Romance The Ice in Russia

His game didn't start to suffer immediately following the break-up. It happened very gradually; a few extra penalties here, a missed shot there. The rest of the team, if they noticed, didn't say anything to him about it. They just carried on as usual, skating their best and trying to win games. Eventually, Anatoli's on-ice antics began to cost them victories, and he knew it.

When Coach pulled him aside to talk to him about it, he hung his head, feeling terrible for causing his team grief.

"I know it can be hard to focus on the game, Anatoli," his coach said. "But you've got to try to put her behind you now."

"I'll try," he said, his accent coming out thicker in his distress.

"You know, there's a winter break is coming up. Maybe you should think about going home for a bit, be with your family."

Anatoli nodded mutely, feeling inexplicably tired and worn down all of a sudden. Traveling home to Moscow would tax him physically but maybe it would be a good trip for him, as Coach suggested. Coach dismissed him and Anatoli headed off to the locker room for a shower. As he lathered up his hair, he tried to keep his mind off of her but he just couldn't. They'd been so in love, or so he'd thought. Instead, she'd ripped his heart out a month ago, telling him that he just wasn't right for her.

How can I not be right for her? he wondered, tipping his head back and letting the water rinse through his hair.

She'd definitely been perfect for him. A hockey fan, funny, good-natured, and gorgeous. He admitted that it wasn't ideal with him spending most of his year in America playing for the NHL, while she was working back in Russia. She'd known that about him when they met. For her to throw it back in his face as a reason to not be together, it hurt him very much.

"I don't understand why you'd rather spend more time playing a game than being with me," had been her parting remark.

He'd been stung, to say the least. As a few days had passed and he'd had some time to process it, he felt even more like a failure than when she'd first ended it. That's when his game had started to take the hit. Maybe it was his subconscious way of making amends for not being there as she'd accused him. He shook his head at the thought, sending warm droplets of water everywhere.

It didn't matter now. What mattered was getting his head back in the game before he was permanently sent home.

Lena Jamieson was beside herself with excitement as she went to catch the plane to Moscow. This was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream and she had her great aunt Agnes to thank for it. Tired of listening to her youngest niece go on and on about the culture and architecture, Agnes had given her a plane ticket.

"Go on and go, already, Lena," the elderly woman had ordered and then cackled wickedly. "Enjoy the weather!"

The flight left on December twenty-third.

Lena hadn't been too thrilled about missing Christmas with her family, but she also knew this was the chance of a lifetime. The ticket must have cost her aunt a fortune and there was no way she could turn it down.

So the 23rd rolled around and she dragged her ass down to Dulles International Airport around the dinner hour. She wandered through the bustling airport and tried not to let melancholy take over as she observed families traveling together, or reuniting. Stopping at a concession stand, she bought several trashy magazines and some chocolate bars before heading for her departure gate.

If she couldn't be with her parents and sisters for the holiday, she would channel their spirits with celebrity gossip and fattening treats.

"I'm on vacation," she told herself firmly as she took a seat in the waiting area surrounding her gate. Then she blushed when she realized several people were looking her way.

She settled herself in the seat and tried to relax. She was so excited about this trip. It was the first time she'd be traveling on her own. Aunt Agnes had arranged for her to stay with a family she knew in Moscow, so Lena at least wouldn't be a young woman traveling abroad, alone. Apparently the family was well known, and they were genuinely looking forward to having a guest, even over the holidays. Although, it wasn't technically their Christmas time; Russian Orthodox calendar put Christmas sometime in early January. The family would make sure to take her to see the sights and ensure her safety.

Even the lingering memory of her boyfriend dumping her three weeks ago wasn't enough to dampen Lena's mood.

She scowled as she flipped through a newspaper that someone had left on the seat beside her. Thoughts of Eddy usually led her to this state and she hated him even more for it.

What does he even see in Tracy? she wondered, flipping a page of the newspaper so hard that it tore. Flushing, Lena kept her face down as she felt more curious stares turn her way.

