Marriage by Proxy

by Combs, Sasha

  “We shouldn’t talk here Nicolai. Is there someplace private that we can go?” Grabbing her elbow he lead her out of the crowed bar; neither of them noticing the eyes from a corner table, as they followed their exit from the building. Nicolai pulled up to a warehouse; he blew his horn and the large garage door rolled up allowing him to drive his car inside. Once inside of the building, the door lowered as darkness enveloped them. Turning on the lights to the vehicle, he flashed them three times then turned them off. Suddenly the room was illuminated, as two male figures stood in the distance by a light panel, watching as they disembarked from the car. As they began to walk towards them Alex began to talk in a low whisper.

  “Nicolai, I don’t know how much time I have left but you have a mole in your ranks.” Coming to a complete stop Nicolai turned Alexandra to face him; as he searched her face he looked deeply into her eyes to discern her meaning. Then he spoke. “Don’t say another word until I say it’s safe.” Turning towards the two waiting men they resumed their pace. When they walked through the doorway, Alexandra saw three other figures, one a woman and two men. They were reading and burning documents; others were taking pictures with a small camera. “Look straight ahead.” Nicolai didn’t want to draw attention to them, and Alexandra’s eyes seemed to be too interested in the happenings in the room. Once they crossed the room, Nicolai took Alexandra into what appeared to be a storage room, and then he shut the door.

  “I told you to stay out of Berlin Alexandra. Why are you here?”

  “Nicolai, you have a mole in your ranks.”

  “How would you know that?” His face frowned as he looked down on her. She knew that if she told him the truth he probably kill her where she stood but she needed him to believe her. Alexandra told Nicolai the whole dirty truth, from the first time they met to the wet nurse that she had to secure for their son so that she could come and warn him. He was speechless. Turning away from her he tried to gather his thoughts. He had known that they had a leak and he had his suspicions but Alexandra’s presence complicated things. Nicolai knew that once he left Berlin, he’d never be able to return. His cover had been blown. He could live his life regretting the relationship that he could have shared with Alexandra, but to leave knowing that another man is playing the role of father towards his son, was more then he could emotionally handle. Turning back to her he reached to take her into his arms; then suddenly without warning a large explosion rang through the large brick building. Nicolai heard shouts, broken glass and gun fire as the sounds all intermingled and melded together. Pushing Alexandra back against the wall in the closet, Nicolai cracked the door to assess the situation. The agents that had been in the room lie in pools of their own blood on the floor. He heard feet running above his head. He quickly ascertained that the Agents were being pursued on the second floor. He knew that he and Alexandra had to get out of the building because the KGB agents would find them in the closet once they searched the building. Holding her hand behind him, he opened the door and ran to look out the window that was not visible unless one stood in the room. He didn’t see anyone standing outside so he lifted the window and lifted Alexandra out. As he began to climb out Nicolai felt a sharp pain in the center of his back. He’d heard stories about feeling a gunshot wound before hearing the shot and he concluded that that is what he was experiencing. He landed hard on the gravel covered ground below the window. Alexandra placed his arm around her shoulder and asked him to direct her to his safe house. Alexandra recalled how she’d nearly got caught several times due to the streets being filled with police and KGB agents. Once at the safe house, the U.S. agent knew that they had to get Nicholas out of the country. This was the first time she’d ever heard him called anything other than Nicolai. A tall burly man dressed in all black looked down on her and gestured to another man, of equal sized and height and said “Her too.”

  That was the last thing Alexandra remembered. Three day’s later she woke up in a United States Military Base Hospital in West Berlin totally hung over from a knock out drug. No one would tell her about Nicholas, whether he was alive or dead. She begged them to let her go back to get her baby but they said it was impossible. She remembered a CIA agent telling her that she had become a subject of interest to the KGB after her return from Berlin gleaned no substantial intelligence. She and her family were being watched for any suspicious behavior. She knew that if she returned to Russia she would be interrogated then shot for treason. Alexandra’s heart mourned for Yuri. She knew that the KGB would torture him for information; information that he knew nothing about. Alexandra knew that Yuri suspected Misha not to be his child, but he loved her and it didn’t matter to him. But she never told him about Berlin or Nicolai. The worst torture is when a person truly doesn’t know anything, yet the punishment doesn’t cease. This is what Yuri would have to endure. And what about Misha? What would he think of his mother abandoning him? Would Yuri even tell him about her or would he simply raise him as his own leaving the child to wonder about his mother. Alexandra removed her eye cover as she looked out the window; as the plane continued to circle in the sky. She reconciled that she’d done all she could to undo some of the damage that had occurred that fateful day and she could only hope and pray that her actions were all forgiven and all debts were paid.

