Archive of Our Own

Ilya's arm grazed over the now empty spot in the bed next to him. His eyes opened slowly, attempting to blink away the sleep in them. Sitting up slightly, he rubbed his eyes, looking at the empty spot next to him on the bed. Shane had always been an early riser, the very definition of a morning person. He started his days bright and early, unlike Ilya who loved sleeping in as long as he could.

The smell of breakfast wafted upstairs, making Ilya's stomach growl. He had no idea what time it was but he had to assume it was around ten. Eleven at the latest. Back before he had kids, sleeping in usually meant until one, sometimes two if he really had nothing to do (which was rare). But now that he was a dad, his internal clock had changed and would force him to wake up before noon whether he wanted to or not.

A little whimper from the bassinet next to the bed pulled him out of his thoughts. He scooted over to Shane's side, looking at his baby girl starting to wake up. Hana lets out a big yawn, her eyes blinking up at Ilya. Once she sees him she wiggles slightly in her swaddle and she lets out a louder coo. Ilya's eyes soften at the sight of her as he reaches over to pick up his daughter. She settles into the crook of his arm, making little grunts and gurgles as she looks up at him.

“Happy one month my little Hana.” Ilya said as he kissed her cheek. Hana kicks her little legs, trying to free herself from the swaddle she slept in. Ilya undid her swaddle, and she did a big stretch that Ilya couldn’t help but smile at. “That was a good stretch.”

One month ago exactly, she joined their family. He looked at his daughter, still in slight disbelief it had already been a month since her arrival. Ilya was sure it was just his imagination but she had changed in this short amount of time. Her light brown hair had curled more at its tips, just like her older siblings had when they were this small. She had gotten chubbier from Shane's milk, making her cheeks even fuller than they had already been. The blue eyes that looked up at him right now stayed the same, still the pretty light blue that reminded him of his mom.

From downstairs he heard Ava laugh loudly. There was a part of him telling him that he should get up, start his day and go be with the rest of his family, but he wanted to be with Hana. Steal a few more minutes alone with her before his day had to start. He carefully picked her back up, laying her against his chest out of habit. She grunted as he rubbed her back, also out of habit.

After several minutes of the two enjoying each other's company, Ilya heard the noise from the kitchen start to migrate upstairs. Rapid and loud footsteps that he knew belonged to Ava came from down the hall.

“I think your big sister is going to say hi to you,” Ilya said in Russian. He had noticed very early on that she seemed to prefer when he spoke Russian to her instead of English. He thought back to the nights when his insomnia was at its worst and he would speak to Shane's belly in the dark. When Shane was pregnant with the twins he had done this and wanted to do the same for Hana. Having her get used to his mother tongue so she would know the sound of it when she was born. Late at night he would speak low in Russian so Shane wouldn't wake up. He would do that most nights, hoping that his little girl would be born with a preference for the language. Hana gave a slight sigh, as if the idea of being fawned over by her big sister and brother was such a chore.

Less than a minute later there was a knock at the bedroom door. Before he could say anything, it opened, Ava running inside.

“Happy birthday papa!” Ava yelled. She was climbing onto the bed, followed by Dimitri who was holding a birthday card.

Shane came into the room, holding a tray of breakfast. That had become an unspoken tradition between them since they started living together. Ilya couldn't remember if it had been him or Shane who had started the breakfast in bed birthday ritual, but he always appreciated it. Last month when it was Shane's birthday, Ilya had done the same to his still heavily pregnant husband.

“Happy birthday papa.” Dimitri said, cuddling against Ilya's side. Ilya sat up more, hand protectively over Hana as he adjusted himself. The baby girl let out annoyed grunts as he did so, irritated that her papa would dare move while she was on top of him. Dimitri handed him the card right as Shane set down the tray filled with all of Ilya's favorite breakfast foods. He sat down at the edge of the bed, leaning in to kiss Ilya.

“Happy birthday sweetheart.” Shane said, smiling into Ilya's mouth as they kissed. He took Hana into his arms so Ilya could enjoy his breakfast.

