Dedicated to my brother...
A brother is your best friend, the one who protects you, who never leaves you in your darkest moments, who supports and advises you on what to do. A brother is someone you can trust, someone you can always rely on...
- "Welcome home, sis," the prosecutor said, handing a stunning bouquet of flowers to his younger sister and kissing her on the cheek as she stepped off the train at the regional city’s train station. "I’m so glad to see you. Finally, you’re back home."
"I’m glad to see you too, Roman, and thanks for the flowers," Daryna replied with a genuine smile, returning her brother’s hug with equal joy. "After three years away, it feels amazing to be back in my hometown."
"What, even better than seeing me?" Roman teased, picking up her suitcases.
"Roman, come on," Daryna smiled at him again. "We saw each other every month when you came to the capital. And it was so great when you brought Danny along. We had such wonderful times together—unforgettable days."
"Yeah, those were unforgettable. But you could’ve come home every month too, and you didn’t," Roman said, loading her suitcases into the trunk of his car. "And if you had the chance, wouldn’t you have stayed in the capital? Of course you would, because things seem to work out better for you there than at home."
"I’m sorry if I’ve upset you," Daryna said as she settled into the passenger seat. "After losing our parents and after you got married, it just felt hard to live here. I’ve been thinking maybe I should rent an apartment."
"Daryna, my dear sister, that’s a terrible idea. I don’t want to hear anything about apartments. This family home belongs to both of us, not just me," Roman said, starting the engine and driving through the city at a steady pace.
"You know it’s not about the house," Daryna said, glancing at her brother while adjusting her light blue summer dress. "I just don’t want to be in the way—not for you or your wife..."
"Stop right there before I get upset," Roman interrupted, raising his voice slightly. "How could you possibly be in the way? You know I adore you. Sure, you and Nika haven’t quite hit it off, but think about me for a second. And honestly, I’m confident you’ll eventually get along with her. She’s a good person, kind, though she can be a bit sharp at times, but that’s... not a big deal. I just want my sister and my wife to become best friends. And Danny absolutely loves you."
"I adore my nephew too. By the way, how’s he doing?" Daryna asked.
"He’s finished preschool, and school starts soon. Danny can’t wait to go to first grade. He just doesn’t know what school’s really like yet," Roman said with a smile, thinking of his son.
"I think Danny will love going to school... Oh, here we are," Daryna said, her voice trailing off as she saw the familiar house. Tears welled up in her eyes. "You know, I’ve missed this place—our home."
"I’m glad to hear that," Roman said, pulling up to the fence of the impressive two-story house built of red brick. "Let’s unload and get inside. Nika’s prepared a special dinner for your arrival, and she even baked a cake."
"Seriously?" Daryna asked, surprised. "That’s unexpected. Did she really go to all that trouble for me?"
"Of course," Roman confirmed with a slight nod. "Daryna, sis, we love you so much and couldn’t wait for you to come home. And before we get out of the car and head inside, I want to suggest something. Let’s leave past grudges behind. Forgive, let go, and start fresh. What do you say?"
"I say I’m in. Family is the most precious thing a person has. Without it, you feel lost and alone in this big world. And no matter where you are or how good life is somewhere else, deep down, you always want to come back home—to the place where you were born, where you grew up..."
"Well said, and those words really hit home, but let’s not cry," Roman said, opening the car door.
"Okay, no crying," Daryna agreed, smiling through her tears.
From the house, Danny came running out—a dark-haired boy with blue eyes, the spitting image of his father.
"Daryna’s here!" he shouted, racing to hug his aunt.
"Hey, my little angel," Daryna said, scooping her nephew into her arms and spinning him around. "You’ve grown so much since I last saw you."
"I’m a first-grader now!" Danny said, beaming with excitement.
"I’m so proud of you, my sunshine," Daryna said, kissing him several times. "I brought you some gifts..."
"Did you get me my favorite building set?" the boy asked eagerly.
"Not just that. As soon as your dad brings my suitcases inside, I’ll get them out," Daryna said, giving her nephew another tight hug.
"Danny, your dad’s waiting for a hug and a kiss too," Roman said, setting the suitcases down and crouching to embrace his son, who had already run over to him. "Where’s Mom?"
"She’s cooking. Dad, hurry up and bring the suitcases inside. I want my gifts!" Danny said impatiently.
"Yes, sir," Roman said with a grin. "Your aunt’s suitcases will be inside in a second."
