A Collection of Disney Short Stories

Anastasia

SLAM!

I heard the front door slam and I hit the roof. Damn, why did Dimitri have to always slam the door? He knew I hated loud noises. Maybe that was why he did it. Just to bug me. How typical. We've been married for almost two years and he still acted so childish. But what could I expect from him? It was why I married Dimitri in the first place.

I lied back on our queen sized bed and waited for Dimitri to open the door wide and greet me with a kiss. My pink silk robe felt cool against my warm skin. As I waited ever so patiently I started to count the ceiling tiles in our master bedroom. One, two, three, four…

The oak door opened and soon Dimitri was at my side. He tossed his black work jacket on the love seat. I lost track of the tiles as my husband kissed me passionately. I'd been waiting for him all day to return from work with my grandmother, the Grand Duchess of France. Yes, I know, why would Dimitri even need to work with all the money I'm rolling in since he discovered me two years ago and reunited me with my beloved grandmother? It should be obvious. Since Dimitri is the man of the family, he feels it's his duty to bring in the extra income. Now I had tried time and time again to make him listen to reason but after the first few months I just gave up. It makes him happy and I guess that's all that really matters.

As usual, I'm the first to break the kiss. Even though I would have loved to stay in bed all day in my husband's arms, we had plans tonight and I needed to get ready.

Dimitri sighed loudly. I laughed a little. "You slammed the door again," I whispered in his ear. Now it was his turn to laugh. "I know. Sorry. Guess I just don't know my own strength," Dimitri pretended to flex his "muscles". By now I was in a fit of laughter. He always knows how to make me laugh. By the time I stopped laughing Dimitri was already opening the doors to our grand closet, searching through his new outfits, Grandmother's gift of course, for the ball tonight.

I got up as well and walked over to Dimitri. He was still searching and trying to ignore me as I rested my head on his strong shoulder. But I'm not one to be ignored. Instead of accepting that Dimitri was ignoring me, I tugged on his blue and grey tie. When that didn't work, I ruffled his hair. Ill never figure out why but Dimitri hates it when his hair is messy, especially when we're going to be going out in public. Thankfully that got his attention. Dimitri turned around and grabbed my hands. It was obvious that he was trying to hold back a smile.

We ended up laughing and Dimitri fixed his hair after he kissed my nose. I decided it was best if I picked out my dress. Every minute or so I sighed because I was getting so frustrated with me. Why couldn't I find a nice dress in my huge closet? I should have something. Shouldn't I?

Dimitri got tired of hearing me sighing and whining and volunteered his services. I was so grateful! It only took a few more minutes to find myself a dress. It was a forest green with thin straps, white gloves that went past my shoulders, and an emerald tiara. My auburn hair was done in a braided bun. Once my husband got a proper look at my dress he wrapped me up in a hug.

"You look beautiful. When do you want to leave for the ball?" I rested my head under Dimitri's head and breathed in his scent. It was a combination between apples and expensive cologne, my favourite scent.

I sighed. "We should probably go now," I said as I released myself from his grasp. I looked at my husband. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with a green bow matching my dress and white gloves of his own. Dimitri looked so handsome! I linked my arm around his and we closed the door behind us and made our way to the ballroom on the next level.

The ball was going as planned. Dimitri and I had made it to the top of the stairs just as our names were being announced. Grandmother raised an eyebrow but didn't question us about our whereabouts. She only greeted us with a kiss on the cheek then left for her seat on the east side of the ballroom.

The night passed quickly. Wine bottles cluttered the ballroom table. Dimitri and I had had a few glasses but decided it was best to stay sober for the time being. I couldn't bear the thought of embarrassing Grandmother like that. Our old friend Vladimir and his wife Sophie left early to go home to their children. When he said goodbye to Vladimir Dimitri became sad for a moment. I knew he loved the new life we lived but I also knew that sometimes, Dimitri missed his old life.

I wished the wonderful night could go on forever. Being in Dimitri's arms was the only place I ever wanted to be. As we were finishing the last dance, Grandmother stopped the band. She waved Dimitri and I forward.

As soon as I was at her side she rose from the golden chair and addressed our friends of the royal court.

"Friends, I would like to thank you for attending this special night. I have a very important announcement to make. After spending almost two years in France with her husband, I would like to officially take Anastasia under my wing so that she can learn the basics to one day take my place."

