Summary:

After dealing with family trouble in Russia, Ilya brings home his brother’s baby. As Shane pulled into the garage, he saw Ilya’s car. His husband was back from Russia. Shane could barely contain his excitement as he ran to the front of the cottage. Ilya must have been watching out of the window for him because as soon as Shane got to the door, Ilya opened it. They forewent any kind of greeting and kissed each other passionately. They had missed each other and it showed in the way they grasped at each other’s clothes to pull themselves together. “I love you” Ilya said fiercely between kisses. “Why don’t we take this inside?” Shane suggested. He wanted to strip his husband naked and feel the heat of his body against his own. Ilya wanted that too but he had to restrain himself. “No” he breathed against Shane’s lips. His husband’s dark eyes stared into his own. “Why not?” Shane asked. “You will see” Ilya responded. He kissed Shane’s forehead before stepping back inside. He held the door open so Shane could walk past him. “Just don’t freak out” Ilya said in response to Shane’s confused look. “Why would I freak out?” Ilya led Shane to the living room where there was a baby girl sitting on the rug. She had a pacifier in her mouth and was clutching a cuddly giraffe. Shane was lost for words. “Ilya” he said “that’s a…baby” “Well done, Hollander” Ilya responded sarcastically. Shane rolled his eyes. “What is it…I mean she…doing here?” “She is my brother’s baby but he ran off with other woman and left her” “What about her mother?” “Drug dealer. Not suitable” “So you took her?” “There wasn’t anyone else” Shane knew Ilya didn’t have any other family that could help him. Ilya was putting on a brave face as per usual but Shane knew, beneath that stony stare, Ilya was panicking. He didn’t know how to care for a baby as much as Shane did. They weren’t ready for this kind of responsibility. That’s why they didn’t have children yet. “What are we going to do?” Ilya looked at Shane. “We?” He repeated. “Yes” Ilya shook his head. “No, I take care of baby. I booked the penthouse suite at hotel nearby” Ilya went over to the baby and Shane followed him. “Why would you do that?” He asked as he watched Ilya scoop the baby up. “Because this is my mess, Hollander. I will sort it” “We’re married. We’ll sort it together” “You want a baby here?” Ilya challenged more than asked. “Not exactly but she’s here now and…and…” “And what? She will keep you up at night and make a mess. You lose your shit if your clothes aren’t folded properly” “Don’t swear in front of her!” Shane warned. He took a step closer to Ilya. “This isn’t my ideal situation but you’re my husband and we deal with trouble together. Cancel your room at whatever hotel you booked. You’re staying at home” Ilya stared at Shane for a moment, trying to work out if he was serious. Apparently, he was. “Fine” Ilya agreed “take baby” “What?” Shane said as the baby was pressed against his chest. “Take baby so I can call hotel” Ilya explained. “Oh” Shane wrapped his arms around the baby and Ilya went to the hallway where he left his suitcase. He opened it and pulled out his phone. Meanwhile, Shane peered down at the baby