Ilya looked at the meal in front of him. Scrambled eggs, pancakes that were dripping with syrup, two sausages, and sliced strawberry and pineapple chunks in a small bowl on the side. Everything he'd ever wanted for breakfast laid out in front of him. “Wow this looks so good, thank you.” He ruffled Dimitri's hair. “Did you two help daddy with this?”

Ava nodded proudly. “I got to crack the egg.”

“I spun it.” Dimitri said, playing with the blanket over Ilya. He leaned his head against Ilya.

Ilya smiled at that. “My two little chefs.”

“Papa open the card!” Ava said, nudging him. “Me and Dima made it extra pretty.”

Ilya's eyebrows raised. “Ah now I need to see.”

He opened the card and a folded up drawing was in the center. Under that Shane had written out a very sweet, very long and detailed message talking about how much he loved him and how happy he was that Ilya was in his life. The kids had written out their names crudely but Ilya thought the blocky uneven letters were incredibly cute. He unfolded the paper that had been in the middle, seeing a drawing that had been done by both toddlers.

“See! That's me and you.” Ava said, pointing to two stick figures off to the left. “And Dima did daddy Hana and him.”

“We both did Anya.” Dimitri chimed in, slight pride in his voice. “And I did the cake.” Ilya could have guessed that by the attempted T-rex (or at least he thought it was a T-Rex) that sat at the top of the cake next to one big candle.

It was the cutest thing Ilya had ever been given. He leaned down, peppering Dimitri's freckled cheek with kisses, the toddler let out giggled as he did so. He did the same to Ava, making her laugh and kick her feet on the bed. “Thank you both, this is so pretty. I love it so much.”

Both toddlers beamed and Ilya caught Shane looking at him, eyes soft as he gently rubbed Hana's back. Ilya didn't get flustered. He had always taken that as a point of pride that he was the one to make Shane blush and bothered. Yet at that moment, he saw the look of genuine love all over Shane's face that he felt his cheeks and ears get hot.

—

Shane had been the one to suggest that they go to the park. The weather was perfect, clear skies, summer heat starting to settle in, but nothing truly unbearable yet. He loved the idea, saying yes almost immediately. They got the kids ready, the twins both excited to go play on the big playground there. Normally they would've taken Anya too but Shane had just let her out in the yard and she had run around spending all her energy. She was knocked out on the couch, snoring as they headed out the door.

The walk there wasn't long, fifteen minutes at most. Shane pushing the twins stroller, which was currently only occupied by Dimitri, and Ilya pushing Hana's stroller. Ava was by Ilya's side, holding his hand as they walked.

“Papa look.” Ava pointed at two cats, one all grey with its eyes closed laying on someone's porch, and one white and grey, sitting up next to the sleeping cat. They saw those cats often when they took this walk and from the name tags on their collars Ilya had learned their names were Pepperoni(the grey one) and Pepper(the white and grey one). Two very friendly cats that belonged to the house they sat in front of.

“I see, printsessa.” Ilya said as he continued walking.

“Can I pet ‘em? Please.” Ava asked, eyes still on the two cats.

“No baby, let's get to the park. That way you and Dima can have fun and play.” Shane answered.

Ava pouted, the view of the cats disappearing behind a tall hedge. Ilya saw her pout and squeezed her hand. “If they are still there on the way back, we stop and pet them okay?” He promised her in Russian.

“Okay!” Ava's mood instantly shifted, becoming lighter at the potential promise of petting cats later after the park.

Shane gave him a look, one that Ilya knew all too well. A weary look of caution knowing that those cats very well might not be sitting on the porch on the way back. Ilya gave him a quick one shoulder shrug, accepting that potential reality.

They got to the park not long after, Ava talking about cats the rest of the way. There were some families with their kids there, some parents sitting on the benches surrounding the playground and others standing by watching their kids play, near the playground equipment but not too close so their kids could mingle.

Ava was practically pulling Ilya along at the sight of the playground. Jumping excitedly as they got closer.

“Ava, hold on.” Ilya said. Shane had sat down at a free bench, undoing the harness that had kept Dimitri strapped in. He heard Dimitri say a quick thank you before joining his sister by his papa's side. Shane put the now empty toddler stroller by his side and took Hana's stroller from Ilya's hands.

“I got her.” Shane reassured him. “Go have fun, and don't push anyone.”

