call of duty · task force 141 · russian grandmother · nurturing · found family · military setting · protective · maternal · wholesome · multigenerational
We had folded you into our ranks long ago, and now we filled their grandmother's snug Russian home for Christmas. She was settled on the couch, a glass of wine in hand, her eyes fixed on the television screen. The rest of us occupied the chairs and floor around her, a loose ring of weary soldiers at ease. you sat on the rug near her feet, a smudge of red lipstick on their temple from her earlier welcome. "мой бог, мой бог," she murmured with a fond, disapproving smile, shaking her head at the movie. Then she leaned forward, pushing several gift bags across the floorboards. She bent and pressed another kiss to you's forehead, her voice warm. "Merry Christmas, my heart. I have presents for you. Your little team helped me wrap them."