Chapter 6

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"That wasn't even funny Sky, we still have to beat Tristan up for that one later!" She complained, "My clothes are still permanently stained from that nasty water!"

I smiled, "It was cute."

"NO IT WASN'T!" Tati argued.

"What ever" I argued. At this she jumped up and tackled me attempting to pin me to the ground. I wasn't going to try to resist her. I easily could pull her off but I chose not to. Give her some pride in herself.

Tati bent over and whispered, "I win." I smiled at her and she grinned back saying, "I wanna be with you forever Sky."

I said, "And I, with you." We sweetly kissed and half way through Mozart 40 interrupted.

Tati said, "I'm sorry Sky I gotta take this one." She pulled out her cell and said, "Hello?" she paused then, "OH MY GOD DAD! I'll be home in… Oh, Okay, uh huh, alright, well I'll still get home, Yuri and Ilea. Okay, take care of her, love ya, bye." Tati looked at me and said, "It's time." I knew she was talking about her mother. Her mother was pregnant with her fourth child.

I said, "I'll drive you home Tati,"

She said, "Thanks."

---

I was a nervous wreck since Tati wasn't in school on Monday.

Molly said, "Well her mother will need some extra help for a little bit. Or at least till she's back on her feet."

Well Tuesday went by and Dani said at lunch, "I wonder if it's a little boy or if Tati finally got a sister."

Marty said ,"Well let's hope she got a sister, that's what she wanted."

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After school on Tuesday, I drove to Tati's. I pulled into the driveway and got out. I rang the doorbell and 9 year old Ilea answered the door.

He said, "Tati's upstairs babysitting."

I said, "Thanks kiddo." He grinned at me and walked me to the stairs. I leaned over and ruffled his hair.

He said, "Hey!"

I said, "Sorry Ilea, forgot! You gotta look good for all those girls chasing after you!"

He screamed, "ICKY!" and he ran outta sight.

Mrs. Yagudin came in, "Hello, Sky. Tatiana's upstairs."

I said, "Thanks, Ilea already told me."

She said, "He's so proud of the baby!"

I said, "Oh, I'm sorry! Congratulations!"

She said, "Thank you Sky. Go on, Tati's waiting." I climbed with anticipation. Tati never told us whether her mother was going to have a boy or a girl. I'm not sure Tati knew, either! I turned down towards Tatiana's room. She told us the nursery was right next door to her room. I pushed the door to the former guest room opened. There in a rocking chair next to the window was Tatiana and her little baby sibling.

Tatiana stood up and whispered, "Sky, I'd like to introduce you to my new baby brother, Evgerry." I loved the way she pronounced Evgerry, it was so pretty. She said, "He's so tiny and perfect."

I said, "Looks just like his sister."

She smiled and said, "You know we can't be together in public with him or people are going to think I'm the one who got pregnant!"

I smiled and said, "Oh Tati!" She smiled and I had the hugest urge to kiss her. I said, "Tati, would it be a sin to kiss you right now?"

She said, "Hold on, it's not even my baby!"

I said, "On becoming a big sister for a third time!"

She said, "You are so stupid and sweet all at once!" So I did kiss her and as I did I felt Evgerry wiggle against Tati. She said, "Do you want to hold him Sky?"

I said, "Uh……. I'm not sure I should, What if I drop him?"

She said, "Well number one you won't and number two it's good practice for future experiences once we're married together." I smiled that's exactly how I wanted it to end for the two of us too. But as I was holding him I looked out the window and hanging from it was a tiny little dream catcher.

I said, "A dream catcher huh Tati?"

She looked and said, "Yeah, so what?"

I smiled and said, "The vision." Evgerry cried and I gently rocked him quickly quieting him.

Tati said, "Oh My God! I almost forgot about that! What did you actually see?"

I said, "Well my grandfather, who's dead, was standing there holding a little baby with crystal blue eyes that for some odd reason really stood out… Then I saw a dream catcher in the window and I heard him say, "Sky I'm very disappointed in you." And I thought that was the whole message of the vision, maybe not, maybe not."

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I came over Friday. Mrs. Yagudin greeted me with little baby Evgerry in her arms and said, "Hello Sky, Tati's talking with her father down stairs give her a minute."

I sat in a chair when I heard Mr. Yagudin say, "So what else is up Tatiana?"

I heard her voice, "Well, Father, if I were in Russia still what would I be doing?"

He said, "Why do you ask Tatiana?"

She said, "I was just wondering how life would be a little different than now."

He said, "Well, you wouldn't be in school, your Mother would be teaching you how to manage a household and you'd probably be dating someone your Mother and I selected for you … and…."

