"We know nothing about that boy Marina, please try to understand! We don't even know his name..I understand you want to fill in that void but this is too rushed. What if there's something wrong with that child? Or his past? Do you know about his past? His bruises? Can you explain that?!" a faint yell from downstairs could be heard in Ivan's room, which woke our boy up. He rubbed his eyes with his fists and looked down to see Ivan still sleeping with hand wrapped around his waist. He carefully put his hand away and stood at the door to try and hear the conversation.
"What could possibly be wrong? He's our son's age. God has finally given us a second chance and you want to throw it away like this?! Please, we can not leave that kid..I can not leave him. It might be easy for you but not for me Dmitri!" Marina spoke while crying. Dmitri ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "How do I make you see and understand what you're asking of me…Marina" Dmitri said with a soft voice, his brows knit and nose scrunched in helplessness.
"I too long for a second child. But not like this. Fine, if you want I'll have the psychologist and a doctor come in today at first and examine that boy and then we can decide what to do, together. Okay?" Dmitri walked towards his wife who was crying holding her head in her palms. He carefully removed her hands and embraced her, wiping off her tears with his thumb, he placed a kiss on her forehead. Marina cries even harder, clutching at Dmitri's coat tightly.
Our boy heard most of the things from upstairs. His expressions remained neutral, but his fists were clenched and fingers twitched. "I want to go back...." He whispered to himself. His shredded teddy bear was lying below Ivan's fancy toys. He picks it up and sits on the edge of the bed holding it close. Soon enough, Ivan stirred awake from his sleep. He groggily rubbed his eyes and yawned, and muttered a gibberish "good morning" to our boy. His tiny hands reached and pulled our boy's cheeks before he got up from the bed. Grey scoots away an inch at the contact.
"Boys, come and have breakfast. Ivan, your dad left for office and I have applied for a leave from your school so you both could spend some time together and get to know each other..." Marina spoke, leaning on the doorway to Ivan's room with a big smile. Ivan happily opened his arms so his mom would pick him up and take him downstairs. Marina laughed at his cuteness and picked him up while extending her hands towards our boy so he would not feel left out. Our boy did not understand what he was supposed to do with her hand, he just stared at it which made Marina's smile drop. She put Ivan down, and carefully took our boy's little hands and wrapped it around her finger. "That's how you do it" she smiled.
Our boy couldn't stop staring at the contact. It felt strange and new, but also warm. "Is this how…mothers are supposed to be…?" He smiled for a mini second which made Marina almost cry from ecstasy. She couldn't refrain from hugging our boy tightly, for a moment she forgot about his physical discomfort in her motherly happiness. Our boy didn't pull back, instead he froze with a strained expression. His hands balled into fists. Ivan was standing at the doorway watching the interaction with a cheerful smile. Marina quickly lets him go after she gains her composure and realized she had stepped into the boy's personal space.
Marina escorted both the boys to the hall for breakfast, she put on Ivan's favourite cartoon on the television hoping that our boy would also like that. She brought in toast, eggs and a glass of milk for breakfast. Our boy grabbed a toast and nibbled on it while his eyes were glued to the television. He never got the chance to watch a television before. They looked silly, but didn't hurt to watch. The toast had butter, a privilege for the boy back then. Ivan kept his eyes focused on our boy instead of the television. He smiled looking at him eat and watch his favourite cartoon. Ivan suddenly looked up to his mom with a mischievous smile and says "Everyone should have a name....right mom?". Marina nodded with a smile. Ivan then turned to our boy, grabbed his hand making him turn towards him, and spoke "Your name is Grey, starting today! Do you like it?" Ivan asked cheerfully. "Yes, it matches your eyes and hair" Marina said smiling. "Grey....grey..." Our boy repeated in whisper and got back to nibbling his toast as he stared at the floor. "It's nice....." He spoke softly making both Ivan and Marina chuckle warmly. Marina ruffled his hair "we should go for an outing" she said with a grin making Ivan jump from excitement. "Outing..? What's an outing.." Grey thought to himself, reluctant to agree on something he had no idea about. But Ivan was persistent, and seeing him excited for an outing meant it was not something dangerous.
"Let's go and get dressed" Ivan cheerfully grabbed Grey's hand, taking him upstairs to his room. Grey didn't react to Ivan's touch this time, he was a tiny bit excited for the outing. Ivan rummaged through his closet and found an outfit for Grey and helped him get dressed. Both of them walked downstairs where Marina was waiting. She extended her hands towards both of them and this time Grey knew what to do, he tightly grabbed her finger with his small hands. Marina smiled and guided them outside.
"Here" she said smiling, kneeling and handing out two ice cream cones to the boys. Ivan started licking his while Grey was inspecting his carefully. "You can eat it, dear. It's safe" Marina assured Grey, to which he nodded and took a lick. His eyes shined brightly and he mouthed a "woah". He took a bite of the ice cream and winced at the cold interacting with his teeth. Ivan laughed at this and smeared ice cream across Grey's cheeks playfully. Grey let out a small whispered chuckle at this and wiped off the ice cream, licking it.
"Today has been a fun day for both you, right? The picnic and ice cream? Grey, did you have fun?" asked Marina with a big smile on her face. Grey nodded slowly, focusing on his ice cream as if it would disappear if he looked away even for a second. Marina waited for both of them to finish their ice creams and then extended both of her hands, Grey and Ivan both wrapped their small hands around her fingers, on either side and the three of them walked back towards home.
Marina had also brought Grey a lot of new clothes since Ivan's were a bit too big for him. Upon reaching home, Marina carefully changed Grey after asking for his permission. Grey hesitated but agreed eventually. He twirled around in his new little black tshirt and a pair of jeans. Marina styled his silver hair neatly. "You look like a model" Ivan said while smiling brightly and jumping on Grey's back. Grey stumbled forward but let out a low chuckle. Marina snapped a few pictures of both the boys and clutched it close to her chest.
The three of them had dinner together since Dmitri was going to be late again. Ivan spoon fed Grey today as well, and Grey didn't hesitate this time. Marina couldn't help but stare at the adorable interaction between the two. "I so want to adopt him....." she murmured to herself leaning on the table.