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“Daddy!”
Katrina immediately stiffens, her eyes widening at the sweet voice.
Charlotte bounces down the hall, her pigtails flying in the air. She jumps into my arms, a total ball of energy.
Polina comes running back without Capree. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Sokolov.” She sounds breathless, almost scared she’ll be fired before she’s even officially hired.
I glance over to evaluate if Katrina is nervous with Capree not in the nanny’s arms, but her attention is on my older daughter.
“It’s fine. Please return to Capree,” I reply to the young woman’s apology, and then my focus returns to my big girl. I’m not a nervous man, but this situation has my heart pounding. I desperately want her and Katrina to like each other, as the three females are now the most important things in my life.
“Hi, Charlotte,” Katrina greets, her voice light and airy.
My daughter hides her face in my wide chest. I don’t deserve this kind of affection, since I’ve rarely been home since her mother died. My eyes want to tear up, but it’s like they forgot how to cry. I haven’t shed a single salty drop since I was a young boy.
“Charlotte, this is Katrina. She’s very special to me, just like you are,” I say against the floral-smelling side of her hair, and she turns to look at Katrina, her cheek then pressing to mine. It makes it impossible to see her expression but feels so sweet. “She is now part of our family.”
“Just like Eva?” she questions, and my eyes stay on Katrina, who’s only watching my daughter. She shows no reaction to the question.
We both choose not to exactly answer it, but Katrina responds, “I promise we are going to become great friends, if you give me the chance.” Her lip trembles for only a second before she catches it between her teeth.
“You are very pretty,” Charlotte compliments, lifting her hand to twirl her own pigtail shyly.
“Not as pretty as you,” my wife replies.
This has Charlotte turning her head toward me to give me a toothy grin before looking back at Katrina.
“We have some exciting news, baby girl,” I announce, wanting to tell her while she’s paying attention. “You’re a big sister.”
She gasps, her eyes going wide when they turn to me once more. “You made me a real baby to play with?” She squeals and wiggles to get down out of my arms.
She runs down the hallway, yelling excitedly, “Daddy bought me a new baby!”
“I don’t think you quite explained that properly so she understood.” Katrina’s smile looks radiant before she places a kiss to my lips.
“I’ll go talk to her. Why don’t you check on Capree and lay down to rest for a bit?” She looks tired. Still beautiful but worn out. Now that she’s no longer near her family, she’s finally able to breathe.
Katrina
AsmuchasIwant to check on Capree, I forgo it to take a shower before I lie down. I need to let go of my anxiety when she’s not in my sight. My hands fidget with each other before I set out on the task of showering myself. I’m unnerved, and I have this urge to run to my daughter. She’s a baby; I can’t rely on her to calm me down.
My thoughts shift to the other little one in the house. I want Charlotte to like me, but more importantly, I vow to be the best mother-figure I can possibly be. She’s so young and innocent, like Capree, and the thought that her mom isn’t alive to get to watch her grow up makes my heart bleed.
I got myself into this to save my family, but maybe, just maybe, Demetri is the one saving me. And I don’t know how to feel about that.
I miss my gallery. Before, when I felt like I might come unhinged, I would go there and lose myself in a painting.
Turning up the water temperature, I allow the water to cascade over my head. All I wanted was a regular, boring life outside my crime family. My gallery was my attempt to do just that. To earn my own money and stand on my own two feet. To have independence for the first time in my life.
Demetri will never let me go now, and a boring, regular life is no longer attainable.
Chapter 19: Katrina
Iwakethenextday to laughter in the living room. Demetri has Capree lying in her pack ‘n play, and she’s awake, looking up at the mobile above her. He is on the ground, with Charlotte riding on his back, laughing while she tells him to “giddy up!” I would have never guessed that he would be the type of man to play with children so well.
“Again, again!” Charlotte squeals as she jumps back up on him after he playfully but gently bucked her off, wrapping her tiny arms around him. “I like when you smile, Daddy.”
“It’s all for you, honey.” He smiles with so much love and adoration at his daughter. It’s easily seen that she is the center of his heart. He wraps her in his arms, and places a big kiss on her cheek.
