ROMANOV AUTUMN
Chapter Twenty-Seven

Once he settled in, Jack began to enjoy his new life. He was given a proper tour of the theater, which was one of the largest in Paris.

"The royals come here every spring or summer," Mme Artoire explained, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. "The Russian Tsar and his wife are coming again this year, along with Queen Victoria, the Tsarina’s grandmother."

Jack’s head spun with the information…Boris’ conversation on the Baltic flooded into his mind. He’s not one of our best rulers.

"Our dancers have been practicing hard for this performance, and a lot must be done before the production."

Jack watched as a few dancers practiced on-stage--he realized Alyiah was one of them after a moment. She was bent all the way back in the arms of her male partner; he dragged her smoothly across the floor and then allowed her to stand up straight again. For at least a few minutes, Jack was mesmerized by her; Alyiah leapt and twirled, as though she were made of rubber.

"Mr. Dawson?" Mme Artoire cocked her head to one side, pursing her lips. "Jack Dawson, are you still part of this earth?"

He blinked back to reality, blushing a little, and apologized. "Sorry," he said, and she led him to the studio where he would be working. It was much larger than any he’d seen in a long time, and filled to the brim with different props.

"Because you are offering your services, your room and board will be covered," she continued. "And we will give you a small salary. It will not be much to speak of, but everyone who works for me receives something."

Jack thanked her, insisting it did not take very much to make him happy.

"How long did you say Alyiah was dancing?" he asked, once they continued the tour, and Mme Artoire looked at him.

"Since she was twelve years old," she replied. "She goes back to Russia at Christmas and Easter, and resides the with us for the rest of the year."

Jack was amazed at how many chairs were in the audience, including the top balcony seats. He never had enough money or the time to attend any performances such as this, and he knew he would feel foolish amongst those who were in suits and gowns. This would be the best way to watch a show, in his opinion, behind the scenes, where no one could really see him.

"What’s the show we’re putting on now?" he asked, and Mme Artoire pointed at the stage.

"We are performing Sleeping Beauty," she replied. "This is Alyiah’s first time as the lead dancer; she will have the opportunity to meet the imperial family on the opening night. The shows last three weeks to a month each…we are going to be taking on The Nutcracker just before the Christmas season."

Jack smiled; he’d heard of both stories, and was thrilled Alyiah was getting the chance to show her talents in that way. Jack was eventually left to his own devices in the studio, where he was given a blueprint of how the stage was to be set up. He began on the sketches right away, drawing thin lines on the large cardboard pieces, sitting down on a stool for the time being.

He was so immersed in his work that he didn’t notice Alyiah coming in to see him while she was on one of her short breaks. She wore a white gown, her dark hair loose about her shoulders and the top of her head covered in a crown of white flowers. She stood watching him with a small smile on her face, her dark eyes twinkling.

"I see you do have talent," she announced, and Jack let out a cry of alarm, dropping his charcoal. "Oh, je suis désolé. Je n'ai pas voulu dire pour vous effrayer! J'ai seulement voulu voir comment vous alliez. Mme Artoire m'a dit où vous étiez."

Jack raised his eyes…it was clear Alyiah was not used to having an American in her presence, and spoke entirely in French to him. "I’m sorry," he chuckled. "I only understood that you were sorry. I didn’t catch the rest of it."

Alyiah blushed. "Ah…" She looked at her feet. "I did forget you do not speak French well. I apologize. I said…I did not mean to startle you, and wanted to see how you were doing."

Jack nodded. "I’m fine," he promised. "Thank you." He blushed furiously. "I saw you dancing out there, and you were wonderful," he added, and she wet her lips.

"You flatter me." She chuckled. "Are you happy here, Jack?" He offered her a seat, which she gratefully accepted.

"Yeah," he answered. "I’m happy anywhere, really. I don’t need much, and you’ve given me more than I deserve, quite honestly."

Alyiah stared at him. "Why is that?" she asked. "You rescued me. I owe you a great debt."

