It’s Wednesday morning. Only three days after I met his family for the first time, and we are pulling up to Matvei’s home again. A summer breakfast. That’s what Simon said. I’ve never heard of a family getting together on a Wednesday for a Summer breakfast, but Simon says it’s completely normal for his family. Apparently, they get together often.
I think it’s more to do with the fact that his brothers weren’t done interrogating me over dinner when the girls interrupted them.
I really like the girls. Sofie, Raya, Athena… all of them. They were so sweet, so warm, and so welcoming. I’m looking forward to seeing them again—just not to being questioned like a criminal by his brothers.
I climb out of the car and open the back door to help the twins out of their booster seats. Simon is on the other side of the car, helping Arron, while I unclip Solenne. In her usual overexcited charisma, she is already climbing out over me before I’ve fully unclipped her.
I take note that Arron is also excited, though. This makes me smile because maybe I can deal with another interrogation just so that they can have a lovely day with other children, children who happen to be part of their family.
Simon smiles as Arron bolts after Solenne to the front door. Raya opens it as they get there, and they bowl into her with a massive hug.
My heart warms. She is such an amazing person.
“Hi,” I wave to her as I walk towards the front door with Simon next to me. “Sorry, they were very excited to get here.”
“Are you kidding? I love this. It’s the best part about being an aunt,” she laughs.
When Simon reaches her, she pulls him into a hug. “Have you been staying out of trouble?” she asks him with a teasing tone.
He shrugs, “You know me. Trouble finds me whether I avoid it or not,” he smirks.
Raya pulls me into a hug, too, then takes my hand to pull me into the house.
The breakfast is set up outside on the patio table, where we ate dinner last time.
Sunshine is streaming into the mansion, and the place looks warmer and more welcoming. Maybe it’s just less daunting because I’ve been here before.
Sofie squeals when she sees me, leaping up from the grass where she was playing with her nieces and nephews and running to say hello.
To my surprise, even Matvei, Adrian, and his other brother are far more welcoming and friendly when they greet me today.
Matvei scoops Arron into his arms as he runs past. “Hey Kiddo!” he says, laughing. “I got told that you like spaceships?” he asks.
Arron nods nervously. “I do,” he mutters quietly.
“Well, I have something for you, come on… let’s go see.”
“What is it!” Solenne yelps, running after them as they leave the patio area and walk into the mansion.
I glance nervously at Simon, who shrugs and grins.
Five minutes later, Matvei returns with the twins, who are following him, laughing and shouting with overexcitement.
Arron is wearing a miniature astronaut spacesuit. A proper, full-on space suit that looks absolutely incredible.
And Solenne is dressed as a pink dragon. Tail swooshing behind her, and a giant, padded dragon-shaped head wedged over her head like a hat.
And they are grinning from ear to ear.
“Mommies look at us!” Arron shouts, running towards me.
I have to swallow hard to push back the tears stinging my eyes. Tears of surprise and an overwhelming surge of emotion that I am struggling to control.
Matvei looks proud of himself. I open my mouth to thank him, but I’m so surprised by his kindness that no words come out.
“How great are those outfits?” he laughs. Coming to a stop next to Simon.
“Emma was telling me on Sunday all about their cousins and their favorite things, and I thought… I mean… I thought it would be nice for them,” he shrugs as though this doesn’t mean the world to me.