After another hour, she began to grow restless. She set the paper down and stretched her legs out in front of her while lifting her arms over her head. Glancing around, she watched a few of the other people nearby. There was an elderly couple near the gate counter and a young family next to them. A few single travelers and some other couples of varying ages. Her eyes drifted across the faces until she saw the man sitting directly across from her.

He was quietly reading a book and she could see with another glance that it was a Russian novel. His frame was too large for the seat but he managed to keep himself from crowding those on either side of him. He had broad shoulders and long legs that he held crossed in front of him at the ankles. His brown hair was shaggy and un-styled; or maybe he was just one of those guys who went for the unkempt look. His eyelashes were uncommonly long and dark, and she found herself wishing he'd look up so she could see the color of his eyes.

Even as the thought crossed her mind, his face lifted and his eyes met hers. God help her, his eyes were a startling crystalline blue.

Her heart leapt within her chest and she felt a flush creep over her face. She looked away, hoping he didn't think she'd been staring, which she clearly had been. She heard a deep chuckle and felt her blush practically scalding her cheeks.

Thankfully the airline employee behind the gate counter picked up the microphone and announced that boarding would begin shortly. Lena lifted her bag into her lap and fished around until she found her passport and boarding pass. A few minutes later they announced boarding for those requiring assistance and Lena cheated, getting up and all but running away from the man sitting across from her; the man she was pretty sure was still laughing at her.

Her luck didn't hold.

Barely twenty minutes after she'd settled herself in her seat, a tall, broad shadow fell across the row and she glanced up to see the handsome stranger from the waiting area. Her face turned instantly pink and she looked away, praying that he wasn't sitting next to her. The plane had two seats along each side, plus a section of four seats in the middle. Against her wishes, the handsome stranger with the messy brown hair and piercing blue eyes sat down next to her.

"These seats are kind of small, huh?" he said to her, his Russian accent apparent.

"Mm," she replied with a nod, avoiding looking at him. She couldn't believe her luck - whether good or bad, she couldn't figure out - that he was sitting down beside her, absolutely dominating the tiny space.

"Good thing it's a short flight," he went on.

She laughed in spite of herself. "Short flight?" she repeated and dared a glance in his direction. "I'd hate to find out what you think is a long flight."

He chuckled again, the sound deep and warm, and Lena felt her body heat up from the inside out. He reached between them and pulled the seat belt across his body. She watched out of the corner of her eye and bit her lip at the sight of his long fingers working the silver buckle.

What the hell is wrong with me? she wondered, covering her smile with her hand and turning towards the window. She'd been stewing about Eddy just a short while ago and now here she was, imagining a stranger's hands on her body.

"I am Anatoli," he said after another minute and she looked back at him to see him holding his hand out towards her.

"I'm Lena," she replied and barely stifled a sigh as his warm fingers closed around hers.

"Nice to meet you, Lena," he said. His accent turned her name into something else entirely; something not unpleasant.

She went to remove her hand from his and was surprised when he held onto her fingers for a moment longer. He released her in another few seconds and she sat back, smiling and blushing and wishing she could stop it.

"I think I will like this flight," he said and grinned broadly.

She smiled back and nodded, speechless. The voice of a flight attendant came over the speakers and Lena looked away from Anatoli; handsome, Russian Anatoli with the warm, long fingers.

Anatoli couldn't believe his luck. He'd spotted the young woman in the airport terminal and had been about to speak to her when they'd started boarding the plane. He'd then been pleasantly surprised to find out that she was in the seat next to him. He'd have the entire ten hour flight to speak to her.

She can't even get past me unless I let her, he thought as the flight attendants went through the safety and emergency procedures. He exhaled and stretched his legs out in front of himself, reclining as much as he could in such cramped quarters.

As much as he missed his family, he hadn't been looking forward to this trip,. Now that he had this beautiful woman beside him, with her chocolate brown hair and rosy cheeks, he couldn't imagine being anywhere else.

They didn't speak again as the plane pulled away from the gate and taxied down the runway. It wasn't until after the seatbelt sign flicked off and people started moving around the cabin that he decided to try talking to her again.

