Chapter Text
Memories of Irina
Chapter 5
Ilya rolled over in the bed reaching over to grab Shane but the spot next to him was empty. He sighed a little disappointed Shane was already up for the day. Ilya rolled out of bed despite to lay eyes on his husband. He walked down the stairs after brushing his teeth and smiled at the smell of bacon. He walked into the kitchen noticing there was a full breakfast buffet prepared. “Are we expecting the whole team?” Ilya smiled walking over to Shane placing a kiss on his lips.
Shane wrapped his arms around Ilya’s neck. “Good morning.” He opened his eyes smiling up at Ilya. “Is it too much? I figured you worked up an appetite after yesterday.” Ilya smiled back at Shane. “I am starving. Everything smells so good. Do you need help with anything?” Shane released Ilya and walked toward the table. “Nope just come here and eat as much as you can.” Ilya walked over to the table grabbing a plate and piling it high with food.
After breakfast Ilya helped Shane clean everything. They were doing the dishes when Shane mentioned his mom called that morning. “Mom called this morning. She was wondering if we had practice today.” Ilya looked over to Shane. “Oh. Why?” Shane placed some of the dishes into the dish washer. “She was wondering if we might be up for a trip to Home Depot with her and dad.” Ilya smiled from ear to ear. “I would love that.” Shane smiled back to Ilya “I will let her know as soon as we are done with the dishes.” Once they finished the dishes Ilya pulled Shane into his arms. “Before you text mom would you be interested in a shower with you very hot husband.” Shane smiled, shaking his head and followed his husband up the stairs.
After a very hot and steamy shower both men got dressed and cuddled in bed. “Should we call mom now?” Ilya smiled, burying his face into Shane’s neck giving him soft kisses. “Yes.” Shane said breathlessly. He grabbed his phone from the nightstand pulling his mom’s contact up and pushing the send button. He put the phone on speaker. It rang twice before Yuna answered. “Hello boys!” Ilya smiled “Hi Mom!” Shane followed “Hey mom” Ilya chimed in again. “We are ready for our trip to Home Depot.”
They spoke a little longer, planning to meet instead of riding together. It went unsaid that they all wanted to make this the best garden in the world. Yuna wanted this garden to feel like a place Ilya could go to for some peace and maybe get to talk to his mom. When they hung up Ilya pulled Shane closer. “I can’t express how grateful I am that I met you and how lucky I feel that you decided to let me be apart of your life and your family.” He kissed Shane’s forehead. Shane sighed looking into Ilya’s eyes “Thank you for letting us in and sharing those tapes with us.” They lay there for another ten minutes taking in this moment of quiet and comfort. Then finally rolled out of bed and headed out to meet Yuna and David.
They pulled into the parking lot instantly spotting Yuna and David car. Shane pulled into the spot next to them. Ilya and Shaned intertwined their fingers as they walked toward the entrance behind their parents. “Where should we start?” Ilya looked over to Yuna. “Let’s start with the tools and make our way from there.” Ilya was a bit surprised when Shane and Yuna pulled out list. “You both have list? Are they the same thing?” Shane chuckled “No, we both had some ideas, but we figured we would ask along the way.” Ilya shook his head. Ilya and David moved to get carts. “We probably want both.” They laughed together, knowing Yuna and Shane were about to go way overboard with this project.
They were in Home Depot for two hours making sure they had all the right tools, plants, and so much more than Ilya thought they needed. Yuna assured Ilya they needed all of it. The rest of the day was nice. They stopped at a local tavern ‘Chez Lucien’, and they ate some delicious food and a few drinks. When they got back to the house Ilya and Shane unloaded both cars carrying everything to the back of the house. There was a spot that went untouched next to the deck. It was the perfect place for a medium-sized garden.
They started prepping the area, they cleared the area of any weeds or debris. Shane moved through the area marking the spots that needed to be the soil to be loosened, David Followed loosening the soil in the spot that were marked. Yuna and Ilya moved the bags of compost they got to the chosen area. Ilya ripped the bag open with his hands and began spreading it in the areas that needed it. Yuna began placing all the plants they had chosen around the soil where they would be planted. They planted what they could before the sun went down.
“I will be back tomorrow to finish final touches.” Yuna yelled back as David pushed her out the front door. “We are starting work outs tomorrow.” Shane said as he followed them out. “We should be home by 3, You can come after that.” Yuna smiled and waved at them once she was in the car. “Okay! Just shoot me a text when you get home.” Ilya smiled, waving as they drove away. He took Shane’s hand in his and pulled him into the house. “I love mom and dad so much! But I had a really hard time keeping my hands off you out there.’ Ilya smiled, leaning in for a kiss. Shane kissed him desperately, pulling him in closer. “I take it you feel the same. Let’s go get cleaned up.” Ilya took Shane’s and pulled him up the stairs for a much needed shower.
They finished their shower and rushed into bed after. Ilya was holding Shane in his arm taking in his intoxicating scent. “I think maybe we should discuss something.” Shane turns his body to face Ilya but stays in his arms. “About what?” He smiled at Ilya. “About expanding our family. I think maybe I’m ready to explore our options.” Ilya stared into Shane’s eyes while running his fingers over the beautiful freckles that stole his heart so many years ago.” Ilya, are you sure we are ready for this?” Ilya shook his head. “Yes, I have been thinking about this for a while. After watching those tapes made me realize how ready I am.” Shane smiled brightly at Ilya. “Okay, we can look into our options once we finish the garden.” They kissed and fell asleep staring into each other’s eyes.
