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“Fine, fine, it’s your life.”
“It’s our life,” I say firmly. “We’ll work through it, just not now. Can you give me that?”
She nods. “Sure.” Her eyes brighten. “Can we go see Red Square now? I’m dying to see the iconic St. Basil cathedral.”
“Let’s go.” I toss a few ruble bills on the table and rise. I grab my backpack off the chair as Madison adjusts her jacket.
We spend the rest of the day winding our way around the city, visiting several iconic landmarks. We tour St. Basil cathedral, the Kremlin, the luxurious GUM shopping mall, the famous Tretyakev Art Gallery and end our day at the famed Gorky Park.
We strolled through the grand entry way with towering columns down toward the fountains. Before entering, Madison had said she was exhausted, but she had a new burst of energy upon seeing the beauty of the park. Several friendly park goers offered to take our photo, so we’d have plenty to remind us of the wonderful day we’d enjoyed.
Once again, seeing it all with Madison made it magical and creates memories that I’ll always treasure. I look at the happy couples walking by pushing strollers with their babies. And I envision Madison and I doing the same about a year from now.
For the first time in my life, I am truly…happy. I will do anything to protect and preserve my family.
Finally, at about 5:37pm, we decide to call it a day with plans to see the grand palaces tomorrow morning. For now, we’ll go home, rest up a bit before going out to dinner at the famous rooftop restaurant O2 Lounge at 8pm.
As we dine at the opulent restaurant Madison stares out in awe at the beautiful city vista. “Bash, this has got to be one of the most memorable days of my life. Seeing this amazing city and seeing it with you has been one of the great highlights of my life.”
“This is only the beginning of our life together, Mads. There’s so much that I want to share with you. You’re my dream come true, and I’ll do whatever it takes to be yours.”
The most serene look falls across her face, like she too feels the warmth and gravity of this moment. Like she finally believes the stars aligned for us and we’re meant to be together no matter what the costs. She’s committed heart and soul to us.
That evening, when we go home, we lay in our bed and tenderly make love to each other, a true joining of the spirit. As I lie above her, looking down into her captivating eyes, I tell her how much she means to me, that she is the very heart of me. I ask her, to please embrace the child growing in her womb, to be as happy about it as I am, to love our family as much as I do.
Tears stream down the sides of her face as she nods wordlessly that she’ll do just that.
Chapter 31 – Meeting Ekaterina and the Wolf
Afterwespentthemorning touring the Tsaritsyno Palace – the once royal residence of Catherine the Great, we stop for a bite to eat and make our way to Sebastian’s mother’s home.
I go fully prepared to be kind and polite, come what may. I’ve fallen in love with the city and the people, and am therefore, determined that his mother will do nothing to dispel the wonderful impression I have of Moscow.
Ekaterina lives in a lovely part of the city in a modest but elegant home. She and a gentleman, I assume to be her current love interest greet us at the door. I’ve seen pictures of her, so was prepared to see an attractive older woman, but seeing her in person it was quite apparent why she’d easily won a number of beauty contests in her day. It was also apparent where Sebastian got his good looks.
Her stunning blue eyes fix upon me, taking me in, weighing me up. A polite smile touches her lips when Sebastian introduces us. She extends her hand in greeting and in a thick Russian accent says, “A pleasure to meet you, Madison.”
“Likewise, Ekaterina,” I reply, shaking her hand.
She in turn introduces us to her handsome friend, who appears to be ten to fifteen years her junior. His name is Ulyan. The way it’s pronounced it rhymes with Julian.
“Please come in,” she says with a sweeping gesture to enter.
Sebastian places his hand on the small of my back, urging me forward. We follow Ekaterina passed the foyer and into the tastefully decorated living room. She gestures at the sofa to take a seat. There is a tray of tea and biscuits on the coffee table before us.
“Would you like some tea?” she asks, still in English.
“Da, pozhaluysta,” I reply in my best Russian. The corner of her mouth twitches up as her eyes dart to Sebastian.
“Madison is learning Russian, early days yet,” he says giving my hand a squeeze.
I feel my cheeks heat with embarrassment as she pours our tea. Is my accent that horrible?
“You have a lovely home,” I say, as she withdraws to a chair catty-corner to the sofa. Ulyan has seated himself across from her.
“Thank you,” she says, her gaze heavy upon me. “Sebastian tells me that you are an imminent surgeon in New York. At such a young age, this is impressive.”
I glance at Sebastian and smile nervously. “Thank you. I’ve been able to scrub in and assist in many surgical procedures and have been chosen for the cardiothoracic residency where I’ll develop and hone my skills as a surgeon.”
