Chapter 35: Cut to the Chase

August 21, 1988, Columbus, Ohio

"Shall we handle the practical questions first?" I asked as I fed Rachel her bottle.

"Sure!" Kristina replied.

"First, would you prefer I called you 'Kris' or 'Kristina'?"

"I prefer Kris, but either is OK. Out of curiosity, were you 'Deacon Mike' to the teens? Vladyka JOHN always referred to you as 'Deacon Michael'."

"Deacon Mike. And I'll be 'Doctor Mike' once I graduate."

"OK to ask what you and Elizaveta called each other?"

"She called me either 'Mike' or 'husband', and I called her 'Kitten', originally in Russian but then in English."

"Did you use a lot of Russian with her?"

"No. She spoke about as well as I do, which is conversational. I only had one friend my age who was truly bilingual. Most of the kids didn't speak Russian at all, or only a smattering of words. I don't plan to teach Rachel to speak Russian. What's your feeling about French?"

"It sounds like fun!" Kris said with a soft laugh.

"I meant language, not kissing!" I countered with a silly smile.

"Obviously! If we lived in France, we'd speak French to our kids; we're in America, so we'll speak English, or what passes for English here!"

I laughed, "I watched enough British shows on TV to know there are significant differences between American English and the Queen's English. Next question — traditional Orthodox practice of separate betrothal and crowning, or modern practice."

"Our parish in Paris always kept them separate."

"Patriarchal or ROCOR?"

"ROCOR, but Vladyka JOHN accepted us without any ceremony."

"That's the general OCA practice when people move between jurisdictions. So, separate?"

"Yes."

"Orthodox or romantic tradition for rings?"

"Orthodox, of course!" Kris declared. "I also wouldn't want you spending money on a diamond at this point."

"But later?"

Kris laughed, "Doctors do make good money! But as you can see, I don't wear jewelry. I do wear my baptismal cross, of course."

"Same here. Just so there are no surprises, doctors in surgery are required to remove all jewelry, including rings and necklaces. Doctors in the Emergency Department don't wear their rings while on duty, either."

"I get the rings because of the gloves, but your baptismal cross?"

"Can harbor bacteria, unless it was put in an autoclave for hours. It's a logical extension of handwashing. Marry at the Cathedral?"

"I'm OK with that, but I'd be OK with your parish."

"I'd prefer the Cathedral," I said. "We can discuss why later. More practicality — unless you intend to get pregnant on our wedding night, I'd suggest you go on birth control pills. There's sufficient time for them to be effective before Nativity."

"I agree. I should at least graduate from High School, though if I do my math correctly, your wife was pregnant when she graduated."

"In her sixth month, yes," I said as I put Rachel in the high chair to feed her solid food.

"You'll be on your cardiology rotation. Will they cut you some slack for time off?"

"If so, not much. That said, I am going to discuss with Doctor Roth and Doctor Gibbs starting my Residency on July 1st, which would give me five weeks off after graduation."

"So a delayed honeymoon, then?"

"Delayed honeymoon trip," I replied with a smirk.

Kris laughed, "Yes, of course! There is no way I'm delaying my honeymoon night!"

Her French accent made it sound even sexier; in fact, it made just about everything she said sexy!

"Can't wait to get me into bed?" I teased.

"You do know girls want to do that, too, right?"

"Obviously. What do you think about New Year's Day for a crowning, assuming Father Luke is amenable?"

"That would be OK. Would you get someone to keep Rachel that night?"

"I'm sure her grandparents would be happy to keep her. Betrothal as soon as convenient for Father Luke?"

"It would have to be before November 15th, right?" Kris asked.

"Yes. No betrothals or crownings are permitted during a fasting period except in extremis."

"What would be the circumstances?"

"The only case I've ever heard of was someone in the military being shipped out with little warning. Traditional rings? Silver and gold?"

"Yes."

"I'll leave the reception planning to your mom and my mom, if that's OK with you."

"Anything so I don't have to do it!" Kris declared.

"My thoughts exactly!" I replied. "Anything practical you think I've missed?"

