now that they were behind them. "I'm glad he's found love."
"Now let's find yours," Toris growled impatiently, pulling her back down for some kisses of their own.
