The Surprise
Meanwhile back in Russia, Marya was once again going to Nikolai to ask a simple question, "Nikolai, shouldn't Sonja come back pretty soon?" "Oh let her stay abroad she has a miserable enough life as it is so don't make it any worst for her," said Nikolai reading the newspaper. "But I'm afraid that if she studies aboard then we will go bankrupted." "No we're not going to go bankrupted dear now stop worrying and go talk to Natasha or something," "But Natasha isn't even here," said Marya as she walked out of the room.
Meanwhile in Venice, after Sonja, Nikolenka and Vasily got out of the carriage with the dog Vera, they went up to the door. A maid answered the door, and as they went in a little Oriental girl about the age of six ran up to Vasily and hugged his legs. "Daddy where have you been?!" she asked. "I've been in Rome on important business. I have bought a couple of new friends with me," he said. "Oh is this little girl yours?" asked Sonja. "Yes she is, she's from my former marriage, you see when my wife abandoned me she didn't bother to take Galina with her. Galina say hello to Sonja and Nikolenka," he said. She frowned at Sonja but smiled immediately at Nikolenka. "This isn't your new girlfriend is it?" asked Galina. "No we've only meet a couple of months ago. I barely know her, but it's safe to say we're not strangers," said Vasily. "Nice to meet you Galina," said Sonja. "Yes a real pleasure, nice kid," said Nikolenka. "She's a little suspicious of women that I bring into the house, even if you aren't my mistress she is very wary of women in general, I guess it's because I've have be alone with her for a long time and each time I bring a woman into the house she thinks that they'll replace my ex wife or take me away from her," said Vasily. "Svetlana prepare dinner for us immediately!" said Vasily. "Yes sir!" said the maid.
At dinner time it was kind of awkward for Sonja and Nikolenka, Galina went from scowling at Sonja to smiling at Nikolenka. "You're cute will you marry me when I'm old enough?" asked Galina. "Uh I don't think that's a very smart idea," said Nikolenka feeling very nervous. "Yes you're too young to get married anyways Galina, you're going to live with your dad forever, I'll make sure that no man uses you, especially him of all people," said Vasily glaring at Nikolenka. "Oh no sir I have no intention of marrying or using your daughter in any way, besides she's way too young," said Nikolenka gulping. "Ok if he won't marry me can he at least be my friend? I need someone to have a tea party with!" said Galina. "Oh dear how do I put it, aren't tea parties for girls?" asked Nikolenka. "Oh my dear man, absolutely not!" said Vasily. "Ok what time do you want to meet for tea?" asked Nikolenka. "At 10:00 o'clock tomorrow!" said Galina. "I'll be there!" said Nikolenka. "Where's my invitation?" asked Sonja. "You're not invited!" said Galina. "Well let me know when you would like me to have tea with you then," said Sonja. "I'll think about it," said Galina. "So what do you like to do in your spare time?" asked Sonja. "Who me?" asked Vasily. "Well I was actually referring to Galina." "I like to play with dolls, go for walks in the park with my nanny and have tea parties," said Galina. "Actually why don't you and Nikolenka go have tea right at your table, Sonja and I need to talk in private," said Vasily. "Ok let's go and have some tea!" said Galina taking Nikolenka by the hand and leading him to her room where there was a little table, some dolls sat next to it, and a tea set.
"I'm afraid that your daughter doesn't like me very much," said Sonja. "I have a confession to make, I like you a lot," said Vasily. "What?! It's so sudden, plus I'm still trying to get over my last boyfriend who was my own cousin!" then as she said that, she covered her mouth. "Ops!" "What do you mean you were involved with your own cousin?" asked Vasily. "Ok I have a full confession to make, you know how I said that Natalia Rostov was my mother, it's a lie, I'm actually her niece I was adopted by my uncle and aunt and I fell in love with Nikolai and then he got married to Marya, what a plan woman she is, and now my uncle is dead and I'm looking after my aunt and their children while I live with my cousins! I know it's crazy but bare with me for a moment!" she said. "Oh dear you've been through a lot then. Why didn't you just tell me the truth? I would have understood," Vasily asked. "Because I can't fall in love with you, you're Asian, and I'm a white woman! Do you have any idea how my aunt would feel if she knew I was involved with an Asian, not that we're involved. But we can't be together, we've only known each other for two months and we're racially different! It's too bad because I was just beginning to like you too," said Sonja. "Yes perhaps we should give this time, sorry I think I'll just go and check on Nikoleka and Galina and see how their tea party is coming," he said running out of the room.
