Her embrace caught me off guard, but damn, she was so warm, and I needed that.
“Hi, Sasha, I’m—”
“Sienna.” She let go, grinning widely. “I know who you are.”
Sadly, I couldn’t say the same; she was a total stranger to me.
“Finally, they come home,” a masculine voice spoke, and I jerked my head at the young man approaching from inside.
The warmth that seeped out as he opened that door was so comforting, and I couldn’t wait to get inside.
These people didn’t know that I was freezing out here. Could they not see that?
“Isn’t she more beautiful in person?” Sasha asked him as he stood beside her, his height making her look small. She was taller than me—way taller than me. Now imagine how I looked before him.
Yep. I was like a freaking grasshopper. But that wasn’t my concern at the moment. What the hell did Sasha mean?
“In person?” The words came out reflexively, mirroring my shock.
“Yes, your dad sent pictures,” she replied, giggling. “He wanted us to have an image of you in our minds before you arrived.”
“Oh. Did he now?” I asked through gritted teeth, feeling a little upset.
He should have asked my permission before sending my pictures to people I didn’t know. Was I right to feel this way? Anyway, moving on.
“Dmitry, Sasha,” my dad called as he climbed up the steps with the luggage in his hand.
“Uncle,” Dmitry left us to help my dad, and Sasha soon followed to help my mom.
In case you’re wondering, Dmitry was the super tall guy. Just thought that I should get that clarified.
I watched them exchange pleasantries with genuine smiles on their faces, so genuine that I didn't realize I was smiling as well.
“Sienna, you’ve met your cousins?” Dad asked.
I nodded, itching to get inside. They might be used to the Russian cold, but I wasn't, and it sucked that they couldn’t see that I was fucking freezing out here.
“Don’t be shy. We’re family.” Sasha wrapped her hand around mine, leading the way into the house.
I wasn’t shy; I was just busy masking the cold that sent shivers down my spine—literally.
It was cozy inside, warm and safe from the winter chill. The interior decor reflected the Christmas season, and it was beautiful. Simple but classy.
I let out a sigh, enjoying the warmth that filled the air. Finally, some heat.
“Grandma, they’re here!” Sasha announced, tossing herself onto a couch.
My cousins spoke English more fluently than I would’ve thought, although they still had the accent. But I found it rather interesting.
“Ahh. There they are.”
I looked at the woman walking up to us—my babushka.
She was still gorgeous for an old woman; her gray hair was piled up high on her head, and her eyes shimmered behind her glasses. There were wrinkles on her face, and her back was slightly hunched.
“Sienna, moya lyubov! It’s so nice to finally meet you.” Her voice was a bit shaky from old age, but she sounded just fine to me.
Dad leaned forward and whispered in my ear, “She just called you her love.”