Wow. Sunny is quite a negotiator. I like that.

 I also like that she is diligently trying to protect Benji. Her father will soon rue the day he chose greed over his children.

Thanks for the update!!

Again, Sunny is quite the cool, skilled negotiator, given the circumstances of her arrangement with with Nicholai and the potential danger that she faces with him.

Sunny and Benji need to ride out the next six weeks and leave, not look back. "Pops" is a lost cause at the moment, an addict not the least bit ready or interested in giving up his drugs of choice, gambling and alcohol. He's sick.

I notice Sunny's passing mention of her five year term with Nicholai ending earlier if her father quits gambling. I wish she would be as direct with her father as she is with Nicholai, sometime before she and Benji leave, and tell her father, point blank, that he's sick and needs treatment.  

I'm enjoying reading this story.

Until next time...

Mwha, ha, ha indeed.

First, nice try, Jacob, but no cigar. Boy, did Nicholai have his number. I give him credit for being sober, but he hasn't done crap until he stops gambling and he knows that.

I know that Sunny must be very lonely at the house. She seems to have found a friend in Priscilla and she seems to be developing one with Sergei too, which under normal circumstances would be good, but befriending Sergei is dangerous as evident by Nicholai's reaction to her friendship with Sam.

Of all the neighborhood bars in town, Jacob, the unlucky, would hit pay dirt stepping into the one where Darla works. I sense trouble ahead!!! Brilliant touch!!!

P.S. I love this story!!!!

I apologize for being a few reviews behind in this story.

This story is as potent and addictive as my morning cup of coffee. I have severe headaches from caffeine withdrawal after two or three days without coffee. Alas, bless you for your regular doses of "Beast." I have been happily buzzed by regular reads.

Although there is something cold, cruel, insane, and dangerous about Nicholai, I find myself enjoying reading about the way he is with Sunny, the way he cares for and treats her.

I notice that he is very careful to attempt to separate his life with her from the feelings evoked when she visits with her father. As for Jacob, I believe that I loathe the man as much as Nicholai does.

HE put Sunny in this situation, weak coward that he is. A year later he is still a loser gambler. I want to slap him into next month whenever he makes snide remarks or inquires about Sunny and Nicholai. He is a selfish bastard for even going there once, much less repeatedly.

He is no way near to getting it and is all empty talk about "saving" or "rescuing" his Sunshine. Don't make me gag.

One day Nicholai's patience with him will run out.

On to the next.

Another update!!! What a wonderful surprise!!

I'm still behind in reviewing but have decided to summarize.

I had an "oh, shit" moment when Darla realized who Sunny was with. I hoed that Jacob would keep his damn mouth shut. Darla was begging to be killed challenging Nicholai, then attempting to betray Jacob. I do hope that she left to save herself from all of the destructive men in her life. Nicholai has shown both Jacon and Darla exactly how scary he can be.

I'm not surprised that Jacob relapsed and so quickly. His bottom has got to be much lower than his daughter being in the third year of her five year arrangement with Nicholai. He is a very sick man.

Sunshine holds on to hope while Benjamin loathes the man. That was powerful, but still not motivation enough.

Then they decided to cut ties with him. Darla left him. I was surprised that she cut and ran. I'm curious why.

What a lovely traditional touch taking Sunny to meet the person he probably cares for the most besides her. Nicholai is in love with Sunny and wants to marry her. He is right that he cannot ask her now. And I'm starting to wonder what her answer would be.

There are chapters where I believe she might genuinely care about him, maybe love him a little/a lot/too and others where I imagine on the last day of her time in her fifth year, she tells Nicholai to kiss her ass as she walks away from him. I'd guess she'd have to walk away from her father too, as he'd failed to "rescue" her.

And let's not get started on babies. Babies are a bad reason to committ to a relationship. When are people going to stop using them as pawns? Nicholai has to explore other options to keeping Sunny.

Someone suggested Nicholai setting her free and seeing if she would return to him, start their relationship over with no strings or conditions. That's reasonable. But as possessive as Nicholai is, he probably wouldn' risk it. Unforunately it will be his heartbreak and loss.

You blow me away with the way you tell this very complicated tale. Keep up the great work, and keep those updates coming.

I'm back.

First, I have a defective "t" on my keyboard. So, you brought TEARS to my eyes this morning. TEARS!! LOL Actually, I cried after I signed off.

I felt a little guilty about being sad that Sunny could not listen and give Nicholai a break. I see that I wasn't the only one who felt that way either.

Sunny said that he already had her. Well, as I recall, she really never said the magic "L" word. Most of the time I wondered if she was simply making the best of her situation or developing genuine feelings for the man. As difficult as it was for him to feel it then express it, it wasn't apparent to him either whether she felt the same. Was she that oblivious to his emotional struggles??

And she knew who he was from the start. He did this horrible thing when he was still uncertain and desperate. But he has changed. He still has more work to do, but it is possible.

Darla is an opportunist... a bitter, envious opportunist. Doing right by her Mr. Coffee, my ass. I still can't stand her.

