~ phoenix ~
Ilya was the strongest person I knew.
He took up his mantle without complaint even though he didn't want this either...
And when it was my turn to accept fate? I fucked up.
His firm hand on my shoulder spun me around and his rough fingers tilted my eyes to his.
"I need you too, baby," he murmured, softly.
The pads of his thumbs gently caressed my cheeks, wiping away the tears.
"But I don't deserve you," I whispered, looking down.
I heard his long exhale.
"Before you, Phoenix, I was just like my father. I had nothing but this Mafia to live for. It made me cruel," he breathed, voice faraway. "But now, I have you and that's making me better."
Each word brought a knife of finality down on my heart. I knew what I wanted.
"I love you, Ilya. I love you so so so much," I professed, dragging his face down to mine.
When he was just a breath away, his eyes so open and vulnerable, I said it again.
With a smile, he closed the distance, pressing a sweet, soft kiss against my lips.
"I love you, Phoenix," he returned, contentedly.
My tears evaporated. In that kiss, I was home, where I belonged.
"When we leave, take us home," I said, staring into his silver pools and seeing my reflection.
He nodded, hoisting me up on his waist.
"And then," I began, hesitantly, "I want a proper ceremony. One that won't be interrupted."
At my words, Ilya's grip tightened around my hips. "Ceremony?" he repeated heatedly.
Inhaling a deep breath, I said, "Marry me."
Ilya seemed unphased, eyes boring into mine.
"Will you marry me?" I tried again.
Finally, in a deep, raspy voice, he said: "That's my line."
"Well, you were taking too long," I countered sassily in an attempt to conceal my nerves.
"Was I now?"
"Yeah, I waited!"
Teasingly, his nose brushed mine. "Patience, baby," he chided with a low chuckle.
"Ilya!" I complained.
Eventually, after a long moment of staring me down, he said, "Да."
Wait, what? My mind whirred for a second until I remembered. Da meant yes!
Before I could celebrate, he disappeared from the bathroom. I heard him shuffle through drawers in the bedroom, before he returned baring a gift. Ilya reached for my hand, brandishing a glittering diamond.
"I can't-"
"It was my mother's," he interrupted softly.
Instantly, my mouth clamped shut and any protest evaporated from my lips.
I admired the sophisticated ring with awe and I felt him search my face for a reaction. With an excited grin, I smashed my lips to his. It didn't take long for him to reciprocate.
"Did I mention-" I murmured against his lips, "-that I love you?"
He grunted. "Quite a few times actually."
I couldn't help but release the bubbling laughter from my throat. I was so uncontrollably, deliriously, wildly... happy.
Ilya regarded me with a soft smile, brushing my messy hair away from my face.
When the ecstasy died down, I looked at him mischievously. "I don't suppose we could go exploring while we're here?"
His eyes narrowed infinitesimally with suspicion. I shot him an innocent smile.
"Fine," he agreed.
With an excited squeal, I bounded into the room. I had no clothes apart from what I'd wore here. As a result, I was helpless but to wear one of his boxers. I ran into the living room and picked up my sweatpants and hoodie.
"I'm ready!" I called from downstairs.
In moments, Ilya appeared down the stairs, in surprisingly some dark jeans and a sweater. Damn, did he look yummy.
Banishing the naughty thoughts, I beckoned him to walk faster. My eyes raked over the luscious snow outside... snow fight!
"You'll catch a cold if you go out like that," he chided, materialising a familiar bag. Where had I seen that before?
"For me?" I questioned.
He nodded.
Carefully, I delved into the bag. I pulled out a long tan coat with tortoise shell buttons. Was this-
"I saw you looking at it in the shop but you didn't get it," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck.
Discarding the cozy material, I flung myself at him.
"You didn't have to, Ilya!"
He grabbed my hips to steady us. "Don't hesitate to tell me if you want something, baby."
I pressed a kiss to his cheek before draping the coat around my shoulders.
Ilya pulled his own off a coat rack and led me outside.
My cheeks began to sting from the cold but I loved it! Deciding a snow fight would have to wait, I slid my hand into his.
"The farm was burnt down so a large apartment complex could stand in its place. When we bought the land, Viktor had it demolished. He remembered that my mother always dreamt of a small cottage and so he had one built."
I smiled warmly, wishing I could have met his brother.
