Dear All,

I am trying to re-post it because I think Wattpad had some issues...and no notification was sent of course.

Finally, as I anticipated last week, today I am able to post the epilogue and hence conclusion to "Loving You is Forbidden", a journey that for one reason or another (not to mention the breaks from writing I had to take for personal reasons due to lack of time) took almost 6 years. Yes, a very long time, in which we all grew very attached to our Tolya and Oleg, and all the other protagonists of the "Fire and Ice" series, meeting new characters and making new friends, so to speak 😊

I would like to thank you All for the utmost love, support, respect and patience you gifted me, encouraging me in doing my best and push to reach better and better levels. Your comments, messages and votes have been very precious and helpful, and so, always feel free to leave them!

As I said already, please don't be sad because we will find Anatoly in River's story, and then of course, in Adrian/Vincent and Viola/Sergey stories. Same for Oleg obviously.

I don't want to say or anticipate much about the epilogue, aside telling you is quite long (as usual of course), with about 23 pages and 16,764.00 words, and emotional yet sweet in a way. I have simply told about their life a few years ahead, to show you how they moved from their first days together where they only argued to their life spent as a couple. You will see, I won't say anything 😊

I really hope you will enjoy it and let me say that last night I stayed up until 1.30 AM to edit it and fix it here and there, checking it once more this morning. If you find small mistakes, my apologies.
Let me know what you think of the epilogue with your comments, votes and messages, please! THANK YOU!

Now, I would like to dedicate this chapter-epilogue to all of you, all my LYIF readers and ardent fans of our Anatoleg couple, as a way to thank you for the incredible and heart-warming support and love you gave to this story and myself as writer through all these years.

I have created a banner that I advise you to check after reaching a certain part in the chapter, so maybe first just listen to the music and look at that later in the chapter. The song, well...What a Wonderful World seemed to perfectly fit this last update for LYIF ^-^

P.s. I think you will notice that this time I used quotes from my own story, one from Oleg and one from Tolya.

And for now, enjoy it!

"Anatoly, I will not break the promise I made to you - A promise of always keeping beside him, always loving him and always taking care of him whenever he needed it," Oleg in "Loving you is Forbidden" CH.18 Part 2, by TheWitchAndTheCat

"Oleg, I am not sure you understood me well. I don't give a fuck about mistakes you might have done, and I don't give a fuck about crap like not being without stains or sins. You are you, and this is the deal. Do you understand what I mean?" Anatoly in "Loving You is Forbidden" CH. 11, by TheWitchAndTheCat

ANATOLY POV – FOUR YEARS LATER:

I bent over the turn and aggressively pulled the motorbike back, going for the last seconds of the race, knowing this time I had left everyone behind with a significant distance. It was the last race for this year and it took place in Qatar; the last race that for the third time gave me the championship title, as last year I could not win it for a few points and it really pissed me off to not end. Only the infinite patience of Oleg could cope with the very annoyed mood I had for days, if not weeks, because I wanted to win.

The mere thought of that kickstarted my adrenaline and I sped up even more, almost burning the asphalt as I crossed the finish line and screamed inside the helmet with everything I had in me, with the tension cumulated in the past weeks and races, with the freaking joy for winning yet again, for the adrenaline pumping in my veins and almost deafening me, and because I made it once yet and right in front of my man. This time my family and friends could not follow me here, but I knew they were glued at the TV watching every minute of the race, no matter the difference in time. I screamed more and performed my usual stunts, because yeah, I was a bit of a show-off when on my babe, for then slowly riding toward the podium, Oleg there waiting for me.

I stopped the motorbike and tossed the helmet away, one of the mechanics of my team catching it ready and used to my excited mood after each race, and I jumped on Oleg, hugging him and somehow remembering to avoid kissing the fuck out of him. His arms went around me strongly and only we could understand the entire and deep meaning of our gesture, why we hugged so tightly, how much I loved that man. We pulled away at the same time and a quick smile mirrored in our eyes, no words really needed. I then jumped on my team members and fuck, they were getting crazier than me and tonight we sure were going to celebrate this third victory crazily. They tossed me up in the air and I laughed out loud, threatening them not to let me fall on the ground and they laughed even louder, tossing me more. My hot and impassive bastard stood there watching the entire scene with an amused smirk.

After the craziness, they finally let go of me and thank God, they didn't throw me on the asphalt. They patted my shoulders, cheering once more for my victory, for the prestige and extra title I brought to the motorcycle company I raced for. Oleg approached me, and we exchanged another quick glance, my gloved fingers very discreetly touching with his for a brief moment, before I stepped to the podium, where after receiving the trophies and usual stuff, us three riders showered each other and the people around us with champagne. I took a sip of it, but I couldn't wait to be alone with my hot man.

He had promised me something and I was waiting to hear it out, for I had kept mine.

I collapsed on the bed after a very long shower, for this time I was really exhausted after the race. I had some temperature in the past days and thus, today I sweat more than usual, having taken some pills to keep it at bait. Oleg followed me and lay down besides, caressing my hair and remaining stark naked, both of us, as we did many times when in bed. Fuck, I might have been tired, but the view of his body freaking naked was enough to kick my energy and horniness back; I found myself staring at him badly, feeling my heart pumping faster and my breath coming shorter, until my previous thoughts came back: I had won the third championship and even achieved a badass master degree.

The hot, annoying bastard without doubts guessed what I was thinking about, because his famous and freaking arousing smirk appeared on his lips, his hand no longer caressing my hair but simply lingering on the back of my neck. Annoying, impassive bastard! He made me wait quite a lot and the idea triggered my moronic temper. I suddenly pushed him on his back and clutched his writs, pressing them against the bedsheets on each side of his head, my body on his, and of course, it got us both hard as rocks. My tiredness was completely gone and forgotten. I had no time for being exhausted.

"What is it, punk?" He asked me, gazing directly into my eyes, his lips still curved in that maddening yet damn exciting smirk. Something he was doing on purpose.

"I won the third championship," I said, and he just listened, "I completed even a master degree, and with awesome results, and that'd been a huge pain in the ass all considered."

"You did very well, Anatoly," he conceded me with a brief smile, with all chances recalling the celebration and the freaking amazing thesis I wrote for that, which earned me smartass grades, not to mention a professor in the department interested in taking me for a doctorate research. I had no time whatsoever at the moment, for I planned to keep riding until I could win; the day I would realize I can no longer give it all and win, will be the day I retire.

"Yeah, I did all very well, as you said, and I repeat it to you, Oleg: I won the third championship." His smirk deepened and I swallowed down. God, he always enjoyed taunting and provoking me in his unique and sometimes infuriating way. "What the fuck are we waiting for?" I asked feeling my temper raising along with my physical excitement and lust, for he had tugged his hands free and they now rested on my naked back, our erections touching and slightly grinding together.

"For what, brat?" Oleg asked, clearly enjoying this very freaking much and I groaned out frustrated, going to bark out something, but I swallowed my words as he surprised me with a very deep and hungry kiss, his hands on my face now, keeping it pressed on his, our lips devouring each other in growing passion and lust, our tongues tangling and untangling, fighting with one another to win dominance, almost grazing our teeth for how aggressively we kissed. He rolled us over and hovered above me, in all of his muscular, strong glory and fucking hotness. He was so hard against me that I could not contain the moans and groans of pleasure from escaping my throat and mouth, echoing in his. Our kiss broke and he stared again at me with the same expression. "Do you mean, to get married?"

"You, damn, annoying and fucking hot bastard..." Again, his lips sealed mine and my nails sank in his back, marking him, his groans escaping from his mouth. I rolled us over and I was the one on top of him. "Yes, Oleg, to get married."

"Even tomorrow, if you would wish it," he only replied and fuck me, my heart risked to burst in million pieces by the way his eyes pierced me, by the way his voice wrapped around my head and enthralled me, and by the way his hands had stopped on the sides of my face, keeping it a mere breath away from his. "Tell me when you wish it and we shall have it done."

"Your family will be there, right?" I wouldn't want it otherwise and he just nodded, for I suspected he desired to have his brother as witness, just as I wanted that idiotic twin at mine. "Nothing fancy and nothing big or freaking complicate, what do you say?"

"That is perfect for me and you know it."

"When?"

"December?" He asked with his smirk softly changing into a smile I immediately reciprocated, my temper smoothing down at once. "Is that OK with you?" I nodded and pecked his lips, then the tip of his nose, hearing him letting go of a heart-shattering chuckle.

"You sure made me wait and took your damn sweet time." He shook his head and his lips gently touched mine, then my forehead.

"No, I just waited for the right moment and you know I am right," he replied, and I quietly laughed. Yeah, of course he was right, as always.

"December is perfect, so we have time to ask your brother and his family, and to help them with the visa and such. Also, are you really OK with something small and with just our families and close friends?"

"Yes, Anatoly, I do want the exact same. As much as I found your brother's wedding perfectly organized and very well suiting Dmitri's and Jasper's personalities, I would prefer, if possible, something more private, quieter and simply celebrated with a few persons." I sighed out in relief. Man, Dima sure had a badass wedding, but I would hate that entire circus. Mom would say nothing against our idea for sure, for she knew us very well and simply wished us to be happy. "Will you ask your brother as I imagined before?" He nodded at my question and I chuckled. "I'll ask that moron of Dima and the funny part is that he won't show up with any haircut like I did at his wedding, so he's going to be boring as fuck." Oleg laughed at my words and rolled us over once more, this time sliding to his side and bringing me to mine, so that we glanced at each other, his hand caressing my hair.

"The question, brat, is: what sort of haircut will you have?"

"Dumb question. My usual punk-like one, or wouldn't it be boring otherwise?"

