Monday, September 22

"Maks, I'm worried."

"I know Meryl but it's going to be ok. We are just going to check the school out. If we don't like the school, we can keep looking. It's going to be ok."

"I'm not worried about that Maks. I'm more worried about how she is going to do. What if she totally freaks out and goes back to how she was when she came to us."

"If that happens, then we'll deal with it. It's going to be ok Princess. We have to do this. It's for her own good."

"I know. It's just, it's going to be so hard."

"We are in this together Mer. Now come on. It's time to get ready." He climbs out of bed and helps Meryl out as well. She quickly gets dressed and then heads to go get Adalyn.

"Hi milaya devushka. We have to get dressed because we have somewhere to go this morning."

"Where are we going?"

"We are going to a school. A preschool."

"School for who?"

"Possibly for you."

"I have to go to school?"

"Yes. All kids have to go to school."

"Do you and Papa go to school?"

"No. Not anymore."

"Will you come with me to school?"

"Today both Papa and I will but everyday we won't. You'll be safe. I promise."

"Ok" Adalyn says softly.

"How about you wear this outfit today. It will be really comfortable and it's cute." The outfit is a lime green top with a sheer clear and black chevron overlay. It is paired with a pair of jean shorts.

"Ok Mama." She gets dressed and then they go find Maks.

"Are we ready to head out now?" Maks asks giving a kiss to Adalyn.

"I think we are. Let's go."

~

When Maks pulls up to the preschool, he knows this is the school for Adalyn. He just knows it but isn't sure why. He looks at his wife and she gives him a weak smile. He looks in the rear view mirror at his daughter. She's looking out the window with and uncertain look.

"Alright moya lyubov. It's time to go in." He hears them both sigh. Meryl reaches for her buckle but can't bring herself to unbuckle it. Maks reaches over and unbuckles it for her. He then whispers in her ear, "You have to look happy or Adalyn will pick up on it."

She smiles and they both get out of the car. Maks helps Adalyn out and holds both Meryl and Adalyn's hands. They walk in and up to the front desk.

"Hello. How can I help you?"

"Hi. We um... we have an appointment with Dr. Stewart" Meryl says with a small smile.

"Oh yes. The... um... Ch..."

"Chmerkovskiy's."

"Yes. Follow me. I'll take you to her office now. Come with me."

"Great. Thank you" Maks says putting his hand on Meryl's back telling her to go ahead.

When they reach the door, the secretary knocks and opens the door. There is a lady, who seems to be in her early 40's.

"Dr. Stewart, I have the Ch...I'm sorry. I can't say your last name."

"Chmerkovskiy."

"Ah yes. I remember that name. Hi Meryl. Great to see you again. Please, come in again and sit down."

"Thank you. It's great to see you again. This is my husband Maksim and our daughter Adalyn." Meryl shakes her hand and then struggles to sit in the chair.

"Hello Maksim. It's so nice to meet you."

"Hi. It's a pleasure to meet you as well but please, call me Maks."

"Ok. Hi Adalyn."

Adalyn, who is sitting on Maks' lap, turns in his arms and puts her head on his shoulder.

"How about you ask some questions and I'll ask a few. Then I can show you around the school."

"Sounds great" Meryl says as Maks takes her hand.

"Great. So what questions do you have?"

"What time are classes?" Meryl asks.

"Well, we have options for half day and full day. What are you thinking about doing?"

"We are thinking half days."

"Ok. Well we have morning classes that run from 9 am to 11:30 am. Our afternoon classes run from 1pm to 3:30pm."

"She normally naps at 1pm so I think we should do the morning class."

"Ok great. Remind me, how old is she?"

"Adalyn turned 4 on Saturday" Maks says.

"Oh, happy belated birthday Adalyn."

"What do you say Adalyn?" whispers in her ear.

"Thank you" Adalyn says turning to look at Dr. Stewart.

"You're welcome. So, you are 4 so you'll be in our green room class. I'll show you that room later."

"Great. Thank you. How many kids will be in her class?"

"I believe there are 16 at the most. Oh, how many days a week are you thinking?"

"What are the options?"

"We can accommodate any schedule. We can do 5 days, 3 days, 2, days, whatever you want."

"I think we should do 5 days because I think if she has days off it will be harder to adjust" Maks says.

"You're probably right and when the baby comes, it will be easier to have her in school in the mornings" Meryl says rubbing her belly.

"Ok. So 5 mornings. When are you due?"

"Late November" Meryl says.

"Oh wonderful."

"We um... do you know the story of how Adalyn came to us?" Maks asks.

"Yes. Meryl told me the other day."

"Ok. So we know she had separation anxiety and it will probably be strong when we drop her off. How will we deal with it?"

"Does she have a favorite stuffed animal?"

"She has two."

"Well we will allow her to bring it on and hold onto it to help her feel comfortable. When she starts to get more comfortable and confident, we will encourage her more and more to leave it at home."

"That sounds like a great idea" Meryl says.

"Her teachers will support her as much as she needs."

"Great. Thank you. Oh, and she knows some Russian. She normally speaks Russian only to those she knows speaks it too. Sometimes it comes out anyway though. We can write down the phrases she might say in case the teachers need them" Meryl suggests.

