A/N: Less than a month… that's not too bad, right? Seriously though I am sorry, it's just been one thing after another. There's only one chapter to go after this one so please do stay with me.
Thank you so much to everyone who has been reading and reviewing or just keeping in touch, it really makes a difference when you get some positive feedback, and I know I keep saying it but without Becks7's help and inspiration I would get nothing done.
Oh and uh… Kung Hei Fat Choi! (yes I'm late for that one too)
Chapter Ten – 31st December
The sound of the door closing woke Linka but it took her a few minutes to realise where she was and what it meant. She raised her head from Wheeler's shoulder to check that her brother's cot was empty and, further reassured by the sound of the shower going on in the distance, brought her mouth back down to gently caress her boyfriend's lips. They curled up into a smile and his arms tightened around her as he deepened the embrace.
Linka wasn't sure how he managed to react so perfectly when he wasn't fully awake, instinct she supposed, although when she'd teased him about it he told her it was because he was always dreaming of her anyway.
"DObroye Utro."
"Huh?" Wheeler forced his eyes open.
Linka repeated the phrase and then added, "Good morning."
He smiled and closed his eyes again, "Good morning."
"We will have to get up soon because the others will be arriving today and there is a lot to do." She told him, playing with the top button of his pyjama shirt and letting it pop open. "But for now Mishka is in the bathroom."
Wheeler's smiled widened, "That so?"
The second button followed the first, "Mmm hmm."
"And you're thinking we should do something to amuse ourselves while we wait for our turn?" he looked out at her once more, his eyes laughing.
"That had occurred to me, da." By now the rest of his top was undone and she slid her hands over the bare skin inside.
The Fire Planeteer took his cue and rolled over on top of her, his mouth making straight for the sensitive spot on her neck, while his hands expertly found their way under her pyjama top. In response, Linka turned her head to nuzzle his hair and entwined her legs around his, her hands caressing his back.
The bedroom door opened and Inessa walked in wearing something very unsuited to the Russian climate, "Mishka, do you know where… oh."
Her eyes went wide as the two Planeteers broke apart but Linka noted the way they played across Wheeler's chest and pulled the blankets up. "Do you not know how to knock?"
"I was not expecting zair to be anything worth knocking for." She said smugly.
Wheeler was propped up on one arm and Linka couldn't help thinking that he was enjoying the picture she presented. It made her even angrier, "Mishka is in the bathroom is there something you wanted?"
"Extra blankets, it was very cold last night and now il neige, it snows." Inessa pouted.
"Maybe you should try sleeping in something… decent then." The Russian all but hissed at her making her companion laugh.
The expression on the other woman's face turned saucy and she turned around, showing off her ensemble and revealing that the slip of clothing covering her modesty beneath the see-through lower half of the garment was actually a thong. "You do not like this little number? Poor Wheeler… if things here are too dull for you, my sister and I would welcome a little extra body heat between us, oui?"
Linka threw back the covers and made it halfway out of the bed towards the girl before Wheeler caught her and pulled her back against him. He also caught her ring hand as it rose and forced it back down. "Whoa, Babe, come on."
"Get out! Now." she yelled at the girl.
Inessa had stepped back in alarm at first, but Wheeler's actions made her bold, "Zee blankets?"
"Freeze!" Linka glared.
It looked like she would argue more but Wheeler had had enough, "That's it! I don't care about the adolescent behaviour but you're a guest in this house and if you can't show Linka the respect she deserves you should at least have enough gratitude for her family to keep your mouth shut. Now get out."
The young woman looked stunned, tears forming in her eyes before she finally fled from the room.
Grandmuska arrived a moment later looking very worried, "What happened? I heard shouting."
"Nothing." Linka turned her head away, still caught in her boyfriend's grasp. Her body was rigid and showed no signs of softening.
Wheeler sighed, "The Evil Twin was doing her best to provoke a fight. She came looking for Mishka and decided I'd do."
The older woman nodded, "I see it is time I had a word with those two, excuse me."
Once the door was closed Linka said, "Let go of me."
"Don't be mad at me for stopping you," he said, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, "You know I couldn't let you hurt her."
"I am not mad at you for stopping me." She said coldly.