Sergei is a seriously, seriously delusional, arrogant, foolish, idiot. Damn, he didn't even have the good decency to give Sunny some space or the respect for Nicholai, himself or his brother, Anatoly, to stay the hell away from Sunny. How many times has he been warned??? He was so eager to make his move. And of course he can always say that Priscilla suggested it. 

Yes, he obviously only has a so-called girlfriend as a cover. His view of her shows no genuine interest or regard. In a way it could be that he reats her the way both Nicholai and then Anatoly treated or regarded Darla. I pray he doesn't take advantage of Sunny's vulnerability and bring all the blackness back into Nikki's heart at the appearance of Sunny's betrayal.

Sunny should be left alone to grieve, think, breathe, reflect and decide. She is shocked and hurting right now. She needs time and is smart and compassionate enough to choose wisely in time.

Here's hoping for the best.

Still luving this great tale, the storyteller and her muse.

 loved this chapter. No tears.

Sunny is enjoying her newfound independence, indulging in age-appropriate behavior, FREE of the burdens of the Jacobs and even Nicholais of her life. Although even she realizes she could have had more freedom, more independence. She is very aware of too much too soon sending her Nikki off the deep end.

Look how he had no impulse control after hearing her message. Ahhhhh, that was soooo sweet and hawt... so Nikki and Sunny. I cheered. They are so lovestruck it ain't funny.

I'm glad he declared it, claimed her, humbled himself, got on his knees, not for any man, but without hesitation for his wo-man. And Sunny folded, as I knew she would.

Damn, was that a test, or what? Sunny ever so nicely ratted out puppy dog Sergei. LOL. To his credit, Nicholai didn't pop a blood vessel. He has been working hard at tamping down the blackness. Man's got himself a date, a "normal" date with his Sunshine. I just pray, pray, pray that he doesn't go back and screw it up by re-arranging Sergei's pretty, dumb face. I did wonder what happened on the little movie "date."

I love the idea of dinner and dancing. After all, the man can dance. This fits them:

 http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid50046814001?bctid=60458872001

Eagerly awaiting the big night...

Bless you, Onimosity. Sating your loyal readers' cravings with an update despite your and your muse's weakened state. Thank you, thank you.

Ditto everything Neneberge, BellaChica, Nyeesha, and a few others said.

True love sometimes defies convention and tradition, cannot be squeezed into any existing box or mold. Both Sunshine and Nicholai are very aware of this. They have to for their relationship to work.

I ain't tattooing myself for NObody... but Nikki's new sun tattoo and it's symbolism was so sweet, such a testement to how deeply his feelings for Sunny run.

What is "normal"? What factors defines normal? There too, both are realistic in not sweating attempts to create a relationship that can earn some gold seal of convention or approval.

However, Sunshine was on target when she said that she went from her father's house to Nicholai's. She deserves, is entitled to, has earned the right to define herself on her own... explore freedom, independence, developing her own person. Dating, hanging out, being together without living together is a great idea. She'll return "home" when she's ready. 

And this time, I believe Nicholai is being honest when he says that he understands. He doesn't have to like it, and it would be unrealistic of us to expect him to like it, but he at least understands. When he got out of prision, he had to do the same thing.

I too appreciate the love, protection and guidance Nicholai had when his parents abondoned him. As a grown man, he still struggles with that. However, I've noted an improvement in how often the blackness surfaces as well as his ability to tamp it back down quickly, smoothly. Good for him.

As for he questions Sunny hesitates to ask, answers she's apprehensive of hearing from Nikki; I believe she already has some idea of what they will be. She is smart and perceptive. I believe she is giving Nikki time o reconcile himself with telling her... giving her the the raw truth of the bad and ugly of what he does.

To his credit, he isn't a common street thug with a rap sheet. We already know he has done and is capable of brutality and violence. I believe he has been doing better these days.

The thing with tempting Jacob to gamble was bad, really bad. But most legit businesses do this to us every day and call it marketing and advertizing. Jacob was responsible for his lifelong addiction to gambling, chasing impossible pipe dreams and drinking to numb the pain of his expected failures. Companies... clean,  legal, so-called upstanding companies like AIG, Enron, the banks, etc. have done worse damage preying on innocent people while lining their pockets with obscene amounts of wealth than I imagine Nikki has done.

LOL. I'd make a good defense attorney if he ever needs one. But we'll see as soon as Sunny is ready to seek answers.

Lastly, I cannot ignore the dancing. I remember my reaction learning that the macho, rugged actor Robert Duval (my fav "Boo" from the "To Kill a Mockingbird" movie and a multitude of badass movie roles) was a passionate Argentine Tango devotee. LOL. What style. What grace. Nicholai worked it on the dance floor. And he taught Sunny well. What foreplay that dance is when done well.

Ahhh... rest up, dear one. I believe this song is about to tackle a few difficult notes. We must be well-rested to get through them. And please, if possible, no tears, unless they are tears of sheer joy. My poor heart can't take it. lol

xxooxx

Sheri

LOVED, LOVED IT!!

