Chapter 21

Viktor watched intently as one of his fantasies came true. The room was brightening, slowly, as the sun came up. Finally, it was high enough to shoot in beams through his blinds, beaming in golden stripes across his bed. A sunbeam fell over the face of the woman in his arms, causing her to stir. She sighed, still sleeping, and moved closer into his body, burying her face in his chest and tossing her leg over his. Slowly her eyes opened, sunshine making the caramel golden, as she blinked at him.

"Vitya?" she asked, sleepily, sounding a little confused.

"I am here, svetlina. Go back to sleep; it is still early."

Her voice faded softer as she drifted back to sleep, an arm around his waist. "Love you so much, want to stay here always. Nice dream…"

She thought she was dreaming. He smiled to himself; she dreamed of him. Mustn't let his ego grow out of hand. He kissed her softly, not wanting to disturb her again, and let himself doze in the morning sun with her in his arms.

Hermione woke up slowly, briefly wondering where she was. She was so comfortable. She opened her eyes and found herself cradled against Viktor's chest. His eyes were closed and his body was warm with sleep. She traced her finger along his stomach, following a trail left by sunshine through the blinds. Immediately his eyes opened and he smiled.

"Good morning, svetlina. Did you sleep vell?"

"Very well. I think this is the most comfortable bed I've ever been in. Would you like breakfast?"

"Good luck vith that."

She giggled. "I'm sure I can find something. I'll wake you up when I get it cooked; you still look tired."

"I should. Bloody beautiful voman kept me up all night."

She kissed him and hopped out of bed, going to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, having done inventory of his entire kitchen, she realized he had nothing except some baking supplies, ramen noodles, peanut butter and a loaf of bread. How did he live on this stuff?

She crept back into the bedroom to get her dress from the night before. It was rather fancy for a trip to the grocery store; she transfigured it into jeans and pulled her hair into a messy ponytail.

Honestly, she had terrible luck. Who would have thought she would see Viktor's mother every time she left his house in the morning? Hermione managed to hide from her until she was gone, not wanting another scolding.

After all of these trials and tribulations, she finally managed to produce a tray of bacon, eggs, and biscuits. She went back into the bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, and called his name softly. No answer. She had to shake him to get him to wake up, and that was with a moan.

"Go avay," he said grumpily, rolling over.

"Breakfast is ready."

"You lie. Is nothing here but peanut butter and noodles anyvay."

"I went to the grocery store, and I saw your mother."

At this, grumpy Viktor disappeared and shocked Viktor sat straight up in bed. "Is she coming to kill us both?"

"No," Hermione answered, laughing at him. "I hid from her so she wouldn't see me."

"Smart girl. Now let me sleep."

"Are you sure? I fixed bacon and eggs."

"Is it crispy bacon?"

"Get out of bed, silly. And yes, it is."

He gave her a devilish grin. "Vhy do you not bring bacon, then ve eat in bed? Then I giff you kisses, because I love crispy bacon."

She went to get the breakfast, laughing at him. Something in her heart clenched. She could have this sweet happiness every morning, if she'd only take it.

"What time is your practice today?" Hermione asked. She was lying on his bed, propped up on her elbows. The breakfast dishes were long empty and laid aside. Viktor lay stretched out beside her; they'd been talking for an hour or so.

"It is in an hour. I should get ready soon, but I do not vant to go. I vish I could stay here and be vith you all day." He couldn't remember the last time he'd enjoyed a day at home this much. She made his house feel so much more inviting than it did when he was here alone, and the breakfast…amazing. He probably would have skipped it were he alone. He needed a wife—this wife.

"I probably ought to go to the office for awhile today, too. We're trying to negotiate a trip to China, and their ministry doesn't want to let us in."

"If I vas Chinese, I vould let you in," he answered with a grin.

"Well, Vitya, I believe Bulgaria has been the most inviting country I've visited," she said, with a smile and an exaggerated sigh. "For some reason, I just keep coming back."

He laughed. "Vould that be me, or is it just the Black Sea?"

"If it were just the Black Sea, I could go to Turkey."

He pulled her in for a hug, and then told her, "I really must get dressed for practice now."

"I suppose I should head back to London and get some work done." She didn't move, just stayed on the bed, looking contemplative. He wondered what she was thinking. He wondered if he'd be in trouble if he skipped practice. Probably; they did pay his salary, after all. He sighed and rolled off the bed. He knelt to look in a drawer; as he rummaged through it, he said, "Svetlina, if you need a place to stay, you are velcome here; you know this."

"Yes, Vitya; thank you."

He went over to the bed and went to his knees beside it, putting him face to face with her. His dark chocolate eyes met her caramel ones, an ice-cream sundae of love and tangled feelings. Tapping his chest softly, he whispered, "If you vant someone to really love you, and love you properly, you are velcome in here, too."

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she brushed her lips across his, a kiss gentle as butterfly wings in the summer sun. Her voice was sad as she said again, "Yes, Vitya, and thank you."