Maxim said to himself, – mission is possible! Good luck! God, bless my way of truth and light! Act through me, since I am your bondman on earth. I’ll come to you through your Son, pure and chaste. I’ll be faithful to your words. So let it happen!”
XV
– Hello, mom!
Nikita ran to Svetlana and gave her a hug. She even dropped her bags when she saw him.
– Hey there, sweetie! You can’t imagine how happy I am to see you home!
– I decided to surprise you and showed up all of the sudden! I missed you, mom.
Svetlana was kissing and hugging her son, holding him tight. They were crying.
– Svetlana, what are you doing at the door? Come in, get changed…
Her husband got quite when he saw bags full of groceries. He was concerned for her because she was not supposed to carry anything heavy…
– Nikita, let mom change, she is hot already. You can help me to take care of the groceries in the mean while.
– Of course.
Taking bags, Vadim and Nikita went to the kitchen, while Svetlana, taking off clothing in the corridor, experienced a strange feeling of strength. Her husband did not say a word when he saw the bags, – it was already good. That means he is also working on himself and not just feels sorry for her. She liked that, but decided not to think of it too much. It is the way it should be – period.
– Svetlana! Where are you?!
– I am on my way! Are you done?
– I think it is a perfect time for dinner? What is your opinion?
– I am all for it! Do you have a surprise for me?
Entering the kitchen, Svetlana saw a decorated set-out table. Son presented her with a bouquet of flowers while her husband hugged her tenderly like never before, saying,
– Of course, dear, it is all for you.
– Congratulations, mom! We love you!
– I love you too, my dear! Thank you so much! Happy New Year one more time! Merry Christmas! – Svetlana stood up, raising a glass with champagne, and continued:
– I want to wish you, my dear, and all the best. I want us to be together all the time, give love to each other. I want our family to become friendlier and stronger time. I want it to grow…
From the side it looked as if she did not finish her speech. She drank her champagne down and put the glass on the table. Shutting her eyes, she had a bite of lemon, standing up still for a moment, trying to fight the effect of alcohol, and then sat down on the chair.
– Mom! I have another present for you! It is under the New Year tree. Do you want me to bring it?
– Please don’t. I would rather get it myself as on the New Year. You won’t be offended, dear?
– No. It is your gift! I will only be glad if you get it in the evening. Then it would be as if we celebrate New Year together! Am I right, dad?
– Do you mean that your present would be next to moms?!
– It is still there! I haven’t looked at it yet. And put moms next to it!
– Really, son? – Svetlana was surprised. Usually children pay attention at presents first, and then notice everything else…
– Dad, I forgot to tell you, I have a present for you as well. So there are three presents under the tree! Happy New Year! I love you very much! It is great, that we are together.
– Svetlana, we got a wonderful son!
– Yes, Vadim, I know. When he grows up, he will be smart and strong. All the girls will like him, right Nikita?
– They like me already; – son became shy.
– Do you like them?
– I don’t know yet. I haven’t thought about it. I love you, mom. And you, dad. And grandma. This is it, probably.
Svetlana was looking at her boy, so healthy, attractive, smart and mature. The expression of his dark blue eyes was very serious, as thought he was a grown up person already and not a little boy. The only thing that he lacked was confidence, support from the outside, may be attention. She was admired by his attractive face and dark hair. She liked that Nikita does not have childish haircut, just like he does not have childish actions. “He is a lot like Vadim, – Svetlana thought. – From me he has unlimited energy, desire to move forward and some femininity. That unites us!” She looked at her husband, son and herself and saw how in one person two other can live. Nikita inherited all their qualities, so Svetlana was concerned if he also inherited their fears and doubts.
– Mom, I always wanted to ask you, what is your biggest fear?? “Here is your answer!” – Svetlana thought and answered:
– To loose you, baby!
Vadim looked at his wife attentively and realized at that moment how much he loved her. It was hard to understand what was happening inside of her: weather she was suffering or gave up on her dream. «No! – he said himself. – My wife is a strong person; she will be fine. I’ll try to help her! I should not be thinking about all that so much»!
– How to understand your answer?
Nikita was ready to hear something new and was looking at his mom with attention.
– It means to know and to feel, that the person is near you, but he does not love you any more. Do you understand me?
– Not really. I don’t think I ever experienced that.
– It is better not to have this experience at all, son. To understand this, you need a lot of will and strength. No matter what will happen to you, you’ll know that this can happen.
– So how is that applicable in life?! Explain more specifically, please.
– What do you need all this for, son!? – said the father, turning off the TV volume.
– I don’t want this to happen to me. Mom says that it is bad.
– It is not just bad; it is something unavoidable – it happens to everyone. There are moments in life when you realize that what you crave the most is impossible to get. It is so important to you, that it seems that life has no meaning without it. However, it is necessary to accept the situation. At first it will be very hard, but a human being can get used to everything.
– It is clearer now! What is your opinion, mom?
– I think exactly the same, son. We all agree because this is exactly how life is.
They had this conversation with easily, as thought they were all adults. It was clear to parents, that his son notice and understands everything even more, then it is necessary for his age. Weather it is good or not is unknown. No matter what they think, it does not change the situation. Svetlana and Vadim made their son as happy as they could, this is why they felt carefree and easy, trying not to think, that he will grow up soon and leave their lives. Vadim, giving explanations to his son, was clarifying things more to himself then to the son. He was preparing himself to unavoidable and when he meant “people”, he meant himself and Svetlana. Looking at his wife, he could see that she understood his words. Nikita will understand everything with time.
– Let’s play some games, – Svetlana suggested.
– What do you want to play, mom?
– We are going to play your favorite game, Nikita.
– My favorite game is soccer, daddy knows that. We used to play all weekends long, do you remember?
– Why do you like soccer so much? Is it such an interesting game?
– Of course it is interesting, mom! You play it in a team, just like you play basketball or volleyball.
– What