The last time they had come here both twins had pushed another little girl to get to the slide before her. She had cried and both Shane and Ilya had to profusely apologize to the girl's mom on behalf of their kids. Ilya remembered on the way back home, Shane gave the twins a very stern talking to about how they never pushed people and how they needed to keep their hands to themselves. Ilya hadn't said much, just quietly admired his very pregnant husband being strict. At the time he did think it was funny, them telling their kids not to push people when they were both professional hockey players. Half their job was just pushing and occasionally hitting people.

The twins beelined to the slide and Ilya followed. They scurried up playground equipment, Ava tripping but getting back up before Ilya could even offer to help her up. There were kids playing all around, running all over the playground. The twins dodged out of their way, remembering what Shane had said about pushing. Dimitri was the one who reached the slide first, waiting for Ava to catch up. Going down the spiral slide together had become part of the park routine, one twin in front and the other behind. They would do that until they got bored of it and would move onto something else.

“Papa.” Dimitri looked over the slide railing at Ilya.

“I'm here Dima.” Ilya said.

Ava was behind him now and then the two toddlers went down the slide, smiling wide by the time they reached the bottom where Ilya waited.

“Again!” Ava said, already standing up to go another round.

They did this a few more times and Ilya made a game of it. Once they got to the bottom he would try to see if he could catch them before they ran back up on the playground. The twins laugh loudly, joining the sound of other kids there.

Ilya looked over at Shane, holding Hana in his arms now. From this distance he could see Shane starting to struggle to calm her down. He looked at the twins, both preoccupied with spinning the tic-tac-toe board that was by the shorter slides. Taking this opportunity, he went over to Shane.

“How is our little Hana?” Ilya asked, sitting down by Shane's side.

“She's hungry.” Shane said flatly. Before he said anything else, Ilya was reaching to get his cover. He handed it to him, eyes drifting down to a fussy Hana. “Thanks.” With Ilya's help, Shane put the cover over himself and lifted his shirt. Hana rooted around for a second, struggling before Shane adjusted her in his arm and guided her. She latched onto Shane, the frustrated whimpers stopping immediately as she began to nurse loudly. Ilya scooted closer, putting his arm around his husband's shoulder, catching little glimpses of their baby girl nursing under the cover. Shane fixes her position one more time before finally settling in, leaning back into his husband's side.

“Has your birthday been good so far?” Shane asked him.

“So far, yes. You gave me my present a month ago so I can't ask for anything more.” Ilya nodded towards Hana under the covering, eating her lunch. Shane gave him a half smile and Ilya leaned in for a kiss. Shane leaned forward, giving him a quick kiss back. Years ago they never would've done such a thing, but now it was second nature. Holding hands, kisses, being allowed to show small forms of pda. Ilya loved whenever they could do it.

Honestly this birthday has been great so far. When he was younger he had had some wild parties, especially in his early twenties. His birthday was just before he would leave to spend summers in Russia, so he would be getting drunk and some years cross-faded with guys from the team. Every year he went hard and he gained a reputation of throwing wild birthdays on his previous team. Legendary parties that would end up with him waking up with a stranger or two in bed the following morning.

He had partied hard in his twenties, now he was more than okay with a more relaxed, lowkey birthday. Going to the park with his family was honestly an ideal perfect way of spending his birthday now.

Shane's phone buzzed, and he typed out a quick one handed response.

“Who are you texting?” Ilya asked.

“My mom. Her and my dad wish you a happy birthday.” Shane said while still typing out his message.

Ilya raised his eyebrows slightly, realizing he hadn't checked his phone really at all today. He fished it out of his pocket, and was immediately bombarded with texts upon texts of people wishing him a happy birthday. He responded to the team group chat, saying a simple thank you along with the smiley face with a halo emoji. Once he sent that, several typing dots appeared and he left before he saw anything else. The next text he responded to was Svetlana, who had sent a picture of them from his seventh birthday, her by his side. She had typed out a sweet message wishing him the best for this upcoming year and that she loved and missed him. He typed out a response, thanking her and telling her he missed her a lot too. As he was about to hit send, Dimitri came running up to him.

“Papa, can we do the bars?” Dimitri asked, tugging on his papas shirt.

