Svetlana Peroskova was trembling as she stepped off the plane. To say she was nervous would be stating her condition mildly. She had never been further than 50 miles from her home her whole life, let alone out of Russia. Now she was in the United States, about to meet the man she had never met but promised to marry.
A slender, petite woman with long brown hair, Svetlana's dark, expressive eyes took in everything around her as she walked up through the gate into the terminal. Her face was apprehensive as she clutched her bag to her and searched the moving crowd for something. Finally she saw the card held high above the crowd with her name on it. As the crowd parted, she saw the face she had only seen on a poorly reproduced internet photo.
Phillip Bennett was just an ordinary guy who had given up looking for the perfect woman to share his life. He was a good man with a good income. He believed women were to be treated with respect and gentleness. He never had a problem attracting women, but none of the women he had ever dated seemed to appreciate what he had to offer. All he wanted to do was find a woman he could love who didn't mind being treated like a queen and raise a family with her.
Phillip held up the cardboard with Svetlana's name on it as he searched the stream of deplaning passengers until he saw the woman he was looking for. He pushed through the crowd toward her, hoping she would see him quickly. He knew she would be nervous. He saw her look his way as the crowd parted. For a moment she looked like a frightened, lost child, then her face brightened as she recognized him. He smiled as she began walking toward him.
Svetlana was delighted to see that Phillip was even more handsome than his photograph had shown. His deep blue eyes were friendly and welcoming. She went from relief at her first sight of him to doubting he would think she was pretty. She smiled tentatively as he approached.
Neither of them was exactly sure what to say to each other past hello. Phillip reached for the bag Svetlana was still clutching tightly to her. She let him take it from her and took the flowers he'd brought. She looked up at him and shyly said, "Thank you."
They stood and stared at each other for a long moment, then Phillip held out his arm. "Let's go get the rest of your things and then we can go home."
Home. The word struck somewhere deep inside Svetlana. This new place would be her home from now on. She might not ever see her homeland again. She would live with this man she had only just now met for the first time. Her eyes filled with tired tears that she tried vainly to keep from spilling down her cheeks. She was too exhausted from traveling to hold them back, and they cascaded down her face in a sudden torrent. "I'm so... sorry," she sobbed as she turned away from Phillip.
"Svetlana..." Phillip began helplessly. He wasn't sure what to do. Would she be offended if he put his arm around her? She was going to be his wife, of course he should put his arm around her. He reached around her to draw her close, and Svetlana buried her face in his shoulder. He held her and stroked her hair as the other passengers coursed around them, until finally her sobbing ceased. Phillip fished his handkerchief out of his pocket and held it out to her. She lifted her head off his chest and wiped her face.
She stepped back as she regained her composure a little. "I am sorry," she looked up at Phillip. "I do not usually cry like that."
"I understand completely," he told her soothingly, "don't worry, I'll take you home and you'll feel better after you have some rest and get settled in."
When they got to his home (her home too now, she had to remind herself) Svetlana was surprised and relieved to find he had made a separate bedroom ready for her. Even though they had discussed it, she had been worried he would want her to share his bed right away.
Phillip was a perfect gentleman that evening. He showed her to her room, and while she was bathing he put her clothes in the closet and fixed a little supper. They sat and talked afterward over a glass of wine. He coaxed her to tell him about her home and family and the town she grew up in. Before they realized it was already past midnight. Phillip left her at her door with a kiss on her forehead and a wish for sweet dreams.
Svetlana was grateful Phillip made no demands on her that first night. She was also glad he was as sweet and kind the next day and night as the first. Phillip took her into the city and showed her around. By the third night, he had still not asked for more than a quick hug as he left her at her door. She laid in her bed that night wondering if he found her attractive at all. Any man who found her attractive surely would have at least desired a kiss. Did he still want to marry her?
Phillip lay in his bed thinking how lucky he was. He didn't want to blow this. Svetlana was beautiful and intelligent and funny. She was the most incredible woman he had ever met. He had dated many, but none of them had sparked the feelings he'd had about Svetlana since the moment he held her at the airport. He wanted to go into her room that minute and sweep her into his arms, but he didn't want to rush her. He knew all these new experiences could easily overwhelm her.
A few more days went by in much the same fashion. Phillip stayed with Svetlana every day. He showed her the surrounding area and took her shopping. He delighted in buying her whatever she liked, even though she protested frequently that he shouldn't. He took her to dinner at his favorite restaurant, and to an intimate club to listen to some jazz. Each night would end the same way, with a gentle hug and a kiss on the forehead in the hall outside Svetlana's room.
Phillip had thought to find a woman compatible with him, and hoped they could develop real affection, but he knew he was in love with Svetlana. It couldn't be anything else. Her smile, her laugh, her sweet voice was first in his mind each morning when he woke. His only desire was to make her happy. He would give everything he had to have her feel the same way about him.
Svetlana began to wonder if it had all been a mistake. She had first signed up for the internet matchmaking service on a dare from a friend. Another man had also written to her, but once Phillip had written his sweet letter, he was the one she had answered. Everything he had said made her believe he was a good man, and she knew life in the United States would be better for the children she had always dreamed of having.
He had indicated physical expression of love and affection was important to him, but he hadn't even tried to kiss her decently. There could only be one reason for it. Phillip did not find her desirable. Distraught over the idea, Svetlana tossed and turned half the night before settling into an exhausted sleep.
Phillip was tossing and turning in his own bed that night. He wasn't sure if he could hold out another day. A little hug was all he dared give Svetlana. If he gave her more he was sure he would not be able to stop, and he had promised himself he would give her some time. He wanted everything to feel right for both of them. He was hoping to develop some real affection between them before they took the next step. He didn't think a week was enough time.
Phillip sat up in bed and looked around. The night shadows looked especially strange as they shifted across his floor with the windblown trees. He got up and went to the kitchen for a drink of water. When he came back he could see a dim glow through the partly open door to Svetlana's room. He tapped lightly on the door.
"Come in," she invited him.
