A few months had passed since their first date, but Sharna and Artem were closer than ever. Both of them have built a strong trust between each other. The kids are growing bigger, and Mia is close to taking her first steps. While Sharna is at work, Artem takes care of all three kids, for his job allows him to work from his office at home.
On this day, however, both Artem and Sharna just happened to have the day off, so Artem took Mia out for a walk around the neighborhood in her stroller. Sharna was folding Harper's laundry when the doorbell suddenly rang. Assuming that Artem had forgotten his keys, Sharna walked up to the door, pulling it open. Instead of the tall, muscular Russian, a woman, no older than fifty-five, stood in front of her with mild impatience. "Hello, who are you? Is Artem here?"
Immediately, Sharna recognized her as Artem's mother from a picture set on the mantel. "Oh, he is currently out right now, but you can wait for him in the living room. I'm Sharna."
As they walked to the living room, Sharna asked, "Would you like anything to drink or eat, Ms. Chigvintsev?"
"No," the older woman replied.
Upon seeing the toys littering the ground, and the basket full of unfolded laundry, Sharna hastily apologized, "I am so sorry. I wasn't expecting company."
"It's quite alright," She sat down on the sofa. "Where is my grandchild? I've been hoping to see her."
"I'll go get her." She ran up the stairs into the playroom, before returning to the living room. "She'll be down in a minute. What are you doing in town? Artem didn't mention that you would be coming."
"I just wanted to see my family, but no more about me. How are you?"
Sharna smiled. "I am great. Today's my day off from the diner down the road."
Abruptly, Harper and Jace came flying down the stairs, running towards the two women.
"Grandma!" Harper exclaimed, climbing onto the couch next to the older woman.
"Hello, sweetheart. It has been so long," the Ms. Chigvintsev said with enthusiasm.
Eagerly, the little girl pointed to Jace, "Uh-huh. Grandma, this is Jace. He's my friend."
"Well, it is lovely to meet you, young man." she responded.
Jace timidly waved to the woman. As the children interacted with Ms. Chigvintsev, Sharna excused herself to call Artem.
"Hello," he answered. "Wha-"
"Your mother is here!" she cut him off.
"What? I'll be home in a few minutes."
"Hurry!" she uttered, nervously, before walking back into the room.
"Artem will be home in a few minutes," Sharna informed Ms. Chigvintsev.
The two adults spent the next ten minutes making small talk, while the children played on the floor, occasionally interrupting the conversation to show off toys. For what seem like a lifetime for Sharna, Artem strolled through the front doorway with Mia in her stroller.
"Daddy!" Harper exclaimed, as she and Jace ran towards him.
Artem chuckled, lifting them both into his arms. He looked up to see his mother. "Hi, Mum. What are you doing in Los Angeles?"
"I just wanted to see my son and granddaughter." She answered. "Now, come here, so I can give you a hug."
While the mother and son reunited, Sharna quietly grabbed Mia, and gathered the kids back up to the playroom, so Artem can spend time with this mother.
