Page 133 of An Angel For Tsar

I don't want her to grow up afraid of me. I don't want her flinching at the sound of my voice. I don't want her looking at me the way the rest of the world looks at me. I want to be her papa. Not a monster.

"Did you miss me, little one?" I ask, pulling back to look at her.

She nods so hard her pigtails bounce. "I missed you so much! Mama said we could wait outside for you and I saw you coming and I was so happy!"

"I was only gone for an hour."

"That's a long time!" Her bottom lip juts out in a pout.

I kiss her forehead. "You're right. Far too long."

Iris makes her way over, moving slower these days, one hand on her belly.

She's glowing. Beautiful. The sight of her still knocks the breath out of me.

"How was it?" she asks. I stand and take Anya with me, shifting her onto my hip. Her arms circle my neck again.

Her head finds my shoulder. "Fine."

"Did you participate?"

"Yes."

"Did you say the affirmations?"

"Yes." Her smile widens and she reaches up to cup my face with her free hand. "I'm proud of you." I lean in and kiss her softly. Three years ago I didn't know I could kiss anyone like this.

When I pull back, Anya giggles. "Mama and Papa are kissing again!"

"That's because your mama is very beautiful."

Anya's nose wrinkles in disgust. "Eww."

Iris laughs, stroking Anya's hair.

"Alright, both of you, in the car. It's cold out here." The driver opens the door and Iris slides in first. I hand Anya to her, then climb in after, settling beside Iris as Anya immediately crawls back into my lap.

The door closes. The car pulls away from the curb. Anya looks up at me her big green eyes. "Papa, can we get ice cream? You said lasterday we could!"

"That was two days ago."

"That's what I said. Lasterday."

I look at Iris. She's pressing her lips together, trying not to laugh.

"It's almost dinner time," I tell Anya.

"Please?" She presses her little hands together and turns those green eyes into weapons, aiming the most pitiful look she can manage directly at me. "Please, please, please?"

I look to Iris. She raises an eyebrow but offers no help. "Don't look at me. You're the one who spoils her."

"That's not true."

"You bought her a pony. Last week."

"She asked nicely." Iris shakes her head, fighting her smile.

"Fine. Ice cream. But only if you promise to eat everything on your plate at dinner."

Anya beams. "I promise!" I knock on the partition and tell the driver to make a stop at the ice cream shop. Anya leans against my chest, content, her small fingers playing with the buttons on my coat. Iris reaches over and takes my hand, lacing her fingers through mine. I love them both. Mind, body and soul.

The End