(Four and a half years later...)
The door knob rattled, followed by a thump. More rattling.
As Maksim started to stand from his chair, I put my hand up. "Wait," Imouthed and hid my smile.
A few seconds later my office door opened and the beautiful face of my two-year-old daughter, Noemi, appeared. She strode in like she was in charge.
"Papà! Uncle Maksim! Mamma says it is time to come."
I pushed back from the desk and patted to my lap. "Polpetta! I've been waiting for you. Come, give me hugs and kisses."
"Ah, me first!" Maksim scooped up my daughter before she could get to the desk and spun her around. She squealed with delight, her short blonde curls flying.
When he set her on her feet, she grinned and wobbled. "I'm dizzy."
I gave her a second to get her bearings. "Now may I have my hugs and kisses?"
She ran right over and jumped on me, squirming onto my lap. Noemi was aggressive and energetic, just like her brother. And her mother, now that I thought about it.