Daryna hesitated to go in right away, pausing on the porch. It had been three years since she’d been home, since she’d been in her room... But the saddest part was that her mom and dad were no longer there to greet her as they used to when she came home during college breaks from law school. They never got to congratulate her on graduating or earning her degree. Nor did they see her receive her license to practice as a notary after two years of internship, which had just ended. Now, she was back home to work as a private notary.
Daryna was a tall, slender woman of twenty-six with a graceful figure. She was beautiful, with pleasant features, brown eyes, and chestnut hair. Intelligent, determined, and confident, she could stand up for herself, though at times she appeared innocent and vulnerable. But she always had someone to defend her. Her father had always been on her side, protecting her in any situation. And Roman, as her older brother, never let anyone hurt her—not at school, not outside of it, nowhere.
"How long are you gonna stand there?" Roman’s question snapped Daryna out of her thoughts.
"I want my gifts already!" Danny’s impatient voice chimed in.
"I’m coming, just got lost in thought for a moment," Daryna said, stepping into the spacious living room. She quickly opened her suitcase and pulled out the gifts she’d bought for her nephew. "Here you go, my love."
"What do you say to your aunt?" Daryna heard the sharp tone of her sister-in-law.
"Thank you," Danny said, happily kissing Daryna on the cheek before running off to his room with his gifts.
"Danny couldn’t wait for you to get here," Veronica said, stepping closer to Daryna. "I’m glad you’re back too."
"Thanks, Nika. I hope you mean that. I’d like us to be friends since we’re family after all," Daryna said, putting an arm around her sister-in-law’s shoulders.
"Alright, fine, we can try. We’re going to be living together now," Nika said, attempting to be polite. "Unless..."
"No ‘unless,’" Roman cut in, interrupting his wife before she could say anything unkind about his sister. "Now, let’s wash our hands and sit down to eat."
"Of course, everything’s ready. I just need to take the roasted duck out of the oven," Nika said, bustling off to the kitchen.
Daryna glanced around the living room. Almost nothing had changed since the last time she was home. The same dark green couches still sat in the middle of the room, just as they always had, and the same paintings of white swans—her parents’ favorite birds—still hung on the walls. Yes, her mom and dad had loved white swans... Daryna fought back tears, knowing this wasn’t the time to get lost in memories. They’d prepared a celebratory dinner for her, and she didn’t want to spoil the happy moment. She’d think about her parents later—she thought of them every day anyway. But remembering them at home was something special, something she’d save for herself, for later. And she’d visit their graves, but that would come later too...
"This is so good," Daryna said, adding a bit more roasted duck to her plate. "Nika, you’re an amazing cook. I’d love to help out in the kitchen if I have free time and if you don’t mind."
"That’d be nice," Nika replied, glancing at her husband, who gave her a subtle wink to encourage her to behave. "Anyway, we have a housekeeper, Mitrofanivna, who comes almost every day to help with cleaning and cooking, and sometimes she watches Danny. I’ve decided to start working too. I can’t just sit at home all the time, even if I am married to the prosecutor."
"And what are you planning to do?" Daryna asked, finishing her food.
"She wants to be a wedding photographer. I was shocked when I heard that," Roman said with a smile, looking at Veronica. "She’d never even held a camera before, and now..."
"You don’t believe in me," Nika said, pretending to be offended. "I’ve signed up for classes, and I’m going to achieve my goal. You’ll see."
"Mom, I’m done eating. Can I go?" Danny asked, having returned to the kitchen after checking out his gifts and clearly uninterested in sitting with the adults.
"Sure, go ahead, sweetie," Veronica said. Once Danny left the kitchen, she added, "So, Daryna, when you get married, consider me your photographer. That is, if you ever do. Are you even dating anyone?"
"No," Daryna replied. "But I’m sure you’ll have plenty of clients without me."
"Just don’t embarrass me. Everything has to be perfect for a prosecutor. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be head of the regional prosecutor’s office," Roman said, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "Dinner was delicious."
"You’ll be proud of me instead," Nika said to her husband. "When people start talking about your wife as the most successful and best wedding photographer around. And I’m glad you liked dinner. Cooking well is another one of my talents."
Daryna smiled, following Roman’s lead, and looked at him with affection, then at Veronica. They’re a good couple, she thought. There’s no doubt they love each other. But would she ever meet the man with whom she could build her own family and be happy? She was so tired of being alone, and more than anything, she wanted to fall in love and be loved in return...