"Let's leave that topic for another day… Valerie, please…" Victor's voice was a raw whisper. "Can you call Elena? I just… I just want to hear her voice."
Valerie nodded, her expression soft. She dialed and put the phone on speaker, placing it on the table between them.
It was answered on the first ring, but not by Elena. Instead, a high-pitched, enthusiastic babble poured out, accompanied by the sound of something plastic clattering to the floor.
"Anya, no! Give that back….hello? Hello? Val? Is that you?" Elena's voice came through, slightly breathless.
Victor flinched at the sudden noise, then leaned in, his eyes wide.
"Elena? Everything alright over there?" Valerie asked, a smile already touching her lips.
"Alright? We're under siege by a very small, very determined dictator who has discovered the joy of throwing spoons. Say hello to Nana, Anya."
There was a moment of rustling, then a loud, wet-sounding *pffft* into the receiver.
"Bleh!" announced Anya.