"You are American?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, that pretty blush staining her cheeks again.

He grinned when he realized she wouldn't even meet his gaze. Well, he'd just have to try harder. "So why are you going to Russia?"

"For vacation," she replied, still not looking up.

His eyebrows lifted. He'd been expecting to hear her say that she was visiting family or something. "Vacation? In December?"

She lifted her face, meeting his eyes at last and nodded with a smile. "It's sort of a joke from my aunt."

"A joke, Moscow in winter? Yeah, not a popular time for sight-seeing."

"I think it'll be wonderful," she said enthusiastically. "To see everything covered in snow, all crystalline."

He blinked at the word she used, trying to place it. He'd become quite proficient with English but there were still some words that stumped him. She must have recognized the blank look on his face because she turned in her seat, speaking more directly to him.

"Crystalline... like, everything will be covered in ice, all white," she elaborated.

"Ah," he nodded, understanding now. "Like a crystal."

"Yes!" she exclaimed, reaching a hand towards him. She seemed to realize at the last moment and pulled her hand away.

He grinned at her, glad that he'd worn his mouth piece that day. Most of the time he didn't bother with it, letting the gap in his front teeth show, but this morning he'd decided to put it in. He was reminded of how Natasha would demand that he put it in before they went anywhere. She'd hated the gap in his teeth. His smile vanished and he looked away from Lena before she could see his expression.

"Are... are you traveling home for the holidays?" she asked after a moment, the first time she'd initiated conversation.

He looked back at her and saw her nervously twisting her fingers in her lap. He smiled and nodded. "Yes. My family is in Moscow."

"That's nice to be able to get home to see them."

"It is. I haven't been back since the summer."

"Do you work in the States?"

"Yes," he answered and was about to elaborate when the flight attendant appeared at their row, asking if they wanted anything to drink.

Anatoli sat back and gestured for Lena to order first. She flushed and asked for a soft drink. He asked for a soda water and handed Lena her drink as the flight attendant finished pouring it. An unexpected jolt ran up his arm as his fingers brushed against Lena's and. from her expression, he guessed that she'd felt it too.

Then she blushed crimson and turned away from him, setting her drink down shakily on the tray before her.

"So you are traveling to Russia alone?" he asked and regretted the question when he saw her turn her head to give him a nervous look.

"Not exactly, no," she replied stiffly.

"No, I didn't mean..." he started and stopped, searching for the words. "Excuse me, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I'm not a bad man or dangerous." He coupled these words with a grin that he hoped looked friendly.

He must have convinced her, because she relaxed and gave him a tentative smile. "You don't look dangerous," she agreed. Then she exhaled and lifted her drink to her lips. "I'm flying to Moscow on my own but I'm staying with a family who lives there," she told him.

"Oh? What is their name? Maybe I know them."

She nodded as she leaned forward to pick her purse up and fish through it. "I have their name in here somewhere," she said as she searched. "Forgive me if I don't get this right, but I'm terrible with new languages."

He smiled encouragingly at her and she smiled shyly in return, pulling a slip of paper out a second later.

"Their name is Oborotenski," she read it off and wrinkled her forehead at the name. She tried it again and looked up to his face with a shrug. "Or something like that. Once I meet them, I'll get them to teach me the proper pronunciation."

Anatoli nodded, trying to keep his face neutral. He was very familiar with the name, but he wasn't about to let her know yet. A slow smile spread across his face as he thought it over. "It sounds familiar," he said out loud. "But I don't think I know anyone with that name."

She shrugged and sipped at her soft drink. "Not surprising. I mean, that would be like asking if you know Sergei Federov, right?" she asked with a light laugh.

He chuckled, wondering what she'd say if he told her he did know Federov. He studied her for a moment while she turned her head to look out the window. It was surprising that she hadn't recognized him, but he decided that he liked that about her. It was refreshing to be around someone who didn't know who he was, or what he did for a living. Natasha had been the one to seek him out when they'd first met, and he'd always suspected it was because of his career, not because of who he really was.

"So you don't know this family you are staying with?" he asked, curious about how she'd managed the arrangement.