  Chapter Nine

  Body language says it all

  Carolyn watched as the large fluffy snowflakes fell inch after inch; giving the evergreen trees that Flocked looked that people paid a mint for on artificial trees. If they weren’t in such a remote setting she believed that she would have enjoyed watching as the snow transformed the landscape into a winter wonderland. But the fact of the matter is that their predicament worried her. Carolyn had not moved from the window all morning, refusing to eat breakfast; Misha watched as her once peaceful countenance transformed to a sharp edge. He tried to console her as he reiterated the facts about the cabin but none of his efforts served to allay her concerns. On more than one occasion she reminded him that he promised to leave if their situation was dire, but Misha hardly saw a few snowflakes as a reason to end their weekend get-a-way by leaving earlier then he had planned. But Carolyn’s body language was screaming take me home. He knew that she was fast approaching a meltdown and he’d already taken her out of her comfort zone when he bought her to the cabin; so reluctantly he agreed to pack up his vehicle and head back to the city, where he was sure, she’d feel safe and sound.

  Carolyn watched as Misha removed all of the garbage from the house, burying cans and plastic and burning all paper products. It hadn’t occurred to her that the garbage man wouldn’t be picking up their trash so they’d have to dispose of it themselves. As she watched Misha, she couldn’t help but smile to herself. Most men are helpless children; can’t cook, can’t make up a bed and can’t take out the darn garbage. But Misha was a man of mystery. Once she thought she’d figured out his limitations, he’d surprise her by doing something new or different. After the last bag had been placed into the trunk he came into the great room and said “I’d like to make one final check to be sure that I’ve turned off everything and lock up the cabin. Why don’t you go and wait for me in the car. I’ve already turned it on to warm it up.” When Carolyn got into the car Misha had popped in a Jazz CD. She picked up the case and turned it over. A name and message was signed in black permanent ink on the case.

  Nick would say, Seize the day. From your friend and mentor. General K.C. West

  Carolyn was interrupted by Misha as he settled in the driver’s seat and closed the door. “Ready to head back to the city?”

  “Yes. I really enjoyed myself Misha. I didn’t believe that I would, but I really did.” Leaning across his seat he softly kissed her on her lips then drew his head back as he gazed into her eyes.

  “I’d better get this car moving before I take you back into that cabin and violate you in some ways that I’ve yet to demonstrate.”

  Smiling she returned his intense gaze.

  “So there’s mo
re to that famous repertoire that I’ve yet to see?”

  “You have no idea.”

  The ride back to the city had yielded even more information. Carolyn learned that Misha’s townhouse wasn’t a rental nor did he own it. When he arrived in the U.S., a part of his contract with Beaumont was that they’d provide him with housing, until he was able to find suitable housing for himself. Alexandra had discouraged him from buying a house when he first arrived because she told him that when he was ready to find his wife, it is best to let the wife choose the house, since most homes are decorated in the taste of the wife and not the husband. Misha told Carolyn that it would take him less than a day to move his clothing out of the townhouse, and when she was ready to start looking for a bigger home; his salary would afford whatever her taste desired.

  As they neared Auburn Hills, Carolyn heard her cellular phone beep, indicating that it was picking up a signal from a tower. Pulling it from her leather purse, she flipped it up and saw that she had 6 voice messages. Scrolling down the names she saw that one of the calls was from Rachel Horn, one was from Peter Thorn, three were from Estelle and one was from Alexandra. As Carolyn listened to her voice mails Misha smiled. She had felt so disconnected due to her inability to communicate with the outside world, and now as she checked her messages, she sighed and moaned, indicating her disapproval. The overstuffed attaché case, full of files that never saw the light of day, had remained in the same chair when they arrived to the cabin, and he picked it up from the same chair when they left the cabin.

  As she closed her phone and placed it back into her purse, Misha peered over and looked at her through the sides of his eyes.

  “Is everything alright?”

  “No; one of my client’s, slashed all four tires on her husbands Hummer.”

  “That’s not good.”

  “Oh no…it get’s worse. She was arrested. But her husband called me to let me know that he posted bail and took her out of the country to escape the press.”

  “Should he have done that?” Carolyn frowned as she shook her head. She thought to herself Peter and Rachel you both deserve each other.

  “No, he should not have taken her out of the country. And I’m sure that when his attorney learns of this he’ll be just as angry as I am.”

  “Were your other calls just as disturbing?”

  “No, not really. Estelle just called to keep me up dated on the client that I just told you about. Then I got a call from Alexandra.”

  Misha turned his head to look at Carolyn when she said that. He wanted to see if her body language suggested that Alexandra’s message was good or bad, but Carolyn just looked straight ahead giving him no indication as to the content of the message.”

  “Is Alexandra okay? I know you were trying to contact her before we left.”

  “I guess she’s okay. She simply say’s she’ll talk to me on Monday when I get back into town. I may try to call her when I get home.”

  Misha didn’t respond. He knew that Alexandra had talked about going to Russia and when she went missing all last week, he suspected that she’d left the country.

  “Why don’t you just wait until Monday? Besides, if it’s still snowing like this when we get back to your condo, I’d like to turn on that gas fireplace of yours and open up a bottle of wine.”

