'When can you move in?' He demanded excitedly. 'Can I call the movers? Should we pack Rebecca's stuff into the SUVs? Then we can sort her room out as quickly as possible.'

'One question at a time,' she laughed. 'First, let me go check on Rebecca and I will hurry back.'

'Okay. Hurry! Hurry!' He laughed.

Olivia found Rebecca sill asleep, the duvet kicked away. No doubt she was exhausted from the antics in the pool. She returned to find Fedor, only in his underpants, opening a bottle of champagne. 'What are we celebrating?'

'Family,' he handed her a glass of chilled champagne.

'To family,' she smiled, agreeing to his toast. 'I was thinking to ask the orphanage if they would like all the furniture.'

'I'm sure they will appreciate your kind gesture. It's all in very good condition. I can call the Principal, and have the removal contractors deliver it to them.'

'Okay. I can take a few days leave, pack our clothing and what I want to keep. I guess Rebecca's toys and books can easily fit into one SUV. Whatever I leave behind, the removal company can deliver to the orphanage.'

'Sounds like an excellent plan.' Fedor concurred.

'I will continue with my work. We will have to make arrangements for Sophie to travel here, each day.'

'No problem. I support your career one hundred percent. I can have one of the vehicles collect her and drop her off.'

'I guess I could leave my car there for her to use. She prefers public transport so she does not need to worry about finding parking,' Olivia laughed, 'but if she drives here, there is ample parking.'

'If I'm not around, you could use any of my vehicles,' he offered, sipping on his champagne. He had some fancy German and Italian brands of vehicles in his massive garage. He checked himself, when Olivia raised her eyebrows.

'There will be occasions when I would need to travel to Germany, or Italy or one of the sites where we run operations. I may be away for more than a night,' he expanded.

'I know.' She nodded.

Previously when they lived together, he did travel for business reasons. On a few occasions she traveled with him, when time permitted. But then it was just her, now there was Rebecca to consider.

'We will communicate with each other,' he smiled elatedly, as he slipped on a pair of jeans. Taking Olivia by the hand, he led her to Rebecca's bedroom. 'She's still sleeping,' he complained.

Olivia laughed softly, admiring the broad expanse of chest on a shirtless Fedor. 'Shall we order pizza?' she checked. She knew Fedor would be peckish, considering lunch comprised, very lean grilled chicken and a salad.

'I was about to ransack the refrigerator, but pizza is a better idea,' he hauled out his mobile, scrolled for their favourite pizza outlet and placed the order.

'Rebecca, get up,' Fedor lifted his sleeping baby into his arms. 'You've been resting too long. At this rate you're going to stay awake till after midnight, and that is my time with your mummy,' he grinned, winking at Olivia.

Olivia laughed. 'Limit your conversations to Rebecca about her story books, not what you and I do at night.'

'I might be referring to doing crossword puzzles, or playing chess, or watching a movie,' he deflected, cradling, Rebecca, with her head snuggled on his shoulder.

'Come to think of it, we have not done any of those activities, in the last three months!' Olivia followed him into the lounge.

'We will after our six children are all teenagers.' He grinned, sliding onto one of the rocking chairs.

'Six! No ways. We have to manage our carbon footprint. We will have only one more child,' she countered, lounging across one of the sofas opposite Fedor.

'At least four then,' Fedor renegotiated. Then our home will be lively and noisy and chaotic!'

Olivia laughed, warming to Fedor's idea. 'We'll see.'

'There was a beep on Fedor's phone. 'That must be our pizza,' he rose, placing the sleeping Rebecca into Olivia's arms. 'I'm going to feed my sleeping child some pizza. That way she has to wake up.'

'You're crazy. You can rest when you're tired. I don't mind attending to Rebecca.' Olivia spoke to Fedor's retreating back.

Olivia kissed her baby's forehead. Rebecca murmured in her sleep, snuggling up against her mum's bosom. 'My beautiful baby. I love you, and I love your dad,' she whispered in Rebecca's ear. She smiled happily when Fedor walked in again.