"I don't," she said, turning back to him with a smile. "My great aunt made all the plans. She knows this family from a student exchange she did years ago."

"Is your aunt from Russia?"

"No, but I think someone on her side of the family was from Russia," she said. Her forehead wrinkled in that attractive way that had Anatoli shifting nervously in his seat, trying to keep his lower body reactions from becoming too obvious. "I don't know much about all my family's history. Isn't that terrible?"

He shook his head. "No. I don't think so."

"You know all about your family history, don't you?"

"Only because they are all from Moscow. It's easy to know that."

She laughed and nodded. "I guess so." She paused, smiling at him. Something about the way her dark brown eyes sparkled gave him a twinge. He lifted his little plastic cup of soda water, downing it in a single gulp to hide his instant reaction to her.

She's so pretty, he thought as he set the empty cup down on the tray.

"What made you want to leave Moscow?" she asked after the brief silence.

He blinked at the unexpected question and his eyes slid past her face for a moment, gazing out the little window to the dark sky beyond. It wasn't that he'd wanted to leave. It had been the best option for him at the time; to be able to do something he loved, in a place that supported the sport so well. It also helped that his older brother had always encouraged him, right up to his sudden death when Anatoli was still a child.

Out loud, he said, "I had the chance to work my dream job and so I did it." He was feeling comfortable with her, and found her attractive, but he wasn't ready to share everything with her just yet.

"How wonderful," she breathed, leaning her head back against her seat and smiling at him. "I'd love to be able to work at my dream job."

"What is it?"

She flushed and shook her head with a little laugh. "Oh, it's stupid."

"No, tell me," he replied with a smile, hoping he didn't sound too commanding.

Relenting, Lena leaned forward and met his gaze. He was captivated by the sparkle in her brown eyes and felt himself leaning forward as well.

"I want to be a librarian," she confessed in a soft voice.

"You want to work in the library?" he asked a second later, a little confused at the less than familiar word.

"Yes," she said with an enthusiastic nod. "I love to read and I think it would be wonderful to be able to share that with everyone."

He found himself nodding even though he didn't share her excitement over books. He didn't read much, but he kept a few Russian novels and magazines around at all times. That was just so he'd have something around with the familiar language, in case he was feeling homesick. "It's not stupid, Lena," he assured her.

She flushed prettily and Anatoli had to sit back, readjusting his position again to hide what was rapidly becoming a full-fledged hard-on.

They chatted quietly for a long while after that, speaking in low tones to keep from disturbing those around them in the plane. It wasn't until Anatoli felt his eyelids growing heavy and he saw Lena open her mouth on a wide yawn, that he looked at his watch.

"Oh, it's late," he said and stifled a yawn himself.

"I'll bet," she replied and leaned forward as he held his arm out for her to look.

She tipped her face down to read the face of his watch in the dim light of the cabin. Her dark head was so close to his face. He couldn't stop himself from leaning his head closer, close enough that he could smell her fresh and floral shampoo. He breathed her in, savoring the scent, and not caring how hard he now was.

"Oh wow, no wonder I can barely keep my eyes open," she murmured.

"You are going to sleep now?"

She nodded and they tried to arrange their blankets and pillows to get more comfortable. Anatoli found himself struggling to find a good position. These seats were so narrow and he wasn't able to stretch his legs out all the way without blocking the entire aisle. After a few frustrating attempts, he lifted his head to find Lena watching him with a smile on her lips.

"Can I suggest something?" she asked.

He nodded. He'd agree to just about anything she said at this point. Whatever she'd done, in these few short hours, she'd managed to hook him.

"I can squeeze up on my seat here and you can stretch your legs out on this side," she said, gesturing with her hands to demonstrate what she meant.

He shook his head, however appealing the idea may have been. He couldn't let her sleep that way while he was all cozy on his side. He said as much out loud to her.

