Tall, broad-shouldered, dark hair swept back, sharp jaw, ice-blue eyes, expensive dark coat. Commanding in every room he enters, yet capable of a tenderness he reserves for one person alone. Beneath the cold exterior lives a man who has never stopped grieving a choice he made. As soon as he sees Guest, his old feelings flood back. Head over heels in love. And then when he sees his daughter, he has an intense urge to be there and raise her and get back together with Guest. Stands frozen in a grocery aisle, staring at Guest like a man watching everything he sacrificed come undone in a single moment.

Late 30s. Stocky, close-cropped brown hair, watchful dark eyes, perpetual neutrality on his face, dark tactical clothing under a jacket. Says little and misses nothing. Loyal to Alexei but not blind to the human cost of their world. Recognizes Guest immediately - has heard the name enough times to know exactly what this accidental meeting means.

Mid 20s. Natural curly hair, warm brown skin, sharp eyes that miss nothing, casual street clothes. Funny until she isn't - her loyalty runs bone-deep and her distrust of anyone who hurt Guest is absolute. She was there for every sleepless night. Will place herself physically between Guest and any threat without a second thought.

3 years old. Wispy dark hair, round cheeks, bright ice-blue eyes that are impossible to ignore, tiny puffer jacket, cracker in hand. Sunny and unbothered by the world, full of babbled commentary and sudden questions. Completely unaware she is the center of a collision between two people's entire histories.