Windstar: This is the last chapter of this story. I'll have more for you all at the end, so I wont take up too much space here. There were a few breaks in this and time does jump quite a bit in the last break. This is because I included the prologue of OHC into this as a bit of an "Epilogue" so I hope you can forgive that. I've sectioned it off so you know that a lot has changed. I figured it would be fitting to keep it in this story instead of waiting months on end for OHC to come out and then reading it then.
Disclaimer: I do not have any rights or ownership over beyblade. This story was made entirely free of profit and will not be receiving any profit in the future. Mikhail, Adrien, Kiril, Dmitri, Nikoli, Jeannine, Michaels, Christopher, and all other unknown characters belong to me.
Chapter Thirty-Seven:
Adeline nearly leapt out of her seat in excitement as she thought about all the ways she could dress Anna up. She'd thought of everything from blues to pinks to yellows to greens, and she insisted that they go out and find the right dress to buy. Adeline even said she'd pay for it. She was giddy with excitement, and with a baby on one hip and Anna's hand in the other the women went flying off into one of Kai's cars and were driving through the city of Moscow looking for the perfect store.
Dmitri and the twins were brought along because Adeline didn't just want to leave them at the school all day, and it was about time Tri started getting out and about in the city. The little redhead was more then happy to attend so long as the twins were going to be there, and he could play with them.
The boy was the glorified baby sitter as the two women went through evening gowns and shoes and stockings and the like. He didn't mind in the least and made baby babble with the twins who were giggling and laughing excitedly. The little boy was positively glowing with delight and satisfaction as he looked at the children.
A woman accidentally bumped into him as she reached for a shawl hanging where he was crouched, and he looked up at her in confusion. The woman apologized lightly, and his face broke out in a great grin. She'd apologized in spanish. He understood that!
"Prego!" He replied brightly. She hesitated and looked down at him, smiling lightly.
"Sei Italiana?" She asked lightly, and he nodded.
"Me chiamo Dmitri!" He introduced. "Si tratta di Jeanie e Niko." The woman looked at the babies, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she saw the bitbeasts around the children's necks, but she didn't say anything about them. She just smiled and nodded.
"Piacere conoscerla. Ciao bambini." She waved to them, and then was on her way. Dmitri just smiled happily and continued to play with the babies – completely ignorant to just who it was he'd so freely given their names to.
Anna and Adeline had finally tracked down the perfect dress for the evening. A light pink gown that hugged closely to her italian curves and frilled just enough around the shoulders. Two pink arm gloves that reached just past her elbows, and white high heeled shoes finished up the ensamble, and the women laughed lightly as they discussed their men's favorite colors.
"I'll never understand it, Kai and black..." Adeline mused as she rolled her eyes. "Sacha never really wanted to wear anything else." Anna giggled.
"I remember when he was all grumpy because Voltaire wanted him to wear a white shirt. He threw a hissy fit for weeks!" The two women laughed heartily before they started to go towards the cashier. The babies were being pushed in their convenient two seater carriage, and Dmitri was trotting along quite contently beside them.
"So what's with the fancy dinner anyway?" The blonde asked as she looked at her friend. Anna bit her lip and shrugged.
"I'm not sure. He just asked me to go out to dinner with him before throwing me out of his room!"
"Throwing?"She mused.
"Delicately pushing." Anna relented. "I don't know what's going on in his head."
"Maybe it'll be fun."
"I hope so..."
They got back to the house in record time, and there were still four hours left until the big date. Anna spared a side long glance at Kai who was still investigating Elvis on the ceiling. She couldn't help it. He looked so thuroughly engrossed in it, she moved over and tapped his shoulder.
"How're you feeling?" She asked lightly. He gave her a lopsided grin.
"Fine fine. How's the baby?" His hand touched her stomach and she recoiled.
"You've been talking to Mikhail." She accused, pointing a finger at him. Red eyes rolled.
"I've been talking to no one. They don't believe me about Elvis." He motioned to the ceiling. "I finally got some peace and quite."
"You're quite the little actor, jerk. We've been laughing at you at your expense and here you are totally sober." The heir shrugged lightly and looked at her.
"Meds wore off an hour ago. I couldn't get up to get more." He motioned to his leg. His voice was getting better, and while still a bit raspy it was clearer then it had been in weeks. "What's wrong with Dri?"
"Hmm?"
"Everyone's keeping him away from me and avoiding the subject."
"He and Kiril ran into Jorge Ortega. He gave the boys a bit of a scare that's all. It's been taken care of."
"Hmm...you are pregnant though right?"
"Yes Kai. Now sush, I haven't told Luka."
"He knows." The heir yawned and rolled over. "Do me a favor and get me my meds-" Anna was too busy glaring at him to hear though. The fact that everyone seemed to think that it was their business to discuss her pregnancy with her boyfriend when she hadn't told him yet was really pissing her off!
She was gone before he could even ask again, and the heir sighed heavily before going back to counting the chips in the paint on the ceiling. His soft voice eventually fading until he fell into a restful slumber. Pain killers be damned, he was exhausted and was more then ready to sleep.
Hours passed, but all Anna could think about was how Tala already knew. It wasn't fair. She wanted to be the one to tell him. She wanted to be the one to have that moment with him. Her mind was filled of the moments she talked about Dmitri. Her minds were filled with the hope that they could do this right the first time. Tears flooded her face, but when it turned to five o'clock she knew she had to make herself presentable.
She showered quickly, washing the tears away with water. Then she blow-dried her hair and pinned it back elegantly. A simple necklace went around her throat, and she slipped her evening gown on over her chilling body. All that was left was the make up, and once it was applied she found herself looking several times more confident then she felt.
Just as she was snapping her heels on, a knock came at the door. She hesitated for just a moment before walking to it and slowly opening it. There, before her, was a bouquet of flowers and a grinning redhead who looked just as pleased as the cat who ate the canary. She blinked in stunned silence, not quite sure what it was she was supposed to say. Thank you seemed appropriate.
"Th-thank you!" She gasped as she took the roses and smelled them. They were fresh, of course. Her eyes wandered up to see him though. Black tux with a dark purple silk shirt underneath it. He was gorgeous. His hair had been styled ever so slightly, bangs fading into the rest of his hair. It was just passed his ears in length, and it made him look far more mature then it had been when it was the ragged mess of yesterday.
"You're welcome my lady." He teased brightly. Holding out his hand he winked conspiratorially and smiled at her. "May I?" She gently placed the flowers on her vanity before nodding and taking his outstretched hand.
The two moved together, and she found the whole business a rather embarrassing affair. Several of the F-fives were cat calling from their rooms, and when they passed by Dmitri the child was awed. He whispered that they looked like angels and her face couldn't help but blush ever harder.