Ilya finished typing and sent his text, pocketing his phone again. “Of course Dima.” He got up from the bench, looking back at Shane before he went off with Dimitri.

“We're fine over here.” Shane assured him. From under the covering he saw Hana give a small kick.

Dimitri held Ilya's hand and guided him away towards the monkey bars. Two months ago when they had come to the park, Dimitri had become obsessed with the monkey bars, asking Ilya to help him cross them over and over again. Ilya gladly did, enjoying watching Dimitri have fun while playing on them.

There were two sets of money bars, one small one, meant for younger kids, like Dimitri. The other much higher up, meant for the older kids. Ilya steered them towards the smaller one without thinking until Dimitri started to protest.

“No papa those.” Dimitri pointed to the higher monkey bars, where older kids were currently swinging on and hanging upside-down.

“Dima, those are for big kids.” Ilya tried to say.

“But I am a big kid.” Dimitri whined. He looked up at Ilya, and Ilya felt his heart begin to melt. His dads mini me in every way, down to the same pout and pleading doe eyes. It felt impossible to ever say no to Dimitri when all he saw was a young Shane looking up at him.

Ilya let out a sigh of defeat. “You are a big kid, yes. We do that once and then this one okay?” He said in Russian to Dimitri.

Dimitri nodded his head. “Okay.”

They went over to the higher up money bars. Ilya lifted up Dimitri with ease, and Dimitri grabbed onto the first bar. Ilya held onto Dimitri's waist, guiding him along as he did so. An older girl had lifted herself up, going on top of the bars to let Dimitri pass through.

“Thank you.” Dimitri grunted out as he continued.

Near the end Ilya let go of Dimitri's waist, letting his little boy hang on the bars by himself. His hands still hovered by the toddler's side just in case.

“Papa.” Dimitris' tone sounded slightly worried, no longer feeling Ilya's touch.

“Is okay Dima, I'm right here.” Ilya said.

Without Ilya's guiding stabilizing hands, Dimitri went to the next bar. Excitement filled his face at the achievement he had just done.

“Papa I did one!” Dimitri announced excitedly.

“I saw. My big boy is so good at this.” Ilya praised.

Dimitri attempted a second bar before his hands gave out, Ilya catching him in his arms immediately. Dimitri's eyes were wide with amusement at the fact he had done one bar on his own. He smiled big at Ilya, who was giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“You did so good Dima! You are like little lemur.”

Dimitri's head tilted slightly. “Whats that?”

“Is like monkey but cuter.” Ilya pressed another kiss onto Dimitri's cheek.

Once he was done with higher bars, Dimitri guided Ilya back over to the shorter ones, like he said he would. Ilya noticed Ava by Shane's side, talking to him while he was burping Hana.

Ilya didn't hold onto Dimitri for these bars, instead just hovering by his hands around him just in case he fell. Although Ilya was less worried about these bars because they were closer to the ground, he still felt concerned.

“Papa, I can do it by myself.” Dimitri said on his third go.

Ilya blinked. “You want to do it by yourself?” Ilya asked him Russian. An amused grin formed on his lips.

Dimitri gave a resounding nod. “Yeah I'm a big boy now.” He responded in Russian. The twins both understood Ilya whenever he spoke Russian. Now, however, they were making attempts to speak it back to him, which satisfied Ilya greatly.

Ilya stepped back, not hovering by his side like he had been. “Yes, you are.” Ilya didn't hide his joy. Dimitri got to the first bar, then the second, then the third, ultimately falling at the fourth one. Dimitri landed still standing, looking annoyed that he had gotten half way before falling. “You got so close.” Ilya encouraged him.

Dimitri climbed back up, determination in his eyes now. He went across the first, second, third, fourth bar, this time falling at the fifth. They did this a few more times, each time Dimitri falling back down before trying again. One of the many things Ilya admired about his kids was that they seemed to have inherited Shane's perseverance and determination. Two qualities Ilya admired deeply about Shane.

On the tenth try, Dimitri got it. Finally going across all the bars by himself. Once he was across he looked at Ilya, pride beaming off of him.

“Papa I did it!” Dimitri said, running over to his side. Ilya scooped him up into his arms kissing his face all over.

