AN: Music the chapter (on repeat): Good Life by OneRepublic, Adiemus by Karl Jenkins,
THIRTY-SEVEN
o
*Good Life*
When both twins were fed Irina put them in their now separate bassinets and climbed into bed with Jack. He rolled over onto her, resting his weight on his elbows at her sides and using his fingers to brush the hair from her face smiling down at her.
"You're so beautiful." He whispered in continued awe looking into her eyes before slowly descending his lips onto hers.
His tongue sliding past her lips into her mouth and touching briefly with her own before the kiss deepened and a tiny moan escape from the back of her throat with need. Her sounds had always encouraged him and flamed his passion and his hands tangled into her hair spilling across the pillow pressing his lower body against hers and feeling the raging heat emanating from her already.
Jack couldn't tear the smile off his face in the morning when he was brushing his teeth and Lena kept pressing her face against the glass shower wall just as Sydney had when she was little. Lena was in the shower with Irina getting ready to go back to the hospital and her tiny hands were smearing around the steam collecting on the doors while Irina knelt down on her haunches and lathered her daughter's hair in shampoo. Irina broke out into laughter when Lena mimicked her movements and then knelt over on her own little haunches seeing her Mama doing it. Her little hands started flying wildly around in her bubbly hair trying to help and giggling seeing her Mama smiling and laughing.
Watching the two of them behind the steamy glass, giggling and laughing, having fun with the simple things, Jack sighed in contentment in love with his life. They were beautiful.
Nicholas and Nadia were on the floor in their own respective bouncy seats, watching the activity in the bathroom with fascination listening to the sights and sounds each having been bathed by Irina with Lena as her 'somewhat' helper before the two of them jumped in the shower.
"Do you want me to dress them?" Jack asked smiling, kneeling down on eye level with Irina and Lena on the outside of the shower glass laughing when Lena smashed her face into the glass again looking at him and squealing 'Dad-dy!'
The twins were both bathed and diapered now snuggled into giant white warm fluffy towels but still naked. He knew Irina was going to dress them with Lena but he didn't want her to have to cut her time playing with Lena as they were having so much fun in the shower.
"I promise I won't put them into something horrible that doesn't match if you give me another chance." Jack laughed remembering fondly the look on her face and everyone else's when he brought them downstairs a week ago having dressed them all wrong. He'd just grabbed two outfits not really paying attention to what he was doing and Nicholas ended up in Nadia's pink flower and kitty sleeper while Nadia ended up in an orange and blue Onzie that was her brother's and purple pants with pink socks.
Irina and Sydney promptly changed them shaking their heads that he couldn't see what was wrong.
"That would be lovely, thank you." Irina smiled putting her palm up to the glass and Jack did the same, both feeling a rush of emotions run through them of memories of the last time they'd done this, her Execution, under far sadder terms. Her smile widened seeing the look in his eyes and sent another prayer of thanks Heaven ward before kissing the glass and laughing softly taking her hand away. Lena attempted to do the same and both laughed aloud seeing her little slobbery mouth kissing the glass for Jack.
Jack returned the kiss between the glass for both of them, holding Irina's eyes with a smile and then pivoting to pick up Nadia first and then Nicholas.
When he was at the door Irina stopped him, "Jack, with Nicholas getting his factor this morning, can you please make sure he's in something loose and comfortable… easy to take off and put on." She added with a smile though her voice still held an edge of sadness for her little boy. Every six weeks for the first year of life he would need to receive the blood factor from his mother to aid his clotting. Towards the end of the six weeks, it became obvious why and that he needed it when the factor began to wear out. Bathing him this morning she'd already noticed two fingerprint bruises forming just from where she held him while bathing. "Be extra careful dressing him please," She added softly already feeling guilty, "I already bruised him bathing him this morning."
Jack nodded swallowing the dryness suddenly in his throat feeling badly for her that she still felt guilt at giving their son Hemophilia. Her researchers at the Universities were already working relentlessly on new treatments and possible cures, with Irina donating her own blood with its remarkable properties to the effort for study and he had no doubt, that with time, his wife could and would accomplish a miracle. When it came to her children, she was relentless in every aspect in ensuring their safety and happiness.