The only thing that could make this more incorrigible would be a limo – and when those doors opened there it was! She felt her turn the color of her date's hair and it only got worse when a silky smooth voice whispered:
"You look so beautiful when you're embarrassed." She resisted the urge to punch him in the arm (as it wouldn't be lady like), and instead just slid into the vehicle. Dmitri was waving goodbye from the door, and Tala blew him a kiss.
"Where are we going?" She asked lightly, once she was certain his attention was back to her. He was busy pulling some wine out of the limo's side compartment. The car had started up and was heading down the driveway as he poured her a glass. She accepted it with raised eyebrows. This whole affair was rather...expensive and uppity. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about it.
"The Red Square." He told her simply. Her eyes widened, mouth dropping wide open. "My dear, you're catching flies." Glowering at him she took a sip of wine.
"I know you said fancy, but truly..." She muttered. A flash of insecurity crossed the young man's face as he glanced over to her. She missed it.
"You don't...want to go?" He asked calmly, just managing to keep the hint of panic rising in his chest down.
"No, it's fine. I don't mind. I'm just surprised. I never took you for one who'd fancy the Red Square..." Kai? Yes. She could see Kai and Adeline there more often then not, and when she thought about it – it wasn't much of a question as to where the idea had come from. She glanced over to him. His seemed to be musing slightly, but when he caught her looking, he just smiled brightly.
"Who would turn down good food with a beautiful woman in a beautiful dress?" That damn blush was coming back, and she nodded faintly before telling him he looked rather good as well.
The Red Square was...well...in the Red Square. Near the Kremlin it was home to rather historical dinners. It was rather expensive, and high class. She'd been there with Voltaire and Kai when they were much much younger and she hadn't known how to do the math or could even read the menu. Going here again was like a blast from the past.
The building was finely decorated. Wooden floors, red curtains, and gold gilded everything made up the Red Square's décor. Dropping one plate of food was akin to over a two hundred dollars worth of merchandise, food, and otherwise. In short: you break it – you buy it.
The people who work there were paid to be extra friendly, and the atmosphere was one of high class elegance. For a computer geek who spent all her time hacking into government files and building high tech equipment...it seemed like a snobbish affair and it made her feel extremely uncomfortable.
Again: Kai and Adeline would fit in perfectly, but this was a bit much even for her. It surprised her too, because she honestly never imagined that Tala would truly want to go to a place like that. When he said fancy, she imagined something that was rather high up – but not so snobbish that she would rather go to a McDonalds then eat there.
Still, who would turn down good food?
They entered the restaurant and were immediately accosted by the Maitre D'. The elderly and well kept man was dressed in coattails and had white gloves. He made her head spin as she stared at him. He was smiling brightly at them and gave a small bow as he approached.
"Welcome to the Red Square, please Mr. Nikov, come this way." If the name startled him, Tala didn't show it. He was all sunny smiles and high disposition, but there was a slight tense quality to his shoulders that he was trying desperately to hide. He wanted this to go well, and he would have his way if it killed him!
He gracefully led Anna through the restaurant, following the manager until they reached their secluded and pricey table that the reservation alone meant high money. Anna couldn't help it, this seemed a bit much: even for her.
"Is Kai paying for this?" She asked innocently. She almost missed the scowl that had started to form before it was washed away.
"No, I'm paying for this." He told her gently. "I am an heir to HE as well you know." He looked at her for a moment, and she decided to drop it. She honestly had forgotten that he came from money too. He never flaunted it and he never spent more then his ISA paycheck allowed. That he was going so far out must mean something was up.
"Why'd they call you Nikov?" She asked in confusion, but just as he was about to tell her, their server came.
"Good evening my Lord and Lady, my name is Sergei Putinov, and it shall be my honor to serve you this evening." He paused for just a moment before looking purposefully towards the young redhead. "Would it be considered terribly inappropriate to say that it is an especial honor to have you returned to us in such good health Lord Nikov?" A fond smile crept its way across the Commander's face.
"Not at all, thank you." His voice was light and even, and it was clear from his eyes that he meant it. He was undoubtedly touched by the statement.
"Is there anything that you are in need of at this time? Refreshments perhaps?" The man was flashing them with a dazzling smile, and Anna winced slightly.
"A bottle of your best wine, hmm white if you will." Tala answered calmly, looked at her to see if that was acceptable, and she nodded quickly. At once the man had excused himself with an overkill run of politeness, and was gone.
"He's angling for a good tip. Could he lay it on any thicker?" She muttered, Luka looked at her in confusion, not understanding. So she continued. "May I flush your toilet for you sir? May I polish your shoes sir?" She mocked lightly. The smile faded from Luka's face as she went on. He winced the more she said until eventually she stopped. It took her a while, but eventually she noticed how uncomfortable he'd gotten. "Sorry." She mumbled. He forced a smile.
"It's alright, really." Sergei had returned by now, and he showed the label to Tala who smiled politely. The cork was popped and the man carefully poured a small amount into the crystal glass before passing the wine to his guest. Luka smelled it for a brief moment before swirling it around in the glass and then delicately tasting it. The rich flavor filled his mouth and he nodded before passing it back to the waiter for more. The man acquiesced and filled the glass completely before offering the same to Anna.
"Thank you, I'm sure it's lovely." She told him before he filled her cup.
"Are you ready to order?" He asked them, and the two nodded and gave in their requests.
"My father's name is Nikoli, as you know." He told her lightly after Sergei had left. "That being said, as you so innocently told me all those years ago: its customary for people to take their father's first name as their last name. Nikov is legally and historically my last name. Ivanov was my father's last name because his father was named Ivan. I've been following western tradition up until now, taking his last name as my surname, but...I came here when I was a child. The Maitre D' knew my parents and me. To them, historically it's far more accurate to call me Luka Nikov rather then Luka Ivanov." She nodded, understanding somewhat.
"You used to come here a lot?"
"Tala Ivanov?" Flinching slightly, the redhead turned to glance over his shoulder where he was more then a little dismayed to see Cirano. After firing the man from HE he hadn't seen hide or tail of the corrupt employee. On his arms were ditzy and titzy – better known as Annabelle and Trinity. Cirano laughed heartily and made his way towards him. "Haven't seen you in ages, why don't we pull up a table and chat?" He asked even as he started to tug one of the tables closer towards the redhead and his date.
Anna watched the scene in curiosity, she didn't know who any of these people were, but she was certain that there was some history between them. Tala was positively brewing with annoyance. He didn't want anything to do with these people and it was clear from the look on his face that he would rather they die then sit with him.
"Umm, excuse me, but who are you?" She asked lightly, looking at Cirano curiously. The man turned and squinted as he took in her appearance.
