3 Found

Meadow POV The sound of giggles pulls me from sleep. My eyes flutter open, and I realize I'm no longer alone in my bedroom. My daughter and best friend are lying on either side of me. They are smiling and giggling as they snuggle closer to my sides. "What are you two giggling about so early in the morning?" "You're drooling mama," Ava says. "I am not. I do not drool, Ava Ivy Jones." "Yes, you do. Ivan used to say how cute it was. I remember because I had never heard him use that word in my life," Ivana says. "Who is Ivan, auntie," Ava asks and I stiffen. I look at Ivana and I can see the apology in her eyes. I'm sorry she mouths to me, so Ava can't see her. I nod and turn back toward my daughter. "Ivan is Aunt Ivana's brother. I knew him before you were born." "Can I meet him," she asks. I fight the urge to slam my eyes closed and let the bed swallow me whole. "No sweetheart. He lives in Russia like Aunt Ivana. Besides, he is a very busy man. He is the head of his family and doesn't have time to take fun trips to see princess Ava." "Hey princess Ava, let's go make your mom waffles and strawberries before we go shopping. If we butter her up she will let us get twice as much," Ivana says. Ava squeals before she jumps off my bed and rushes from the room. "I'm sorry, Meadow. I didn't think before I spoke," she says, wrapping her arms around me. "You have nothing to apologize for. He is your brother Ivana. Besides, it's not like she will ever meet him. There is no harm in mentioning him." She presses a kiss on my forehead before she finally rolls out of bed. Once she is gone, I lay there a few more minutes thinking about how different things could have been if he just believed me. If he kept his distance from Danica. If he didn't think I was just a jealous little girl that wanted his attention. I could be waking up in his arms if he had just listened. We could be raising our daughter together. Damn you Ivan Petrov for breaking our family and breaking my heart. I shake the thoughts away because I don't have the luxury of living in the land of what ifs. Ivan made his choices and I made mine. I head to the bathroom and quickly shower. I'm dressed in a peach sundress and a pair of ballerina flats fifteen minutes later. When I step into the kitchen I smile. My daughter is vibrating with excitement. She misses Ivana as much as I do when she is gone. "Come sit and eat bestie. I told our princess we would be doing some major shopping today. I have my black card that has no limit," she says. I go to open my mouth about the money, and she glares at me. "I don't want to hear one word, Meadow Jones. You and Ava are my family. It's my money, not his," she says. I take my seat and Ava doesn't take her eyes off of me. "Mama, I don't need toys. I don't want you to be mad at auntie," she says. Guilt rolls through me. "I'm not mad at auntie. Mama is sorry. If auntie wants to buy you some new toys, then I should be grateful." I turn to my sister-in-law who has a triumphant smile on her face. It dawns on me what I just said. "I'm sorry, Ivana. You can buy Ava whatever you like within reason." I make sure to emphasize my daughter's name and the within reason part, but the smile never leaves Ivana's face. After breakfast, we clean up and make our way out to my truck. The drive to the mall two towns over is filled with stories from both Ava and Ivana that have us all laughing. When we finally make it inside, I immediately feel like I'm being watched. What the hell is wrong with me? All this talk of Ivan has me being paranoid. "Alright, I called ahead so they are ready for us," Ivana says. I look at her like she is crazy until I realize she is motioning toward a spa. I think about protesting but the thought of a massage and some pampering sounds fantastic. Three hours later, Ava is giggling about getting her toes painted bright pink. I feel more relaxed than I have in a very long time and Ivana is ready for retail therapy, as she calls it. We make our way to the toy store next. Before we step inside, I grab Ivana's hand. "I know you want to spoil her, Ivy, but please don't go overboard. I don't want her to turn into a brat," I say as we watch Ava take off for the stuffies. "She could never be a brat with such an amazing mother, but I promise not to buy the whole store," she says with a wink. We both laugh and make our way over to where Ava already has an arm full of stuffy toys. An hour later, we are making our way to a clothes store that I've never been inside. There is no need for fancy clothes while living in a farmhouse in Nebraska. "If you find anything you like, buy it," Ivana says before making her way toward the sales woman. Ava's hand is in mine as we make our way around the store. I run my fingers over a beautiful lavender dress. The material feels like silk. "I'm glad to know purple is still your favorite color, my little love." My whole body freezes. Ava whispering my name breaks me out of Ivan's spell. I turn to face him, pushing my daughter