He didn't miss the implication but kept his voice calm as he asked, "Then what are you mad at me for?"
She remained silent but he waited patiently and at last she muttered, "I saw the way you looked at her."
Wheeler sighed and then picked her up, and ignoring her protests, put her back in bed beside him, wrapping the covers around her and trapping her there. "I looked, I admit it. I never claimed to be perfect and you know that. But enjoying what I see and doing something about it, or even wanting to do something about it, are different things. I'm really sorry if my looking made her worse, it didn't occur to me that she'd be such a bitch… it should've because you told me what they're like, but it didn't."
Linka's expression had softened from fury to a rather adorable sulkiness that he longed to kiss away.
Instead he wisely chose to keep talking, "They've got the kind of bodies men look at but there was nothing attractive in the way she was talking and I didn't give it a moment's consideration. Before I met you, before I had any respect for love or relationships or even myself, I would probably have taken her up on that offer and walked away after without ever giving them a second thought. They might be grown up but they're still acting like teenagers playing at being adults and one day they're gonna see what they're doing and regret it."
"Are you sure you do not regret giving up your freedom to be with me?" she asked softly.
Wheeler very gently turned her head until she met his gaze, "I love you. I chose you. That's not giving something up, that's getting something very special, why would I ever want anyone else now?"
Tears sparkled in her eyes but she gave him a shy smile and responded as he lowered his lips to hers. They had only a few moments before the door opened again however and breaking off, Linka hid her face in Wheeler's chest.
"The bathroom is free." Mishka said, walking in fully dressed to drop his night things on the fold up bed he was using. "Did I hear raised voices?"
Wheeler was cradling his girlfriend protectively but he answered with his usual friendly tone, "Yeah we had an unwelcome visitor, Gram's dealing with it… we'll be up in a little while ok?"
Mishka took in the situation and nodded, deciding to leave things alone for now. "I will see you in the kitchen then."
Alone again, this time the American remained silent, stroking his girlfriend's hair and pressing the odd kiss to her temple. At last she looked up at him again, and to his relief her voice was sounding stronger. "What happens if I am 'just looking' at another guy, are you going to be ok with that? Because usually you get twitchy when one talks to me."
"Are you trying to call me on my double standards?" He teased and saw her fight a smile at the corner of her lips. Then he turned serious again, "Actually, I'll like it about as much as you do, but I won't get 'twitchy' anymore because now I'll know I haven't lost the battle before it begins. Now I know you like me."
"I love you." She corrected him, "We both keep saying it, I think it is about time we believed it, da?"
He grinned at her, "Da."
"Come on, we had better get up before the others arrive." She pulled out of his arms and started gathering her things. When she realised he was still laying there and looking slightly defeated, she raised her eyebrows, "Are you not coming? Mishka said that the bathroom is free and we have not made any promises about what we will not do in there…"
She gave a little yelp because he surprised her with the speed at which he got to his feet and lifted her off the ground, but it was muffled by the kiss that followed.
Mariya and Inessa were rather subdued at breakfast but Grandmuska cast her granddaughter a wary look anyway as she and her boyfriend entered.
Linka just smiled in return and asked about their preparations for the day ahead as she started their breakfasts.
"Anyone want coffee?" Wheeler asked moving to the kettle, obviously comfortable with his surroundings.
"I would love a tea?" the older woman told him.
The American grinned at her, "Sure thing Gram."
The others gave their orders and polite conversation resumed until a knock at the front door brought Mishka to his feet. "That will be your friends, you had better put the kettle on again Jason."
Gi was the first to arrive in the kitchen, having abandoned her luggage by the door, and was ready to hug everyone. As soon as greetings and introductions were out of the way, Linka offered to show the water planeteer where she would be sleeping.
"I hope you do not mind sharing with Grandmuska, we could not work out another way to do it." Linka put down her friend's bag and sat beside her on the main bed.
"Of course I don't." Gi smiled, "Are you sharing with your cousins?"
Linka's face darkened, "Nyet I am not, and they are not my cousins. If they'd had their way they would be sharing their bed with Mishka or Wheeler... Or maybe both."
The Asian girl's eyes opened wide, "Ooh... Did they actually say that?"