"Ah! You're Lord Voltaire's cherub, Anna Jones are you not?" She raised her eyebrows. "I recognize you know. It's been years since I last saw you. What was it...when you were twelve? You've grown up quite a bit! How old are you now?" She looked at Luka who was sighing, and she glanced at the snobbish creature in annoyance.
"That's rather impolite, who are you exactly?" Even if she did meet him before – a lot had happened in the past eighteen or so years.
"Cirano Hodges, I fired him from HE several years ago." Luka supplied as he sipped at his wine. He just caught sight of the Maitre D' out of the corner of his eye. The man didn't look pleased to see that his restaurant had been rearranged.
"You fired him?" She asked in awe.
"Corporate take over. He wanted me to give him power over the company and after pooling our shares together I had the most ownership over HE. They wanted me to give Cirano the power to lead HE, but I fired him and gave the shares back to Kai and his loyal followers."
"They?"
"A few other inconsequentials." Through this all, Cirano seemed to not particularly care that his tragedy at HE was being discussed so easily.
"Yes well, that's the past and this is now. How are you doing my dear boy?" Hodges attention was solely on Tala now, his attempt at being polite was mostly a fraud, but the redhead knew he couldn't react the way he'd love to. Somehow blasting the man's brains out didn't seem to be the appropriate way to handle this situation.
"I'm well, listen, this is a private dinner that you're intruding on." Tala was struggling to keep his voice calm, in all honesty – he really just wanted the man to bugger off and leave them the hell alone. He hated the bastard and didn't trust him as far as Dmitri could throw him, and for a seven year old the kid was quite strong!
"It's fine if they stay Luka, I don't mind." Anna voiced easily, a smile plastered on her pretty face. The redhead glanced at her, fake smile falling slightly. Maybe she really didn't want to spend time with him. It was possible after all. He felt his heart drop into his stomach and reeled himself together for another round with Cirano.
The dinner, as it turned out, was more frustrating then it should have been. The whole time; Bitsy and Trixie, or Ditzy and Shitzy, or Annabelle and Trinity (as their mothers called them) were giggling and laughing and touching things that most certainly didn't belong to them. The girls decided to sit next to Tala for some reason or other, which left the creep Cirano next to Anna. Everyone was laughing and talking and having a grand old time.
Under the table though, Luka had removed his pistol from his side and was thumbing it. Every once and a while Anna could have sworn she heard the soft click of a magazine entering the shaft and a bullet cocked into the chamber. Then it would disappear. She gave the redhead disapproving looks, but he honestly was beyond caring. He was too busy glaring at his plate.
"Mr. Ivanov?" He looked up and slid his gun back into its holster as the waiter came up. He glanced up when he was finished skewering some fancy named vegetable that had come with the duck he'd ordered. "There's a call for you on line one, if you would like to take it?" He nodded his head briefly and spared Anna a glance. She seemed to be enjoying herself as she talked to the Dumb-belles and stood up to answer it.
He wasn't all that surprised to find his brother on the phone, and he glowered slightly as he covered his face with his hands. "What do you want Sacha?" He asked tiredly, his entire body flooding with exhaustion.
"Your fiancé-to-be refused to get me my pills and I'm hurting."
"Good for you, go holler for your wife and I'm sure she'll attend." He hissed darkly.
"That bad huh?" Kai's voice was soft, and Tala felt like crying.
"You'll never guess who's at the table with us."
"Ooh, ooh, I love this game. Give me a hint would you?"
"Tall, dark, and reeks of evil."
"Your father's alive?" Luka couldn't help it, he laughed. He laughed long and hard, and smiled brightly at the waiter who seemed genuinely pleased that he was happy at long last.
Luka wouldn't have ever told Anna this, especially considering how this night had turned out, but he had been to this restaurant many times as a child…and this particular waiter had been kind enough to teach him that life wasn't necessarily about training and punishments; and even strangers could be friends if you let them be. He was a Prince of Enterprise in his own right, and sometimes it felt good to be flattered. He enjoyed doing things by himself, but having someone always there was nice too.
"Mama, I don't want to go out!" Mikhail stamped his foot in annoyance, crossing his arms over his chest. Sacha mumbled something that sounded obnoxiously like 'spoiled prat' and the older boy kicked him in the back of his leg.
Luka was still staring up at him with those wide blue eyes in awe. Ever since he first started living with the Ivanov family, he had been in complete and total amazement at the children that lived there. None more so then the eldest and by far the most rude of them all: Mikhail. There were admittedly few times that the older boy let the redhead sit on his lap and there were times when Mikhail treated him gently and kindly, but now certainly wasn't one of those times and all happiness was very likely to simply be flooded down the drain.
"Mikhail, we're going out to eat as a family and that's all there is to it!" Aya snapped as she glared at him disapprovingly for hitting her youngest son. For the first time in a long while all the other children had been adopted. There was simply no one else left. It was bizarre to have the whole house so empty, but that's what it was. It was only Mikhail and the young Beybladers who were still getting used to life without the Abbey.
"We shouldn't be, Dicky just left and we're celebrating?" Nikoli snickered at his eldest child's jaded tone.
"He has a point." The father said even as he helped his little redhead pull a jacket on. The boy had the oddest problem with staying focused at times. It was strange because if he was given orders he could follow them to a T, and yet if he was just asked to occupy himself he was looking around at everything and was so completely unaware of his surroundings that he would forget to do simple things. The boy gave him a goofy grin and hugged him when he was finished.
"I love you daddy." The child said sweetly. His oldest brother rolled his eyes and mimicked him from behind. Confused, but certainly not unperturbed Luka turned back. "I love you too Mikhail."
"Yeah, whatever kid. You know what happens to suck ups like you?" The boy frowned, shaking his head. "The waiters take them off and shove them in the kitchens where they toss you in the oven and eat you up!" The boy gasped, horrified. He looked at his father for confirmation and the man rolled his eyes.
"Stop teasing your brother Mikhail, you won't be anywhere near the kitchens tonight."
"Yeah, because if we did go, you know they'd want to cook him in a pie or something." Luka looked ready to burst into tears, but the parents quickly maneuvered the boys into the car and calmed him down before things got too out of hand. The fivesome managed to get to the restaurant, and once there, three boys stared at it in awe. None of them had been to such a fancy place before, and it was a bit surprising. It was beautiful and charming, and it made Mikhail snap his mouth shut. He had no complaints if it was going to be like this. How amazing could it get?
"Welcome to the Red Square Lord and Lady Ivanov." The Maitre D' said benevolently. The parents smiled brightly.
"Ah, Sergei, it is heartwarming to see that you're still here. How are you this evening?" Aya asked as she graciously took the man's hand and was even bold enough to place a fond kiss on his cheek.
