"I heartily concur with that, Thera. Dress them differently and let them develop their own personalities rather than being mirror images of the others. Your mother and Viktor's mother were raised like that, weren't they? They were encouraged to be different even though they were identical."
"Yes, my grandparents thought they should be given the opportunity to become individuals. I will dress them in different colours to begin with, and later they can decide their own style. Don't you think green for Sergei, reddish brown for Dmitri, and blue-gray for Alexei?"
"And our friends will influence them, too. I know Minerva and Alastor will spoil Dmitri and teach him things, just as Remus and Dora will spoil and teach Alexei. Viktor and Hermione will probably do the same for Sergei. We must also spoil Teddy and teach him things, too.
I wonder if Kingsley is having any luck with his new guidelines for the Ministry? He was saying a few days ago that the way to wipe out the prejudice and name calling, is to institute a new law barring purebloods from marrying each other, and he plans to tie it to another law requiring all wizards and witches over the age of twenty-five to marry and have at least one child. They are given a time frame to find a mate. I wonder how this will affect Sirius?"
"Surely there are witches who would marry him?"
"There is one, I think, who still thinks fondly of him even after all these years. I have kept in touch with her, for she was Lily's best friend. She also runs a very small department in the Ministry dealing with Potion ingredient standards. I will send her an owl today. She will be subject to the same law. If they could reconnect, it might prove beneficial for both of them."
"I will talk to Viktor about adding her to the guest list for the wedding. Perhaps you should discuss this with Harry. I am going back to sleep for a bit. You talk to Sirius and Harry."
"I'll be back to assist with the feeding, love."
Even though I was supposed to be fully asleep, enough of the link with Sev was open that I got a general impression of what went on during his talks with Harry and Sirius.
Sirius was upset over the new law and worried that he had to find a wife within six months.
"What exactly would persuade a reasonably sane witch to marry a man who was in Azkaban and rumoured to be in league with Riddle and have connived at the deaths of his best friends? Name me one witch who would marry me."
The tirade had been directed at Harry but Sev answered him.
"I can name one. And you liked her well enough when we were at school. Mary MacDonald works for the Ministry as the head of the department that makes sure potion ingredients meet certain standards. She has never married, preferring to cherish a fondness for a man she would never name. I believe that man is you, Black."
"Mary? She did not marry? Oh, if ever there was a woman I wouldn't mind spending the next few decades with, it is her. Where is she, Severus? Will you send her an owl? What if she won't see me?"
Harry thought about it for a moment and then said something.
"I think I can recognise her. She was in a bunch of the photos of my parents. Let me go to the Ministry. I'll invite her to the party tomorrow, if that is acceptable. If you want to do something Sirius, get the house-elves to give you a haircut and a shave. I'll be back soon. May I use the floo, Professor?"
"You have passed your NEWTs, Harry. I am no longer your professor. My name is Severus, or if you can't stomach that, call me Snape. You did behind my back often enough in years past. Yes, you are free to use the floo."
"Thank you, Severus. I'll stop by Grimmauld Place before I return."
Once Harry was gone, Sev turned to Sirius Black and gave him a long, hard look. "Come with me, Black. Ptitsa can have you shaved and your hair cut in just a few moments. It will make you feel like a new man."
By the time I had gotten up and fed the babies again, Harry was back. He was talking to Sev in the doorway to the bedroom when I went in to shower. After making myself presentable, I found Harry and Sev watching a clean shaven Sirius Black talking earnestly to a small blond woman. She had a sweet, friendly face and was looking at Sirius with such longing that I knew everything would work out. Harry had a huge grin on his face. Even Sev looked pleased.
The birthday party was a success and within the month Sirius Black and Mary MacDonald were married. Ginny and Harry had decided to wait to be married until he had finished his first years as an Auror. Molly and Arthur informed everyone that Charlie had married his Romanian witch, and that Percy was to be married in the spring. Filius Flitwick and Poppy Pomfrey were to be married just after Christmas. And the biggest surprise of all was that Sybill Trelawney was marrying Gilderoy Lockhart in November. Aberforth and Rosmerta had decided to legalize their association finally. Hagrid and Olympe Maxime had married secretly before going on their mission to the Giants.