"I would not want you any different, believe me." His black wells ensnared me, and I lost myself in their depth and intensity.

"Same," I replied at first in all honesty. Because it was completely true: I loved Oleg the way he was and there was nothing, absolutely fucking nothing, I would change in him.

"We can discuss further details later, Anatoly, if that is suitable with you," he said with a different tone of voice, his hand slowly sliding on my neck, then back, descending slowly, very slowly, until it reached my ass and grabbed it fiercely, pulling me completed pressed to his damn sturdy and rock-made body; and our lips connected, just as our bodies and emotions. "Now, do tell me if you are too exhausted, if perhaps I should take it easy with you."

"You'll be the exhausted one at the end, believe me," I snapped back and his smile, which had nothing of the usual kindness and softness, promised me payback for my provocation.

We made love for many hours, Oleg always the most demanding and wild lover, my mind and body both emotionally and physically charged at the idea of what was going to happen in just a very few months, at how I would finally call Oleg. Also, I just couldn't wait to be at home and tell my family and friends about our decision.

-A WEEK LATER, NEW YORK-

We invited Dima and Jasper for dinner, for after so many times my brother insisted, I decided to give in and after the first rather awkward double-date (as he liked to call it), given he really had an issue in conceiving all sort of bullshit he could not blab out in front of Oleg, things went smoother. Dima relaxed and managed to give air to his idiotic trap a few times, but still very controlled all considered, something I'll never secretly stop to thank my man for. A break from his jokes and absolutely useless crap was very welcomed and I still asked myself how Jasper could cope with that every single day; apparently, he loved that side in my brother and how do they say it? Right, to each their own and they had obviously found each other in everything. Pretty much like Oleg and me.

My moronic twin was late of course, but at least this time he had the excuse of hockey, as the training took longer than expected. I decided to drop by his place and give a lift to his chipmunk, simply to talk. The fun part was that I rode a very aggressive babe and as soon as we arrived where Oleg and I lived, I realized Jasper was about to pass out and his paleness was bordering to a very sick green, worrying me quite a lot. I should have used the new Maserati (of course both Oleg and I still loved badass and fast cars, now being able to afford more than just one), but that might have led to getting another ticket for stepping on the gas pedal.

"Are you OK?" I hadn't really sped up that much, but I guess he wasn't used to it and I felt slightly bad for not having asked before. Good thing I really controlled myself or else, he would be throwing up now and Dima would be on my neck endlessly. I took Jasper's helmet and checked his face, but he shook his head and chuckled. "I should have asked you before, somehow I assumed you would be fine, but yeah, your dumbass husband has no motorbike."

"He's not a dumbass," he replied with a full smile and a bit of his normal colour was coming back to his face. "But boy, do you always ride in this way?"

"I took it easy today, believe me," I said with a smirk, motioning for him to step inside the house. "I'll get you something to drink and you'll be fine."

"Well, you won another championship, so I should have expected it. What can I do to help you?" His phone rang and the theme of the Force was his ringtone, which made me facepalm. They planned to adopt as soon as possible with their schedules and such, and I could imagine them bringing up more nerds and Star Wars geeks. Oh well, what-freaking-ever. He spoke to Dima and they still sounded like a super cheesy couple, calling each other in ways not even Viola and Sergey did. Kitty...tiger...and much more. He finished the call and beamed at me. "Dima said he'll stop to get some dessert and wine."

"Yeah right, God only knows what he'll get. Remember last time?" He giggled as I reminded him the impossible to eat cake only someone like my twin could buy. "Never mind, we have it covered just in case and to reply your previous question, there is nothing to do. Oleg will be back soon, as he went out running with our dog, so it's just us for now."

Just a few months ago, we found a rather young dog roaming the streets around here and at first, we thought he lost himself; therefore, we took him to the vet and checked his chip, but the little fella he had none, discovering only he was few months old only. We inquired around, asking if anyone had lost a dog. It seemed that the lost fella had been abandoned, because the vet explained us that he looked disoriented and wary, and well, his conditions weren't the best, which led to think he had been roaming the streets alone for some time already.

Oleg and I needed no time to discuss about it, for we both shared the same thought and arrived at the same decision with just a look. We took the dog in and named him Pippin, because he ate a lot and had a rather lazy side in him, especially when it rained. I don't know, somehow when I saw his big, pointy ears, his wide, docile and at first afraid eyes, for then turning out to be quite mischievous at times, I thought of that Hobbit and Oleg of course had nothing against it.

After a very slow and careful beginning, in which he kept mostly to himself possibly afraid to be abandoned once more, studying us from calculated distance and sniffing everything around, he became the most friendly and playful dog I had ever met. He also became a very affectionate one, very often in need to physical contact. I wished I could find the fucktards that without doubts kicked him out of a car and have a chat with them, because I never understood how people could abandon animals. Just thinking about it made my blood roar in anger, thus I shook my head to cool it down. Pippin loved running, so Oleg took him whenever he went for that, while I played with him in our garden and, in summer, in our swimming pool, for he also loved swimming. He had destroyed a few shoes and a couch, scratched some stuff around, until he cooled down and understood to behave. Oleg was the perfect instructor when it came to train him, and Pippin listened to everything my hot man ordered him, never disobeying.

"How are things between you two? I am really glad you will marry in December; it will be lovely and maybe it'll snow, something you two love, right?" I nodded, as yeah, we really enjoyed the snow and often we spent weekends at the family house in Aspen, because of course Oleg was a badass in skiing and snowboarding, too, competing with my twin at that. I wasn't sure there was something he couldn't do, to be honest. "I am sure you're planning everything now, right?" I nodded once more, and he smiled thinking about it, since he already went through the same. "Well, let me know if you need any help in that, even though I'm sure your mom will be more helpful than me." I laughed, because yeah, mom had already set everything in motion according to our wishes and ideas, to which I was very grateful, especially because she was acting calmly and respected our desire of something quiet and for a few people only.

"No worries about that and yeah, she's helping in many things I don't have the patience to think about and Oleg simply lets her do it, understanding her feelings and the fact it's something big for her, especially after everything that happened. We chose the suits, though, and he was the one pointing out the perfect and most classy ones. He'll always be the most mature one in our relationship," I joked and well, there wasn't much to joke about actually, for it was sort of true.

A few days ago, we had invited my parents, my brother and Jasper, Marlon and my closest friends to tell them about our plans. After that, we called Oleg's family and to say they were happy for us didn't even begin to describe it. His brother almost could not believe my man wanted him at his side on that special day, but it had to be like that; on the other hand, Dima was not very much surprised and threatened to also have a moronic haircut, to which I replied he could be bald or with pink hair for all I cared, and he snorted out complaining it was not possible to have fun with me. I guess he still minded the haircut I sported for his wedding and well, he really had to suck it up.

"I can see you two are doing great and that's wonderful."

"Thanks, and all is fine as usual. Oleg is always very eerily efficient at work and being a very hot badass, helping dad a lot in expanding his business, Dima will find it easy once he'll decide to join them," I quickly replied as we walked to the kitchen, seeing he was coming back to his usual colour. "Do you want something to drink?" He shook his head, but I grabbed a soda for myself. "I race at quite a crazy speed and I love it," I continued making small talks. We sat at the kitchen island and I took a deep breath. We had spoken many times together, getting closer and closer by each day, and I liked that, for it kept my brother and I the same as usual; yet, I sort of gained another brother, but much less idiotic and way more shy and somehow smart. "Oleg and I thought of something rather small and private, you know this, right?" He nodded and patiently listened to me. "But I wanted to make it clear that you're invited, 'cause we're all family."

"Thank you, Tolya," he said with a very kind and sweet smile, understanding what Dima meant in saying that whenever Jasper smiled, he reminded him of chocolate or brownies or any sort of sweet thing that crossed his mind. "I heard you also invited Travis and my brother."

"Of course, as I said, just the closest people to us." I took a sip of the Pepsi in my hands and looked back at him. "Jasper? I'm really glad we became this close and that, after all that happened between us years ago, we are now like this. You're a quite awesome and understanding chipmunk and my brother is lucky, believe me." I implied it many times in the way we behaved around each other, at the easiness in our relationship as friends and brothers-in-law, in the jokes we exchanged, but I never really said it explicitly, at least, not in such direct terms. It was about time.

"Boy Anatoly, same for me of course. And thanks for the chipmunk," he said playfully rolling his eyes and I quietly laughed, for then listening to him. "I mean, I feel like having another older brother with you, just a bit, uhm let's say a lot crazier than Nic," he giggled at that and rested his hand on my shoulder, his deep chocolate-brown eyes directly staring into mine. "I'm very glad we became friends and well, family, as you said it and you know how much I love your brother, and I'm sure you'll make a wonderful uncle once we will adopt kids."

"Kids?" I asked arching my brows. Damn, not just one, but more. "Are you really planning to adopt more than one monster?" I mocked, slightly bumping my elbow against his arm and he nodded, still smiling widely and obviously hopelessly in love with my twin. They were such a cheesy and dork case that I gave up in even commenting over that.

"Yes, Dima and I would like to adopt three." I almost choked on my drink, spurting out some. People had to inform before saying such things while others were drinking or eating.

"Fuck me, three?" I snorted out and shook my head. "Well, good freaking luck with that, because you'll need it." I smirked and checked the time, for it was about time to set the table. "I'm sure you can count on my hot man to get them in some discipline, if they'll come out too crazy. He's still the best at that, believe me." Jasper chuckled and moved from the stool, following me around.

"What can I do?" I thought about it and looked around the kitchen. Oleg was the one in charge of cooking, because I sort of sucked at that, so we had to wait for him. Well, it's not like I really was super bad at that, but let's say he was more skilled. Definitely, I was better than my brother, but the problem was that I lacked the patience when things were too elaborate, while Oleg enjoyed it, especially if I kept him company.

