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“Any particular reason?”
“He’s Russian and needs more contact with his roots.” He turns Jeremy to face him. “Malysh, this is where your grandfather and ancestors were born. We come from Yaroslavl and have many generations. You’re the last member.”
Our son’s eyes widen. “I am?”
“Yes, you are.”
“Thank you, Papa.”
“He’s American-born,” I say.
“Doesn’t make him American.”
I roll my eyes but choose to probe instead of focusing on that. “Is that what your parents did to you, too?”
“Did what?”
“Bring you to Russia.”
His movements falter on a Lego piece and then he snaps it in place. “My father often brought me here, especially for Christmas.”
“How about your mother?”
“Not before she married my father.”
“Did you…come here with your stepmother?”
He nods once and I can see the shadow that darkens his expression whenever his past is brought up. “Remember when you asked me what the map of Russia tattoo means?”
I nod frantically. “You said it’s because of a vacation you were never able to have.”
“Yes. I was supposed to come here with Aunt Annika, but she passed away before I had the chance.”
“Is that why you brought us here?”
“Probably.” The word is quiet, low, as if it weighs on him.
I wrap my arm around his bicep and lean my head against the hard ridge of his muscles. “We’d never leave you, Adrian.”
He stares down at me with molten gray eyes. “Really?”
“I promise,” I murmur, then brush a quick kiss on his cheek.
Just when I pull back, he captures my lips in a slow, all-consuming kiss that steals my breath and apparently my logic, because for a brief second, I forget Jeremy is there.
I place a hand on his chest and push him away. He releases my lips with a low growl.
Jeremy stares at us with a grin, and even as my cheeks burn, I can’t help but grin back.
Because this moment? This peace? It feels like the beginning of our happiness.
If only the ghosts from the past don’t catch up to us.
18
Lia
Our vacation is surprisingly…warm.
