Starting the cleaning process.
"Changing the bed sheets… done."
After tidying the bed, Leonid left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen, muttering to himself:
"Used towels and sheets washed and hung to dry."
He adjusted the water level in the kettle and waited for it to boil while preparing a cup of coffee for himself and chamomile tea for Charlotte.
Leaning against the marble kitchen counter, he watched her silently.
The fresh blanket was wrapped around her body, keeping her warm. The clothes he had picked for her looked comfortable and suitable. The pillows he had arranged himself surrounded her gently, giving her the option to relax in full comfort.
As soon as the kettle clicked, he turned immediately, poured hot water into the chamomile tea first, then into his own mug.
He left his coffee aside, picked up the tea, and walked over to Charlotte. Setting it on the small table in front of her, he leaned in slightly, adjusting the blanket that had slipped from her shoulders with care:
"Chamomile tea. Drink it while it's warm... I read it helps women during their— cough."
He stopped suddenly. Cleared his throat and looked away, as if the word had caught in his mouth. After a brief silence, he added in a lower voice:
"I mean… menstrual cycle."
He sat beside her, staring into space for a moment, as if gathering courage, then turned to her suddenly:
"Are you sure it's not bleeding?"
"I'm sure."
Charlotte replied softly, sipping her tea with caution.
"Charlotte, please... work with me here."
Leonid felt a dull headache creeping up the back of his skull after her calm, indifferent response to his concern.
He sighed, resting his arm on the back of the couch behind her head and leaned in more seriously:
"You told me it wasn't due yet. It was supposed to start in two days, right?"
Despite his embarrassment, he insisted on addressing it. He couldn't just ignore it.
Charlotte couldn't believe that a man like him could seem this flustered if she weren't seeing it with her own eyes.
When she first told him, she had been shy. But his reaction had completely caught her off guard: he froze in place, as if time, or maybe his brain had stopped. He stayed motionless for several minutes, maybe even half an hour, before he processed what she'd said and snapped back to reality.
From that moment, he started taking things seriously. He carried her to the bathroom, nearly helped her shower if she hadn't refused, insisted she wear warm, long clothes... and the socks. The long socks up to her knees.
And then came the cleaning. The washing. Everything.
She would've done it herself anyway, but seeing how much he cared… it was a nice feeling.
She smiled faintly, speaking in a soft tone without looking at him:
"It's only natural… after what happened between us last night."
Leonid understood what she meant, sighed again, and leaned back slightly.
A short silence followed before he said, his concern written clearly on his face:
"A brief silence followed, then he spoke, concern clearly etched on his face:
"Let's go to the hospital. Before I washed the bed sheets, I saw..."
Leonid crossed his arms and leaned back on the couch, voicing his worries in a calm tone.
Meanwhile, Charlotte placed the chamomile tea on the table and grabbed the pillow next to her, as if preparing to deliver a final blow.
Leonid gestured with his hand as he continued speaking, unaware of what was coming:
"I saw the bloodstain. Are you sure your body is still— wait! "
But she didn't give him the chance to finish his sentence. The pillow landed straight on his bare chest.
"What do you mean by—"
"Don't say another word, please!… Ugh, my stomach… it hurts."
The pillow dropped from her hand as she held her abdomen with a small sigh, pain flickering across her face.
"Seriously..."
After the sudden but not-so-harsh attack, Leonid sighed and pushed away the pillows between them. He wrapped his arms around Charlotte and gently pulled her into his embrace.
"If you insist that everything's fine, I won't push anymore."
He spoke in a low, quiet voice, resting her carefully against his bare chest.
Despite the pain, Charlotte slowly began to feel comforted, as if the warmth of his arms was melting the cramps away. It was the first time someone had held her during her period.
"Trust me..."
She whispered faintly, her voice more relaxed now.
"I'm okay."
"Then I'll trust you, this time."
Leonid replied in a hushed voice, as if sealing a silent promise.
He moved his hand to gently brush through her silky hair, his fingers gliding from her scalp to her neck, then her shoulder, until they touched the pendant resting on her collarbone.
He ran his fingertip over the gem, the same color as his eyes, then leaned in to place a warm kiss on the top of her head.
"Has the pain eased up a bit?"
He whispered near her ear, while his other hand moved to rest gently on her stomach, rubbing it softly.
"A lot... thank you."
Charlotte slowly closed her eyes, surrendering to the peaceful stillness settling over her, as Leonid continued caring for her in silence.
