"It is all right, Katya. I am all right and you are. And I am not leaving you, not even in all of this mess."
He lifted her in a huge hug once more before setting her down again.
"I am sorry I was not here, my Katya, but I will not leave you again."
His heart felt full of fire, and he wanted to hold her and kiss her and comfort her until she knew she was loved, until she could never doubt it again.