On June eighteenth, the servants woke up very early and prepared the house for a day full of fun.

Sunlight fluttered through the girls' open bedroom windows. It also illuminated the morning dew that sat around the house. Maria awoke very early and quietly dressed. Outside, she met Oliver who sat in the driver seat of a Ford Model T. Maria climbed into the passenger seat and the car sped into town.

After her trip to town, Maria made sure everything was perfect for her little sister. Once everything was ready, Maria stood over her sister, who was still sleeping.

"Shvibzik! Wake up." Maria whispered, tapping Anastasia's shoulder. The girl didn't budge.

"Anastasia! Wake up!" she laughed as she whacked her sister with a pillow. Seeing that she needed more help waking her up, Maria gave the thumbs-up and the servants of the house crowded into the room.

"One...two...three!" Maria whispered.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANASTASIA!" the room roared.

Anastasia shot up in bed, stunned at this unusual alarm. She then started to hysterically laugh which made the room join in with her. All the servants left the room, leaving the sisters inside.

"Happy eighteenth birthday, darling." Maria sat on the edge of the bed and hugged Anastasia.

"Thank you, Mashka."

Anastasia's smile vanished. Maria knew what her sister was thinking.

"I know. I wish they were here too...but we're all going to make this one of the best days ever. I promise." she gave her sister a sweet smile and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Come on! Get dressed!"

Maria pulled off a dress that was hanging on the folding screen. It was a light pastel green color with pink, orange, purple, and white flowers embroidered on it down to the hips. It was loose, so it was easy to run in. The waistline met a little below the hips, and the dress stopped at the knees.

(the dress below isn't exactly what comes to mind when I think of this dress but it's close enough so here's a reference)

"Mashka! It's beautiful! Where did you get it!"

"From a dress shop in town! I had it custom-made for you! Now go on! Put it on!"

After changing, Anastasia slowly stepped out from behind the screen. Maria placed her hands over her mouth. "Nastasia! You look so lovely!"

"Do you suppose we could borrow a bouquet from the gardeners?" Anastasia asked, smoothing her dress down, a smirk tugging at the ends of her lips.

"Why?"

"Don't worry, Mashka. I have an idea."

Twenty minutes passed, and the sisters sprinted to breakfast. They strolled into the dining room to see an array of treats on the table, many of which were Anastasia's favorites.

While Anastasia gasped at the food, all of the room gasped at her hair. She had fashioned it half up, half down, with colorful flowers peeking out of every crevice. She had done it regularly as a child and when it had quite become the rage in Russia, the duchess was quite impressed with her trendsetting fame.

Once Anastasia realized everyone was looking, she clearly stated: "It's my birthday, so I would like to wear my hair how I like it."

The rest of the breakfast went on without a hitch, and the girls dashed to the courtyard to play games.

The servants were released from duties by Anastasia to play games. They played red rover, which the servants taught to the sisters. They also played blind man's bluff where Anastasia ran around the courtyard while blindfolded, trying to catch people. She mostly crashed into bushes while she ran which made everyone laugh.

After lunch, Anastasia and Maria had the idea to play giant steps. When asked what that was, Maria explained.

"Back in Russia before the war when we were with sailors, or in the Crimea. There was a big wooden pole. We would tie swings at the top and swing around the pole. It was so much fun! I suppose we could do something different like we could tie the rope to a tree."

The group found a big tree that would be perfect for a swing. After finding a long rope, the servants helped tie the rope to a branch. A few of the men grabbed the rope, pulled it up high with Anastasia on it, and let the girl soar into the air, whooping and cheering for all to hear.

After that, races were held and tug of war was played until everyone collapsed of exhaustion.

This was truly one of the best days Anastasia had experienced in a long time.

Soon after a day full of fun, the servants had to prepare dinner, leaving the sisters back in their room.

"Thank you, Mashka! This was one of the best days ever!" Anastasia sighed as she took off her shoes.

"I have another surprise for you!" Maria gave Anastasia a black box with a pink ribbon on it. Anastasia opened the box to see a peach-colored evening dress adored with white silk.

(This is what I imagine it to look like)

"Mashka, you always pick out the best dresses!" Anastasia held it to herself.

"Here. Let's take these flowers out of your hair. I'll put something pretty in." Maria leaned over her sister and picked each flower out.

"I'm glad I have another dress. I've gotten this one all dirty." Anastasia looked down at her green dress. It covered in grass stains from falling off the swing and crashing into bushes.

"Nothing a bit of washing can't do," Maria noted, grabbing more flowers.

The sisters went down to dinner, where everyone was dressed elegantly. Breaking tradition, Anastasia asked for the dining room table to be expanded so the servants could also eat with them. Even though it was unheard of, Alexandra allowed her wish. After dinner, Liesel ran to the kitchen. A few moments later, everyone crowded around Anastasia's chair. Liesel returned with a platter with a cake on it. The cake had two tiers with raspberry filling between it. The platter surrounding the cake was covered with fresh strawberries.

"This is called a Victoria sponge cake," Liesel set it down in front of Anastasia and poked a few candles in top.

Maria held her sister's arm. "Make a wish."

Anastasia closed her eyes. Oh, there was so much she could wish for!

One came to mind.

Anastasia blew out the candles. The cake was served; Anastasia absolutely loved it. When everyone finished, the family went to the saloon to open gifts. Anastasia received tons of gifts from her family but one stuck out against the rest. It was an empty necklace chain from Maria.

"What is this for?" Anastasia asked.

"Oh, it's just-" Maria took the chain out of Anastasia's hand, took one pearl from her dress pocket, and strung it on the chain.

Once she had realized what she had done, Anastasia attacked her sister in a tight, meaningful embrace.

It was a tradition from the Romanov family for each birthday and name day of a daughter, they were given a necklace chain and a pearl until their sixteenth. Once it was their sixteenth birthday, they would have a full necklace of pearls to wear at their coming-of-age ball. Although they were both older than sixteen now, Maria decided to carry on that tradition in remembrance of their family and the life they lived before the revolution.

As the clock chimed eleven, final hugs were given, and the girls retired upstairs to go to bed.

After Anastasia had changed into her new white nightgown behind the folding screen, she looked at her old pale blue nightgown. Well, it wasn't hers. It was Svetlana's.

Deep down, Anastasia was still furious at her for breaking Tatiana's perfume but something in her couldn't bring herself to throw it away. She could still envision Svetlana's face, soaked with tears. Instead of throwing it out, Anastasia hung it in the room closet.

Once both girls had changed and were lying in their beds, Maria handed Anastasia a letter.

June 10th, 1919

Dear Anastasia,

How are you? We haven't talked in a while. I miss you very very much, especially Dasia. Happy birthday! I hope you have a nice one!

Sincerely, Andrei Dmitriyev

Anastasia gasped.

"How did he know it was my birthday!"

"I wrote a letter to him! You wrote his address on a piece of paper." Maria gushed, her eyes dreamy.

"That's only because if I were to write letters to him, I would need to know where he lives!"

For the last time, she was not in love with him! Anastasia pulled her blanket up to her chin.

"Valentin writes happy birthday too," Maria added as she turned her lamp off.

"Thank you for everything today, Mashka. I had the time of my life." Anastasia whispered.

"Your welcome, shybs," Maria whispered back.

"Anything for you."