"Darling, wake up!" I heard a knock at my door followed by a very familiar voice, and my eyelids slowly fluttered open.
I stayed in bed until the same voice yelled, "Maria, you gotta wake up! It's December 1st, and it's snowing! God must have wanted this day to be extra special!"
I laughed. He knew me so well.
"I'm coming."
"Good! Get dressed, and we're going for a stroll in the city."
I heard footsteps leaving and decided it was safe to get out of bed.
I quickly got dressed in something warm. The snow falling outside of the balcony window told me it would be a good idea to dress as warm as I could, especially if we were going on a stroll outside.
I left my room and almost had a heart attack.
"Misha! Why are you still standing here?"
He laughed. "I actually just walked up. Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. Anyways, we've got to get going."
"No, let me eat first. If you don't remember I've got two people to keep fed."
He gently rubbed my belly. "How could I forget? But, we've still got to get going. We'll get some food in the city."
He grabbed my hand and led me out into the outside air. It was indeed snowing wonderful, big snowflakes. They were soft and beautiful, creating a winter wonderland.
It was December 1st, and a smile couldn't help but stick onto my face. I loved December because of the snow, of course, but also Christmas.
Ah... my smile widened at the thought of Christmas. Cookies, decorations, presents, friends, and family. I loved the Christmas spirit.
But most importantly, it was the birth of Christ. I was thrilled to be celebrating his first appearance on Earth, and the start of his wonderful, miraculous journey to save all people.
I had grown in my faith over the months. It was funny, at first I hated my situation, but I trusted God and I prayed. It was all I could do for a while until I began to build a relationship with these treasured people. I had indeed learned to love them all so much, and I was very happy that God got me through the hard time I was in.
I saw him differently now. He was no longer just a god that I can pray to when I have time. I was beginning to form a relationship with him, just how it is written in the Bible. I began to see his wonderful love in all of nature and grace in my life.
Clearly, I was overjoyed at celebrating his birth with a new heart.
"Darling," Misha said, wrapping his hand around my shoulders and bringing me to his side, "What are you thinking about? You've got a beautiful, shining smile on your face."
I smiled again. "I'm thinking of Christmas."
He smiled. "That's a wonderful reason to smile."
He pointed to a coffee shop. It was very small but looked cozy, and people were coming in and out.
"Let's go eat there."
I nodded. "Sounds perfect."
We walked into the coffee shop, and immediately an aroma of bitter coffee swept into my face, filling up my lungs with the strong smell. The place was very simple. The round tables were metal and small, and the walls were painted in a dark red color.
However, this coffee shop was crowded, so that gave me a good reason to believe that the coffee there was delicious. Indeed, when we were served the cup of steaming coffee, the aroma almost made me weak, and when I took the first sip, it made me tilt back my head and close my eyes, savoring the rich bitterness.
I opened my eyes to see Misha looking closely at me. I smiled, my cheeks burning up a little from his intense gaze.
He stayed that way for a while until I finally asked, "So we were going to talk? Or do something other than stare?"
He smirked. "Oh, what's wrong with that? You look beautiful."
My cheeks wanted to become Rudolph but I focused on making the blood go to my heart instead of my face.
"Very funny, Misha."
He simply winked and then said, "We're going to part ways soon."
I sighed. "You had to bring that up? On this wonderful, snowy day, sipping this... ah, this heavenly coffee?"
With a small, sad smile, he replied, "I am afraid so. I want to... Maria."
He reached across the table and gently took my hand. And dang it, it made my heart accelerate the slightest bit, but I still felt the change. Without thinking, I gently squeezed his hand and saw a hint of emotion flash through his eyes.
"Maria," he continued, "I'm afraid there is no way to mask the way that I have been, well, feeling with you lately. And so I wanted to spend as much of this time that we have left together with you. No matter what, I will enjoy these next few weeks of our..."
He looked up and his eyes met mine.
"...friendship."
I squeezed his hand once more. "Of course."
I let go and so did he and we sat in silence for a few moments. It was a wonderful way to allow the gentle and comforting atmosphere to calm our hearts down and register the words said.