Jack shook his head. "I’m no one important," he replied. "I left home when I was sixteen, and have been traveling the world ever since. I’m barely making enough to feed myself, so you’ve done me an enormous favor."

Alyiah smiled at him. "Do not be embarrassed," she insisted. "Many of us here are from poor families. I myself come from the Russian peasant fields, and my parents do not read or write."

Jack frowned. "How did you get to be here?" he asked, and Alyiah was about to respond when Mme Artoire began calling them back to their posts on the stage. She apologized to him, and asked if he would walk with her when she was done for the evening.

"Of course," he replied, and she pecked another kiss on his cheek, making his heart hammer in his chest. She was so breathtakingly beautiful; he couldn’t imagine how anyone would give her up. He continued with his art for the bulk of the afternoon, anxious for the walk with Alyiah after supper.

Dinner eventually arrived, and he met Alyiah outside by the dining hall. It was a very crowded place, and the heat was somewhat unbearable. Of course, the waiters all spoke French, and Alyiah had to translate for him when it was time for them to order. Jack decided to have chicken in a thick mushroom sauce, and was not too pleased to see Alyiah only ordering a small salad and a bowl of soup.

"Are you sure that’s enough?" he asked while they ate, and she looked at him wearily.

"It is enough," she promised, and he settled back in his chair, wondering if their corsets had anything to do with the lack of food they could process. Alyiah was so thin as it was; he was afraid a gust of strong breeze would blow her away. After dinner, they went outside to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. Jack was tempted to take her hand, but knew that would be going over the line this early on in their meeting.

Alyiah continued telling him the story she’d started while she came to visit him in his studio. He discovered she was the youngest of five children; she had three brothers and a sister. Her parents could not afford to keep her, so they sent her to a local orphanage when she was old enough. While there, she heard of auditions for the local dance company, and a few of the girls she stayed with went to try out, including herself.

"And I have been here ever since," she explained. "Whatever I make, half I send to my family in Russia."

Jack nodded in understanding, and the two of them sat down by the lake. "So, what about your family, Jack?" she asked, after they were silent, enjoying the sound of the water rippling up against the bank. He looked at her; her face seemed to glow in the sunset.

"My parents were farmers," he replied, and she hugged her knees to her chest, raising her eyes.

"Were?" She cocked her head to one side, and he cleared his throat, wetting his lips.

"They died in a fire when I was fifteen," he replied, and Alyiah’s expression changed from curious to sympathetic.

"I’m sorry," she whispered, and he smiled faintly.

"It’s okay," he promised. "I have a younger sister, who’s living with our caretaker…a woman who found us on the side of the road the morning after the fire. I’d gotten sick and she took care of me, and adopted us afterwards."

Alyiah nodded; she loved to hear him talk…he had such a handsome voice. She hadn’t met many Americans in her lifetime, and she normally found them rather rude and obnoxious.

Jack was different, though, and she couldn’t quite place why.

"What is your sister’s name?" Alyiah wanted to know, standing and lifting her face to the breeze.

"Olivia," Jack replied, joining her, and she touched his arm.

"Listen," she began, and she started to make bird whistles through her hands, and a robin Jack hadn’t noticed hopped a few feet in front of her, whistling back. He grinned as she knelt down to it, allowing the bird to climb onto her finger.

"How’d you do that?" he asked, and she brought the robin close to him.

"I sit here quite often," she explained. "The birds are my company for the most part."

Once the robin flew away, Jack sneezed, apologizing, and Alyiah asked if he were coming down with something.

"No," he replied. "The spring and summer are hard months for me…I have allergies and asthma."

Alyiah frowned. "Oh," she replied. "Are they very bad?"

Jack shrugged. "They can be," he answered. "It depends on the day."

She smiled sadly. "Then we should go back?" she asked, and he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

"We don’t have to," he said. "If you don’t mind listening to me sneeze every couple of minutes."