Ilya guided me down a small hill, where a cluster of similar cottages stood.
"My grandfather wasn't the only person they evicted. Vik found all our neighbours and gave them their livelihoods back," he said, wistfully.
"Your brother sounds like he was a great man," I murmured, squeezing his hand.
He squeezed back. "He was."
We walked in silence through the village, where little children ran around happily. I grinned at a young boy who stared at me.
"Dmitri!" a voice behind us called.
Ilya turned around to greet the villages. It was a man, perhaps in his fifties, with hair as white as the snow.
"Большое тебе спасибо, сынок. Ты вернул мою дочь!" [Thank you so much, son. You got my daughter back.]
The man's voice broke as he clasped Ilya's hand.
"Пожалуйста, не благодари меня. Это был мой долг," Ilya returned, respectfully. [Please don't thank me. It was my duty.]
Unable to understand their conversation, I turned back to the little boy, whose big grey eyes were still trained on me.
"Privet," I smiled, crouching to meet his height. [Hello]
He grinned a toothless grin. My heart melted at the sight.
The boy, who seemed to be around six, perhaps was what Ilya was like before everything. Was he lost? I glanced around, looking for his parents.
"Привет леди," he replied in Russian. [Hello, lady]
Although I couldn't understand everything he said, my smile grew. "Ya Phoenix," I introduced, remembering the few simple phrases Rina taught me.
"Я-"
"Mikhail!" a woman yelled, frantically.
She appeared around a corner, sighing in relief when her gaze landed on the boy- Mikhail.
Then, she noticed me crouching before him. Questioningly, she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Privet," I said warmly in my awful accent, "Ya Phoenix."
"Мама она мой друг!" little Mikhail exclaimed, bouncing on his feet. [Mama, she is my friend]
The woman rolled her eyes affectionately at her son and to my surprise, engulfed me in a warm embrace. Happily, I returned it.
"Привет Феникс, я Лавидия," she said, pulling away. "Вы, должно быть, новенький здесь. Я тебя раньше не видел."
[Hello, Phoenix, I'm Lavinia. You must be new here. I haven't seen you before.]
I opened my mouth to try and explain that I couldn't understand her but Ilya had appeared at my side again.
"Она моя жена. Простите ее, Лавиния, она не говорит по-русски," he said. [She is my wife. Excuse her, Lavinia, she cannot speak Russian.]
"Ah," the woman replied before turning to me. "I am Lavinia."
Grinning, I said, "Hello, Lavinia. I'm Phoenix."
"It is, um, pleasant to meet you. I hope, er, Mikhail is not bothering you?" she tried to say in broken English.
My heart swelled at her efforts. "Of course not! He is such a sweet little boy!" I reached to smooth his dark hair, and to my surprise, he hugged my leg.
"Она может приехать, мама?" he asked his mother. [Can she come over, Mama?]
"Конечно! Пригласите ее на английском, Михаил," she replied, urging. [Of course! Invite her in English, Mikhail]
The little boy frowned. "Но мама ..." he complained. [But Mama...]
"Чему я тебя научил, мальчик? Мне тапочки?" she scowled at him. [What did I teach you, boy? Should I get the slipper?]
A chuckle boomed out of Ilya's chest. I furrowed my eyes, wondering what they were saying.
"Оставь его, Лавиния," he laughed. [Leave him be, Lavinia]
She scowled at him too. "Ему нужно выучить Дмитрия! Я учусь на его школьных занятиях больше, чем он!" [He needs to learn, Dimitri. I am learning more from his schoolwork than he is!]
Whilst the adults bickered, Mikhail tugged at my coat.
"Yes, baby?" I smiled.
"Come, er," he looked around, struggling to find the words, "my um bed?"
I laughed. "Your bed?"
Mikhail flushed. "No! Um, my h-house?" he tried again.
I was pretty sure I might eat him all up if he continued to be this sweet. "Yes! There you go, you good boy!" I grinned, high-fiving him.
"Yes?" he repeated hopefully.
Realising my words, I stumbled for a response. I looked to Ilya for help. He nodded, encouragingly.
With a smile, I turned back to the boy, "Da!"
NOTE:
I LOVE KIDS AND BABIES!! I just cant get enough of them! I literally have baby fever 24/7!!
One day, one day, I really really really really wanted a kid! (PS WHO KNOWS THE SONG)
xo, Rosavi