The day the students arrived was a joyous occasion. There were more first years than ever before. Apparently the parents had decided that there would be no more home schooling since the war was behind us. The Durmstrang students were greeted with the same warmth and affection as our own. New friendships, started on the train from King's Cross, strengthened during the sorting. Then Sev stood to give his welcoming speech. The Hall went silent as every eye was turned towards him.
"I want to welcome all of you to Hogwarts. This year we welcome the students of Durmstrang in fellowship as a new era begins. This is the first year free of fear. Fear is an insidious weapon used by evil people against their enemies. Fear has no place in an institution of learning. You will learn everything you need to know to become proficient wizards and witches. There will be no blood distinctions, no name calling. That behaviour will earn you detentions, expulsion and/or having your powers bound or stripped entirely. It will not be tolerated. There is a quote from John Donne which will become the guiding principle of this school henceforth. 'No man is an island, entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were... Any man's death diminishes me because I am involved in Mankind. And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls. It tolls for thee.' Your new teachers are as follows: Thera Snape will teach Potions, Neville Longbottom will be assisting in Herbology, Draco Malfoy will teach History of Magic, Remus Lupin is the new second Deputy Headmaster and the Defence Against The Dark Arts teacher, Hermione Granger is your new Ancient Runes teacher, Wilhemina Grubbly-Plank will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures. And our new caretaker is Seamus Finnegan. It is my sincere wish that all of you form lasting friendships this term. Let the feast begin." He clapped his hands and the food appeared to the cheers of the children.
The second years all waited after the feast was over to talk to me. I was so glad to see their shining faces free of fear. I knew this year was going to be a very busy one with all the weddings. The only wedding I was concerned with was Viktor and Hermione's.
September and October sped by because I was so busy teaching and tending to three hungry, rambunctious babies. In November, the boys seemed to settle into a routine where I could get more done. My students were showing real promise at Potions. I set the wedding plans before Hermione one evening at dinner in the Headmaster's quarters. Sev chuckled to see Hermione's eyes cross at the elaborate preparations.
"But... but... we just wanted a small wedding, you know, friends and family. Has Viktor seen this?"
"Hermione, he was the biggest Quidditch star ever in Bulgaria. He has friends from Durmstrang, Quidditch, the Aurors, and his father is the Minister for Magical Games and Sports in Bulgaria. There are certain protocols for inviting people from each of those groups. You, yourself will have your teachers, friends, family, and people you saved to invite. The crowd is strictly for the wedding. The reception will be much smaller and more intimate, only close friends and family. And there is the rehearsal dinner, too. But I want to liaise with your mother about that. You decided on attendants back in August. Luna, Ginny as bridesmaids, correct?"
"Yes. And you agreed to serve as the matron of honour. Viktor decided on Severus as best man, and Harry and Nikolai as groomsmen. The dresses are all done. My father is going to walk me down the aisle. Who is going to read the ceremony?"
"Why not have Filius do it? He is very fond of you and Viktor. He would do a lovely job of it."
"Oh, that is a wonderful idea. Viktor likes him and Poppy would be so proud. Yes, shall I ask him tomorrow?"
"Wait." Sev walked to the fireplace and threw green powder into it. He spoke into the flames. "Filius, can you come to my rooms for a moment?"
Within minutes Filius was at the door.
"Come in. I believe Miss Granger has a request to make. Sit down and have a drink."
"Thank you, Severus, a bit of mead would be lovely. What did you need, Hermione?"
"Professor... Filius, would you read the ceremony for my wedding to Viktor? Please?"
"Oh my dear child, I would be delighted. Thank you for asking me. May I drink to your happiness, Hermione? And to those handsome wee boys also, Severus."
"Thank you, Filius. They are having the ceremony at our St. Petersburg home in December. You should remember the date. They decided to get married on our anniversary. Viktor said it would help him remember. But that is my cousin's logic." I laughed.
"The nineteenth of December, I remember your wedding very well, Thera. You were an incredibly lovely bride. As I am sure you will be also, Hermione. I will take my leave now. Goodnight all."
Once he left, Alastor made a comment that he was sorry he had not been there for Sev's and my wedding. "I did get to see you in your dress, though, as we took your parents off. Severus looked less like a scarecrow than I had ever seen him."
We all scowled at him, but he just laughed.
The next few weeks were spent helping Hermione address invitations and deal with fussy babies who were starting to teethe. The first of December had Hermione looking at the list of accepted invitations and exclaiming. "There are over four hundred people coming! Thera, this is going to be a disaster."
