Broken Together (47 page)

I
leaned over and whispered in Maxim’s ear. “Since when does twenty-five people
comprise a small, intimate dinner?”

He
blanketed my hand with his. “I would have preferred a candlelit dinner for two,
but you invited all of these guests.” He waved toward my side of the table.
“The least I could do was offer them someone to talk to.”

He
kissed my hand before standing to address our guests. “We have many things to
celebrate this evening, the least of which is a presidency. We celebrate a more
secure Ukraine… a more secure Europe as well. Soon, everyone in this country
will sleep more soundly. Soon, every Ukrainian will have food in his belly. And
this is only the beginning. The future holds great things for our country, for
the EU, and the United States. We will protect and care for one another as
allies should. We will work together to right the wrongs in this world… as
comrades and as friends. Thank you, each and every one of you, for joining me
in this endeavor.”

Everyone
raised his glass. A number of other toasts ensued while the first course was
being served. The dinner began with
borshch
, the same savory soup Oni
had prepared for us. This was quickly followed by
varenyky
and
banosh
with
brynza
. I waited patiently for Rafael to sample each dish before
digging into my food. Having lost my previous two meals on the jet, I was beyond
ravenous.

Maxim
was thrilled. “You are enjoying the food.”

I
smiled, mildly embarrassed by my voracious appetite. “Oni cooked some of these
same dishes for us in Virginia. They’re so good.”

He
looked pleased. “How is Oni?”

I
reached for my cranberry juice. “She’s doing well. We invited her to come, but
she was afraid she might never leave if she saw her family. She wants to finish
her studies before she returns, and she’s immersed in final papers right now.”

“As
are you, I presume.”

I
nodded. “I only have one paper remaining… a paper about Ukraine.”

“Really?”
His interest piqued.

“I’m
developing strategies to resolve the conflict between Russia and Ukraine,” I
explained.

He
grinned. “You will share that analysis with me when you are done?”

I
laughed. “If you’re looking for something to read that will lull you to sleep,
then sure.”

His
eyes burned bright. “Still, you seek to help my country. Kristine, I will read everything
you write… multiple times.” He kissed my cheek. “I will leave you to entertain
your friends while I engage our remaining guests. Please return to me before
you retire. In my dreams, you always return. I shall endeavor to keep it that
way.”

An
unspoken thought passed between us. If there had been one less twist in the
road, I could have easily fallen in love with this man. Maxim sensed this, but
he was far too honorable a man to force my hand. I gently squeezed his hand. “I
could use some fresh air. Would you mind if I ventured out onto the terrace?”

His
eyes met Rafael’s. “Please ensure her safety while we’re apart.” He rose
politely when we stood, as did the remaining men.

Rafael
retrieved my coat from the butler before escorting me outside. With the city
lights, the view from the terrace was stunning at night. Rafael hugged me from
behind. His hands slid inside my coat so he could rub my belly. “Are you okay?”

I
leaned back so I could rest my head against his chest. “Yes. I just needed some
time alone with you. I know we’re here to support Maxim, and he has an image to
uphold, but I feel like I’m neglecting you in the process.”

Rafael
nuzzled my neck. “I can picture you with him, you know. You actually seem very
well suited for one another.”

I
sighed softly. “I think that is the illusion he is striving for.” I turned to
face Rafael. “Maxim may need me, but I need you.”

He
looked unconvinced.

I
cradled his face in my hand. “Think about it. Every time I veered down the
wrong road, God created a roadblock. Countless events in my life have driven me
closer to you. You, Rafael, are the man God intended for me. I can feel his
hand in this. Can you?”

“Yes,”
he admitted, “as if he’d forged you from my soul.”

*
* * * *

My
fingers caressed Maxim’s Bible. The brown leather bound book was worn and
charred around the edges just like the wooden cross he wore around his neck. I
wondered what horrific event these objects had survived and whether that same
incident had claimed Maxim’s family. Maxim had revealed that the KGB killed his
entire family, but he never explained how. I was beginning to suspect arson.

I
looked up at the monitor while adjusting the earpiece that translated the
proceedings into English. The Speaker of the Parliament was welcoming their
more distinguished guests by name. A number of foreign ambassadors and
presidents from other countries were in attendance, including the United States.
Kadyn was sitting next to Secretary Gates. While Rafael and Jase were permitted
to remain with me, the rest of our friends had been escorted into the balcony.

Rafael,
Jase, and I were observing the inauguration from a hidden chamber adjoining the
parliament. Architecturally, the exterior of the Verkhovna Rada looked like the
United States Supreme Court. There were a few distinguishing features. Yellow
and blue Ukrainian flags surrounded this building, and they had quite literally
rolled out the red carpet for Maxim. The inside of the Verkhovna Rada was
fashioned a lot like our House of Representatives. I found these similarities
comforting, given my time on the Hill.

“How
are you holding up?” Rafael inquired worriedly.

“Good,”
I lied. My knee was bouncing wildly. “I still can’t believe Maxim invited us to
dinner last night. He could have invited the Secretary General of NATO,
Secretary Gates, and the President of the United States. Why would he invite us?
He should be rubbing elbows with them now.”

Rafael
shook his head. “Maxim is not the sort of man to forget the people who helped
him. You believed in him, and you and Kadyn helped him when no one else would.”

Jase
felt my forehead. “Do you still feel like throwing up?”

“No.
The Zofran helped.” I stilled my trembling hand against the gold and cream
embroidered suit I’d so carefully selected for this event. “I wish I’d known
Maxim was breaking with tradition.”

Jase
froze. “How so?”