He carried them into the nursery they were now sharing, but in separate cribs, until their own rooms were finished by the brilliant decorator Iliyah. With their clothes now separated and in their own dressers and wardrobes he wouldn't make the same mistake again of mixing their clothing, he smiled grabbing outfits for each, a footy pajama sleeper for Nicholas and cute denim jumper, long sleeve pink Onzie to go under it and the little ruffle butt tights that he loved so much and matched Lena's for Nadia.
Today, he would get their clothing right he smiled bringing them back into his room and laying them on his bed where it was easier to dress them. He unraveled Nicholas first while Nadia watched him, happily sucking on her fist and saw the deep purple bruises in the shape of Irina's fingers under their son's arm and around his back where she'd been holding him protectively to wash him in the tub. Even with her gentle touches, the bruises any-such contact left were harsh.
"How are you doing, Cowboy?" Jack asked carefully pulling the undershirt Onzie over his head that was standard under all their clothing at this age to keep warm especially in Russia.
He threaded his arms through with the utmost of care and barest of touches before snapping it closed between his long skinny legs, Irina's legs, Jack had to smile looking at his son's knees. With that accomplished he picked Nicholas up and then set him gently over his pajama sleeper and dressed him talking to them both the entire time and making faces. He kissed his son gently, inhaling the scent of baby he loved so much and moved onto Nadia. Her outfit was much more complicated and he was just sliding her tights on when Irina emerged from the bathroom carrying Lena and both wrapped in the white towels looking entirely beautiful and exactly the same with their dark hair and intense eyes.
"How's it going?" She smiled pulling her wet hair over one shoulder and looking over her gorgeous babies wiggling around on the bed in their awake state, little fisted hands moving about.
"Good. Almost finished here." Jack smiled unsnapping the straps on Nadia's jumper and preparing to put it on as the final touch, "I'd be more than happy to dress the Peanut while you get ready." He smiled at Lena whose hand was on Irina's neck as it always was, hanging on and patting her mother's skin with her drumming fingers.
Irina didn't say anything, only arched her eyebrow in love with her husband for being so helpful.
"Ok, that would be nice thank you. I'll go get her clothes for you at least." She smiled and stopped to kiss his face before breezing by him out the door in the hallway with Lena.
"Good morning." Irina smiled feeling devilish when she met Judy, Kendall, Julian, Weiss and Marshall in the hallway unexpectedly this early in the morning on the way to Lena's room.
All had stopped dead in their tracks at the sight before them, Irina in only a towel, all wet and carrying Lena, three of the five noticeably swallowing hard and she was continuously amused by being able to stun them on occasion into silence. She grabbed Julian's forearm walking up to him, planting a kiss to the side of his mouth and did the same with the others and Judy was the only one to greet her back with a kiss and a smile, of "Good morning to you, too," and without another word, Irina continued on her way.
Judy just smiled, shaking her head watching them all watch her go and used her finger to close Kendall's mouth as he stood gaping in shock. She tried not to laugh when he immediately snapped upright as if he hadn't been staring.
"Hot damn, sexiest Grandma I've ever seen." Weiss whispered under his breath when Irina was further down the hall, turning to watch her go and then disappear into the room right as his eyes had skimmed up her legs and hit the part of her thigh where the towel snapped him out of it. He turned looking Julian in the eye and then laughing as he slapped him on the arm, "Whoo!" He whistled as the five continued on down the stairs, "That's one helluva mother you've got there, Julian… I'm the luckiest man in the world, yes I am, to be marrying a Romanov-Derevko woman." He smiled thinking about his own gorgeous Wild Thing he loved so much and was sexy as hell.
"How's our Little Prince doing?" Katya asked softly coming in to sit beside Irina who was rocking Nicholas after the donating and receiving process was over. She'd been visiting with Sydney just a few doors over and had decided to come over and sit with her sister and nephew when Jack had come in to say, they were finished and would be in shortly after Irina was done nursing him; having yet to see Sydney, Vaughn or Anya this morning.