After a warm pause, she placed her hand over his, then looked up at his bare chest the scratches she had left still visible. A pang of guilt crossed her face, but she said nothing.
She looked into his eyes for a moment and then said quietly:
"I'm really okay now."
She was grateful and wanted to reassure him with honesty this time.
Adjusting her posture calmly, she picked up her tea again and took a small sip.
Meanwhile, Leonid sat silently watching her… until a small realization hit him.
… his forgotten coffee.
He stood and went to the kitchen without a word. Charlotte followed him with a quiet gaze.
When he returned with his cup, she couldn't hold back her laughter. Nearly choking, she remembered how serious he'd been the whole time… while completely forgetting his own coffee.
Charlotte set her chamomile tea aside and let out a soft laugh, wiping away a tear that had slipped from her eye.
Leonid stopped halfway, raising an eyebrow questioningly.
"What's so funny?"
He asked in a reserved tone, placing his coffee cup on the table before sitting beside her.
Charlotte shook her head, trying to suppress her smile.
"It's just... you were worrying about me like I was about to collapse at any moment, and in the end, you forgot your coffee. Your seriousness vanished all of a sudden!"
Leonid stared at her for a moment, then let out a dry chuckle and gave a rare, small, but genuine smile.
"Really?"
He asked, leaning back on the couch, crossing one leg over the other, and sipping from his cup slowly.
Fortunately, the coffee hadn't lost its warmth or flavor.
The two of them sat in calm silence, sipping their warm drinks, until the sound of the doorbell broke the peace of the moment.
Leonid placed his cup on the table and stood up quietly, gesturing to Charlotte to stay where she was and remain relaxed.
She obeyed his gesture, remaining seated and calmly sipping her chamomile tea, her eyes silently following his movements.
Leonid opened the door, and in an instant, stepped aside to let Daniel in, who entered with a bright spirit.
"Charlotte!"
Daniel lifted his arms high and rushed toward her, stopping just in time to hug her gently.
"I'm so thrilled you won't believe what I'm about to tell you!"
Charlotte remained calm in Daniel's arms, blinking quietly, while a soft sigh escaped Leonid, who returned to sit beside her on the other side after closing the door.
Leonid looked at the hug for a moment without comment, then quietly lifted his coffee cup and took a sip, as if ignoring a faint feeling he chose not to name.
Daniel loosened his embrace and sat beside Charlotte, looking at her excitedly before beginning to recount what had happened:
"I'll try to keep it short... Yesterday, I spoke to my girlfriend's father and told him I plan to propose to her on her birthday. I expected him to say no maybe even get angry, but he just patted my shoulder and said, 'Go ahead.'"
"That's wonderful news!"
Charlotte replied with a sincere smile.
Daniel's face turned red with embarrassment, his gray eyes sparkling with joy, and his blonde hair seemed to regain some of its usual shine.
"I'm so happy... Can I get a hug?"
"Of course you can."
Charlotte answered softly, set down her empty chamomile cup, and opened her arms to welcome him.
Daniel smiled bashfully before leaning into her embrace.
"Even though we're not a real family, I see you as my only one, Charlotte."
He whispered gratefully, unable to hold back his emotions.
"It's the same for me."
Charlotte replied in the same quiet tone.
Daniel remained in her arms for a moment before pulling back slightly, gazing at her with hopeful eyes.
"Will you come? Can you? I want my only family to be there and witness the most important moment of my life."
"I…"
Charlotte hesitated for a moment, her mind searching for an escape.
But a firm voice cut through her confusion like a blade.
"She'll come."
Leonid said in a calm but decisive tone, not looking at them but at his coffee cup, which was growing cold in his hands.
"Despite everything… she will come."
Daniel smiled instantly, a burst of rare enthusiasm lighting up his face.
"Then I'll be waiting for you! And I won't forgive either of you if you don't come together."
He spoke with boldness, a tone uncharacteristic of his usually introverted personality like something inside him had finally awakened.
"Well, I guess I have no choice… we'll come."
Charlotte said, then added with a small smile:
"Please let Lyudmila know."
"I will. She'll be more than happy."
Daniel took a step back and stood up quickly, as if happiness had given him a boost of energy.
"Alright, I'll be off now… see you the day after tomorrow!"
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to call."
Charlotte called after him as she watched him head for the door.
"Got it!"
He waved at her with a smile as he walked lightly toward the door.