"I am quite well my Lady, and may I inquire as to you and your lovely family?" The boys had never seen their parents in their full renowned state of affairs. They'd always just been 'mom' and 'dad' never the Nobles that they truly were.
"We are very well Sergei, how is your lovely wife?"
"She is doing quite wonderfully indeed; she shall be honored to know that you have inquired after her. May I show you to your tables?"
The boys were still in a state of shock by the time their parents had ordered for them and the first course had come out. Being as young as they were they couldn't quite appreciate the fact that their food was over fifty dollars each just for the appetizers, and that the china itself was closer to a thousand dollars each. This was the royal treatment after all.
Which was when a cell phone went off, and Aya gave her husband a scathing look. He apologized briefly before answering it, and his face went dark. He looked towards Aya who instantly was on alert. "It's about Dicky, they want us to pick him up…" The woman rested her head in her hand and she sighed. She understood that not all foster situations were good, but surely they lasted more then twenty-four hours. What could possibly have gone wrong? This wasn't fair. She looked at her three children and sighed.
"Lord Ivanov?" The parents looked up to see Sergei standing there. "I hate to have admitted to overhearing your conversation, but if it would please you, perhaps the young Lords could stay here while you see to whatever problem ails you? I am certain that it will be most approved by everyone.
"We don't want to tie up your table Serg." Nikoli said, though he was touched by the offer.
"Nonsense, it will be fine, I assure you. Please, I understand the good you and your wife do, and I am certain that the Red Square would be honored to show their appreciation by assisting you in your time of need."
"It may be a while, are you boys going to be okay?" Mikhail crossed his arms over his chest but nodded. He couldn't really say anything else. The two Abbey-mates agreed more because they didn't understand what was happening than anything else.
"Thank you so much Sergei, we'll be back as soon as we can." Aya removed several bills from her wallet. "Please, for the food and your kindness…whatever they want." The man nodded politely and the parents hugged their kids before hurrying out the door.
Mikhail watched them go, his annoyance clear. He was frustrated, and pissed off, and suddenly didn't feel like eating at all. He glanced at his brothers…his baby brothers and groaned. Now he'd have to play baby sitter with the brats. Their waiter certainly wasn't going to stick around. "God, this happens every time we go out. I wish they'd just listen to me and stop trying."
"Do you truly think that?" Mikhail glanced up at Sergei who was pouring him a fresh glass of water.
"Well yeah, we haven't been on one successful outing yet!"
"Your parents work very hard for your happiness, young Lord Ivanov. They are trying."
"Sure, whatever."The kindly man just smiled at them.
"Would you all like to come to the kitchen? Perhaps you can entertain yourselves there, it is near closing time and so there won't be much trouble if you wait." Mikhail bit his lip to keep from laughing when both Sacha and Luka's faces erupted in pure horror. They shook their head violently, grabbing onto their older brother in honest terror.
"No sir!" Mikhail couldn't help it, he giggled. He bit his lip in an attempt to not laugh out harder, but Sergei caught on that he must have told them something. The waiter was oddly enough…not amused.
"Hey…you there little brother?" Tala blinked slightly in confusion, shaken from the memory of the past.
"Yeah, yeah, just remembering when Mikhail made you think the chef here was going to shove you in the oven like Hansel."
"Pfft. If I'm Hansel, you're Gretel brother dear. You were buying his bullshit long before I was."
"Whatever man, you just don't want to admit it."
"Uh-huh…so who's there anyway? You said 'tall dark and evil.'"
"Cirano and his stooges."
"You've got to be fucking kidding me."
"I wish. I have to go, stop friggin' interrupting would ya, you're making this hard enough as it is." He hissed quietly. There was a soft chuckle on the other end.
"Just kick them out and have a nice dinner with-" Tala had long since stopped listening. Cirano and his two idiots were walking towards him with broad smiles on their faces. Anna was following them, and from the triumphant look on Hodges's weaselly expression, Luka wondered faintly what the man had in mind.
"I took the liberty of paying for your dinner, my boy!" He was giving him an ear to ear grin, and Tala scowled instantly.
"That really, wasn't necessary." He hissed darkly, eyes traveling to where Anna clearly didn't mind about the situation.
"Nonsense, consider it a parting gift after all this time away. I'll be seeing you!" He gave Tala a pat on the shoulder and sauntered off gracefully.
"I hope you rot in hell." The redhead muttered with all the sincerity in the world before he promptly hung up on his brother. He glowered towards Anna who still didn't seem bothered with the turn of events and sighed slightly. "Have a good meal?" He asked as lightly as he could, despite the fact that he was honestly ready to kill something.
"Yes, it was lovely. Thanks for...ah...bringing me..." A scowl was firmly on the Officer's face as he caught the Maitre D's eye.
He was quiet for a little while, his eyes locked forward even as his mind replayed everything that had occurred over the past two hours. Nothing had gone the way he'd truly intended it to, and perhaps because of that he felt the irrational urge to end Cirano's life right then and there.
Murderous tendencies aside (he already had decided that that was sort of bad press), he couldn't help but think that he had completely ruined the first time he'd gone on a date with Anna in years. Nothing seemed to work out the way that he had originally planned, and it was making him rather sick to his stomach in frustration.
He wanted this night to be special, he wanted this night to be perfect. One hand slipped awkwardly into his pocket and he fumbled with what he found there. Then resolve settled in and he knew that he couldn't do it. Not now. He released it and glanced towards Anna.
"You want dessert?" He asked softly, and she frowned, surprised.
"Sure. Not a problem." She shrugged nonchalantly, and motioned for him to lead the way, certain he meant elsewhere. He smiled ever so faintly, and he told her to wait there. Frowning, she watched as he quickly approached Sergei and started talking to him in hushed tones.
The elderly man looked surprised for a brief moment, before his eyes twinkled brightly. He nodded and gallantly motioned towards a door off towards the back of the restaurant. Tala hurriedly called Anna towards him and took her hand in his.
"When I was a kid...my parents took me to the Red Square for dinner." He said again, and she glanced at the intro. "They had to leave after one of the kids that had been adopted fell through. The Maitre D' looked after Mikhail, Kai and I while we waited. He taught us how to make crepes."
"Crepes? Really? Were they any good?" The redhead laughed and shook his head.
"Not really, but it was fun to make them." Anna nodded ever so slightly, watching as Luka kept leading her deeper into the restaurant.
"What are we doing?"
"Learning how to make them again." The stunned expression on her face did nothing to hide her shock. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. She looked down at her dress and gloves and shook her head.
"We're going to get our clothes ruined -"
"We can dry clean 'em." He shrugged slightly, and that pixie smirk of his was back. He looked like the cat that ate the cannery, and she had to admit – this did sound highly more entertaining then just a regular dinner out. She certainly hadn't been expecting this.
