The Last Hope

18

Selina

"What's the hell is all of this?" Sienna asks as she enters the living room and stops next to me, watching the three women running around amidst piles of clothes, "I have no idea," I whisper.

"Mama! Look, I'm Superman!" Rafael suddenly cries out, appearing behind the armchair with a red scarf tied around his shoulders,"and I'm Batman mom!" Andrei shouts with black panties on his head, running after Rafael, I can't help but burst into laughter as I see Alexei appear behind them, filming with his tablet.
Sienna chases after them, trying to stop them, while I suddenly feel a breath on my neck,"make that noise again, Solnychko," Nikolai whispers, making me jump. "I want to see your face light up."

I turn around and meet his ice-blue eyes directly, captivating me as they always do. You know the hidden part of an iceberg, the one submerged in water, and when it surfaces, it's a deep blue? Well, Nikolai Ivanov's eyes are that blue. Deep and mesmerizing.
It's been over a week since he helped me during my panic attack, and since then, discreet exchanges have taken place between us—glances that take my breath away, smiles that warm my heart, and touches, sometimes his hand touching mine as he passes by, or his lips brushing my cheek or neck when he leans over to grab something from the table. I don't know what we're doing or where we're going, but I've never felt so safe, protected, and almost free in such a long time.

And I had never seen Rafael so happy, he got along so well with Nikolai's sons, and they didn't exclude him from any of the activities they did, like yesterday when they went horseback riding, I didn't even know there was a stable on the estate. I've always loved horses, but seeing them in real life was incredible, frozen in front of a stall, I couldn't take my eyes off the magnificent black stallion looking at me. And of course, I learned that it belonged to Nikolai when he approached to encourage me to pet it, guiding my hand with his own. I then watched him ride with his sons on different horses, and my eyes welled up once again seeing Nikolai help my son stay on the saddle while reassuring him when he trembled with fear and I even had to hide a tear when his sons approached too to encourage him, explaining how to do it.

His children were real angels, but I could see they had some reluctance towards their father, which I didn't dare to address. When he suggested going to the stables, they refused until Rafael got excited, and I encouraged them. I think it must be related to the loss of their mother, and I know it's not my place to ask those questions.

"I don't think I can do it on command," I say, smiling slightly, trying to hold his gaze, he squints his eyes, amused, before leaning in, brushing my cheek and murmuring near my ear, "then I won't miss it next time." I inhale deeply, his voice resonating something unknown deep within me while he steps back, smiling, then takes my hand to pull me towards the chaos reigning in the living room. "Come, they're here for you and your sister," he says.

"For us?" I ask, following him, lost, as Sienna reappears carrying a laughing Andrei on her shoulder, the panties on his head having disappeared. My son reappears, still wearing his superhero "cape," and his eyes light up upon seeing Nikolai. "Niko! Look, I'm a hero!" he exclaims, raising his arms in the air, the tall man beside me, who would intimidate anyone, bends down and lifts my son onto his shoulders. "Is this better, Rafael the hero?" he asks, starting to run around the table, I smile, my eyes welling up as my son squeals with joy. I see Andrei hesitantly approaching from the corner of my eye but stopping behind me, I turn around and kneel in front of him. "What are you waiting for to join them?" I ask, grabbing his hand, with lowered eyes, he shrugs, making me purse my lips. I lift my eyes and they land on a blue shirt, which I grab and tie around his shoulders.

"Come on! It's Andrei's turn. Get down, Rafael," I say, standing up and rubbing Andrei's back as he looks at me wide-eyed. Nikolai freezes, his eyes on his son before looking at me and he sets my son down and kneels, reaching out to Andrei, who hesitates so I gently push him forward, smiling, and Nikolai lifts him onto his shoulders like he did with Rafael. "Are you holding on tight, buddy?" he asks, and Andrei nods, then Nikolai starts running, and Andrei starts laughing, making me smile. Maybe I could do something for them after all before leaving.