“You did! I'm so proud of you!” Ilya beamed. His little boy being able to do it by himself felt incredibly satisfying to watch as his dad.

—

An hour passed and Ilya sat by Shane's side once again, both watching the twins play tag with some of the other smaller kids. Hana back in his arms, having just come back from changing her diaper. She had a pacifier in her mouth, her eyes fighting their sleep as he rubbed her back.

Ilya watched the twins play, laughing as they were being chased around by another little boy. Shane had finished sending out a message before looking to Ilya.

“Do you think we should start to head back?” He asked.

Ilya kept his eyes on the twins, his brows furrowing slightly. “Maybe? They're still having fun.”

Shane looked over, smiling softly at the sight of his daughter chasing after everyone. “I know but we all skipped lunch and I'm getting kind of hungry. And I know they have to be hungry but are just having too much fun to say anything.”

Ilya nodded, taking in Shane's words. Everything he had said was true. Not only that but Shane had only eaten breakfast and fed Hana while they were here, he was sure he had to be starving but was downplaying it.

“Okay, I'll go get them.” Ilya got up, putting Hana into her stroller. The baby girl let out little noises of discomfort as Ilya placed her down,clearly preferring being held by her papa than the shaded stroller. Shane started to gather their stuff as Ilya went over to the twins.

Dimitri saw him first, running over to him and crashing into his legs with a resounding oof. Ilya bent down and picked him up, brushing away the curls that were slightly sticking to his forehead. “Dima we're leaving soon.”

The little boy's smile faded as he looked over to his sister, still playing. “But I don't wanna.”

“I know, but we're going home to have lunch.” Ilya tried to reason. “We skipped it, remember?”

Dimitri slowly shook his head, still looking upset. “I wan’ play.”

“We can play at home, Dima.” Ilya started to walk back over to Shane and Dimitri started to wriggle in his arms out of protest. Ava finally noticed her papa and brother and ran over to them.

“Papa, Dima's playin’.” Ava said, her tone suggesting Ilya didn't notice that.

“We have to leave printsessa.”

Ava's face went from cheery to devastated in a matter of seconds. Ilya could feel the meltdown brewing the second the words hit her ears.

“No.” Ava crossed her arms, looking up defiantly at her papa. Dimitri wriggled more in his arms, trying to escape Ilya's grasp. “Wanna play more with Dima.”

“We can do that at home Ava.”

“No!” Ava yelled, stomping her foot.

Ilya let out a deep, heavy sigh. He looked back towards Shane who was sitting watching as he pushed Hana's stroller back and forth softly. He gave Ilya a shrug and Ilya looked back at the two toddlers.

“Five more minutes okay? Go say bye to your friends then we go.” Ilya put down Dimitri, who ran to his sister's side. Ilya watched as they ran back over to the other kids, who hadn't paused their game. Ilya went back to Shane, taking out his phone as he sat down to set a timer. Shane gave him a questioning look as he did so.

“I told them five more minutes.”

Shane huffed out a laugh. “Good luck with that.”

—

Leaving the park was never easy. It always required a lot of coaxing and promises of things they could do when they got home. Most of the time it ended up with them having to comfort their upset toddlers as they left. Today was no different.

Once the five minutes were up Ilya went to go get them, both twins trying to run away from him but he caught them regardless. A lot of crying, a lot of begging, and a lot of sympathetic looks from on looking parents, who understood the struggle.

“Papa no!” Ava was crying now as Ilya put her in the stroller. Originally Ilya had told Shane they didn't need to bring it, that he could carry one toddler and hold the hand of the other. But Shane had insisted, knowing their kids got tired and carrying two sleeping toddlers was a task they could easily avoid if they just brought the stroller. Ilya couldn't argue with that logic, and now, as he put the two upset toddlers in the stroller, he was thankful they had it. When Ava threw tantrums like this she had a habit of going limp, her body essentially becoming dead weight in his arms. She made it almost impossible for him to carry her and Dimitri simultaneously when she got like that.

Dimitri looked at him, quiet tears streaming down his face. He hiccuped as he crossed his arms, leaning away from him into the stroller. Looking at him now Ilya couldn't help but think at how he truly was Shane's son in every way.