"Not that I can think of. What's next?"

"We eat our lunch, then go to the Chancery and see if Vladyka is available."

"Cut to the chase?" Kris asked.

"Given I want to skip pre-marital counseling, I think that's the right approach."

"Why?"

"I think it would be a waste of time that I simply don't have. I don't think you have any misconceptions, nor do I think we have any areas where we need a priest to mediate for us."

"You can tell that from two dates?"

"Do you disagree?"

"No."

"I'm positive your European upbringing has you far better prepared for life as an adult than most kids raised in the US."

"You can say that again!"

"I'm positive your European upbringing has you far better prepared for life as an adult than most kids raised in the US."

Kris laughed, "Goofball!"

"Not only a goofball, but I wear it as a badge of honor!"

The waitress brought our food and after I said the blessing, we began eating. I switched between feeding Rachel and eating my meal as I often did, and when we finished lunch, I paid the bill and the three of us headed to the Chancery.

"Michael?" Vladyka JOHN said when he opened the door.

"I apologize for showing up unannounced, but I wondered if Kristina Korolyov and I might have a word with you."

"Of course. Come in, please."

Kristina stepped into the Chancery foyer and I followed, carrying Rachel.

"Master, bless!" I requested and kissed his hand after he gave a blessing to me.

He then blessed Rachel, and finally Kris, who also kissed his hand.

"I'm alone this afternoon," he said. "So you'll need to excuse me to make some tea."

"I can do it, Vladyka," Kris offered. "Just show me the kitchen, please."

We followed him to the kitchen, and after he showed Kris where the tea was kept, he, Rachel, and I went to his study.

"How have you been, Michael?"

"Medical school and Rachel are keeping me very busy," I replied. "Spiritually, well, I'm not looking forward to Thursday and Friday."

He nodded, "Allow me to ask the obvious question — is your spiritual state responsible for what you're going to ask when Kristina brings tea and cookies?"

"I should have realized it would be obvious," I replied with a wry smile.

"Well, it is something of a surprise, but I can deduce only one reason you would show up, unannounced, with a young woman at your side. How long have you been seeing her?"

"Oksana Korolyov introduced us last Wednesday, and we had dinner. Then we had lunch today after the Divine Liturgy."

Bishop JOHN laughed and shook his head, "And five days after you first met, you're asking for my blessing to marry?"

"In our defense, I will point out that Elizaveta proposed within a minute of the beginning of our first serious conversation. Kristina and I didn't decide until today."

"Well, who can argue with a five-day romance?" Bishop JOHN asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"I know it seems quick, but I'm positive she's the right one."

"Would it be out of line if I asked what happened with Danijela Dimitrijevic?"

"No, you wouldn't be out of line. I believe she listened to our grandmothers and pushed too hard, too fast."

"I'm sorry, but under the circumstances..."

"Yes, I know what it looks like, but Danijela and I had agreed on a timeline for a decision, and she, listening to our grandmothers, pushed to move up the timeline. I declined, and she said she no longer wanted to see me. I called her last Sunday evening and asked to have lunch today, but she declined."

"But if you had a date with Kristina..."

"I hadn't seen Kristina at that point, and by the time I saw her on Wednesday, Danijela had declined."

"Are you sure this is wise?"

"Was it wise for me to marry Elizaveta?"

"There's no need to be defensive, Michael," Bishop JOHN said gently. "I'm not going to tell you 'no'; I'm simply inquiring about your thought process and the speed at which you are moving forward with Kristina."

"My needs are fairly simple," I replied. "A faithful, conservative, Orthodox young woman who wants to have a family, and raise our kids in the Church. She needs to be mature, intelligent, self-sufficient, self-confident, and ready to be a wife and mom. That describes Kristina to a 'T'. She is exactly what I'm looking for. Given that, I saw no reason to wait."

"It really doesn't surprise me, and I know you mean no disrespect to Elizaveta. It was clear to me, from the first moment we met, that you need a partner in your life."

"When I was five?" I asked, as I had first met him at Holy Transfiguration.