"We can just set the table; Oleg is the master of the kitchen."

"Not a fan of cooking?"

"Let's say I sort of suck at that, but not like your husband."

"That is not true, Anatoly," a voice I knew all too well spoke coming from the door and when I turned around, Oleg stood there in a black hoodie and running pants, Pippin obediently sitting at his side with the tail wanking at full speed as he looked at me, his tongue lolling out, as if savouring the moment he would jump on me and lick my face. "You do cook well, if it is something not too extravagant." I swallowed down what came over me in seeing him there with hair slightly sweaty and adherent running pants wrapped around his muscular legs, his eyes drilling mine. "Hello Jasper, is it very nice to see you." He inclined his head and the chipmunk slightly stuttered at first, surprised like me by his sudden presence, for then smiling. He still could sneak around more silent than a ninja.

"Hello Oleg, good to see you, too. How was the run?"

"It was very good, thank you, and Pippin here surely enjoyed it very much." I noticed Oleg kept outside the kitchen and I arched my brow in a mute question. "I will take a shower and then join you, so please do set the table and do not spoil Pippin," he warned me, and I rolled my eyes, understanding what he meant.

"Yeah, yeah, just get your hot ass in the shower." I crouched down and smiled at our dog. "Pip, come here," I called and, as Oleg gave him permission with a short nod, he sprang to me and almost knocked me to the floor when he pressed his front paws on my shoulders, considered he was a rather big guy. As I expected he went to lick my face and I laughed, for then wanting to jump on Jasper, but I stopped him. "Hey, what did we tell you? No jumping on guests, and this one prefers cats, so sit down and behave." He sat down and gave me his paw when I asked for that. "Good hobbit," I said joking, causing the chipmunk to giggle. He went to pet Pippin's head, earning a very happy whimper and the tail swiping from one side to the other obviously content for the attention received.

"You really are a sweet thing," Jasper said, scratching him behind the ears. "Dima will be here soon, and he will play a lot with you." Right, my brother was into dogs, but of course he gave in and got a cat just as his husband wished.

"Jas stay here with him a moment and I'll be back in a second: I need to wash my face. And don't worry, Oleg for sure already cleaned him before admitting him in the kitchen, so he's clean and fine, or else he would never allow him to bounce around like that." Yeah, he also would always be the tidiest between us two, something I however grew very used to. Mom always made us clean after our own mess, the house always being perfectly tidy and clean, so in a way I never grew up as a spoilt brat; let's say just not super neat and organized. But I had Oleg for that, and I just followed his orders in such department. There wasn't much choice anyway, because on that he was super adamant.

I quickly ran the stairs and surprised my man while he showered, leaning inside the rather wide and spacious cubicle and stealing a wet kiss. Our house was big and so was the main bathroom we used daily, having a very large shower and an even larger bathtub, for I preferred the latter and we had some very hot sex in there, having it bought big and very comfortable on purpose.

"What's for dinner?" I asked and he quickly explained me as he washed the foam away from his hair, my eyes glued to his body. I repressed a groan and cursed out loud when I felt myself getting very hard; he didn't miss it and smirked at me, his lips and eyes holding a very hot promise for the night. "Jasper," I reminded myself and after having uselessly tried to calm myself down, I went back to the kitchen with quite a boner.

We set the table and soon my brother arrived, this time bringing what really looked like an edible and not too sugary cake; however, the wine was terrible and once more we told him not to make the effort for the next time. He had no clue about wines and however, Oleg never touched a drop of alcohol, and I wasn't much into it.

"So, Oleg, are you worried about what Tolya might wear or have as haircut?" Dima joked as we all sat around the kitchen table and enjoyed the delicious dinner my amazing man cooked for us.

"Not really, Dmitri. I already know him very well and I am used to his rather daring and punkish hairstyle." I smiled at that, our eyes quickly meeting and exchanging quite the look, and I threw a satisfied smirk at my brother, who just shrugged his shoulders and moved his arm around Jasper's shoulders. "I heard from Jasper that you plan to adopt, am I correct?" He politely asked and I stretched long on the chair, observing him intently.

"Yeah man, we want three kids and that'd be perfect, right kitty?" I coughed to cover my snorting at hearing that. "Mom can't wait for that and so do I, but we have to see how it goes. It's not so easy and quick and anyway, we first need to settle our lives and careers."

"Yes, I think we will be able to start looking into it in two or three years," Jasper confirmed, taking another bite of Oleg's stew and complimenting it once more.

"Why you asking that? Don't tell me you plan to adopt a kid?" Dima burst out laughing and we all looked at him, his chipmunk softly giggling, and I facepalmed. "Hahaha...sorry, man, I mean...Tolya as father...I can't imagine that...hahahaha...you're just so mental..."

"And you're a cheesy moron who will definitely bring up another three Star Wars nerds."

"Oh, shut up, bro, how's your dog called?" He joked and as if believing to be called in the discussion, Pippin padded to the table and sat beside Dima, resting his head on my brother's thigh and looking at him with expecting eyes. My twin of course gave him some food, for then looking at both myself and Oleg with an apologetic expression. "Sorry, he just stared at me with such adorable eyes that I couldn't help myself, right boy?" He scratched Pippin's ears and our dog kept remotely calm just because Oleg gave him the order to sat there.

"We are not planning as of now, but we keep the option open," my future husband replied, leaving Dima staring at both of us with wide eyes and hanging mouth. What was so weird about that? Jasper was the one that reacted first and more normally.

"That is a wonderful idea and you both will make amazing parents. To be honest, Tolya, this does not surprise me so much."

"Are you kidding me, kitty? I had to pinch myself to see whether I was dreaming or not."

"What's so weird about that, moron?"

"You as parent...I mean, Oleg will be fine, but you're a nut case."

"And you're dumb case, so we are even and all sorted."

"Oh well," he went on, as I hadn't spoken at all, "mom sure will be out of her mind for happiness and also dad, in his own way, and oh my God, I'll be an uncle if you two adopt. And wait? What would you like to adopt? A girl, a boy? Man, you must adopt so that your kids can play with our kids."

"Jas, please punch my brother back to some sense, will you? Or make him shut up," I grunted out, massaging my forehead because Dima still had the power to blab tons of bullshit in very short time. "And bro, are you freaking kidding me? If Oleg and I decide to go for that, we'll go for one child and end of it. We don't plan to bring up a football team."

"But man, this is awesome, and wait, what about River and Nic? Do you think they'll also go for it?" He was out of his freaking and moronic mind, and I sighed out as Jasper tried to tell him to calm down.

In that moment, Oleg looked at me, smiling calmly and gently, his eyes telling me he was looking forward to having a family with me, just like me. When we took Pippin in, even if he was a dog and obviously not comparable to a child in terms of needs and other things, we realized that in a few years it would not be bad to have a kid with us, giving a chance to a less fortunate small girl or boy. We wanted to go to a dogs' shelter and take another one with us; we knew it wasn't going to be easy, for I very well expected to find myself thinking of wanting to take them all with us, but they explained us that it was the dog choosing the person and I really wanted to help one more at least. Oleg shared my same opinion and once we spoke to his brother about our idea regarding adoption, he was enthusiastic, saying we would make great parents. The idea scared me, honestly speaking, but we still had time and mostly, we still had to get married first.

Dima finally shut up, but he kept making jokes and comments, obviously and unfortunately for me being more and more at ease with Oleg, but never really testing the limits and very well knowing when to put a muzzle to his moronic trap. He asked us if we were looking forward to having sex as a married couple and my man surprised us both by replying that nothing much would really change, aside the fact he could call me "bratty husband". I burst out laughing at Dima's expression and Jasper almost choked with his drink, while Oleg and I exchanged a quick and conspiratorial look. God, I loved him to lose my mind and sometimes, when I looked back at everything that happened between us, at the way we started our relationship, at how stubborn we had been at first, afraid of many things, well...I just shook my head and chuckled.

As soon as I completed my first degree at the university and around the time Dima got married, Oleg and I moved together in the house we purchased permanently, but still visiting my parents on weekly basis; first, he worked with my father and so, they had to meet every day, secondly, it was just how my family was and I loved that. Marlon became a real friend to Oleg and the dude was really cool, sometimes joining us for a ride, along with Vincent, who seemed to have found his peace of mind. Well, I guess it was all thanks to a certain person, exactly like for that jerk of Seryozha, who had become a very good friend for me, although it still was in our own peculiar way.

Just as we sat in the "family" living room, as we liked to call it to distinguish it from the other many rooms, someone rang the doorbell and when I opened the door, I smiled at seeing there Viola with Seryozha, and the Mighty Sasha with his crazy half.

"Hell, I swear we didn't coordinate in this, we just happen to be simply and amazingly fabulous, isn't that right, Vi? We could totally be siblings and hi Tolya," Travis greeted me, having his arm looped with Viola's, both of them grinning like two kids too high on sugar, one with white-bleached hair and the other with pink cotton candy hair. Then, you'd spot the adults around, Sasha with his usual short black hair and his cousin with the usual jerk-like expression. Derek didn't show up simply because not in town and I knew Adrian would drop by soon enough, while River had texted me, he would come a bit later. Travis then showed me two bags containing two bottles of champagne and two bottles of good wine. "We are here to bother you, obviously, and to celebrate the fantastic news," the crazy dude explained speaking fast, "I also heard that you got terribly wine for dinner."

"Don't tell me: the chipmunk wrote you," I said shaking my head and he just nodded, thus I stepped aside and let them in.