"Good but tired. It wears him out so much… but he's always so good." Irina looked down at him with fresh tears building in her eyes behind her smile, "Hardly cries at all when they stick him for the transfusion." She hated that her baby had to go through such things.
"He's brave like his Mama," Katya smiled at her perfect nephew who was looking a bit pale and it broke her heart to see them both like this, the baby so fragile right now and Irina so upset with guilt and helplessness in her eyes.
"How are Sydney and the baby?" Irina asked changing subjects and fingering her son's tiny ones, a true smile lighting her eyes.
"Beautiful." Katya smiled accepting the change, "They were playing with Anya's hair when I left. Michael seems fascinated with her Mohawk and said he was hoping that she'd have one too."
"Yes," Irina laughed, "He was always playing with Lena's and I've seen him feathering Nadia's as well. I understand why though now, after seeing the film and his reaction to Sydney's baby picture."
"It was the first picture he'd seen of Sydney as a baby," Katya nodded in understanding with her own smile remembering that part in the film and realizing that it was already then, Vaughn had been envisioning having children with her niece.
"Umhmm." Irina nodded with a smile having the same thought Katya was and so happy for her daughter and son-in-law, "He's been waiting for this baby for some time… longer then I think he realized… probably as far back as before he would even admit to himself that he was in love with Sydney, he'd thought about what their children would be like. I did the same with Jack." She shrugged with a small laugh shaking her head at how long ago and yet not that seemed.
"I did with Marcelo as well. What our little girl would be like and then a boy. He was the only one of all my suitors that I'd ever had those thoughts about and it was then, I knew how deeply I truly cared for him." Katya smiled wistfully thinking about her adoring husband, "Of course, I never pictured having both of those children at the same time with him but life gives us surprises that way." She laughed with her sister.
"Was it because you had twins the first time, that you decided not to have anymore children?" Irina asked softly remembering in their younger days her sister always saying she wanted to have a house full of children, it had been Irina who had said she'd only wanted one if even that. She didn't think she was cut out to be a mother in those younger years.
Oh, how Jack and Sydney had changed all that… until they were gone, and then she'd realized what a mistake she 'thought she'd made' by having that child only to leave it and then losing her first son and all the pregnancies after. She was thankful her life had changed so dramatically for the better now.
Katya's eyes suddenly shifted down and away while she thought for just a second before responding but Irina had seen it already.
"What is it?" Irina asked gently putting her hand on Katya's now extremely concerned that maybe there was still a secret between them, that maybe her sister didn't choose to but couldn't have more children for some reason. "Why didn't you have anymore children?" She asked again with nothing but concern in her voice.
"Because of you." Katya inhaled a deep breath and looked up to find Irina's eyes wide and already tearing, knowing that was the last answer her sister expected and one she didn't want to hurt her with by sharing.
"Me?" Irina gasped in barely above a whisper, horrified to hear it was because of her for some reason. "Why?"
"First of all, don't feel badly about it." Katya turned her hand and squeezed Irina's with a smile, even though her own eyes held tears they were not for her, but her sister, "Marcelo and I were then and are now, very happy with the choice we made to have no more."
"I don't understand…" Irina swallowed hard.
"We were planning to have another baby but after you returned and I saw you at Julia's funeral… when it all finally sank in what you'd lost… Sydney and the baby in Kashmir," Katya shook her head with tears slipping from her eyes and she looked out the window wiping them away remembering that day. "I already had two perfect… precious children that I could love and hug and hold every night… while you had lost yours," She spoke slowly and voice heavy with held back emotion, "It seemed so very selfish of me to want another baby after that."
"Katya…" Irina gasped overcome with emotion and tears raining down her cheeks. The thought that her sister had no more children because of her, especially when she was sitting here now, holding her child, one of three she'd just recently been blessed with when her sister's dream had ended so long ago.