Meanwhile in Galina's bedroom, Galina was sitting down drinking real tea with Nikolenka, the nanny bought them real tea to drink. "Would you like some more tea Nikolenka?" "Sure I could use some more tea," Galina then poured him some more tea. "I'm sure glad I'm not drinking green tea. I like this jasmine the best," said Nikolenka. "Now I will ask Queen Elisabeth if she would like some tea," said Galina. "Who is Queen Elisabeth?" asked Nikolenka. "She's my doll that my mom gave to me before she left my daddy and I" she said pointing to a pretty blond doll with big blue eyes, a pink dress on and a bonnet on her head. "Here is some more tea Queen Elisabeth," she said as she poured the tea into Queen Elisabeth's cup. "Now all we have to do is wait for her to drink it," said Nikolenka. "She's a doll silly, she can't drink tea." "Well in that case!" Nikolenka said as he took Queen Elisabeth's cup and gulped the tea down. "There now she drank it!" he said wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Galina just looked at him in shock, but then asked, "So is Sonja your mom?" "No she's my second cousin, my mom died giving birth to me, I never met her. I barely remember my dad, but I still do every once in a while. He died in the war against Napoleon. Sonja and I both live with my uncle and aunt, she takes care of my great aunt. I get the feeling that my great aunt is closer to death then what others except," said Nikolenka. "Why would you say such a thing?" "Because great aunt Natalia drives everyone nuts! By the way I wonder what your father and Sonja are talking about in the other room?" said Nikolenka. "I sometimes don't want to know," said Galina.
Just then Vasily came into the room followed by Vera the Pekinese and Sonja. "It's getting late for tea isn't it Galina?" asked Vasily. "But you said we could have tea!" said Galina. "I did, huh I guess I forgot!" said Vasily putting on a fake smile. "Are you all right papa?" asked Galina. "I'm just tired from work is all, ok Nikolenka it's Galina's bedtime! Say goodnight to her," said Vasily putting Galina into her bed. "Goodnight see you tomorrow!" said Nikolenka walking out of the room. "Goodnight Galina!" said Sonja.
Meanwhile in Russia it was also evening, but at a later time I guess you could say. But Pierre and Natasha were visiting the Rostovs once again, and the kids were all in bed. "I can't believe that Sonja went to study in Italy," said Pierre drinking some tea. "Yes and she met a guy!" said Natalia. "She did, what's his name?" asked Pierre. "His name is Vasily, and he's from Siberia," said Marya. "Oh it's so fantastic that Sonja has finally met someone else! She could marry him if she wants to she has my permission!" said Natasha acting a little tipsy from the wine she drank. "Dear your drunk!" said Pierre, "No I'm not, I'm just happy for our Sonja is all!" said Natasha. All the sudden there was a knock on the door, and Marya went to get it, it was Densiov, he was cold. "Come on in you're just in time to talk with us!" said Marya. "Thanks so much! Wheghres Sonja, I haven't seen her for months!" said Densiov. "Oh she went to study in Italy and we speculate that she found someone to love," said Nikolai. "Oh I guess that leaves me out of the picture, oh well I'll find someone prettier I think," said Densiov. "That poor girl, I just hope she finds happiness wherever she goes," said Natalia. "I'll go get the cake!" said Marya walking towards the kitchen. "Oh I miss the old days when I used to talk to Andrey when he was alive," said Pierre. "I miss Andrey too!" said Natasha. "Why you didn't you have an affair with that horrid Antaole character?" asked Nikolai. "Don't remind me, he's dead and that's a good thing I guess," said Natasha. "Pierre do you miss Helena?" "Sometimes I do, but mostly no. I miss the way she would yell at me, its funny now that I look back on it," said Pierre laughing.