"Sorry Denisov," Seryozha quietly breathed at me, "it wasn't my intention to barge in here like this, but you know how things go." He shrugged his shoulders and eyed his cousin, who gave a quick nod in understanding.

"My brother will be here soon, he just sent me a message," Viola chirped showing me her phone, for then jumping at my neck and planting a loud kiss on my cheek. "I'm so happy for you and for Oleg, where is he? I must hug him, too."

She hopped down and smiled even more widely, Seryozha having given up on that, and on a similar point, Oleg as well had gotten used to her very affectionate, exuberant side and need to express it with hugs and such. She skipped to the living room, by now very familiar with our house, and I heard her greeting my brother and Jasper, and I didn't want to miss the show, so I followed and arrived just in time to see her hugging Oleg tightly, while he returned the gesture. The scene was priceless: a big, tall man who still intimidated everyone around him trying to softly and carefully hug a very skinny and way shorter girl with absurdly coloured hair. I took a picture obviously and smirked at my future husband. Fuck yeah, he would make an awesome father and our kid would kick ass big time and boss Dima's kids without any problem.

"Hey man, ready for tomorrow's game?" Dima greeted Sasha, for they finally played in the same team and we all had arranged to go watch the game. "Where is River?"

"He said they will be here soon enough, he was waiting for Nicholas," my friend patiently explained, for then turning his attention to me. "Hayden says hi and excuses himself for not being around, but you know he's the complete family man and his kid is sick."

"Yeah, it's fine, we'll see him tomorrow, no worries," I reassured him, seeing how Seryozha was not comfortably talking with both Oleg and Travis, who was hugging the chipmunk for dear life, the two of them still the best friends you could find out there.

"Oh Tolya," Viola suddenly clapped her hands together, "Sharon told me to give you a big kiss from her, saying she hates to be out of town for this weekend and miss this, but also ordered we should then get out together once she's back." I chuckled and just nodded, my skinny fairy friend skipping to me and delivering the due kiss. "Let's take a picture together and send it to her!" We did that and then took another one with Travis, who never did shy away from a picture. Right after, someone rang the doorbell and this time, Oleg went for it, coming back with Adrian and his man, who still looked slightly uncomfortable around my badass one.

"Have I missed something?" Adrian playfully asked as he quickly hugged me, resting his arm around my shoulders as he took in the persons in the room. "This seems a very nice gathering. We are waiting for River, am I right?"

"Yeah, smartass, we're waiting for him," I replied, and he winked. Somehow, they got along quite well, and it definitely didn't surprise me, just as much as it didn't surprise me the still rather edgy relationship his man and Seryozha had, being on civil and polite terms only for the sake of their loved ones. They never really clicked, and it was then that I understood Sergey had actually quite a few traits similar to Sasha. Oh well, I couldn't care less, for I knew their personalities never really matched and contrasted like salt in a mug of steaming coffee.

"Then we should wait to open these two little babes, what do you say?" Adrian also had brought something to drink, along with some non-alcoholic kind of champagne, remembering Oleg never touched a drop of alcohol.

Although, he confessed he would make two very small exceptions only: today, having a small sip to honour the kindness and support of our friends, and for our wedding, to celebrate our union and the love of the people around us on such special day. Yeah, he was right in saying love, because mom expected us for lunch the following day, and I knew Dima, Jasper and his family were also invited. Oleg's family had already visited twice, and after a rather slow and not very warm beginning, the relationship improved considerably, mom keeping in touch with Nikita's wife on a weekly basis, for the two of them got along very well, not to mention how much she adored their two sons.

We sat a bit in the family living room, just talking together and eating something Oleg prepared before, when the doorbell rang once more. I knew it was Riv and so, I went to welcome him and his partner. As soon as I opened the door, he smiled at me in such an open way I had never seen before and we hugged at first, his arms tightly wrapped around me; I returned the gesture without any hesitation or problems, for we have grown closer and closer as friends, understanding each other much more than we ever did.

I think the Mighty Sasha, River, myself and Adrian developed a very strong bond, a rather special one, in particular with Sasha and River, going back and strengthening what we had before everything went to hell. My bond grew also with Derek, even if he now lived on the other cost.

My brother will always be my brother and my best friend, my twin and my accomplice in bullshit, the one I would play games with and blurt out countless idiocies; but we also became closer, developing our brotherhood into something more adult and solid, helping and support each other like true brothers should always do. Also, Jasper became a true friend and I could really count on him.

Seryozha was still the usual jerk we could argue about anything out of the blue, even though we became friends and I knew he trusted me as much as I trusted him. We moved from hating each other, desiring to rip each other's throats open, to respecting and trusting one another. Viola will always be my sweet and daydreaming fairy-friend who barged into my world and became my best friends, making me realize how happy and fortunate I felt about that. She was my precious skinny doll and often we took moments for ourselves only, going for some cake and coffee, for some movie nobody else wanted to watch with us, not even her brother or mine; only Sharon sometimes joined us and the tea-party no longer bothered me. Travis enjoyed that sort of company and there wasn't much more to add about the crazy guy: he had helped me in patching things up with Sasha years ago, pushing us to talk, and that was more than enough to consider him a special person.

Then Vincent. It took us a lot of time, but we made it in finally becoming just real friends and he had to thank his man for that, yeah, and his rather successful, eerie methods. He had had a lot of work to do and shit to make up for. I'm not sure what would have happened to Vincent if he hadn't met such partner; I would have tried my best with him, as friend of course, but I realized that it wasn't enough and not what he really needed. He also had to thank Marlon, who took him almost as his own son. All in all, he also had been a lucky jerk just like me and Seryozha.

"I am sorry for being late, Tolya," River said as we released each other from the embrace, "Nic was held back in a meeting and I really didn't want to leave alone."

"Yes, he is right, sorry Anatoly for making you wait, but we came with something I know you, Dmitri, Jasper and Viola will really like," he spoke with a warm and friendly smile, always very handsome and elegantly dressed, somehow similar in that to Oleg, for both were quite older than us all and found some points in common.

"What's that, Nic?" I asked as I let them in, closing the door behind and indicating them where they could leave their coats.

"We stopped at that famous pastries and cakes place on our way here and I think we purchased enough, what do you say?" He showed me the two paper bags he was holding, and I chuckled, immediately hearing steps approaching. I noticed how River went to take one bag, having then their hands linking together, something that made my lips tilt up in a smile.

"Hey brother-in-law, River," Dima greeted them, immediately going to hug them both and eyeing the bag. "Sweeeet, you got cakes from that place? Oh man, I love you Nic. I also brought some dessert, but it wasn't as amazing as these ones are going to be, not to mention the awful wine, right Tolya?" I just snorted and shook my head.

"Hopeless as always, Dima?" River teased and my brother shrugged his shoulders.

"You know me, I'm not a really fancy guy and thank God, my husband loves me in this way," he jokes, but he freaking enjoyed using the word husband, for saying he was on cloud nine since his wedding didn't completely render his state and bursting mood. Jasper as well looked like they still were on some honeymoon and it probably was like that for them.

"C'mon bro, you're lucky Jas is that patient with you," I said, patting his shoulder, "you found a very patient and understand chipmunk."

"Oh boy, chipmunk again...Travis just called me cutie, I think I'll have to give up, am I right?" Jasper surprised us and give us his open yet slightly timid smile, dimples always showing on his face. "Nic, River, so good to see you." The two brothers hugged, and I didn't miss the warm way in which Jasper greeted and smiled to River, obviously over the moon for both of them.

"Yeah, give up and let's get over with that, I mean you're fine with that doofus over there calling you kitty and whatever the hell he comes up with."

"Oh Tolya, we have always other ways of calling each other, like for instance..."

"Dima," Jasper immediately stopped him with a worried glare, before letting him saying something possibly super embarrassing and private, granting me extra chances to tease and make fun of them, and yeah well, making him blush and wanting to disappear, for his older brother was standing right there. But I think we all got used to my twin's lack of filtering skills, so we just waited to hear whatever he would blab out without thinking.

"Shall we go?" I said, winking at River. "We are all waiting for you so that we can begin with this."

"Please, let us go, I was really looking forward to this," he quietly told me, his hand gently giving a quick stroke to my hair, our eyes mirroring the same smile.

And right as we stepped in the living room, Oleg at once went to greet them, exchanging the usual strong handshake with Nicholas, a few words of how the respective businesses were going and a quick hug with River, who then went for Sasha and Travis, and everyone else. We filled the glasses and they made a toast in our honour, to which Oleg and I drank a sip, exchanging a glance only we could understand, charged with so many emotions, memories and feelings that could have burst the room if left out entirely.

We looked at each other for another while, smiling, clinking our glasses together and barely murmuring to one another a very quiet and private "Ya teebya lyublyu", for then taking a few seconds to cherish the view of all our friends gathered together for us, until we joined them, the evening turning out one of the best we ever had in their company.

-TWO MONTHS LATER, MID OF DECEMBER, NEW YORK, WEDDING DAY-

We got everything ready for our big day, even if we kept everything relatively simple and small. Mom and dad helped us a lot in the organization of every little detail, because I never realized a wedding needed some many things and I just wanted the ceremony over, so that Oleg and I could finally call each other husband and be over with that. We both chose elegant and dark three-piece tuxedo, Oleg's tie and vest of a very dark shade of pearl grey, mine slightly lighter, of a more silver light, both wearing impeccably ironed and crisp white shirts, a pair of white gold cufflinks with our initials engraved on the surface, a present dad ordered and gave us to be used today, my super-hot man having the new Rolex I bought as wedding present at his wrist, while I wore the simple wristband made of platinum he gifted me with to honour our union.

