Two days later, in the quiet of the morning, Nikolai held Lilith (Baneva) gently in his arms while she slept.
It had been three days of treatment.
Three days of screams.
Three days of crying.
Three days of restless sleep.
He sighed softly, rocking her carefully.
"N…N…Nikki?" she whispered weakly.
"Yes, Bambi," he replied, rubbing her cheeks tenderly.
"Lily love you… a lot…" she murmured.
"I love you so much, Lily," he said, resting his forehead against hers.
Nearby, Sohan and Riyana watched them with soft smiles.
"Can I have a kiss?" Sohan suddenly said.
Riyana rolled her eyes but pulled him closer. He bent down and kissed her deeply. She smiled against the kiss.
"Can you please get a room? Y'all have nine of us—wanna make it ten now?" Nihal said.
"You know what? Great idea," Sohan replied dramatically.
He turned, then suddenly froze. "My God, babe—you are—ewwwwwww!!!"
He ran off as laughter erupted behind him.
Meanwhile, preparations were underway for Lilith's family tree party.
Outside, Nikolai carried her into the garden, where she began picking flowers happily.
He sat on a chair, typing on his laptop, occasionally glancing at her.
She giggled, fascinated by the tiny petals.
Damian approached.
"You good, boss?"
"Yeah… just calm to see her happy," Nikolai replied.
"She looks very happy," Damian nodded.
Then, more seriously, "Are you scared of losing her, boss?"
Nikolai paused.
"To be honest… yes," he admitted quietly. "I'm not scared of threats from those women. But I am scared of Lily leaving me… or something bad happening to her. Like maybe a misunderstanding—from me or her."
His jaw tightened.
"One thing is sure—I will never let that happen. Not like my parents. Oh fuck no. Even if she goes far from me… I will always be watching her."
Damian nodded.
"We got the shipments back. The high-tech weapons arrived—all safe and guarded. Also… the gift for her is ready."
"Thanks, bro. Also—I sent ₽2 billion into your account. You deserve it," Nikolai said.
"Thank you so much, boss. Honestly, you're the best capo," Damian replied.
They laughed.
"Nikki! L…look! Lily got you b…b…beautiful roses!" she said, running toward him.
"Thank you, Bambi," he smiled.
She blushed shyly.
"Baneva, come—it's lunchtime," Riyana called.
Lilith looked at Nikolai, leaned forward, and kissed his cheek—catching him completely off guard.
"Bye-bye, Nikki!" she chirped, skipping inside.
He chuckled softly as she hugged her mother.
Then he leaned back, returning to his work.
By evening, Lily (Neva) had eaten and been shown several dresses. She picked only one she liked, then returned to her room.
She took out her drawing book and began sketching.
In the living room, Zafraan entered with Karim, Reyan, Nihal, Rafsan, Farhan, Aarav, and Ariz.
They all sat down, fully focused—working on a large portrait of their parents.
Tomorrow was their anniversary.
"Eyes," Karim said.
Lily (Neva) adjusted her position, carefully drawing them.
"What are you all doing?" Anika asked.
"Shhhhh!" they all whispered.
"Oh, okay," she chuckled, kissing Karim's cheek.
He smiled and kissed her lips.
"Here, Ray," Amala said, handing Reyan a glass of milk.
"Thank you, love," he replied.
"Oii, what are you guys doing?" Riyana's voice suddenly rang out.
They froze.
Slowly, they turned.
Their parents stood there.
"Uh… nothing. Just working," Karim said.
"On what?" Sohan asked suspiciously.
"C…cookie!" Lily suddenly said.
"Cookie?" both Riyana and Sohan echoed.
"Haan (yes)," Nihal nodded quickly.
Lily stood up, her eyes wide and pleading.
"Pretty please… cookie for Lily… b…baba… T…T…the ones you make!"
Sohan smiled softly. "That was when you were four…" he muttered.
Riyana scoffed. "I can make better cookies than your baba, sweetie."
"Oh really?" Sohan shot back. "When Reyan was five, you burned half the kitchen trying to bake one cookie. So no—you don't know how to bake."
