I’ll Be Home for Christmas
maksimchmerko:
Once the older woman had finally spoken and made that particular approving comment; Maksim let out a long, nerve raddled, strained breath that he didn’t even know he was holding in. Shai on the other hand, was looking back and forth rapidly between Nina and her mother as if he was trying to figure how they looked so similar.
“I think you two may have broken his little brain.” He playfully joked at his confused son. “But now that you say that, I think Nina’s cuteness may have accidentally rubbed off on him.” Maksim complimented with a small grin. Any chance to pump up Nina in front of her mother was a good change to the eldest Chmerkovskiy.
Entering the kitchen; Maksim’s eyes panned over the two and attempted to be as respectful looking as he possibly could. He knew he could come off a little scary before he opened his mouth, but the older man was trying his best not to look or sound that way. Greeting them both back; Maks made sure to give him his firm yet most gentle handshake. Because if he was actually firm, he probably would have broken their hands. “It’s an honor to finally meet you both.” He grinned.
“I know, баба looks young enough to be my sister. I get that all the time,” Nina spoke, using the Bulgarian word for grandmother to refer to her mother when it came to Shai. Clearly, her mother approved of her choice of word, instantly lighting up as she accepted the title of the little boy’s grandmother. “You know, Nina got her cuteness from me,” the older woman teased.
Nina had confidence that Maks would win over both of the men before either of them even knew it. He had a natural charm and charisma about him that was hard not to fall in love with. “It’s nice to meet you too,” both of the men replied. “So Maks, my daughter certainly seems to be taken with you. Every time she calls, she does nothing bush gush to Michaela about you.” Nina’s father’s tone was hesitant. Like he wasn’t sure if the new man in his daughter’s life was too good to be true. But at the same time, he didn’t want to jump down the man’s throat and misjudge him before getting to know him. But he was keeping a close eye on him. “Dad, lighten up and stop trying to intimidate him,” Nina said with a laugh, knowing her father would love him as soon as he got to know him better. “Plus you’re required to like him now that you’re a grandfather,” the actress added as she made her way over to her mother and stole Shai. “This is your grandson, Shai. Shai, this is your дядо or just grandpa since that’s easier to say for you.” Instantly the older Bulgarian man melted as the little boy reached out for him with a smile on his face. “See? Love at first sight,” the woman commented, knowing her father was already beginning to cave.
“Honestly, don’t tell your husband because he already has enough reason to kick my butt. But I see it.” He charmed with a playful wink, hoping that Nina and her mother would understand. Shai didn’t understand the explanation but kept looking in between his mother and his grandmother. His little mind looking like it was assuming this was one of his mother’s clones.
Although, he never did well meeting fathers as a rule. But he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Nina, so Maksim needed to do his best to make a good impression on everyone. “Well, I try my very best because she doesn’t deserve anything else.” He replied honestly, being more than a little grateful that Nina called her father off.
Maks was glad that her mother seemed to accept Shai almost instantly, but he didn’t know if the same kindness would extend from Nina’s father. But he was more than grateful when that turned out to be the case. Thinking about how to say it for the longest while; Shai continued to reach out while saying. “Ma-pa” Shai declared, mixing Maverick and grandpa together which made Maks chuckle a little. “Close buddy, close.”