The kitchen was filled to the brim with chefs and sous chefs and everyone under them. They were running this way and that, filling orders and trying to complete the night as efficiently as they had started. Sergei was speaking quickly to one of them, and from the confused expression on their faces it was clear that they didn't quite know what to expect about this idea.
Still, Sergei was vouching for them with an encouragingly, and one of the pastrissians stepped aside and quickly called them over. He introduced himself as Rudy and that he was just cleaning his station. He could stay for one last bake if they hurried though. They quickly settled in and Anna watched as Tala swiftly removed the jacket that he was wearing and rolled up his silk sleeves.
She followed suit, moving to place her gloves on his jacket and tying her shawl around her waist in a slight knot. He smiled brightly at her and suddenly, it didn't matter that they were in a busy kitchen and interrupting the evening of these men. It didn't matter that they were dressed completely inappropriately, it didn't matter that she thought this idea was slightly foolish...all that mattered was that she was doing something with him for the first time in so long.
Her mind faded back to their time in Italy together. The nights that they worked with Fratello in flattening out the hand-made noodles. How they mixed sauces and spices. How they compared recipes and they learned what each other liked and what they disliked. Life was simple and fun and enjoyable and it was them. Just them. Nothing else, no children, no stress, just the love they bore for one another and that was that.
Her hands reached out to help mix what their tutor was telling them to stir, when two hands reached out from behind her and covered her hands. She could almost feel him smiling as he rested his head against her shoulder to watch what they were doing. He was stirring the bowl in front of them through her. A dark blush crossed her face and she glanced back at him.
Just in time for him to steal a chaste kiss from her lips. She forced her eyes back to the bowl and couldn't believe what she was doing. She looked up at Rudy but he seemed perfectly ignorant of the redhead's flirting. He was perfectly content to just let them have at it, and if that wasn't bizarre enough, she could have sworn she'd seen a twinkle in those eyes of his.
They were flattening, and stirring, and through it all, there was Tala. Slight touches, slight flirtations. He was whispering softly to her, his voice young and yet full of vitality and aged experience. He was years in the past. This was them back in their cottage, and the sudden urge to go to Italy hit her full force.
She smiled at him with teeth flashing, and eyes glittering. The chefs around them were slowly filtering out, and she belatedly realized that the restaurant had closed and that everyone was simply waiting for them. They were just waiting for the baking to be finished, and Sergei assured everyone that he was more then a little capable of taking care of that if they wanted to be off.
They watched as they were slowly left alone, a timer was set and they were alone in the kitchen. Blue eyes spied a radio and seconds later soft music was floating through the kitchen. Within seconds Anna was laughing so hard her sides had stitched. She covered her mouth with her hands, tears coming to his eyes as the tell tale chords of Queen's Somebody To Love came out.
A shit-eating grin came across her date's face and suddenly his hands had hers in them and he pulled her to him. Spinning and taking steps that were well practiced from their time in Les Miserables, they were dancing, flying around the kitchen with a youthful innocence that they hadn't shared in ages.
She couldn't stop laughing, and through the laughing: she couldn't stop loving this blue eyed boy who was singing and dancing with her in this restaurant's kitchen at eleven-thirty at night. She hadn't felt so happy and so in love in so long, and it was a feeling that she was grinning ear to ear with witless abandon.
Even as the song started to come to an end, and he was laughing royally along with her, she couldn't keep her eyes off him. He was snickering about something though, and he raised his hands to cup her cheeks in his hands. His thumbs started to rub something from her face, and she realized that her flour-logged fingers had inadvertently gotten her covered in white dust while she'd been laughing earlier. He was snickering brightly though, not at her per-say...but certainly he was finding it entertaining.
Fuelled by a sudden need to not be the only one a mess, she sneakily scooped some up and threw it at him without so much as a thought to his clothes or what his reaction might be. Startled certainly – blue eyes blinked at her in confusion for just a brief moment before suddenly she was horrified by a memory of one too many food-fights in Voltaire's mansion.
"Uh...umm...Lu..." She took a step back in honest to goodness concern as he approached with a wolfish grin. His arms shot out and scooped her up, spinning her around so that she was suddenly laying on the table. His hands were everywhere – tickling and ruining her dress with as much dedication as he'd portrayed in a flawless painting.
She was squealing with laughter, incapable of keeping the rancour down as she tried to get away from his expert fingers. She was struggling to get away from him and yet she couldn't do it. A part of her wasn't really trying all that hard. She didn't care much for her hair that was falling from its style, or the dress that was wrinkled and flour filled at the moment. She couldn't help but fall completely and totally in love once more for this redheaded devil who had charmed her so many years ago.
Lips met hers suddenly, and this was no chaste kiss either. Her eyes stared up, in breathless wonder as she looked at him. He was so relaxed and so completely willing. Putty in her hands, his hands were on either side of her head, crouched over her with simple and honest affection. Her lips and his moved together, and as more songs filled the air, she was ignorant to them all.
He pulled back from her, and they looked at each other. Breathless and alive once more, their worlds had finally at long last synced back to the way that it was so long ago, and she couldn't believe that she had missed nearly seven years of this.
A shrill scream cut through the mood of the night, and both of them frowned in incomprehension before gasping in unison. "The oven!" Both flew towards it and Tala opened it as fast as he could – grabbing the pan without thinking.
Even as adrenaline pumped through him, it didn't take long before the heat scorched his palm. He hissed and reaction dictated he drop it. The pan slammed down on the oven and the crepes tilted precariously towards the floor. Even as Luka backed away and held his burnt hand hostage – Anna jumped in and (with oven mitts) saved the dessert. She tossed them on the stove before spinning around and staring at him in horror.
"Your hand?" She gasped even as a thin sheen of perspiration covered his head. He was in obvious pain. He moved himself towards the sink and let the cold water run over it. She hurried towards him and looked at it.
"You're the luckiest person I know." She mumbled at the blister that had formed – there was no other sign of any deep dermis burning. He'd released the pan with more then enough time.
"Thanks. I feel real lucky right now." He groused as he closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Anna?" He whispered softly. She glanced up at him. "I know that things are a bit complicated back at home...I know that things aren't always the best, but you know? I had a lot of fun tonight. Even if dinner sucked." She laughed at the mumbled commentary she was certain that she wasn't really supposed to overhear. "It's been a real long time since we've done anything just the two of us."
"Yeah; it has, hasn't it?"
"You want to do this more often?" He was looking straight at her and with such an intensity that she frowned ever so slightly.
"Yes, of course. Tonight was wonderful Luka."
"I was thinking of a vacation, we haven't really figured what we're going to do with the ISA and the like. I'm inclined to never go back, focus more on the school."
"Vacation? That sounds nice, where to?"
"I don't know. It could be up to you if you really want...I just...have one condition." She nodded, mind already going straight back to Italy and their cottage.