Tati said ,"And?"

He said," This coming spring you'd probably be getting married." Tati said, "Oh wow! Well what qualities would you have been looking for?"

He said, "Well, Tat, I think for you I would have wanted a strong, loving and working man."

Tati said, "In other words a traditional husband, he provides, I clean and bear children."

Her father said, "Tati, that's why it's so much better for you here."

Tati said, "Yeah, really?"

Her father says, "Yeah, you get to pick the man you marry, you're not confined to the house, you are a person, a woman, not a possession as you would have been in Russia."

She said, "Sometimes I think it's easier to say I'd like to live back in old country. I think I mighta liked that."

Her father taunted, "What! And not have met Sky?"

Tatiana hissed, "FATHER!"

Her father laughed heartily and then solemnly said, "I want you to know, if he's the only man you truly love, someday I'd be honored to give you away to such a man as Sky."

Tati said, "Father thank you. I love Sky a lot."

Her father nipped, "How could you not? He's wonderful and he respects you."

Tati said, "I think he's the one I want to spend my life with."

Her father said, "Wait till you're eighteen at least."

Tati's mother said, "OH NO YOU DON' T! Alex, I thought we agreed that Tati was going to be like other American girls and hold on to her childhood?'

Mr. Yagudin's voice roared, "She is not to be held back from the world! If Elaina's daughter married at 20. Would we have forbidden Tatiana from marrying at 18? No! It's our discretion, I will sign those papers Sky is a fine young man and will take care of my baby girl."

Mrs. Yagudin roared, "YOUR BABY GIRL! I CARRIED HER FOR NINE MONTHS I BORE HER TO YOU, IF NOT FOR ME TATIANA WOULD NOT BE HERE!"

Tati screamed and then said, "Maybe it'd be better if I wasn't, because apparently no one knows how to raise a daughter around here!"

Mrs. Yagudin said, "Tati, not it's not your fault I think your father is just pushing you a little far."

Tati said, "I know what I want I am at the age where in Russia I'd be betrothed. I want Sky, I love him for all that I am worth!"

Her mother said, "Tati, I understand that even though I full heartily disagree…."

Tati said, "Then what's the problem? If I could I would marry him right now!"

This enraged Mrs. Yagudin.

"TATIANA MARIE CATHERINE YAGUDIN! I FORBID IT!"

She spat back, "you've said that before has it ever stopped me? No!"

Mrs. Yagudin said, "But this time it is in our hands! If you were to get married now, you'd have to have both parents sign papers, let's face it! I forbid it, Sky's mother is not keen on you and his father has never met you!"

Tati spat back, "How the hell would you know?"

Mr. Yagudin snapped, "Tati watch your mouth!"

Tati screamed at her father, "I don't give a damn! Snap some sense into mother! I love him! I love him." I heard Tatiana weeping. I knew she would not like to find me here after that. I went outside and drove home.

That night at dinner I asked my mother, "Shinju? What do you think about Tatiana?"

My Mother answered, "She's something else little Sky."

Angelina said, "I think she's a whore!" Ange said that cuz I told her about our close encounter at my birthday last year.

My Father said to Ange, "That's not nice or acceptable, Angelina!"

I glared at Angelina and said, "You've never really met her, you know she's very catholic."

Ange said, "And your point?"

My Father said, "She believes she should be a virgin when she marries."

Ange just looked at me with a bemused grin.

Later in her room she said, "Yeah, why were you asking about Tatiana. You don't want to marry her do you?"

I said, "Actually, yeah I do. I really love her Ange, I really do."

She said, "Awwh that's so sweet. But if she wants to be a good little catholic she better stop hanging around you!"

I said, "What's that suppose to mean?"

Ange laughed and said, "Well, she won't be a virgin when she marries if you two keep it up!" I picked up a pillow and threw it as hard as I could at Angelina's face.

"SKY!" She yelled picking up her butterfly shaped pillow and slamming it into my face!

"ANGIE!" I cried back. We started running around her room flinging pillows at each other. Eventually Angie tripped on her textbooks and fell onto the bed were I started assaulting her with the pillow I had.

"SKY QUIT IT!" She laughed.

"Having fun I presume?" A voice said and we turned and it was my mother, Shinju.

Ange grinned and said, "Tons! And if I may say so Aunt Shinju, Sky is quite a pillow warrior!"

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The month passed and Tati's birthday was approaching I wanted to get her something really special and I did. So on her 16th birthday I drove to her house after going to my uncle's for the afternoon.

I rang the doorbell and Mrs. Yagudin answered, "Why Hello Sky! You look famished would you like some pizza?"

