Before the family made the announcement,Nikolai was staring at his wife and grinning.Her belly was still round with small marks that Nikolai recognised on himself,her skin glowing with the gift of motherhood.She was wearing a royal blue dress with gold embroidery and a crown of pure gold held atop a plaited dark hairdo.The twins wore matching royal blue swaddles and Nikolai wore his General Blazer with his trousers and brown-laced shoes.
As they walked up the stairs,each holding a sleeping baby in their arms,they smiled at this life they had created.
On the giant balcony,Zoya spoke first,"Hello,Ravka!As you may know i had twin girls last week.They are named Eva Genya Nasylensky and Lada Alina Nasylensky.If me or my husband cannot care for them anymore,they will go to Genya Safin-Kotysk.If,at the time of our deaths,she is not there to adopt them,they will be sent to Keramzin Orphanage."