111. Family Dinner

111. Family Dinner
I didn't know Nikolay's brothers well, but the last time they all appeared together; it had been fun, crazy, and overwhelming at the same time.

One thing all the Ivanov brothers had in common was their love for splurging money and, above all, arguing with each other over any little thing.

Although they hadn't had the chance to travel yet, Nikolay's brothers had photos of Kat, and they had sent her beautiful gifts, although I had to return one or two.

It seemed that Yarik thought a necklace and earrings of rubies were appropriate for a baby who hadn't even turned two yet.

After he got the message, he deigned to copy his sisters' gifts and sent toys and clothes. The only brother who had held baby Kat in his arms was Levy. Nikolay acted as if he didn't care, but he couldn't completely hide the smile on his face.

But my daughter hadn't met her grandparents yet, and that terrified me a little.

Victoria and Alexey Ivanov, as always, looked like they came out of a magazine, but this time they didn't even look at me, they just saw the baby in my arms.

I felt like I was walking in slow motion to the living room where my in-laws, like their children, arrived with gifts, which we didn't have a chance to observe before Nikolay's mother stood in front of me with a big smile.

"Margaret, darling, I could bring all the material there is to buy, but I don't even know if that would be enough to congratulate you and my son. The baby is very young, but we look forward to her coming to Moscow soon, we are all delighted. Can I hold her?"

My mother-in-law's words made me smile, lately we were getting closer and I knew she didn't hate me, or at least that was my impression of her until now.

With care and nerves on edge, I handed Kat over to her, while I saw my father-in-law approach.

My breath froze, and for a moment, I even thought my heart skipped a beat as I saw Alexey Ivanov approach me. He had a box like those you see in jewelry stores in his hands, and a big one, I might add.

"Our first impression of each other wasn't the best, I can't change that, but I hope we can have a good relationship with each other," he said with a much stronger accent than Nikolay or any other I had ever heard.

"I like that idea too," I smiled.

Next, I opened the box, revealing a set of Sapphire necklace and earrings.

My immediate reaction was to step back, not wanting to damage anything, because even with monthly payments for the rest of my life, I couldn't afford it, but Nikolay being Nikolay, he put a hand on my back, stopping me.

"It is tradition for the arrival of the firstborn in our union, it has been customary since our brotherhood exists; to give a significant gift to the mother for doing all the work," Nikolay's father explained calmly. "I ask that you accept it, please."

"That's not a word he often says," my mother-in-law let slip with a small smile, while she watched Kat sleep.

I quickly glanced at Nikolay, and he met my gaze with a look that said, "What are you waiting for to take the gift?"

Obviously, I took it from Nikolay's father's hands and thanked him.

For the next half hour, Nikolay and his father smoked on the terrace and talked about God knows what, while Victoria and I hung out in the only place in the apartment that she was actually interested in seeing.

The baby 's room.

"And what's the plan?" she asked, breaking the silence. I looked at her briefly, completely caught off guard by the question.

"The plan for what?"

"The next baby, obviously. And the wedding, if there's going to be one."

The comment about the wedding was the least of my concerns, but the baby part felt like a slap in the face.

It was a miracle in itself to have been pregnant once, and even more so that my baby was with me and more than perfect.

"Kat is more than enough for now," I commented with a forced smile.

"Of course she is, but you're still very young, you have time and energy for more. Girls are amazing, Margaret, but men, specifically men like yours and mine, need and want to have sons throughout their lives, they strive to build something and need someone to pass it on to."

"I understand what you mean, but even if I were to achieve the scientific miracle of conceiving again with my T-shaped uterus, what ensures that I would have a son, and if I did, that he would want to follow in Nikolay's footsteps?"

"It seems you don't understand, child.”

"I understand perfectly well, you don't believe that Katrina is enough for both of us, but Nikolay loves her and he knows that he probably can't have more children of his own and he accepts me. Why don't you?"

Even though both of us tried to keep our voices low during the argument, unfortunately, I raised my voice while speaking and Kat ended up waking up.

She wrinkled her tiny nose before starting to cry, she hated being woken up and I hated waking her up, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

"I guess insulting my family wasn't enough, you even made my daughter cry, mom," Nikolay's deep voice chimed in as he walked over to pick up Kat.

Slowly, she reduced her crying level, if Nikolay's mother hadn't angered me, I could almost smile. They looked beautiful together.

"Nikolay, you would never say that yourself. I am doing the right thing as a mother by talking to your wife."

"I wouldn't say it myself because if we have one or more children, it's not the most important thing in my life, my priority is to love and cherish the daughter I have here with me, instead of dreaming about a boy, as if that would make him superior to her. That's stupid."

"We both know you need to have a son to pass on your position in the gang."

"There are plenty in line, mother, including my two younger brothers, who love all things irresponsible, so I have no doubt that in the near future, you will probably be told that you are a grandmother again."

Victoria Sharapova closed her eyes tightly before looking at me again.

"I guess there's no point in arguing, he's just as stubborn as I am," she gave me an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you, much less make you or my granddaughter feel bad."

I sighed and decided to overlook that for now, nodding my head.

"Okay, don't worry about it."

My mother-in-law left the room and I stayed with Nikolay, I looked at him and he returned my gaze, with our daughter now calm in his arms.

I loved them both so much, it hurt.

"Was all that you said serious?"

"Very serious," he replied with a smile.

"Are you okay with possibly having only one daughter?"

"I'm proud to have her and also you. I just need both of you, Margaret," he leaned in towards me, kissing my head.

All I could do was smile at the two loves of my life, they belonged to me and I belonged to them.

I would never dare to take anything for granted in this life, just as I never expected to hate Nikolay Ivanov, only to realize that I loved him madly.

Because yes, sometimes I hated loving him, but I had found complete happiness with him and our family, a man dedicated to me and our daughter one hundred percent.

Who would've thought of a mafioso.