"I do!" she argued.
Lilith (Baneva) looked between them—then broke into a huge grin.
"R…really?" she asked.
"So baba, you're saying you bake better than Mumma?" Rafsan teased.
They both nodded confidently.
"Oh my—Mumma, Baba just said you almost burned the kitchen last time. Are you sure you can bake Neva cookies?" Karim added.
"Of course I can! After the accident, while I was healing, I learned how to bake—and fire a gun!" Riyana said proudly.
"Okay then—let's have a competition!" Farhan declared.
At that moment, Nikolai entered with members of the Bratva and The Dominion Apex.
"Mumma and Baba will both make cookies for Lily. Then we'll know who's best, right?" Zafraan said, pointing his pencil dramatically.
"Obviously mine are the best," Sohan said.
"Naki (oh really!?)" Riyana challenged.
"Haan (yes)," he smirked.
"G…go make cookies!" Lilith (Baneva) urged.
"Yes—come. I want to see you lose, baby," Sohan teased.
"I will win—you'll see!" Riyana shot back.
They walked into the kitchen, still arguing.
"Come on!" Lilith said, sitting back down and continuing her drawing.
Nikolai watched her with a soft smile.
His tiny artist.
By nightfall, Sohan and Riyana were done.
"Mine is the best," Sohan insisted.
"No—mine is," Riyana countered.
They turned—
—and froze.
All the children were fast asleep, cuddled together, exhausted.
"Aww… so cute," Rima whispered.
"Yeah…" Nirma added, taking a picture.
Nikolai took one too.
Sohan and Riyana gently covered them with a large blanket.
They kissed each one softly.
"Goodnight, my babies," Riyana whispered.
They turned off the lights and left.
August 6th.
Sohan and Riyana's wedding anniversary.
They were asleep in each other's arms.
Their children were already awake—preparing everything.
Twenty-eight years together.
In the kitchen, Zafraan stood nervously, trying to light the gas.
His hands trembled.
Clara leaned against the doorway, watching.
"You're not ready, Zafraan. Not now," she said gently.
He looked at her.
She stepped forward, took the lighter, and turned on the gas.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
"You're welcome," she smiled.
She watched him cook.
The aroma filled the kitchen.
"Wow… this smells so good," she said.
"Thank you," he replied.
Soon, breakfast was ready.
Lily skipped in happily.
"Bhai… f…f…food r…r…ready?" she asked.
"Yes, baby. Here you go—be careful," he said, handing her the tray and guiding her.
They reached their parents' room.
They opened the door.
Riyana lay on Sohan, both fast asleep.
They placed the tray down.
"Baba?" Karim called.
No response.
"Come on! Upies, upies, upies, upies!" Lily (Neva) said, shaking them.
"Okay, okay, okay, love—we're up," Sohan groaned.
They opened their eyes—
—and saw breakfast and flowers.
"HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!" the children shouted.
Lily giggled.
"Oh my goodness…" Riyana whispered.
Nihal handed her the flowers.
"Aww… thank you so much," she smiled.
They climbed onto the bed, hugging them tightly.
"Come here, sweetie," Sohan said to Lilith (Baneva), who stood holding her teddy bear.
She waddled over and climbed into her mother's arms.
They hugged her tightly.
"My happy family… I'm happy to see and be here with them again, just like old times," Sohan whispered into Riyana's ear.
She kissed his nose.
"Me too, baby," she said softly.
Later, Nikolai had finished his work.
Lily (Neva) sat quietly, lost in her thoughts.
"What is my Bambi thinking, hmm?" Nikolai asked gently.
"Nani…" she said.
His expression softened.
"You miss her a lot, right?"
She nodded.
"It… l…l…Lily's f…f…fault… N…Nani dead…" she whispered, tears forming.
He immediately pulled her close.
"Shhh… darling, it's not your fault. It was those bad people. And they're gone now, right? They're in hell. And Nani… she's in heaven."
She nodded softly, tears slipping down.
He rested his forehead against hers.
And smiled gently—holding her just a little tighter.