Bishop JOHN laughed, "OK, from the time I was enthroned and we had our first heart-to-heart conversation. It became even more clear after Matushka Elizaveta reposed. I'm sure you're aware that there will be some people who object, and who think you are moving too quickly because it's only been a year. When do you propose to have the crowning?"

"I think we should wait for Kristina to discuss the details."

"Yes, of course. Have you been attending services regularly?"

"Yes, at Holy Transfiguration, Saint George, Saint Athanasius, and at the Cathedral."

"And you've been seeing Father Alexi for confession?"

"I have. With your blessing, I still intend to visit Father Roman."

"I do think that would be very good for you, as I've said before."

"Yes, but with the changed circumstances, I felt it was better to raise the topic."

Bishop JOHN nodded, "Very wise."

Kris brought in the tea and a plate of cookies and sat down. Bishop JOHN gave his blessing, then Kris poured tea into three cups.

"His Grace deduced why we're here," I said.

Kristina smiled, "That comes as no surprise!"

"Michael, do you mind if I speak privately with Kristina?" Bishop JOHN asked.

"No, Vladyka. Rachel and I will take my tea to the kitchen."

I got up, picked up my tea cup and Rachel's carrier, and went to the kitchen. I was there for about ten minutes before Kris came to get me. She smiled and winked and we went back to Bishop JOHN's study.

"Michael, what is your timeline?" he asked.

"A betrothal ceremony at the Cathedral as soon as practical, then a crowning on January 1st."

"You're not able to take time off, if I recall correctly," Bishop JOHN observed.

"You do remember correctly. New Year's Day would be the easiest day for me to get special permission, should I need it, as there would be no scheduled surgeries or procedures, and I'll be in Cardiology, not in the Emergency Department."

"Then that makes sense. I would guess there would be no honeymoon trip."

"Not in January, no. I am going to request that I start my Residency on July 1st, instead of June 1st, which would give me five weeks off."

"Given what you've explained about your schedule during Residency, I believe that's a wise decision. Will that be approved?"

"I think there are very good odds. I'll ask tomorrow."

"Good. You two have my blessing. Kristina, please speak with Father Luke. I suspect he will want to conduct at least one pre-marital counseling session, though I understand scheduling it might be difficult."

"Is that instruction, Vladyka?" Kristina asked.

"It is the policy of the diocese, which I could waive. Is there a problem?"

"Mike's schedule."

"Sundays appear to be OK," Bishop JOHN observed.

I nodded, "That should be the case through the end of November, as my next rotation is pathology, and that's Monday to Friday, during the day."

"Then I'd like you to have at least one session with Father Luke."

"Yes, Vladyka," both Kris and I said.

"May I ask if Kristina will adopt Rachel?"

"That was my intent, Vladyka," I said. "I haven't discussed it with my stepdad, who specializes in that area, but I can't imagine any problems."

"Feel free to decline to answer, but have you discussed children?"

Kris touched my arm to indicate she wanted to answer.

"Yes," she replied. "And we agreed we'd want two together, but neither of us sees that as a hard limit."

"You appear to have covered quite a bit of ground on two dates!" Bishop JOHN observed.

"As I said to you when you asked, Oksana advised me not to even agree to have dinner with Mike if I wasn't prepared to marry him after a whirlwind romance, so to speak. We both knew the desired outcome, so there was no need to dance around it. Mike and I are both very pragmatic, direct, and to the point."

"I'm well aware!" Bishop JOHN said with a smile and a nod to me. "Would you like me to officiate?"

I nodded, "I would, if it fits your schedule."

"It does," he replied. "I'll add it to my calendar. Please let me know when you'd like the betrothal ceremony."

"Kris?" I inquired. "We can get rings quickly, so you pick a Sunday."

"How about two weeks?" she suggested. "That's Labor Day weekend."

"I'm scheduled to be in Cincinnati to tonsure a subdeacon," Bishop JOHN said.

"I'll be OK with Father Luke doing the betrothal," I said. "If Kris is."

"I am," she agreed.

"Then speak with him, please."