"It's OK," she said. He watched in fascination as she toed her shoes off her small feet and curled her legs under her. She rearranged her blanket and relaxed back against the pillow she had wedged against the plane's side. Her whole body was turned towards him now, and he had to fight the urge to yank the blanket away to see more of her tantalizing figure. "See? I fit just fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course," she said, her eyelids already beginning to droop. "You need the room more than I do."

That was true of course; his six foot two frame easily topped her by at least eight inches. So he turned himself and nudged his pillow into place behind his head as he pushed his legs out along the front of her seat.

"Thank you," he murmured, letting his eyes close.

Within minutes, they were both asleep.

When Lena woke up, she was somewhat disoriented at first. Then she heard a faint 'ding' and then a voice came across the plane's speakers, announcing that they would be descending towards Moscow in a half-hour. The voice continued in another minute in what Lena guessed was Russian, but her language skills were seriously lacking. Other than a few regular words and phrases, she knew nothing.

She shifted, stretching her arms and wiggling her toes. Her warm toes that were resting against something unexpectedly soft. She wiggled them again and opened her eyes to see her handsome Russian seat-mate gazing blearily back at her.

Gasping, she tried to sit up and move her feet but she only succeeded in driving her heel into something less soft, still as warm, and definitely more tender.

"Oh my God," she breathed and covered her face with her hands as her cheeks flamed. Without looking at Anatoli, she tried to lift her feet again. Anatoli made an inarticulate noise and his warm hands came down to grasp her ankles.

"Stop," he murmured, his voice heavily accented and husky with sleep. "It's OK."

"I kicked you!" she exclaimed, risking a peek at him through her fingers.

"I'm fine," he assured her, smiling and giving her ankles a gentle pat. "Just don't move."

She decided to obey, mainly because she was extremely comfortable and didn't mind the way he was holding her feet on his lap.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked her after a few seconds.

At his words, she let her hands drop from her face and she smiled. "I did. What about you?"

He shrugged and rubbed at his eyes with one hand. "I'm still tired," he told her. "But we're almost done."

"Yes," she agreed and twisted in her seat to look out the window. It was light outside and she tried to recall what the local time would be when they landed. A yawn took over and she covered her mouth, glancing back at Anatoli in embarrassment. She lifted her hand to brush a strand of hair from her face and froze, her fingers discovering something much worse than a mere loose strand.

"Oh God," she moaned and reached for her purse. She dragged it into her lap, avoiding looking at Anatoli until she pulled out her little mirror. She was relieved to see that it wasn't as bad as she'd originally thought. Her hair was mostly still in order, but one side was rather gnarled. She carefully worked her fingers through it, giving the man beside her a rueful smile.

"I like it," he told her, his deep voice sending a shiver down her spine.

"Thanks," she murmured, feeling her cheeks color yet again. What was it about this guy that threw her off so much? She couldn't stop blushing like an adolescent girl. I'm twenty-three years old! she reminded herself. Old enough to not be blushing at every glance.

Anatoli shifted, adjusting his position so he was sitting more upright. She tried to lift her feet, but he held her still, giving her a sideways grin as he did. Her stomach flipped right over and she bit her lower lip, looking away before she did something ridiculous; like invite him to the washroom to get to know her better.

That thought made her blush even more.

Thankfully, he looked away, glancing up and down the rest of the plane, giving her a minute to study him. He wasn't classically handsome but he had a very masculine profile, with a sharp chin and low straight brow. His hair was a light brown and overlong for her usual tastes but she thought it suited him. She found herself wondering what it would be like to run her fingers through it. Shaking her head, she looked away from his head and took in his tall frame. He was quite tall, but broad through the shoulders and chest, which evened him out and kept him from looking like a bean pole.

Then she met his eyes, his piercing and inexplicably warm blue eyes, and she grinned, responding to the impish look on his face.

"I think I'm sad the flight is over," she said before she could think about her words.

"Why?" he asked, leaning his head back against his seat as he studied her.

She shook her head at her stupidity. Why had she said anything at all? Well, I might as well own up to it, she thought. "I... because we're not going to see each other again," she said quietly.

"You think we won't?" he replied, his dark brows lifting up.