"Calm down, Hermione. It will be fine. Trust me. Mother has altered your dress and created a princess cap with a veil attached. And Aunt Pasitheia has sent you the Krum jewels. Nothing is going to go wrong. Have you and Viktor been doing anything with the cottage? Well, you should start deciding how you want things arranged. That will keep your mind off the wedding for a while."
Two weeks before the actual wedding, the teachers and friends got together for Hermione's bridal shower. Viktor had brought Hermione's mother for the occasion. We used the Great Hall, as there were so many women coming.
Dora, Minerva, Poppy and I, as well as Aurora and Septima, had decorated the Hall with flowers, thanks to Neville and Pomona. Molly Weasley had come in to help with the menu planning. She was a bit disappointed that Hermione was not going to marry Ron, but decided that Viktor was much better suited to her.
Molly, with the help of the house-elves, had created a feast for the party. Crème Brulée with fruit, a casserole of Chicken with rice, cheese, Broccoli and Asparagus and tiny prawn sandwiches were waiting for the guests. There were little gift baskets Poppy and I had put together with extra Potions and a small portrait of the bride and groom for the guests.
I had a special present set aside for Hermione's mother. I convinced my own mother to create a mother-of-the-bride dress for Mrs. Granger. It had been made in a silvery mauve shade but could be transfigured to any other colour.
Neville had taken special care to create corsages of some of the more exotic flowers for the bride and her mother.
A surprise guest showed up as part of her new incarnation as the society/romance writer for the Daily Prophet, Rita Skeeter.
She apologized to Hermione for the awful way she had acted previously and took many pictures of the party and an especially lovely one for the paper of Hermione herself. All in all, the shower turned out to be a lovely diversion on that Sunday afternoon.
The next day I was surprised to find my four month old eldest child trying to pull himself up onto his feet. He had only started crawling a couple of weeks before. Sev thought it was nothing to worry about, but consulted Poppy anyway.
"That one is going to give you nightmares, Severus. He is way ahead of his age range. He will probably be walking before he is nine months old, or rather running and climbing. He is already trying to form coherent speech. The other two are exactly where they should be. Nothing to worry about with them. You'll have to watch this young man like a hawk." Poppy chuckled.
I assigned Trufy to watch Sergei and make sure he was safe. The rest of the week went smoothly. The staff Christmas party was the weekend before the wedding and there were still things that needed doing. Thankfully, Minerva and Alastor arranged it all. Our neophyte Durmstrang teachers were doing a very good job with the students.
Remus Lupin had grasped the whole administrator routine very easily. Remus looked years younger than he had before. The relief at not being a werewolf anymore had done wonders for his appearance, so had having a real job.
Viktor showed up for the party with bottles of Vodka for everyone. He said he had finally introduced his friend Nikolai to Luna, and they were going to have lunch together the next day in Hogsmeade. He had brought Hermione's present with him. It turned out to be a full length sable hooded cloak. They were planning on going to Greece for their honeymoon and would need to use the floo in the Ministry to get to Athens. Sev and I told him to use the Chelsea flat for that first night. Viktor laughed in remembrance of how he had stocked the flat for our first few days of wedded bliss.
The party was over very late. The babies were being weaned so I did not have to breast feed any more. Sev and I checked on the boys before going to bed. We stayed up talking, deciding that we would make the Chelsea flat into the most romantic spot for a wedding night. The last few days before the Christmas holidays began were very busy. Three days before the wedding Sev and I stopped by the Chelsea flat to create the atmosphere for Viktor and Hermione's wedding night. We sealed the door to his room and made sure the music CDs were set to play automatically when the couple arrived. The rose petals were charmed to waft down onto the bed when the sheets were turned down. We left champagne, caviar and lots of chocolate, as well as luxury bath salts and shampoo and soap. The entire flat was charmed to create an ideal romantic interlude. When we were done, I suggested we go out to eat before going back to school, but Sev thought we should go immediately. The next morning the students left for the Christmas break. Hermione, Sev and I used the floo to the Ministry and then on to the Petersburg house.
While at the Ministry, we saw Kingsley Shacklebolt who promised to be at the wedding.
"And I have not forgotten that it will be your anniversary, also. See you both soon."
