Dimitri grinned from his seat on the porch as he watched Madi sit with his niece on the lawn. She smiled as she leaned her head back, letting little Naomi tug at the large pendant on the choker around her neck. She had seemed nervous the whole car ride down, quiet and fidgeting with eyebrows just barely knit, as though she were trying to preplan her actions and words. He chuckled softly as he thought of the surprise that had taken over Madi's face when his mother had gone directly for a hug. He jumped a bit when a hand fell on his shoulder.
"So this is the one that's been making you crazy?" The deep-throated chuckle that accompanied the words could only belong to his older brother, Ivan.
"Maybe a little bit." Ivan shook his head as he settled in the chair next to Dimitri's.
"She's cute. How's she doing? Mom told me about… ya know, what happened."
"She's doing really well. She started going to a new doctor though, who said she had some weird form of post-traumatic stress. She's doing a lot better now that she doesn't think she's completely fucking bonkers." Another chuckle from Ivan.
"She have a sister?"
"2 of 'em, both younger though."
"Too bad."
"Yeah." Dimitri grinned that dimpled grin, turning his head to see Madi and Naomi walking back towards the house hand in hand. It was amazing to realize how short Madi really was, the tiny Naomi's head reaching her ribs. Spring had come once more, he couldn't believe it had been almost a year. Madi's long hair was pulled into a ponytail at the base of her neck, hanging down past her ribcage. She looked beautiful just then, a wide smile painting her face, blue jeans and a bohemian looking tank top in a flowy white material hugging her torso. They walked up the stairs slowly.
"Daddy! Aunt Madi said she would paint my nails if you let her. Can she Daddy? Please, please pleeeaassseee." Naomi's voice was a bit squeaky, but her puppy dog face was a killer. Madi giggled and blushed.
