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"Hey," I say softly, sitting down beside him. "You okay?"
He shakes his head, tears spilling anew. "I miss him, Robin. Even though he wasn't always nice, he was still family."
My own vision blurs with tears as I wrap an arm around him. "I know, Adam. You’re a good kid."
We sit in silence for a moment, the enormity of our grief settling over us. But as I hold my brother close, a fierce determination takes root within me.
"Listen," I tell him, voice firm. "Things are going to get better from now on, okay? I promise. And I'm never going to leave you again."
"Really?" he whispers, looking up at me with hopeful eyes.
"Really," I confirm, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "We're family, and we'll face whatever comes our way together."
In that instant, as I hold my brother close, feel Boris's presence down the hall, and feel my baby kick in my belly, I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will navigate them as one. A family at last.
***
The following morning, we leave Adam with Vanya’s babysitter and the other Zolotov cousins while the entire adult clan heads to the hospital because the doctor called.
Today, they are preparing to wake Anoushka up from the induced coma.
The sun casts a warm glow over the hospital room, casting shadows on the walls as I pace back and forth. Anoushka lies in the bed, her once pale face regaining some of its color, her chest rising and falling steadily. It's been days since she was induced into a coma, and my anxiety has been building with each passing hour as we wait for her to wake.
"Robin," Boris says softly, his hand on my arm, trying to steady me. "She'll be okay."
His words are comforting, but I can't help worrying. As if sensing my thoughts, Anoushka stirs, her eyes fluttering open slowly. A collective sigh of relief fills the room, and I rush to her side.
"Anoushka!" I exclaim, taking her hand in mine. "You're awake!"
"Hey," she croaks, smiling weakly. "You know it'd take more than that to get rid of me."
"Thank God," Damien murmurs from behind me. Lev leans against the wall, his eyes wet with unshed tears.
"Dr. Russo will be pleased," Ivan notes, nodding toward the door where the surgeon enters.
"Speaking of which," Dr. Russo says, checking Anoushka's vitals. "My cousin Gerald called again. He wanted to make sure Anoushka was doing well. He’s quite the concerned family friend, isn't he?"
“Gerald Russo is your cousin?” Boris asks, shocked.
Ivan nods. “Dr. Russo is the best here, and when Anoushka was shot, I called the hospital head and made sure we got him. Gerald has been checking in ever since.”
The weight of the situation with Genevieve, Gerald's daughter, falls on us all at that very moment. He showed up for a woman in our family, and I can tell what Boris is thinking.
"Thank you, Dr. Russo," I say sincerely. "We owe you so much for taking care of Anoushka."
"Family takes care of family," he replies with a smile, patting my shoulder before leaving the room. Ivan, Sergei, Mikhail, and Vanya follow, leaving Damien, Lev, Boris, Anoushka, and me alone.
As soon as they are gone, Boris's siblings gather around him. Damien speaks up first, his voice firm and resolute. "Boris, it's time we step up and do our part for the family."
Lev nods in agreement. "We'll handle the situation with Genevieve. It's our turn to give back, especially after what Gerald has done for Anoushka."
"Are you sure?" Boris asks, looking between his siblings.
"Absolutely," Anoushka says, her voice stronger now. "You've carried us this far, Boris. Let us share the burden."
"Thank you," Boris whispers, his eyes filled with gratitude and love for his siblings.
As I watch the Zolotovs come together, their bond unbreakable, I can't help but feel a sense of belonging. Despite the hardships we face, we are united as one, bound by loyalty and love. And as long as we stand together, there's nothing we can't overcome.
