Page 147 of Emerald Vices

NATALIA: And do what?

ANDREY: I’d say it’s about time I put another baby in you.

NATALIA: The twins are only seven months old.

ANDREY: My point exactly.

NATALIA: Andrey…

ANDREY: If you’re not back in half an hour, I’m coming to Sunshield to fuck you on Richard’s desk. We’ll see how “accommodating” he is after that.

NATALIA: There’s no need to get saucy. I’m already home.

I put my phone away and go in search of my wife. It doesn’t take long.

She’s in the gardens with my mother, the two of them sitting on a bench in front of my mother’s favorite fountain. A pair of blue jays is eyeing a rival pair of cardinals across the water’s surface.

“Isn’t that bird pretty, Arina?” Natalia asks, pointing to the male who is prancing around for his mate.

Arina looks blankly where Natalia is pointing. “I like birds.”

“I know you do,” Natalia says gently. “Sarra loves them, too.”

Arina tilts her head to the side. “Who?”

“My daughter.” They’ve had this conversation a hundred times already, but you wouldn’t know it from Natalia’s face. Patient. Loving. Kind.

“You have a daughter?”

Natalia beams. “I do. I have a son, too.”

“I always wanted a little girl.”

“I have good news for you then,” Natalia replies with an easy grin. “Sarra is your granddaughter.”

“I’m a grandmother?” Her brow crinkles before she decides, “That’s nice.”

I step behind a hedge so they won’t see me watching.

“So, that would make you…?” My mother’s lips press together when she can’t find the right words.

“Your daughter-in-law,” Natalia finishes. “I married your son four months ago. You were at the wedding, actually. We had it right here in the garden. You did such a good job designing it that we couldn’t think of anywhere more beautiful.”

My mother fidgets, her mind having a hard time accepting the reality Natalia is laying out for her. Natalia reaches out to squeeze her fingers, and just like that, she calms down.

Was it always that easy?

“I can’t remember,” Arina admits.

“That’s okay. I forget things, too. But we made a video. I can show it to you if you want.”

Arina is quiet for so long that I think she’s zoned out again. “I’d like that,” she says finally. “Maybe another day.”

“Whenever you’re ready.” Natalia smiles, patting her hand.

“I never thought Andrey would get married,” Arina blurts suddenly, just when I think the conversation is over. “He’s not like his father, is he?”

I tense without realizing it, only relaxing when Natalia shakes her head. “No. He’s not like his father at all.”

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