Summary:

“English is… is not first language,” the woman said quietly. Her accent was thick, and unmistakably Russian.

“Oh, sorry! I’m speaking too fast, aren’t I? Sorry,” she took a breath, and held out her hand. “I’m Yuna,” she repeated. The woman took her hand quickly, her hands bony and delicate.

“Irina,” she replied, before gesturing for Yuna to sit with her. Quickly, Yuna did. “Sorry, I have not been in Canada long.”

“No problem at all; welcome to Canada! Is that your boy?” Yuna asked, gesturing over to the child that had similar hair to Irina, which was poking out from under his helmet. He was taller than Shane, though his little hockey outfit still seemed to still dwarf him. He had a serious look on his face, but his eyes were light as he watched the other boys play. He was tapping his stick on the ice, clearly itching to get into the game.

“Ah, yes,” Irina nodded, taking a few seconds to translate the question, “Ilyusha.” Irina looked over at her son, a small smile on her face. “Is my Ilya.”

Or: Ilya and Irina move to Canada for a fresh start when he is six years old. He meets Shane Hollander at ice hockey practice, and they grow up together (and of course, fall in love).