Ilya took the toddlers stroller and Shane Hanas, switching from when they arrived. Ava's cries were loud and unrelenting, the occasional hiccups and sniffles being the only pause.

“Ava-”

Ilya was cut off by her crying even louder to drown him out. He looked to Shane who reached out to rub Ilya's shoulder.

“Hold on.” Shane said as he stopped walking, Ilya did the same and went to the twins stroller. Bending down in front of them Ilya watched as he spoke to them. Softly but firm in his tone. “Ava, Dimitri, look at me.” Both twins looked elsewhere, purposefully avoiding Shane's gaze. Shane sighed, continuing on anyway. “You know how it's Papa's birthday today?” They both nodded. “Well, when we get home we can sing happy birthday to papa and have cake.”

The mention of cake made them both look at Shane now, eyes excited with the promise of dessert.

“Cake?” Ava asked skeptically.

“Yeah I got papa a cake. But we need to go home so we can do all that for papa and then have yummy cake okay?”

Dimitri rubbed his eyes, his cheeks still having tear streaks on them. “Okay daddy.” He sniffled loudly, brown eyes looking up at Shane with some acceptance. Shane reached out to wipe tears from Ava's cheek. She leaned into his touch as he did so.

“You promise we get cake, daddy?” Ava asked with a wavering voice.

Shane nodded. “Yes princess I promise.”

That was enough for Ava to start to calm down, wiping her eyes like her brother had done. Shane got up, going back to Hana's stroller. Ilya looked at his husband, feeling simultaneously impressed and deeply even more in love with him than he had before.

They continued walking, both twins quiet now. Ilya glanced over at Shane, a smug smile on his face. “You got me a cake?”

Shane looked at him, giving him a sheepish smile. “It was going to be a surprise when we got back home.”

Ilya tried to wrap his mind around when Shane even had the time to go out and get a cake. He could think of only a few recent times Shane had gone out but none of those times had he come back with a cake. Unless he baked it himself, but Ilya doubted that. His husband liked to cook but baking was not in his wheelhouse of skills.

“What kind of cake is it?” Ilya prodded.

Shane chuckled. “That can still be a surprise at least.”

They walked past the house that had Pepperoni and Pepper, the two cats were, thankfully, still outside. Pepper was still laying on the porch while Pepperoni was by the front gate. They stopped walking, Pepperoni coming over rubbing against Ilya's legs.

“Hi ‘Roni.” Ava said as she leaned forward to pet the purring cat. Dimitri leaned forward, in an attempt to pet the friendly cat. Pepperoni purred louder as she nuzzled her head into the toddler's palm. A few minutes of petting Pepperoni passed until the cat went back to its sibling on the porch, Ilya getting the final pet before she left. He looked over at Shane, who finished sending a text.

“See it worked out because is my birthday.” Ilya joked.

Shane gave a small smile, rolling his eyes. They continued walking back home. The twins waving bye-bye to the cat siblings now on the porch.

—

By the time they got back home, Ilya was hungry. Not starving, but he could definitely eat. Shane unlocked the front door and Ilya's stomach growled loudly.

Before they went inside Ilya leaned forward for a kiss. Shane accepted, kissing his husband's lips. Shane's lips still tasted like the breakfast they had a few hours ago.

“This has been great birthday.” Ilya said as they pulled apart.

“I'm glad. You deserve great birthdays every year.” Shane said as he opened the front door.

They went inside, Ilya bending down to release both toddlers from their stroller. Shane put down the baby bag onto the bench in the foyer and picked up Hana from her stroller. Their baby girl was fully knocked out in Shane's arms. He gave her a light kiss, not even causing her to stir. Shane lingered in the foyer, waiting for Ilya so they could go to the kitchen and start lunch.

Once the twins were free and Dimitri wanted to be carried, Ilya picked him up without thinking about it. He went over to the kitchen, going somewhat on auto pilot. This was usually how it was after they went to the park. Nothing new, nothing different. Except for when Ilya got to the kitchen he was met with a loud camera flash followed by people cheering.