When we arrived in our own house some of the guests and the bride and groom were already there. The wedding was set for the day after tomorrow. Her parents were due this evening. His parents had been here since this morning.
Uncle Pavel and Aunt Pasitheia fell in love with Hermione the instant they saw her. My mother had taken Hermione to stay with her in her suite of rooms until the wedding. The house was in an uproar and the babies were fussy.
Remus and Dora had taken over the garden cottage where Alastor and Minerva were staying also. Viktor's friends from Durmstrang were camped out in the tent he had used during the 'camping' campaign of the spring. Luna was expected to arrive later today.
The young man Viktor wanted her to meet was trying to teach my husband how to dance the Trepak. Nikolai Nevsky was dashingly handsome and completely endearing. He had charmed every female present and promptly told Viktor that he would consider Hermione a surrogate sister, so that Viktor would have to answer to him if she was upset.
Mother and I had chased everyone away for a couple of hours to prepare for the rehearsal dinner. The house-elves from Hogwarts had been working feverishly to produce a spectacular feast for the evening. Luna arrived just before dinner, bringing Hermione's parents with her.
The dinner went off without a glimmer of a problem. Everyone was in a wonderful mood. It was now only one more day until the wedding. I was half expecting some kind of panic on the part of the bride or the groom. But I would wait and see what developed.
The babies were overly excited by the presence of so many people, but there was a bright side to things. Nikolai charmed my three babies, too.
He sang them to sleep that night with a Tzigane lullaby which gave Sev and me a break. The young man had then insisted we call him Niko, and he would play the violin for the couples to dance on the grass outside. I now sincerely hoped Luna would fall in love with this charming rogue.
The day before the wedding, I was up at dawn. The weather had turned sharply colder but stayed clear of snow. I knew the Northern Lights would probably display tonight, so I wanted us all to have dinner in the conservatory. I checked and rechecked all of the preparations before waking my husband. He laughed at me and pulled me back under the covers to make love once more. We finally got up in time to have breakfast with all of our guests around nine. Surprisingly most of them had anniversary gifts for us. The discussion over breakfast was the coming Millennium, and whether there had been any murmur of Dark Magic lately. Alastor answered that question very succinctly.
"The closest things to Dark magic these days are the things in the Weasley twins' shop. There has been nary a soul in Knockturn Alley, either. The Ministry has dealt with the last two Death Eaters. Their powers were stripped; after that they were Obliviated and their wands broken. The Carrows will never be a threat again. In fact, they are now residing in a Muggle mental hospital. They keep telling people they are magical. Perfect place for the woman who taught that Muggles aren't human, don't you think?"
The discussion then turned to the new Durmstrang teaching recruits. Remus was keeping an eye on the progress of the new teachers. He reported that all of his prospective teachers were doing admirably.
"And, I believe you are going to have a much better Divination teacher next year, Severus. Miss Lovegood surprised me a few days ago by congratulating me on a new baby. Dora did not even know, then, that we are expecting again. I think Luna Lovegood may just be able to weed out the students who have no talent for Divination and teach those who do."
Luna blushed at his comments. The others congratulated Remus, Dora and Luna.
We had planned for some dancing after the dinner. The house-elves cleared the conservatory so we had ample room to dance. Filius and Poppy had charge of the music. They began the music with selections from musical theatre productions. I danced with Remus and with Harry. Sev danced with my mother and Hermione's mother. Then Filius started the music from Phantom and Sev came to lead me onto the floor. The only other couple dancing was Viktor and Hermione. But gradually others came out to dance to the music from our wedding. The night was almost over when Viktor came to ask me to dance with him. We waltzed and talked about the coming wedding. I realised he was afraid that he would terrify Hermione with his eagerness. I told him I would have Sev talk to him tomorrow in the morning before the wedding.
"And what makes you think she is not as eager as you for the wedding night? Viktor, she loves you. She has been through hell this past year; she needs you to be her refuge and soul mate. I think she will surprise you."
"Were you not scared, that first night you made love with him? He is a fine man but he is years older than you, Thera. There is not that great an age difference between Hermione and me."
"I was not scared. I loved him, Viktor. I still do. Papa knew Sev and knew me. I think he had seen even in those early years that I would need the kind of husband Sev has become. I think he would approve of your choice, also. She is very beautiful, Viktor, and she loves you to distraction. Make her happy."