Glad to see that you are back, better, and brimming with brilliance.

This chapter was nice and long, funny and touching, ironic, romantic and full of hot sexiness.

Male bonding is such an interesting ritual to behold... in any culture. I loved the encounters between Nicholai and Anatoly... getting sloppy drunk and mooning over a girl. Imagine badass Anatoly is an adoring mama's boy. LOL

The morning after, hung-over and still in mooning mode, the two are planning shopping and cooking to win a woman's heart. It was very touching that Anatoly shared one of his dear mama's recipes to the effort. Nicholai and Anatoly are too cute together.

As were Anatoly and Sergei the night before. Ah, Sergei. What are we going to do about him?  

 “You are not an idiot. You are a little special at times, but not an idiot..."

I beg to differ. Sergei is quite "special" LOL but also way into idiot mode, at this point. Imagine him thinking that all he has to do is bide his time while Sunshine recovers from her break up with Nicholai before he makes a move on her. His warning Jil off was all about him not protecting Sunshine. I noticed that Anatoly did not waste too much time arguing with his little brother or clarifying Sergei's misinterpretations of what is really going on with Sunshine.

Yup, Sergei will continue tilting at that windmill until Nicholai notices him again. Will mama Bazykin's favorite son have to defy his best friend in order to save another of his mother's sons from an early end all because of Sergei's hard-headedness? 

I can understand Sunny asking Nikki about business, even friends. And I think his answer was honest and reasonable... “I do not have many friends, there are few people I can trust.” He smiles ruefully. “And friends have not always been the best to me, as you know. I have Anatoly, Priscilla, and Stanislavsky and I have you. That is enough for now.”

However, the "arrangement" with Darla was different. Darla was different. Darla was not a nice person back then. She accepted the position Nicholai offered her. Sunshine negotiated, forced him to do differently while Darla simply accepted his money and everything that went with it.

Question asked and answered on that one. I believe Nicholai was as honest as he could be. At the time, Darla was a bitch and he was an asshole. Time to move on.

Is Sunny really gaining useful knowledge on the man or just stalling??

Either way, Nikki and Sunny have some very nice dates. I love a man who cooks, cooks well, and takes the time to shop for a family recipe to prepare for his lady. Watching a movie, talking, and lots of bouncing are delicious desserts.

Still cheering for Nicholai and Sunshine...

I just started reading this chapter. I have a weird feeling that things are going to go BAD quickly. Sunny knocking Nikki's picture off the nightstand, the glass cracking, she cuts her finger... It's all symbolic.

BUT... I got a good chuckle, probably my last for a while.

What attention to details, you have! I feared being considered a whack-job asking where Flower was while Sunny was away. This was brilliant!!

Nikolai smiles as he hears her voice and continues reading her paper. Flower stares at him balefully as he sits at her table. “It is because of me that you are here, cat.” He says, flipping the pages. “And it was my maid that stopped by to feed you while your mistress was away. You really should show me more appreciation.” Flower continues to stare, seemingly narrowing his little eye. “It is not my fault that you like to sleep on her hip and I must move you every night. It is where I like to rest my hand, so I win.” The cat meows as Nikolai chuckles, continuing to flip pages.

LOL. Cute. Big, bad Nicholai talking to a cat. One who has an attitude and isn't afraid of him. I love cats!!!

O-kay... <big sigh> back to the bad shit in the newspaper.

Brilliant chapter!!

The first part was very difficult to read. I was right along Nicholai in ever feeling of dread, anticipating that awful "good bye" even as reluctant and torturous as it seemed for Sunshine to utter it.

Nicholai, a fearless man accustomed to being in control, was at the mercy of one small woman and her most powerful words.

And then there was a repreive. A stay of execution. A one week respite.

Even Ben has come to expect and accept Nicholai as a permanent fixture in their lives. He shows more compassion for Nicholai's plight than he did for his own father. But as he said, Sunny seemed to have been the only one unaware of how Jacob was hurting her. Is she punishing Nicholai with the severity she was unable to weld against Jacob? It certainly isn't fair to either of them.

I loved the visit from Mr. Stanislavsky and Kostya... and his story. I hope it had some impact on her opinion of Nicholai. I'm sure he is arranging for Nicholai to go legit. Good father!

The party was sublime. Sunny surprised and totally blew Nikki away with her agressive possessiveness. They were scorching hot, but in a different way this time.

Then there was nutcase Sergei. Caught me totally by surprise!! After my initial shock, it seemed to me that Nikki wasn't as surprised as I expected. I'd guess he has been having Sergei followed and there is someone behind HIM?

The suspense is killing me!!!! 

I just re-read this story. What a treat.

I loved Julia's spunk. Her mother had better take over coaching her or else Jullia will be one dateless little girl in a few years. LOL.

Thanks for sharing. 

Nice start!!

I am a HUGE long-time ATWT fan. I was watching when Jessica, Bonnie, and the gang were all on and this incident occurred. I can't wait to read what you come up with for this chance meeting.