"Misha, what else do we have to see in the city? We should go do that. We're wasting our time sitting here doing nothing."
"We are not wasting time. We are having a lovely conversation."
"Yes, but we could be doing that while looking at the city of St. Petersburg. I think that would be much more efficient and a great way to spend our time."
He laughed. "Let's go, love."
I grabbed my coffee and we headed back out into the snowy air.
We began to talk and I didn't even notice as our conversations slipped from one topic to the next. Our talk never ceased and we were constantly laughing or explaining some silly dreams we had.
It was the type of talk you have with your best friend. Very light and friendly, but full of meaning because of the wonderful bonding and memories made.
And that's exactly how I felt. The topics didn't matter, it was just a wonderful way to laugh and make memories with my best friend.
Misha was busy laughing at a stupid comment I said about the time I burned a pizza while watching football. He was truly laughing. I had noticed how his eyes always closed and glistened when he exploded into a fit of deep, contagious laughter, and he would always clap his hands together when he couldn't breathe but kept laughing more and more. It always made me laugh along with him, even if the story was at my expense.
Finally, he stopped and took a deep breath. I was very glad he stopped because my cheeks were already hurting from laughing so much.
"Maria, look. It's the Hermitage Museum."
I looked up at the beautiful building in front of us. I smiled. What made it more beautiful was the man standing next to me, who brightened up my heart.
I did feel like one of the luckiest and happiest women on this earth right now.
I turned my head to look at Misha. He apparently had the same idea because he also turned to face me. We smiled, both of us knowing exactly what the other was feeling.
Our eyes were still glued together and our cheeks were burning from smiling so wide. I felt his fingers slowly touch mine and then intertwine with mine.
"Let's go in? It's going to be much prettier inside."
I laughed. "Of course, lead the way!"
He took my hand and pulled me inside. I was very glad he did because he wasn't lying when he said that it was much prettier inside.
It was indeed filled with the most beautiful architecture. It was filled with wonderful statues and the chandeliers that hung were so magnificent that I had to stop and stare at each one for a few minutes at least.
Misha would be very patient with me. He stood with his hand tightly holding mine, admiring the work of art silently with me.
We walked through the golden hallways that gleamed with light and made me gasp at each little detail in the walls, floors, and ceilings. They were decorated with exquisite art and royal and elegant ambiance.
Misha slowly led me up a staircase. It made me imagine a King or a Queen slowly descending down these steps, surrounded by the breathtaking artwork and gold carvings, their cloak trailing behind them, radiating their power through the room.
We got to the top and watched the view of the magnificently built beauty. Misha wrapped an arm around my shoulders and tugged me closer to him. He placed his head against the side of mine and then slowly let out a deep breath, making it tickle my neck.
"Maria, I'm so glad you're here."
I smiled. "Me too, Misha. Me too."
I closed my eyes and silently prayed, "God, thank you. I don't know why you brought this man into my life, but thank you. I know that I haven't done the right in all my ways, but please, don't let me ruin this friendship I have. I love him very much. And no matter what, thank you for him."
Finally, he looked back up at me and said, "We should get going now. We have spent this day perfectly, and now we have to go eat. We should also get home before it gets too cold and dark."
I nodded. "Let's go."
He took my hand and slowly led me through the hallways illuminating the rays of sunlight onto the works of art carved expertly into the walls.
We walked into a little shop that we found on the street, but it made some delicious food. It's funny, usually, the little side shops are the ones that serve the best food and best memories.
We sat for a long time, talking about many different things. Once again, we drifted into conversation that never ceased and constantly brought us into fits of laughter. Misha's laughter would ring through the room and I would sit back and admire this wonderful, precious moment.
It was very warm and toasty inside the shop. The aroma of Russian food made me feel like I was at home. There was even a little Christmas tree in the corner of the shop, decorated with bright ornaments and a star at the top.
The snow outside was falling fast and I smiled as I saw my reflection, and then saw Misha's head tilted back, still laughing vehemently.
God was good and watching over us, and a peaceful and warming feeling settled in my heart. Everything was as perfect as I wanted it to be.
And no matter what would happen during the next few weeks, I would cherish this memory in my heart forever.