"Well, you're going to be with your family and I'll be with my host family," she said, waving one hand between them as if that would explain everything.

"Yes," he agreed. "I can give you my phone number. I can take you on tour."

She laughed and nodded, thrilled that he'd been the one to suggest it. "I'd like that."

At last, she lifted her feet and settled herself in her own seat, looking around the plane. Almost everyone was awake now, and there were a couple flight attendants moving up and down the aisles. She reached into her purse and pulled out an elastic for her hair. She gathered her hair up into a ponytail as she worked her feet back into her shoes. All the while, she tried to ignore the weight of Anatoli's eyes on her. No matter what she did, he made her feel hot all over.

She realized in that moment that he turned her on. No man since she'd first been with Eddy had made her feel this... electric.

And he'd offered her his phone number.

This was turning out to be the best vacation ever and it had barely begun.

Lena turned her head and looked out the window beside her, catching a glimpse of tall buildings reflecting the sunlight. She sucked in a sharp breath at her first real look at Moscow. There it was, just waiting for her.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, realizing after a second that she'd spoken out loud.

"It is," Anatoli agreed from his side as he peered over her shoulder. "I love coming home."

"To live in such a place as this..." she said and shook her head, looking back at him. "How can you bear to leave?"

He smiled at her and lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "I think Washington is beautiful. It makes it easier."

Lena recalled the grand political buildings of her home city, and the historical structures that dotted the landscape. Yes, D.C. was an impressive city in its own right. But Moscow... Moscow was ancient and lovely.

"I can't wait to see it all!" she exclaimed and laughed as the plane banked.

In a short while they were descending and landing on the Russian tarmac. Lena was practically vibrating in her seat as the plane taxied around the runways towards the airport. At last, the plane opened up and Lena was on her feet before Anatoli had even moved.

"You are excited?" he asked with a smirk.

She flushed and sat back down. "I am," she admitted. "I've wanted to come to Russia my entire life."

"Why?"

She shrugged, not knowing how to explain it. She couldn't even explain it to herself half the time, never mind her family or this captivating stranger. "I just... I need to see it. To be here. I've always felt that I should come here." Again she shrugged, smiling at him. "I have no reason why. It's just how I feel."

He nodded, the smile still on his face. His blue eyes were shining at her and she leaned her head against her seat, gazing across at him.

"I think I'm going to miss you," she murmured.

His eyebrows shot up and his smile widened. "I think we will see each other again," he told her, his voice deep.

He shifted in his seat and leaned close enough that she caught a whiff of his cologne. Stronger than that was his natural masculine scent. She inhaled deeply, enjoying it. Her eyes felt heavy and she looked up at him through her lashes, biting her lip when he leaned even closer. His breath stirred the hairs on her forehead and she braced herself for the brush of his lips against hers.

A flight attendant stopped by their row and asked if they needed assistance getting their bags out of the overhead compartments. Lena sat back, watching Anatoli as he turned to face the flight attendant. A few minutes later, they were standing and shuffling down the aisle towards the exit.

Lena used the time without him in her sight to clear her mind.

What the hell was I thinking? she wondered, blushing hotly at the thought of what had almost happened. I don't even know him!

She was so utterly drawn to him and admitted that she longed to find out how his kiss felt and tasted; what those long, lean hands would feel like on her body. She shuddered and took an extra long step as they exited the plane, hoping to put some extra distance between them.

It was useless, of course; he had to be over six feet tall and, while she was slightly above average for a woman, there was no way she came close to his height. His long legs ate up the distance beside her and they strode silently through the tunnel towards the airport terminal.

The signs all around the airport terminal were in Russian and Lena stopped just outside their arrival gate, gaping at them. The alphabet was so different and foreign that she stared at the first sign for a minute.

"Are you all right, Lena?" Anatoli spoke up from her side.

She looked over at him and nodded. "I just love the words," she said, gesturing with one hand.

He laughed, drawing the gazes of several people nearby. "The words?" he repeated. "You mean, 'this way to toilets' or 'baggage claim over here'?"