The next morning Shane and Ilya woke up to Shane’s alarm blaring. “Shane……” Ilya groaned “It is summer why do we need to do this?” Shane sat up in bed “If we want to be prepared for another run for the cup we need to keep up with our health and fitness Ilya.” Ilya pulled Shane back down pulling him into a cuddle. “Can we have one more day off? Please sweetheart!? I just want to spend the morning holding you.” Ilya kissed Shane’s cheek. “You know my weaknesses and using them against me! So not fair Rozanov.” Shane took a deep breath and letting himself relax against his husband. “Fine, but first thing tomorrow we are going on a run.” Ilya buried his face into Shane’s neck giving him kisses.
They dozed off for another hour while they held each other. Ilya’s eyes fluttered open to the view of his breathtakingly beautiful husband. He smiled, feeling so lucky to have this in his life. He leaned in and kissed Shane softly on his lips. Shane smiled slowly, opening his eyes. “Good morning handsome.” Ilya kissed him once more. “Good morning, Moya Lyubov” Shane smiled sweetly at Ilya “Let’s go get some breakfast. Anya would probably like to go outside too.” They both sighed when they had to let each other go to get out of bed. They walked hand in hand down the stairs before kissing and letting go. Ilya let Anya the back door and Shane started pulling stuff out to cook.
Ilya and Shane spent the morning enjoying each other’s presents and time. They spoke more about children and finishing touches for the Garden and prep for the new season. “Maybe we should call mom and let her know we are free to garden.” Shane smiled, pulling his phone out. They cuddled up on the couch and Shane pulled his phone out to call Yuna. Yuna answered on the first ring, “Shane, Is everything okay?” Shane clicked the speaker button. “Yes, we just wanted to let you know we are home and ready to garden.” Ilya smiled “I talked Shane out of workout this morning.” They heard Yuna chuckle. “Okay I have a couple earns to run but I can be there in an hour.” Shane smiled at his phone. “Okay, we will be waiting.”
Shane kissed Ilya softly on the lips letting it linger. “Is now a good time to talk about kids?” Ilya smiled, leaning away from Shane. “Yeah, we have some time.” Ilya tightened his arms around Shane. “I think we should get surrogate or two.” Shane looked at Ilya with a questioning look. “I thought we were just going to adopt?” Ilya shifted a little “We can do that too.” Shane smiled “How many kids are we planning on here.” Ilya smiled brightly. “I thought we would catch up to Hayden in one go.” Shane laughed at that thought. “Hell no. I am good starting out with one.” They both laughed a little before Ilya spoke again. “So we adopt?” Shane shrugged a bit. “I think so, it feels like the right way to go. Let’s give a child a home. A space to feel safe and loved.” Ilya loved that thought. “You are going be the best dad ever!” Ilya pulled Shane in for a kiss that was so full of love and hope. “We both will.” Shane said against his lips.
After cuddling for a bit longer they decided to get up and start prepping things outside for Yuna arrival. Yuna arrived about forty minutes into their prep with another plant and a very heavy box. Ilya ran to her to take the box in his arms. “What is this?” Ilya carried the box over to the iron table placed in the middle of the garden. “It’s a surprise!” she set the flower next to it. “Sit I need to say something.” Ilya sat on the chair looking a bit confused. Shane walked up behind him resting his hands on his shoulders. “Okay this isn’t going to be easy to get through. Just promise to listen and no interrupting me till I get through this.” Ilya put a fist over his heart. “Promise.” They all smiled “Ilya I love you as mine own. I know you know this, but I want to make this clear. I know I will never take the place of your mother, and I will never dream of trying. You know I will always be here and do my best to be what you need me to be.” They all had tears in his eyes at this point “I grabbed this plant because I saw that your mom was planting them in the video.” Yuna picked up the Siberian Iris “I did some research and they do well in cold climates.” Yuna put I down pointing to the box. “Now open that.” Ilya didn’t hesitate, but one bit he turned and ripped the box open. One flew to his mouth and the other brushed over the engraved rock laying before him. The engraving read (Irina Rozanov) Below that said (Always in our heart) in Russian. Ilya stood up and fell into Yuna’s arms “It’s perfect. You are perfect. Thank you so much mom.” Ilya let his sobs out while Yuna held him warmly.
Ilya finally pulled back and looked at the stone again. He pulled it into his arms, cradling it like a baby. “Where should we put it?” Yuna smiled pointing at a spot next to her. “I saved this spot for it.” Shane grabbed the flower off the table as they moved toward the spot. Yuna planted the flower and Ilya set the stone into place. “Its perfect!” Ilya shouted, wrapping Shane and Yuna in a big bear hug. Shane walked his mom out to her car giving her a long thankful hug “Thank you for that mom. You really are the best mom ever.” Yuna smiled planting a big kiss on Shane’s cheek. “You buys make it easy.” Shane watched Yuna dive away. He made his way back to the garden finding Ilya sitting on the ground next to Irina’s stone. Shane moved to sit next to him.
Shane plopped down next to Ilya wrapping his arm around him. “I think mom would be very proud of this garden.” Ilya said touching the stone. “I’m so happy we could give you this safe space back.” Ilya looked up at Shane with tears in his eyes. “Shane, you are my safe space.” Shane leaned in and kissed Ilya with all the love he had. They spent some time with Irina before returning inside to get cleaned up and eat some dinner. At the end of the night, they were cuddled in bed again kissing each other tenderly. “I’m the luckiest man alive.” Ilya said breathlessly against Shane lips. “I think you mean I am.” Shane whispered back. They both chuckled and relaxed into each other letting their breathing lull them to sleep.