Cliff Ryder - Black Widow

That was just who she was. And part of her was glad of that.

Leicester

"Ajza?"

"Yes." Ajza turned her attention away from her parents' shop and glanced at Maaret, standing beside her.

For the past three days, they'd been involved in clearing up the mission in Moscow. Maaret and the baby had received medical attention, and both had checked out in good health. Ajza was more tired than she'd thought possible, but the whole time she'd looked forward to and dreaded telling her parents what she'd come to tell them.

"You are nervous?" Maaret asked.

"Yes. They're…well, they're my parents."

Maaret studied the shop apprehensively. "Are they not good parents?"

"They are good parents," Ajza said quickly. "Absolutely brill." Then she realized she'd spoken in English and translated for the younger woman. "It's just…they've been through a lot."

"This is not a good time for them to meet Ilyas's son?"

Ajza was afraid of what seeing the baby would do to her parents. The little boy would remind them of Ilyas, as he did her, but the boy was also proof that Ilyas lived on.

Her cell phone rang and she answered it.

"What are you waiting for?" the woman asked.

Ajza recognized the voice at once.

"Are you just going to stand out there with that handsome baby and not show him to your parents?"

Shading her eyes, Ajza stared up at the sky. "I figured you would have better things to do than spy on me."

"It's a slow morning. We have those occasionally."

"So in addition to being a spy, you're a busybody?"

The woman chuckled. "I thought being a busybody was a prerequisite for spying." She paused. "Nervous?"

"Yes. I was trying to figure how best to do this."

"It's family," the woman said. "There is no best and worst. Family just is. Finding out about your nephew is going to shock them, but it's also going to make them happy. He's a baby. Babies are the best kind of medicine. Trust me."

"All right."

"After a few days I'll be in touch," the woman said. "We're going to bring you into the fold. Let you know more about what you'll be doing."

"And who I'm doing it for?"

"Yes."

"I'm looking forward to that," Ajza admitted.

"Go," the woman urged. "Show off the baby."

Ajza put her phone away and took a deep breath.

"Is everything all right?" Maaret asked.

Ajza nodded.

Maaret held the baby out to her. "Maybe you should carry him."

"You don't mind?"

"No. I would be pleased if you would do this."

Tenderly Ajza took her nephew, gazed into his blue eyes that were the exact shade of Ilyas's and laughed despite the ache within her.

The baby laughed back and cooed. He reached for her and she held him tight. Then she took him into the shop to meet her parents. Things weren't going to be simple. Family never was.