The ceremony was going to be held in less than an hour at the Office of the City Clerk in New York, because we wanted to it quick and straightforward; however, the celebration was going to take place at my parents' house, for they had organized everything in the most incredible way, my mother always having the perfect touch and taste. It was late afternoon and we chose this specific late hour because we loved the darkness in the sky, the cold air outside, and the first flakes of snow silently falling over New York.

Oleg and I invited our families, thus my parents, his brother and family, and then our closest friends, which meant the usual people with whom we normally spent our time. I remembered Dima had two best men, myself and the Mighty Sasha, but we decided to go for one, to avoid creating issues and complicate things. I wanted my brother, considered everything that happened in my family, and Oleg chose his, for the same obvious reasons. I was so attached to my friends that choosing just one would have been unfair to the others. And well, Dima will always be my priceless and moronic twin.

I looked at the mirror in front of me and fixed the tie for umpteenth time, for then running a hand in my hair, still kept in my usual style, given my man liked it, and to be very honest, I felt quite nervous. Not in any bad or freaked out way, for Oleg and I shared such a profound and strong bond that this simply completed it; yet, formality or not, I felt nicely nervous at the idea that soon he would no longer be merely my partner, but my husband. I smiled at myself through the mirror and noticed how my friends stood behind and all smirked at my obvious state of mind.

"What are you laughing about?" I barked as I turned to look at them, seeing Derek, Dima, Seryozha and Vincent eyeing me like a bunch of morons, the last two standing each other's presence under the strict orders imparted by their partners and my man, saying he wished for nothing to disturb this very special day. And obviously, nobody ever dared to contradict him or not listen to his requests; alright, exception made for me sometimes. Hayden and his wife, Derek's older sister, just sat there patiently and relatively calm, mostly to avoid egging those clowns I had for friends. Thank God, the Mighty Sasha, River, Adrian, and Jasper kept quieter, concession made to Viola and Travis who were both so excited for this wedding sometimes I thought they believed it was their wedding. But well, they were naturally very enthusiastic.

"We're laughing at you, jerk," Seryozha replied in all kindness and sweetness, because, sure as hell, some things would never damn change. "You're freaking out. Are you having second thoughts?" He taunted me with his usual annoying sneer, and I rolled my eyes, going to reply, but Adrian interrupted us, stepping between the two of us and placing his hands on our shoulders.

"You two, no arguing for today," he admonished, for then quickly considering what he just said and correcting it, "well, no arguing for a couple of hours, deal?" Vince eyed me with an amused smug and I felt like flipping him off, for he was having fun at my expenses, but I let it go. Lebedev and I looked at each other and nodded to Adrian, for then smiling together.

"I should take a picture of you two being so civil," the Mighty Sasha joked, for then winking at me and nodding, as to say he approved the choice of my suit. "You look very good, Tolya, and as a matter of fact, both you and Oleg look very handsome."

"That's very true, you look fantastic," his crazy half remarked, being at his side and almost dazzling me with his smile, seeing he could definitely pose in some fashion magazine, both because of his sense of fashion and body. Ballet definitely became him.

"Now, that is a very good idea, Alex. Let's take some pictures together," Adrian proposed, fishing out the cell phone from the inner pocket of his jacket, looking absolutely handsome in the elegant suit he was wearing, just like all of my friends. They were all dressed in more or less dark, more or less light, elegant similar-styled suits, nothing too strange, exception made for Travis, who had added his own peculiar touch to his and I really liked that, and the girls, Viola and Sharon, both wearing quite nice, colourful yet very elegant dresses, resembling fairies. "Where are Oleg and Nikita?" Adrian asked, looking around the room. "And your parents?"

In the past two weeks, since Oleg's brother arrived in New York for this special occasion, we spent more time with my friends and family, and I liked to see most of them getting very much along with Nikita's family, rendering my awesome and incredible man honestly glad.

His brother spoke little English, but made a commendable effort when it came to my non-Russian friends, while his wife spoke only Russian, which didn't pose a problem, considered she mostly spent time with my mom and Dasha, who could easily translate for her. Their kids, who had grown up a lot, were studying it in school, and in fact Fyodor, the oldest one, was really good at that, being able to easily communicate with who didn't speak Russian. I think he had a crush for Sharon, even if she was seven years older; but hey, he was in the right age to look at older girls and he had grown into a quite handsome teenager, resembling Oleg in some ways.

"We are here, Adrian," Oleg himself replied, stepping back to the room with his brother and Marlon, quickly looking at me and smiling, for we had already seen each other dressed and ready in the morning when we checked if everything was OK, because there was no sense in not doing it until the ceremony. We had picked the suits together, so seriously, that crap wasn't for us and the night before we made love quite intensely and for long time. We both were in the mood for that, somehow slightly edgy for the upcoming day, and after he destroyed me in bed, I slept like a log. "Apologies, Mr. Denisov and I were checking whether everything was in order and proceeding accordingly per our requests."

"Shall we take some picture together then, to commemorate these precious and priceless moments before the ceremony, in which our Tolya looks nervous and emotional?" River teased, his hand liked to Nichola's, both smiling and looking like two magazine models.

"I'm not nervous," I defended myself and someone slapped my shoulder strongly. That doofus of my brother, of course.

"Bullshit, bro, you're nervous and it's freaking cute, don't you agree babe?" Dima joked and Jasper just chuckled, shaking his head and grinning at me, as if to say to let him have fun. "What are you afraid of? That Oleg will run away?"

"That will never happen," my future husband replied for me, seeing him standing right beside, and fuck me, he was so hot and handsome that I had to swallow down what came over me. I think, no, I was damn sure, and I had no doubts, about the fact he was the most handsome and the hottest one today. And not just today. OK, I was starting to sound like my twin, so I had to drop it.

"Oh, you're both adorable," Viola chirped cheerfully and without giving me time to realize it, she took a picture of Oleg and I, possibly smiling at each other like two idiots. But, only for today, I decided I couldn't care less about looking like some lovestruck moron, for I really was absolutely and fucking in love with the man who soon was going to be my husband, the person I loved the most in this world, and I knew he reciprocated the same feelings with the identical depth. "C'mon, Tolya, one picture with the fabulous us," she asked, meaning herself, Travis, Sharon and Adrian.

I complied to that without breathing out one single complain, and we took more pictures, some of us two only, some with my friends, some with my family and Oleg's family and some totally random. They sure had fun with that and in a way, it gave us the chance to review and re-live these moments, because many, many pictures were taken, portraying all of us in different moment and with all sort of expressions.

"Tolya," Nikita and his wife then spoke to me before the ceremony, giving ourselves a moment of privacy as we moved to a corner of the room, my parents now entertaining my friends. "We are truly happy for you both and very grateful you welcomed us in your family in such warm way," Alina explained, a kind hand on my arm, a sincere smile on her lips and in her usually quite severe eyes.

"Thank you, I'm honestly glad you're here with us and Nikita, you have no idea how happy you made Oleg by accepting to be his witness. It means a lot to him; we both know that."

"It means a lot to me, too, believe me, Tolya," he replied nodding. "Also, please know that we really like your parents and brother, and his husband, and what Alina said is true and let me say this, once more: welcome also to our family, Anatoly Yevgenich Denisov." I only smiled at his words and then, we hugged each other strongly, and right in that moment, Oleg approached us with my parents.

"We were telling Tolya how wonderful is to be here and how grateful we are," Alina Azarova said to my mom and the two women kissed each other on the cheeks, very careful not to mess their makeup, hair and very elegant dresses, seeing mom slightly emotional, blinking her eyes as if she was blinking tears away.

"Please, don't even say that, we all belong to the same family and we couldn't be happier. I think this is perfect," she said, her voice slightly shaking. They went for shopping together and obviously my mom had an impeccable taste when it came to clothes and everything related to it; however, Alina was the same and I believed they really enjoyed it.

"It is our pleasure," dad simply said letting an arm affectionately rest around mom's shoulders, and he then checked the Rolex at his wrist. "I believe we should approach the main hall, for the wedding ceremony will start in fifteen minutes only." The warmth of his expression wrapped around my heart and I spontaneously went to hug him, surprising him quite a lot.

"Thanks, dad," I quietly murmured to him. "Thanks for everything, I love you and mom very much." His arms were strong and solid around me, exactly like his entire presence as father in my whole life, strong, solid, supporting, protective, loving and very much understanding.

"Your mother and I love you very much, son," he calmly replied, but I could see a touch of emotions also in his usual very composed and piercing light-blue eyes, a smile I had seen for Dima's wedding, or when I won a Superbike championship, or when we told them we decided to get married, when he spoke about his work cooperation with my man, or when my brother announced he planned to ask Jasper to become his husband. Or when he looked at my mother. Yeah, a smile full of love and pride he only had for us. "Shall we go?" He asked us, and Oleg stepped right beside me.

My incredible, still impassive at times bastard, the man that represented my whole world and that really had risked his life to protect me. The man I wanted at my side for the entire life and to whom I would give the world, if he let me.

"Shall we go, Anatoly?" He inquired with his usual levelled and authoritative voice, his dark eyes staring directly into mine, a soft smile on his lips, his fingers searching for mine and locking together.

"Let's go, Oleg," I just replied.

As we left the room, everyone else preceding us, he leaned closer to me and his warm, hard lips gently touched my ear, whispering words only meant for me.

"I love you, Anatoly Denisov, and I do want you as husband and only partner for my entire life." I swallowed down what his words moved inside of me and I glanced at him, my lips reflecting his expression.

"And I love you, Oleg Azarov, and same goes for me. There is only you, now and always."

