Marie's Story

---> Marie's Story

"You sent for me, your grace?" shyly asked Dimitri as he walked into Marie's study. He and Anya had just returned from their elopement, and he was unsure of how to behave around Marie.

"No, don't call me by my title," smiled Marie as she placed her hand on Dimitri's shoulder. "Please call me Marie, or Grandmama, if you would like," she added with a twinkle in her eyes. "After all, you are now officially my Grandson-in-law."

Dimitri immediately felt warm and comfortable in Marie's presence. "All right, then," he smiled. "You sent for me, Marie, I mean Grandmama?"

Marie nodded, and beckoned him to sit down on a brocaded sofa. "Dimitri, I wanted to thank you for what you have done. Please listen while I share my story with you."

Dimitri saw an endearing look in Marie's eyes, and instinctively knew that what she had to tell him meant a lot to her. Although he had suppressed his own feelings for so many years, he was still able to feel genuine emotions, as a result of Vlad's influence and guidance.

"My heart had been broken for so many years," Marie began. "As if it was not enough to lose my son and his family to the Revolutionaries, it tore me up every day not to know what had happened to Anastasia. I laid awake at nights, wondering if she was alive or dead. I blamed myself for not jumping off the train and rescuing her, but the other passengers were holding me back so strongly." A tear dripped down Marie's cheek.

"It wasn't your fault. You loved her so much that you would have done anything in your power to save her," inserted Dimitri, who knew that feeling quite well.

Marie reached over and took his hand, knowing that he understood. Dimitri smiled at the warmth of his new Grandmama's touch.

"After years of mourning, Sophie finally convinced me to offer a reward to anyone who knew of my granddaughters whereabouts. Sophie was sure that if Anastasia had died, we would have heard about it. Whenever I lost hope, which was quite often, she kept reminding me that maybe the next person that came to our door would be her."

Dimitri smiled at the memories of his recent shopping trip with Sophie. He was beginning to understand the bond between Sophie and Marie, and could tell how much Sophie had lifted Marie's spirits day after day with her energy and enthusiasm--- that same bubbly personality that drew Vlad to her like a magnet.

"But time and time again, my heart was broken by impostors, so much that I began to harden my heart to any emotion connected with my granddaughter so as not to be disappointed when the next let-down happened."

"I did the same thing with my own life," added Dimitri, his hand still resting safely within his Grandmama’s. "It was Vlad and Anya who taught me to LOVE and TRUST again."

"We have a lot in common, my dear boy," gently smiled Marie. "For it was YOU who taught ME how to Love and Trust again. You see, as much as I wanted to believe you when you came to my balcony at the ballet and said you used to work in the palace, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It sounded too good to be true that you might actually have the information about my granddaughter that I so desperately wanted to hear. I summoned my attendants to throw you out, hoping that you’d just leave me in my peaceful misery, but hoping against hope that if you did have my granddaughter with you, that you’d break through the wall I had built around my heart. I knew you of all people could do it because I saw it in your eyes."

Dimitri's mouth dropped open in amazement.

"I was outraged when you kidnapped me and drove me to Sophie's house. Nobody had ever gone that far before, and as you probably know, kidnapping the Dowager Empress is a grave offense." Marie summoned a small smile. "But you did it for Anya in order that she would be happy. And in the process, you convinced me to hold on to that last strand of hope. The music box brought back treasured memories of my granddaughter, memories which I knew I couldn't suppress anymore. That determined look and stubborn persistence in your eyes, Dimitri, gave me the strength to face what could have been my greatest disappointment yet. But you wouldn't take no for an answer. You insisted that I go into the house and be reunited with my greatest joy."

Dimitri silently nodded his head in acknowledgment. "I risked my life for Anya that night, knowing quite well what the punishment would be for kidnapping you, Marie. But I Loved Anya So much that I knew I had to put her happiness and well-being before my own. I knew that she needed to be with you, and that you needed to be with her."

"It's remarkable how much you love Anya," smiled Marie. "It makes me so happy to know that my beloved granddaughter is content, and that You, my brave boy, are now part of my family as well."

Dimitri felt the full impact of what he had been missing for all these years. Not only did he now have the most engaging, beautiful, capable, and intelligent wife that he could ever desire, but he also had a father in Vlad, a grandmother in Marie, and then Sophie as well. "The honor and joy is all mine," commented Dimitri. A year ago I had nothing, and now I have an entire family!"

"That you DO have," Marie acknowledged as she leaned over and kissed Dimitri on the forehead. "And once again, so do I, thanks to You."

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