"No!" Katya's eyes flashed to Irina's reaching up to cup her face, seeing the thoughts already racing through Irina's eyes of guilt, "Don't feel guilty, please. I won't allow it!" She smiled, "I told you, I am so happy with the blessings of my two children and I couldn't ask for more. I don't want you feeling guilty for what happened then and especially not now because you have three more beautiful children! Rina, I am so happy for you!" Her smiled grew and her eyes shown brightly that it was from genuine happiness, "That you have gotten three more blessings as well as your family back… you deserve them! You were without your child for longer than any mother should have to bear… now is your time and your chance to be a mother… and I couldn't be happier in sharing in your joy." She thumbed away Irina's tears and then pulled her sister into her arms, moving from the bed and standing when Irina did, "I love you, sister, and I want everything for you."
"I love you, too." Irina whispered still overcome with learning this information and held Katya more tightly to her, cautious of her son sleeping in her arms overwhelmed with emotions, "I don't know what I ever did to deserve you."
"I ask myself that question," Katya pulled back and stared into Irina's eyes with a smile, her palm against her cheek cupping her face, "Every time I look into your smiling eyes, what I did to deserve you, Irina. We are sisters… forever and always."
"You're younger than I am you know, its still not too late!" Irina quipped, wiping her eyes with a smile and Katya burst out laughing.
"Are you kidding me sister?" Katya wiped the tears in her own eyes while laughing, "I'm exhausted just watching you at times. I'm looking forward to helping you raise these beautiful creatures. They are my blessings too, you know. As are you." She smiled at Irina running the back of her finger over Nicholas's soft cheek; she had prayed for these babies and her sister years ago and were finally here in the life she always wanted for Irina, "That is more than enough for me."
"And before too long, I suspect you'll have a glorious grandchild of your own." Irina smiled, laughing through her new tears forming from happiness listening to her sister.
"Mmm," Katya's eyes began to twinkle thinking about it, "Yes, and then the palace walls will be ringing with the laughter of many children just as Mama had always wished to hear again. What fun it will be." Her lips brushed against Nicholas's soft cheek in her sister's arms with a smile imagining such a day, "Now, let's go see that glorious grandchild of yours." She linked fingers with Irina as they walked out of the room, "She is quite perfect you know?" Katya smiled speaking quietly and smiling wider seeing Irina's smile widen, "Though, I'd expect nothing less than perfect as a grandchild of yours." She laughed softly, "The long awaited Derevko-Vontonavich child, though not quite the one our parents thought of when we were younger. I know Talia is thrilled, Mama would have been too in sharing this great-grand child." Her laugh turned into more of a giggle, thinking about how fate worked out with the expected baby happening a generation later, the manifestation of the true soul mates in the two families of Derevko and Vontonavich, Sydney and Vaughn, and how it came to be in the children of Irina and Mikhail from the love they shared with their own soul mates in Jack and Bella.
"Wait a minute!" Sydney practically screeched from her position in bed while everyone surrounded her in the hospital room. She'd just handed Anya to Judy and something caught her eye. "What's that on your finger?" She asked the woman with a raging smile and mouth slightly ajar looking at the beautiful shining diamond solitaire now residing on Judy's left hand ring finger.
"Ah, well," Judy flushed an instant shade of red with all eyes on her. When her gaze flickered to Kendall's theirs did as well.
"I asked her to marry me last night." Kendall smiled shyly and a small gasp went round the room before Judy's instantaneous answer of, "And I said 'yes." Before shrill squeals and giggles erupted around the room followed with immediate 'Congratulations' and 'My God Kendall's getting married!' from Weiss with a hoot of laughter.
"So when and where is the wedding?" Sydney asked excitedly, looking over the ring on Judy's finger.
"Well, I think we both kind of agreed… it just had to be in Las Vegas, considering that's where we really… got together." Judy couldn't stop smiling or blushing thinking about that entirely wild weekend in Vegas. The one that resulted in two pregnancies, a marriage, Irina's discovery of her own pregnancy, Sergei and Madeleine's courtship as well as her own with Kendall.
"Ah!" Sydney immediately squealed in delight while the rest of the room erupted into laughter thinking it very appropriate.
"Are you getting married at the 'Chapel of Love,' too?" Marshall asked smiling and linking fingers with his wife.
"I don't think so. I'm sure my father would like to give me away." Judy laughed smiling thinking about that wedding that was so much fun and bizarre, "We were thinking more along the lines of the Venetian or at the Bellagio in a more traditional wedding ceremony but something small."
