The Paleys (1921-1927) - An Alternate Romanov Story

Marry Me

For a moment, Tata seemed completely thrown off balance. She shifted back just an inch, her hands still resting on his chest, her gaze narrowing as if she were assessing his sanity. Then, with a faint scoff, she tilted her head.

"Alright," she said, in a light tone, edged with disbelief. "I think that punch has left you with a little too much adrenaline in the blood. Maybe it's best if we call it a night before you decide to join the swimming team and take a dive into the Seine."

Tata started to get up from the steps as she said it, but Vladimir held her hand and gently guided her back to his side.

"I'm serious, Tata. You know that I am," he said, pouring all his heart into the words so she could see just how much he meant them. "I don't have a ring or anything, but I'm looking at you right now, and I'm thinking how you have walked into my life and brought colour back to it when I thought I wouldn't be able to love someone or be happy again and I just can't imagine how I can get through the rest of it without you by my side."

Tata's teasing smile vanished. She stared at him, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and awe. But she still looked at him like he had completely lost his mind.

Her frown deepened as if she were wrestling with words, but nothing came out. She opened her mouth, shut it, then opened it again, only to shake her head in exasperation. Finally, when her eyes met his again, something in them softened, though her tone was still full of bemused disbelief as she whispered his name.

"Bodia..." she said, her voice quiet, the way someone might speak to someone they were about to commit into an asylum.

He didn't let her hesitation faze him. Instead, he reached for her hands, holding them firmly in his own and reassuringly squeezing them. 

"You just said my silky words were getting into your head," he said with a quiet laugh, his tone playful but tender. "So maybe—just maybe—a part of you believes this could work as much as I do."

Tata blinked, startled by his unwavering confidence. After a moment, she laughed softly and shook her head again.

"They got into a very strange place in my head," she admitted, her cheeks flushing. "I did mention it happened against my better judgment, didn't I? And now... hearing the words actually coming out of your mouth... it feels surreal."

Vladimir chuckled quietly, a warm sound that filled the space between them. 

"Marry me," he repeated, this time with an added softness. "Please."

Her smile faded again as her eyes searched his, and for a moment, it looked as if she might accept. Then her expression was filled with doubt, and she hesitated for what felt like an eternity until she finally whispered, "I don't want you to do this because you feel sorry for me or because you think you need to protect me somehow."

"I don't," he assured her, shaking his head firmly. He then held up his swollen knuckles, laughing.

"If anything, I think it's you who might be able to protect me because, from what we've seen today, my fist can't take much of a fight."

She laughed at that, a real, bright laugh that broke through the weight of their conversation. Vladimir felt something in him ease at the sound, the knot in his chest loosening. It was the best sound he'd heard in days—maybe in years.

But then it faded, and she covered her face with her hands, groaning softly. He watched her peek at him through her fingers, a faint smile tugging at her lips despite herself.

"I feel like a broken record," she said. "But I have to remind you that we have nothing in common, and that's kind of important."

"Well, I disagree," Vladimir countered, staring deep into her eyes. "I'm not sure having something in common is all that important. What I do know is that you have made me a better person.