Milena kept hugging her father, more for herself than him. After a short while though, she heard him sigh faintly, and his big arm came to surround her shoulders gently. He hugged her back, although he was cautious of her large belly between them. Milena felt his large hand softly pet her head.
"I'm sorry, Milena... Your father is an old man at times... Thankfully, you're just like your mother. Here to scold me when I need it."
Milena smiled against the fur of his coat, and slowly pulled back. Her father wasn't smiling, but there was something that was definitely lit in his eyes. She always felt a bit better when her dad looked like his usual self, the scary and mighty Duke De Crescent. She gently flattened the fur of his coat, and gathered what she could of a smile again.
"How are y
