Chapter 34 - Date Night.
Yana and I slept well that night. But as she had said before she was 'saving herself' for our date night. A bit late for that I thought as we both slowly awoke. I woke first. I spent some time just looking down at Yana, she had been tossing and turning most of the night. I thought maybe she had another nightmare about something. But I decided not to mention it unless it was mentioned first.
Mum had mentioned earlier than Yana was a heavy sleeper like me. But she was heavier. She slept so heavy normally that it would have taken the proverbial bomb to wake her. It was Friday and it was the day before the night of our date night. In a way it seemed odd, and somewhat backwards. We were having our first 'date' after getting engaged and pregnant. I knew most people did it the other way around. But never mind our relationship was unusual.
I tried to dislodge Yana off my chest so I could get up. I still had things to organise for this evening. I pried Yana's arm off from laying across my chest. I made a mental note to get some sort of cloth for her or if she insisted using my chest as a pillow, maybe wearing a wetsuit to bed. I was able to slide myself to one side and climb out of bed. I was bursting. I quickly escaped to the toilet and had the usual morning abolitions. Then I walked back and stood in the open doorway just watching Yana sleeping. I had the Aerosmith song 'I don't want to miss a thing' running through my head. In particular its first line. Then I heard noise from the kitchen and realised that given the time, dad had most probably left, and mum was preparing breakfast. I walked into the kitchen.
"Hello mother." I cheerily said.
'Oh, good morning, You two came in late last night." Mum commented.
"Yes we finalised the wedding date and the honeymoon. It's all booked and everything." I replied.
"Oh, so it's all systems go then is it?" Mum replied.
"In a way yes." I answered.
"So, what have you got planned for the honeymoon?" A week in Tahiti or such like?" Mum asked.
"Ah, not quite." I answered.
"Not quite?" Mum asked.
"Well, we have an unusual relationship, and we aren't getting married once, but twice." I said.
"Married twice? How does that work?" Mum asked genuinely interested.
"Well, we get married here, with our friends and family that are here. In the Russian orthodox church. Then the following day we are flying through LA, Denver and London to St Petersburg and have a second orthodox wedding there for her family and so on. And then onto Moscow and the trans-Siberian to Vladivostok and then back through Seoul. It's easier and cheaper than bring them here. Plus, I get to see Yana's roots and culture firsthand." I explained.
"Oh, I can see the logic in that. Will you be gone long? I want to rent your rooms out to some Chinese overstayers while you're gone." Mum asked.
"Six weeks, What? Chinese overstayers?" I stammered.
"Oh yes illegal immigrants pay $50 a night each. And two rooms I should get at least twelve of them in, so $600 a night for six weeks. Thats nearly $3000." Mum said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"What?" I stammered again.
"Oh, Christ you are so easy to have fun with. I'm joking." Mum said slapping me playfully on the arm.
"Ha." I answered.
"Is she getting up?" Mum asked referring to Yana.
"Hope so, but I quite enjoy watching her sleep, but last night she was tossing and turning. Like she had something on her mind. It worries me." I said.
"Christs sake, stop wrapping her in cotton wool will you? Right, you finish getting brekkie ready I'll go and wake her.' Mum said. And then left the room to go and wake Yana up.
I finished making breakfast. Then I heard some talking and movement. Then mum re-entered.
"Well, she's up." She said.
Yana emerged behind her, rubbing her left ear.
"I had to squeeze her ear." Mum said referring to Yana's red ear.
"Morning zolotse." I said.
"Morning zaichonok." Yana replied. AS we all sat down for breakfast.
"So, Yana zai something, what's that mean?" Mum asked as she poured the tea.
"Morning Mama, he said morning zolotse, which means darling, and I answered him with morning zaichonok which means bunny." Yana explained as she gave me a hug.
"Oh, just terms of endearment. So, what are you two love birds up to after school?" Mum asked.
"Well, this wonderful person has organized a date for us." Yana answered.
"A Date? Bit late for that isn't it?" Mum said.
"Ah, yes and no, We realized there is so much about each other that we don't know. So, we are having a first date." I said.
"Nice thought, going anywhere nice?" Mum asked.
"Yes, we are, I have booked. But given the present company I am not at liberty to say where." I teasingly said.
"Good it better be nice, or you'll have me to deal with." Mum said pointing at me.
"Yana is my surrogate daughter in a way, so you have to impress both of us." Mum said in a warning tone.
"Don't worry I have planned every detail. While you two are at school I have a few things planned. I'm going into town to lodge the marriage application at internal affairs. Then I'll pick Yana up and then stay at Thomases for a while until I pick my little darling up. From here at Seven." I explained.
"Sounds like a plan, so am I losing the car today?" Mum said.
"No Yana said I can use Shmel." I said.
"Shmel?" Mum asked.
"The Mini. It's called Shmel." I answered.
"Oh Yana, you aren't one of those people who name cars are you?" Mum asked.
"Da, Shmel is bee and car look and sound like bee. So, I name it Shmel." Yana explained.
"Oh okay. Now Yana tell me about this honeymoon. I understand you're having a second wedding as well." Mum asked Yana.
"Da, Mama, I have large family and they have friends, plus I have some old friends still in Russia. So, it is easier for us to go there then they come here. And then we have Russian honeymoon. And then come back. All in school holidays so Jay not start school and I am off as well." Yana explained.