1

Over the following weeks, Alexander waits for news from Tatiana and Dasha. Weeks turn into months and still he hears nothing. He tries reaching Dasha in Molotov and contacting the Soviet office for news of the Metanova sisters, but to no avail. Meanwhile, as conditions worsen in Leningrad, Alexander replays memories of his and Tatiana’s early relationship.

2

Alexander reconnects with Dimitri in June. However, Dimitri lies and says he hasn’t seen or heard anything of the Metanovs. He then urges Alexander to defect with him and flee to America as they’d planned to do years prior. Alexander insists it isn’t the right time.

Later that month, Alexander receives a 30-day furlough. He makes arrangements with Stepanov to go away, planning to search for the Metanovs.

3

Alexander travels to Molotov, arriving in late June of 1942. Unable to find the Metanovs, he tries to decide where to look next.

4

Alexander travels to the nearby Lazarevo. When he arrives in the village, he asks after Tatiana and Dasha. A tearful woman tells him to go to the village square where they host a sewing circle. There, Alexander finds Tatiana, overcome by relief at the sight of her. The two embrace. Tatiana reveals that Dasha died. Alexander expresses his condolences but Tatiana becomes removed and cold. A group of elderly women invites him into their home, where Tatiana is staying, too. They have heard all about him and the recent death of his fiancée.

Alexander begs Tatiana to tell him everything that happened since they parted months prior. Whenever she tries to speak, the women interject with details from Tatiana’s story and how ill she was when she arrived in Lazarevo. Throughout the evening, they make demands of her and tell her how to treat Alexander, who they pity because of his loss. Alexander feels irritated with their directives but says nothing.

Over dinner, Alexander again urges Tatiana to tell him her story. The women again interrupt and interject. Alexander is sorry to hear of all her loss and pain but wishes they could speak alone. He also becomes increasingly upset when he realizes Tatiana has made no effort to contact him.

As the other women part ways and get ready for bed, Alexander seeks a private audience with Tatiana but she is reluctant to talk. He tells her about Dimitri, insisting he didn’t know about Dasha. Some of the other women enter, once more interrupting their exchange.

5

The next day, Alexander offers to help Tatiana care for the women and keep house, waiting for a moment they can be alone together. Finally, he interrupts her afternoon chores, insisting they take a walk. Tatiana is reluctant to leave the women but agrees.

Tatiana and Alexander take a long walk, ending up in a clearing in the woods where there is an old rickety cabin. While walking, the two get into an argument about Tatiana’s living conditions. Alexander feels she is doing too much for the women. Then they argue about their lack of contact over the past months. Tatiana finally bursts out that she didn’t write to him because he denied their love the last time they saw each other; he only asked Dasha to write—not her. Alexander professes his love, insisting he has only ever loved her. He also reminds her that she is the one who insisted they hide their love. The argument intensifies until Alexander grabs and shakes Tatiana, yelling about how much he has always cared for her. Then he storms off.

6

Back at the house, Tatiana feels irritated with Alexander for giving up before they finished their fight. Some hours later, he returns and offers to help with dinner before announcing that he is leaving. Tatiana engages him in conversation, insisting there is something wrong with her that she wishes he could fix. They hold each other and Tatiana expresses her true feelings. She hoped he’d come find her even without knowing about Dasha’s death and he could love her for her. Alexander insists that has always been the case. They make amends and Alexander joins the group for dinner.

That night, Tatiana “help[s] the old ladies into bed” (511) and joins Alexander on the porch. They continue discussing their relationship and feelings for each other. Finally, they start kissing and touching. Inside, they engage in sexual foreplay, urging each other to be quiet so they don’t wake the women.

7

Tatiana wakes up late, still curled up next to Alexander. Tatiana goes about her chores and cooking. Later, Alexander insists on helping her with the wash in the river. The two end up swimming, holding each other and kissing. Then they have sex. Afterwards, they lie together and talk about their feelings and how happy they are together. They have sex again, promising they’ll go on surviving for each other. Tatiana declares that Alexander has finally fixed her.

Tatiana and Alexander spend intimate hours together, having sex repeatedly. Finally, Alexander proposes to Tatiana and she accepts.

8

Tatiana and Alexander wake up near the river the next morning. They talk intimately about their relationship. Alexander declares they will make the cabin their own and suggests they go to Molotov that day for supplies and for rings.

9

Walking through Molotov, Tatiana and Alexander talk about the beginning of their relationship and their wedding plans. They buy supplies for their new house and finally get their rings. That night, they lie next to each other, talking about the past and future.