'I hope you're going to wake up soon, Rebecca. Your daddy bought enough pizza to feed the army!' She observed Fedor stack three boxes on the coffee table. He returned from the kitchen with plates and cool drinks.

'Would you prefer wine?' He checked, handing her a plate with a few slices of pizza.

'No thank you. This is fine.'

Fedor took Rebecca from Olivia so she could enjoy her meal. He helped himself to a slice and bit into it, as he cradled Rebecca in his arms.

'Why don't you put Rebecca on a blanket on the floor? She will be more comfortable and so will you.'

'I don't want her comfortably asleep. I want her awake!'

Olivia rose from the sofa. She settled Rebecca on Fedor, so her head rested comfortably on his lap. 'There you go, father and baby should be fine now.'

'You're right, there's too much left over. We can have it for breakfast,' Fedor proposed.

When Rebecca awoke some fifteen minutes later, she enjoyed her pizza and fruit juice. She pointed to the television. Olivia looked at Fedor and smiled. But surprisingly, Rebecca did not stay awake for long after her supper. So Fedor and Olivia enjoyed a leisurely romantic night, sipping champagne, eating chocolate in bed and indulging in fulfilling, passionate sex.

Within a week Olivia and Rebecca were fully settled in Fedor's home. Their home now. It was blissful and amazing. Olivia wondered why she hadn't agreed to it earlier. Rebecca quickly acclimatized and got into a routine. Sophie could not stop gushing at how spectacular the home was, when Olivia gave her the grand tour. Sophie had some savory comments about the master bedroom. She loved the garden and was thrilled that Rebecca would be in her most comfortable element, soaking up a little sun, lots of fresh air and gloriously attuned to nature.

Olivia woke up, stretched lazily, turned around to snuggle up next to Fedor. It was three months since she had moved into Fedor's home with Rebecca and she was loving every second of it. Her relationship with Fedor was strong. He was attentive, always available for her and loving. Though he never uttered the three words, he demonstrated his total commitment to her and Rebecca with his actions and loving gestures. Though Fedor was still asleep, he sighed pleasurably, feeling Olivia's naked body up against his.

'Fedor, good morning,' She kissed his lips, trying to wake him up. It was five in the morning. She needed to wake up and leave for an assignment in Paris and was travelling by Eurostar.

'Mmm,' Fedor drew her closer, flush against his body, her soft breasts pressing against the hard wall of his chest.

'Dobroye utro,' ...good morning, he murmured sleepily. 'You have to leave soon?' His arms tightened against her body, cheekily he threw his thigh over hers, imprisoning her.

'Yes,' she laughed softly. 'When Rebecca wakes up, you will need to see to her until Sophie arrives.

Olivia had no concerns about Fedor's parenting skills. He embraced it like a duck to water. When Olivia suggested any recreational activities for Rebecca to try out, Fedor, was one hundred percent on board. He helped with preparing her breakfast. He made sure the shopping list included items that suited their daughter's nutritional and dietary requirements. Olivia was most delighted when Fedor, hired a fully time chef/ housekeeper. His home was huge. Olivia loved doing Rebecca's breakfast, but with work constraints, it was laborious for her to also include lunch and dinner preparations for her family.

'May I bring our daughter to our bed?' Fedor enquired.

'You can. She will probably only wake up around seven, but I need to get into the shower.'

'Are you sure you have to wake up right away?' Fedor rolled over, pinning her under his body.

'Yes, Fedor,' she chuckled softly, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. 'I don't like to rush and I told Timur, I want to leave at six, so hold that thought till tonight.' She groaned, at his seductive lips caressing her throat, and his one palm, causing havoc riding up her inner thigh. She pushed him away, laughingly.

'Behave yourself. I'm going to be late if you don't stop,' she smiled, kissed his lips as she escaped out of their bed.

