Oxana was so happy! She was always happy, but this was the first time in her life she had so completely ecstatic! She got up off the couch and started to waltz around clumsily and her father got up and started to join her. Then, a thought worried her mind.
Oxana: Mama, if I am a princess, will I have to wear those itchy dresses that Augustine always makes me wear?
Her parents started to laugh at their daughters innocence.
Anya: Of course not. You have to dress well, not like a Poof.
Anya and Dimitri always called Oxana that when Augustine dressed her up. Oxana hated that nickname.
Then another bad thought occurred in Oxanas' head.
Oxana: Will we ever visit France? I don't wand to leave Great-Grandma, Aunt Sophie, Uncle Vlad, and Sevastian behind.
Anya picked her daughter up and put Oxana on her lap.
Anya: Don't worry, they'll come visit.
Oxana: But what about Sev?
Anya: Don't worry you'll see him soon. And besides, we aren't leaving until January 6th.
Oxana: may I go over and tell Sevastian?
Her parents nodded and she ran next door and Sevastian opened it.
Sevastian: Hey Oxana.
Oxana did her best to be polite and curtsy.
Oxana: Hello, Sevastian.
Sevastian: Would you like me to go get Augustine?
Oxana: No, I came to talk to you.
She tried to think of a way that she could tell him while also being as polite as she possibly could.
Sevastian: You came to talk to me?
Oxana: Yes, I just said that.
Sevastian walked outside and sat down on one of the white wicker chairs while Oxana stood standing at the door.
Sevastian: Aren't you gonna to sit down?
Oxana: Ask me properly.
Sevastian rolled his eyes.
Sevastian: Oxana, would you like to sit down?
Oxana: Thank you.
Oxana crossed her ankles and smoothed out her dress. Sebastian got up and went over to feel her forehead and Oxana giggled.
Oxana: Sevastian? May I ask what you are doing?
Sevastian: Are you feeling alright?
Oxana: Of course. What would give you such a ridi-ridu-ri-silly idea?
Sevastian: you are acting proper.
Oxana: And your point is?
Sevastian: You are Oxana. Oxana is you. Acting is pretending. You are acting. Proper is being polite. You are pretending to be polite.
Oxana: I know that. And im not pretending, I'm practicing.
Sevastian: Practicing? For what?
Oxana: For when I am a princess, Princess Oxana Romanov.
Sevastian: Who's Romanov
Oxana: I am a Romanov and the Romanov's are royalty from Russia.
Sevastian looked at her funny.
Oxana: I am going to be Russian royalty.
Sevastian burst out laughing. While Oxana sat on the chair with a serious look on her face.
Sevastian: Oxana, I know you like to act like a princess but-
Oxana: I am.
Sevastian: You are four. You cannot get married.
Oxana: What?
Sevastian: To be a princess, you have to marry a prince.
Oxana: Or be the daughter of a king and a queen.
Sevastian: You are being serious.
Oxana nodded.
Sevastian: That would mean you would move to Russia.
Oxana: That's bad part. But Mama says we'll visit. Oh! By the way, don't tell Augustine.
After that, Oxana went back home, had dinner, and got ready for bead. She put on her blue floral nightgown, then she remembered something-
Oxana: Bartok!
Oxana started to scramble through her maroon bed sheets. She found him lying in between the satin pillows asleep. She was so excited she had to scream.
Oxana: Bartok!
Bartok screamed and he started to hyperventilate. And Oxana started to shush him.
Oxana: Did I scare you?
Bartok: No, no, just a little surprise. Do me a favor and don't do that again.
Oxana: I'm sorry. I just has to tell you that I have heard the best news EVER! I am going Princess Oxana Romanov!
Bartok tried his best to act surprised. He had always been aware, but he couldn't let on that he did. He would be kicked out of his new home with his new friend.
Bartok: Well, that's just surprising, I tell you what, surprising.
Oxana: I know! Wait, was my mother a princess when you met her?
Bartok: Oh! Like I said it was just a little run in!
Then, they heard Anya come up with Pooka
Oxana: Bartok! Hide!
Bartok flew on top of the maroon canopy to hide when Anya came in.
Anya: Oxana, are you ready for bed?
Oxana: Yes, mama.
Pooka started barking at the canopy.
Anya: Pooka, what are you barking at?
Oxana gasped. Anya thought she might be afraid something was up there.
Anya: Don't worry, nothings up there.
Anya grabbed a chair from Oxana's vanity.
Anya: There, like I said, there's nothing up there.
Anya grabbed a silver brush and Oxana sat on her bed. Anya went to get the gold and green music box off of the dresser and then went to go sit next to Oxana and then started to brush her daughters long red hair. Oxana started to hum the lullaby her mother had taught her, Once Upon a December. Anya started to hum along with her.
Anya(singing): On the wind, cross the sea, hear this song and remember,
Anya and Oxana(singing): Soon you'll be home with me, once upon a December.
They both started to laugh.
Oxana: Mama, when I am a princess, will you and Papa forget about me.
Anya: Of course not! Where would you ever get some crazy idea?
Oxana: I don't know. It's just that you'll be a queen and Papa and I will be a princess in such a big palace.
Anya: And we live in such a big house now. Not much will change.
Oxana: But some things will change.
Anya: And these changes will be good.
Anya finished brushing Oxana's hair and then tucked her into bed.
Oxana: Mama, can we sing the lullaby? Just one more time?
Anya smiled.
Anya: Of course darling.
Oxana took out the gold and green necklace that said 'Together in Paris', and she put it in a little hole in the music box and started to turn it. A couple dancing as it opened and it started to play a calming melody.
Anya: On the wind, cross the sea, hear this song and remember,
Both: Soon you'll be home with me, once upon a December.
Anya: Goodnight, Oxana, my little princess.
Oxana: Good, Mama, my little- little- uh,- queen?
Anya laughed at her and then Dimitri walked in.
Oxana: Goodnight, Papa!
Dimitri: Goodnight, Oxana.
Dimitri walked over to give his daughter a hug. Then, Bartok happened to fall from the canopy in between the wall and fabric from the back of the canopy where he was hiding. Her parents jumped off the bed, and Pooka started to bark at under the bed. Anya looked under the bed and she Bartok and she screamed. Dimitri looked under and he saw what Anya had screamed at. He pulled out Bartok, thinking that it was a stuffed animal.
Dimitri: Is this what it was that you screamed at?
Anya: He seemed so real, and so familiar
Oxana ran and grabbed Bartok out of her fathers hands.
Oxana: He's just a stuffed animal. Thank you for finding him, Pooka.
Pooka just looked at her, as if he knew she was lying. Oxana laid Bartok next to her and laid back down.
Oxana: Goodnight, Mama. Goodnight, Papa.
Anya: Goodnight, Oxana.
Dimitri: Goodnight, angel.
They both kissed her cheeks and walked out into the hallway and closed her door and started to whisper.
Dimitri: What's wrong?
Anya: That bat. He just seems so familiar.
Dimitri: How?
Anya: I don't know, he just does.
Dimitri: Anya, don't worry, it's just a stuffed toy.
Oxana was being very quite. She couldn't let on that she was listening. She looked over at Bartok, who quickly fell asleep.
Oxana: Oh, how could anyone get a bad feeling from you? Goodnight, Bartok.
She kissed his cheek, and Bartok blushed in his sleep. And with that, Oxana went to sleep.