Alyiah giggled. "I do not, but I want you to be quite comfortable," she said, and they began making their way back towards the dormitories. Alyiah told Jack how excited she was about the upcoming performance, because this was her first time as the lead character. She explained how the leads in the shows always got the chance to meet the imperial family afterwards, which was a very special honor.

"I’m sure," he replied, and Alyiah looked at him.

"Perhaps you will meet them with me?" she asked, and Jack stopped in mid-stride.

"What?" he asked, and Alyiah looked down at her feet, a blush creeping into her cheeks.

"We are expected to go with a male partner, and oftentimes the male lead goes with me. But I want you to go with me, Jack. I want them to know how special you are."

Jack felt as though he were going to lose whatever amount of food he took in, and he had to grip the rail of the fence separating the dormitory grounds from the rest of the city.

"Alyiah, I don’t know," he gulped. "I doubt Mme Artoire would approve. What about your other lead male partner? Wouldn’t he miss out on the opportunity if I went with you?"

Alyiah shook her head. "We can go separately if we choose, but I must have a male escort in either case."

Jack cleared his throat. "I have nothing to wear for such an occasion," he admitted, and Alyiah chuckled.

"Do not worry so," she begged. "Jack Dawson, I will talk to Mme Artoire this very evening, and suggest the option. I am certain she will have clothing to let you borrow for the night."

Jack didn’t know what to say; he was rather speechless, in fact.

"Please say you will go?" Alyiah begged, and Jack peered into her eyes. She looked so hopeful. He felt guilty saying no.

"Of--of course," he replied, and Alyiah let out a squeal of delight, hugging him tightly. Jack nearly fainted from the overwhelming reality of the situation, and having Alyiah’s body so close to his own. She smelled of lavender, but it wasn’t too strong of a scent.

"Thank you," she breathed, placing a hand over her heart. "Merci," she added, and Jack smiled weakly.

"You’re welcome," he replied, and she planted another kiss on his cheek before telling him good night. Jack watched as she disappeared through the doors of the women’s dormitory, and met with Noel as he entered the men’s.

"We are going to have a drink at the bar, and you are welcome to join us," he said, and Jack cleared his throat.

"Sure," he replied, and he went with four of the male dancers to the same bar he’d gone to when he first came to Paris. Noel led the way, and Pierre, Benjamin and Adrien walked with Jack behind him. They were all talking in French, so Jack felt a little left out; he was surprised, though, to see the woman in the purple suit still sitting at the bar with her glass of rum. I wonder if she ever left, he thought as they sat down at a table, and a waiter came to take their orders. Jack ordered a beer, and the others ordered a mixture of beer and whiskey.

"How does it go, Jack?" Adrien asked, and Jack looked at him.

"Fine," he replied. "I was watching you and Alyiah dance today; you really are amazing."

Adrien nodded his head of dark hair and thanked him. "Alyiah is a great partner; we have been friends since we were children. It is an honor to be her lead."

Jack wondered what Adrien would say if he took his place as Alyiah’s male escort for the

imperial family. That, he decided, was something better left unsaid until details were given by Mme Artoire.

When the drinks came, the gathering became a merry affair. The boys were singing all kinds of songs, gossiping about the women in their company and their families. A drinking contest came next, and Jack had the most out of everyone, much to their amusement.

"These Americans…they are thick-skinned, eh?" Pierre asked, giving Jack a punch in the shoulder.

"You’ve got it," Jack said, feeling very sleepy. "Thick-skinned."

"Well, let’s head back, fellows. The night grows late, and Mme Artoire will have our heads if we are not at our best in the morning."

Jack was so drunk he could barely stand by the time they left, and he fell against Adrien, who caught him.

"Here," he encouraged Benjamin. "You take his one arm and I’ll take the other. I have a feeling he’ll have a pretty hangover tomorrow, eh?"

Pierre and Noel smirked at each other, and the walk back took rather long, considering Jack could barely stay on his feet. Once he was laying in bed, he regretted every drink he’d put into his body. I swore I’d give up anything like that after last time with Alan, he thought, as he heard the rest of the group heading into their separate rooms.