Olivia loved travelling with Eurostar to Pairs. She preferred it to flights. It gave her two hours to herself, to ponder her thoughts, read if she wished, or her new favourite, daydreaming about Fedor. She loved him so much. If she died today, she would die a blissfully happy woman. Though she didn't have his name or his ring, just knowing he was hers, all hers, she was a happy chappie. Fedor was undemanding, well except for the ground rules he had initially stated when they were living together before Rebecca was born. Fedor had instructed her in no uncertain terms that whilst she was with him, he expected total loyalty and fidelity, and that she could expect the same from him. She had laughed when he'd said, if she tired of him and met somebody else, he would be quite happy with a text from her, telling him its over. She smiled to herself remembering his words:

"I understand when the chemistry is gone, it's gone. No use flogging a dead horse. So I will release you, unconditionally," he had vowed. And Fedor had honoured his word, even when she had chosen the coward's way out and quietly slipped out of his home and his life, without sending him the required text, he had respected her decision. Thankfully things have taken a good turn. She and Fedor were in a happy space. They had their wonderful, adorable daughter and they could go forward and carve a life for their future.

The train was coming to a stop and Olivia was looking forward to her new assignment. Luckily, it was a one-day job and she would be back in London by the evening and doing local assignments for the next week.

During her lunch break, Olivia checked her phone and was surprised to hear the voice note from Fedor. Rebecca had woken up with a temperature. She was crying non-stop. The GP had visited. He had given Rebecca an injection to bring down the fever. Olivia quickly called Fedor.

'How is Rebecca doing?' Olivia asked with concern.

'Darling, Rebecca is okay. Her temperature is still a little high, but she is eating her meals and drinking lots of liquids.'

'You're sure she's okay?' Olivia questioned.

'She is lying down now, but I am monitoring her. Don't worry darling.'

'You didn't go to work?' Olivia was thankful, Fedor was home with Rebecca.

'Sophie is here, with Rebecca, but she wouldn't stop crying, so I'm working from home.'

'Thank you. Work is running according to schedule. I should be home on time,' Olivia replied automatically.

'I like hearing you say "home"', Fedor grinned. 'And there's a lovely meal awaiting you when you arrive.

Olivia smiled into the phone. 'I know you're trying to be distracting. Thank you.'

'Rebecca is doing fine darling. Her body just needs to work off the fever, but we're looking forward to seeing you.'

'Okay, bye. See you later.'

'Do skorogo...see you later.'

Olivia rushed home. Rebecca was in a pair of shorts only, to keep her fever down. Her ears, nose and chubby cheeks were all rosy red. Rebecca lifted her tiny arms to mummy.

'Oh darling. I am sorry I was not here. But daddy did an excellent job taking care of you right.' Olivia kissed Fedor in greeting. 'Thank you for staying with Rebecca.'

'My daughter loves me,' Fedor beamed. 'She refused to go to Sophie and didn't want me to put her down.

Olivia chuckled softly at Fedor's self-praise.

'Daddy gave me ice cream,' Rebecca smiled at her mum.

'And daddy stayed home to take care of you,' Olivia hugged her baby.

'Sophie made chicken.' Rebecca related to her mum.

'Sophie made chicken soup. Rebecca did not want the pasta that Cook prepared.' Fedor shrugged his shoulders.

Olivia was happy, Rebecca had eaten something. 'Where is Sophie?' Olivia smiled, walking towards Rebecca's room and found Sophie packing Rebecca's laundry away.

'Hey Sophie,' Olivia greeted.

'Hi,' Sophie hugged Olivia. 'We're feeling much better now,' Sophie cupped Rebecca's cheek. Thank heavens she's eating. Doc said to give her lots of liquids. So she's had a few bottles of water.'

'I was worried,' Olivia spoke with concern. 'I almost wanted to leave my assignment at lunch time, luckily Fedor, said she was okay.'

'That man of yours is amazing!' Sophie closed Rebecca's bedroom. 'He's a keeper!' Sophie whispered. 'He decided to work from home. He took Rebecca outside a few times to get "some fresh air"' Sophie was dramatizing air quotes. Olivia giggled. He volunteered to feed Rebecca her soup, when she refused Cook's pasta.'

'Thank you for making her soup,' Olivia grinned.

'Hey this is my child. She eats what she wants! Ain't nobody going to mess with my child!'