Linka filled her in on the morning's events and would have gotten annoyed all over again if Gi hadn't irrupted into giggles. As it was, her friend's laughter was infectious and managed to do away with the last of her resentment, "I am glad you are here, I do not feel quite so outnumbered now."
"You had Wheeler..."
Linka hurumphed but she was smiling, "Da but you will not be drooling over them."
They laughed again but Gi had to ask, "You're happy though right? I mean. Wheeler has always liked women but I don't believe he'd actually cheat on you or anything."
"Neither do I... I was annoyed at the time, but at least now that we are together, when he acts like an idiot he has to make it up to me." Her eyes held a wicked gleam that had her friend demanding details but she laughed and shook her head. "We have come a long way in a very short time and it feels natural, but at the same time there are still things we need to learn about relating to each other as a couple. I do trust him, and da, I am happy."
"Then I'm happy for you." The Water Planeteer told her, "And jealous! You need to find me a boyfriend so I don't feel left out."
Linka laughed, "There is always Mishka…"
"To our extended family," Mishka raised his wine glass, "From those who are now only with us in spirit, to the newest members; may this coming year bring us happiness and prosperity and may we always be grateful for everyone who shares our lives."
Wheeler's arm pulled Linka closer to his side as they all echoed the toast and took a sip from their glasses, which in their cases contained sparkling lemonade.
"Are you ok?" she whispered as the lively chatter in the room was resumed.
"Sure. Why wouldn't I be?"
Linka gave a small shrug, "It is different from what you are used to, that is all."
"You mean it actually feels like family?" he teased, "I'm fine Babe, don't worry about me. There's nothing here to bother me. Just let me know if you've had enough though and we'll find somewhere 'quiet'."
She laughed and leant into him saying with some regret, "Not a chance, we would be missed immediately."
Across the other side of the room Gi and Mishka happened to both see the way the young couple's eyes seemed glued together and as they averted their gazes, involuntarily met each others. Mishka chuckled, "I am surprised it has taken them this long to work things out when they can hardly bear to be parted for more than a few moments together."
"Linka can be very stubborn when she wants to be… not that Wheeler didn't give her reasons to be wary, it's just that he never meant to." Gi shrugged, "I think she was just waiting for him to grow up."
"He said something about not being good enough for her…" It wasn't exactly a question but the planeteer got the message.
Nodding slowly, their friend said, "I'm not entirely surprised he said that… it's not a real reason though. He's always had a hard time with his father, that is, his father gave him a hard time growing up and it left emotional scars, not that he'll admit that. From what Kwame said, he was getting to him over Christmas too... I think it's probably lucky Linka was there actually."
Then thinking that maybe she wasn't giving a good impression she quickly added, "Oh, but he's really nothing like his Dad. He's kind and loyal… a bit thoughtless at times, but what twenty-something guy isn't? At least he's not a teenager anymore. Actually, he's kind of like my big brother, like the way Linka talks about you. Fun and easy to talk to, but you know he's always ready to step in if there's trouble."
Mishka was listening attentively and he smiled, pleased by her assessment of his sister's boyfriend. "That certainly fits with my own impression of him. They are lucky to have found each other."
Gi raised her glass in a mock toast, "I'll drink to that."
They both laughed and Mishka turned back to the couple in question to find that they were still in close conversation, oblivious to what was going on around them. Kwame and Ma-Ti were being monopolised by the twins and his Grandmother was beginning to doze by the fire.
"Linka," he called, "It is time to get the festivities going, stop ogling your boyfriend and go and get your keyboard!"
The lovely blond rolled her eyes, "Yankee come with me, I need help with the stand."
As soon as they were alone Wheeler's arms snuck around her waist and he whispered into her ear, "Do you really need help, 'cos you don't usually use a stand?"
She chuckled and turned her head to give him a peck on the lips, "Da, it will be more comfortable if we a going to be singing for a long time."
Taking the American's hand she led him into her childhood bedroom and over to open a cupboard in the back wall.
"Do you and your brother often perform together?"
Again she gurgled with mirth, "Not just us Jason, all of us, you too."
He looked slightly horrified, "You're kidding, I don't know any Russian songs!"
"We will teach you." She said with a straight face, and then burst out laughing again and wrapped her arms around his neck."
