The Last Romanov: Book One

The Car Ride

Geoffrey and I were studying in Windsor Castle when Charlotte and George burst into the room, not even bothering to knock. Both of them had broad grins on their faces. Both Geoffrey and I looked up in surprise. We were in his bedroom, on our stomachs on the floor, whenever they'd burst in.

"Uncle Geoffrey! Uncle Geoffrey!" George squealed excitedly.

Geoffrey laughed, got to his feet, and picked up George. Charlotte reached out to me with open arms and I picked her up in my arms as well.

"What is it, my little nephew?" Geoffrey asked, tickling his nephew's side.

George squealed with laughter, squirming underneath his uncle's clutches.

"Well, if you can stop tickling Georgie, he'll tell you!" said Charlotte defensively as her little arms gripped more tightly around my neck.

Geoffrey stopped tickling his cousin, though George still giggled.

"What was it that you wanted to tell us, George?" I asked kindly.

"Well, it was Mum and Dad's idea. Your Grammy and Gramps are okay with it, as well. Gan-Gan approves as well, but we need your permission. We're going to Mustique for the weekend to our villa! Can Stacey come with us, Uncle Geoff? Please?" George pleaded, giving his uncle

Geoffrey looked quite surprised at his nephew's question. Finally, he turned to me, smiling.

"Well, that's up for Stace to decide," he answered, still grinning.

"Please, Stacey?" Charlotte pleaded, also giving me puppy dog eyes.

"I'm sure that Babushka wouldn't mind that," I answered thoughtfully. "Plus, I have my own car now. So Andrei wouldn't have to drive me and be annoyed with me."

"You have your own car?" Charlotte gasped, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Yes, I do, Missy," I answered, tickling her sides lightly. She squealed and laughed, squirming in my arms until I stopped.

"Can we go take a drive in your car?" George asked eagerly.

"George! That's not polite!" said Geoffrey in shock.

I laughed, ignoring Geoffrey's shocked protests.

"If that's alright with your parents, then we can certainly take a drive around the property," I reassured them.

I set Charlotte back on the ground and then bent down and ruffled George's hair playfully. George playfully swatted my hand away from him, though I knew that he was playing, and both siblings cheered with excitement, bouncing up and down.

"Can we ask them, Mummy and Daddy, now? I wanna see your car!" Charlotte insisted, bouncing up and down excitedly.

"I'm sure that's alright. Talk to your Mum and Dad. I'm sure that they'd say 'yes'."

Immediately, both children sprinted out of the room, squealing excitedly.

"They must really love you, Stace," said Geoffrey sincerely. "They haven't reacted the way they did to you with Vivienne or anyone else that I brought over to Windsor."

"Children must have that natural ability, I guess," I answered, shrugging. "I wouldn't be surprised if that was the case."

"You know that you don't have to go, if you don't want to," said Geoffrey politely. "My family can get a bit crazy when it comes to gatherings like this."

I shook my head, smiling.

"If Kate, William, and your parents agree, then I'm glad to come. I want to learn more about your family."