The following morning, he was so sick he could barely move, and only did so to throw up into the basin that Noel had placed beside his bed. Pierre came to check on him later, and told Jack he’d given Mme Artoire the excuse that he’d come down with the stomach flu.

"She’s letting you take the day off so you can rest," Pierre explained. "I’m sorry, Jack. We shouldn’t have forced you to drink that much."

Jack groaned, his head pounding. "I was stupid myself," he admitted. "I’ve gotten drunk once before, and hated every second of it. I was feeling a bit too adventurous last night."

Pierre smiled. "Well, you impressed us," he said, and Jack nodded, grateful when the other man decided to leave the room. It wasn’t until long after dinnertime that Alyiah came to see him, demanding to know what had happened.

"What?" he asked weakly, and she put her hands on her hips.

"You were perfectly well when we walked along the lake last night," she scolded. "Jack Dawson, did you drink too much?"

Jack looked at her wearily. "Must you punish me, too?" he asked, burying his face against his pillow, and Alyiah sighed, sitting down on his desk chair. "My stomach and head are already beating me up."

"I am not punishing you," she promised. "You are old enough to make your own choices. Only, I wish…I wish you had made better ones."

Jack turned and cracked open an eye. "I’m sorry," he apologized, and she reached over to feel his forehead, her dark eyes peering disapprovingly into his.

"You are lucky, because I squeezed the information out of Noel, who told me they egged you on a bit last night."

Jack sighed. "I’m never going to drink again," he sighed. "Mme Artoire doesn’t know, does she?"

Alyiah shook her head. "And I will not tell her, if you make certain to keep your promise."

Jack massaged his forehead. "I promise," he whispered, and she nodded with approval.

Alyiah went to fetch his washcloth and wet it in the bowl of water on the bureau. Jack watched as she came over and placed the washcloth over his eyes.

"This will help with your headache," she promised, and he sighed wearily, thanking her. "I will check on you tomorrow, and I hope you are well again by then," she said, and Jack nodded, telling her he was pretty certain he would be all right the next day. When Alyiah left, he felt like a complete fool. He’d only intended to have a bit of fun with the guys, and in the midst of his excitement about possibly meeting the imperial family, he’d gone a bit overboard.

Thankfully, he did feel much better the next morning, and Alyiah met him with a cup of fresh coffee before he made his way to his art studio to work on the set.

"Thanks," he said, taking a small sip, and she gave him a look.

"Mme Artoire doesn’t suspect anything other than the stomach flu," Alyiah explained, and Jack gave her a sheepish smile. "Go on." He nodded, heading into the studio, and was grateful for the silence. Well, the music drifted in from the stage, but it was barely audible from where he sat sketching. Mme Artoire came to see him later in the morning, and she shut the door behind her, telling him what Alyiah had come to talk to her about the previous night.

"She is very fond of you, Jack," Mme Artoire said, her lips in a tight smile, and he blushed again. "I do believe she has made a wise choice to have you as her male escort. I will approve of her suggestion, if you are all right with it."

Jack nodded. "How could I turn it down?" he asked, and Mme Artoire chuckled.

"I assume you do not have the proper attire for such an occasion?" she asked, and he shook his head. "I will ask one of my boys if they will loan you a suit for the evening. Later, I will bring you and Alyiah together to discuss the manners you must have when the time comes."

Jack felt his heart racing again; was this really happening?

"I’m sorry about yesterday," he apologized, and Mme Artoire shook her head. "It just came on me kind of quick."

"No troubles, Mr. Dawson," she replied. "I will be in touch with you to discuss the details of the opening night." She left at last, and Jack stood gazing at his current drawings on the white board, and realized his hands were covered in charcoal stains. His body still ached from being so drunk, but at least his head was no longer spinning. It didn’t surprise him when he wasn’t invited to go out again the rest of that week; he wasn’t in the mood either way. He was glad Alyiah was still talking to him, especially after what an idiot he’d been.