Pulling her close Wheeler shook his head, "You were winding me up!"
"Only about singing in Russian, but do not worry no one expects wonderful voices, it is just the joining in and I promise to play things you will know." she sweetened her words with a tender kiss that went on longer than it should have done.
"We could just hide in here," he murmured against her lips.
Trying not to show how tempted she was, Linka pouted, "You will not observe my family traditions?"
He groaned, "You know that's not what I meant, I was just kinda hoping we could start a new tradition of our own."
The wind planeteer laughed softly, "I know Lyubov... I want that too, if we could have had a room to ourselves..."
"The evil twins strike again huh?" he grinned to show he didn't mind and then pointed at a flat metal frame in the cupboard, "That your stand?"
"Da, there should be a large keyboard in a box behind it as well, I did not bring the one I travel with." She stepped out of his way to receive the items as he freed them and then leant them against the wall. "Jason, I know this is not how you would choose to spend New Year and…"
"Hey, no!" he turned and took her back in his arms, "Babe, this is exactly how I'd choose to spend New Year, with you and our friends, and family. I wasn't being serious about hiding away."
She had relaxed against him and her posture didn't change as she looked up to tease him a little, "So you do not really want to be alone with me?"
"God yes!" he made her giggle, "All the time. But, I don't care what we do as long as we're together… even if I have to sing."
The lovely Russian took up her keyboard, preceding him back into the lounge to set up and the others gathered around them. She had chosen a spot next to her Grandmother's chair so that the older woman would not need to get up to join in and Wheeler noticed that Mishka had retrieved what looked like a triangular guitar with three strings.
"What's that?" He whispered at Linka's side.
"Mishka plays the Balalaika, it is beautiful and he always seems to be able to play a harmony to whatever I play." She told him with evident pride in her brother. "Will you turn the music for me please? You can read the words too then... and stay close."
Grinning, Wheeler slipped an arm around her waist and listened with awe as she and her brother ran through a couple of traditional Russian ballads in order too warm up. He kissed her head when they finished and the others applauded. "You're amazing."
She gave him a warm smile and asked what he'd like her to play next. "I dunno, whatever you usually play I guess."
"How about, 'By the light of the silvery moon'?" Grandmuska suggested, "That is one of my favourites."
Linka saw her boyfriend's expression but it didn't show in his voice as he replied, "Sure Gram, why not," and she mouthed a silent 'I love you', making him give her a rueful smile.
The others seemed equally reluctant but after a few awkward bars they began to get into the spirit of it, and even Wheeler appeared to forget himself. Gram was pleased, which helped to make him less self-conscious too and he didn't even grimace when she suggested 'On moonlight bay', followed by 'Danny Boy'.
"Can we wake this up a bit?" Mariya said at last, and though Wheeler privately agreed he would have argued against it just because the suggestion came from her, but Gram laughed and consented, happy to oblige her 'grandchildren'.
While they were deciding on a song Linka leant back against the Fire Planeteer and whispered, "I do not know what you were worried about, you have a lovely singing voice."
"My Rep? It's in tatters." He tickled her, making her laugh, and then wrapped his arms around her holding her against his chest and pressing his lips to the crook of her neck.
"We want to do this one." Inessa said putting a book on Linka's stand and pointing at the open page.
Linka rolled her eyes, "Spice girls? Really?"
Gi nodded with a wicked glint in her eyes, "It's either that or Britney Spears."
The others laughed and Wheeler gently pushed her forward, "Come on Babe, embrace the tradition." She elbowed him but didn't object to his staying close as she ran through the opening bars. In fact she was loving the way he had to stay in contact with her, whether it was completely enveloping her in his arms or just resting a hand in the small of her back as he turned the pages for her. Linka could feel that he was happy and she found herself responding to it by letting herself loosen up and be a little silly along with her friends.
While the boys flicked through the music books, Linka took them through some Maroon 5 numbers that they all knew and then gave in to Ma-Ti and performed a Shakira song with Gi.
"How about Kryptonite by 3 Doors Down?" Wheeler suggested at last, returning to her side. "Unless Gram is getting fed up with the noise?"
