Chapter 12

As time often does, it passes n the lives of all. Soon it was nearly fifteen years since Alexander and Melody had married. In those years much had happened in the way of more children being born to them, and the unfortunate death of their second son Alexander IV from meningitis at not quite a year old. The death of her son was quite traumatic indeed, but with courage and love from family and friends, Melody had the tenacity to overcome.

One day Melody was dealing with her children's needs as well as coordinating for the upcoming Easter Celebrations to raise money to help the various charities dearest to her, when suddenly she heard an explosion in the distance which caused her to wonder what had indeed happened. She feared for her husband's life as well as the lives of her various family members, so she sent a prayer heavenward.

A few hours later, she nearly cried in his arms when her husband came to her alive but sad. She wept in his arms and cried out. "Oh Sasha I'm so glad that wasn't you who was injured."

"No my dear, I am whole, but I cannot say the same for my father." he said with tears in his eyes.

"Your father?" she gasped.

"Yes a group of the Revolutionaries threw a bomb into his carriage and it went of, taking his foot with it..." he said sadly.

"His foot? Oh the poor tsar! Is there anything I can do to help?" she cried.

"Well I expect the medics will be bringing him in anytime, so you may do what is needed. But I warn you that you must be strong for us all because it isn't pleasant." he said stonily.

"Yes I suspected so. Oh dear, I am so glad that it wasn't you who was injured, but it still so tragic...and it makes me realize how fragile life truly is." she sighed.

"Yes you are correct, you truly are. Well I must go to meet with other officials to assess the situation, so I trust that you should be able to handle matters on your end as you always do. If you have any concerns however don't hesitate to contact me, because I'll always be there for you and I love you." he said as he gave her a hug and walked from the room.

"Yes dear and thank you. I love you too." she sighed as she watched her husband leave.

The medical team brought the Tsar in and Melody helped to deal with the situation, as bloody and messy as it was, as the rest of the tsar's family looked on. Despite their efforts however, the old tsar passed on to his reward soon after the assassination attempt. The tsar's current widow and daughters applauded Melody's efforts although she was unsure it had been enough, given the results. That night she wrote in her diary "Our happiest and serenest times are now over. My peace and calm are gone, for now I will only be able to worry about Sasha."