OLEG POV:

I stared at Anatoly, who was about to become my husband, the man with whom I wished spending my entire life, the only person in my heart and mind. He was breathtakingly handsome today, very elegant, still keeping a touch of his usual punkish and bratty style with his hairstyle and earrings, still being my stubborn and reckless brat, and definitely giving me a very difficult tasks in having to move my eyes away from him from time to time, to look at the Mayor, who was performing our wedding as courtesy and favour to Yevgeny Denisov, for at first they told us another officiant would take his place. But Anatoly's father knew how to convince people.

Anatoly and I shared a quick look as the officiant spoke. Indeed, I would never cease to repeat how fortunate I was.

The small group of people with whom we had wished to share this moment was there with us, silently looking and waiting for the mayor to complete the ritual, which was about to reach the moment where Anatoly and I would tell each other our wedding vows. As far as I was aware, we both had kept them rather simple and short, for my brat and I had gone through considerable matters in the past years and already knew the depth of our feelings. In fact, I had a few words only I wanted to officially state today, words I once spoke to him on a day of years ago. A promise I made Anatoly and that I kept when difficult moments presented themselves. A promise I intended to continue keeping in every possible way until my last breath at his side as husband and partner.

As the Mayor of New York concluded one part of his speech, he turned to stare directly at us and asked to give each other the respective vows. Anatoly went first and he never let go of my eyes as he spoke, his voice letting me feel the emotions coursing through him, his stare the mirror of his mind and heart. In that moment, everyone else disappeared from my attention and my focus was solely aimed and concentrated on Anatoly.

"Oleg Azarov, you perfectly know you are the person I love the most and the person representing my entire world. I want to spend my entire life with you, as partner and husband, being at your side in every moment of our lives, no matter what. I promise you, I will always be at your side, always support and love you, now and always. Rely on me, please, because I will be for you what you have been for me since the day we met." He paused a moment and I noticed him swallowing down, but his eyes never left mine. His last few words touched me deeply and pulled a string of my heart. We smiled at each other and he continued. "I only want to add I have always trusted you in everything and always will. Do the same, because you know there is only you and I will be faithful to you throughout my entire life. I love you." He then quickly mouthed the last three words in Russian and I smiled, mouthing them back.

We were holding hands, our fingers strongly connected and intertwined, strengthening my grip as he spoke, as his words wrapped around my mind and soul, as I felt something inside of me that I never experienced in my entire life. Indeed, we did live together, and we thought of each other as life-partners. Yet, this was different and making it official in this way, with the persons we loved and cherished the most around us, as witnesses of our union and love, rendered everything even more special and indescribable.

I was about to marry Anatoly and the thought pervaded and overwhelmed me entirely.

The Mayor invited me to speak my vows and my eyes never let go of my future husband's stare, our hands firmly connected. My voice was firm and apparently levelled, but inside many emotions burned in my veins, my heart beating slightly faster than usual. As Anatoly had said before, to use his own words, I loved him, now and always.

"Anatoly Denisov, I do not have many words to say, for you perfectly are aware of my deep and infinite love for you, of the fact I would give my life for you and you can count on me in every moment of your life. I will never falter, and you can always lean on me if you need. I do entirely trust you and you, Anatoly, my future husband and partner, have my entire heart, love and mind in your hands, for I promise you my unbreakable faithfulness, devotion, care, love and respect." We stared at each other and it was as if we inhaled at the same time, as if we shared the same breath, so I completed my vows. "Anatoly Yevgenich Denisov, I promise to always be at your side, to always support you and always take care of you or of anything else if needed, and to always love you." He knew what the promise meant for me and he understood it completely, given the way he smiled and nodded at the same time.

The wedding ceremony moved to another part and shortly after, we were declared husband and husband, married. When the Mayor asked us if we would take each other as husband, both of us immediately replied "I do", our eyes locked together, not the slightest doubt or fear, just absolute love and trust. We slipped the wedding rings on each other's fingers, simple and very essential bands of yellow gold we selected together, inside our names and today's date carved.

As we were proclaimed officially united in marriage, Anatoly and I kissed deeply and for long time, almost unaware of the persons around us crying out in pure joy for our union. It probably was, no, indeed it was the only time when Anatoly and I kissed in such intense and emotion-filled way in front of other people, but that could not be avoided. We needed to feel each other also on a physical level and we knew we would spend the entire night making love, until dawn would touch the following day. And then, once more, and yet again, for we had the rest of our lives to spend together.

When we broke the kiss, lips still slightly touching and smiling at one another, we murmured a few words in our native language, whose true meaning only us two could comprehend entirely.

"I love you, my impassive and hot bastard," my now husband playfully spoke quietly on my mouth, making me smirk at the expression on his face.

"And I love you, my reckless and incredible brat," I replied in kind, a dark smirk on my mouth that soon smoothed into a smile. We kissed more, needing to be close, needing to touch, and then, as he pulled away, arms were there to claim us, and so, we let our families and friends celebrate us.

My brother embraced me tightly, visibly touched, Natalia Denisov's eyes filled with tears, Mr. Denisov first hugging his son and then me, with sincere affection, followed by my sister-in-law who also was visibly crying, and then my brother-in-law, Dmitri, who declared it was wonderful to be finally able to address me as such, and I noticed how Jasper was now smiling widely at something my husband said, his fingers trying to conceal the tears, and I could imagine Anatoly teasing him about that. Marlon stopped in front of me, his arms strongly around me in a way he never did, wishing us the best in everything; then our friends, all of them, each of them congratulating in their own way, each of them giving us their joy and affection. I was truly grateful for their presence and support, for their friendship.

I had never thought this would have been possible and allowed to me; but things changed, and life gifted me with the most wonderful, unforeseen chance when it placed Anatoly on my path.

OLEG POV – 10 YEARS LATER, NEW YORK:

I sat in the school principal's office together with my husband Anatoly, calmly listening to what the man had to say regarding our daughter and the fact she had had a fight with a classmate. I could feel Anatoly's patience about to wear off and I caught him rolling his eyes and irritably crossing one ankle over the knee, as if trying to signal he had enough about this. I just listened to what the principal had to say at first, knowing the truth of the facts and obviously trusting what my daughter explained to us when she came home with a written note from her teacher. However, as the man kept talking about rather insignificant and not relevant matters, as such the reputation of the school, its rules and his predecessors, I also found myself glancing at him with quite a hard and severe stare, which seemed to sort out the effect for the man finally stopped talking.

"If I understood correctly, after all this long explanation," I spoke, merely wanting to reach the main point and reach the due conclusion of the matter at hand, for we had family plans for the evening, "we have been called here because our daughter did fight with a classmate who insulted her and tried to behave in a rather questionable way, but that resulted in an embarrassment for the kid because she managed to defend herself by hitting him, am I correct?" Anatoly snorted barely under the breath and shook his head, thus I moved my hand to rest on his knee silently telling him to bear with this annoyance for another two minutes at most, as I was about to have it resolved and settled.

As a matter of fact, our daughter was going to be enrolled in a different school, because this same episode already happened a second time and the principal clearly had a biased view on her case, for whatever reason I could and did not want to fathom, which was very much advisable for him.

"Yes Mr. Azarov, as I explained to your husband earlier, your daughter hit her classmate and that is not acceptable. She did not even apologize or feel repentant for her actions."

A sigh escaped Anatoly's mouth and I knew his patience had broken completely, which was very understandable, given mine was resourcing using its last drops.

"Oh c'mon, cut this crap already, she reacted to a jerk that had made fun of her English and that called her names for weeks already and also, let's not conveniently forget that he had pushed her off the chair and, another time, removed the chair when she was about to sit, making her fall on the floor. You are all very lucky no physical harm came to her after that episode. Is this acceptable?" I smiled at Anatoly's reaction, as his patience had already evaporated, pretty much along with mine. He was very correct in saying they had been lucky no physical harm came to our daughter after that unqualifiable episode, for we would have sued them already, taking far stronger actions.

"My husband is correct. It is the boy's behaviour that is not acceptable, and your excuses are also not acceptable. As much as we taught and explained our daughter to never use her hands to sort out arguments, in this specific case she is not to be punished or even admonished. The boy should feel repentant, is this understood?"

"Mr. Azarov, if we could perhaps see this matter under the proper light and discuss it with more time," I went to halt him, but Anatoly preceded me by quietly snorting and commenting in Russian under his breath.

"There is nothing to talk about. If anything, she deserved a huge price for having put that little shit to his place," he hissed almost silently, but so that much and the principle eyed me not understanding what was going on, his expression indicating his growing uneasiness and tension.

"As I was saying," I continued, "there is no different light or view to consider and nothing more to discuss. It was a mere reaction to constant taunting and rather dangerous pranks received and suffered, to which the school and its teachers miserably failed in preventing and controlling, as it should have been expected by an illustrious and well respected institute you described to us as such only a few moments ago. Is this how your school protects and brings up young students? This is very disappointing," I underlined the last four words with a harder tone of voice, never having polished my Russian accent, and focusing my stare on the man, who was now visibly nervous, often touching to adjust an already perfectly done necktie knot. I caught Anatoly slyly smiling, obviously enjoying this.

"What do you mean, Mr. Azarov?" He anxiously asked, as he tried to shift posture making himself sit straighter, but my stare never let him go and I saw him swallowing down, his palms now pressed against the wide wooden desk, with all chances attempting to give himself an air of self-importance and confidence. I smiled politely yet darkly before responding his question.

"I mean that as of today, we will remove our daughter from your school and we shall enrol her in far more appropriate institute, where such episodes will not either occur or be tolerated. Is this understood entirely, Mr. Hackett? Have I made myself clear enough?"

He was silent for a few seconds, his eyes moving from my husband to me, quickly trying to find a solution to avoid losing money, for we definitely paid quite a considerable sum for a school that should have been one of the best, but that in truth was not.

