Chapter 70: First Day

January 1, 1989, New Year's Day, Columbus, Ohio

On Sunday morning I got out of bed just before 7:00am, packed my bag for the week, put fresh sheets on the bed, then dressed in my black suit, white dress shirt, and royal blue tie. Once I was dressed, I double checked that I had everything I needed, as I wouldn't return home until Saturday, and left the house to pick up Kris.

"Good morning!" she said when she opened the door to the house.

She was wearing a plain grey skirt and a light-blue blouse, and would change into her dress later at the church.

"Good morning!" I replied. "Ready to go to church?"

"Yes. I have my bag packed and Mom will bring my dress with her. Did you want to see Rachel? She's having her bottle now."

"Yes, please."

I went into the house with her and found Rachel in Nadezhda's arms, contentedly drinking her bottle.

"Good morning, Mike," Nadezhda said. "She's just about finished."

"How was she last night?"

"No trouble at all. She's very curious, so I'm glad we bought the gate and the outlet covers you suggested."

"Give her a year or two and the gates won't stop her!"

"Hi, Mike!" Lyudmila exclaimed, coming into the room.

"Hi," I replied.

Rachel finished her bottle, and after Nadezhda burped her, I took her into my arms, hugged her, kissed her, said I'd see her at church, then handed her back to Nadezhda. Kris and I said 'goodbye', I picked up her bag, and we headed out to my car.

"Ready for our big day?" I asked as I pulled out of the driveway.

"Yes!" Kris exclaimed happily. "I'd have suggested we marry sooner, if it hadn't been for my birthday falling during the Nativity Fast on the New Calendar. That was the only reason to wait six weeks."

"I don't disagree, though, to be honest, I'd rather miss a week of Cardiology than have missed a week in Pathology. I learned quite a bit, and it allowed me to hone my skills with the scalpel. I just wish there was a way I could continue practicing, but I simply won't have the opportunity for the next two-and-a-half years."

"Certainly not with the number of hours you have to work. There's no opportunity to practice that while you're in the Emergency Department?"

"No. In fact, the entire point of the new specialty is so that in the future I can do procedures in the ED which are currently done by general surgeons. There are other procedures which have to be supervised by surgeons, and I'll be able to supervise them. But that's six or seven years in the future."

"And before that?"

"I'll be able to do things approved by the Chief of Surgery when he feels I'm ready, which will be sometime after the start of my third year. But before that, I'll be able to do anything the doctors in the ED are authorized to do."

"The first day?"

"Yes. The main difference between now and then is I'll be expected to decide what to do. Granted, I won't be alone at first, and as I demonstrate my competence, there will be less supervision, and I'll deal with more complicated cases."

"You don't find it strange that one day you're a student and the next day you're a doctor?"

"No, but if you think about it, the phrase 'student doctor' does fit, even if it's not used by the medical community. I've already been doing most of the things I'll do in July, so it's a logical next step."

"That does make sense."

"It would be an ethical violation on my part, but just out of curiosity, would you trust me to treat you?"

"What kind of partner would I be if I said 'no'?" Kris asked.

"An honest one, if that's how you actually feel," I replied.

"I'd allow you to treat me. What are the rules?"

"You don't treat family except in extremis when there are no other options. You have to be careful treating friends. It won't happen to me because I'll be in the Emergency Department or on the Surgical service, but I'd never write a prescription for a friend. I'd refer them to a colleague."

"Do doctors do favors for each other that way?"

"I'm sure some do," I replied. "But I wouldn't, and neither would my mentors."

"You aren't permitted to write a prescription for yourself, right?"

"Correct."

"I want to totally change the subject to something we've studiously avoided."

"Go on," I replied, having a fairly good idea what it was she wanted to discuss.

"What do you usually wear to bed?"

"Nothing," I replied. "I have, on occasion, worn pyjamas, but that was in special circumstances."

"Special circumstances?"

I remembered the incident with Becky, but otherwise, they were few and far between, though I had at the monastery.

"At the monastery," I said. "And a few other occasions where being naked might be inappropriate, such as spending the night at someone's house. What about you?"

"Usually a cotton nightgown. And panties, when I need a pad, of course."

"Silly question at this point, but when?"

"In about ten days. The timing worked out just fine. I'd have said something otherwise. I'm pretty regular."

"Any other questions?" I asked.

Kris laughed softly, "Several, but I can wait to discover the answers for myself in about fifteen hours."

"Well, I trust your sex education was sufficient such that there won't be any surprises."

"We French are not prudish the way you Americans are!"

"I am no prude!" I protested.

