Chapter 10 (Part 1)

September 14, 2022

White House, Washington D.C

3:02 P.M EST

President Biden awaited at the White House back lawn, looking up at a descending helicopter. He frowned when he glanced at the distant high metal fence and patrolled the perimeter around the White House grounds. Tens of thousands of his own constituents were booing, flipping him off, and protesting very loudly. Even a few Republicans had joined the protest to throw trash at the riot guards. The guards struggled to keep order among the flashing red and blue lights.

As the American President elected just after the now disgraced President Trump, Biden had yearned to mend the country and uphold justice and peace in the world. But he did not count on this strange turn of events to happen at all. The Russians of all people regained their Holy Martyrs. And they had somehow pushed back the Ukrainian advances with sheer number and force. Now, his fellow Americans had an almost unanimous opposition against him. It was ironic indeed... To have his country united against him and the returned newcomers.

But he held a strong conviction that starting a nuclear war would doom humanity. Yes, the President had a devout faith and knew that an Apocalypse would come... But he doubted that what the resurrected princess "Ella" said was entirely true. The world would not end for a while, Biden thought! There was no Antichrist so far, and the prophecies still seemed unclear- vague in some areas.

At least he could buy time for humanity to live and be safe for another decade or so, he had thought.

The black, presidential helicopter landed before him, and its metal blades spun slower until the engine silenced. The doors opened slowly to reveal the former Hessian Princess Elisabeth and the Romanov advocate Bob Atchinson.

They both stepped out, accompanied by Secret Service agents in black suits and glasses. Elisabeth and Bob Atchinson had gone to their hotel rooms to change their attire to something more appropriate. Elisabeth, dressed in a simple white blouse, a gray skirt, and a lilac coat seemed almost like a regular college girl. Bob Atchinson wore a gray suit and a tie as red as the American flag stripes. Both of them wore their firm and formal faces for the time. The final meeting would be a somewhat serious affair despite the temporary resolution.

Again, a compromise was unideal, but it still held merit versus dooming the human race.

"Mister President," Bob spoke, bowing his head for a few seconds.

Elisabeth did so as well. She felt uneasy at meeting the chaotic, dictating Russian President... Neither did she like the thought of seeing the very disgruntled Ukrainian President. Finally, she had heard that her Russian cousins had arrived with Putin the day before!

"Come along, you two. We have a meeting coming soon. We must tie up loose ends between nations and people."

That, too, also gave her a sense of nervousness. She had not seen them for over a century except for her brief meeting with Olga in a linked dream. As she followed behind Bob Atchinson, she took a deep breath.

"Everything will be fine, God will watch and protect us," she thought, standing still with Bob as the White House doors creaked open.

She steeled her nerves. Ignoring the shouts, curses, and chaos outside the presidential grounds, Elisabeth and Bob followed the United States President into the White House...

They went through a few rooms and hallways. The walls were pastel yellow or white, and the floors were carpeted with the blues of the American flag. Everything like the Alexander Palace seemed almost immaculate. Almost like a holy place.

The risen German princess still reminded herself that she had nothing to fear... The meeting would go smoothly. Few or no cross words would be tossed around, and the bitterness and losses would be no more.

The Secret Service Guards acknowledged the pair of Russian and American agents standing by an entrance. Engraved in clean, shiny brass, a small plaque indicated that this would be the place. Here, Elisabeth knew that the moment to see her dear cousins had arrived. The agents opened the door, revealing not the Russian President or the Ukrainian First Couple- But Olga and her sisters.

Elisabeth stood frozen still for a moment... She did not know what to say. Given the gravity of the eventual situations they would face, a simple hello and wish well would not do. It had been so long since she had seen them before their limbo! To see her cousins dressed in modern attire like herself still seemed strange despite her common sense.

Before, they had died as young girls in body or mind. Now, they all felt like modern women.

"My dear cousins... I have missed you all very much..."

"Ella- Elisabeth?" Olga stuttered.

Olga was gaping at Elisabeth. Tatiana, who sat next to Olga, closed her eyes in perhaps some moment of silent recollection. Their other two sisters Anastasia and Maria got up from their seats to race to Elisabeth.

They both remembered that tragic night in 1903. Their "Cousin Ella's" passing had broken their naivety and had thrown them into grief. But now, there she was. No longer the young girl they knew, but a mature and devout woman of God calm in the face of adversity.

Elisabeth never cried in heaven above. Nor did the angels as well despite watching the human race suffer from its countless mistakes and atrocities. It felt strange.

Joy or loss no longer mattered to Elisabeth. She could not deny that despite the heavenly joys and peace, she yearned to see them again. They were all together again at last!

Olga and Tatiana got up from their chairs as well to hug a now weeping Elisabeth. She hugged each of them... warm and firm like the embrace of a mother.

"Cousin Elisabeth... It has been too, too long!" Tatiana whispered hard, stroking Elisabeth's back before bursting into tears.

Elisabeth hugged Anastasia, whose lips trembled with unsaid words and a touching feeling. For her, it had been too long as well. She had lost a playmate, friend, and dear relative.

"It's okay to cry into my shoulder. I promise you and your sisters that I will never depart forever."

Bob Atchinson felt melancholy when seeing the women from the past embrace and whisper words of comfort among themselves. It reminded him of how he missed his parents sometimes, even if they did clash with him over his interest in Russia. Yes, the Cold War had been simmering during those dark years... Even the teacher felt uncomfortable with her students studying those topics.

"God... I wish humanity did not have to tear itself apart... Since that damn Cold War, we are still lost. However, these great women from the past give me hope," Bob thought, standing still while watching the princesses console one another.

Bob glanced back at Biden, who whispered to him...

"Let them bond together again.... In a half hour, we'll return to prepare them for the meeting- erm, live questioning."

"Mister President, are preparations for the United Nations meeting finished? Have the means of transport and the security been arranged? I'm uncomfortable with the thought of us being harassed by angry protestors."

"Do not worry, I have already considered all the factors. Security will be tighter for the representatives, leaders, and the Romanov daughters alongside their German cousin."

"Ah, good. What about their legal status as revived persons? I wonder if they will receive green cards..."

"Well, as they are Russian and German citizens respectively, I cannot see them becoming American residents as easily as the others. There is also the legal confusion surrounding the resurrections."

"I know. Will I be able to give my speech concerning lessons learned from the Romanovs and their resurrections during or after the United Nations conference?"

"During, Mister Atchinson. During the meeting after the U.N body talks through a final deal about the war settlement and miracles, I mean."

"I see."

"Now, how about we enjoy some refreshments in my office? I have received word not long before your arrival that Putin and the Ukrainian couple will be arriving later."

"Absolutely, Mister President."

The two men shook hands before heading away. This left the princesses to bond again and to have a little peace before the meeting. Given the long history between the Ukrainian President and Putin, it was certain that the meeting would have harsh feelings. Even if the deal favored Ukraine over Russia, both leaders were far from satisfied, only giving a grudging acceptance of the compromise.