He liked to come back to Moscow. He loved coming back to her, although he would most gladly take her with him, even if he were to kidnap the girl. He thought about it more and more. He guessed that even if he hadn't, her parents wouldn't have objected too much, busy getting involved in business with the Jurgens. He thought they would spend the day together, but she didn't have much time for him, she was still running somewhere. As if she had little work to do, her older sister and her husband also showed up. Tatiana suddenly felt a great artistic rush and thrust her children into Nadia's arms. The girl could not say no to these little sweet hands, so she looked at them from the laptop with the next financial documents, every now and then proposing a new game or cutting snowflakes out of paper. She knew she was likely to make a mistake at some point, but she endured the constant calls of thin little voices with holy patience. After an hour, she let go of the documents, unable to concentrate, suggested that they go out into the garden and organize a snowball fight, hoping that the children would get tired and go to sleep. He took advantage of wanting to spend at least some time with her, though he wasn't going to throw snow. Instead, he and Dmitri sat down at a table on a covered terrace to keep an eye on them. He wondered what kind of man her sister's husband was. He seemed to be calm, even withdrawn, the complete opposite of an energetic, expressive and open wife, emitting emotions in many ways, such as neon pink hair, with which she surprised everyone in the house. He looked towards the girl. It was just a snowball that was throwing her hat off her head, and a quite large, multi-eyed husky puppy was running next to her legs.
- I wonder why Nadia always takes care of your children? - he asked bluntly. - Every time we meet, she is with them, not Tatiana.
- You see ... Tiana is a terrible mother, I would not leave a goldfish in her care. She is a bit like a cuckoo: she lays an egg and tosses it to another nest to be looked after. - The man sighed emphatically, slightly loosening the scarf. - She is a typical artist, free spirit. She often forgets the world, let alone her own children! Besides, she knows perfectly well that Pietr and Olga adore Nadia, and she has a hand for children.
- Interesting couple of you ... - he summed up, not expecting any further explanations.
- It was a marriage of convenience, much faster than yours planned, practically overnight. It just paid off, otherwise I would have disagreed. We don't fit together. - continued Dmitri, clearly sensing a good listener, then looked at the girl playing with the children. - Honestly, I envy you. If I had a choice, I would ask Nadia to marry me. She is sensible and orderly. Not like her sister.
He frowned. He had not expected such a confession. He immediately saw all the admirers and fans of the girl, especially those he saw during the competition in Montreal. She didn't know he was watching her leave the Sports Center. He could see the crowds surrounding her, men and boys, begging for an autograph. It chilled him to think that anyone might try to get close to her. Something bitterly cold threw him out of his dullness, slapping him in the face.
- Pietr! Chto you detal ?! Nekrasivo!* - The blonde huffed, then looked apologetically in his direction.
Fortunately, at least she took an evening for him. Not exactly, because her nephews were having fun on the living room carpet, but he could have agreed to this compromise if he had the opportunity to hug her, drown his face in jasmine-scented blond curls. Nikita fell asleep on the carpet, next to the couch on which they were lying. She was completely tired, sitting locked between his legs, resting her face on his torso. She watched the children arrange the blocks.
- Would you like to have your own one day? - he asked quietly, wrapping a golden lock around his finger.
- I think so ... but not right away. I'd rather rest after these two.
He smiled as he felt her hand lay on his stomach. He took a deep breath. The hanging clock struck 21:00. The kids were just finishing picking up their toys. They ran eagerly to their aunt, although it was obvious that their eyes were sticky.
- Come on to bed, moi rashery! - The blonde ordered, lifting herself a bit.
- Will you read to us? - the little blonde squealed.
- You can do it alone, Pietr. You should practice. - she replied, yawning mightily.
- Yes, Auntie's right! - The brunette with two ponytails on top of her head said eagerly. - I will be like you, Aunt, when I grow up!
- You will be whatever you want, my love. - The tired girl muttered, kissing the two little heads. - You both will.
They watched as the energetic Olga dragged her brother into the bedroom, slamming the living room door. There was a blissful silence. The blonde stretched and lifted to a sitting position.