I
took a deep breath and slowly released it. Maxim and I had met privately for
breakfast so he could brief me on the inauguration and explain my role. “Historically,
the President of Ukraine has sworn his oath alone. This will be the first time
anyone has held the Ukrainian Constitution and the Peresopnytsia Gospels for
the president.” I glanced at the Bible. “He’s also adding his father’s Bible to
the stack. No president has ever done that before.”

“It
will be interesting to see how the parliament views those changes,” Rafael mused.

“Not
to mention the citizens of Ukraine. Those changes are very symbolic. Maxim’s
honoring God, country, and family as he swears this oath. By including Kristine
in the ceremony, he’s publically acknowledging his alliance with the United
States.” Jase looked at me. “This is dangerous. Maxim’s thumbing his nose at the
frothing bear next door while inviting Lady Liberty into his parliament.”

I
hugged Maxim’s bible while tucking my head between my knees. “Now I’m going to
throw up.”

“You
can’t. The Chairman of the Constitutional Court of Ukraine just stood. They’re ready
for you,” Rafael warned.

“Holy
crap.” I nearly dropped the Bible. “I can’t believe I just said that. I’m
holding his father’s Bible!”

Rafael
laughed. “Maybe we should pray.”

As
if in slow motion, the door to the parliament opened. Maxim looked stressed,
but he smiled the moment our eyes met. “Are you ready?”

“We’ll
be praying,” Rafael encouraged softly.

“Me
too,” I whispered, although my prayers would be silently spoken.

I
clutched Maxim’s Bible to my chest before accepting his arm. Together, we
stepped onto the parliament floor. “I’m so proud of you, Maxim. I’ve known it
since the moment you came crashing through that door. You are a good man.
You’ve devoted your entire life to strengthening civil liberties, to reducing
poverty, and to protecting your people. This title simply acknowledges what
you’ve been doing all along.”

His
pace slowed as we neared the podium. Maxim’s eyes remained on me, despite the immense
crowd surrounding us. “Regardless of what the future holds for us, you will
always be my first lady, Kristine. I could not love you more than I do in this
moment.”

Tears
slipped through my lashes. Frankly, I was relieved. With my vision blurred, I
couldn’t see all the intimidating men standing before me. I handed Maxim his father’s
Bible so the chairman could arrange the books in the proper order. I remained
standing to Maxim’s right.

The
chairman handed me the Peresopnytsia Gospels, a Slavic manuscript dating back
to the sixteenth century. This was the first known translation of the four gospels
of the New Testament into the Old Ukrainian language. Every Ukrainian president
sworn into office had taken his oath on these gospels.

Maxim’s
fingers trailed longingly over the manuscript. I couldn’t blame him for wanting
to touch it. Very few people were allowed to touch the Peresopnytsia Gospels.

The
chairman set the Ukrainian Constitution on top of the Peresopnytsia Gospels.
The two inch thick legal sized document was bound inside a burgundy leather cover
with gold embellishments. My eyes widened when I felt the weight of the constitution
on top of the Peresopnytsia Gospels. When combined, the two books were pushing thirty
pounds.

Maxim
smoothed his hand over the constitution before setting his father’s Bible on
top of the document. He kissed the charred cross hanging around his neck and
placed his right hand on top of the books. He rested his hand in a way that
ensured he was touching all three books at once.

Please,
God, give him the courage and strength to see this through.

Maxim’s
voice rang strong and true. “I, Maxim Markov, elected by the will of the people
as the President of Ukraine, assuming this high office, do solemnly swear
allegiance to Ukraine.”

Guide
him as he governs this country. Help him serve selflessly.

“I
pledge with all my undertakings to protect the sovereignty and independence of
Ukraine…”

Protect
him, protect his people and their country.

“…to
provide for the good of the Motherland and the welfare of the Ukrainian people,
to protect the rights and freedoms of citizens…”

Free
them from the evils of this earth; from poverty, corruption, violence, and
fear.

“…to
abide by the Constitution of Ukraine and the laws of Ukraine, to exercise my
duties in the interests of all compatriots, and to enhance the prestige of
Ukraine in the world.”

Command
every thought, word, and deed so that Maxim’s actions reflect your will. When
they do, we will rejoice in your name; for the kingdom, the power, and the
glory are yours and yours alone. Amen.

Maxim
signed the oath of office and handed it to the Chairman of the Constitutional
Court before rescuing the heavy books from my trembling arms. I offered a
subtle nod and an encouraging smile before backing toward the mahogany wall
where Rafael and Jase were waiting for me.

Maxim
stepped forward so he could receive the official symbols of presidential power.
Trumpets sounded as men in uniform strode down both aisles. They were carrying an
assortment of objects atop burgundy pillows. The first officer to Maxim’s left
presented him with a thin booklet.

Maxim
held the passport sized ID for everyone to see. Applause thundered throughout
the parliament as he accepted the Presidential ID.

The
chairman lifted a necklace from the pillow to Maxim’s right. He placed the
necklace around Maxim’s neck. My earpiece indicated this was a badge, but it looked
more like twenty or thirty metals woven together in a heavy gold, red, and blue
enamel necklace.

The
chairman handed him the Great Seal of the President of Ukraine. Maxim held it
up for everyone to see. The applause was deafening.

Next
came the presidential mace. Again, Maxim held it so everyone could see.

“What
is a presidential mace?” Jase asked.

“A
ceremonial staff,” Rafael answered.

I
couldn’t fathom what a ceremonial staff might be used for.

The
applause died down when Maxim stepped behind the podium. We stood completely
spellbound while he gave his inaugural speech. Maxim listed the economic and
security problems plaguing his country before unveiling his strategies for
resolving them. He made an impassioned plea to the parliament, encouraging them
to join in his fight against poverty, elitism, corruption, and human rights
violations.