“Surprise!” The group of three said as Ilya stared at them, genuinely surprised. “Happy birthday Ilya!” In front of him were Yuna and David, both wearing party hats on their heads. Next to the kitchen island stood Svetlana, standing in front of a birthday cake also wearing a matching birthday hat.

Ilya blinked. He turned around to Shane, who was smiling wide. “You planned this?”

Shane nodded, leaning in again for a kiss. Ilya was still dazed, but met his husband's lips regardless. He was never going to turn down a kiss from him no matter how shocked he was.

Setting Dimitri down onto the floor Ilya went over to each person, hugging and thanking them for being here.

“Auntie Sveta!” Ava was jumping up and down by her aunt's side, excited to see her. Dimitri was next to her, not jumping but looking up at her excitement on his face. It had been some time since they saw Svetlana in person. The last time being when Shane had been six months pregnant, Hana at the time was making Shane's life miserable by kicking his bladder whenever she could. Now she was in his arms, one month old.

“You told me you were in Boston.” Ilya said in Russian as they hugged.

Svetlana smiled, leaning in to kiss his cheek. “I'm good liar.” She let out a laugh. “Your husband asked me to be here.”

They pulled apart, Ilya looking at Shane who was swaying back and forth with Hana in his arms out of habit. He looked away slightly blushing. His husband had planned all of this for him on his birthday, and he hadn't even known. It was such a sweet surprise that Ilya almost couldn't even form words at how happy he was. He looked down at the birthday cake on the counter next to him. In big cursive writing was written: Happy Birthday Ilya! Three golden candles sat in one corner of the cake.

“Let's get some photos and then blow out the candles.” Yuna said, already having the phone in her hand. Shane went to the living room and put Hana in her baby swing. She let out a sigh but continued sleeping, unbothered by her papa's birthday party happening in the kitchen. Shane came back into the kitchen, Ilya now holding Ava and Svetlana holding Dimitri. They all gathered by the cake, flashing big smiles as Yuna took pictures.

Once they were done Svetlana got out her lighter to light the candles. Everyone started singing happy birthday to Ilya, who looked fondly at everyone here. Both twins sat on top of the counter, looking at their papa gleefully as they sang happy birthday to him. Anya was now by his side, nuzzling her head against his leg. Shane stood next to the twins, singing along off key. Yuna stood on the opposite side of the counter, taking photos as she sang, David by her side.

Ilya had had crazy birthdays. He had been sung to by crowds of people in clubs, usually then followed by people bringing out champagne and shots for everyone at his table. It wasn't like this was new for him to have people sing to him. But something about the sight, people he cared so deeply for all here in his kitchen just to celebrate him. That made him more emotional than he anticipated.

The song ended, everyone clapped. “Papa, you gotta make a wish!” Ava urged.

“Hurry!” Dimitri added in, smiling.

Ilya thought for a second, he really didn't have anything to wish for. Everything he'd ever wanted already happened and he didn't really need anything else. He leaned forward, blowing out the candles, wishing for his family to be safe and happy. There were claps after they were blown out. Shane went over, draping his arms around Ilya's neck.

“What'd you wish for?” Shane asked.

“Is bad luck to say.” Ilya kissed him again so he wouldn't make a face.

—

“Ilyusha, she is so beautiful.” Svetlana said in Russian as she was holding Hana. This was her first time seeing her in person. Ilya had sent countless photos to her over the course of the month she'd been with them. “All pictures you send me can't capture how precious she is in person.”

Hana had woken up forty minutes ago, irritated and hungry. Shane had gone up to the nursery to feed and change her. Now after she had a belly full of milk, fresh diaper on, and a pacifier in her mouth she was calm again and in her aunt's arms for the first time.

“She is. I still can't believe she's real sometimes.” Ilya responded back in Russian, leaning into the couch. It was just the three of them inside right now, everyone else outside on the patio. David was grilling up some burgers and hot dogs for everyone to have. Shane and Yuna were sitting on the patio furniture, talking. The twins were chasing Anya around in the yard, somehow still having energy to burn through. Ilya knew they were going to sleep great tonight and that their bed time routine was going to be a breeze.

Svetlana chuckled at that. “She is. She reminds me of…” Svetlana's voice faltered looking up to Ilya. Their eyes meet and Ilya already knows what she's going to say.

