Hungary x Ukraine

"How many times have I asked you not to track mud into the house, Elizabeta?" Katyusha called.

"About as many times as I've asked you not to cook cabbage soup, Katyusha." Elizabeta replied, ushering their son, Péter, into the house.

Katyusha rolled her eyes and continued brushing her daughter's hair. "Fair enough."

"Mama, can I have a cookie?"

"May I have a cookie, Daniya." Katyusha corrected.

"May I have a cookie?"

"No."

"Oh, come on! You made her say it again but the answer's no?" Elizabeta had taken off Péter's rain jacket and was standing in the doorway with her arms crossed.

"She can't have dessert before dinner." Katyusha said matter-of-factly.

A plan came to Elizabeta's mind. "I already gave Péter a cookie."

"I didn't-" Péter started. He caught his mom's look and realized the plan. "-eat it yet."

"Mama, that's not fair." Daniya pouted.

Katyusha knew the plan, but she didn't want to look like the bad guy. She had that all-knowing look in her eyes and Elizabeta saw it.

"You both go grab a cookie, but I want to speak to your mother."

"You can't just go around letting them get their way all the time!" Katyusha whispered to Elizabeta, their children giggling in the kitchen. Péter was explaining the trick to his younger sister.

"I know you didn't have as good of a life when you were their age as they do, but we're better off now! We can most definitely afford to give them an extra cookie!"

"I guess… you're right…" The truth had hit Katyusha like a brick to the face. Elizabeta was right; when she was young, she didn't have a home or enough food. That reminded her to call her siblings, which she would do later.

"Mama! Your snickerdoodles are the best!" Daniya called. She ran from the kitchen and hugged Katyusha. Katyusha smiled and patted Daniya's hair, which looked nearly identical to Elizabeta's. She looked up at Elizabeta, who smiled warmly.

"Love you." Elizabeta murmured.

"Ew! Péter, they're being lovey again!" Daniya ran into the kitchen and dragged Péter into their bedroom.

Elizabeta took Katyusha's hands and they shared a small kiss.

Katyusha smiled. "Love you too."

Elizabeta went to collect their children so they could participate in the family call to Nagybácsi Ivan and Katyusha picked up the phone to dial a very familiar number. She continued smiling as she waited for her brother to pick up.

"Привіт, Vanya, как дела?"

Life was good.

Nagybácsi: 'Uncle' in Hungarian

Привіт (Pryvit): 'Hello' in Ukrainian

как дела (Kak Dela): 'How are you' in Russian