* * * * *
Megan drove to the campus and went to the laboratory.
Nearing the door, she knocked, but nobody answered, and, growing cold, she started pounding. All her anxiety fell onto the woman like an avalanche.
Unexpectedly, the door opened so fast that Megan almost fell inside barely avoiding punching Vlad. He did not greet her, just ran back, and the amazed Megan went in.
«Vlad!» she heard the worried voice of her husband. «Hurry up!»
She drew close and looked at the men, then around.
They were the only people here, and the scientists worked hard with some apparatus. From time to time Vlad flung himself to the computer, typed, and moved back to his boss, who kept his eyes on the monitor of his machine.
«Oh, no,» David gasped with an upset voice, and, remembering Nina’s words, Megan scolded herself. «My stupid jealousy can cost my husband’s work’s results!» she thought. «Why did I come here? I only disturb him!»
She stared at his stern concerned face, and all her love for this man painfully jammed her heart.
«Hold on, hold on,» mumbled Vlad, typing hurriedly. They all gazed at David’s monitor. Megan did not understand a thing, but she crossed her fingers praying for luck for her husband.
Suddenly Vlad gasped, and a joyful smile showed on his plump lips.
«Professor!» he exclaimed. «We did it.»
«Yes!» they uttered at once, and triumphantly clapped their hands, giving five to each other, then they looked at the woman.
«Megan?» wondered David. «Why are you here? Where are the kids?»
«With Nina and Vera,» she replied timidly. «I just missed you…»
«Oh, honey.» David hugged his wife. «We’re almost done, I’ll join you soon, I promise.»
«Of course,» Vlad said to himself. «Because you’ll leave all the routine work up to me. At best I’ll be able to go home about eight, not earlier. Don’t they think how much I want to see my family? My poor girls, another holiday we have to spend being separated. Damn money…» He sighed, and tried to cheer himself up, «It’s okay, buddy, someday you will be a professor. Moscow wasn’t built in one day.»
«Where is Marina?» Megan could not resist asking.
The men gazed at her, and the woman felt her worry return.
«I don’t know,» David replied slowly. «I didn’t see her today.»
He did not dare ask his wife why was she interested.
Megan nodded. «See you, guys,» she said, then left.
* * * * *
When she reached Main Street the parade was in full swing.
She was surprised to see Marina holding Dylon in her arms. Nina was taking photos, and both girls hopped next to her. Megan glanced at Vera animatedly talking with police officers, and neared her children and friends.