"I meant in general! You are not normal!"

I laughed, "Jocelyn and Clarissa would both agree with you!"

"The three of us had a good conversation yesterday."

"Why do I think I should be worried?" I asked with a grin.

"I think those two, and Lara, will be close friends! And I think Milena will be as well."

"I agree, and I'm glad you get along with them. Joel is a good guy and so is Gene. I haven't met Nathan, the teacher Lara's seeing, but I can't imagine she'd choose anyone who wasn't a good guy."

"He's her date tonight, right?" Kris asked.

"Yes. You know, I should have asked, but when exactly is Doctor Casper going to propose?"

"In the parish hall during the reception for the congregation. That won't take away from our celebration later at the hotel."

"Neither of them," I chuckled.

Kris laughed, "Only one of those is public!"

"Obviously!" I confirmed.

I pulled into the parking lot at the Dormition of the Mother of God Cathedral, and once I'd parked, Kris and I headed into the church for a brief meeting with Bishop JOHN at which we received his blessing, and to my surprise, a gift of an icon of the Wedding at Cana.

"Thank you, Vladyka," I said.

"Michael, you know the symbolism, right?" he asked with a sly smile.

The icon was interesting, in that Christ and Mary were in the forefront, but to the side, and the bride was in the exalted place, at the center of the banquet table, wearing a crown, with the groom to her side.

I nodded, "The husband is the head of the wife, but the wife is the head of the house, and, in fact, under Byzantine law, her word was law in the home!"

"Is this where I say 'as it should be'?" Kris asked.

"And you, Kris, know the Scriptures, I'm sure," the bishop said with a twinkle in his eye.

"I do, Vladyka," she replied. "And Mike and I have agreed on a completely equal partnership, though I will defer to him when necessary so long as he loves me the way Christ loves the Church."

"And I will do my utmost to love Kris in that way," I added.

"Obedience is always easier than self-sacrificing love," Bishop JOHN observed. "I know you're going to have tremendous stress because of Mike's medical training, and I want you both to know that every resource the Church has to offer is available to assist you."

"Thank you, Vladyka. Did Father Roman arrive as planned?"

"He did, and he'll stay through the reception in the parish hall, then go back to the monastery. Is there anything I can do for either of you now?"

"Just the crowning ceremony this afternoon, and then celebrate with us."

"Gladly! I'll place the icon on the altar during liturgy and bless it and anoint it with chrism. Who shall I give it to afterwards?"

"My mom," Kris said. "She'll take whatever gifts we receive back to the house for us."

"And who is caring for Rachel?"

"My mom today," Kris replied. "Then she'll go with Mike's mom for the rest of the week."

"I hope we'll see the three of you here at the Cathedral some of the time."

"We discussed splitting our time between Saint Michael and the Cathedral," Kris said. "Saint Michael will be our home parish, but we'll come here some Sundays, when Mike's schedule allows."

"Good. Now, let's worship together!"

We followed Bishop JOHN to the nave, and he took his place in his cathedra, with Kris and me standing next to him. The services would not be hierarchical, which meant the bishop wouldn't vest, nor participate, except to receive the Eucharist in the altar, as was the norm for clergy. Matins and the Divine Liturgy followed the usual pattern for a Sunday, and both Kris and I received the Eucharist. Rachel did as well, though she was brought forward to the chalice by her new grandmother.

When the services ended, we joined the congregation for a light lunch in the parish hall, sitting with Bishop JOHN, Father Roman, Father Jacques, Father Luke and his wife. My mom, Stefan, Elaine, April, and my grandparents arrived during lunch, along with some of the congregation from Saint Michael.

When lunch finished, Father Luke invited us to use his office so we could relax. Our moms and grandmothers set up for the reception that would occur after our crowning, with help from some of the women from the parish.

"Did you notice that the Dimitrijevics were not here?" Kris asked.

"I did; I assumed they were visiting someone."

"I don't know for sure, but one of the girls said they elected not to attend liturgy and our crowning because of what happened between you and Danijela."

"That's their choice," I replied.

"Danijela was impatient," Kris replied. "And it was before Oksana introduced us that Danijela had told you she didn't want to see you again."

"It's true she was impatient, but I also could have agreed to only see her."

"But you didn't and I'm glad! You had told her when you'd be able to make a decision and all she had to do was be patient for another month and she'd have won."

"I'm not sure I'm a prize," I replied.

"Stop with the self-deprecation!" Kris commanded. "You know better than that!"

"It's a habit," I replied.

"And if it were true humility, that would be one thing, but it's about cutting yourself down for some reason. I'm sure you don't do that at the hospital. Do you?"

