The Arrangement: Epilogue I

Seven months later…

‘Ican’t believe I let you two talk me into this,’ I grumble, looking down at Howard the Great Dane currently enjoying a bath more than I am. My arms are covered in suds, and Howard, oblivious to the chaos he’s caused, wags his tail, splashing soapy water everywhere.

Tory with her big, rounded belly, sidles up next to me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cold water. ‘Thank you,’ she says, pressing a quick kiss to my cheek. ‘There’s no way I could have managed this.’

I can’t help but soften at her gratitude, despite the mess. ‘Yeah, well,’ I start, trying to maintain my gruff demeanor, ‘next time, Ty and Cassie better keep a closer eye on him. Speaking of which…’ My voice trails off, expecting to see Ty skulking around, avoiding the chaos.

From across the room, Ty’s voice carries over, laced with humor. ‘I’m on poop patrol over here! You think this is a walk in the park?’ His laughter echoes, and I shake my head, unable to suppress my own chuckle.

Adelina, ever eager to be involved, claps her hands in delight at the sight of Howard enjoying his bath. ‘Papa, Howard looks so happy!’ she exclaims, her enthusiasm infectious.

Looking around at the makeshift family we’ve formed, here in this moment of domestic chaos at the doggie daycare, I realize there’s nowhere else I’d rather be. The life I lead feels miles away when I’m here with them, elbow deep in soapy water, surrounded by laughter and love.

The day’s work might be unconventional for a man of my background, but in this life we’re building, every moment is a gift—even the messy ones.

I finally manage to hoist Howard out of the tub. The moment he’s free, he starts shaking, sending a fresh wave of water all over us. ‘Ah, come on, Howard!’ I laugh, even as I’m drenched yet again.

Adelina’s squeals of delight fill the room as she chases after Howard, towel in hand. ‘Papa, look! I’m gonna get him dry!’ she declares, her determination as strong as her laughter.

Howard, thrilled with this new game, bounds around with the energy only a Great Dane can muster. ‘He thinks you’re playing chase, Ade!’ I call out, watching the joyous chaos unfold.

Adelina, undeterred, giggles and darts after Howard, who’s more than happy to keep the game going. Watching them, a laugh escapes me, and I realize this wet, laughter-filled moment is perfect.

‘You’re gonna need a bigger towel!’ I tease.

By the time we’re wrapping up for the day, Adelina and I are both beat. The doggie daycare has a way of draining every ounce of energy you thought you had, and then some. Ty and Cassie shout their goodbyes as we head toward the door, the familiar sounds of the daycare fading behind us.

Tory locks the front door, turning to us with a smile. ‘Ready to head home?’ she asks, a tired but content note in her voice. She pauses, her hand flying to her belly. Her eyes go wide as she looks over at me, a mix of surprise and urgency clear as day. ‘I think it’s time.’

I freeze, caught completely off guard. ‘Is that the first contraction?’ I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

She shakes her head, her expression serious. ‘No, but this is the one that tells me it’s really happening.’

For a moment, my exhaustion vanishes, replaced by a jolt of adrenaline. And then there’s Adelina, her excitement palpable, her scream of joy filling the air. ‘I’m going to have a little sister!’ Her enthusiasm is infectious, her joy a bright spot in the sudden rush of the moment.

The reality of the situation hits me full force—we’re about to welcome another member into our family. Every worry, every bit of tiredness, fades into the background. This is it, the moment we’ve been preparing for, and all I can think about is Tory and our soon-to-be-born daughter.

As we all scramble into the car, Adelina immediately charmingly takes charge. ‘Okay, remember. Inhale, one, two, three… and exhale,’ she instructs with an earnest focus that would be comical if it weren’t so incredibly sweet.

From the driver’s seat, I steal glances in the rearview mirror, watching this beautiful scene unfold. Tory plays along, following Adelina’s instructions with a smile. ‘Like this, Ade?’ Tory asks, her voice full of amusement and love.

‘That’s right! You got it!’ Adelina encourages, her role as the big sister already in full swing. My heart couldn’t possibly be fuller; the love and connection flowing through our car feels like a tangible force.

When we reach the hospital, the urgency of the situation kicks my instincts into overdrive. I rush to grab a wheelchair, brushing aside Tory’s attempts to downplay the drama. ‘No arguments, love. We’re doing this right,’ I assert, my voice leaving no room for debate as I help her into the chair with all the care in the world.

Tory looks up at me, a soft smile playing on her lips, understanding and trust in her eyes. ‘Okay, okay, you win. Lead the way, my knight in shining armor,’ she teases gently.

‘Ready for this?’ I whisper as we approach the reception desk, squeezing her hand for reassurance.

With a nod and a smile that lights up her face, she replies, ‘With you? Always.’

In the midst of the anticipation, I take a moment to share our joy with those who matter most. Sending a quick text to my father and Tiffany, I can almost feel their excitement through the phone.

Soon, Tory is settled into a maternity room, the air buzzing with a mixture of nerves and excitement. The process of bringing new life into the world is both miraculous and daunting. As the medical team moves efficiently, preparing Tory, I find myself caught between wanting to be her pillar of strength and feeling an overwhelming sense of awe.

I hold Tory’s hand, offering words of encouragement and love. Each contraction she faces, each moment of discomfort, I feel it alongside her, wishing I could bear some of the burden. Yet, through it all, her strength amazes me—her resilience and grace under pressure, qualities that made me fall in love with her, shine brighter than ever.

