Lydia sat by her chair and Ivan stood behind her, brushing her hair softly. She kept giggling happily, her eyes half closed from comfort. Ivan smiled, trying his best to braid her long hair.
"Stay still, Lydia," he said, with a soft laugh.
"I am trying," she laughed again, wiggling a little on purpose.
He let out a sigh. "I swear, I'll lose it and just brush it only."
She burst into more giggles. He chuckled too, giving up. He set the brush aside and leaned down to kiss her forehead gently.
Then he lifted her from the chair into his arms, holding her close. He kissed her cheeks, then her nose, and she smiled in his arms.
"Ivan," she said softly, resting her head on his shoulder. "Can you read a book to me?"
"Of course," he said.