"Please, Mr. Azarov and Mr. Denisov," he began, but I corrected him at once.

"Doctor Anatoly Denisov," I said curtly, for Anatoly had defended his doctorate dissertation the past year achieving outstanding results and praises from the professors teaching at the university in which he studied and researched; and this was another accomplishment that made me extremely proud of my husband, the best partner anyone could ever find and ask for, and still the most wild and intense lover, still my stubborn and quite reckless brat sometimes.

He had left the Superbike racing after his fifth victory, realizing he no longer could ride at such speed and risk his life without feeling worried, especially when five years ago we were gifted with the chance and great fortune to adopt Wei Wei. After his retirement, Anatoly went back to college and finalized his dream in terms of academic path. He thought of pursuing the teaching career, as he received some very interesting proposals, but he realized he had no patience for that, mostly wanting to spend time with his family, myself, our daughter and our dog Pippin, a decision I respected and supported fully, for we always discussed our decisions and took them together of common accord.

"Apologies," the school's principal said inclining his head toward my husband, who just sat there evidently in bad mood and eyeing the man as if desiring to tell him off in a much more effective way. Some things never changed with him and that was what I loved. "I just would like to say that there is no need to take such drastic decision at once, we can discuss this matter, and we will definitely assure you it will not happen another time."

"We already took our decision and it is not revocable. This matter, as you describe it in singular terms, already happened more than once and we do not believe your school is the right place for our daughter," I replied and he visibly swallowed down, Anatoly sitting straighter beside me and discreetly placing a hand on my tight, silently communicating me his agreeing in everything. And not just that, for I understood his complete state of mind. My very incredible, explosive brat. "If you will call our daughter from her class, as I believe it will conclude in ten minutes, and let us sign the papers, we will leave," I concluded and there was nothing left for him to say.

The principal of the school sat back in his chair, taking a long breath as he assessed us both once more, reflecting over my words. Our eyes met and he finally understood there was nothing he could say to convince us.

"Very well, I will call her as soon as the class is over and please allow me a moment to find the papers for you to sign." He called a woman through the intercom explaining her what was needed, and after a minute she knocked at the door, bringing the necessary documents. Anatoly and I signed, for then waiting outside in the corridor, where we met our daughter, who at the sight of us, changed her walking into a running, jumping in Anatoly's outstretched arms.

"Daddy," she cheered, snuggling to his neck and wrapping her small arms around it, my husband lovingly rubbing his cheek against hers.

"Hey little bunny, how was school? You know what? You no longer need to stay in this annoying, stuck-up fuc..." I eyed him sternly and he winked at me. "I mean freaking school and we will find a better one, how does that sound?"

"Really?" Her smile reached up her ears, the two pigtails in which I arranged her hair in the morning bouncing as if following her mood. "No more here?"

"Indeed, Wei Wei, we are leaving now," I told her, and she gifted me with such a radiant and wide smile that I could only automatically reply to it, my hand going to caress her head. "Your grandmother will be with us during the afternoon and do you remember what we have tonight?" She nodded eagerly and I heard Anatoly chuckling at that. Who would have imagined this, having a wonderful and beautiful family years ago? We never really thought of adopting at first, but something changed when we took in Pippin, making us consider the idea, for then reaching the same conclusion.

"And grandpa also will be there?" She grew very attached to Anatoly's parents, but to my great content, she had also grown very fond of my brother and his family, even though we could visit each other not as often as we wished.

"Yeah of course, princess, and uncle Dima and Jasper and your cousins, who can you beat up and win without problems, right?" I massaged my forehead at his words, shaking my head. We had taught the basic of self-defence to our daughter, me still giving her lessons from time to time, something that attracted her together with possible inclination for music and drawing. In a couple of years, she would probably attend proper classes of the discipline she shall choose and she already showed significant talent.

However, the matter was that once she had floored Dmitri's oldest son and my rather impulsive brat just complimented her, to which I had to take action and explain not to do it. She had listened to me obviously, for she was very obedient and disciplined, considered her young age, and further accidents were mostly avoided. At least, as much as possible when it involved children around that age playing together.

"Anatoly, what have I already said about that?" I told him, as we walked out of the school, our daughter now in my arms. She was very affectionate and often longed for hugs, a kiss on the forehead or simply sitting close to us.

"Dad said I should not use such skills with my cousins, because they don't know how to defend themselves," she explained and I softly chuckled at her expression and then, at Anatoly's face, looking all smug and satisfied.

"Right, Wei Wei, you should not kick weaklings' butts."

"Anatoly," I patiently said, and he just smirked at me. "Brat," I quietly murmured under my breath.

Another fact that surprised me was how he really restrained and diligently controlled his language in front of our daughter, something his brother sometimes failed, considered the words Dominic, the oldest son, from time to time repeated out of the blue. But that was all, for the three children were really growing up well educated and polite, just like our beloved daughter. Which explained why I did not feel the need to admonish her for what happened with her classmate; if she had reacted in such impulsive way, it meant the kid had really gone too far and she merely wanted to defend herself. We had built a relationship based on absolute trust and it worked perfectly, on both ways.

Wei Wei, our daughter, was born eight years ago by Chinese parents living in the US and was left for adoption when they died because of a work related tragic accident, with no relatives available to take care of her; she had some difficulties at first with the language, being used to speaking and hearing Chinese only. Anatoly and I had to learn a bit of that very complex language, doing our best to be able to communicate with her, with the help of Darya's husband (Sergey's older sisters), who also was Chinese and gave us precious assistance in this.

Wei Wei slowly learned English, still mixing words or making some normal mistakes, still being difficult at times for her, even if she had spent the past five years with us. The first year had not been effortless and it proved a real challenge my husband and I took entirely with willing heart and mind, doing everything in our power. During the second year we could see encouraging improvements and Wei Wei trusted us more, searching for more contact and to spend time with us, for I had to say that Anatoly was a wonderful, very caring, surprisingly patient and affectionate father.

As for myself, I loved them both more than my life and I would give my life for both of them, just as it already happened with Anatoly years ago. I was aware of being the one stricter, but it was perfectly fine for it balanced our parenthood, and together it looked like we were doing a very good job, seeing how she grew up sensible, intelligent, very polite and never spoilt, diligent when it came to home-works and school in general, coming to us for any small thing she needed help with, even the most simple and apparently insignificant at the eyes of some people, for we never once considered them as such. She grew very attached to us and ran to our arms with a smile; she also became very fond of Pippin, while at first she appeared slightly afraid of our dog, something that changed after a year and half, now playing together under our supervision. Wei Wei loved our relatives and friends, and most of the times she smiled and laughed, just a child of her age was meant to.

We were slowly teaching her a bit of our mother language, but in small doses not to confuse her; however, she did absorb it very fast and I could see she understood more and more words, being very curious and eager in learning it, sometimes attempting at speaking a few simple sentences with Anatoly's parents and my brother over the phone.

I would give her the world, just as I would give it to Anatoly. But in a way, we have given it to each other already, and there was nothing else and nothing more we could ask for.

"And what about Vivi?" She asked from the back seat of our car, where she was safely sat. "When will I see auntie Vivi? And Dasha?" Wei Wei meant Viola and Darya, with whom she built a very strong relationship, given the two of them definitely had wonderful skills with children.

"Later, little bunny," Anatoly replied as I drove, for then smiling at me in the most beautiful and breath-taking way. "I just received a message from Travis, and he said they'll be there just a bit later, as he definitely cannot finish practice earlier. I think he's working on some new ballet and I said it's fine, yeah?"

"Indeed, that is perfectly fine."

We celebrated our daughter's birthday last week, just us four, including Pippin. But of course, we had planned a bigger celebration for today, to which all our closest friends and family were invited. Nikita explained he was sad to miss such occasion; however, he was visiting us with his wife and sons during Christmas and he was going to stay for over a month, giving us more time to spend together.

"By the way, Wei Wei, here is something small I just chose for you before coming to pick you up from school, but you should open it at home." Anatoly took a gift wrapped in colourful paper from the inner pocket of his winter coat and handed it to our daughter, who immediately thanked him and stared at the gift with wide and genuinely surprised eyes. She touched it and tried to study it, wanting to guess what that might have been.

"Is this a book, daddy?" She asked as she shook it.

"Who knows?" Anatoly replied with a conspiratorial smile and I only quickly observed them, for then concentrating back to the road in front of us.

"Yes, it must be a book," she concluded, "the one we did see two weeks ago?"

"You'll see at home, cute dumpling," Anatoly repeated, chuckling satisfied in seeing he had managed to successfully make Wei Wei truly interested in reading books, beginning with very easy and children-oriented ones, for then slowly moving to different ones, like the first of Harry Potter or of the Worst Witch, and much more, of course suitable for a reader of her age. My husband might have been reckless and impulsive still at times, but never when our daughter was concerned, in which he showed a very impressive maturity and wonderful sense of responsibility.

"Balshoje spasiba," she said to us both and I felt my lips curving up in an impossible to resist smile after having heard her endearing voice speaking a word in our mother language with an adorable accent.

"Nye zha shto, Wei Wei," I replied, and she giggled content and happy, clutching the gift in her little hands as it represented something precious to hold dearly.

When we arrived at home, Anatoly and I knew that Mr. and Mrs. Denisov already waited for us there, knowing about the decision we took of removing Wei Wei from that school and having some interesting suggestions regarding better institutes. They had the keys of our place for practical and obvious reasons, and once we stepped inside the house, after having removed the shoes and washed our hands, a delicious and rich aroma of freshly home-baked cake warmly wrapped around us as a very pleasant welcome back, making our daughter widen her eyes in amazement and enthusiastically run toward the kitchen with Pippin at her side. As I went to take a step to follow them, Anatoly stopped me.

