Blue Bloody Ribbon

Extra 4: Anya

Anya had always wanted to be a mother.

She knew that from the moment she saw her mother and father holding hands underneath the dinner table.

Her husband had always wanted to be a father—even if his children came into his life earlier than expected.

Anya didn't regret her choice, even when her father threatened to disown her.

She walked through her mother's gardens, brushing her hands against the flowers. She carried a basket of food and juice.

Meera was in the garden, surrounded by flowers. Her two children were there, braiding her long black hair and putting flowers in them.

She could imagine her mother—their grandmother—scolding them already.

Alfred and Arthur were her twin boys. They had brown hair and freckles like their father but they had her bright blue eyes.

"Four months pregnant and you have more energy than I ever did," Anya said sitting down next to her. "How do you ever do it?"

She toed off her heels, eager to be rid of them.

"Ivan refuses to let me out of bed." She rolled her eyes. "It's getting ridiculous."

Before she could answer, she heard the sound of two pairs of sneakers strumming the ground.

Incoming, she thought.

Her sons squealed as they burst through the foliage, wrapping their arms around her. Their bright blonde hair was covered with leaves and twigs but they couldn't care less.

"Did you two behave while I was gone?" She asked, stroking Alfred's hair.

Anya plucked a twig from his hair and licked it aside.

"Aunt Meera is awesome!" Arthur exclaimed. "We played a bunch of games while waiting."

Meera beamed. "Thanks, kiddo!"

"Is that so?" Anya kissed Alfred's head. "Why don't you two go and play. We'll call you when lunch ready."

They two children ran off, chasing butterflies in the garden. It was strange to see them so happy when all she was accustomed to was misery.

Meera rubbed her stomach, looking pensive as she watched them.

"What is it?"

"Ivan and I had strange childhoods. Normal wasn't a word I could use." She smiled bitterly. "I don't want this kid to feel like they can't ask for love."

Anya rubbed her back. "Both of you will be good parents. This kid is going to be so loved. My mother already adores them."

"You can't know that."

"But I do," she said. "I'm sure you'll see it too."

Anya leaned back and laid down on the grass, staring up a that blue sky.

Life certainly was strange.

So much has changed in the past three years. Most of it good.

She sat up when she heard the familiar sounds of boots crunching against the grass.

"Have you come for your lovely wife?" She asked without turning around.

Ivan sighed. "You have the ears of a cat and the nose of a blood hound. Can't a man come and see his beautiful wife?"

Meera laughed, tilting her head back. "You're back so soon." She said. "Did you miss me that much, Ivan?"

Ivan kissed Meera's head, his ring shining in the sunlight as he brushed her hair back.

"A little bit," he murmured.

Anya felt a little envious of their happiness.

The boys barreled back, their search for butterflies forgotten as they saw their favorite uncle.

"Uncle Ivan!" They both exclaimed at the same time.

Alfred was more clingy than Arthur, it reminded her of herself. She picked him up and cradled his head against her shoulder. She didn't care if he jacket was getting dirty.

"Mummy, are we staying here with Uncle Ivan and Auntie Meera?" Alfred asked.

"Do you want to?"

"Yeah!" Arthur turned around and grinned. "We get to be with grandma for the summer and Uncle Nik takes us on camping trips!"

"What about England?"

The twins exchanged a glance.

"Well..." Alfred fiddled with his jumper. "Mummy, you look happier here."

"Oh."

Ivan ruffled their hair. "She hasn't given an answer yet."

Meera got up, stretching her arms over her head. "Why don't we going inside, boys. I think I can smell lunch already!"

Alfred and Arthur scrambled out of her arms and followed Meera inside.

Anya watched them go into the house hand in hand, heads close together as they whispered about something.

Ivan smiled. "I know what you're thinking. Stop it. I'm more than happy to keep you and the boys close."

"Ivan, I couldn't impose—"

He stopped her. "Anya, you're my family. You scarified so much for me." He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "Please, stay."

"What does Meera think?"

Anya watches his face soften. "She wants her children to be close to her cousins."

"Oh."

Well...she couldn't deny that sentiment. Anya had grown up in a close knit family, happy and warm. She wanted the same thing for her boys too.

"We have plenty of room." Ivan said, getting up and dusting off his pants. "Besides, I'm sure mom wants us within her sights. Think about it."

Ivan gave her one last smile before he headed back inside.

Anya was left alone with her thoughts. She looked up at the sky again, there wasn't a single cloud in the sky. Just an endless sea of calm and peaceful blue.

Perhaps she had finally crossed the ocean of misery.

Maybe they were right.

She took one last look at her garden, the one she had cultivated out of grief. It bloomed and grew, threatening to overtake the house in a sea of flowers.

Anya rose to her feet and walked inside after her boys, following their giggles and the smell of lunch being served.

It was time to enjoy her life again.