A/N: Thank you for the reviews!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Summary: Tala is adopted into a loving home, starting a new life but he had to his friends behind. It's not quite often blessings come in disguises but in this case, it's more than a blessing; it's a gift.
Chapter 2: The New Family
I snapped out of my daze as the car came to a halt. I noticed Mr. Dickenson smiled at me nervously and accessing my feelings. I felt fine, thank you very much. Removing my earphones, I tucked them away into my jacket. The doors opened and I stepped out, planting my boots into the snow. A large house stood in front of me; the exterior was painted in a crème color with a balcony aligned horizontally against it, decorated with Christmas garlands and golden bells. I couldn't tell the color of the roof as it was covered with a thick layer of snow; only the chimney stuck out like a sore thumb, spewing out grey smoke. By the side of the house was a large Christmas tree, decorated in garlands red, white and gold. Lights shined on it like small stars taken out from the sky, sown into the tree. On top was a large golden star, illuminating the shadows around it.
My eyes fell onto the three people standing in front of the front door with smiles on their faces. My stomach twisted and turned feeling slightly uneasy. I've only heard of them but to see them in the flesh, it seemed like a dream…
"Well Tala, what do you think?" I turned around facing Mr. Dickenson. I grunted in response. What was I supposed to think?
I turned my gaze toward the family again. Who would have thought they would accept me into their home? I'm an eighteen year old teenager who knew nothing of life until two years ago. Those were baby steps, learning life. Now, I could take those baby steps forcing myself to walk forward into the future. I breathed once more taking my first steps toward the family. As expected the moment I approached, their youngest daughter shied away, hiding behind her mother. I couldn't blame her; technically I wasn't 'child-friendly'.
Mr. Dickenson stuck his hand out greeting my 'parents'. Speaking in broken Russian he spoke, "It is good to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Murin."
I stepped forward shaking hands with the large man soon to be my father. He was a tall man with glasses and a scar running down the side of his right eye. He had thick brown hair with several strands of grey sticking out from under his hat. I could tell he once was in the military. How, don't ask. He stood tall, proud and perhaps honorable he greeted me warmly. Although he was supported by a cane, it didn't seem to bother him. I moved my attention to the woman who stood beside him. Long, flowy blonde hair she had with eyes matching the color of the bright blue sky. She was a good foot shorter than him with a smile so warm; I felt my soul at ease.
"So you're Tala Ivanov," she said to me warmly. I nodded. "My name is Inessa Murin; it is good to meet you."
Was it possible for anybody to be this kind? "Nice to meet you," I turned my attention to the man. "And you are?"
"Gregori Murin," and there it was again, the warm smile.
It felt awkward standing there in front of my 'new family'. The term 'family' stung me. I always associated the word with pain and suffering but… I couldn't help feeling this family was different. They wanted me to be a part of theirs. They welcomed me with open arms.
Looking into Gregori's eyes I had to ask, "Am I allowed to keep my last name?"
A strange question to ask, I know. I wanted to keep my last name only to remind I had a loving mother as a child who was my protector and savior from the rampant beast.
Gregori laughed, "Of course you can keep your last name!" he patted my back reassuringly. "You are more than welcome to attach our surname with yours."
I nodded. My attention turned to the little girl hiding behind Inessa. I crouched down, getting to her eye level, "Hello there, little one. My name's Tala. What's yours?"
I saw a small hand poke out from the side.
"Calina." The little girl whispered.
I couldn't help but smile a little. "Calina. What a beautiful name. A beautiful name usually comes with a beautiful face, am I right?"
I heard giggles. Calina stepped out of her mother's shadow. That's when I saw her face; Calina wasn't like her mother or father, she was blind. Even so, she supported the face of a young child, filled with life and potential. I noted something else was off; Calina didn't exactly look like her parents either but I rather not question anything now.
She approached me wrapping her small arms around my neck. Hm, this was odd. I knew I wasn't 'children-friendly' but this one had no trouble approaching me. Strangely enough, I always wanted a little sister. That almost came true until—
"Well Tala m'boy, welcome to your new home," Mr. Dickenson said to me in English.
Calina released me as I stood up, eyes locking with Mr. Dickenson's grey ones, "…Thank you." I said. I wasn't sure what else I should say…
He placed a hand on my shoulder, "I wish you all the best in your new home. If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me."
