On their last full day on the ship, the sisters anxiously gobbled their dinner, asked to be excused, and ran into the storage room to prepare for their show.

"I'm so glad Valentin is probably coming." Maria gushed as she moved the suitcases from out of the middle of the room.

"He's coming!?" Anastasia sputtered.

"Didn't I tell you?" Maria scratched her head and tried to not smile.

"Maria! Why would you invite him!? I don't want him to see me acting like a fool!" Anastasia whined.

"What has gotten into you, Shvibzik? You are a fool! You always love performing in front of people."

"Not strangers!"

"Nastasia, we have performed in front of many strangers. Don't you remember!? At the infirmaries during the war or for the sailors on the Standart. They are strangers." Maria stated as she opened her suitcases.

"The sailors and soldiers are different! They are like family, close friends. Not some random man off this old stinking boat!" Anastasia huffed as she pulled an old coat of her father's out of her suitcase.

"Fine." Maria sighed. "You do make a good point but I'm pretty sure he is coming, so please don't make a fuss."

The girls prepared the room, pulling out two chairs from a closet and setting them in front of their "stage."

Maria wore one of Tatiana's old flushed-out yellow dresses with a cream-colored sash as she played the part of the wife. She also wore one of Olga's old feather embroidered hats.

Anastasia, who was playing the husband, drew a mustache with ink, making two curls reach her nose's sides. She wore one of her father's old coats over her dress and held his gold embedded cane.

Grandmama sat in her assigned chair in the storage room while the girls waited for Valentin in their cabin which connected to the room.

"What if he isn't coming? He said he may have had work." Maria said.

"Come on, Maria! It is fine if he doesn't come!" Anastasia huffed as she slowly turned the doorknob.

"Anastasia Nikolaevna, don't you dare touch that door!" Maria hassled, pulling her away.

"Oh, Maria Nikolaevna! Don't go now taking over the role of the governess!" Anastasia protested.

As the sisters all grew up together, Tatiana had earned the name 'the governess' due to her harsh discipline when one of the sisters did something wrong.

"I'm going out! You can't stop me!" Anastasia marched out into the storage room, leaving Maria behind.

"Lady-" Anastasia started as she saw Valentin open the door.

"Ah, yes. Lady and gentleman." she continued. "I am here now to welcome you to the play we are performing. It is called 'The Greedy Millionaire.' Enjoy the show!" she announced before going back into the cabin.

"Is he here?" Maria's eyes lit up.

Anastasia took her sister by the arm.

"Yes! Now come on! We've got a show to perform!"

-

An hour passed and the show was over. As the sisters took their bows, Grandmama sat elegantly, clapping in her seat while Valentin stood up, whistling and shouting.

"Brava, brava!" he called out.

Maria blushed. Anastasia stood next to her, laughing at the sight of her sister staring at Valentin. As her family returned to their room, Maria stayed behind to talk.

"Did you like it?" Maria asked as she took off Olga's hat.

"It was wonderful! I never knew you and your sister were such actresses!" Valentin remarked.

"Yes! Although Anastasia is the actress of the family. She's the genius that comes up with all of our little plays."

"You, Maria. You are a pure good Russian actress! I see you may have a future on the stage!" Valentin proclaimed. Maria laughed at herself. She had never seen herself as an actress, at least one as good as her little sister.

"Are you able to meet me on the secret deck I showed you that first day? The stars are quite beautiful."

Maria's heart fluttered. Was Valentin asking her on a date?

"Is this a date?" she asked shyly, gripping Olga's hat tightly. She had never been on a date, although she had stolen a few kisses back at the Ipatiev house. She hoped it was.

"Yes, I suppose."

Valentin smiled and ran out of the room out into the hallway. Maria squealed quietly with joy for she didn't want nosy Anastasia to know what she was up to. Luckily, her suitcases were in the storage room, so Grandmama and Anastasia didn't see her getting ready.

She quickly changed into a pink dress with white lace embroidered sleeves. Maria felt tempted to wear a corset to shape her curves, but she figured Valentin wouldn't care. She pinned her hair up like her mother always would and put on her old satin white shoes. She walked down the ship's dark corridors, trying to get on deck. As Maria walked, she heard footsteps. It was Anastasia in her pale blue nightgown running to her, her bare feet pounding the ground.

"Maria! What are you doing! It's going on nine! You're going to see Valentin aren't you!?"

"Yes, Anastasia. Please, don't tell Grandmama I'm in love with him. It will be our secret. I'll be back soon. I've never been this happy before. Please, Nastasia." Maria begged.

She saw her sister hesitate.

"You can go. I won't tell Grandmama. Just make sure to go through the storage room first. I'll leave your nightgown on the suitcases."

"Oh thank you!"

Maria continued down the corridors until she made it on deck where a warm night breeze greeted her. She turned the corner to see dozens of lanterns scattered around the deck. A gramophone sat on one of the tables. Valentin stood in the middle of it, beaming proudly.

"Valentin, all this for me?" Maria walked toward him, breath taken at this romantic meeting.

"Hello Maria, would you like to dance?" Valentin asked, putting a disc record on the gramophone.

Songs played as the two danced the night away. Maria was surprised she didn't trip over her own feet and Valentin was surprised he was dancing so well. They leaned on the deck railing to look at the stars until eleven, stopping to say goodbye.

"It was nice meeting you, Maria." Valentin kissed Maria's hand.

"Whatever do you mean?"

"The ship docks tomorrow in England. I'm afraid we won't see each other again after tonight."

Maria shook her head. "No, I have to be able to see you again!" she protested.

"I'm moving back to St. Petersburg to live with my parents. I suppose we can exchange letters." Valentin explained.

Maria never wanted this night to end. "Come with us! Live in England with us!"

" I can't, Maria."

Maria sighed, depressed her pleading wasn't convincing Valentin to go with her.

"Where do I send you letters?"

"Here." Valentin took a slip of paper from his suit pocket. He had figured this question might have come up, so he was prepared.

Maria felt crushed. She had fallen in love with this man, but now she had to leave him. She always had to be the one to leave. To leave family, leave friends, home. Just this once, she wanted to stay.

Thinking nothing of it, Maria placed her lips on Valentin's and kissed him for a moment, backing away, giddy with joy. Valentin stood wide-eyed but then smiled.

"I'm sorry."

"No, no, it is fine. I would have never believed I would have gotten my first kiss from a pretty girl."

"Please. I just want to be with you," Maria said, her voice breaking.

"We'll find a way, Maria." Valentin reassured her. "Love always finds a way."

After saying one last goodbye, Maria ran from the deck just as the music from the gramophone played out.

Heartbroken, she dressed in her nightgown and crawled into bed.

The tears finally attacked her and she wept until she fell asleep.