April 11th, 1926

During April, in the saloon, Maria announced that the family were going on a trip to France later that summer. She didn't want to use the money Alexandra had left so she had been saving money since her death. Everyone was overjoyed to hear the news.

"Paris? Paris! I can't believe it!" Anastasia repeated.

Everyone burst with overlapping chatter, discussing where they would go, what they would do, and when they would leave.

"Where's Valentin?" Maria asked, seeing that Valentin was missing from the group.

"He's gone to London today. Left before everyone woke up," Milana answered.

"A-a-again?" Maria stammered. He had begun to go to London almost every week for business he stated was nothing to worry about. But seeing as his recent absences were repeating, Maria knew she should start to worry.

"Darling," Maria started as she and Valentin lay in bed late one night.

"Yes, Maria?"

"Could you please tell me why you are going to London every week? You've been doing this for a month now. You can tell me anything. We are married after all. We shouldn't keep secrets from each other."

"My dear Maria. I would tell you if I could but I can't. I'm sorry, my love."

"How many more times will you have to go back?

"Only a few more, I'm sure." Valentin answered, turning his back to Maria.

"Goodnight angel."

-

August 17th, 1926

In August, the family set off on another of their exciting adventures, unaware of all the events that would follow.

"Is everyone ready?" Oliver called as members of the family finished hauling their luggage into the cars. It was early in the morning but everyone was full of energy, excited for the trip.

Everyone was packed and ready until Maria realized someone was missing. "Where's Valentin?"

"London probably." Vasili said as he walked past Maria who stood on the porch. The first few times he went, Maria didn't suspect anything. Now she knew something was wrong.

"I'm so thrilled we're going! I couldn't sleep all night!" Anastasia told Andrei.

"As am I! I think many happy things will happen when we're there."

Maria grew stressed as the cars carrying her family were rushing to leave. The front door opened behind her and out walked Liesel with the children.

"Mama, where you going?" six-year-old Vivianne asked her mother.

"To Paris!" she scooped her daughter up in her arms. Elena stood watching, as she always did.

"My sweet Elena!" Maria said as she put Vivianne down. Elena latched onto her mother's leg.

"Don't go, Mama," she begged.

"I'll only be gone for two weeks. I'll see you both when I get home."

With the help of Liesel, they managed to get Elena off. When they finally did, the little girl started to cry. Maria's heart sank. She hated to hear children cry, especially her own. After comforting Elena, Maria took Anatolii from Liesel and cradled him in her arms. She didn't want to leave him. She now knew exactly how her mother felt when Alexei would leave with their father to war headquarters. She wished she didn't have to say goodbye.

"I won't let Anatolii out of my sight," Liesel promised Maria. "I won't let him have an accident."

"Thank you for looking after the children."

The servants were also taking care of nine-year-old Tikhon and seven-year-old Guri.

"I don't know how to repay you," Maria added.

"Nothing at all. I am happy to do it."

Maria gave her final goodbyes to the children just as an unknown car pulled into the driveway. Valentin stepped out of the car, a briefcase in hand.

"Valentin! Where were you? We're could miss the boat!"

"London, darling." Valentin walked to his wife. He leaned in for a kiss but Maria dodged him.

"Why!"

"Angel, we've been over this."

Maria wanted to scream with anger. Instead, she took a deep breath.

"This was the last time I had to go." Valentin set down his briefcase on the porch.

"I've already packed your bags. They're in the car."

"Did you pack my suit?"

"No. I'm sorry. I forgot."

"Alright. You get in the car. I'll get it."

Maria walked toward her car while Valentin rushed inside. He piled all the rest of his remaining belongings into a suitcase and ran to the nursery a few doors down where Liesel was laying Elena and Anatolii down so they could go back to sleep. She had only woken the children so they could say goodbye.

"Liesel, may I please have a few minutes alone with the children? Where is Vivianne?"

"Of course. In the kitchen with another servant. They are making her breakfast."

Valentin picked up the sleeping baby.

"Be a good boy for your Mama." he said, kissing Anatolii's forehead. Valentin had set him back into his crib when he turned around to Elena sitting up in her small bed, her hazel eyes wide in surprise.

"Papa! Papa!" Elena slid out of bed, darting to her father.

"Hello, baby!"

"You leaving?" Elena whimpered.

"Yes, darling."

Valentin placed her back into her bed and pulled the blankets up to her chin. Elena looked as if she were about to cry again.

"Please don't cry." he pressed his thumb across her face to wipe the tiny tear that fell from her eye.

"Be a good girl for your mummy. Don't get into trouble, little one. Understand?"

Elena nodded. Valentin kissed her cheek. He then kissed little Vivianne goodbye. Once outside, he entered the car his wife was in.

"Just said my goodbyes to the children. We can go now."

Now that Valentin was here and the car was on the road to Plymouth, Maria let herself relax, looking through the window as it passed through King's Lynn.

-

As the family was let out of the cars once reaching the dock, Oliver walked over to Anastasia's car. He was invited to come with the family.

"I've got a surprise for you!" he whispered to Anastasia. "You know my youngest daughter, Charlotte?"

Anastasia nodded. "Yes. We met at the Christmas party years ago."

"Well, look over there." Oliver pointed to a couple a few feet away standing on the crowded docks. As the girl of the two ran to them, Anastasia saw that she looked familiar. It was indeed Charlotte.

"I haven't seen you in forever!" she exclaimed, hugging Anastasia.

She looked very different since Anastasia had last seen her. Charlotte's curly blonde hair was cut short in a bob which was the latest fashion. She wore a white loose-fitting dress that reached just below the knees. She was much more outgoing now and loved to talk with people. She was even married!

"Anastasia, I would like you to meet my husband Andrew!"

Andrew was of average height, with hair as red as carrots. He had an abundance of freckles on his face and wore a nice smile. They both shook everyone's hands and had a small chat with those they knew.

"Whatever are you doing here? Have you come to see us off?" Anastasia asked Charlotte.

"No, silly! We're coming to Paris too! It's our honeymoon!"

"Oh, how wonderful! We'll have lots of time to catch up!"

After chatting for a moment, the family boarded along with the newlyweds on the large ship named the RMS Bellamer. They all were in first class, the best of all the three. The family spent the rest of the day off on their own, exploring the ship and all of its wonders. They ate a luxurious dinner that was served in the first-class dining room and then returned to their rooms to retire for the night.

Maria laid in bed next to Valentin reading a book she had found in the ship's small library while Valentin, asleep, snoring lightly next to her.

When she leaned to turn off the lamp next to the bed, she saw Valentin's black briefcase sitting on the floor. Maria was so tempted to see what was hidden inside it but restrained herself, saying it would be no good to touch another person's property. Shortly after turning the lamp off, she fell asleep.

From that moment on and for the rest of her life, Maria blamed herself for never looking inside the briefcase.