I nodded. I watched the two men at the gate carrying my belongings into the Murin home. This was going to be my new home. My home. I shook hands with Mr. Dickenson one last time before he turned around, waving, heading to the van and disappeared over the snow filled horizon. A small gush of wind forced me to look at the family again. For once in my life, I'm speechless. Gregori stuck out his hand motioning me to come inside. I followed, glancing over my shoulder once more and walked into my 'home'.
I couldn't believe the interior the house supported; the walls were painted crème, aligned with expensive statues and paintings with floral golden frames. I looked down walking on authentic Persian rugs imported from the Middle-East and beneath that, the floor was aligned with emerald green marble slabs. Vases aligned the walls, perhaps acquired from French auctioneers. Absorbing the sight, I had to look up. As expected, a large multi-layered chandelier hung gracefully above me, crafted out of the finest crystals money could afford. I was in awe.
"Welcome to your new home," Gregori said. "Come, I'll give you a tour of the house."
I followed Gregori to different rooms the house offered; the living room, dining room, study room, recreation room, music room, the kitchen, the pantry, the green house and lastly…
"This room is yours," Gregori opened the oak door. I entered.
There was a king size bed pushed against the corner. In front of the bed was my study table with books aligned neatly in the bookshelves in chronological order by author's names. Around the room were more tables, couches, a large flat panel TV attached to the wall, a small fridge in the corner and the list went on! I even had my own bathroom. I couldn't help when I noticed there was another door at the end of the room. Curiously I opened the door and to my surprise, there was a large orange beydish installed for me. On the tables were beyblade parts and tools I could use to tune up Wolborg. The Murins did their homework well, I noted. On the far end of the wall was another TV screen and it too was attached to the wall.
"Amazing,"
And just like that the TV screen flickered on. I discovered it was voice activated. Pictures flashed on the screen relaying beyblading news and all sorts of other things. I exited the room walking to the large window. I pressed my hand up against it feeling the cold spread through my palm. I always wanted a room with a large window. I always wanted to know what the world was up to through this thin panel of glass. I always wanted to know when the sun came out or when the first snow fell. I want to know.
"You like your room?"
"Indeed," I turned around approaching Gregori. "I can't believe all of this is… for me."
"Hey, you're my son now. You deserve to have the best a father could offer."
I couldn't help but smile. It wasn't all the small gadgets that impressed me; it was the amount of time and effort the Murins took into account the things I loved. I loved reading books and it was all here in my room. I loved beyblading more than anything and they made a small rec room for me, to practice. I couldn't be more blessed. What got me was the amount of warmth and care this family already gave me within this hour.
"Tala,"
I looked up and it was Inessa. In her hands was a large gift-wrapped box.
"Here," she walked up placing it in my arms. "My gift to you, my son."
I slowly opened the gift, avoiding ripping the fragile golden paper. My hands dug into box pulling out its contents.
"Inessa—I mean, mom… I mean…" God, what do I call her?
She chuckled, so did Gregori. "You can call me Inessa or Mom. I don't mind." She laughed. "So do you like your gift?"
Inessa got me a new laptop, fully equipped with the latest processor! Things were suddenly becoming overwhelming; never had I experienced such kindness and care in one day. I'm beyond the point of shocked… I'm just…
"You'll be using that in university," Gregori added proudly. "We've enrolled you Moscow State University. You'll be starting in January."
How was that possible? I never technically attended high school accept for several semesters before I was expelled. I shifted uncomfortably, rubbing my arms. Although now I thought about it, I remember taking this test several months ago, measuring my academic skills. Maybe it was those scores that got me in, maybe.
I stared at my parents. All of this was for me. I couldn't even begin to describe the amount of feelings surging within me… but wait. Do they now about my past? What would they say? Heck, what would they think? I began to wonder how much Mr. Dickenson told them about my past? Would they ever forgive me? Shaking those thoughts out of my head, I managed to summon my voice and thanked them both. I thanked them for allowing me to become a part of their family, I thanked them for giving me all the things I never dreamt of and… I thanked them for allowing me a second chance in life.
"No need to thank us, m'boy," Gregori said brightly. "Come, lunch is waiting! I bet you're hungry!"
"Yeah."
It was a strange feeling, suddenly feeling Inessa hold my hand and so did Gregori. I was a part of the Murin family now. As they were about to leave, I was stuck to my place. Inessa looked at me with her beautiful blue eyes.
"Something the matter, Tala?" Inessa asked.
"Yes, something the matter, son?"
I glanced up meeting Inessa and Gregori's eyes. I breathed in summoning the courage to speak from my heart. "Thank you… Mom and Dad."