Nina’s eyes widen at her sister’s question.
I look between the two of them. “Did you two really think me and Maria would get married someday?”
“Oh girls,” Maria says, sighing. “Alek is like a brother to me. That will never change. And I have no desire to get married ever again, especially to someone younger than me.”
“Alek doesn’t have a problem marrying someone younger than him,” Susanna grumbles.
“Enough,” I snap, though she just rolls her eyes. Susanna has always been someone I’ve never been able to get under my control. Nina has always been easier, though when she’s around her younger sister, she can become a menace herself.
“Listen to Alek,” Maria advises.
Susanna uncrosses her arms and shrugs so exaggeratedly that only a teenage girl would be capable of it. “Why should we? He’s going to marry a girl so much younger than him after only meeting her today. I don’t want her a part of this family. I don’t want to have to pretend to be friends with her just because we’re closer in age than she is to Alek. I don’t want part of this.”
“Nina?” I ask, looking at her.
She sighs. “My sister is right. This isn’t ok. We don’t want this. Our family works. Us, Mom, and you. We don’t want someone new entering into it.”
So, they’re going to stand as a united force against me. Not surprising. I figured they wouldn’t take this well but I was hoping it would have gone slightly better.
“I understand what you two are saying. And I love you both. You’re always going to be like daughters to me. That will never change. But this is happening. I am marrying Katya.”
“When?” Susanna demands.
“I haven’t picked a day yet but soon. Very soon. Like in a week or so.”
Her eyes bug out of her head as she pushes herself to her feet. “No! In a week? You can’t be serious.”
“I am very serious.” My tone speaks to no arguments. Nina shifts around in her seat, knowing that they shouldn’t push me but Susanna has no qualms about it.
“Then I am not going to the wedding.”
“You will be there. Even if I have to drag you there myself.”
She huffs. “This isn’t fair.”
“How is it not fair? Me marrying Katya doesn’t impact your life much. You live here with your mom, not with me. Katya isn’t going to be bossing you around like a new mom. You’ll see her on occasion. Now, stop with these theatrics. I am getting married to Katya and I want you two to help her pick out a wedding dress. I expect this from you two. End of discussion.” I stand up to signal the end of it.
“I should go with them,” Maria says. “I want to meet Katya.”
“I don’t want you involved, Maria. You could be seen as working with me and that could put you in danger with Dimitri. Nina and Susanna are too young to be seen as helping me. They won’t be in danger.”
“But what if Dimitri comes looking for his sister and my daughters are caught in the cross hairs?”
“They won’t be. Dimitri won’t be looking for Katya at bridal shops. Nina and Susanna will be fine. Now, this is happening. I’ll come get you two tomorrow so you can meet Katya. And then I’m taking you wedding dress shopping. I expect you to help her pick out a nice dress. And be nice to her.”
“You know who you’re talking to,” Maria mumbles. “My daughters are not exactly nice.”
“Mom,” Susanna gasps.
Maria shrugs. “It’s the truth.”
“I’ll be back tomorrow.” I give Nina a hug who only hesitates before giving in to it. Susanna on the other hand turns away from me before I can hug her and storms upstairs.
It’s going to be hard to change her opinion but Katya is going to be a part of my life now and Susanna can just deal with it.
Katya
My dress is completely wrinkled when I wake up in the morning. I know it’s the next day, judging from the sun coming in through the tiny window. I can’t deny that I feel sad about my dress. It’s the first true womanly thing I’ve ever owned and it’s ruined now.