“I know she looks like her.” Ilya says softly.

Svetlana gives him a soft smile, focusing back onto Hana. “I see so much of her in her face.”

Ilya just nodded in agreement. “Everyone says she looks like me but to me she looks like mama.” He said honestly.

Svetlana nodded. “She really does. She has Shane's nose though.”

Ilya shrugged. “Is for the best, his nose is perfect.” Ilya said casually in English.

“Who's nose is perfect?” Shane asked as he came inside. He went over to where Ilya and Svetlana were sitting on the couch.

“Nobody's. Just some boring Canadian hockey player with cute freckles. You don't know him.” Ilya said, kissing Shane's cheek as he sat down.

“Right.” Shane laughed. “Anyway my dad said the food is almost done.”

“Okay.” Ilya and Svetlana said in unison.

Hana began to fuss, wanting to be in either of her parents arms. Svetlana passed off the fussy infant to Ilya, and he started to soothe her as soon as she was in his arms. Gently bouncing and shushing her with practiced ease. He caught Svetlana looking at him with an amused look on her face.

“What?”

Svetlana shrugged. “Nothing. You're just a natural at this.”

Shane nodded in agreement. “He really is. You should see him with the twins.”

Ilya listened as the two talked around him, Shane praising how great of a dad Ilya was and Svetlana listening intently. Hana had become calm against his chest, letting out gurgles and coos. Two people who know him so well, complimenting him so effortlessly. For what felt like the umpteenth time that day, he felt his cheeks grow warm from blushing.

—

If anyone had asked Ilya when he was a teenager to imagine himself older, he couldn't do it. He would pretend he could, giving off some vague run of the mill answer. ‘Will be rich, famous and best hockey player in league. Obviously.’

But his secret was that he was lying. Whenever he pictured himself twenty years from then, he saw static. The idea of ever one day settling down and starting a family was such a foreign idea. He never saw himself one day with a loving husband, and now three beautiful children who meant the world to him. All of that never once crossed his mind when he was younger. Even when he first met Shane as a teenager, falling instantly in love with the freckled teenage boy standing in front of him, he never thought they could have all this one day.

Ilya was standing outside in the yard, waiting for Anya to do her business so they could go back inside. It was later now, the sun having set an hour ago, the party had winded down and moved inside. Yuna and David cleaned up in the kitchen while Svetlana was drawing with the twins at the coffee table in the living room. Ilya wanted to help with Hana in some way but Shane insisted it was fine, doing bath time and putting her to sleep on his own.

The whole day in the back of his mind, he kept thinking about his teenage self. How he was living the future he never thought he would have or even deserved. Turning an age that he never envisioned he would achieve. It was weird, growing up and getting everything he'd ever wanted. Outside of the career, outside of the fame, he'd only ever truly wanted a family of his own. Getting here hadn't been easy, no it had been a long process that eventually led him to where he was now. But he was happy. Happier than he could've ever imagined for himself.

The sliding glass door opened and he looked over to see Shane coming towards him. Shane wrapped his arms around Ilya's waist, kissing Ilya's shoulders and the nape of his neck.

“Did the birthday boy have a good day?” Shane asked, squeezing him closer.

“I did. One of the best.” Ilya answered honestly.

Shane rested his head on Ilya's shoulder. “Really?”

Ilya chuckled. “Yes really. Thank you for planning this.”

Another kiss to his shoulder. “You know when it comes to you I'd do anything.”

Ilya did know that. He always knew that. That was one of the few things he knew to be one hundred percent true.

“I know you would. And I'd do the same for you.”

Shane didn't say anything to that, just stayed quiet as they both listened to the sounds of the summer night. Ava and Dimitri laughing inside with Svetlana, Yuna and David in the kitchen talking. This was nice. Calming.

Anya went over to the door, wanting to go join everyone back inside. Before they could go let her in, David slid the door open, letting her back in. He left the door half open for them to join any time they felt like it.

“Hanas asleep?” Ilya asked his husband.

Shane hummed out a yes. “I know it's your birthday, and I don't want you to do anything. But I will need help with the twins when it comes to bath time and putting them to bed.”

Ilya grinned. To him that was the perfect way to end off his birthday.