"When we go back, you'll be my bride, Elizah."
Elijah frowned. "Why?"
"Because, you know, Mom says I'll get a pretty bride when I grow up. But..." The little boy pouted. "Mom is Dad's bride, and she is shorter than Dad. Why are you taller than me?"
The equally confused Elijah tilted his head slightly. "Maybe because you are the bride?"
"Oh," Young Alexei muttered. "Well, anyway, now that I've found my bri… I mean, now that I've become your bride, we'll get a chocolate cake as a reward. Exciting, right?"
"Is it tasty?" Elijah asked, curling his toes out of embarrassment. Even though he was older than Alexei by a whole four years, he didn't know what chocolate cake tasted like.
The only cake he had tasted was strawberry, and it made his stomach hurt.
"Of course, it is. Mom promised to bake one for me and my bride. That means for you and me, right?"
