Into the Ether - Complete

Autumn, Reaping What We've Sown: Part 1

"So I'm planning to put Celeste and Art in the workshop flat, Alberta in the spare room here, if they decide to stay Lissa and Christian in the main house, Mason and Eddie in the Guardian quarters and Janine has already said she can't stay but will come for the day."

"You didn't want Art and Celeste in the Guardian Quarters?" Abe asked innocently, although I could see a twinkle in his eye. Dimitri might not have guessed what I was up to, but I don't think Abe was quite so innocent.

"No, I thought not. Art is a very senior Guardian. His presence might intimidate the other Guardians a little. And Celeste is always 'one of the guys' wherever she goes. I thought she'd enjoy our old room with all its little creature comforts." It was the lamest excuse ever, but Abe pretended to accept it, nodding with a rather knowing expression.

Something about the smugness annoyed me. I thought I'd been subtle about this! I took a sip from my very expensive Russian teacup, watching as Ivan tried to shove his fist into his mouth. He was doing it all the time at the moment. Yesterday he wanted to shove them both in at once! He was a handsome child; there was no doubt about it. He had Dimitri's eyes but my hair. His nose was mine, but the lips were all Dimitri. So far he was fairly laid back, leading me to hope he had his father's temperament, although he'd had a couple of tantrums that led me to think he had some of my obstinate spirit.

"Dimitri's teaching Ivan and I Russian," I said, changing topics. "The baby books say it's important they hear as many languages as early on as possible if you want them to be multi-lingual. Olena, Yeva and his Aunts all speak to him in Russian, but it's only on Skype. So Dimitri is teaching me Russian so we can speak it in front of Ivan. Of course, most of the words I've picked up so far are swear words, so I won't be using them," I confessed ruefully.

Abe chuckled. He knew I gave my Russian God a run for his money at times, but we were very much in love. Becoming parents distanced some couples, but we were the opposite. Ivan seemed to bring Dimitri and me even closer together.

"Anyway, I thought you and Pavel might want to speak to Ivan in Turkish as well sometimes? It would be nice if he could learn it – even just a bit," I said casually. "He'll be talking before we know it, so you'll have to decide what you'd like him to call you, too."

"Call me?"

"Yes. As you know, Alberta's already decided she's Grandma Bertie. Janine wanted a special name but not an official grandparent term. She's trying a few names on for size, but she seems to be settling on Neenee. You can decide on your own term of course, but if you can't come up with something, I'd rather Dede or Grandpa to Zmey!" I said raising my eyebrows at him.

"You'd like him to know me as grandfather?" Abe said looking at me carefully.

"What you want him to call you is up to you, but if he's calling Alberta Grandma, I think Dede or Grandpa is in order, don't you?!"

I took a sip of my tea letting him process what I'd said.

Abe looked up at me.

"You know, don't you?" he said very quietly.

I nodded, staring at him over the rim of my teacup. He looked flustered and out of his depth.

"How long have you known?" he asked nervously.

"I suspected when you organized to fly Dimitri and me out to Court the first time, but I was certain once you bought the property."

"Does Belikov know?" he asked.

"I'm sure he does," I said. "But he won't lie to me, so I haven't raised the issue with him."

"What gave it away?" he asked curiously.