Olivia laughed softly. 'She still seems to have a fever.'

'She's much better, believe me,' Sophie reassured Olivia. 'She was burning up when I arrived her, luckily Fedor said the GP was on his way.'

'I feel so much better, Rebecca has amazing support, when I'm working.'

There was a knock on Rebecca's door, Olivia opened it, knowing it would be Fedor.

'Is it a ladies' get together, or can anyone enter?' Fedor grinned, kissing Olivia on the cheek.

'Seeing you're here, I guess we'll change the subject,' Olivia smirked.

'I just came to ask you if you're okay with me, doing some work for an hour?'

'Yes, off course,' Olivia placed one palm on Fedor's chest and kissed his lips. 'Go ahead.'

'See you ladies later,' Fedor kissed Rebecca, and playfully messed up her curly hair, as he closed the door on his way out.

'I told you he is a keeper,' Sophie whispered. 'I mean he asks your permission to work!'

Olivia giggled. 'You and Jack do communicate right? She pressed a kiss to Rebecca's plump cheek.

'That boring Fart! Do you know he comes to bed with his socks on!'

'Sophie! Too much information!'

'Sorry, not sorry. I don't think we'll still be together by Christmas. All he cares about is the tv remote, otherwise The Bugger is at the pub, getting sloshed!'

Olivia was remembering a conversation with Fedor about not watching television in the last three months...six months by now. They enjoyed each other's company. They loved talking and drinking red wine. They were both avid readers, when parental duties permitted.

'Your life is amazing, is it not?' Sophie interrupted Olivia's thoughts. You and Fedor are magical together. Always touching. Always kissing. Always smiling at each other. I want that!' Sophie uttered in a dejected tone.

'I'm sorry hun,' Olivia used her one free hand and hugged Sophie.

'Timur is cute.'

Olivia laughed. 'That was random! Timur? Are you sure? Not Novel?'

'Novel!' Sophie exclaimed. 'Are you crushing on Fedor's bodyguard!'

'What! No! Are you mad! I have observed,' Olivia explained, 'Novel is friendly and he __ talks. Timur on the other hand, is rather reserved. He hardly speaks.'

'He speaks,' Sophie swayed about dreamily. 'Timur Dubov has been working for Fedor for eight years. He lives in some place called Staritsa. He is thirty-one and an only child and when he is not working ___.'

'When the hell did you guys have the time to have all these conversations?' Olivia laughed.

'I find him here sometimes when I arrive. Your man, just can't seem to get enough of Rebecca. He carries her, walks with her to the garden. We hear them laugh. The first time I said to Timur, can I get you a coffee? It can take a while, this Fedor and Rebecca's garden time? He laughed and said okay, if you make good coffee. I told him the percolator makes very good coffee, I just have to pour it into a cup for him. It started there, and our conversations became longer.'

Olivia chuckled. He is always so serious. Novel talks to me, but never Timur. He's always reserved.'

'He says nice things about you__ by extension that Fedor looks happy and smiles a lot these days. That he has never seen Fedor so relaxed and at ease.'

'Complimentary indeed!' Olivia raised an eyebrow.

That night as the three of them were at the table enjoying dinner, Fedor was trying to make Christmas plans. He was ecstatic to be celebrating Christmas with his lover and their child.

'Darling would you prefer to spend Christmas in France, Italy or Spain?' He asked cutting into his juicy sirloin steak. He knew she loved Italy. Previously they had taken a two -week holiday, to Italy, visiting Naples, Como and Verona. When they'd returned home, Olivia could not stop complimenting the beautiful Italian cities, they stayed in.

'You don't want to go home to Russia for Christmas?' She questioned, biting into a delicious baby carrot.

Rebecca was reaching for the cheese on Fedor's plate. He shifted his plate closer, for Rebecca to help herself. 'You want me to go to Russia alone?' He questioned, his fork in midair.

'No silly! I thought you would want us to spend Christmas with your parents.'

'Remember mum and dad will be visiting us in the second week of December, because they are joining some friends on a Christmas boat cruise.'

