-Epilogue Part 1-
The next two months after Christmas was blissful and heavenly for the Romanov family. Of course, Sophie got married to Vlad on New Year's Eve, and went to spend their honeymoon back in France, with Marie joining them, but just to her countryside home. The eldest daughters of the Romanov family had to go back to their husbands' homelands for there's paperwork and the people to think of, leaving the Winter Palace to go back to normal, well as normal as most of the bird residents left, leaving the partridge mother bird and her foster hatchlings, along with the Greylag Geese and their hatchlings, growing up under the servants/maids' care.
Anastasia and Dimitri stayed in the Winter Palace, but resided in another wing as they're newlyweds, learning about how living together is like, etc. Of course, they often hung out with Anya's parents, Alice, Alexei, and Pooka when they felt like it. However, it wasn't all blissful as the Romanovs presumed those two months to be.
Lately, there has been stirrings of a revolution by people whom is called the Bolsheiks. They have noticed that the early winter has worsened things, and there has been radical rationing of food between people which caused riots, bloodshed, and more. Nicholas The Second has tried to settle things with aid of money from his vaults, but the rule of country taxes has made it worse, and now, the people of St. Petersburg is discontent, angry about the monarchy's treatment toward them, even when the news of Grand Duchess Anastasia is newlywed to a former servant of the palace which reached their ears.
Dimitri knew how things were, but he didn't realize how bad it really was, and he advised his parents-in-law that they must surrender their titles otherwise it might lead to worse things, maybe death. He despaired to them about not wanting to lose Anya like this or leaving them to their fate, and that they must flee quickly before the protests get worse, or perchance, the Palace gets attacked.
Alice pointed out that the world is changing radically and far too fast for tradition to catch up, and that new ideas are paving their path to be seen and heard, having recognized the warning in the song that the partridge bird has been singing those 12 nights of Christmas.
Nicholas, not wanting to lose his family over a revolution, decreed that they must flee quietly in the cover of night one February night, and so with little personal belongings to carry, Dimitri led his newfound family through the secret passages of the Palace to the backyard where saddled horses awaited them.
But they didn't expect a crowd of protestors to break through the gates, and they saw the Imperial family fleeing. With anger and rage, they surged on, guns in their arms, and tried to shoot off at them, but the expert horse riders being Nicholas, Alexei, and Anya dodged the wayward shots, and Alexei saw Pooka barking and biting.
Alexei called out in horror, "Pooka!". Dimitri ran, whistling for Pooka, and Pooka ran at the sound, barking and dodging a close shot. Dimitri picked him up, and ran back to Anya who screamed, "Dimitri, watch out!", seeing a gun aim at her husband.
Suddenly, the ground shook at the sound of a roar, and the Palace vibrated, causing everybody to look over and see the partridge bird leading the other birds including the newly fledged hatchlings, glowing white, and absorbing together into one large figure as the flash of white lightning suddenly appeared and vanished, leaving a giant transparent snowy owl with glowing green eyes.
The owl gave a ear-splitting screech, and swept its wings against the protestors who went flying several feet back, and Anya called out to Dimitri who froze momentarily in shock and awe, and got into the saddle behind Anya with Pooka in his arms.
Nicholas nodded, "Let's go! I know the way to the train!", urging the horse at his heels with Alexandra behind him on the saddle, and the others followed by, with Alexei on his horse, his aunt on the saddle behind him, and of course, Anya with Dimitri, Pooka.
Minutes later, the owl appeared, following them, its shadow glimpsing the riders, and screeched dangerously if it sees any other obstacle in the way of the riders, flying ahead and sweeping the obstacles away with a wing or with its body.
About 40 minutes later, a train station is seen, and the Romanov family was in relief, realizing that freedom and their new lives are awaiting them in Paris. Once tickets were bought and checked, the family made it into the train, anxious to cross the border of Russia, and Anya pointed out that the owl is still following.
Two hours later, it was announced that they were close to the border, and their laughter of relief and hope echoed into the air, reaching the spirit owl who seemed to smile, and fly down, decreasing in size with every wingbeat.
Alice gasped softly as the spirit owl changed shape as it flew through the door, landing on the floor as it grew up, revealing a smiling Aurora in spirit form. Aurora grinned softly, "I knew you'd get it, sis.", winking at Alice. Alice breathed in shock as the rest of the family gaped and gasped, and Alice whispered, "Aurora?".
Aurora chuckled, "Yep. I was the one who has been pranking and gifting you all this past Christmas.". Alexei blinked softly in surprise, "Wait, so Pooka was your gift?", as Pooka barked happily, prancing to Aurora who patted him warmly.
Aurora smiled softly, "He was lonely when I found him wandering about, and he told me that he wanted to have a family again, so I thought about you, Alex. You were like him, and now you're like peas in a pod!".