"Yes, Vladyka," Kris replied.

"Is there anything else?" Bishop JOHN asked.

"No, Vladyka," I replied. "We'll leave you in peace."

He laughed, "As if that were ever possible in my position."

"I'd apologize, but you wouldn't believe me."

"Because it's your fault, Mikhail Petrovich!"

"Guilty as charged!"

We asked for and received the bishop's blessing, then left the Chancery and got into the car.

"What time do you need to be back in McKinley?" she asked.

"For dinner, so figure by 5:30pm. Why?"

"I'm thinking it's wise to tell my parents I'm engaged!"

"How surprised will they be?"

"Not terribly, as they knew the situation. Unlike my American friends, I can talk to my parents about any topic imaginable, including things my friends would never dream of discussing with their parents."

"I had that kind of relationship with my mom, and still do."

"Including about sex?"

"Yes. Directions?"

"The little girl in the back seat suggests strongly you know how to do that and do not need directions!"

"I meant to your house, silly girl!"

Kris laughed, then provided directions to her house. I pulled out of the small parking lot, making a right turn.

"What was your mom's take on that topic?" Kris asked.

"That she was no more interested in details about my sex life than I was in details about hers!"

Kris laughed, "I have to agree!"

"It was more about engaging in sexual activity before marriage and how to reconcile that with our faith."

"What was the answer?"

"That missing the mark is not an unforgivable sin, though we shouldn't take that as license to sin. I tend to agree with the older ladies in the church that the solution to raging hormones is to pair off the teens and have them marry as soon as practicable. Of course, that creates a whole new set of problems, but it does resolve what is often a hot button for parents."

"And teenagers!" Kris declared. "Did you confess?"

"I did. And I was permitted to receive the Eucharist but assigned stricter fasting and prayer rules."

"Did it work?"

"Eventually."

Kris laughed, "You sound suspiciously like Augustine of Hippo in his Confessions!"

"'But I, a miserable young man, supremely miserable even in the very outset of my youth, had entreated chastity of You, and said, Grant me chastity and continency, but not yet. For I was afraid lest You should hear me soon, and soon deliver me from the disease of concupiscence, which I desired to have satisfied rather than extinguished.'"

"Why am I not surprised you have that memorized?" Kris asked.

"Did you read Confessions on your own?"

"No. It was assigned for a literature course in the equivalent of High School. Despite the principle of «Laïcité», religious texts are not banned from schools."

"That word means 'secularism', right?"

"Yes. Do you speak languages other than Russian and English?"

"I studied Latin in High School and in college, and can read it, but not speak it. I'm self-taught in Koine Greek, but again, reading only. I assume French, Russian, and English for you?"

"Yes."

"OK to ask what the bishop said to you?" I inquired.

"He asked me why I wanted to marry you. I seriously thought about saying it was because I wanted to go to bed with you, but I don't think he would have received the joke well."

I chuckled, "First, he has a good sense of humor. Second, it's true! It might not be the primary reason, but it is a reason. And the feeling is mutual."

"What's your primary reason?"

"The sexiest French accent I've ever heard in my life, bar none!" I teased.

Kris laughed, "OK, but the real primary reason?"

"I think what we said before, and what I said to His Grace — you're a faithful, conservative, Orthodox young woman who wants to have a family, and who wants to raise her kids in the Church. You're mature, intelligent, self-sufficient, self-confident, and ready to be a wife and mom. At that point, why wait? I could have added, but didn't, that you're smoking hot! I also neglected to mention your sexy accent!"

"Smoking hot? Seriously?"

"Seriously! And your primary reason?"

"A guy who meets all my criteria, and who is not going to wait around for me to graduate college. It would be unwise to pass the opportunity to marry a handsome, faithful, Orthodox doctor who is quite obviously a good father. Honestly, only a foolish girl would pass that up because the timing was different from what she'd wanted."

Which was why Irina and Susana had, in effect, taken themselves out of competition, as had Becka. Nadiya's reasons were different, as she could accept the timing change, just not the BS that went with medical training.