Where It All Began
Chapter 4-Sasha Cooper
Sasha's future was mapped out for her and she liked it that way. She had a gift for languages and all branches of the military had sought her. She finally decided on Naval Intelligence. Her parents were not thrilled at all. Her dad, the ambassador to France was particularly upset and her mother couldn't understand why Sasha would want a career, instead of a wealthy husband. The only one that seemed to understand was her maternal grandmother, Natasha.
Her grandmother had grown up extremely poor in St. Petersburg, Russia. At that time in Russia, families could give their daughters to wealthy men to marry. Sasha's grandfather had gone to Russia for the company his father had started, and brought Natasha home with him. Despite it being something of an arranged marriage; it was happy and fruitful. While Sasha's parents were jet-setting, Sasha lived with her grandparents. It was her grandmother that taught her Russian, and her grandfather had taught her Spanish. It began Sasha's life long love of different languages and cultures. After yet another fight with her parents, Sasha drove to her grandmother's house on Park Avenue in New York City. Her grandfather, Allan answered the door and led her into the kitchen where her grandmother was. Despite having the ability to have a cook and housekeeper, Natasha cooked and cleaned her own house.
"Hello, Grandmama." Sasha said as she gave the older woman a kiss.
"Oh, my darling. Let me fix you a cup of tea. I have a new blend I love. It reminds me of the old country." Natasha said as she began boiling water for the tea. She was putting pastries on an old piece of china.
"Grandmama, I have never seen that plate before. Where did it come from?" Sasha asked.
"Russia. My cousin mailed me a new set. Its not new, by was my grandmothers." Natasha explained. Sasha flipped over a saucer and noticed that it was from the Imperial Russian Factory, in St. Petersburg.
"Grandmama, these dishes are probably worth a fortune. We shouldn't be eating off of them." Sasha told her gently.
"They were made to be eaten off of." Natasha said.
"Where would your grandmother got this? These were made for the royal family." Sasha asked.
"Mmm. My grandmother was the Tsarina's personal maid. It was she that took care of her needs. Before the family was sent to that awful place, she gave this set to my grandmother, wanting to keep them away from those terrible men. My grandmother said it was Tsarina's favorite set." Natasha explained.
"I never knew that." Sasha said.
"My grandfather was also in the Navy. He worked alongside the Czar. See, being in the Navy is in your blood. A lot didn't like the way the royal family lived, but they were still people. They had friends, including servants. Making the decision you made, even though you angered your parents, you honor those that went before you. It is a different Navy, and Russia does a lot of wrong now, but you still honor my grandparents, as well as your grandfather and I. Whatever you do, remember that. Do well and remember those people." Natasha told her.
"I just hope Mom and Dad accept it." Sasha said.
"Don't count on it, but remember, you have to honor them as well." Natasha said as the tea kettle began whistling. As Sasha sat with her grandmother, talking about Russia and honoring the past, it gave Sasha just the clarity she needed.
This was just written with artistic license, whatever your beliefs are on the political situation that occurred in Russia during that time. I wanted to give Sasha a rich and interesting past since we know so little about her character on the show.