-December 24/Late afternoon-
After the hour was up, Anastasia ventured out of her rooms to accompany Marie, walking to church which is on the other side of the Great Ballroom, and soon enough, Anastasia began to hear distant drumming sounds.
Anastasia blinked in confusion, "Is Sophie having drummers at her rehearsal?". Marie chuckled warmly, "Sophie wanted 12 drummers, if you can believe it.".
Anastasia giggled softly, "She's always one for the dramatics. I can't wait to see her, Grandmama!". Marie smiled lightly, "Indeed. Let's not be late, child. This walk has made you looking better.". She's right as Anastasia has her red hair brushed, conditioned, and put up into a bun, her skin looking rosy and squeaky clean, and her bright blue eyes looking clear.
As the two women made their way closer to the Grand Ballroom, the sound of the drummers are getting louder and louder, and finally, Anastasia saw the first couple of drummers, recognizing the formal wear of royal blue and white. Anastasia chuckled lightly, "Going all out, huh? Sophie sure is spontaneous when she gets what she gets.".
Marie laughed warmly, "Indeed. Come along, we're getting closer.", grabbing Anastasia's hand softly, and walking on, noticing that in every yard is the next pair of drummers, and once they entered the hallway, Anastasia saw her father standing besides the door to the ballroom, and he smiled widely, the smile contrasting with his very formal wear.
Nicholas looked quite wistful, "Oh, how beautiful you look, my daughter! Dimitri is going to be swept off his socks when he sees you walking down the aisle.". Anastasia froze, "Dimitri's here...Wait, walking down the aisle? What's happening?".
Nicholas smiled softly, "I have misjudged things too far, Anastasia. I was desperate to do anything when I heard about your starving protest, not wanting to lose you, so I have ventured outside into the city, searching for your lover, Dimitri, and took the time to listen to his story, and there, after it was done, a idea came to me, something drastic yet wonderful.. Dimitri loves you so much, and I couldn't deny his passionate feelings for you, so with the help of the staff and rescinding my much regretted order, Dimitri's here to marry you.".
Anastasia gasped in shock, "You lied about church and Sophie?", staring at Marie, who smiled widely, "Sophie's here, but as a guest to witness your wedding. And as for church, well, the priest is fine about officiating it here in the Grand Ballroom where your new life begins.".
Anastasia widened her eyes, speechless, and Nicholas walked closer to his daughter, "I love you, Anastasia, and I am very sorry that my temper has gotten the best of me back there. Being a father, it's hard to see the fine line between protecting a daughter and wanting her to be happy, and since you are my youngest, it was even more difficult to see you growing up so fast, blind to see that you felt so lonely in this huge home of a palace before you met Dimitri.".
Nicholas exhaled shakily, "Dimitri said that you saved his life just for being there for him, but he didn't realize that he saved yours as well, wanting to be free and happy. I then realized that I was keeping you from experiencing the best parts of life, wanting to keep you here from the world that I was blind about the fact that I was hurting you when I didn't mean to.".
Anastasia stared at him, tears falling softly, "I don't hate you, Papa...I was hurt and angry when you took Dimitri away.. I wished it was just a dream then, but when I saw my ring, I then knew it was real enough.. I love him, Papa, I really do.".
Nicholas caressed her cheek softly, smiling warmly, "I know, and I am so sorry for doing that to you.. Could you forgive me?". Anastasia smiled widely, "I forgive you. I love you, Papa.", hugging him out of nowhere, and Nicholas, slightly surprised off guard, went to hug her back, eyes glistening of happiness and love.
Marie sighed happily, "Thank goodness! I thought I was to have such a miserable Christmas Eve without you two reconciling.", pulling out a handkerchief, "Dry those tears, you two. We have a wedding to attend.".
Father and daughter laughed happily, grabbing Marie's handkerchief, and taking turns to clean their faces, and once they're clean of tears, Anastasia exhaled deeply, "I am so excited that butterflies are fluttering about in me...".
Nicholas smiled heartily, "That's normal, Anastasia. Are you ready to see Dimitri?", offering his arm, and Anastasia smiled softly, nodding as she took it gently. They walked on, seeing a drummer just ahead, and seeing the other one at the other door upon the other side of stairs across the landing, and on a signal, the drummer then put a beat of 'Wedding March', and downwards, they could hear more drummers taking on the song.
As they stepped down the side stairs to the landing, Anastasia can spot the remaining 6 pairs of drummers at each row of tree, and there just before the pear tree, a distance from the partridge bird and the hatchlings, of course, is the crowd of family and friends, and...Dimitri..
Dimitri looks quite handsome, having a light cream-gray suit with a dark blue tie, his turtledove resting around his neck, dark gray shoes. He beamed brightly once he saw Anastasia, his breath caught away by the visage of her beauty, and smiled at Anastasia once their eyes locked upon each other, love radiating from both of them despite the decreasing distance.
Anastasia smiled brightly as she noted her mother, her sisters, and her brother who is standing besides Dimitri with a pillow of silver crowns, and the groom's wedding ring. Her family looks quite spiffy in their formal wear, and she recognized a familiar face; Sophie, who's twittering excitedly next to her boyfriend, Vlad who's smiling heartily.
