ROMANOV AUTUMN
Chapter Thirty-Two
Winter always seemed like the
longest season of the year. When the snow finally began to melt and life attempted
to appear, Jack felt completely rejuvenated. The Vernonins were preparing for
their youngest child's wedding, and pride showed deep in their expressions.
Alyiah's mother and sister sewed her wedding gown together, using white silk
and lace.
Jack regretted not having kept
the Sunday suit Mr. Rockefeller bought for him in New York; he asked Sergei
what he should do in that regard.
"Perhaps you may borrow one
of Abram's suits," Sergei suggested. "He is about your height and
weight. I'll ask him."
Jack nodded his thanks just as
Alyiah came in from the kitchen. She carried fresh vegetables in her arms in
preparation for the wedding feast, and smiled at him when she set them down on
the table. Quite a few guests had been arriving over the past day or so, and
were staying either on blankets in the family room or doubling up with the
boys. Jack was able to communicate in Russian now, but only simple phrases to
help get his point across.
"Jack?" Sergei spoke
once the evening before the wedding arrived, and he handed his future
brother-in-law a suit. Alyiah was not in the house that night--it was
considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride before the wedding, so she
spent the night with a close neighbor.
"Thank you," Jack said,
taking the suit into his arms, not looking forward to feeling the stiff,
uncomfortable fabric against his skin.
"There's something else I
wanted to tell you," Sergei continued, and Jack raised an eyebrow as he
lay the suit on the bed, peering at it cautiously.
"What's that?" he asked,
and the eldest of the Vernonin brothers leaned against the wall.
"At weddings, it is a custom
for us to have as much vodka as we can stomach. I know you feel strongly about
not drinking, but you will be required to have at least one glass."
Jack frowned deeply; he'd never
tried vodka, but understood it to be very strong.
"I see," he replied
calmly. "And...does Alyiah know about this?"
Sergei nodded. "She has been
through the mill once or twice." He chuckled, and Jack smirked, glancing
towards the window. He missed his fiancée so much it hurt.
"All right, then," he
replied, deciding if it was just one glass, he wouldn't mind. Sergei winked and
gave Jack a pat on the shoulder before leaving him to his own devices.
Jack tried on the suit shortly
afterwards and peered at his reflection in the mirror. Abram was indeed similar
in size, sure enough, and he found his throat choking up with emotion. Was this
truly happening? Had he really found the love of his life--were they getting
married tomorrow?
He sat down on the edge of the
bed, tears flowing down his cheeks at last, and he buried his face in his
hands, unable to contain them anymore. He was grateful for the good fortune,
and had to pinch himself to make sure it was true. He eventually wore himself
out from crying and undressed, ready for bed.
*****
The next morning, Jack was in awe
of the transformation of the cottage. It was a beautiful Sunday morning--the
sky was bright blue and cloudless. Flowers covered every inch of space
available, and rows of chairs were positioned in the yard. Jack felt his heart
racing as he saw a gazebo, also covered with flowers and ivy.
There was a table containing
large tins, filled to the brim with ice. Packed into the ice were multiple
clear bottles, and Jack wrinkled his nose...vodka seemed no different than
water in his opinion, by the look of it. He couldn't quite understand the
Russians’ like of the drink, but he'd learned to accept it.
When it was time, Jack felt so
nervous, he feared he might lose whatever he ate for his small breakfast.
Alyiah, when she arrived, was ushered upstairs immediately, and Jack was told
the rules of that day.
"Each step to Geena's room
will provide you with a test," Sergei explained, and Jack blinked...he
remembered Alyiah mentioning something about tests he would have to pass.
"Nothing too extreme, I
hope?" he asked, and Sergei laughed.
"It depends on your version
of extreme," he replied, and Jack swallowed anxiously. "But we like
you, so we'll go easy. After you pass our tests, you will take Alyiah's hand
and lead her to the gazebo. Then you will say your vows, and it is a
celebration from there."
Jack smiled, glancing towards the
stairs...there were so many! He blew out his breath and straightened up; he
would do whatever it took to have Alyiah in his arms again.
*****
Meanwhile, Alyiah stood waiting,
allowing her mother and sister to fix her veil and her hair. She was so
impatient now--being without Jack for one night was torture.
"I hope they are not too
hard on him," she told Geena, who smiled. "I don't want those boys
scaring him off!"
Mrs. Vernonin listened to Geena's
translation from English to Russian, and touched her shoulder gently.
"Thank you, Mama,"
Alyiah continued in her native language. "I love Jack with all of my heart.
Your approval means a great deal to us."
Mrs. Vernonin touched her
daughter's cheek tenderly, and insisted, "Seeing you so happy is enough
for your father and I. We will miss you terribly when you leave for
America."