Nicholas gaped, "You were the one who guided those swans into my pool?!". Aurora smirked softly, "You were laughing at Alice, and well, I had to do something for my sister and best friend.".
Anya spoke softly, "You sang the lullaby when Dimitri proposed to me.". Aurora nodded, "Sure did, and oh, the wedding was beautiful! The ring brings your eyes out so lovely!".
Alexandra smiled lightly, "Thank you for saving us again, Alice.". Aurora firmly nodded, "I'd protect my family always, no matter what.".
Alice sniffled softly with a sob, "Does this mean we're not gonna see you again?". Aurora stepped forward and hugged Alice warmly, "Hey, don't think like that. After all, once you love someone, they stay in your heart and memories forever.".
Alice hugged Aurora tightly, "I love you, Aurora. You'll always be my best friend and sister.". Aurora pulled back with a smile, "Same back to you.", and then looked to the others, stepped forward to touch her beloved family members with a kiss, hug, or handshake.
Anya was last, hugging Aurora softly, "I am sorry that I didn't get to give you a Christmas gift that year...". Aurora laughed softly, "Nonsense. You are alive, that was enough for me, and besides, I gave you two Christmas gifts.".
Anya smiled softly, "I know. You made my marriage possible with Dimitri, and I love him so much.". Aurora smiled, "Dimitri is a good man, and you gotta admit that he's cute!", smirking softly with a wink.
Anya and Dimitri blushed lightly before Dimitri blinked softly, "There's another Christmas gift you are saying about?". Aurora nodded as she remembered now, "Oh, yes, thank you for reminding me. Ana, as you know, I am skilled in good magic, and it helps me to observe things that aren't normally seen or felt.".
Anya smiled softly as she tilted her head curiously, "And what is the gift?", and Aurora smiled warmly, leaned in to whisper near Anya's ear, a gasp from Anya a moment later with tears filling her eyes, "Are you absolutely sure?".
Aurora nodded with a wink, and spoke lightly, "I don't mind if I am honored in some way, eh? And you're going to love the countryside. Paris is quite beautiful! Now, I better go. The border is approaching, and I cannot go further or hold on into this form anymore.", kissing Anya on the cheek before nodding to all the family, "I love you guys. Until we meet again.", with a wink before changing shape and flying up through the window, giving out a screech as she's now the owl.
The family waved goodbye, tears and smiles on their faces, and Dimitri asked softly as he grasped Anya's hand, "So, what did Aurora tell you?". Anya smiled brightly, and bought Dimitri's hand with a tug of her hand, resting upon her belly, and Dimitri gasped, widening his eyes, "Are you...pregnant?".
Anya nodded tearfully with a sob, "Yes, a month and one week along.", and Dimitri laughed happily, moving closer to hug and kiss her, his hand resting on her belly, and the family cheered quietly, joining in moments later as the train crossed the border, paving the way to their new lives, free to do anything they want.
-Epilogue Part 2-
It's a beautiful November day, in the year of 1927, in the countryside of France, in the small town of Montbard, a half mile off the border of the town laid a very lovely house, a three bedroom, two bathroom cottage that is practically old, having gray shingles, a speckled white exterior with dark blue trim, and ivy climbing the side wall.
In the salon aka living room is the men of the ex-Romanov-Sudayev family; Nicholas, Alexei, and Dimitri. Dimitri is pacing anxiously, grimacing in concern as he heard his wife's screams of pain, having been in labor for the past five hours.
Nicholas sighed softly, "She will be all right, Dimitri. She has Mother, Alexandra, Alice, and the local midwife with her.". Upon arriving into France, in the past 7 months or so, they had to change their Romanov name, calling themselves the Zaytsev family. Of course, Anya and Dimitri retained their Sudayev name.
Alexei nodded, "Papa's got a point. Anya is stubborn like you, and she's really brave too!". Pooka barked in agreement. Alexei is living with his parents in town, while Alice got her own house between the Sudayev cottage and town.
Marie often visited every few days, feeling whole and happy with her family alive and well. Sophie and Vlad is living in Paris near Marie as well, and is currently working to keep the public off Marie or her trips to the countryside.
Dimitri sighed heavily, "I know, guys. I can't just help being concerned because it's not just her, it's our baby in there too!". Nicholas smiled reassuringly, "I felt the same when all my children was getting to be born. I can say that Olga and Alexei's births were the most difficult, with Olga being our first child, and it was the first time for Alexandra to have given birth, and for Alexei, Alexandra barely managed to eat well enough for two, especially with the ration situation at the time.".
Alexei grinned softly, "But I made it through, Papa!". Nicholas chuckled warmly, "Yes, you certainly did. You gave about the loudest cry that I had ever heard as if you were celebrating your victory.".