Lena blushed and laughed too, unable to stop herself in the wake of Anatoli's amusement. He had a wonderful, rich laugh and she knew that he laughed often. He was one of those genuinely cheerful men. She didn't know how she knew, she just did.

"Come," he said after another moment. "I'll take you where you need to go."

She trailed after him, looking around as she went. Sometime after gathering her suitcase, they came to a greeting area where people were standing around waiting for their families or friends to arrive. She spotted a sign with her name on it in ragged lettering, with the Russian equivalent underneath. Smiling she started for the small party with the sign, then paused and turned her face towards Anatoli. He was smiling at her and she felt a pang at the thought of not seeing him again. He hadn't even given her a phone number yet.

"I... uh, I have to..." she stammered and gestured feebly with one hand towards the waiting family.

His smile widened and the glint in his ice blue eyes turned positively wicked. Lena's stomach gave a turn and it was not entirely unpleasant. She swallowed hard when he moved close and reached a hand out towards her.

"Perhaps I should come and play translator, hm?" he suggested in a low tone, bending his tall form so that his mouth was very close to her face.

Lena stared at him, transfixed by his closeness, and felt herself nodding along with his suggestion. He straightened and cupped his hand under her elbow, gently but firmly leading her right towards the excited party.

The older man and woman standing there Lena assumed were the mother and father of the little clan. The woman was waving her arm frantically at them, a huge smile splitting her face. There were a couple others standing with them; a man who looked a few years older than Lena, and a young man who looked to be about the same age as her.

Their sons, maybe? Lena wondered distractedly as Anatoli brought her closer to them.

Then, when they were a few feet away, the woman launched herself towards them and Lena shrunk back, afraid of being bowled over. She needn't have worried.

The woman threw her arms around Anatoli, causing his hand to fall away from Lena. With a surprised gasp, Lena stepped away, watching with wide eyes as the woman went on and on in Russian, kissing Anatoli's face and cupping his cheeks in her hands. For his part, he was laughing and hugging her back, speaking Russian to her with equal enthusiasm.

"Hello," the older man said in English on Lena's other side and she whirled around, startled to find him beside her.

"Hi," she replied, feeling her cheeks color. She cleared her throat and tried again, testing her minimal Russian knowledge. "Zdrastvitye," she said slowly.

The man before her laughed and clapped her on the shoulder. "Privyet," he replied.

Lena shook her head with a smile. "I'm sorry," she said in English. "I don't understand."

"Privyet," he repeated and waved one hand as he considered. "It's less... formal."

"Oh, like 'hey,'" Lena said and nodded. "Privyet!"

He winced at her accent and she laughed. "I am Maksim," he told her in English.

"Lena." She offered her hand for him to shake.

He took it in his much larger hand and shook it firmly. "Welcome to Moscow."

"Thank you," she breathed, the realization sinking in. She was here. This family was her family for the next few weeks, and she was finally in Russia.

"Spacebo," he corrected in Russian.

Lena repeated it and he laughed, saying it over and over for her until she repeated it back with the correction intonation.

"You learn quickly!" Maksim exclaimed and clapped her on the back again.

"Be nice to her, Father," Anatoli spoke up, stepping close with the older woman clutching his arm.

"I am," Maksim replied, an expression of mock indignation on his face.

"Lena, you have met my father," Anatoli said as he looked down at her, his blue eyes dancing.

She flushed and nodded. "I have," she replied and raised her eyebrows at him. "You knew the name as soon as I said it on the plane, didn't you?" She sounded casual to her own ears but she was reeling from this new development.

And to think, she thought silently. I was worried a few minutes ago about never seeing him again. Now we're going to be spending the holiday together!

He laughed and nodded. "It's my name, of course I knew it." He winked at her. "I'm sorry I lied to you. I thought this would be more fun."

Sighing, Lena hiked the strap of her bag higher up on her shoulder. Maksim waved a hand at her, while sending a pointed look to his son. "Anatoli, take her bag."

Grinning at Lena, Anatoli reached for her bag and took it off her shoulder. She thanked him quietly.