Alyiah choked on a sob, but quickly
wiped her eyes, not wanting the occasion to be depressing. They soon heard
laughter mingled with Jack's voice, and Alyiah held her breath...this was it!
*****
Luckily, Sergei was right, and
the tests were not too terrible. Jack was asked simple questions in Russian,
which he was expected to answer in the same language. One step provided him
with a shot of vodka, and he was told to take it all in one gulp. Now he
understood...the drink felt as though it were liquid fire, and burned his
throat going down. He was determined not to show his discomfort, and kept as
straight a face as possible.
When he made it to the top at
last, Geena stood in the doorway and wrapped her arms around him.
"Your fiancée is
ready," she whispered into his ear, and stepped aside.
Alyiah stood in the center of her
sister's room, her hands clasped in front of her, and smiled wide. She looked
breathtaking in her gown, with her dark hair hanging at her shoulders in
ringlets.
"Alyiah, you look..."
Jack began, and she stepped forward, taking his hands in hers.
"Astonishing." He kissed her, and she giggled quietly, glancing at
her mother, who encouraged them to begin making their way outside.
"I have missed you,"
Alyiah whispered as she held onto his arm, being mindful of her dress while they
walked down the steps. Geena helped her sister with the train, of course, but
it was still a bit awkward.
As Jack walked down the aisle, he
wished his parents or even his sister and Esther could be there to see this. It
felt very strange to be married without any of his family members present, but
sometimes life threw obstacles in a person’s path that they had to overcome.
Jack was certainly willing to take risks for Alyiah, and felt his heart racing
madly as they stood facing each other at last in the gazebo. The priest
conducted the entire ceremony in Latin, and Geena translated as best as she
could.
Jack was able to say "I
do" in Russian, and when the time came to kiss the bride, he did just
that, with all of his passion. Sparks definitely flew, and their guests clapped
and cheered wildly from their seats.
The reception itself lasted all
night long, and members of Alyiah’s family definitely knew how to have a good
time.
Vodka was plentiful, and many of
the guests were drunk within a few hours. Jack had only one glass to celebrate,
for the vodka went straight to his head. He and Alyiah danced to more of the
Russian folk music, and participated in group numbers as well. Eventually the
band performed a waltz, and Alyiah peered into Jack's eyes, her own filled with
pure love.
"I am so happy," she
whispered, "to be Mrs. Dawson."
He beamed, kissing her. It felt
strange hearing the name come from her lips, but strange in a wonderful way.
"I love you, Alyiah,"
he replied as they swept past their adoring audience.
*****
When the wedding ended a day and
a half later, plans for traveling to America were arranged. They would take the
Baltic again to New York, and then a train from the city to Wisconsin.
"It feels weird going
back," Jack admitted as they got their bags packed together, and Alyiah
came up behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"I can't believe I will be
in America," she breathed. "I have heard about it from travelers...it
sounds wonderful."
Jack moved close so he could kiss
her, running his fingers through her hair. She didn't resist at all...there was
never enough time for this.
"I am anxious to have
another child," she breathed between kisses, and Jack stared at her.
"Alyiah...isn't it too
soon?" he asked, gently touching her thin stomach. "I mean...it's
barely been a year!"
Alyiah gripped onto his shirt,
fingering the fabric. "I want to try having a child again before I dry
up!"
Jack laughed, kissing her
forehead. "Sweetheart, you have a lot of time before that happens. I'm
just worried about your health."
Alyiah blushed, looking down at
the wood; she truly felt better, like her old self again. "I know,"
she replied, now taking hold of his hand, "but soon I want to try. I want
a child, Jack. I..."
Jack nodded, touching her lips.
"Let's wait until we're settled first," he suggested. "I want
you to have the best conditions possible for when we decide to have another
baby. Not on a train or a ship in the middle of nowhere. All right?"
Alyiah pouted, but finally
decided to agree. "That is a good offer, my love," she replied, and
he sighed with relief.
"Maybe we'll have a girl
this time," he whispered into her ear, and Alyiah closed her eyes.
"Oh, Jack," she
whispered in response. "I will be happy no matter what we have. As long as
the child is healthy, that is all that matters to me."
Jack smiled, caressing her
forehead with his knuckles, and pulled her somewhat fragile body against his.
"It'll be all right," he promised, and she nodded.
"Jack! Alyiah!" Geena's
voice broke their moment, and Alyiah raised her eyes, inquiring about what her
sister wanted in Russian. When Geena replied, Alyiah glanced at Jack with a
smirk, shaking her head.
"It is time for
supper," she explained, and he nodded in understanding, allowing her to
take his hand. "This is our last meal in this house," she added
wistfully, and he chuckled as they headed down the narrow stairs.