The old woman laughed and shook her head, "I am loving the entertainment DorogAya moy, you all sing so well. But I need to see to dinner in a minute so do not take it personally if I leave."
"Do you need any help?" Linka asked seriously.
"Nyet moya ptichka, but the twins can start setting the table." She said it loud enough for the two girls to hear and they surprised the wind planeteer by moving immediately to carry out her grandmother's wishes. She supposed that whatever Grandmuska had said to them that morning had had an effect after all.
"The guys should do a Boyzone number!" Gi suggested when they were once more trying to come up with ideas, "They'd make a great boyband."
The other girls agreed and given the general merriment it didn't take much to persuade the male contingent. Wheeler picked 'I Love The Way You Love Me' and led them, and though it was obvious that he was singing it to his girlfriend, the other boys each selected one of the girls to single out as well.
Gi blushed very deeply when Mishka chose her and was grateful that her friends were too caught up in the performance to notice.
At last their matriarch called them to dinner, directing them to carry out the many dishes to the table while Mishka began pouring drinks.
They hadn't started eating until late so although he was hungry and prepared to do justice to the dishes set before him, Wheeler was glad to discover that most of the things he'd been helping to prepare were in fact for the following day.
By the time the table had been cleared and their impromptu karaoke mess tidied away, it was time to watch the Russian President's pre-recorded address on the television. He briefly summarised what he saw as the highlights of the previous year, though of course as it was in Russian only half of the company could follow it.
"That is the Kremlin," Linka supplied when the picture changed, "The clock will chime the New Year in."
"And we will toast it," Mishka added, moving quickly to refill everyone's glasses with whatever they had chosen to drink. He then poured two extra glasses of fizzy wine and handed them to his sister and her boyfriend, whose lap she was currently perched on. "You cannot see in the New Year with water!"
Linka cast a glance at Wheeler but he'd accepted the offering with a small chuckle and when she caught his eye, he winked at her with perfect unconcern.
"DYE-sit… DYE-vit… VO-sim…" the countdown began, calling their attention back to the screen.
"Sept… Six… cinq…" Inessa and Mariya joined in prompting the others, in a spirit of fun, to adopt their own languages as well as. "Four... Three... Two... ONE! "
The Russian national anthem played in the background as wishes of "Happy New Year!", "S Novim Godom!" and "Bonne Année!" flew around the room.
There was some confusion, as there is bound to be when people try variously to speak, drink and kiss the person next to them but it only added to the general hilarity.
Grandmuska looked about her and laughed, "Oh for my younger days!"
Wheeler and Mishka happened to catch each other's gaze and with one thought, descended on their Grandmother to place a light kiss on opposite cheeks, which she took great delight in returning.
Linka beamed at their silliness but then disappeared into the lean-to to retrieve their outside things.
"Are we going somewhere Babe?" Wheeler asked, obediently donning the items she handed him.
"Just outside." Her eyes were sparkling with child-like excitement as she took his gloved hand in her own, "I want to build a snowman."
Wheeler thought they'd be the only ones crazy enough to play in the snow at midnight but he was wrong. Fireworks were going off all over town and there was more than one family, both children and adults, determined to decorate it with icy sculptures.
"S Novim Godom!" The Russian exchanged cries with her neighbours and Wheeler waved, not feeling brave enough to repeat the phrase though he called back if they addressed him in English.
By the time they had the base of their snowman completed the others had come to join them, either starting their own or the more adventurous trying to make giant snowflakes until their endeavours degenerated into a snowball fight that gradually drew in the rest of the street.
Grandmuska watched from the window, happy to have young people around her again but silently missing her absent family members. "You would be so proud of them…" She whispered with a sad smile.
After a while she went to put on the warm drinks she knew they would want when the cold forced them back indoors and like the wonderful grandmother she was, she timed it just right.
There was a certain amount of to-ing and fro-ing as eight people tried to share one bathroom and three bedrooms in order to change into dry clothes, but then they settled down in front of the fire with their drinks to listen to Grandmuska tell stories of Grandfather Frost and the Snow Maiden who accompanies him on his rounds.
At last they all headed to their beds and Linka's eyes closed the minute her head came down on Wheeler's shoulder, but she still smiled when he kissed her goodnight and mumbled a quiet, "Happy New Year."