"Anything." His hand reached into his pocket, and pulled something out – flipping it open with an odd grace despite the fact his hand was still burnt.
"Will you marry me, before the honeymoon?"
And there, under the tear filled eyes of a man who had watched this same scene years before with this boy's parents, with the crepes growing cold on the stove and a burnt hand still running under cold water, only one word filled the space. One single word that was the single final conclusion to this very long and drawn out relationship that finally had come to its conclusion.
"Yes."
They were in the car on the way back, Luka's smile never once fading, despite the third-degree burn on his hand. The ring was different from the previous attempts, apparently he was certain that it was cursed and had tried a different one for luck. It worked and Anna kept staring at it.
"Hey...there's something that I need to tell you." She said suddenly, looking at him with a seriousness that belayed her initial excitement. In a way she was happy to know that this was done before she'd broken her own news. It was nice to feel like he was stepping up to responsibility and that this was something that he honestly wanted to do...unless what Kai said was right and he had already known... He was looking at her curiously though, and so she stepped up to what she decided that she needed to do. "I...I'm pregnant...again." His smile was the same as last time and yet it also betrayed a devious nature, and she caught that look before he squashed it. Damn it all – Kai was right! "You knew? Who told you?"
He shook his head though. "I guessed, you were acting the same way you were when you were thinking about TJ-"
"Does everyone know about that nickname?"
"Most everyone yeah." She groaned. "You don't like it?"
"That kid's just starting to go by his real name and now we're giving him nicknames."
"Hey, it comes with the family." He snickered again. "No one told me, I figured it out for myself, and was just hoping really...besides...we didn't exactly use protection in that closet." There was that incorrigible grin again, and her face erupted into another blush. "If you're worried about this..." He motioned towards her ring. "That was planned before I figured it out, think of it as an engagement seven years in waiting." He winked at her and she smiled at him, their fingers interlocking.
Pulling up the driveway into the school grounds, they parked the car out front the main dorm that they had built. He opened the door for her and they stared up at the building and all the surrounding land. They walked inside, and the moment the door was open screams and shouts of excitement rained down on them with party favors exploding and the sounds of family echoed everywhere.
"Welcome home." Came the soft and incredibly welcome voice of Luka, as his arms wrapped around her waist. She couldn't stop the tear of true happiness that leaked from her eye as she looked at her sleepy son smiling in her adopted son's arms, and the true look of pure love coming from everyone's faces.
"It's good to be home."
Epilogue:
The pews were uncomfortable, and the central air system had broken the night before. No one would admit it, but it was perhaps the longest ceremony anyone had imagined possible. Between the five-hundred odd people that were squished into the church that could barely hold twenty, and the uncommonly annoying heat-wave that had hit them at seven in the morning everyone was miserable and waiting for the vows to be done so they could just rush out into their cars and embrace the sweet chill of air conditioning.
In the front row sat Adrien Hiwatari and his siblings. The twins were only toddlers, barely two years old at that point. Niko (named after his paternal grandfather) couldn't stop fidgeting with his bowtie, and Jeanie (certainly not named after her bitch of a grandmother) couldn't seem to stop making it worse by tugging its edges. Their older brother was supposed to be responsible for them, and he had been doing a good job for the majority of the ceremony but now it was dragging on forever. He couldn't believe how easily his mother, Adeline Hiwatari nee Napoleon, had gotten off when she'd requested that he help with the kids. He was trapped trying to tell the toddlers to calm down and knock it off.
It seemed a bit rude to talk during a wedding though, so his attempts were few and far between. Usually he spent the ceremony sending exasperated looks towards his best friend on his left. Kiril Lukov was one year older and yet not a day more mature then his younger companion. He was busy riling up his younger brother, who at seven was showing a much more appropriate church behavior then any of the other children on the pew. Dmitri was staring straight ahead; purposefully ignoring his excitable sibling and watching his parents finally join together in matrimony.
On his left was Voltaire Hiwatari, his great-grandfather on his father's side. The elderly man was holding his hand and occasionally would give it a squeeze as though to supply some form of comfort. The redheaded child hardly cared or understood the man's desire to shed such emotion towards him; they'd only met twice before after all.
All things considered though; despite the obvious lack of maturity of three of the five people on the pew, the over crowded conditions, and the unbearable heat, the ceremony was beautiful. Anna Ottilia Jones was little over five foot six, and had dark brown hair pulled back in a delicate bun. Flowers were proudly worn as a make shift crown that Adeline had insisted on. The veil was traditional and yet was comprised of the finest of material. The gown was not pure white, but just the faintest of an off white. It was required of course, she had not been virginal and the seven year old on the pew out front was proof enough of that if the slight belly bump wasn't.
She steadfastly refused to wear high-heels, but the flats were beautiful enough; another one of Adeline's feats. If it was the most hideous of fashions somehow she could make it look right. Anna was grateful for it at this moment though, everyone was. She had wanted Adeline as her maid of honor, but the woman honestly looked so stressed out with the idea of having to leave the twins in the care of someone else during the ceremony that things had gotten a bit messed up. Adeline had served her duties for the majority of the service, but when Niko and Jeanie decided to start getting annoyed she excused herself and sat in the front row and tried to mind the twins. Anna didn't particularly care.
She glanced towards where Tristen Michaels was sitting not too far away in the continuation of the first row, and couldn't help but remember how he had kindly offered to walk her down the isle. It had been a toss up for a while who would do it. Voltaire had offered, and she'd almost accepted because of how much he had been a part of her life lately. However it was Michaels who had been there for many years and had been the one to introduce her to her father (God rest his soul). In the end there had been no contest.
He was sitting beside Mikhail Ivanov who had his arms crossed and was trying his best to not get too involved in the ceremony. Anyone could tell that he was enjoying himself though despite his frequent attempts at scowling – what a jerk. Ivan Papov, Spencer Brevda, Tyson Granger, Max Tate, and Rei Long were next to him.
Tala Ivanov, more commonly known as Luka these days, stood across from his bride. His black tuxedo and white dress shirt were stylish and cut perfectly to match his body. He'd have to thank Adeline later. That woman knew how to dress people; one look at the majority of those attending the service could show that. Particularly her husband who seemed more then a little used to her ways by now. He stepped out of his duties and let his wife dress his best friend for him, and everyone was thankful. He'd barely been able to dress himself properly for his wedding, and no one wanted a repeat of that performance.
Kai Hiwatari was at Tala's right, and as usual he was his right hand man and in this case: Best Man. There was little contest on that front. Bryan was a close second, but everyone had known that it would be Kai standing next to his brother. Though not joined by blood, the redheaded former Beyblade Champion had been adopted many years prior and it was simply true friendship that had made that brotherhood come to life.