"That's probably a good idea." Carrie smiled with a hint of a smirk, "My father's still upset I had Jack walk me down the aisle and that Elvis married us." She rolled her eyes while everyone laughed, "Course, I think he's forgiven me some since I gave him his first grandchild. He's in love with Mitchell."
"Who wouldn't be?" Irina snuggled the baby in her arms kissing his little head, "My Godson is adorable." She smiled and both Carrie and Marshall lit with grins of proud parents.
"It was the Fembot outfit that did you in, wasn't it, Kendall?" Weiss nudged him and they all burst out laughing.
Two Weeks Later:
"Irina… Child, I'm sorry but you can't nurse them both any longer." Alexei shook his head holding his chart and knowing she wasn't going to like it, "You've lost too much weight as it is. You're barely over a hundred pounds and whatever massive calories you're taking in, go right back out nursing. With your Thyroid problems and Diabetes you just can't continue safely. Your numbers are all over the place." He held up her chart showing the drastic changes in her insulin levels over the course of the last couple of months from nursing the twins.
"I'll eat more calories!" Irina tried to plead not wanting to give it up after only four months.
"It won't change anything, Child, your body can't handle it. You're already in danger of kidney failure with these numbers." He grasped her hands in his with soft eyes staring into hers knowing how hard this was on her, "You have to switch to formula."
Irina started to cry and Jack held her against his chest from the side wiping at the silent river of tears flowing from her eyes and breaking his heart when Alexei gave her the shot in the arm that would cease her milk production.
*Adiemus*
May 15th, 2004 - Coronation Anniversary
Everyone had once again gathered, flying in from near and far to celebrate with Russia on the First Anniversary of the Coronation and Imperial Rule. The week had been filled with festivities to mark the special occasion and the actual day had been declared a National Holiday.
Anya and Mitchell were baptized together during the church service and Nadia, Nicholas and Anya were all officially anointed with their own Coronation part of the service as members of the Imperial Family with each being welcomed and blessed by Irina.
The newest members of the Imperial Court: Kendall, Judy, The Petersons, and Lena were also anointed and Carrie, as well having been asked by Jack and Irina to be a second Godmother to Lena. The young woman had taken great care of their daughter on various occasions with great love and affection and it only made sense to them to have her officially made a Godmother when her actions were already of that. Now she and Marshall were Godparents together of Lena as Jack and Irina were Godparents to Mitchell.
"Okay, the Grand Duchess Anya's turn and then all four babies with Her Majesty." The photographer smiled and everyone else laughed standing around and watching as they finished with the official portraits marking this occasion.
They'd taken one including everyone, then a three generation picture with Irina, Sydney and Anya, and several others with various combinations of people and lastly with Irina and the twins together and then with each of them separate.
She kissed Nadia's little face as Sydney traded babies with her mother, carefully handing her sleeping daughter over in exchange for her very wide-awake and smiling four-month-old sister.
"She looks absolutely precious." The photographer smiled making some adjustments to the blankets surrounding Anya while Irina held her sleeping granddaughter with a gorgeous smile, "I just love her gown." She cooed pulling the long length of the baby's gown down to spill in its satin waves just right over Irina's lap.
"It was her mother's." Irina beamed smiling up at Sydney remembering the day Sydney had been baptized wearing the same gown.
"A great family tradition." The photographer smiled at Irina and then Sydney when she wheeled around to get behind her camera again.
When the photograph was taken it was time for the final picture of Irina with all four babies. They all laughed as Irina managed to hold all four babies in her arms while they wiggled and squirmed, the twins on the outsides against each arm and the younger two, Anya and Mitchell in between in a girl boy girl boy fashion.
They managed to get one good picture before all the babies started fussing making them all laugh to see Irina holding four crying babies and took another picture of her holding them that way, with her smiling and laughing and the babies all fussing and crying for posterity.
When the Imperial Ball that night ended at Peterhof, Irina asked that her family and friends meet she and Jack in the Sitting Room before going to bed.