"That is my goal, cousin. I want us to be as happy as you two are."
I looked past Viktor's shoulder to where Sev stood leaning against a doorframe. The slow, sensual smile lit his face as he mouthed the words "I love you" to me.
Viktor returned me to Sev's side and sought out his soon-to-be bride. They were standing near the windows talking.
"It is past midnight. Happy Anniversary, Thera." Sev murmured as he kissed my shoulder.
We were almost the last to leave the conservatory. Only Viktor and Hermione were still there. We checked on our children before going to bed. The morning would come all too soon. But Sev had one more surprise for me, a pearl necklace with three diamond drops on it.
"For my beloved wife, and the boys' beloved mother, a small trinket of our devotion. This is the best anniversary we have had so far, love."
"Oh, Sev, thank you, for my necklace and for everything you have done this year. I cannot imagine being any happier."
"Let's just get through the wedding tomorrow and then, we will have a quiet Christmas with our closest friends and family. I love you dearly, Thera."
"You are my world, Sev. I truly hope Hermione and Viktor find the same happiness."
"Take thee no thought for tomorrow's joys, they will come or not. Take only thought for this night's joy as we lay in each other's arms."
"Then come to bed, my love, and know joy of this night."
The morning of the wedding saw the snow clouds of the previous days vanished. The air was crisply cold but filled with the most beautiful light. The ceremony was set for midday so Mother, Mrs. Granger, Ginny, Luna, and I were helping Hermione dress. I had sent Sev to check on the babies because one of them had the sniffles. Then he was supposed to check on Viktor because I knew Viktor's Slavic temperament would doubt the wondrousness of the day.
Hermione was alternately laughing and crying. She looked beautiful. The ice blue velvet gown had seed pearls and spangles added at the cuffs and the neckline. Her little princess cap had a short veil added. Her hair had been tamed into soft waves brushed back from her face. Aunt Pasitheia had brought in the jewelled belt that every Krum bride had worn since the fourteenth century. That was to be the something old, her dress was blue, the princess cap was new, and the tiny portrait of Viktor as a child that was entwined in her bouquet was the something borrowed. She was being entertained by her attendants when I went to check on the rest of the party. Sev was in our rooms, holding Alexei; the baby had stopped fussing and was now sleeping soundly. Ptitsa took him back to the nursery as I talked to my husband.
"How is Viktor holding up? Has he driven you mad yet?"
"Alastor is having the best luck keeping him calm. He was talking to Viktor about your father. I think your cousin fears he is not good enough for her."
"Now would be a good time for you to tell him that he must be gentle with her and treat her like she is Fairy Crystal. That should focus his thoughts and get him out of his Slavic histrionics."
"As you wish, my love, you look beautiful enough to be the bride."
"I will deal with you after the crowds leave, beloved. Now, go work your vocal magic on Viktor. Be thinking calming spells when you talk to him."
"I sincerely hope they will enjoy the things we planned for their wedding night. Ah, well, off to talk some sense in our volatile Viktor."
I watched him go reluctantly. I saw Viktor at the window when Sev opened the door to the library. Alastor was talking to Viktor, but not getting much of a response. I knew Sev would be more successful.
When Sev opened our link, I could hear what was being said.
"Viktor, what would your Uncle Igor say if he could see you now? Thera tells me Hermione is in tears because she is frightened. And you are sulking. She loves you. What do you think kept her sane during those long months of last winter? She knew you were close by to guard them and to be a link to help for them. She depends on you. You are descended from Cossack princes, Thera tells me. Act like it. Do you love Hermione? Love her, not just desire her?"
"Of course, I love her. I have waited until she was old enough, until she and Harry found and destroyed the abominations, until the monster was dead before I asked her to marry me. I love her more than life itself. She is the most precious thing in my life."
"Do you remember three years ago, Viktor? How secretive we had to be about our wedding? How Igor showed up to say goodbye to her? How surprised Hermione was about the whole thing?"
"I remember how nervous Thera was. But I also remember how she looked that next morning before I left. She was laughing and radiantly happy and had the sultry well-loved look of a new bride. She was more beautiful than I had ever seen her."
"Do you want to see that look on Hermione's face tomorrow morning? Of course you do. You must remember that she was not born into our world. Her Muggle upbringing was far different from the way you and Thera were raised. Her experience as a heroine of this war, does not preclude that she is still a very young innocent woman. Do you understand what I mean?"