behind me. "You are as beautiful as ever. God, how I've missed you," he says. "What are you doing here, Ivan?" "I'm here for my wife. Imagine my surprise when I find her and realize she has birthed my doppelgänger. If I had the pictures of me as a boy we could be twins," he says. Before I can tell him I'm not his wife anymore, he crouches down. "What is her name, little one," he asks. "Ivan," I start to say, but he raises his hand to silence me. "I am very much trying to keep my cool, my little love, but you have hid from me for five years. You also hid her from me. I won't ask again," he says, his tone cold. "Ava Ivy Jones," I practically whisper. A smile spreads across his face. You named her after your grandmother and my sister," he says. "We will need to get the last name sorted, since neither of you are a Jones, but that is easy enough to rectify. Speaking of my sister, where is the little snake? She and I will be having words for her part in me being kept from my wife all these years," he says. "Don't call my auntie a snake," Ava says as she steps to my side. Despite Ivan's size, she is puffing her chest out and glaring like it's her job. Ivan is 6'3" and built like a tank. She keeps her hand tightly in mine, but her eyes never leave his. "I'm sorry little one. Your auntie is my sister, and she has been hiding things from me. I will not call her a snake again if it upsets you. Will you come closer, so your papa can have a look at you," he says. I look toward the ceiling, trying to steady my breathing. Nothing like ripping the Band-Aid off without anesthetic jacka**. He is like an elephant stomping all over a rose garden. "Mama, is he my papa," Ava asks. I look down at my daughter just as I notice Ivana rushing toward us. She positions herself in front of me. "Sister," Ivan says curtly. "Brother," she starts to say, but he cuts her off. "We will talk later. Right now I'd like to properly meet my beautiful daughter," he says. I can see Ivana is about to say something, but she is in enough trouble, so I speak first. "Ava, sweetheart. This is your papa, Ivan Petrov." Ivan opens his arms and, to my surprise, she releases her hold on my hand. She steps into his embrace. He lifts her effortlessly into his arms and buries his face in her little neck. My heart squeezes in my chest seeing them embrace for the first time. I'm not naive enough to believe I will get out of this unscathed, but I know no matter what, he will love her. Ivan POV The flight felt like forever. The minute the plane touched down, Alexi and I were in an SUV followed by my men. He was shocked when I told him the reason for our trip. He was irate with our sister on my behalf, but he pleaded that I not kill her. I would never kill her, but she is definitely going to answer for what she has done. She knew how desperate I was to find Meadow. The signal from Ivana's phone is stronger now that we are on the same continent. When we ended up in a small mall in the middle of nowhere, I chuckled. My sister's closet was full of clothing that cost millions of dollars. I know with certainty that they are here for my little wife. She never cared for extravagant things. She was never impressed by jewelry or shiny baubles. She would dress for parties, but if she were just at home it was sweats and worn out T-shirts or, when we were alone, nothing at all. No matter what she wore, she was the most beautiful, s*xy woman I ever met. As I make my way into the mall, all eyes are drawn to me and the group of men following me. I'm wearing my normal tailored suit and surrounded by men nearly as big as me. As we move through the mall, I spot Ivana first. When I finally see Meadow, the air is knocked from my lungs. She is as beautiful as the day I first saw her in little Italy. I take a few steps toward her before I nearly trip over my own feet. My wife is holding the hand of a little girl. A little girl that looks like me. A hand on my shoulder has me looking toward Alexi. A torrent of emotions washes over me. "Congratulations, brother," he says. I nod trying to get my emotions under control. We make our way toward the clothing store they just entered. I hate the fear in Meadow's eyes when she hears my voice for the first time, so I focus on the little girl hiding behind her mama. The minute I finally have my daughter in my arms, everything I've missed overwhelms me. I had started to give up hope of finding Meadow and now to find out I'm a papa feels surreal. When I finally pull back, she places her small hands on my cheeks. "Are you really my papa," she asks in her tiny voice. "I am little one. I am so happy to meet you." "I'm happy to meet you too. Are you angry with my auntie," she asks. "I am, but I still love her because she is my sister and family is everything," I say, looking toward Ivana. "Are you angry with my mama," she asks. I look at Meadow again. God, she is so beautiful. I search my heart for anger but the only thing I feel is happiness. "No little one, I'm not angry at your mama."