Dani arrived at the house in Anchorage three weeks after winning the gold medal at the Olympics. Sara, Anastasia and Niko were waiting for her when the cab dropped her off and they immediately hugged and kissed. Though she’d only lived there about five weeks, it felt like home. She couldn’t wait to put her things in Sergei’s room and sleep in his bed tonight. Their bed. He was on his way home with the team, so he’d be home late, but she didn’t mind waiting up for him. They still had so many things to do and decisions to make but it could all wait until they had a little down time. He wanted to spend time with his mother before she headed to Las Vegas for a week and then went home to Moscow.

“Mommy, can we play Candyland?” Niko demanded after dinner.

“One game but then it’s bath- and bedtime.”

“Okay.” He ran to get the box.

“I am very pleased to spend this time with you,” Anastasia said softly. “Maybe I do not come to America again, but these moments are special.”

“You’ll come when Sergei and I have more children,” Dani responded, squeezing her arm. “And maybe for the wedding.”

“Sergei has married two times and Toli once, but I am not there for any,” she said sadly. “I would like very much to see the wedding of my son.”

“We’ll talk about it and see what we can do.”

“Have you guys set a date?” Sara asked.

“God no, but probably this summer. Why would we wait?”

Sara nodded. “Sounds reasonable. I can’t wait to start planning everything.”

“Me too,” Dani couldn’t help letting out a giggle. The thought of marrying Sergei made her a little delirious every time she looked at the magnificent diamond on her left hand.

“This makes me happy,” Anastasia said quietly. “Sergei has been alone too long. Even with Tatiana, sometimes he was alone. Life was difficult and I want only for him to find happiness.”

“I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to make him happy,” Dani said shyly. “He and Niko are everything to me.”

“Will you have more babies? Niko needs brothers and sisters.”

“Not yet,” Dani grinned. “I want more, but I want to work a few years.”

“And Sara, what will you do now?” Anastasia asked her. “Where will you go?”

“Nowhere,” Dani grinned. “She’s going to take care of Niko while I’m at work. She’s still in college, so she’s not leaving until she finishes her master’s.”

“This is important, yes?”

“I think so,” Sara nodded. “I won’t stay forever, but for now, I want to help with Niko.”

They chatted amiably until bedtime and then Dani crawled into bed to wait for Sergei, who’d texted he was on his way home.

In the meantime, her phone buzzed with a text from Hailey.

Guess who I hooked up with again last night?

Jack the Ripper?

Very funny.

Kane?

Yup. After the Boston game.

And?

He’s pretty amazing, but he lives in Anchorage and I’m going to law school in Boston.

Are you going to see him again?

He said we’ll keep in touch, but who knows? He’s really great, though. I wish things were different.

You never know—look at me. I never dreamed I’d be living in Anchorage.

Maybe I need a summer nanny job! Ha ha.

That’s not a bad idea. We’ll work on it.

Okay, have to run. See you later.

Dani closed the text program and smiled to herself. It would be great if she could convince Sara and Hailey to both live in Anchorage. It probably wouldn’t happen but it was a nice thought. She closed her eyes and the next thing she knew Sergei was in bed beside her, his naked body warm against hers.

“Hi,” she murmured sleepily. “When did you get home?”

“A few minutes ago. Go back to sleep, baby.”

“I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” He pulled her close.

“I think I found a wedding dress.”

He chuckled against her ear. “Already? What happened to the tomboy I fell in love with?”

“She’s sleepy.”

“Me too.” He pressed a trail of light kisses along her shoulder. “We can talk about the wedding in the morning.”

“Mmm, okay.”

“Welcome home, sweetheart.”

“Thank you.” She nestled deeper into his arms. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” He kissed her once more as she drifted off to sleep.