I Will Be Your Knight

Chapter 23

You didn't have any more trouble with Natalya after the two of you had talked. She's still really creepy sometimes, but you don't fear for your life when she's around anymore. The two of you now share an odd relationship. She follows you around when you're over at Ivan's house. Not a creepy murderer stalker follow, but a creepy puppy follow. She may not be out to kill anymore, but there's nothing you can do about her odd personality.

Sometimes she follows right behind you, sometimes she'll hold your sleeve, and sometimes she just grabs you in a hug and won't let go. Basically, she's gotten really attached to you. Once she even growled at Latvia when he gave you a hug. This keeps up for the rest of the time she and Katyusha stay at Ivan's.

Ivan's sisters stay long enough for his birthday and New Years. Katyusha insisted that they work on Ivan's birthday surprise, so you have no idea what to expect. Their surprise turns out to be flooding the backyard to make an ice rink for skating. It's a lot of fun, especially since you've been practicing skating with Ivan. The only problem is now the backyard is a solid sheet of ice.

"Just do this," Natalya says and points a blow dryer at the ice. Everyone looks at her and sweat drops. Trying to melt the ice like that would take forever.

"Perhaps we should let nature do that, sister," Ivan suggests as he takes the blow dryer from Natalya's hands. She just nods and glomps onto him. He looks around uncomfortably, but doesn't make her let go.

Natalya has really calmed down after your talk with her. If she still carries her knife, then no one knows because it hasn't been seen for days. She's been a lot more mellow around Ivan, even though she still follows him around. Her glares don't feel as threatening anymore either. On top of that she's nicer to Katyusha now. She used to say rude things to her older sister, or ignore her completely. Natalya surprised everyone by giving Katyusha a hug the other day. This made her older sister burst into happy tears, and Ivan smiled.

The time finally arrives for Katyusha and Natalya to go home. It's decided that only you and Ivan would take them to the airport because there's not enough room for seven of you in Ivan's car. The Baltic Trio wave from the house as the car pulls into the street. You think that, secretly, the three are glad they don't have to spend more time with Belarus since they've kind of been her babysitters this whole time.

At the airport, you and Ivan help his sisters check in for their flight. You walk with them as far as you can go before you're stopped by security gates.

"It was so nice to finally meet you," Katyusha says as she gives you a hug. "If you ever visit Russia, please let me know, and I'll come too!" Then she turns to give Ivan a hug.

Natalya walks up to you next. She doesn't say anything, but he hugs you real tight. You have to take a deep breath to stop the tears from forming. You're going to miss Natalya, even though she scared you sometimes. She only lets go long enough to give Ivan a hug, and then the two sisters walk through security to their flight. You and Ivan wave to them as they walk away.

"I'm going to miss them," you sniff. A few tears have managed to slip out of your eyes. You wipe them away quickly.

"Da, I will too," Ivan says softly. "I always forget how much I like having them with me until they leave." He pulls you to his side and gives your forehead a gentle kiss. "Let's go home, da?"

School starts again in January after break. You and many of the other students look forward to spring break already, but for several different reasons. Some of the students just want another break, some have trips planned, and some look forward to graduation afterward. You would be part of the last group. Graduation means you're one step closer to making your dream of becoming a chef a reality. Your diploma will be your magical ticket to happiness, but first you have to pass all of your classes.