A Rude Awakening

Chapter 19

November 26, 2022

Pulkovo International Airport, Russian Federation

It was another cold night when the four Romanov sisters arrived back in Russia. From among the dozens of airplanes flying around to land, one private jet began its descent back to earth with lights flashing against the gloom. The jet touched down onto the asphalt. The engines toned down while the jet taxied to a hangar with a few armored patrol vans and black SUVs nearby. The four sisters could only watch with wistful gazes at the land. Even their impressions of Russia had changed. It felt familiar, but the sense of safety and acceptance they had earlier had eroded.

Olga again felt like a stranger at an old home. It did not truly seem like home ever since the fall of the Tsardom over a century ago. She did look forward to a few things, however. She would no longer have to sleep and aimlessly wander around in a hotel thanks to the restoration and renovation of the Alexander Palace. The thought of Anton also comforted her more than what protections or privileges that Putin gave. Perhaps the old saying was true: home is where the heart is.

Sitting beside Olga was Maria. Ever since Maria confessed her feelings for Ivan, she and her oldest sister grew a bit closer through something in common. They both had prospective loves. Everything about the situation felt ironic the more they thought about it. Olga had learned that Ivan was a descendant of the guard who gave Maria a birthday cake- her last birthday cake. However, what did ignite her anger was also learning that Ivan had tasered Maria. How dare he!

If not for Maria persuading Olga that Ivan had been surprised (as any casual person would be), Olga would have committed to slapping the laboratory guard around quite a bit. Eventually, Olga grudgingly accepted the explanation, trusting that Ivan was a good man for Maria. They held each other for a few minutes as the pilot gave a brief announcement.

"Welcome home to Russia. Tonight is colder with a temperature of minus five degrees Celsius, so wear your jackets."

"Olenka?"

"Yes, Tatya?" Olga asked, turning around to look at Tatiana.

"We should wear our thicker jackets since it is cold."

"Of course, has Nastya worn hers yet?"

"She surprisingly did so before all of us."

Anastasia shrugged, but she kept quiet. She glanced out of the window at the landing crew preparing a mobile staircase on the guard-flanked red carpet. She could also see the Russian president, her fellow Romanov relatives, and two men in thick jackets and sweatpants.

"Are you okay, little sis?" Maria asked, frowning.

Her youngest sister yawned. "Yeah, I'm just exhausted..."

The airplane cabin lights turned on, reminding them that it was time to return home... Or to whatever remained of it. The four sisters put on their jackets before taking their backpacks. They stepped out of the plane onto the staircase, seeing Putin, their Russian relatives, and two men waiting on the carpet.

Olga waved at Anton, who gave an enthusiastic wave while grinning. Maria, too, waved with much enthusiasm upon seeing Ivan. The four sisters made their way down the carpet, but Olga practically ran towards Anton, falling into his embrace. They hugged under the cold, gloomy skies. Never again would they want to be apart for a while.

"I missed you, Olga."

"I missed you too, Anton..."

Their eyes met again, reuniting with Romanov blue meeting Russian blue. Olga then felt Anton put his hand with a gentle contact to her chin, lifting her head up. She knew she wanted this, closing her eyes for what would come next. Their heads closed the gap, and they held each other as their lips merged in warmth in defiance against the cold.