- I think we should go to bed too, Robert ...
- The couch and the blanket are here, what's the problem? - He smiled, pressing her tightly against him with one hand, and with the other he pulled the blanket off the back and covered both of them.
- You know, on the day we met, I would never have said in my life that I would hear such an offer from you. Whenever.
- It's all because of you, shame on you. - he pouted, reaching for her face and kissing her softly. - You made me a different man.
- So much so that you could have children? - she asked aggressively.
- It's quite problematic ... - he mused. - Children make a lot of noise, but it would be nice to have at least one.
They slid down simultaneously, settling more comfortably under the blanket. In fact, he would never expect that he would allow himself to propose an overnight stay on the couch in the living room and think that he could father children.
- Good night, Robert. - she muttered, kissing his cheek and cuddling against his shirt.
- Good night, Nadia.
At last he felt this pleasant feeling. She fell asleep with him again, this time he felt different, as if "more". He hugged her to him, smiling amidst her blonde hair.
He stayed for a few days. He was in the room across from her room, as always. The Koroliovs felt that they should stay as close as possible. He agreed with them, even though he knew there was an option to shorten the distance. She knocked on the door just as he was reaching for his tie. He was amazed at how often the Russians had occasions, or maybe just how lucky a lot had happened this year. This time it was the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary of her parents. She had told him this story once. It was also a matchmaking relationship, although, interestingly, shortly after the oath, it began to form stronger than the family contract had provided for. A few months after the ceremony, everyone was glad to hear that the newly minted Mrs. Koroliov was expecting a baby. He watched as the girl walked smoothly towards him, swaying her hips. He loved the view. He admired her for staying in all those high boots, but as she once mentioned to him, her image created for the brand depends on it. This time they were nude matte heels, combined with a white dress above the knee, with a flesh-colored tulle embroidered with silk red roses on it. With these floral accents, she matched his burgundy suit and black shirt. She let her hair loose to hang on her back, only two barely visible hairpins gleaming around the ears, revealing rows of diamonds in the ears, similar to those he had seen at a Jurgens banquet. He smiled at the sight of her, and she deftly took the white tie from his hand and threw it over his neck, tucking it under his collar.
- Quite a big family party is going on. - She announced without preamble, slowly twisting the knot. - Apparently all invited came.
- Should I know something?
- One of my cousins hates you. - she replied hoarsely.
- What did I do to him? - he asked, sensing an interesting fun in it, then he placed his hands on her hips, gently drawing her to him.
- You took me from him. - she whispered, looking at him without lifting her head as his imagination redoubled his efforts. She went back to the binding, adding louder. - Boys exhibit the Oedipus Complex at some point in their lives. They fall in love with their mothers or another close female family member. Everything disappears with age. Ivan, at the age of 5, confessed his love to me and ... unfortunately he didn't get over it.
- How much time has passed?
- Almost thirteen years. We are peers. We practiced ballroom dancing, my parents thought it was cute until they realized something was wrong on his part, especially since he openly and quite seriously at one point offered me marriage in front of them. They forbade further training, but it didn't bother me too much, because I discovered ice skating in the meantime.
- That wouldn't be incest by any chance?
- Yes. He is the son of my father's brother, very close kinship ... Ivan, however, does not mind. It bothers my parents wildly, but they keep appearances for the good of the family. - she laughed as she finished tying his tie. - Hence the matchmaking idea. You don't even know how gladly they accepted your parents' offer. Just waiting for our scheduled wedding was much safer for them than leaving me free.
- So I saved you from an intrusive family member? - he muttered fondly, pulling her even closer and wrapping his arms around her.
- I suspect you will have the opportunity to do it at least one more time tonight. - she laughed, wrinkling her nose again, then added more seriously. - Don't be fooled. Ivan will plead to blur your eyes. Although, who knows, maybe he will not play half-measures. He is cunning and golden-mouthed. He probably dreams of a career in politics for a reason.
- So.. we'll check what kind of material he is ... - he replied calmly, kissing her.
Pietr! Chto you detal ?! Nekrasivo! - [ros.] Peter! What have you done?! Ugly!