"I love her. I want her happy with me. How do I make love to her without scaring her?"
"You must treat her as if she is the most delicate, fragile flower you have ever seen. Touch her, kiss her, and use soft words to gentle her. And for Merlin's sake, do not get too eager. She is not a Knockturn Alley whore, Viktor. She will be your wife, she will bear your children, treat her with dignity and love. Let your kisses cover her body. Touch her everywhere until she is moaning with desire, and then gently, very gently, enter her. Kiss her while you take her hymen. She will buck under you, but you must talk softly to her, tell her how much you love her. She will begin to respond, to meet your movements, awkwardly at first, but she will learn the rhythm. She wants to please you. Later you two can adjust your appetites and desires, as you will. Remember, her wedding night must be gentle and beautiful. Your cousin and I have arranged for you two to go to the Chelsea flat for tonight. We stocked it and decorated it for you. You will get to use the master bedroom. It is Thera's extra wedding present to you. Now, do you have the rings ready? I see Alastor beckoning to us. Are you ready to begin this exciting adventure that is marriage?"
Viktor grinned at Sev and answered, "You take them, Severus. Are you and Thera really happy?"
Sev merely cocked an eyebrow at him and asked, "Has she ever said anything to indicate she was unhappy? Are our sons ill-treated? You have only to look at her to see how happy she is."
"The night after the battle, I was walking the halls at the school. She was standing on the top of the Astronomy Tower crying. I asked her why and she turned on me and snarled at me. 'I almost lost him, Viktor. He almost died and I cannot live without him.' I finally understood how much you mean to her."
The sounds of Pachelbel's Canon in D Major were beginning in the ballroom. Sev hustled Viktor to the side entrance near where Filius stood on a raised dais. Sev and Viktor took their places as the music swelled. Harry and Nikolai came to stand next to Sev.
Ginny Weasley entered to march up the aisle and stand to the side. Next came Luna Lovegood. Then, it was my turn. Mr. Granger had Hermione's hand firmly tucked over his arm. They made their way to where the rest of us were waiting. She was radiantly beautiful, smiling at Viktor. They had eyes only for each other. She handed me her bouquet as Filius began the bonding ceremony. When Filius asked the gathering to add their wishes to the bonding, everyone present whispered their wishes for the couple. The room began to grow lighter with the golden glow of love being expressed. The rings were exchanged and the bonds tied. Viktor gently raised her veil to kiss her. Then, they started back down the aisle under the raining rose petals and rosemary leaves. Everyone was applauding as they turned at the doorway and kissed again. The reception was to start in a few minutes so I went in search of the newlyweds. They were wrapped in each other's arms outside his bedroom. He was kissing her breathless. I managed to disengage her from him and got her to take off the veil and cap before the reception started. Filius and Alastor had been up to some scheming while I was gone. They began the dancing with a song sung by Alastor himself. The tune was a favourite of Minerva's. The words were exactly right for this occasion. 'My Love is like a Red, Red Rose'
We all danced for an hour or so, until dinner was served. The cake was cut after dinner was over and suddenly, it was time for the bride and groom to be off. Both the mothers, Ginny, Luna, and I were there to help her out of her finery and make sure her things were packed. Sev was doing the same thing for Viktor. I knew he had included a small jar of the ointment mother had given me to ease any discomfort after the wedding night. I told Hermione how glad I was that she was now my cousin. I held her close and said a silent blessing for her and Viktor. Then, it was time to be gone.
Viktor had changed to his red Cossack outfit, which was rather like the Durmstrang uniform. He wore a dashing short black cape and fur hat. Hermione was dressed in a long woollen dress of russet brown. Her sable cape was fastened at her throat. Their luggage was miniaturised and in her expandable bag. They kissed everyone and disappeared into the floo still waving at all of us.
We said goodbye to the many guests who had come for the wedding and reception. At last, there were only a few people left. The Lupins and Minerva and Alastor were staying for the holidays. We stayed up talking for a time, then said good night fairly early. My husband wanted to tell me about his talk with Viktor. He also wanted to make passionate love to me on our anniversary.
We stayed up until the Northern Lights began their dance across the skies. The lights were gloriously joyful that night, almost as if they were celebrating Christmas, the wedding and the end of the war.
Finis