"Is she okay?" Irina asked flicking the syringe full of insulin in the kitchen when Jack entered after checking on Lena.
"Yeah, she just pushed Mr. Yellow Bear out of her crib and couldn't reach him." Jack smiled thinking about his adorable little girl who'd awoken and stirred because she'd lost her favorite furry friend in the night after they put Lena and the rest of the babies to bed hours ago. "How are you?" He asked with real concern seeing how tired she was and watching as she injected herself in the bicep with her insulin, unable to get to any other part of her body under such a fabulous gown.
"I'm good." Irina smiled, flicking the needle into the orange collection bin now standard in all palaces and home kitchens in the family for Irina's injections and then reaching for a glass while Jack opened the fridge and retrieved the orange juice. "Tired but good." She sighed thinking about this long day that began at 4 AM and was still going at 1 AM the next morning.
"Are you sure you don't want to wait and do this in the morning?" Jack took the glass from her watching her yawn and poured her juice for her.
"No, I want to tell them tonight," She smiled, "Let them go to sleep with raging smiles on their faces and wake up still wearing them… at least I hope they'll be smiling and not offended." She sighed taking the juice when offered.
"I don't think they'll be offended." Jack smiled with a chuckle putting the juice away, "Dumbstruck but not offended."
"I hope you're right." She wrapped her arms around his neck carefully with an endearing smile, staring at his lips leaning in while he rested his hands on her waist, kissing before breaking apart and holding hands as they walked out.
Everyone was waiting patiently in the glorious room, sitting before the wide crackling fire place creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere with steaming mugs of tea, coffee and hot chocolate in their hands chatting amongst themselves as they waited for their Imperial hosts, still looking phenomenal in their tuxedos, Imperial uniforms and gowns.
"Thank you all for staying awake just a bit longer on this long day to meet with us." Irina smiled entering the room on Jack's arm with her juice glass in the other hand.
"So what's going on?" Sydney asked with a smile just as out of the loop on what was happening as the rest of them gathered in the room.
"Well," Irina began taking a seat with Jack on the loveseat left open for them, facing everyone else. Dixon whose children were already in bed, was sitting with Sydney and Vaughn on one couch; Kendall, Judy, and Ben and Karen Devlin, were on another; Katya was on the floor leaning back against Marcelo and her children and their significant others were doing the same. Mikhail sat in one chair with Bella sitting on the arm and Lena Olin and her husband in the same position in another. Julian was standing with arms around Ash from behind, swaying slightly together and Will was leaning back against the end of the sofa where Sydney and Vaughn sat. Dmitri and Talia were on another love seat beside Jack and Irina's.
"As the Executive Producers putting up the original funding for the four films we are also the ones who retain the profits," Irina began with tears already pooling in her eyes looking over the sea of faces staring at her, "Your father and I have been talking about what we wanted to do with the profits from them as soon as the first film was released." She sighed and saw their eyes widening slightly in wonder, "So far, the four films have taken in a little over $8 billion in world-wide sales and its still coming in," She smiled wider seeing the color start draining from their faces with that number and many audible inhales of breath that they'd made over $8 billion dollars on the films. It had cost almost a billion to make all four films, no expense spared to get it right and all of the money had come from Irina's wealth so she would retain the absolute rights to the films.
Irina squeezed Jack's hand a little asking him to continue without words, already feeling emotional.
"We've commissioned two new building projects in Danny and Emily's names," He looked over at his daughter who instantly had tears pooling in her eyes while Vaughn kissed her temple, "A new hospital in Moscow, specializing in Cardiology, Oncology and Hemophilia of all ages to provide the best care in all of Europe to patients and their families with a 'Hospital Village' of sorts with thirty homes provided to the families while their loved ones are in the care of the hospital."
Sydney gasped, as did many, softly with her eyes flashing back and forth between her mother and father overcome with emotion.
"And the other as a specialized new wing, of UCLA Medical Center, specializing in Pediatric Cardiology." He smiled knowing that was where the young man and his daughter met, where he was working when he was tragically killed. "And another commissioned for Emily in Oncology." He saw that Sydney was about to say something else but held a hand up with a smile to let them continue.
