Chapter Four: Sons of Mama
746 Words
Katya had no idea when her new brothers were going to arrive. She got through her school day and then went home. As she got off the bus, she saw a car that wasn't mama Natalia's in the driveway. She ran into the house and up the stairs tossing her backpack in her room. Then she ran back downstairs and into the living room where two men around their twenties were sitting and talking with Mama Nat.
Katya felt shy and she smiled as they all looked her way. “Here she is, Katya come say hello.” Nat says smiling.
Katya came into the room and smiled shyly, “Hello my name is Katya. It's nice to meet you both,” she says sweetly. It took all Anatoly had to not freak out, it was her his Bastet.
He knew from the burning sensation the panther charm was giving him. He smiled at her, “Hello Katya I'm Anatoly but you can call me Toly. This is Giovanni you can call him Gio. Welcome to the family.” Anatoly says smiling at her.
“Welcome to the family Katya, it's nice to meet you.” Gio says to her.
Katya was happy they welcomed her. But there was something about Anatoly, for some reason she couldn't help but think that she knew him. She sat down next to Natalia as Anatoly reached behind his chair and pulled out a big, wrapped box.
“This is for you little one.” He tells her. She lets out a gasp.” Especially when he put it down and it started to move. Anatoly had felt the panther charm remove itself magically and go into the box. As Katya opened it a small black panther popped out and licked her hand. She let out a happy squeal...
“Thank you, thank you, I love him!” She says hugging Gio and Toly.
“Toly is that a panther? Are you crazy?” Nat asks laughing and shaking her head.
“Please let me keep him Mama Nat!” Katya says clinging to the small panther.
“Nat, he was made for her,” Anatoly says and there’s something in his voice that makes Natalia realize there is more to this gift than she or Katya realized.
She nods, “Of course you can keep him sweet one. Now go wash up dinner will be ready soon.” Katya nods and gives both Anatoly and Gio a hug and kiss on the cheek before running off with the panther kitten following her.
Katya returns quickly and she asks, “Toly does he have a name?”
Anatoly smiles at her, “His name is Ankanah but you can call him Ankh. He will always protect you.”
Katya nods a serious look on her face, “And I'll always protect him.”
As they sat down for dinner and ate the question about how long they were staying for came up. Antaoly was quiet for a few moments then he answered.
“Well mama Nat we are planning on moving back here. But until we get situated if it's okay, we'd like to stay with you.”
Natalia smiled, “Come now Toly you both know you are welcome for as long as you want to be here. Besides, it's been to long since we have all spent time together. I missed you both.”
Gio was the one to answer, “We missed you to besides now we have a little sister to get to know and spoil.”
Katya giggled. After dinner they sat and had dessert. Katya looked at everyone and she got a serious look on her face.
“I want to say thank you. Thank you for being my family. I lost mine and now I have you all and I'm not alone. I've forgotten what it's like to have brothers and sisters, but I promise to be the best sister ever. So, thank you for being my big brothers.” Katya says her eyes filling with tears.
Anatoly smiled at her but he felt so guilty. If he had just given her the choice, told her the truth before, she wouldn't be going through all these heartaches. He would tell her this time. No more secrets, no more holding back.
Natalia saw there was more to Anatoly’s expression than just a smile and she wondered what it was that he wasn't telling her...
- Writer