I was shocked. I had waited for so long to be apart of something, and now I was. I would learn and then take Grandmother's place.

Dimitri wrapped me in a hug then let me go. I went to Grandmother and gave her a hug. Everyone clapped and cheered. They knew that this was the best for their court. I was so happy!

Suddenly I heard a loud crash and whipped around. Dimitri was immediately at my side. His hand found mine and I gripped it tightly. I don't think I'll ever know why it happened, or how. All I know us the six large ballroom windows shattered into a million pieces. It was the loudest sound I've ever heard. I clasped my hands to my ears, trying to block out the screaming of guests and cracking of glass.

Tears sprang to my eyes. I couldn't move. My feet were frozen in place. Everyone was running around, panicking. I heard their muffled footsteps against the marble floor. Why was everyone creaming so loudly? My ears couldn't handle it.

All of a sudden I felt my body being shaken fiercely. I opened one eye and saw Dimitri staring at me, shouting my name.

I snapped out of my trance and took Dimitri's extended hand. We ran. Everything was a blur in front of my teary eyes. People brushed past my husband and I as we tried to make it out of the glass covered ballroom.

After what seemed like too long, Dimitri and I were finally out of the crazy ballroom and into the quiet hallway leading to our room. I was relieved. My heart slowed down and I could feel my cheeks become dry.

I glanced at Dimitri. His hair was sticking out in random directions, his jacket torn. I had no idea how that had happened. Maybe I hadn't been paying attention but I would've noticed Dimitri hurt.

When I looked at Dimitri's face, I sucked in air. Dimitri's eyes were wide open, and had a terrified look to them. His forehead was creased and mouth in a straight line. I held his hand tighter as we picked up the pace to our room.

Once inside, Dimitri locked the door and tossed his jacket on the scarlet chair. His eyes went from the chair to mine. What was he thinking that gave his eyes that scared and panicked look? I stared at him for almost a minute before Dimitri came to me and held me tightly. I lost my breath. I never knew Dimitri's grip was so strong. We stayed like this, clinging to each other for a long time. He reluctantly let me go, only to get changed. I knew he wanted to talk. We always talked after an incident like this. Yes, this happened often, almost every month. I've been afraid of loud noises since my family's tragedy and it hasn't gone away since. Not even Dimitri could calm my fear. But he did help, even a little.

As Dimitri got changed, I looked at myself in the full length mirror. I gasped.

"Anastasia? You alright?"

I closed my eyes and answered. "Yes. Just got a look at myself in the mirror."

One of my gloves was missing, my braided bun was almost undone, the dress was in relativity good condition, but sadly, my tiara was missing. I could only assume it was smashed into pieces in the ballroom.

Smashed.

I shuddered. I quickly changed into my pink silk nightgown with pink robe. As I was brushing my hair I heard Dimitri come out of the bathroom. I turned and saw him in his usual brown pajamas. He looked so handsome. Instead of hugging me and telling me he loved me, Dimitri cast his eyes to the ground and whispered,

"Don't ever freeze like that again. I could've lost you. And I can't bear that." What? Dimitri was getting mad at me for freezing? Suddenly all the love I felt for him seeped out. I glared at Dimitri.

"Let me get this straight: you want me to all of a sudden just stop being afraid of something I've been afraid of for all my life, just so that you can stop being worried over me? You are so conceited Dimitri!" I yelled, and then walked away to the bed. I hadn't meant to, but I had started to cry. What if Dimitri was right about my fear? What if I had died that night? But what could I do? My fear had always been a part of my life. I hadn't experienced that before in my life.

I heard Dimitri sigh, heard his footsteps come closer to me. His arms were soon around me and my head resting on his chest. Dimitri brushed away my hair and looked into my eyes.

"You don't have to do it alone. I can help. We traveled to France together; I taught you how to become a lady, so obviously I can help you with this fear. I just don't want something like this to happen again. Trust me."

I didn't want to think about freezing up like that again. So I decided to agree.

"Alright. But only because I trust you. And because I don't want to freeze again. It was so weird, not being able to move or think." Dimitri kissed me. We broke apart and I stifled a yawn. He chuckled and tucked me into the covers then laid down beside me. I fell asleep curled up to Dimitri's chest, thinking of what a crazy evening it had been. I was happy that maybe, just maybe, my fear of loud noises would soon go away.