"We're also donating to UCLA's toxicology and cardiology programs." Irina added softly smiling over at Ryan with tears still pooling, thankful for their efforts and her life. "And…" She took deep breath and sighed with a smile, "In Francie's name," She looked to both her daughter and Will who each she knew were holding their breath hearing her name, "We've decided to build a culinary school… you two can decide the location."
"Mom…" Sydney gasped with tears sliding in silent streams down her cheeks, shaking her head as her father said, dumbstruck.
"And we're giving her family," Irina continued wading through this emotional moment, "And Danny's, a portion of the profits in their children's names," Irina continued on in a quiet voice with her own rivers of silent tears, "As well as your children, Marcus." She smiled over at the man wiping at the tear trails, "In the memory of their mother as well as a scholarship program for students to attend any university in the world, in Diane's name."
"And to the rest of you… all of you that we love in this room and whom each impacted our lives and shared in this film experience with us, we want to share the profits with you too… of $200 million." Jack added with a small smile and watched as most mouths dropped open.
"Ho-ly shit!" Weiss gasped with wide astonished eyes mentally calculating as he looked around, "That's like… almost $15 million a piece! We're all rich!" His voice rose and he gasped as did many and Irina and Jack chuckled.
"No actually, it isn't $15 million a piece." Irina shook her head still chuckling with a smile and linking her hand with Jack's sitting back and playing with his fingers while she held everyone's pale-faced attention, "You misunderstood me, allow me to explain please. What we meant was, $200 million to you and Sophia," She snickered seeing his and everyone else's eyes immediately widen until their eyebrows hit their hairline and then went on, "$200 million to Sydney, Michael and Anya; $200 million to Julian and Ash; $200 million to Katya and Marcelo; $200 million to Sergei and Madeleine; $200 million to Marshall, Carrie and Mitchell; $200 million to Dmitri; $200 million to Talia; $200 million to Alexei; $200 million to Mikhail and Bella; $200 million to Marcus, Robin and Steven; $200 million to Kendall and Judy; $200 million to Ben and Karen; $200 million to Lena and Lasse; $200 million to you Will," She smiled down at the younger man, and then sighed as she finished rattling off the list with, "And $200 million to Ryan, Ann and their children. The rest of the profits will be given to other charities, go to various other projects and peoples such as my orphans," She smiled thinking about their faces when they discovered what she had planned for them with their portion, "And then of course some other people will receive portions of the profits that aren't here today that impacted our lives such as," Her face turned back to Sydney with a small smile, "Ms. Adams and the other actors in the film and so forth but…" She inhaled another deep breath before rambling on seeing they were still dumbstruck and unmoving, "Before anyone says anything I just want to say, that I know some of you, this may pose problems as you're members of the United States Intelligence Community receiving money from the Tsar of Imperial Russia but… I've spoken with President Bush about this and some other matters and you have two choices: you can stay working at your jobs and we'll make the legal transactions so that you'll be paid directly from the production company handling the films or, the second option which we both," She smiled at Jack, "Sincerely hope you take and that's to retire from the world of Intelligence. An early retirement where you then take up fishing, knitting, traveling, start a new career it doesn't really matter what, we just wish you all long, safe, healthy and happy lives… and to be out of this crazy world where we all met." She was speaking to Dixon, Marshall, Kendall, Judy, and Ben. Carrie had already left just before Mitchell was born and Weiss had retired with his engagement to Sophia.
"And that you come visit us often." Jack added smiling scanning over his friend's faces; who were still white as ash and unmoving, "We hope."
Stunned silence reigned over the room.
"$200 million." Will stated with a dry throat.
"You're giving away $8 billion dollars… $3 billion to us?" Weiss asked again astounded as he looked around the group.
"Mmhmm." Irina nodded along with Jack wearing big grins and loving the reaction but still nervous their friends wouldn't accept, "It's all of our story in the films, in one way or another. It's only right to share it with you… and I don't need it. I already have everything I could ever want or need in this room. The people I love." She smiled blinking back new tears, "Please say you'll accept?" She looked over to her old friends the Devlins and the others still working in US Intelligence. She wanted them all out, all safe and all living lives with less drama and heartbreak.