  “Then what?” She placed her hand on his thigh as she rubbed her hand up and down the length of his leg.

  “I’d like to pick up where we left off at the cabin.” Placing his hand on top of hers he said “But if you keep rubbing on my leg like that we’ll never make it there in one piece.” Interlacing his fingers with his; he laid their hands on his thigh. They each watched the road markers; eagerly waiting to see the sign that marked their exit; as their abated desire began to mount with each passing mile.

  Chapter Ten

  Full Revelations

  As promised, Misha demonstrated acts of love making that took Carolyn to new heights. She’d never been in a relationship that caused every hair on her body to stand on end. Their moans and screams echoed throughout the condo all evening and well into the night.

  As night gave way to morning, Carolyn woke with a smile on her face never believing it possible that a man could initiate so many orgasms in one night. As she stretched her arm across her bed she remembers Misha telling her about reporting to the hospital early that morning. He had waked at 5 AM and was out the door by 0530. He needed to stop by his Townhouse before heading into the hospital. She moaned due to his absence. She said to herself “We’ll have to remedy this townhouse situation as soon as possible and get you moved in here no later than tonight.”

  The first day back at the Law Firm was no different then any other day except for the fact that Carolyn and Estelle hummed, sang and sashayed around the office, each giggling and exchanging silly jokes. Carolyn had confined in Estelle regarding she and Misha; due to her Freudian slip and the large four caret diamond that adorned her ring finger on her left hand. She had worn it while she and Misha spent their time at the cabin and had completely forgotten to take it off when she went into the office that morning. In many ways she was relieved that Estelle knew. She wanted to have someone to talk to other than Alexandra, and Estelle had always been a great employee and friend.

  Carolyn had only missed one full day of work last week for her three day weekend; but as she poured over the many files and contracts, it felt as if she’d been gone for over a week. While sifting through files Estelle tapped on Carolyn’s door. Opening the door, just enough to peak her head in she quarried “Are you busy.” Carolyn lifted her head up, as her eyes peered over a pair of designer reading glasses.

  “Not really. I’m just looking over Rachel Horn’s file. I’m trying to pull a case together for her; just in case this out of the country deal turns into something ugly. What’s up?” Carolyn watched as Estelle sheepishly walked into the office as she timidly slunk down into the leather guest chair.

  “What’s wrong Estelle?” She and Estelle had both been reveling in Alexandra’s magic work all that morning; and now, Estelle appeared as if her world was crumbling in around her.

  “Carolyn, I need some advice.”

  Carolyn couldn’t imagine what had caused such a change in Estelle’s behavior and she didn’t even want to entertain the possibility that something had gone awry between she and Brian.

  “Sure Estelle…you know that I’m here for you. What do you need advice on?”

  “You know that I’m over forty years old and Brian and I really want children.” Estelle paused as she looked down into her inner laced fingers.

  “We’ve been discussing the possibility of starting a family.”

  Carolyn smiled as she reassured her friend. “That’s great Estelle. I’ve always known that when you did choose to have children, you’d be a great mother.”

  “Well, Brian wants to start working on this right away.”

  “So what’s the problem? Are you concerned that since you to two just got married, he might be moving to fast?”

  “Oh no Carolyn it’s not that at all. I know that Brian is my life mate. He’s perfect for me and I’m perfect for him. We knew that immediately. As a matter of fact it was love at first sight for the both of us.”

  Carolyn was envious of her friend. It had taken a weekend get away for her to discover what took her and Brian merely second’s to conclude. Her mind wondered as she conjured up how she and Misha might have enjoyed each others company that first night, had she not been so opposed to their marriage. All of the wonderful things that they experienced in the cabin could have been experienced their first night. Estelle’s sniffles broke into her mental dialogue as Estelle reached for a tissue from the box that sat on Carolyn’s desk.

  “Estelle, if you and Brian are so perfect for each other and you both want children; what’s the problem?”

  Estelle wiped her nose as she looked up at Carolyn with tear filled eyes.

  “Carolyn, I’m over forty years old and Bri
an and I want to have a large family. In my late thirties I began to show signs of early menopause. My Gynecologist told Brian and I that our best chance for me to get pregnant at this stage in my life is through the use of fertility medication. Brian started giving me my injections this past weekend.”

  Carolyn sat stunned. She could see that Estelle was emotionally off balanced and she didn’t want to say anything that would push her any further off balance then she already was. She also knew that if she sat quiet, as her mind reviewed her situation; Estelle could mistake it as silent judgment or worse condemnation. Carolyn chose to think aloud. “Let me get this straight. Two week’s ago, you and Brian signed proxy marriage document’s which legally made you man and wife. Four day’s later you gathered friends and family to share your newly acquired wedded bliss. Then nine day’s later, Brian is injecting you in your…rear end, so that you can get pregnant with one, maybe two miniature