Jan awoke to find herself lying in bed in the attic loft that had been Greg's bedroom before he'd left for medical school, her head resting on Ilya's shoulder with his arms around her. Instantly she remembered the events of the previous day. She felt something warm and soft touch her forehead and realized that it was Ilya's lips kissing her.

"Good morning and happy Christmas, Mrs. Risovich," he mumbled.

"Good morning and merry Christmas to you too, Mr. Risovich...Ilya." Her lips rose to meet his, and they began to kiss passionately as his fingers ran through her hair. Desire was inflamed within them both once again, and they made love, silently so that none of the others would be disturbed. For both of them, the awkwardness of inexperience had long ago departed, as they'd become more accustomed to one another's bodies and how best to provide pleasure. Jan's pregnancy had caused some soreness and discomfort in her breasts, and Ilya was ever so gentle as he stimulated her. Afterwards they lay cuddling and talking softly for awhile.

"When I was little boy, I used to wait for Ded Moroz to bring me presents," Ilya told Jan. "We have tree on New Year, not Christmas, and Ded Moroz and his granddaughter Snegurochka bring gifts for children. It is very happy time for everyone."

Jan frowned. "Why on New Year's day instead of Christmas?"

"Because Christmas is religious holiday, and religion was banned by Bolsheviks. I told you that already, Jan."

"But to do away with Christmas, even..." Jan had to swallow a lump in her throat. "That just seems so sad."

"It is one reason I am much happier living in America."

"And Ded Moroz had a granddaughter...what was her name?"

"Snegurochka."

"That's interesting. Well, I guess we'd better go on downstairs or they'll be wondering what happened to us."

When they reached the kitchen, they found that the rest of the family was just finishing up. "Do you feel all right, Jan?" asked a concerned Carol.

"I'm fine," Jan replied. "I just felt like being lazy this morning, that's all."

Ilya winked at her, and she giggled.

After awhile it was dinner time. "I give Coach Reeves twenty-five dollars a week for food," Ilya told Mike and Carol as they were eating. "Is that enough, or do you need more?"'

"Ilya, I refuse to take a penny from you for groceries or anything else," Mike said emphatically. "You're a married man with a baby on the way. Save all your money for your family. They're going to need it."

"But I do not want to be...how you say?...freeloader," Ilya protested. "I want to pay my fair share."

"You're not a freeloader, Ilya," Mike replied. "You're a full time student working part time for barely above minimum wage, and you're doing the best you can. That's all anyone could ask of you."

Ilya smiled gratefully.

Soon it was time to open presents. Jan had bought Ilya a tan lambswool sweater that she had thought would go well with his eyes. "Oh, Jan, it is beautiful," he told her. "Thank you, vozlyublennyy, sweetheart." He kissed her lips, then handed her his present to her. It was a tiny gold locket with their wedding picture inside.

"Oh, Ilya, it's beautiful! Thank you!" Deeply moved, she hugged his neck tightly.

"I wish that it could have been more," he said apologetically.

"Why? It's perfect!"

"Wait until I am engineer," Ilya said. "I will buy you much more at Christmas then."

"Oh, Ilya, I love you so much!" She was almost crying as she embraced him again.

"Look at the earrings Wally gave me. Those are real peridots," Marcia bragged.

"They are lovely, Marcia," Ilya told her. Marcia smiled, pleased, and returned to her seat.

The evening passed quickly. "Your sister does not feel very good about herself, does she?" Ilya asked Jan later, when they were alone in their room.

"Marcia? She thinks she's the coolest person on the planet."

"I think that you are wrong about that," said Ilya. "If she did not feel insecure, she would not try so hard to impress others all the time."

"You know, I think you're right," Jan said, after a moment's consideration. "I never thought of it like that before. I always thought I was the insecure one."

"You are honest person, Jan. You do not try to hide your real feelings. That show that you accept who you are, which is very good thing."

"You always know just what to say to make me feel better, Ilya."

He smiled and gave her a big hug.