"Oleg, I love you so fucking much you have no idea," he took my mouth by surprise with a ravenous and quick kiss, his arms wrapped around my back and our bodies pressing together. He pulled away and his eyes were lit by a light I knew too well. "You were so hot in the office of that asshole, making him feel a complete shit." He kissed the tip of my nose and my arms went around him, pulling him closer.

"And I do love you, Anatoly, very much," I said back, hearing our daughter cheerfully talking with his parents in the kitchen, Pippin having barked once as warm greeting, for Natasha Denisov loved him very much.

"Tonight, you'll be only mine, hot bastard," he murmured on my lips, our eyes drinking from each other's souls and both holding the same light and love, while his hands tasted the muscles on my back. "I can't believe at how still steel-made and muscular you are," he mostly said to himself, his eyes reflecting my same desire. Indeed, I still trained almost as frequently as I used years ago, always wanting to be at my best for Anatoly, still weightlifting and running on regular basis, still competing with him on a motorbike whenever we had the occasion and time. He often won, but the lust and need to have him after each race never faded and I believed it never will. "I'm really going to destroy you tonight and so will you," he pretty much ordered, to which I had nothing to complain about.

"I do look forward to that, hot bratty husband," I replied in kind, my hands slowly descending on his incredible ass, also indulging in the feeling of his powerful and fit body, for he as well kept training regularly. "I do very much look forward to have this tonight," I very quietly yet assertively told him as I grabbed his ass and pulled him completely pressed on me, making him feel my excitement.

"I love this," he answered, stroking the tip of his nose on mine, and thus, we both chuckled, exchanging another quick kiss before joining my in-laws and daughter in the kitchen, where I noticed her being in her grandfather's arms.

"Tolya, Oleg," Mrs. Denisov said to us, coming to hug us both, with Pippin at her heels as expected, his tails an indicator of the joy he felt in that moment.

"Natalia," I said, hugging her back, finally being able and at easy to call them by their first names. "Yevgeny," I politely and respectfully greeted Mr. Denisov, inclining my head. This had taken more time than with Anatoly's mother, but it slowly became more natural, seeing how that pleased him very much.

"Oleg, Tolya, very good to see you," he replied with his usual calmness of manner and voice, his eyes still very hard at first and quickly seeing through people. "I hear from our beautiful princess that you removed her from that school as of today."

"That's right, dad, it wasn't the right school," he explained, going to immediately check what his mother had baked. "Oh God, I love this cake, mom, thanks, and Wei Wei, you love this one, too, right?" She nodded and Mr. Denisov put her down on her feet and right when I was about to add something regarding what happened at school, the doorbell rang. Anatoly looked at me creasing his forehead in a mute question, to which I could only reply with a guess.

"Dmitri, perhaps?"

"Uncle Dima?" Our daughter echoed me, and I smiled at her wonder.

"Oh yeah, that might be just right, because be sure he'll be early for once, when it comes to a celebration, food, family and Friday involved all together, and I bet Seryozha will arrive soon enough, just like River and Adrian," Anatoly joked and went to walk out of the kitchen to answer the door, first discreetly stopping at my side. "You'll get to fuck me very hard tonight if you win this bet," he extremely quietly breathed in my ear in Russian, words obviously only meant to be heard by me, and my reply came with my usual smirk.

"I will remember it very well, be sure of that." He smiled like the provoking punk he was and went for the door, Wei Wei following as she was looking forward to seeing her cousins and uncles.

"Wait for me, dad," she called after him and I turned to look at them, seeing him stopping to pull her in his arms and sitting on his shoulders, making her giggle, Pippin not missing the occasion of being around something entertaining, both Mr. and Mrs. Denisov at my side.

"We really are so happy for you and my son," Natalia said, affectionately touching my arm, Mr. Denisov simply nodding his agreement with a smile he always only had for his family. I kept staring at my husband with our daughter on his shoulders, giggling and singing some Chinese song she had recently learned, at our dog happily pacing in front of them, at my family, at the Azarov-Denisov family, name we gave by combining our surnames and placing them in alphabetical order as we gave them to Wei Wei, since Anatoly and I did not change them after our wedding.

I looked at my family and the words left my mouth spontaneously as I smiled.

"Thank you," I said, "I also feel very happy and extremely fortunate, in a way I find very hard to express with mere words." And that was the pure truth, for I could never properly describe the deep and infinite love I felt for my incredible husband and our beloved daughter.

When they joined us in the kitchen, Anatoly had Dominic on his back, the kid laughing at something Noel, his younger brother, and Wei Wei were talking about, while Jasper was with their very young daughter and Dmitri joking with my husband. They immediately greeted us and as soon as Dmitri stepped in the room, he concentrated on the lingering sweet aroma of what Mrs. Denisov had baked.

"Oh mom, you baked something yummy, right?"

"Yes sweetie, but that's not for you obviously and we will have it later," she playfully admonished her son, for then concentrating her attention on her nephews and nieces.

"You won the bet," Anatoly told me with quite an expression on his face and I went to say something, but his brother spoke first, having heard him.

"A bet on something related to s..."

"Dima!" Both his and my husband stopped him, mine slapping the back of his head, and Dmitri looked at them scratching where he had been slapped, for then moving his eyes on the kids and chuckling.

"Sorry, it almost slipped, you know me."

"Lord yes, we all know your doofusness, bro," Anatoly replied instead of Jasper and kept on teasing him. "How is working with my amazing and super-efficient man and our dad, ah?"

"Awesome, they're teaching me a lot, right Oleg?" He asked directly to me and I just nodded. "Yeah well, I still feel a bit of an idiot when compared to you, but hey, you've been working with dad for longer time and we all know you're eerily efficient."

"Yes, son, you are very lucky to have Oleg at your side as business partner and so am I," Yevgeni Denisov said, placing a firm and still very strong hand on my shoulder, regarding me with a very affectionate and proud smile. "It is wonderful to see how much and well our family grew."

"Yes, that is very true and correct," I agreed.

"Tolya, how is your novel going? I loved what you sent me to read," Jasper inquired to my husband, as he was in the process of finalizing his very first fantasy novel, which I had no doubt would be successful, for he had great talent in writing and even more passion. His editor and agent were very optimistic and had reasonable high hopes and expectations, for I also spoke with them and was present for some of their meetings, wanting to ensure everything went smoothly for Anatoly.

"It's going well, I guess, and I have more projects in mind, something I already began writing and my agent can't ask for more, as she likes and agrees with my ideas very much."

"Man, who would have thought? From crazy and reckless motorbike racer to nerdy novelist."

"You're the nerdy one, not me," he countered, but at that I softly chuckled, gaining quite the dirty look. "What are you trying to say, Oleg?"

"Nothing, Anatoly," I just replied, and Wei Wei came to show us the cards her cousins had prepared for her birthday's celebrations, along with a book Jasper had chosen for her. My incredible and loving husband gave her his undivided attention and so, did I. In that moment my cell phone rang, and I had no doubts about the identity of the caller.

"Nikita," I replied.

"Oleg, my brother, how are you all?"

"We are very well, and we are looking forward for your visit," I sincerely said.

"So are we and right because we are sorry for not being there today, we decided to call you."

"That is very nice of you, thank you." I looked at Wei Wei and Anatoly, who waved at me to hand him over the phone, which I did, and our daughter, understanding who was calling, ran to us. I observed them in complete silence, my heart beating for them.

Indeed, I was extremely blessed and much fortunate. In my eyes and in my heart and mind, the most fortunate man on this world.

-THE END-

Author's chit-chat:

Now, do please tell me how you feel after reading the Epilogue, your thoughts, reactions, emotions, feedbacks or anything else coming up to your mind. Has anyone of you cried a tiny bit? I personally felt very emotional and moved when I was writing it, for they really were an important part of me in these past years.

What was your favorite part? Did you like the way I portrayed the wedding, simply showing the moments with the family and friends, and reading about their vows? I think those were the perfect vows for them both.

Who did expect to see them adopting and having such a lovely and cozy family? I wanted to write it under Oleg's POV for obvious reasons and because, we already read Anatoly's opinion on that in the first part of the Epilogue. What do you think? How do you see our Tolya as father? I think he is doing amazingly, just as Oleg.

On this, a personal message: never abandon your animal please! (I know none of you would do it, because you are all amazing people) I tried to pass this message through the epilogue, because often I read about such sad stories, some with a happy ending and some with a tragic ending for the poor animal. Let us all remember to be kind and respectful 😊

I mean, isn't Pippin adorable?

I included Oleg's family in it as much as possible, because it could not be done otherwise. Also, a small moment between Jasper and Tolya, to show how they grew closer, not to mention all their friends (of course, I could not reveal too much about them ^^).

And, did you notice how Oleg finally is able to call Anatoly's parents by their first names? It was due, with time of course, but all considered, it was due.

Now, I really hope you enjoyed it very much and fully, as much as you enjoyed the entire story. With this, another book is completed under Witchy's name and in the "Fire and Ice" series. I will now concentrate more on "Beyond Those Irresistible Eyes" and then, let you know what story I will begin beside River's one. I am still deciding, for surely, I also want to start Anton and Anya' one, but this one will go on independently.

Last point: do not forget about the special One-Shot I planned for Oleg and Anatoly, using the tie. I will post it when the 6th year anniversary of the story will come up, which is at the beginning of December, giving me the perfect time to work on it as I wish. So, stay tuned for more updates, and spread the love and magic of TheWitchAndTheCat 😊

Once more, THANK YOU dear All! You are absolutely fantastic readers!

Lots of Love, Magic, & Meows,
-TheWitchAndTheCat-