Rebecca turned towards her mum, reaching for her mum's wine glass. Olivia quickly moved it out of reach. Smiling at Rebecca, she placed her bottle of apple juice into her tiny hands.

'You forgot to mention that,' she smiled at Fedor, sipping on her red wine. 'You know, the South of France is fabulous in Winter, less crowds, and the weather is still fabulous.'

'Sorry, thought I did.' Fedor was trying to remember why he forgot to mention his parents' visit. 'So we are going to the South of France for Christmas?' he questioned enthusiastically. 'We can do three weeks. A day or so at Calanques, to check out those picturesque natural wonders around Marseille.' He sounded dreamy. 'Then a week or more in Nice, as its so much warmer there, and I know you will love those delightful Christmas markets in Provence.'

Olivia chuckled. 'You're like an excited little boy going to the fun fair.'

His cheeks turned on a crimson haze. 'With you darling, life is more exciting and companionable.' He finished his wine and refilled both their glasses.

After dinner, Fedor helped to clean up, as Olivia loaded the dishwasher. He'd made coffee for the two of them, whilst Rebecca was on the floor, thumping a plastic toy on the tiles.

'Fedor, you must clean up after yourself. You are messy!' Olivia scolded.

'What,' he laughed, draping his arms around her waist from behind her. 'You never minded before,' he pressed his lips to the soft flesh of her throat.

True, when they'd lived together previously, she'd cleaned up after Fedor. Oh he was no sloth, but he tended to be messy. Though, when he showered, all his dirty clothes went into the laundry basket, but his ties and jackets tended to be thrown over the chair in the bedroom, and when he made tea or coffee, the milk bottle never returned to the refrigerator, not did the tea or coffee containers return into the cupboard.

'I do now, so you need to change,' she ordered.

'You know you are a perfectionist and have OCD issues,' he chuckled. 'Everything is too organized. I noticed Rebecca's clothes in her wardrobe are all colour coded and her toys seemed to be packed in alphabetical order!'

Olivia laughed and turned around. Her eye quickly went to Rebecca removing more toys and books from her cupboard. 'What's wrong with things be organized? And Rebecca's toys are not packed in alphabetical order,' she denied.

'No?' He murmured, questioningly, his lips teasing hers seductively.

'Now that you have a toddler around Fedor, you need to be careful she does not find the opportunity to pull down the glass jars or anything thing else out of curiosity,' she replied, kissing him back.

'Oh right! He raked his hands through his hair. 'I need to become more responsible.'

She smiled. 'You will learn, quickly. Rebecca will keep you on your toes.'

They were distracted by Rebecca, tapping her dad, and handing him a book. Fedor looked down at his daughter adoringly and smiled.

'You want me to read?'

Rebecca nodded eagerly, squatted on the floor and tapped the spot next to her, for her dad to sit.

'That is an excellent idea,' Olivia lifted Rebecca off the floor. Dad will read to you in bed.'

Fedor gulped down his coffee. He took Rebecca from Olivia and handed her, her coffee.

'Darling, we should source some books in Russian,' Fedor commented, as they walked to Rebecca's very own, beautiful, spacious bedroom.

'I've ordered some online,' Olivia smiled. 'We should be getting them in a day or so. I've ordered a Russian Alphabet book; an animal book; a book of colours and some flash cards.' Olivia lifted the duvet, so Fedor could put her into bed.

'You're a perfect mummy,' Fedor grinned, kicking his shoes of, as he slid in next to Rebecca to begin reading.

'Shut up and start reading,' Olivia leaned in behind Fedor, draping her arm around his waist.

She listened intently as Fedor read. His voice was soothing, his accent so pronounced, as he read aloud an interesting story of a young boy and his day of adventure with his dog. And shortly after about twenty minutes, Rebecca's eyes drooped and she fell into a deep sleep.

Fedor turned around and smiled into Olivia's eyes. He draped an arm around her, drawing her flush against his body.

'Can we have another baby?' Fedor innocently enquired.

                                                         -end chapter thirteen-