Chapter 18: The End of a Long Journey

    It was time. The press conference had begun. Gleb had graciously thanked Vlad for getting him in. Vlad had gone to Lily's side. It was clear the sixty year old count and the fifty five year old countess were going to tie the knot soon. Gleb smiled, thinking about Anya, how he would soon ask her to be his bride. It was finally over.

        Well, the hardest part of the journey was over. Anya had discovered who she really was. Vlad gestured for Gleb to go. Gleb chuckled before nodding, leaving while the Count and Countess were swarmed by reporters. He walked down the hallway, seeing the Dowager leave one room and walk down the hall to the other. He looked inside the one she had left. Anya. He opened the door and stepped inside. She still hadn't noticed him. He gently closed the door and walked over to the desk, hands in his pockets. Anya turned around and gasped, "Gleb." "Calm down, I'm not going to hurt you."

    "Then what are you going to do?" Anya pondered. "My father shook his head and told me not to ask. My mother said he died of shame. I used to believe he did a proud and vital task and in my father's name... those children, their voices. A man makes painful choices, I have a past to alter Anya... for Russia, my beauty, I have a brand new duty, I'll do what's necessary Anya... And the Neva flows, a new wind blows and soon it will be spring... the leaves unfold, the Tsar lies cold. I wasn't careful what my dreams would bring. Asking you is a simple thing," Gleb spoke, going to one knee and revealed the ring his father once gave to his mother. "I can't give much, but I can give you what you deserve, Anya, will you..." Gleb started nervously.

         Anya understood and knelt in front of him. "Yes, Gleb," she smiled. "I was starting to wonder if you truly liked me or not." "Who told you that I—" "Minkalina," Anya laughed. "I should have known," he murmured, slipping the ring on her finger. "Two engagements in less than twenty-four hours, both involving Nana's beloved grandchildren. What will she think?" "She'll think that they're happy," Gleb chuckled, standing up. Anya stood up as well. "I will admit, that was well planned." "I came up with it as I did it," Gleb admitted. "Vlad somehow talked me into coming down here today." "I'm glad he did," Anya murmured.

          "I'm glad he did, too, Anastasia Nikolaevna Romanov," Gleb spoke, tapping Anya's nose. "Now, I feel as though we should check on Minka and Dmitry. She has to deliver my final statement. She's a clever girl. She's saving lives of many. She'll have to take a train back to Russia and pretend as though I passed. You and I, however, will be staying in the city of romance," Gleb blushed.

         Anya laughed. "You're cute when you blush," she mused. "Oh, please don't make it worse," Gleb sighed. She giggled and wrapped her arms around him. "I can't guarantee anything. Nana should be here in a few minutes." The two smiled at each other, Anya standing on her tiptoes and kissing Gleb's cheek. Gleb seemed to turn beet red. The two giggled. "For once, I am glad I listened to my heart and not my orders," Gleb muttered, wrapping his arms around her. "Me too." He kissed the top of her head.

           The Dowager stepped in. "Anastasia, why am I not surprised? You always did say you wanted to marry a prince. Though he isn't one in wealth, he is one in kindness. If he's anything like Minka, you don't need my blessing. I would already say yes," the Dowager smiled. "Oh, and Gleb, Dmitry's bringing your sister. The doctor's currently have her in a wheelchair because she made her final attempt. She's going to be alright now. They have finally given her the proper medication."

        Gleb heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank God for that." He was quiet for a moment, processing what else the Dowager had said. "Wait a second. What was it about a final attempt?" Gleb questioned, growing worried again.

      "I'm afraid they wouldn't give any information other than her making a makeshift noose. The doctors had to restrain her. She's not to leave the wheelchair until they can trust she won't make an attempt like that again," the Dowager spoke. She saw Dmitry and Minka, opening the door for the two.

        "Minka?" Gleb spoke quietly when she and Dmitry entered the room. "Please don't yell at me," she murmured. "I just want to know what you did," he walked over to her and knelt beside her. Gleb took her hands and sighed. He looked up at her, his eyes filled with concern. "What did you do, Minka?"

        Dmitry grew protective of his future bride. He eyed Gleb. Dmitry sighed. "She tried to hang herself with the hospital sheets. The doctor's are putting her on mental rest. She can deliver your final wish, but will not be doing anything else," Dmitry explained, putting a hand on Minka's shoulder. Minka nodded.

