Between the Evergreens (Part One)

The questioning

Carlisle had really won Sheridans parents over, her father had ended up inviting Carlisle out to a lounge with a few other politicians and finally the day had rolled around. Sheridan was buzzing around the house, she had gone into the city yesterday to buy Carlisle a proper suit and had even got it dry cleaned. Carlisle was very surprised when Sheridan came home with a light blue suit.

"You know Sheridan, I don't know if a full light blue suit is my best option, I have lots of normal suits." Carlisle stood in front of a full length mirror adjusting the much to vibrant suit.

"Trust me Carlisle, you will not fit in if you wear a normal suit. My father will most likely be wearing his tacky Hawaiian print suit." Sheridan was wearing a white formal dress that matched Carlisle's dress shirt, she had several matching light blue accessories including heels and a clutch that match the suit jacket.

"I don't know Sheridan, are you sure this is okay, I don't want to make a bad impression." Carlisle was terribly nervous and it was an odd feeling for him.

"You look wonderful, Russian politicians aren't as bland as those American ones back home. Now the car is here, we need to have enough time to say hello to everyone." Carlisle remembered how business men would go into the cigar room while their wives chatted in the common room, Sheridan had mentioned the old school traditions were still popular here.

"Well let us head out then, and might I say that you look absolutely wonderful Sheridan, stunning." Carlisle kissed his lovely girl several times and ushered her out of the house while tossing her jacket over her shoulders. Carlisle noticed that Sheridan owned several large fur coats, faux fur of course. But they were very lavish, many of her clothes were lavish and over the top, her closets looked like she attended red carpet events every other day.

The drive was relatively long, after 40 minutes they finally pulled into the Hall Manor, it was much more extravagant than the one in Washington. It barred many similarities to an old castle, but had clearly been modernized slightly to accommodate proper living conditions now.

     "Carlisle, good to see you again." Anton appeared at the top of the large staircase in front of the house, he was indeed wearing a Hawaiian print suit just like Sheridan said. He shook Carlisle hand tightly before leaning down to kiss Sheridan on the cheek, they exchanged a few words in their native tongue before switching to English and leading Carlisle into the house.

     "Sheridan, been so long." And older man wearing a baby pink suit came and hugged her tightly. His grey hair was thin and his accent externally thick.

     "Mr. Mikhailovich, it's wonderful to see you."

     "So, you come home ready to marry my son?" The question caught Carlisle off guard, he wanted to reach out and pull Sheridan out of the old mans arms but stopped himself when she began laughing.

     "Your son has a wife, might I remind you she is from a good family as well." She patted his arm before turning toward Carlisle and smiling lightly.

     "She is not you Sheridan." He smiled brightly at her and followed his line of site, surprised to see Carlisle standing there.

     "Carlisle, this is Misha Mikhailovich, he works along side my father." Carlisle stepped forward wary of the now very serious man. "Mr.Mikhailovich this is Carlisle Cullen." 

     "Husband?" He raised a single eyebrow and eyed Carlisle up.

     "Not yet sir." Carlisle did the same back, his eyes scanned him briefly before locking in on his aged blue eyes. Misha narrowed his eyes slightly before Carlisle noticed him replace his serious look with an excited smile.

"Call me Misha, let me introduce you to everyone else. Sheridan grab us a couple cigars and the good brandy." Carlisle was whisked away without any more warning and pulled into another lavish room filled with six or seven more men, all wearing colourful suits, some solid coloured but many pattered with odd designs.

The night went on and Carlisle found himself relaxing, a cigar rested between his fingers and a class of brandy in his other hand. Sheridan had slipped in and out, a new glass of brandy whenever his was empty and a cigar clipper in hand in case anyone needed. It was odd seeing her float in and out of the room catering to all the men sitting around. Anton came and sat next to Carlisle about an hour ago but hadn't said anything yet, not wanting to interrupt the conversation the American man had going on with another politician. Finally he found his chance.

"So Carlisle, you seem like a good man, I hope you have good intentions with my daughter."

"Of course Sir, only the best of intentions." Carlisle stumbled over his words slightly as he readjusted to face the Hall father. A few men close by picked up on the conversation starting and decided to jump in.

"Well do you intend to marry, Sheridan is not going to be young forever. It is uncommon for women to be unmarried after the age on 25 here." All the men in the house had known Sheridan since she was born, a few of them had often pulled strings for her and looked out for her in way that parents would. She was like a daughter to each person sitting in the room, of course aside from Carlisle.

"Yes I do, I was actually planning on asking you privately about her moving in with me Sir." Carlisle places his glass down on a side table and started fiddling with his cuff links and tie.

     "Moving in, its not customary to move in before marriage here, do you plan on having her move in with you." Carlisle was about to reply with his overly detailed plan he had been think about forever but the others began to jump in.

     "What is house like, it must meet standards if she is to live in it." A man in the back, who Carlisle learned was a nuclear physicist chipped in as well. He had mentored Sheridan in hopes of her wanting to follow in his footsteps and come back to Russia after high school.

     "I was planning on selling my house and building with Sheridan, she is very picky when it comes to design and I only want her to be happy with the outcome." Carlisle had contacted many architects that specialize in luxury homes inquiring about prices and building fees, though he didn't care how much it cost as long as Sheridan was going to be happy.

"We talk more later on, it's just about time for us to leave, you drive with me." Sheridan came through the doors with the cigar clipper and ashtray in hand, she some how knew exactly when she was needed. She was very quick, exchanging a few words with everyone she walked up too and bidding a good by as they walked through the door. Finally she had walked up to Carlisle.

"How was is? You don't have to go with them to the lounge if you don't want to." She has placed everything in her hands down on a table next to them and began fixing Carlisle tie and smoothing down the suit jacket.

"It was nice, I don't mind going. I do believe your father is expecting me to go anyways. What are you going to be doing while I'm gone." Carlisle wasn't to keen on heading out to a lounge, he wasn't entirely sure was to expect but he did feel obligated to go.

"I am heading back to the house, I am no longer needed here. I will tell my father to send you back at a reasonable time, they tend to get a little out of hand on their nights out."

     "I'll be okay Sheridan, after all its not like anything bad can happen to me. How about you stop worrying, head back and run a nice bath okay. I won't wake you up when I'm back but I'll see you in the morning." He placed his hand on the cheek and leaned down to place a soft kiss on her lips. Maybe he should go back to the house early, surly Anton would not argue with him if he said it related to Sheridan's safety. Then again the house was usually patrolled with a few military guards. He kissed her again, knowing he was going to miss laying in bed next to her while she watched the Russia equivalent of The Golden Girls.

"Okay, just call me if anything goes wrong I'll have a car come get you right away."

"Okay." Sheridan pressed her beck into his chest tightly and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Now go home and relax."

They bid goodbye and met an awaiting car in the drive way. Carlisle slipped in but not before still one last kiss for the night.