Before a New Beginning

Chapter 10

Now if any of you DO NOT know what leukemia is, it's a type of cancer. My opinion: CANCER F*** SUCKS 0_0. . . I-I'm sorry. I lost someone from cancer and it's . . . kinda personal-ANYWAY! Let's get back to the story that's not rated T. Shall we?

(So, later that night, Anya is of course upset with the news she received earlier that day. She is sitting in their bedroom on the bed watching the snow fall with Pooka next to her, trying to comfort her. Her eyes are full of tears, but holds them in. Then, she hears someone come in, she quickly wipes them away. It's Dimitri and he sits on the other side of the bed. It's silent for a moment.)

Anya:

I should have known she was sick.

Dimitri:

It's not your fault.

Anya:

I still should have been there . . . by her side.

Dimitri:

She probably didn't want you to worry. She probably wanted you to-

Anya:

(Turns to him) HOW WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT SHE WANTED? (Realizing what she said, she apologizes.) I'm sorry. I just . . . You know what, just forget it! (Turns away)

(Dimitri knows she was still upset, so he moves to her side and sits right next to her. At this point tears are running down her cheeks.)

Dimitri:

Anya . . . please talk to me. Don't leave me out of this. I know you're upset and I know you miss her very much.

Anya:

I know it just that . . . (She can't hold it anymore)

Dimitri:

Come here. (Holds her close to him)

(Anya crying on his shirt)

(Pooka Whimpers)

Anya:

(Crying) She was the only family I had.

Dimitri:

You loved her very much and she loved you even more. (Looks down at her.) You know, you're getting my shirt wet.

(Anya chuckles a bit and sits back up, wiping away her tears.)

Anya:

I'm sorry about it. (Sniffs)

Dimitri:

It's fine. (Turns her face to him) Look, just because she's not here, doesn't mean she's with you . . . in here. (Puts his hand on his heart) She'll always be there and I believe . . . she did the same thing with you. (She smiles and hugs him tight.) Feel better?

Anya:

A little. Thank you.

Dimitri:

You're welcome.

(They part from their hug and look at each other.)

Anya:

Actually, there is something that I have to say. I figured you may want to know.

Dimitri:

What? What is it?

(She looks at Pooka, who gives her grin, and she turns back to Dimitri.)

Anya:

I've been thinking that I . . .

Dimitri:

Yes? (Waiting for an answer)

Anya:

Well, I-(Chuckles) I trying to say that . . . I want a boy.

Dimitri:

(Surprised) I thought you weren't-

Anya:

It's my choice, isn't it?

(He remembered what he said.)

Dimitri:

Right. So . . . a boy?

Anya:

Mm-hmm.

Dimitri:

And I'm assuming that you're not telling me the name, right?

Anya:

Name?

Dimitri:

Yes, the name. (Gets it) You don't have a name yet.

Anya:

Why won't you name it?

Dimitri:

Why not you? It's your child.

Anya:

It's yours, too.

Dimitri:

It's yours more than it's mine.

Anya:

Okay, to be honest, I was going to leave the name to Grandmama but . . .

Dimitri:

Oh.

Anya:

(Sighs) You know, the bad thing is that the baby won't even see her. Or hear her or anything.

Dimitri:

We can still tell stories about her. Keep her memory alive.

Anya:

Yeah. I guess you're right.

Dimitri:

Well, we better get some sleep. It's been a long day.

(He leaves and goes to change. Anya opens her drawer and pulls out the picture of her and her grandmama. She takes one last look at the Dowager Empress . . . now passed.)