"Oh that would be great. I'm sure they'll find it helpful."

"Great. I'll make sure to get the list to you" Maks says.

"So what will we need for her?" Meryl asks.

"Well, there will be paperwork you'll have to fill out but for school specifically, she'll need a backpack, and a change of clothes including underwear in case she has an accident during the school day. We suggest having a water bottle for water."

"Ok. Does she need crayons or anything like that?"

"No. We have everything in the classroom already."

"Ok. Um well" Meryl says looking over at Maks and he nods his head. "We would like to sign her you then."

"Great! We are so glad to have you join our family here at Little Learner's Preschool. Let me get the paper work. Just fill it out and bring with her on her first day. I also am going to give you our information packet. I wrote your first tuition amount on the top. This this the list of things you'll need on her first day. What day do you want to start?"

"Um, how about Wednesday?" Meryl suggests.

"Sounds great. Well how about we take a tour now. I'll show you all of the classrooms but we'll go in the class she'll be in. That way you can meet her teachers."

"Thank you" Meryl and Maks say in unison. Meryl gathers the papers after she stands up. She puts them in her purse and then takes Maks' hand. They follow Dr. Stewart out of her office. Maks is still holding Adalyn but she is looking around the school instead of hiding her face.

"So this is our read room. It is for our two year olds" Dr. Stewart says as they look in the classroom window. They look in the next room. "This is our blue room and it is our 3-year-old." The next room, the yellow room, is across the gym. "The yellow room is for our 5 year olds. Now I'll take you into the green room. That will be Adalyn's classroom."

They walk in and the kids are playing around the room. Maks looks around with a smile and gives Meryl's hand a squeeze. He then turns to Adalyn.

"Do you want to get down to play?"

"No Papa."

"Ok milaya devushka" he says and kisses her head.

"Meryl, Maks Adalyn, this is Ms. Golden and Mrs. Baron. They will be Adalyn's teachers. Ms. Golden, Mrs. Baron, this is Adalyn..."

"Chmerkovskiy" Maks says for her.

"Thank you. I'll get it soon. Adalyn will be joining your class 5 days a week starting on Wednesday."

"We can't wait for you to join us Adalyn. We have a great class. You are going to make lots of friends and learn lots of things as well" Mrs. Baron says.

Adalyn turns and says to Maks "YA dolzhen idti gorshok Papa." The teachers look at her shocked and a little confused.

"She said she needs to go potty" Maks says.

"Oh the potty is right here" Ms. Golden says opening the little bathroom door for them. Maks goes in with Adalyn so she is comfortable.

When Ms. Golden comes back to the group, Meryl explains what just happened to them.

"Adalyn knows some Russian since it is Maks' native language. We can all speak Russian, but Adalyn and I are still learning. We usually just speak Russian to those we know that speak it too. I think she did it just now because she is afraid to let you know. She probably won't speak Russian to you if we aren't around but in case she does, we are going to give you a list of phrases you might need to know. I would suggest if it does happen, to respond only in English or she might think you know Russian."

"Oh wow, ok. Thank you" Mrs. Baron says.

"We are also going to give you a letter that will explain her story and anything else you might need to know."

"Thank you" Ms. Golden says with a smile.

"I will explain to them the separation anxiety and the solution we came up with later. They have to get ready for circle time. When Maks and Adalyn come out, we'll head outside and I'll show you the playground. Oh, here they are now. Let's head outside."

~

They are back at home and Adalyn is taking her nap. Meryl and Maks are curled up on the couch watching NCIS together.

"I really like that school Maks."

"I do too Princess. I think it will be great for Adalyn. There aren't too many kids and the teachers seem so great."

"They really do. I'm still worried about how she is going to react when we drop her off. I mean what if she totally freaks out Maks?"

"Then they'll call us. She has to go to school Meryl."

"I know. I'm just...I'm just worried."

"I know. I'll be with you the whole time. We'll be fine. We need to get her a backpack right?"

"Yes. I was thinking we get it tonight or tomorrow after our photo shoot."

"When will the photo shoot be tomorrow?"

"Kristen is scheduled to come at 9am to do the in house pictures and then we'll go to the park to do the outside pictures."

"Ok. So how about we do pictures, lunch, nap, and then school shopping, because knowing you and Adalyn, you'll get more than a backpack. After shopping, we'll go have a nice dinner with Val and Jenna to celebrate and pump up school for her."

"What if one of them gets eliminated tonight?"

"They won't Princess. I predict they'll both be in the finale. They both are great partners."

"I love Val but I want Jenna to win."

"Trust me, so does he."

"Do you think we'll make it to the finale this time? I mean Brynlee is due right before the finale. Like two weeks before."

"Maybe. I think if they are both in, or even one of them are in the finale, we'll try our hardest to go, even if we bring the girls with us. We'll talk more about it when we get to that time."

"Ok. I can't wait until Brynlee comes."

"Me either Princess. Me either."

Maks pulls her in even closer and she melts into him. He kisses her head and puts a hand on her belly. Even though they both couldn't wait to meet and hold their malyutka, they were both going to miss the belly. Maks more so then Meryl, but they'll both miss it.