10

Tatiana and Alexander return to Molotov and get married the next day, June 23, 1942. During the ceremony, Tatiana reflects on her life and all the people she has lost. Remembering Dasha, she asks Alexander if he really wants to marry her. They swear their love again and exchange the rings.

11

After the wedding, Tatiana and Alexander return to the woods where they examine the provisions they bought, eat food, and discuss their future. Then Alexander tells her about American wedding traditions and they say vows to each other while having sex.

12

The next morning, Tatiana returns to the house. The women are furious with her for disappearing and abandoning them. Tatiana jumps right back into her chores. Alexander arrives and reveals that they got married. Everyone is shocked and upset. Even still, Alexander and Tatiana explain that they will be moving out. They return to their place in the woods, move their things into the cabin, and spend an intimate night here together.

13

The next morning, Alexander makes ice cream for Tatiana for her birthday. They share the ice cream and take a swim, basking in each other’s company.

14

In the morning. Alexander and Tatiana have sex, eat breakfast, and take a swim. Meanwhile, they play games and practice Tatiana’s English, which she has been studying for months now.

15

The next day, Tatiana tries teaching Alexander to make pancakes but he is too distracted staring at her. They start teasing and playing with each other, Tatiana breaking out into laughter as Alexander grabs her.

By the river later that day, Tatiana asks Alexander what would have happened if Dasha had survived. Alexander finally admits he would have married her because that was his promise. Then they talk about Pasha. Tatiana admits she has never been convinced of his death because she never saw his body.

Afterwards, the two return to the water, swimming and kissing. Tatiana ends the afternoon so she can attend her sewing circle.

16

Tatiana and Alexander continue spending their days by the river. Alexander teaches Tatiana how to shoot. They swim in the river, practice English, drink, and have sex.

One day, Tatiana urges Alexander to tell her about his valor medal. Finally, Alexander explains that during a battle in Lisy Nos, he left his platoon to save one of his men from enemy lines—18-year-old Yuri Stepanov, Colonel Stepanov’s son. Although Yuri died shortly thereafter, Stepanov brought Alexander with him on his next missions. Tatiana is moved by the story, but surprised to hear that Dimitri accompanied Alexander when he saved Yuri. She understands, too, that where they were at the time was the Finn border. She asks more questions about the incident, but Alexander insists there’s nothing more to know.

17

Over the following days, Alexander works on building a new countertop for their home. Tatiana is delighted with the project and how their home is coming together. They spend the afternoon cooking and chatting, connecting over The Bronze Horseman.

While eating pie that evening, Tatiana and Alexander talk about the war. Alexander doesn’t have that much time left on Furlough. Tatiana grows dour but her mood changes when she sees a mouse. Alexander handles the rodent, the two bursting into laughter.

18

While fishing together the next day, Tatiana and Alexander talk about their relationship and quote The Bronze Horseman. Later that day, they visit Tatiana’s old companion Naira for dinner. Alexander gets upset with Tatiana later when he notices a young man, Vova, showing her attention. He had tried courting Tatiana before Alexander’s return. Tatiana reminds Alexander how much she loves him.

19

Tatiana notices Alexander’s mood change over the following days. All he does is chop wood, smoke, and swim. He doesn’t seem happy and won’t play games with her anymore. Finally one evening, Tatiana offers Alexander a back massage, making him laugh and relax. Then he gives her one and they have sex.

20

Tatiana and Alexander play strip poker one night, teasing and enjoying each other’s company. They end up in bed naked, holding each other close.

21

As the days pass, Alexander grows increasingly ornery anticipating the end of his furlough. He feels annoyed that Tatiana is still so high-spirited. Still, all he wants is to be near her and with her.

Finally one night, Alexander broaches the topic of his departure with Tatiana. She insists she will accompany him to the front because she can’t be away from him. A furious Alexander insists she stay behind to stay safe. They argue over everything that happened in the past and Alexander’s desperation for Tatiana to survive. Tatiana becomes so frustrated, she hits Alexander in the face. However, they quickly make amends, kissing and professing their love.

Lying together afterwards, Alexander tells Tatiana the full story of what happened with Yuri. He and Dimitri had planned to desert, sneaking over the Finn borders and absconding to America. No one would have found them, because almost everyone else in the platoon was already dead. However, Alexander backed out of the plan at the last minute to save Yuri. Dimitri has resented him ever since.

22

The day of Alexander’s departure arrives. He and Tatiana find it nearly impossible to say goodbye but promise to write. They hug and kiss before Alexander leaves.