Alexei giggled lightly as he stroked Pooka's back who snuffled happily at the touch, and his ears turned back at the sound of a big painful scream echoing through the house, and Dimitri looked up in fear, noting that this is the loudest one so far, remembering his mother's words that the head and shoulders is the hardest and most painful to come through.
Nicholas nodded lightly with a hum, "Sounds like it's getting close. Don't panic, Dimitri, the women is taking care of Anastasia. By the way, have you thought of names already? You seem certain that it's going to be a girl.".
Dimitri chuckled softly, "Certain, eh? Okay, I admit that it's very possible to have a girl in our first baby because of family genes and such. I mean, Anya is the fourth daughter before Alexei!". Alexei shrugged lightly, "Dimitri has a point, Papa.".
Raising an eyebrow, Nicholas asked, "And if it's a boy?". Dimitri smiled lightly, "We have some first names in case through we couldn't decide on the middle name if it's a boy.", before looking up at the sound of Anya's scream of pain, far more louder, and then it stopped, a half minute passing before a new sound is heard.
It's the sound of a newborn baby crying its lungs out, upset after being moved from the only home it knew, and Dimitri exhaled slowly, waiting for one of the women to come down the stairs, anxiously hoping that his wife and baby are okay.
Soon, Alice came down, smiling brightly, "You are a daddy to a baby girl, Dimitri!". Dimitri gasped softly, the full realization of being a father hitting him, "I have a daughter?".
Alice grinned softly, "And she's all healthy! A hearty 6 pounds, 4 ounces that she is, and a stubborn pair of lungs on her too!". Dimitri laughed shakily, and felt a hand on his shoulder, recognizing Nicholas by it, and Nicholas encouraged him, "Go ahead, Dimitri. Go meet your daughter. We will be awaiting your call for us to come up.".
Dimitri weakly smiled, nodding as he went on to walk up the stairs to the second floor, to the third bedroom that has been taken up as a temporary delivery room, with glances through the bathrooms to see Marie and Alexandra washing their hands and giving him smiles on the way.
Dimitri made it to the door that's halfway open, and he hears Anya softly humming the family lullaby as he nudged it further on, his eyes widening softly in surprise as he saw a messy-haired Anya, somehow more beautiful than ever as there's a glow about her as she held a light pink bundle in her arms, swaying it gently.
Anya felt a familiar gaze upon her, and looked up to see Dimitri, smiling warmly, "Dimitri, come in.". Dimitri gulped softly, a anxious grin on his face as he slowly came in, and Anya laughed softly, "Don't worry, she is settling down. She wants to meet her daddy.".
Dimitri perked up slightly, walked a tad faster, making it over to the side of the bed, and looked over to glance upon his daughter. He gasped quietly as he saw her for the first time. Peachy tan skin, a petite nose, ten fingers curled up, dainty curls of light brown hair.
"She, oh, she's beautiful.", Dimitri whispered softly, and Anya smiled lovingly, gave him a feather light kiss on the cheek, "She looks like you, love.". Dimitri smiled warmly, bent down to gently stroke a finger across his daughter's cheek, stirring her into making surprised coos at the new touch.
Dimitri laughed quietly, "That's right, it's your daddy. I love you so much, little princess.", and upon hearing the other familiar voice she has been hearing through from her previous home, she struggled to open her eyes, succeeding a few moments later to reveal brilliant blue eyes, a shade darker than Anya's eye color.
Anya and Dimitri gasped and cooed upon seeing their daughter's eyes, and Dimitri chuckled softly, "What did I tell you? Any daughter of ours is prone to have your sparkle.". Anya playfully smirks, "Yes, you told me so. And I have a feeling that she's going to have your stubbornness.".
Dimitri grinned wryly, "Is that right? We will see about that. Are we still set on Aurore about being her middle name?". Anya nodded softly, "It suits her perfectly as she just has been born here in France, it makes sense to have a French version of Aunt Aurora's name. Are you going to give her your mother's name?".
"No, I have changed my mind. I am going to have a male version of that for a future son. But for this one, I am thinking Christina.", Dimitri smiled lightly, and Anya nodded lightly, "Christina Aurore Sudayev, Christi or Tina for short.".
Dimitri grinned softly, "Hello, Christi, welcome to the world.", and Christi gurgled softly, her eyes growing drowsy, falling back to sleep, and Anya smiled lovingly as she kissed airily upon her little daughter's forehead, "We love you, little dawn. Sweet dreams.".
Dimitri moved closer to kiss Anya passionately, and pulled back to look at her with love in his eyes, "I love you, Anya.". Anya smiled softly as she gazed upon Dimitri, "I love you too, Dimitri.", and he smiled widely as he stayed with his girls a tad longer before heading out to call the others up eventually.
Both of them has found their dream, and they aren't going to change nothing about it for they found the one true place they belong in, and that is within each other's worlds. The stars seemed to twinkle a tad brighter later that night, welcoming the new addition to the world.