"Everyone makes mistakes," she told him when he asked her about it later, and he lowered his head. "We are human."

*****

Gabrielle and Elise watched the pair from where they sat outside at a local café, and Elise leaned forward.

"I do believe they are soulmates," she began in a quiet voice, and Gabrielle stirred her tea, taking a bite of her small finger sandwich. "I would be very surprised indeed if they did not stay together."

"What do you propose we do?" Gabrielle asked, and Elise rubbed her chin for a moment.

"I suppose we can do nothing," she replied, "but possibly ask Alyiah about her feelings for Jack."

Gabrielle folded her arms across her chest. "Elise, you are meddling," she warned, and Elise grinned.

"If anyone deserves a good man, Gabrielle, it is Alyiah."

The two women continued whispering, keeping their eye on the two friends sitting on the bench.

*****

"Did Mme Artoire speak with you about the opening night?" Alyiah asked hopefully, as they stood and began strolling again. It was such a beautiful day, it was hard not to enjoy the outdoors.

"Mmm-hmm," Jack replied. "She thinks it is a great idea, and wants me to do it."

Alyiah gasped with delight, and immediately embraced him again, kissing both of his cheeks. Jack stared at her, and she blushed, stepping back.

"I’m sorry," she apologized. "I did not mean to fly at you like that, but I am so happy. Thank you, Jack."

He nodded. "You’re welcome," he replied. "I’m just grateful you don’t hate me after that night."

Alyiah smiled. "I could never do such a thing," she replied, and the two of them gazed at each other. Jack wanted so badly to say how much he loved her, how much he wanted to court her, but it was so early yet. He’d only known her for a week, and that did not seem like a reasonable amount of time to bring someone into that type of situation. But if you don’t say something soon, who knows how long she’ll be available? a voice spoke inside of his head, and he offered to take her hand, which she accepted.

Neither of them were aware of Gabrielle or Elise’s presence, and the two women were watching with joyous expressions on their faces. Jack and Alyiah finally finished their walk and stood beneath the willow tree on the front lawn of the two dormitories.

"Alyiah, can I ask you something?" Jack began, lowering his head. "I’m sure this is very inappropriate of me because it’s so soon after we met, but…"

Alyiah stared at him, biting her lip. "What is it, Jack?" she asked, and he cleared his throat, unsure of how to word his speech, because he’d never courted anyone before.

"Would you ever consider me?" he asked, and she raised her eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" she replied, and he cleared his throat again.

"I’m sorry," he apologized. "I’m not very good at this. I…I want to court you, if you will have me."

Alyiah was silent, and Jack hoped he hadn’t crossed the line. "If I’m moving too fast, please tell me," he begged. "But I can’t…I don‘t know what I‘d do if I had to let you go…" He blew out his breath, and Alyiah touched his arm gently.

"Jack, I am relieved," she began. "I was wanting the same of you, but I did not know if it was too soon. There is something different about you from all of the other men I’ve known over the years, and though I cannot quite point it out, it is a good difference."

Jack felt his throat choking up with tears. "So, will you have me?" he asked, and she nodded, smiling, and wrapped her arms around him again.

"I will give you my heart," she replied, and he hugged her tightly, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "Sometimes love happens in an instant," she continued, once they parted, though they were still holding each other’s hands. "Perhaps that is why I felt you were different, because I fell in love with you immediately."

Jack kissed her forehead. "I don’t want to rush into anything, especially since I haven’t even met your family yet…do you think they will approve?" he asked, and Alyiah looked at him.

"If I am happy, they will approve," she replied. "I will take you to meet them when I go in the winter."

Jack tipped her chin gently and kissed her, smiling. "I would like that very much," he said, and Alyiah smiled back.

"Shall we dine together tonight?" she asked, and Jack nodded.

"Of course," he said. "Should anyone know?"

She glanced over her shoulder. "Soon enough," she answered, taking his hand and pulling him towards the dining hall.

Chapter Twenty-Eight
Stories