♥ Epilogue ♥
Scarlett Volkov.
Eight years later.
- Nikolai! I just came back! - I heard Nat's voice. - Oh, Mom!
Is that it again?
I went to the door and saw Nat wrapped in a towel.
- What's going on in here? - I asked with my hand on her waist.
- Mom, I'm already late for class, and this smart guy here won't give me my shirt back. - I glared at Nik.
- Nik, when are you going to stop doing this to your sister? - He mouthed.
- But Mom...
- Without further ado, undo your nagging and give me back your sister's shirt. - He grumbled and handed the shirt back to her.
- I'll finally finish getting ready. - She went back to her room.
- I wonder, darling. Why do you keep picking on your sister so much?
- She doesn't even play with me anymore, Mom. Yesterday I asked her to play, but she didn't want to. So... I do it to...
- Oh, my love. - I crouched down in front of you. - Your sister is busy with her studies now, but I'm sure that when she has some time, she'll be able to play with you. - I kissed his nose. - And what happened to Harry? Isn't he your video game partner?
- It's nice to play with Harry, but I miss playing with her.
- Don't worry, I'm sure she'll find time to play with you. But it's wrong for you to pick on her, because it might drive her away from you.
- I'll apologize to her. - Smile.
- You do that. - I kiss your forehead and watch you go to Natasha's room.
These children grow up very quickly, Nat is eighteen today and Nik is eight. I wish I could go back to those days when Nikolai was a baby. I miss them. - But I'm very worried about him, Nik is a very independent child, unfortunately he doesn't have any friends. He himself says that he doesn't need friends, what matters to him is his family.
I worry, but there's nothing I can do. I can't force him to make friends, if he feels comfortable with us, that's what matters. I know that when he grows up, he'll change those thoughts.
I go downstairs and see my husbands talking to Harry.
Harry has finally become the head of the Russian mafia, he always comes here to update things for them. Russell is now forty-three and Bóris is forty. They haven't changed a bit, they don't even look that age. But even at that age, they haven't changed a bit, they're still the same.
- I heard Nat's screams, is everything all right? - Russell asked as soon as he saw me coming down the stairs.
- She's fine, Nikolai was wearing his shirt. I found out why he was always picking on her. - They both looked at me curiously.
- And what's the reason?
- He misses her, as Natasha is now very focused on her studies and doesn't have much time. But Nik does these things to get her attention.
- They used to be very attached, but since she's focused on her studies, she doesn't have much time to play with him. - Bóris sighed. - But it doesn't justify him picking on her.
- I know, I said that if he kept doing that, she might end up distancing herself from him. So he went to apologize to her.
- That's my boy, I like seeing the two of them together. - Russell said, approaching me. - I want them to be united, like me and Bóris. Of course we have our fights, but nothing separates us.
I smiled.
- Nothing separates us? I almost never spoke to you again after you locked me in that cellar. - Bóris complained angrily.
I held in my laughter.
- It was because you were being so annoying. - The two of them started arguing.
And nothing separates them, right?
- We're here. - I see the two of them walking down hand in hand.
- Have you made up? - I ask, approaching them.
- Yes, he apologized and explained why he was picking on me. He's right, I ended up neglecting my brother, but I've told him that I'll be there for him on Saturday and Sunday. - I smiled happily.
- I'm glad you've worked it out. But aren't you late? - He widened his eyes.
- Holy shit! - She ran off.
- Watch your mouth! - I shouted for her to hear.
- Sorry! - She shouted back.
She's become a beautiful woman. My beautiful daughter.
- Honey, how about we go and bake a really big cake to eat tonight? - I suggested to Nik, who gave me a big smile.
- Of course, Mom! - I held out my hand to him and he quickly took it.
I saw that the two of them were still arguing, I rolled my eyes and we headed for the kitchen.
- Can we make a big chocolate cake, Mom?
- Of course, my love. - All he had to do was jump up and down.
He was supposed to be at school, but I got him out of that horrible school. As I've already said, Nikolai is very much his own person, he doesn't care about the people around him. But I was called to the school because he punched the nose of a boy who was bullying him. I've always taught my son that if someone hits him, he can hit back, I'm not going to let my son be beaten up by a child who doesn't know how to behave.
He doesn't mess with anyone, Nikolai is a very intelligent boy. And that same boy used to say things about me at school, calling me a slut and a whore for having two husbands. Now tell me, where did he learn that? This boy's mother was always badmouthing me and it seems she sent her son to mess with mine.
The school principal wanted to suspend my son for hitting the boy who was bullying him. I argued with the principal and got my son out of that horrible school. I mean, it's not even a school anymore, Russell destroyed that place with the judge's permission, I don't know how he did it.
And that woman disappeared along with her husband, the child stayed with his grandmother. I'm sure they did something.
Well, now let's focus on my beautiful family.
- Love? - I looked back to see Bóris.
- Have you stopped fighting? - He snorted, making me laugh.
- Funny. I just wanted to let you know that we'll be in the office.
- Right, love. But what about Harry?
- He's already gone, he said he'll come tonight. - I agree.
He went into the office and I turned my attention back to my baby.
- Shall we get started? - He gave me a big smile
- Go ahead! - He shouted, making me laugh.
I love this boy.
****
The time passed very quickly, when we finished making the cake, we went to watch it in the movie theater. We spent the whole afternoon together and when evening came, I sent Nik to take his shower. - I took my shower too and went back to the kitchen to organize our dinner, making something very simple.
- Mom, I'm hungry. - Nik came into the kitchen in his pyjamas.
- Mom's finishing up here while I finish cooking, why don't you call your parents? - He agreed and ran off. - Don't run!
- I'm sorry!
I went back to cooking, I was almost finished.
- I'm home, sister! - I was startled by Harry's voice behind me.
- Holy shit, Harry! Do you want to kill me? - He smiled.
- I'm sorry, darling. But what are we going to eat?
- Food, you idiot! - He looked offended.
- There was no need to be offended, princess.
- As long as you're here, go and put the plates on the table. - He snorted.
- Yes, ma'am.
He started to put the plates on the table while I finished dinner.
- I'm home, Mom. - Natasha came into the kitchen.
- Hi, my love. I know you're tired, so come and eat first and then take a shower.
- Thanks, Mom. I really just want to eat now.
The others entered the kitchen, Russell carrying Nik in his arms.
- Everyone wash your hands and come and sit down to eat.
- Yes, ma'am. - He made me laugh.
Everyone did as I asked and we sat down.
- Now let's pray and thank God for this meal. - I say.
- Mom, I have a question.
- Yes, Nik?
- Why do we have to pray if Dad, Papa and Uncle Harry kill people? - Natasha started coughing to hide her laughter.
- Because they do, darling. Whether they kill people or not. We always have to be grateful for the food.
- Right.
We've said our prayers.
- You may eat.
They started serving themselves, and I looked lovingly at my children, who were playing with each other.
- Thank you, baby. - I looked at the two of them who were also looking at our children. - We'll always thank you for this beautiful family.
I held their hands.
- I thank you too, for allowing me to have these children. I'm the luckiest woman in the world to have you as my husbands.
- And we're lucky too.
- We love you, queen.
- And so do I.
Until the end.
Forever.
END.