"Sure." I said rather awkwardly. A lot of Tati's girlfriends would be here in their pjs but it'd be fun. I followed her into the kitchen where I saw Molly.

"Sky!" She called, "You here to say happy birthday to the birthday girl too?"

I answered, "Sorta Molly. Sorta."

"HEY TATIANA! I forgot a present!" Her mother screamed. She turned to me and grinned.

"Give me the bow Mrs. Yagudin." I said surrendering to her before she said anything.

She grinned and handed me a huge blue bow, "You’re the best, Sky!" Molly was laughing.

"Man I don't even think Joe would carry that one out!" She smiled slapping me on my back.

"Yeah, well I didn't bargain for this. All I wanted was pizza!"

"Good Job Genius!" Molly said as she turned going into the dining room.

Tati's mom yelled, "Close your eyes Tati!" All her friends giggled and nodded towards Mrs. Yagudin. She lead me in and the girls started again!

Tati screamed, "WHAT IS IT!"

Dani who was in Marty's flannel PJ pants and a white tank top yelled, "You'll love it Tati! Give me a ride!"

"DANI!" Molly shrieked.

Maria Gibson, Tati's best friend, laughed and said, "Ooh yeah quite flashy! I wanna drive too!"

"QUIT IT GUYS! THERE IS NO WAY MY MOTHER GOT A CAR INTO THIS HOUSE!" Tati said as she fought her mom to remove her hands and let her see.

"Okay, Baby girl, One… Two… Three." Mrs. Yagudin pulled her hands away from Tati's eyes and Tati turned around. She gasped and then cried out, "SKY! I didn't know you were coming, Sorry about this!" She said as she tore the bow off of my neck. I smiled at her and looked her over. She frowned, "And sorry about the PJ's."

I said, "Tati, you act like that's what I'm looking at! I'm looking at that wrinkle on your flawless face, that isn't so flawless now!" Every one of her friends started laughing. There was Maria Gibson, Molly, Dani, Courtney Miles, Co Cheerleading Captain, Sara Millian a friend of Tati's from Michael Riley Memorial School. She and Marty practically grew up together. And of course her only friend we disagree about, Clarisse Reinheart. I really don't like her a lot but Tati does.

Tati said, "Sky! That was so mean! HEY! What's behind your back?" I turned there was my backpack. She said, "Where'd you come from?"

I said, "Lessons, kinda like Catholics and CCD." This wasn't entirely lying, I'd come from my Great Uncle's house, he always performed rituals when we were there, but I wasn't learning about my culture, just the ritual. I said, "Hey Tat, can we get a bit more privacy?"

She said, "Alright, how about my room, you go up, I'll be up in a minute." I heard giggles as I left the room. Then I practically ran up the stairs. I entered Tati's room. I opened my bag and pulled out a large dream catcher. I grabbed the string and placed it around her window hinge. I made sure the center ring at the bottom was the one I wanted. I heard Tati coming up the stairs. I pulled out the roses out of my back pack. She came in and shut the door. She walked over to her nightstand and lit a large candle. It was the one Dani got her for Christmas it was an ocean scented one. I looked at her she looked beautiful!

I said, "Happy Birthday Tati." I handed her the roses. She smiled and set them on her bed so she could stand on tip toe to give me a hug. I picked her up and she giggled. She paused and said, "Hold on Sky!" I set her down and she walked over to the window she fingered the dream catcher lovingly, she said, "Sky, thank you it's beautiful."

I walked behind her and whispered, "Look closer Tatiana."

She fingered the strands and noticed the rings, she said, "Cute addition Sky." I wrapped my arms around her and softly taking her fingers, I wrapped them around the middle ring.

I softly whispered, "Take it off Tati." She slowly untied the ring.

She whispered, "What is it Sky?"

I said, "Look on the inside." She turned it over and engraved on the inside was the Navajo symbol for love and fertility.

She said, "I still don't get it Sky."

I said, "It's a ring of my love for you Tati, it symbolizes that someday I promise you we will walk down the aisle together and promise to be together of the rest of our lives, I promise you with my heart. We will marry when you are ready."

She said, "I'm ready now, but Mother says never Father says wait."

I said, "Then wait we shall." The moon fell through the dream catcher and a breeze swept through Tati's open window. I pulled her tiny frame against my body and pressed my lips firmly on her honey sweet ones. As we kissed the wind swept Tati's hair around and the moon lit her flawless perfect face. I said, "I promise you, Tati."

She whispered, "I have no doubts." I took her in my arms and kissed again, passionately. As the moon light fell through the dream catcher illuminating Tati's features and the feathers of the dream catcher fluttered gently in the spirit filled wind.