And then, hours later, the moment arrives—the room fills with the first cries of our newborn. It’s a sound that cuts through all the tension, transforming it into pure, unadulterated joy. Watching as the doctors carefully clean and swaddle our baby before placing her in Tory’s arms is a moment so raw and beautiful, it imprints itself on my heart. Stealing glance after glance at our baby girl, I find myself caught in a loop of disbelief and wonder. She’s impossibly small, impossibly perfect. Every little feature, from the delicate curve of her cheek to the tiny fingers curled into fists, feels like a miracle I can’t quite wrap my head around.

Tory, with our daughter in her arms, looks every bit the natural mother I knew she would be. There’s a grace and ease to her actions, a tender, unwavering love in her gaze that fills the room with warmth. Watching them together, I’m struck by a profound sense of completeness, a feeling that everything in my life has led to this moment.

Eventually, it’s time for me to take our daughter into my arms, the weight of her tiny body against my chest both terrifying and exhilarating. Holding her close, feeling the gentle rhythm of her breath, my heart swells to the point of aching. It’s a love so intense, so all-consuming, it borders on the indescribable.

In that moment, surrounded by the quiet sounds of the maternity ward, a name comes to me—a Russian one, one that feels like it carries the weight of our hopes and dreams for her.

‘What about Kira?’ I whisper, the name feeling right as it leaves my lips.

Tory, her eyes shining with tears and joy, nods. ‘It’s perfect,’ she agrees, her voice soft but sure.

Leaning down, I press a kiss to Kira’s forehead, a promise of protection and love sealed with the simplest of gestures. Turning to Tory, I kiss her too.

Just as we’re settling into this new reality, the door swings open and in bounces Adelina, my father trailing behind her. I’m taken aback, having expected my father to arrive later, but there he is, wearing a broad grin.

Father chuckles at my obvious surprise. ‘You think I’d miss the birth of my granddaughter?’ he asks, amusement dancing in his eyes. ‘Maksim, my boy, if you thought that, maybe you’re the one who’s lost his marbles.’

The room fills with a warm laughter at his jest, and with a heart swelling with pride, I carefully pass Kira into my father’s arms. Watching him, I’m reminded of the first time he held Adelina—there’s a gentleness in him, a tenderness I’ve only ever seen in moments like these.

Father, with Kira cradled expertly in his arms, seems to embody a quiet strength and love. It’s a sight that ties together past and present, a reminder of the enduring bonds of family. After a moment that feels both fleeting and eternal, he gently hands Kira to Tory, his eyes soft with affection.

Adelina, ever eager, moves closer, her fascination and love for her new sister evident in every word and gesture. ‘She’s so tiny,’ she whispers, her voice filled with awe and a hint of the protective sister she’s sure to become.

The room feels like a sanctuary, a place where love and family intertwine to create something truly magical. As Tory and Adelina coo over Kira, Father beckons me to a quieter corner of the room.

‘First off,’ he starts, glancing at Tory and the baby with a smile, ‘Tiffany wanted to be here, but she’s visiting Aleksey. Trying to make sense of everything.’

I nod, understanding the complexity of their situation. ‘How’s she handling everything?’ I ask, genuinely concerned for both of them.

Father sighs, a heavy sound. ‘Still processing. It’s a lot for a mother to deal with.’

The conversation shifts, his gaze meeting mine squarely. ‘I’ve been doing some thinking,’ he says, his voice taking on a solemn note. ‘I’ll handle matters, sort things out, prepare the Bratva for the transfer. And when you’re ready, I’ll hand over the reins to you.’

The honor and responsibility of his trust in me feels immense. ‘I’m humbled, Father,’ I reply, the significance of his decision not lost on me.

He chuckles, a sound that fills the room with a lighter energy. ‘Don’t let it go to your head, son. You’re not in charge yet.’ His eyes then drift back to Kira, a softness in his expression I’ve seen only a few times. ‘Seeing this little one… It’s made me realize it’s time for me to focus on being a grandfather.’

He turns back to me, a proud smile spreading across his face. ‘Congratulations, Maksim. You’re going to make a fine leader.’

Father gives me a firm clap on the shoulder, pulling me back from the future’s looming responsibilities. ‘Now’s not the time for shop talk,’ he says with a chuckle that rumbles deep from his chest. ‘We’ll have plenty of time for that. Right now, I’ve got another granddaughter to start doting on.’

He’s right. This moment isn’t about transitions of power or the future of the Bratva. It’s about family, about the tiny, new life that’s brought us all together under such extraordinary circumstances.

We all gather around Tory and Kira again, the room instantly warming with laughter, soft coos, and the kind of love that fills every corner, pushing out the shadows of our past and present concerns. Watching Adelina gently touch Kira’s hand, seeing Father’s eyes soften as he watches his granddaughters, and feeling Tory lean into me, her strength and warmth melding into mine—I’m overwhelmed by a sense of peace, of contentment.

It’s a feeling so rare and precious, especially in our tumultuous world, that I commit every detail to memory. The weight of Kira in my arms earlier, the sound of Adelina’s laughter, the way Tory’s eyes meet mine with a love so profound it anchors me—this is what it’s all about. This is the life I’m fighting for, the future I’ll shape not just for me, but for all of us.

In this room, with my family gathered around, I’m reminded that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we have each other. And with that knowledge, I feel a strength and a resolve settle deep within me, ready for whatever comes our way, knowing we’ll face it together, as a family.