"It is." Lev ruffles his hair. "But that's okay. Feelings are important."
At home, there's a car in the driveway I recognize immediately.
Tash.
She's standing on the front steps, designer handbag, and perfectly styled hair.
"There's my favorite family!" She stands as we approach. "Hope you don't mind. I texted Valerie earlier but she never responded."
"Because we were at the cemetery," I explain, pulling her into a hug. "Sorry."
"No worries." She hugs back fiercely. Then pulls back to study me. "You look good. Glowing, actually. Are you—"
"Inside first." I cut her off before she can finish that sentence in front of the kids. "Then we'll talk."
Mila takes Xander inside to play. Lev heads to his office, giving Tash and me space.
In the sitting room, she wastes no time. "You're pregnant again, aren't you?"
"Yes."
She stares. Then bursts into laughter. "Oh my God. Three kids. Valerie, you're insane."
"I'm actually hoping for four."
"I count Mila." She's grinning. "Wow. Little spy who could barely keep her hands steady is now a Bratva wife with four kids. Talk about character development."
"Says the Bratva princess who helped me through all of this."
"True." She pulls me into another hug. "I'm so happy for you, Val. You did it. You actually survived him. Survived this life. And you're thriving."
"We're thriving," I correct. "Lev and I together."
"Together." She echoes. "That's how it should be."
Lev appears with coffee. Sees us hugging and smiling. "Should I be concerned?"
"Only if you're not ready for another baby," Tash says sweetly. "Congratulations, by the way. Valerie told me."
He groans. "Is everyone going to know before we make an official announcement?"
"Probably." I accept the mild tea he offers. "But we're happy. That's what matters."
Tash stays for lunch. Watching our chaos with amusement. Mila and Xander arguing over something trivial. Lev mediating with patience I never thought he possessed.
"You're good at this," she observes quietly. "The family thing. The wife thing. The mom thing."
"I'm learning from experience." I gesture to the chaos. "Though some days I'm just winging it."
"Aren't we all?"
After she leaves, the afternoon unfolds normally. Homework with Mila. Playing with Xander. Dinner preparation. The rhythm of family life that's become second nature.
That night, after the kids are asleep, I find Lev in the nursery.
It's been Xander's room for five years. But standing here, I can see him imagining it differently. Preparing for another baby.
"Planning already?" I ask.