She then saw her grandmother walking in the other side of the chairs, putting Anastasia's engagement ring on the pillow, then went to stand besides a empty seat which belonged to Nicholas. With the drummers softly drumming on, father and daughter finally made it down the aisle, standing before Dimitri and the priest.
"Who gives the bride away today to this young man?", asked the priest warmly, and Nicholas nodded, "I, Nicholas the Second, give my youngest daughter away to this young man, Dimitri.", turning slightly to see Dimitri nod gracefully, and he smiled softly, kissing Anastasia on the cheek with a gesture of his arms giving Anastasia away with her receiving Dimitri's hand.
Nicholas nodded, "Take care of her well, young man.". Dimitri nodded, "Yes, sir.", before looking over at Anastasia who held tight into Dimitri's hands, still thinking she's dreaming.
"It's okay, Anya, it's real.", Dimitri whispered softly, and Anya sniffled lightly, a tear breaking free with Dimitri gently wiping it away with a finger, and smiling warmly, "Ready?". Anya nodded lightly, and joined Dimitri into stepping the few feet closer to the priest who opened his book, clearing his throat.
"Today, we have gathered to see this man and woman be bonded together by the grace of God and his son, Jesus Christ. Bless this marriage and grant unto these servants, Dimitri Sudayev and Anastasia Romanov a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for one another in a bond of peace, offspring long‑lived, fair fame by reason of their children, and a crown of glory that does not fade away.
Account them worthy to see their children's children. Keep their wedlock safe against every hostile scheme; give them of the dew from the Heavens above, and of the fatness of the earth. Fill their houses with bountiful food, and with every good thing, that they may have to give to them that are in need, bestowing also on them that are here assembled with us all their supplications that are unto salvation.", the priest clearly yet calmly spoke.
The drummers went louder with the song for a few moments before stopping, and the priest spoke, "We pray to the Lord for a blessing upon this couple, bringing them strength through faith, hope, and love. We are to see Dimitri Sudayev and Anastasia Romanov united by the bonds of love and wisdom, in the name of the Lord, and his son, Jesus Christ.".
He then took the right hands of Dimitri and Anastasia as they faced each other, putting up into a grasp of hands, speaking softly yet clearly, "The servant of God, Dimitri is crowned in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The servant of God Anastasia is crowned in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.".
He then gestured for Alexei to come forward with the pillow, and he grabbed the two silver crowns, one slightly bigger and more broad while the other is smaller and more streamlined. He nodded to the couple who smiled and kneeled, still holding hands, and the priest then put the crowns on their heads.
"Today, we witnessed this couple becoming one with the Lord and his son, Jesus Christ, and in the miracle of Christmas, they are crowned as servants of the Lord. Rise up, Dimitri and Anastasia.", the priest continued to speak, and the couple slowly, gracefully got up, careful not to disturb their silver crowns.
"Dimitri, if you please don your bride's finger.", the priest gestured to the pillow that still held the two rings, and Dimitri smiled softly, grabbing Anya's beloved former engagement ring which is a wedding ring now, and turning to face Anya with a look of adoration and love as he gently pushed the ring into Anya's ring finger as he repeated after the priest.
"I, Dimitri Sudayev, swear to take this woman, Anastasia Romanov, as my wife, with all my heart by my faith and strength in the name of the Lord. I promise to take care of you, listen to you when you are burdened, and support you through good and bad times, and love you to eternity. By the stars and the moon, I am forever bonded to you, my wife, and I shall remember this moment, hold it in my heart, so it mote be.", Dimitri strongly and firmly spoke, smiling lovingly upon Anya.
Anya stifled a sob, smiling tearfully, and then at the priest's imposition, Anya then spoke, "I, Anastasia Romanov, swear to take this man, Dimitri Sudayev, as my husband, with all my heart by my faith and strength in the name of the Lord. I promise to take care of you, listen to you when you are worried, and support you through wonderful and troubling times, and love you to eternity. By the stars and the moon, I am forever bonded to you, my husband, and I shall remember this moment, hold it in my heart, so it mote be.", while pushing Dimitri's ring into his ring finger, noting that it's a silver band with imbedded tiny blue gemstones.
The priest smiled widely, "Then by the power vested in me, and in the mother country of Russia, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.", and Dimitri smiled, moved a hand to caress Anya's cheek, and leaned down to take Anya's lips into a passionate, deep kiss, ignoring the cheers of their family and friends.
After a few minutes, Dimitri pulled back, smiling lovingly at his newlywed wife, "Hello, Mrs. Anastasia Sudayev-Romanov.". Anya giggled softly, "Hello, Mr. Dimitri Sudayev-Romanov.", smiling warmly at her newlywed husband, "I love you.".
Dimitri smiled widely, whispered softly, "I love you too.", kissing gently upon her forehead before grabbing hands and looking over to walk and reunite with their family and friends. They aren't dreaming...This is the best day of their lives ever, following behind with the proposal night as a close second.