Alexander Waverley had many years ago accepted the bitter disposition of his job, the hollow and empty platitudes when you worked in the shadows and while he was never one to heap praise on his agents, they knew when they had pleased him. Today was no different. It appeared that Uriel would make a full recovery.

The Russian agent in the Polit Bureau once unmasked to the KGB officials met with an early retirement which would be permanent. And in exactly fourteen minutes the twin girls who had been the bait for this distasteful affair would be in his office.

Illya and Napoleon had spent some well deserved down time after learning of the death of his step mother, and it was with no surprise that they had spent their time together. He was old enough and crotchety enough to believe that loves comes to all, but very few in their business had the heart or tenacity to reach out and grab it. At the very least now they had each other, and it would make no difference to the way they worked or their ability in the field.

It was all in all a good day, and it was days like this that Alexander Waverley worked for.

To say Ekaterina was beautiful was an understatement. She was like Illya, slight and blonde, with blue eyes that were just a shade deeper than her brother’s, her elfin features proud yet gentle, and she smiled as she approached him. Two little girls, identical save for the curl on one forehead, held her gloved hands. Both dressed immaculately in woolen coats against the cold, stockings, red berets and gloves and even at their tender age, the beauty and resemblance were remarkable.

It was pride, a curious mixture of love and fire that coursed through their bodies, born of gypsy blood in an unforgiving land. Loyal to a fault, but wary with strangers, Waverley had seen the very same look in Illya’s eyes the first time. Though rare now, he witnessed it in the girls who with the grace and favour of princesses looked at each other, came to a decision without words and smiled sweetly at him. He’d been accepted, they knew his heart, what his body did made no difference, and with almost paternal pride he reached forward to kiss the elder woman’s hand.

“Madam, it is indeed a pleasure.”

She smiled and let go a laugh, cheerful like quicksilver. “Ekaterina, please, Mr. Waverly with all you have done for us, let us not stand on ceremony.” She placed her hands on his shoulders and kissed him twice on each cheek. “May I present my sisters?” she said. The one with a curl stepped forward. “This is Alana.” She mirrored her sister’s actions and kissed him before wandering around the room, touching nothing but making the orbit out of curiosity. “And this is Galina.”

“A pleasure.” He fished in his pocket and found some wrapped candy and handed one to each little girl. “I hope your trip was comfortable.”

“Yes thank you, I spoke to Uriel last night; he says all will be well.”

“Good, good, UNCLE has set up a trust fund for their education and should you find yourself in need of anything please, call.”

“My thanks. Forgive my impertinence, but is Illya here?”

The two girls stopped their inspection of the office and ran to stand next to Mr. Waverley on hearing their brother’s name.

“Is our brother here?” Alana asked excitedly.

“Yes, little one, he is. Shall we go and find him?” He headed towards the door only to be stopped by twin sets of hands reaching out to clutch his and look up with large pale eyes full of wonder and admiration.

Yes it was days like today that made Alexander Waverley believe in what he was doing.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~

“This is not a chicken sandwich.” Illya waved the offensive bread towards the hapless girl in the commissary.

“It is,” she huffed, used to ornery agents with tempers and volatile personalities. It wasn’t in the job description, but combat training at times would have been a great help when you worked feeding the multitude of agents at UNCLE NYC.

“No, it is not, see.” He opened the package and spread the contents on the plate. “I’m not seeing chicken, I’m seeing lettuce and a strange substance that I’m uncertain whether is edible or not and bread. I don’t see any chicken.”

“Well.” She took the plate and smiled sweetly at him. “Illya, it would be my great pleasure to make you one myself. Can I bring it over?”

The simple statement diffused the anger and Illya smiled.

“Thank you.”

Napoleon watched the scene with mild amusement; he’d been there too many times with Illya to be truly concerned. He turned ready to come back to their table with his tray and stopped. The American tracked his movements and saw Mr. Waverley standing in the doorway with a beautiful blond woman and two girls dressed identically.

Galvanized to the spot, Illya stared at the trio. It was as if time stood still and then there was action. The girls ran, full pelt dodging the agents who dared get in their way into their brother’s arms. The tray of food long forgotten as he dropped to his knees.

“Lusha!” the girls chorused in unison.

“I’ve missed you,” Alana said as she showered him with butterfly kisses.

“See look.” Galina pulled his face towards her. “Maht brought us new shoes with the money you sent us before she went to heaven.”

Tears slid down his face; unable and unwilling to stop them he buried his face against their coats. Napoleon looked around the room and saw several other agents sniff back tears along with huge smiles.

The ice prince was for the first time in his life warm, and he loved it. All bitter memories of the past gone the way of dreams and the day looked bright and clear.

“Maht said you’d love us Lusha,” Galina said and she kissed him.

“Please Lusha don’t cry, we love you,” Alana fretted.

Ekaterina extended her hands to Napoleon, and he took her in his arms kissing her sweetly on the cheek. “Napoleon, I simply did not believe you could do this.” She kissed him again. “You have our thanks and love.”

“It wasn’t all my doing, Kat. Illya did help.” He couldn’t help but grin. As he watched, Illya had picked up Alana who was now crying and had her arms wrapped around his throat in a death grip. And Galina firmly held his hand as he led them to a table. Neither girl could be convinced of letting him go even when huge ice cream sundaes were placed in front of them.

Finally Illya took a deep shuddering breath and wiped at the tears that stained their faces.

“Why were you away so long Lusha? We missed you,” Alana demanded as she ran a finger around the top of the ice cream and licked it off.

“I had to work.” He found his voice as he patiently wiped his sister’s finger on a napkin and handed her a spoon. “But I never forgot you.” He brushed Galina’s hair from her face and settled her in his lap.

“Pfft, as if you could,” Galina said, smiling

“What else did Maht say?” Illya asked softly aware of his sister and Napoleon approaching the table.

“That you were brave and strong,” Alana said with pride.

“And that you were very beautiful and we were lucky to have you for a brother.” Galina finally dug into the ice cream and ate heartily.

Ekaterina smiled as she bent to capture his lips in a soft gentle kiss. “Lusha, I’ve missed you too.”

“Ah, Kat.” He pulled her hand to his mouth. “And I, you. How is that husband of yours?”

“Pompous as always.” She smiled. “But he has a good heart and is looking forward to finally having children in the house.” She urged the children away from their brother and all three sets of eyes looked up at her with sorrow. Ekaterina ruffled the blond hair and kissed him on the temple. “We are going to see Uriel and will be in New York for the rest of the month.” Kat kissed his cheek. “So don’t pout, Lusha.” Her laugh was bright.

“I’ve taken the liberty of arranging accommodation for our guests. Mr. Kuryakin, Mr. Solo, see that they are well looked after for the rest of the month.” Mr. Waverly chewed the end of his pipe and left before the smile he was fighting hard to suppress could break free.

It just wouldn’t do for the enforcement agents to see him smiling.

~~~oooOOOooo~~~~

When back in the safety of their office, Illya turned into the embrace Napoleon offered and laid his head upon the broad shoulder.

“They remembered me, Pasha.”

Napoleon simply held him closer.

Finis.

*** Notes – Galina (calm) Alana (light) sisters names. moya dorogoy bratik My dear Brother.