Tala's real blood brother, Kiril, was far too young to even remember much of their blood parents. At only seventeen years of age, the boy could hardly tell anyone what his parents even looked like, and for much of his life had considered his brother to be more of a father then anything else.
Kai though, Kai and Tala had been best friends and brothers since they were toddlers themselves. So it was a give-in that Kai would stand as Tala's Best Man just as Tala had stood in for Kai on his wedding day. Bryan was next to Kai though, the ever present reminder that there was always someone there no matter what.
The priest was finishing his spiel, and the heat was so unbearable at this point that Adeline actually looked as though she would be forced to leave the service with the twins to keep them from suffering through it. They were far too young to be this hot. Even fair-tempered Dmitri was shifting and finally starting to lose his patience at his brother who was still poking and prodding him.
"Kiril…" Bronze hair flying, brown eyes turned to look at Adrien who was leaning closer. Adeline and Voltaire were both glaring at them, but they were so exhausted with this ceremony that they honestly couldn't stand the silence one moment longer. "What are they gonna say for your brother's name?"
"I don't know, but if they say the whole thing we're gonna be here till I'm fucking fifty." The older teen mumbled. He felt a sharp kick in the back of the leg. Dmitri was looking at him like he'd stripped naked right there in the church and he scowled. "What was that for half-pint?" He ground out in the only language the boy truly understood properly – Italian oddly enough.
"Non è permesso maledizione in chiesa." The boy snapped back, quietly though so as not to disrupt the ceremony. Kiril glanced towards the alter where he could have sworn he saw Tala struggling not to laugh. He seemed to be failing though – he was biting his lip and his shoulders were shaking slightly. Apparently Tri hadn't been nearly as silent as he'd attempted to be, and the easily translated statement was properly entertaining coming out of the little boy's mouth. "It's the house of God…" The boy continued, arms crossed. "Be polite."
Anna seemed to have overheard the rebuke by now too because her shoulders were shaking and anyone could tell from the dark blush on her face that she was struggling to hold her breath or else she'd break down into laughter. The priest continued on though, ignoring the obvious cause of the bride and groom's entertainment. "Now…"
"Here it comes." Adrien mumbled as he pulled Jeanie's hands away from her brother's bow tie. The little boy was just about ready to smack his sister and the girl was just close enough to deserving it too.
"Yuri Luka Tala Valkov Nikov, do you take Anna Ottilia Jones, for your lawful wedded wife according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Catholic Church?"
"I do." He turned to face his bride, glancing just enough towards the younger members of his family. He sent the teenagers a sharp warning look and then it softened and he took his future wife's hands. "I, Yuri Luka Tala Valkov Nikov-" He pointedly ignored the snickering "take you, Anna Ottilia Jones for my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part." His face had erupted into a brilliant smile to which Anna delightfully returned.
"And do you, Anna Ottilia Jones, take Yuri Luka Tala Valkov Nikov, for your lawful wedded husband according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Catholic Church?"
"I, Anna Ottilia Jones, take you, Yuri Luka Tala Valkov Iv-Nikov-" Forth times the charm and it seemed like even she was exasperated at the length of it. Kiril opened his mouth but the glare was back and he grinned sheepishly. He really did know better. "For my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."
Kai pulled the golden band that he'd been keeping in his pocket during the ceremony. His hand reached out and touched his brother's shoulder before passing it to him with a wry smile. "Congrats man." He whispered. The redhead smiled back as he took the ring that was being offered to him. Kiril was sighing and shifting uncomfortably.
Tala was sorely tempted to tell the boy to knock it off and deal with it, but he understood there was a time and a place for things. For instance: the reception. He was going to murder the annoying hormonal upstart at the reception. Brilliant idea. His fingers slipped around his new wife's ring, and slowly held it out to her. "With this ring I thee wed, and pledge thee my troth…to you I give my heart, my home, and my love, now and forever." She smiled beautifully and watched as the ring slipped onto her slim finger. Then she took his own ring, and repeated those words; binding their souls as one, under the eyes of the church and before the gaze of all of their loved ones.
"I now pronounce you, man and wife. You may kiss the bride." Well shit, did that cause an uproar.
Lips met lips faster then oxygen to lungs. His hand flew around her neck, the veil vanished somewhere during the exploding applause. Kiril and Adrien were hooting, Kai was sharing knowing looks with his own wife. The twins were crying loudly at all the noise, and through it all – the newly weds were delighted.
Their relationship had been the longest out of everyone. Even Adeline and Kai had known each other for less time then they had been acquainted. This marriage had been a long time coming too, Kiril had been adopted and Dmitri had been born and raised. It was about damn time that they finally tied the knot. Especially with the little miss on her way.
They'd just gone to the doctor recently, a tiny baby girl was definitely on the way, and no one could deny the fact that Luka was absolutely psyched about it. Even if the twin monsters were starting to out-weigh their entertainment. Nikoli was pleasant enough. He seemed rather fair-tempered and gentle, but his sister was entirely too high strung for a two year old.
"Mine!" She shouted as she tugged his tie once more. The blonde child had had more then enough and he slapped at her hand.
"No!" Adeline winced slightly and looked at her twins and sighed in frustration. Now that the 'I dos' were done it seemed that everyone was ready to just run out that door.
"Adrien, can you take her?" Dmitri stood up suddenly and threw his arms around the blonde.
"Me, please?" He asked hopefully, eyes filling with that age old Ivanov look that was just about to die for. She hesitated just long enough for him to grab the eldest twin from under his arms and started to drag him after his parents and the procession out the door. Adeline winced as she watched Niko clearly wobble uncomfortably in the seven year old's precarious hold.
"Don't worry, we'll watch them." Kiril assured her with a peck on the cheek. He hurried after his brother and she couldn't help but look towards her grand-father in law.
"Oh Voltaire...whatever am I to do with those kids?" She lamented lightly even as he took her arm and winked.
"We'll just have to make do with what we have hmm?"
The age old confidence was something that was apparently in the blood. Voltaire Luka had it, Kiril had it, Kai had it, and from the way Dmitri was dragging Nikoli about – he had it to. Sure, the former "Ivanov" clan wasn't quite blood related to Voltaire, but damn did they blur genetic lines at times.
That had been perhaps the biggest change recently. After the bizarre instances that led up to Tala's proposal to Anna, the brunette had suggested the official change to the much more traditional styling of his name. It wasn't hard to do, and despite how everyone had been following the Western style of name giving, he had agreed and so had Kiril – him being the oddest case of everyone so far.
Tala had agreed to going by 'Nikov' – following the Russian tradition of taking the father's first name and using that as the last name. His father was Nikoli Ivanov, and therefore, he would be Luka Nikov. It was as simple as that. Kiril, while not related at all to Nikoli had taken Ivanov because it was the name that Tala had been going by. He was much more attached to the new last name he'd receive because of tradition: Lukov. Kiril Lukov. A name that meant much more to him then anyone could guess.