"This is my mother, Irina," Anatoli said, glancing down at the woman holding on to his arm.

"Nice to meet you," Lena said and laughed as the woman embraced her like a daughter.

"You are welcome!" Irina exclaimed with a wide grin. "This is Pavel, my nephew," she introduced the younger of the other two men with them.

"Hi," she said and shook his hand. He smiled shyly at her before stepping back again.

"I'm Vlad," the older man introduced himself. "You must have had a long flight if you were stuck with this guy," he added with a grin at Anatoli.

"You speak English very well," Lena commented with a smile.

"I live in Washington," he told her. "Anatoli lives with me while he's there as well."

"You're brothers?" Lena asked, looking back and forth between the two. As she did, she saw the resemblance; dark hair, blue eyes, tall, broad statures. "How come you weren't on the same flight?"

"I had to work longer," Anatoli replied after a glance exchanged with his brother. "Vlad flew over last week."

Lena nodded and they all stood in silence, smiling at each other, before Maksim announced they should go.

"You must be hungry," he said to Lena as they began to walk through the airport.

"I'm all right," Lena replied. "Just tired."

"Did Anatoli keep you awake on the plane?" Vlad asked with a grin. "He does talk a lot."

Anatoli punched his brother on the arm while Lena looked on with a smile. It was nice to see that Anatoli had such a loving and affectionate family. This vacation was turning out much better than she ever could have imagined.

Anatoli was relieved that Lena wasn't angry for deceiving her. Not that it had been a huge lie. He smiled to himself as the entire family, plus Lena, walked inside his parents' house. She seemed to have a good sense of humor and there was a sparkle in her eyes that Anatoli was finding more attractive as the day wore on.

On the ride from the airport she'd been gazing out the window the entire time, smiling and gasping at some of the sights they'd passed. His family had tried to make some conversation with her but they all knew very little English, and she had extremely limited Russian. He decided that he'd have to spend some time teaching her his language. Among other things.

"Lena," his mother spoke to her. "Your room is up here."

Anatoli watched her disappear up the stairs behind his mother. Someone punched him in the arm and he whipped around to glare at his brother, Vlad. He was grinning at Anatoli and walked past him into the kitchen. Anatoli followed him in there and poured himself something to drink.

"She seems very nice," Vlad commented in Russian.

Anatoli narrowed his eyes at his brother and swallowed half his drink in one gulp. "She is."

Vlad grinned at him as he sat down. "Did you guys get to know each other very well on the flight?"

"I guess so."

"Are you going to tell me anything about her?"

Now it was Anatoli's turn to grin. He and his brother had always had a healthy bit of competition between them and it gave him immense pleasure to be one up on Vlad now.

"Well, if you're not going to help me, I guess I'll just have to get to know her on my own." With that, he strolled out of the kitchen.

"Over my dead body," Anatoli muttered before finishing the rest of his juice and following his brother.

His father and cousin were in the big family room as they walked in, chatting animatedly. Pavel was asking what the plan would be in the morning, now that Lena was with them. Just then, Irina returned to the room, followed by their guest. When everyone turned to face her, she flushed under the attention.

"You are all making her nervous," Anatoli scolded in English with a smile for Lena.

She smiled at him and moved to sit down as he gestured to a chair next to him.

"We were just thinking about tomorrow," Anatoli's father spoke up.

"Oh please," Lena replied quickly. "Don't change your plans on my account. I'm sure I won't be up for anything except sleeping for a day or two anyway."

When the family gave her blank stares, Vlad gave a quick translation. Lena smiled and thanked him, much to Anatoli's annoyance. Vlad merely winked at his brother.

"No, you are part of the family," Maksim announced with a broad smile for Lena. "We go to church tonight and you are welcome."

"I'd love to!" Lena breathed, her face bright. She asked about church services after, understanding that Russian Orthodox Christmas wasn't for another few weeks. Vlad explained that there were some churches that did services on December 24th, to accommodate those not of the Orthodox faith. The Oborotenski family attended both every year, as a tradition, and because Anatoli and Vlad couldn't always be in Moscow for early January.​