"No, I don't."

"Then don't do it with me, please. I chose you, and I believe I made a very good choice! You deprecating yourself implies I made a poor choice."

"I won't do it again," I replied.

"Good. Just don't go to the other extreme and lord yourself over other people."

"That's something about which I'm constantly vigilant," I replied. "I need to be confident in my skills, but not to the point of arrogance. As one of the surgeons said — arrogance kills."

"Which doctor?"

"Vince Taylor," I replied. "You haven't met him."

"I've only met Doctor Casper."

"We'll work on that," I replied. "Some of them are invited to the housewarming. I was also thinking that when I have long, thirty-six-hour shifts, you and Rachel could come to the hospital to have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with me. Obviously, we'll have to work around school for you, but having meals together as a family is important."

"That makes sense."

"Also, with my January schedule, I'll bring Rachel to daycare at the hospital in the morning, and bring her home with me at the end of my shift. I'll know my February hours around the 15th of January."

There was a knock at the door, it opened, and Chloé stuck her head in.

"«Il est temps de s'habiller, Kris»," she said. ("It's time to get dressed, Kris.")

"It's time for me to get dressed," Kris said to me.

"Then I'll see you in the narthex in about fifteen minutes."

She left, and José, Peter, Robby, and Dale came into the office.

"Anything you need?" Robby asked.

"No. Oksana and Chloé have things under control with Kris, and our moms have everything else under control."

"Your mom is in full grandmother mode?" Dale asked.

I chuckled, "She only wishes she was my grandmother! Give her about ten years and she'll have enough experience to be a full member of the cabal!"

The guys all laughed, and about ten minutes later, Subdeacon Mark came to the door.

"They're ready for you," he said.

"Last chance to bail," Dale teased.

"Same thing you said last time!" José declared.

"Let's go," I chuckled.

We left Father Luke's office and went to the narthex, which was packed with members of Saint Michael, the Cathedral, Holy Transfiguration, and Saint George. There were enough people that they overflowed into the nave, and I was very happy to see Angie there, with both her parents, along with Sheila and Michael. I was happy to see that my paternal grandmother had made it, along with my godparents.

I walked over to Kris, and she and I moved to the doors of the nave where Vladyka JOHN was waiting with Father Roman, Father Nicholas, Father Luke, Father Alexi, Protodeacon Ivan, and Subdeacons Mark and Paul. Father Jacques was there as well, but stood slightly apart from the other clergy. Kris stood to my left, and the Sokolovs took their positions behind us. Protodeacon Ivan handed the censer to the bishop, who held it high.

"Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee!" Bishop JOHN sang out, with the choir responding with the same refrain.

He led us forward to the table in front of the solea, singing Psalm 127 with the refrain 'Glory to Thee, our God; glory to Thee!' following each verse. When the Psalm was finished, the bishop turned to face the assembled congregation.

"Brother Clergy and my spiritual children, we come today to join Michael and Kristina in the bonds of holy matrimony. I call on each and every one of you here to vow to aid Michael and Kristina in fulfilling the commitment they make today to God, to the Holy Church, and to each other. Marriage is a sacred state, and God has given it to us to aid in our salvation. Let us begin!"

He handed the censer back to Protodeacon Ivan.

"Do you, Michael, have a good, free, and unconstrained will, and a firm intention to take as your wife this woman, Kristina, whom you see here before you?"

"I have, Vladyka," I replied.

"Have you promised yourself to any other bride?"

"No, Vladyka, I have not promised myself to any other."

"Do you, Kristina, have a good, free, and unconstrained will, and a firm intention to take as your husband this man, Michael, whom you see here before you?"

"I have, Vladyka," she replied with a huge smile.

"Have you promised yourself to any other man?"

"No, Vladyka, I have not promised myself to any other."

The bishop then intoned, "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages." And the choir and congregation responded with a strong, "Amen!"

Next, Protodeacon Ivan handed the censer to Subdeacon Mark, raised his stole and prayed the Great Litany, with the choir and congregation responding to each petition with 'Lord, have mercy!'. This was followed by the first prayer of the crowning ceremony, which reminded us of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebecca, Jacob and Rachel, Joseph and Aseneth, Zachariah and Elizabeth, and Mary, who conceived by the Holy Spirit. The prayer concluded with the first blessing.

Following this was the second prayer of the crowning ceremony, which, after reminding us that God had made Eve as a mate for Adam, included the second blessing.

The prayer continued with remembrances of the same Old and New Testament figures as the first prayer, and then continued with the third blessing of the crowning ceremony.