"We're in! He's retiring!" Karen grabbed Ben's hand with a raging enthusiastic smile almost shouting and pulling it into the air raising both their hands and stunning her husband at making the decision for them. "I've wanted you to take me traveling around the world for years, Ben, now's our chance!" She smiled, "We gladly accept, Your Majesty." Karen all but launched herself off the couch and onto Irina, and then Jack hugging them wildly while her husband still sat stunned.
Before too long everyone else joined in the hugging and thanking which turned into a somewhat 'hog pile' of appreciation and elation and had them all laughing and smiling and accepting, still in shock with wide-eyes of wonder when they 'floated' up to bed.
"So do you think they're smiling?" Irina smiled, laying draped across Jack's chest and circling his nipple with the tip of her finger.
"Yeah, I think they probably are… if not jumping on the bed in glee." He laughed running his hand over her hand and kissing the top of her head the image of Weiss jumping around on the bed with Sophia flitted into his mind making him laugh again. His fingers trailed along the length of her jaw line until her face turned to look at him and he smiled, leaning in to close the distance and kiss her lips. "I love you, Your Majesty," he brushed his nose with hers, "Congratulations on a fabulous year of Imperial Rule."
"Make love to me, Jack." Irina whispered against his mouth, turning around fully and straddling his body, leaning over him and linking her fingers with his while her hair curtained their faces on one side where she tossed it over her shoulder.
"Happily, My Love." He smiled cupping the back of her neck and bringing her mouth to his in a searing kiss.
Alexander Palace - The Imperial Stables
"I asked you to come down here," Irina threw the stirrup up over the saddle to finish saddling the gorgeous black Arabian before her, "Not only because I wanted you to join me in riding horses," She smiled over at the younger woman standing beside her with wide-eyes of wonder holding the reins, "But because I wanted to speak to you alone and its hard to find a place to chat in the palace these days without drawing attention." She laughed softly, latching the strap and pulling down making sure it was secure. "As you know, we've decided to give away the proceeds from the films," She took the reins from the young woman standing beside her in silence. "I want to share them with you as well. Not only because of the friendship we've formed over the last couple of years," She slid the bit into the horses mouth effortlessly, "But... because of all you've done for me and my family. Without your help I wouldn't have been able to keep Sydney safe… and we wouldn't be where we are today." She smiled when she was finished, running her hands down the smooth neck of the horse. "The stipulation is the same as with the others… only because… really, I don't want the people I care about working in such a dangerous line of business…" She saw the tears building in her eyes looking at her in shock, "And because its too dangerous for you to continue working as a double, I'm releasing you from the Russian service and in doing so, your service inside the US Intelligence world is no longer needed… You've done your job and you've done it well… I thank you with my whole heart for everything you've done." She reached for the stunned woman and gave her a hug, speaking in fluent Russian the entire time.
"It's been an honor, Your Majesty," The woman hugged her back with a smile, always in awe of the great woman before her, "Thank you."
"Where's your mom?" Weiss looked around the living room where Sydney was sitting with Anya, Bella and several others. "She said something about going riding today and I want to go with her." His eyes lit up like Christmas trees with the prospect, in love with the horses. He and Irina had become quite the riding buddies sharing their mutual love of horses and now that spring was here, they tried to go often.
"She already went to the stables," Sydney smiled adjusting her baby on her shoulder, "I'm sure if you hurry you'll catch them before they go."
"They?" He asked almost hurt that Irina had found another buddy today.
"Yeah," Sydney couldn't help but laugh seeing his fallen look knowing how he loved his alone time with her mother, their chats and the horses. "You aren't the only horse lover besides Mom it turns out… Vicki loves them, too."
"Agent Crane loves horses?" Weiss balked at the idea and shook his head with an amused smile picturing the tiny woman on a horse.
"Apparently so, she went down there with Mom." Sydney smiled.
"Well, she is of Russian heritage isn't she?" Sophia smiled brightly playing with Lena on the floor, "And all Russian's love their horses," She laughed while the other Russians in the room nodded in agreement with smiles.