         Gleb rubbed Minka's hands with his thumbs. "I was worried about you," he mumbled. "Why?" Minka whispered. "You're my twin sister, Minka. I love you, and I care about you. I wouldn't know what to do without you here. I love you so much." Minka lifted her gaze and looked at him. "Really?" "Yes, really. I want to help you as much as I can." Minka sadly chuckled, "I love you too. I just... can't handle it as well as I used to, I guess." Gleb raised a brow. "Minka, I know everything that happened while you stayed with Vlad and Dmitry. Vlad told me last night." "Oh," she whispered.

          "It's for the better that you are on mental rest. It's for the better we listened to our hearts." Minka sniffed, "I love you, you idiot." "I love you, too, little firecracker." Dmitry smiled, slowly taking Minka's scarred hand out Gleb's grasp and kissed it gently. Minka blushed. "You're cute when you blush, princess," Dmitry smiled. Normally, Minka would be offended by the term, yet coming from Dmitry it felt comforting.

         Gleb stood and kissed Minka's forehead. He went back over to Anya, and while his back was turned toward Minka, he squeezed his eyes shut. "Are you alright?" Anya whispered. "Yes," he mumbled loud enough for her to hear. Dmitry glanced at the two of them. "Are you hiding something?" "Not really hiding," Anya spoke up. "Right now, we're focused on Minka." "If it's good news, please tell me." Hope filled Minka's eyes. "Can I guess?" "If you want to," Gleb shrugged. Minka smiled. "I think I'll start with the one thing I want to happen. Are you engaged?"

       "Yes," Gleb responded. Anya smiled, "Two engagements. Who knew that Paris held more than just home." Minka smiled. "Anya... I mean Anastasia, I'm glad you're safe at last."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~The Finale~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

        Minka sighed in relief as she stepped off of the train, looking around at the Parisian scenery. "Minka, come on, we've got to find Gleb and Anya," Dmitry chuckled, seeing the relief on his bride's face. (They had wed before leaving for Russia.) Minka entwined her fingers with Dmitry's and giggled. "They'll more than likely be at the palace." "Gleb will be excited to see you," Dmitry smiled. "I'm excited to see him." "I know."

          "At least I'm not in a wheelchair anymore," Minka smiled. Dmitry scooped his wife in his arms, spinning her around. "Those Bolsheviks really believed you. Did you see them cry at every word?" Dmitry pondered. "Yes, darling, I did. They believe anything coming from a—" "Minka Viktoriya Vaganov," a familiar voice chimed. It was Gleb, with Anya, his now wife, at his side.

          Minka leaped out of Dmitry's arms and ran over to him, embracing him in a hug immediately. He chuckled, "Nice to see you too. How'd it go?" "They cried like a bunch of babies," Minka grinned. "They believed it?" "Indeed they did." "My God, that's amazing. How are you?" "Better. Much better." "Good," he whispered. "How's Dmitry?" "Probably a little upset." "A little?" Dmitry appeared behind her.

             "We made it into Paris alive, didn't we?" Minka queried. "You threw up on my jacket," Dmitry groaned. "Sorry. I can't help it." Gleb eyed his sister, then looked to Anya. "Well, might I be the first to say congratulations?" Anya pondered. Minka nodded. "Congratulations.  What do you plan on naming the child?" Anya inquired. "If it's a girl, Maria Tatiana, after your sisters, if it's a boy either Gleb Alexei or Nicholas Alexei," Minka responded.

           Anya and Gleb smiled. "Well, let's get you home. You're probably hungry, both of you." Gleb wrapped his arm around Minka's shoulders. "You're right," Minka mumbled. "I'm alright," Dmitry shrugged. Gleb looked at Dmitry. "You look like you're tired," he chuckled. "I am. I didn't sleep at all last night, worrying that they wouldn't let us across the border." "I told you they would," Minka murmured. Anya grabbed Gleb's hand as they walked, staying close to him. Minka held Dmitry's hand, and Gleb had his free hand stuffed in his pocket. "Are you alright, Dmitry?" "Never better. I'm out of Russia for good." "It's not that bad, is it?" Gleb chuckled.

      "Would I be wrong if I said this was the perfect ending? The reward money is being donated. Anastasia got her prince. I got a gentleman. We're all out of Russia," Minka pondered. "No, my dear, it's not a perfect ending. It's a perfect beginning," Dmitry smiled.