Do they have no relatives? Why did you bring them here? What a pity Pity? And us? We can barely fit ourselves in! Tomorrow you have to call the care office, I told you! Let them deal with it!
Ivan glared at his wife. She had just returned from her friend Svetlanas funeralher friend wasnt alone. Standing beside her were two children: threeyearold Nika and thirteenyearold Kirilo, who lingered at the doorway, unsure how to react to an unwelcoming host.
Tanya gently nudged the kids toward the kitchen and, keeping her voice low, said:
Kirush, go get Nika some juice and a drink for yourself. Its in the fridge.
When the children disappeared behind the door, she turned to her husband, her tone sharp:
Arent you ashamed? Svetlana was my best friend! Do you think Ill leave her children in trouble? Imagine what theyre going through now! Youre thirtyeight and still call your mother every chance you get! Can you imagine their situation?
Fine, I get it, but youre not planning to keep them in our house, are you? Ivan asked more calmly.
I am! I intend to get legal guardianship over them! They have no one else, understand? Their fathers whereabouts are unknown; he wasnt even at the funeral.
Svetlana lost her parents early. She has an aunt, but the aunt refuses to take the kidsshes not young anymore. And we have no children of our own.
Tanya, Im your husband, remember? Dont you want to hear my view?
Van, whats the matter? Youre a good person. I know you. Otherwise I wouldnt have brought the children without permission. Are you scared of the future expenses? Well manage!
Besides, the kids arent little anymore. Kirilo will continue school, and well enroll Nika in kindergarten. We wont have to overhaul our lifestyle!
Yes, but my mother Tanya! Shell be furious if she finds out. She already nags me about not having grandchildren!
I think your mother should stay out of our family affairs. We wanted to adopt anyway. Why take someone elses? Kirilo and Nika know us, and we know them. That will make everything easier.
Maybe youre right, Tanya. But we planned to adopt one childa baby! Just one! Okay, Nika shes still little. And Kirilo? Hes a teenager! Thats a hassle!
Both of us were teenagers once. All problems were solved. We grew up and became fully functional adults.
Fine, well figure it out as we go. Let them stay for now
Tanya planted a loud kiss on Ivans cheek and smiled. She trusted her husband implicitly; that was his naturecomplaining, grumbling, then stepping up to help whenever needed.
She headed to the kitchen to prepare dinner and to plan the next day: visiting the care office, gathering work and bank documents, collecting paperwork
And indeed a endless stream of troubles began. In movies, orphaned children instantly find families, but in reality you need a mountain of certificates and confirmations.
They even considered temporarily placing Kirilo and Nika in a childrens home, but together Tanya and Ivan marshaled all their resources and secured the right for the kids to stay with them.
There were no issues with Kirilo and Nika. The little girl quickly distracted herself from sad thoughts with new toys and treats.
The boy found it harder. Ivan saw him fighting back tears. One day he pulled him aside, placed a hand on his shoulder, and looked into his eyes:
Kirilo, I know it hurts. Im almost forty, and I cant imagine what would happen if something happened to my mother. But for Nikas sake you must stay strong.
If you need to cry or scream, tell me. Well go somewhere private. You cant keep that pain inside, and you shouldnt show it to Veronikashell get scared. Please, talk to me.
After that, Kirilo began to respect Ivan. Tanya watched them walk together repeatedly, returning as close friends.
The family endured a series of inspections by various agencies. To prove they could support the children, the couple even took a loan, renovated a room, bought childrens furniture, toys, and new clothes.
They needed money to enroll Nika in a nearby kindergarten, and when Kirilo confessed he missed his friends from the sports club, the couple paid for that too.
Eventually all the hurdles were cleared. The children were officially placed under their guardianship. Ivan found a second job to settle debts.
Tanya also secured a side gig, teaching physics at a school and offering extra lessons at home for a fee. Their financial strain eased.
A year passed. The children adjusted to their new life, forming close bonds with their caregivers. Nika even started calling Tanya Mom Tanya.
Even Ivans mother, Vera Mykolaivna, who had initially opposed, became friends with the kids.
Summer approached, and Ivan suggested:
Lets go to the sea! I dont want Odessa; lets go to Croatia! Theres a lastminute tour I saw. Ill call right now and book us.
Tanya agreed; she was exhausted after the years turmoil and needed a break. Ivan promptly arranged everything.
Later, a colleague called Tanya, chatting about nothing, clearly bored. During the call, Tanya mentioned the Croatia trip.
The colleague sighed, Youre lucky! Ill be stuck at the dacha all summer Moneys tight. You probably get a lot of caregiver benefits, right? You can afford this!
Tanya was momentarily speechless. She imagined people viewing her as greedy, opportunistic, taking the children for the money.
She shared these thoughts with Ivan, who reflected and replied:
You know, Ive faced similar criticism. A friend recently told me I could finally swap my car because I get childrens benefits, plenty of money, yet Im still driving an old one!
Yes, my mother also said I should finally see a dentist now that my income has risen.
And my boss? He told me not to expect extra days off, saying the benefits are only for those with their own kids! Can you believe that? I didnt even ask!
My neighbor, Vanya, said on the stairs, Life must be easier now? You get help, yet youre still hauling all those bags from the store!
I didnt get the hint; now there are four of us, more cooking! Kirilos always hungry, growing fast!
So they think we took the kids for the money? Ivan summed up.
Tanya shrugged, Let them think what they want!
Maybe we shouldnt go to Croatia; theyll say were spending childrens money! Everyones still asking if we managed to transfer the apartment to the kids name!
They sympathize when I tell them your friend had no home.
What should we do then? Tanya was at a loss.
She never thought about profit. The pension the children received after losing a breadwinner was being saved.
Kirilo was about to graduate, dreaming of studying programmingexpensive education.
We wont let anything stop us! Well go to Croatia! Let them think what they like! Everyone judges for themselves!
Soon the family set off for Croatia, enjoyed a wonderful vacation, and grew even closer. Upon returning home, Tanya felt ill, nauseous, and weak.
Ivan feared shed caught something on the trip and called an ambulance.
Tanya was taken for tests; Kirilo was distraught, fearing hed lose the woman who had become a mother to him, even crying. Soon after, Tanya called Ivan, cheerful:
Van, you wont believe itwere going to have a baby!
Tanya, my love, is that real? How could that happen? We never had a chance!
They say its possible! Maybe its a blessing from the heavens, from my friend, or someone higher!
Tanya laughed happily, then grew serious:
Ivan, I hope you understand the kids will continue living with us as before.
Are there any other options? Kirilo, Nika, come here! I have news! Youll have a little sisteror brother!
Hooray! the children erupted in joyous cheers.
Their emotions blended joy, love, hope, and happiness.
Thats the touching story with a happy ending. Share your thoughts in the comments and give it a like.