The reception was the exact opposite of the ceremony. Laughing and joking, everyone was finally in a much cooler environment and things were finally starting to go right again. Anna and Tala were busy laughing and joking with each other, their eyes filled with love and adoration for one another. There was nothing except true and honest to goodness happiness.
There was a quiet clank against some china, and everyone looked up, their eyes going to where Kai was standing. He had a huge smile on his face and from the devious look in his eye, anyone could tell that this was going to be fun for everyone except his redheaded brother who was mumbling something about how he should have picked a different best man.
"Now that's just mean." Kai said with a rather put out look on his face. "Here I had thought up this wonderful speech, and you're mocking me!"
"Just get on with it Sacha." Invoking the heir's birth name usually got a rise out of him, but tonight he was too happy (and probably too buzzed) to care much. He raised his glass ever so slightly.
"I'd like to propose a toast." The teasing look faded ever so slightly. "Twenty-four years ago, I was given the best Christmas present anyone could ask for. Sure he whined, and screamed and yelled, and he hit back whenever I poked him..." Those red eyes were twinkling fondly. "But he was mine: my own stupid brother that I got stuck with ever since. Mikhail really had it worst off, he got landed with both of us and if I was him I would have rather died then deal with us and our crazy ideas any longer-" The swat landed hard on the back of his head and Kai scowled slightly at his older (sort of) brother who wasn't amused by his attempt at humor. Though everyone else had laughed at it and even Mikhail cracked a small smirk. "Anyway, there he was in my room. Screaming and crying and making no sense whatsoever, and looking back on it I should have asked for a better roommate!" That earned a few giggles and head shakes, and his eyes suddenly became serious. "But the truth is, there could never be a better roommate then you Luka. You've been the best brother, friend, and Captain I've ever had the privilege to serve under.
"You've saved the world and you've risked your life. You've been a prisoner of war, missing in action, and any other acronym they'd like to label you with. People can say whatever they like, they can say whatever they want to from now until the end of time...but I can honestly say that only the people in this room will ever know you, and only I know what you said to me the night of my wedding. It wasn't nearly as glamorous as this, but the words still meant everything to me.
"So here's some for you: marriage and family isn't about the love. You've loved each other since you were sixteen...but this isn't what's going to make it through. Cause when she's begging for some pistachio ice cream and you just got in from a thirty-six hour shift: it's the like that makes you turn around and go back out and get some. When she's giving birth and five hours in the wrong country, it's the like that makes you go out and see her. When she's sick and throwing up, it's the like that has you next to her.
"No one's ever doubted your love for each other, but they have doubted how much you like each other. The past year has been hard on everyone, but if there's one thing that I have to say: right now...in this moment...there's not a soul in here that can doubt that you two pulled through. How much you two like each other is so obvious that it's drowning out how much you love each other.
"So all I have to say right now, is to you-" He raised his glass. "May you always like each other, and may you always love each other, because if one of you stops we're bound to be shot at again and I'm sick of it! To you, congrats man, I knew it'd happen eventually." There was a deafening applause Kai took a long sip of champaign and a misty eyed Tala stood and gave him a hug. Anna was next, whispering a thank you to him even as he gave her a gentle squeeze. "And now I think my wife wants to say something!" He teased lightly even as the pretty blonde stepped forwards.
"Yes I do." She was smiling brightly and the crowd settled down to let her speak. "When I first met you two, it was when Kai was practicing to be my partner for my coming out party." There were a few laughs at that, and a blush crossed her feature for just a moment. "I was sixteen and was trying to figure out why my partner preferred to sulk in a corner instead of talk to me, and then this brunette girl comes running in and suddenly he starts chatting away, and yes, to me, Anna dear – you were most definitely his girlfriend!" Everyone burst out laughing at that, and Kai's mouth dropped.
"What seriously? You actually thought that me and Anna...? Ugh!" He was making so many faces that the laughter just continued. "That's just sick..."
"So I did what any normal person did: I stormed off and fell down the stairs right into her future husband's hands!" She gave Kai a look that clearly showed that she was humoring him. "That's when I saw you two together for the first time." A look of contentment crossed her face. "For the first time in my life, I witnessed what could only be described as true love. The most beautiful relationship I'd ever seen.
"We spent time together in Italy only a few years after that, and once again you proved yourselves. So many things have happened, so much time has passed. It's been a long time since the first day we met, and while we're all very different...we're also the same. You two have that look in your eyes that you did when Tala lifted Anna off the ground and spun her about. Love, and friendship that knows no bounds.
"I knew at that moment that you were destined for each other, and I'm happy to see that this day has finally come. Tala – you are a remarkable friend, a dependable father, and one of the bravest men that I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Anna – you're the closest thing I have to a sister, you're smart and strong, and one of the most courageous people I know. You two have something special here, and words cannot describe how thrilled every person in this room is to know you finally found each other at long last." She raised her glass. "To you, and that precious girl that you're going to finally be able to raise together." Cheering erupted everywhere, thunderous applause and a bit of drunken thrills were coming from all directions.
For the first time in a long time, life felt good.
~The End~
Windstar: Thanks to everyone who read this fanfiction. I truly appreciate it! Marishika91 and FlamingIce94 you two made my day every time you reviewed! Thanks very much!
So here I suppose some confessions need to be made.
1. When I was writing OTT I originally named Anna, Anna Ottilia. However, half way through I forgot I had given her a last name and had renamed her Anna Jones. Because of it, I had to figure out how to explain the switch. The plot bunny for the entire Ottilia problems? Came from a simple typo!
2. When I was researching the Russian history of last names, I realized I made a huge mistake by calling Tala and Kai's father Nikoli. However, by that point kids had already been named in homage and there was no doubt that there were countless chapters written about it. Because of that mistake, the scene above where they finally go back to their roots and return to their proper name calling: Kiril/Dmitri Lukov, and Luka Nikov is finally accurate.
Neat fact: One Hundred Chosen has a lot to do with bitbeasts and the like. Because of it, I did some research. Fifty-six bitbeasts have been accounted for across all three seasons of beyblade!
Now, once again, thanks to all of my reviewers and readers. I love you all mightily. OHC wont be out for a while, but I am working on it so that it becomes satisfactory to me.
As always, I'm also working on my own original story - The Carpediem series.
Someone asked recently what Carpediem means, and it means simply this: Seize the day.
That's one thing that I want all of you to do, no matter what, seize the day. Have fun, and never forget that life's full of changes and good luck to you all through it!
It's been a fun ride, hopefully I'll see you soon!
~ Arin Maximus