Chapter 22

October in the still-shattered Stalingrad was wet, windy and cold, but no-one seemed to mind too much. The news from the front, although couched in blustering propaganda that tried hard to hide the dreadful loss of life, was nevertheless full of success. The Germans were being pushed hard back against the Dnepr River to the west, and Nikolai told Rivka that hopefully they would soon regain the city of Kiev, capital of the once-lush Ukraine, now staggering under Hitler's scorched-earth policy.

As the Germans had advanced into the Soviet Union in 1941 they had burned and destroyed everything they could find … but the plan backfired on them now as they retreated in this cold, soaking autumn of 1943. There was no food or fuel, nowhere to rest or take ease. The countryside was in ruins, with the small remainder of the populace they had not burned out or massacred now unable - or unwilling - to supply the desperate Germans.

Stalingrad began to empty of soldiers. The fronts were now four or five hundred kilometres away, and the city became more of a respite for tired soldiers either going to or coming back from the front. The hospital now catered for more long-term patients and life settled slowly and quietly into a routine.

Nikolai carried on with his teaching, but the classes became smaller and smaller, and he knew in his heart that it was only a matter of time before they were stopped. It was inconvenient to train snipers so far away from the front, and Nikolai realised that either he would end up working at headquarters shuffling papers behind a desk or - and this was more likely - that he would be posted to a town or city nearer the ever-shifting front so he could train snipers more efficiently and quickly. He didn't know which he preferred. While his heart was with the young soldiers he trained and his desire was to continue teaching, he didn't know how he would cope being posted away from Rivka and Vasha. He knew they would be safe and reasonably comfortable, but he knew he would miss them desperately. But, he thought, he would be no different from the other countless married men in the Red Army, so he would deal with whatever decision his superiors made when it happened, and not before. He had other things to worry about.

Rivka was his biggest concern.

Vasha was growing like a weed, and he was now forever hungry. Rivka was worn out trying to keep up with him, and her milk, although reasonably plentiful, obviously wasn't enough to fill the boy. So at ten weeks old the constantly-hungry child was put onto small top-up feeds of puréed soup and broth to try and fill his belly. Much to Rivka and Nikolai's relief, it seemed to work. He seemed more settled and content, and Rivka finally managed at last to get a full night's sleep.

But she was still desperately tired, and was often so exhausted she fell asleep on the sofa and Nikolai would gently lift her, help her undress and put her to bed. He would crawl in beside her and hold her to him, feeling her body relax against his as she slept. He steadfastly tried to ignore how her body aroused him, and he had many uncomfortable, sleepless nights as Rivka slept exhausted beside him oblivious of his desire. If Vasha woke up it was Nikolai who tended him, soothing him if he cried, changing him or warming broth on the battered old stove. Then he would sit in his big armchair and feed his son while Rivka rested, only bringing the child to her when Vasha needed to nurse.

But slowly things became easier, and by the time of Rivka's birthday she was a lot brighter and a little less worn out. She decided she wanted to just have a quiet evening with her husband and son, and no matter how hard Nikolai tried to get her to have a small gathering of friends, thinking it would relax her and give her some fun, she vehemently refused.

"No, Niko, and let that be the last of it," she said, hands on hips and chin tilted stubbornly. "I'm quite happy, thank you very much, and all I want is to sit with you and Vasha and have a nice, relaxed evening of it, so just get used to the idea, d'you hear?"

Nikolai was exasperated.

"Now then, Rivka, I only thought - "

"No!!" Rivka was getting angry.

"For pity's sake woman, what's the matter with you?" Nikolai said, totally confused. "I thought you would enjoy getting a little bit of a break from caring for Vasha, Anna and those scruffy beggars of mechanics would happily keep him occupied for the evening and you could just relax. Anyway, Anna needs the practice, she said so herself! You wouldn't have to do a thing - "

"Ach!!" She waved a hand at him dismissively.

Nikolai shook his head in wonderment. Sometimes she was the most frustrating creature he had ever met, that was certain. But he kept his own council and left the subject alone, and when her birthday arrived he did as she asked, and they had a pleasant supper and listened to music for a while as Vasha slept in his crib.

Rivka sat curled up on Nikolai's lap, her head resting on his shoulder and his hand stroking her hair. She couldn't think of anything more relaxing than lying in her husband's arms, safe and sound and loved.

As the music soothed them she looked up at Nikolai's face above her and smiled. As always, he sat with his head resting on the chair back and his eyes closed, lost in the music. How content he looks, she thought, how settled and happy. How he should be … how he will look when this war is finally over.

Nikolai opened his eyes and lazily looked down at his wife to find her studying him carefully.

"Hmm," he said, smiling. "What's going on in that mind of yours, I wonder?"

Rivka's mobile mouth dimpled.

"Oh, just thinking how perfect my birthday present is, that's all."

He frowned.

"Birthday present?" The only present he had been able to give her had been a length of soft green woollen material he had snaffled from a supply officer. "A bit of cloth's hardly a wonderful present, woman!" His face softened. "I wish it could have been more, Rivka. Maybe after the war …"

Rivka's smile widened, her brown eyes glowing.

"Niko, I will never have a more perfect present than the one I already have. I've had it two years running, and it's the only one I'll ever want."

Now he was mystified.

"Two years running?"

She nodded, lifting a hand and running her fingers along his strong jaw. She kissed him sweetly.

"Yes, my Niko - I got you. It's a year ago today that you walked into my life and I'll never forget it."

He was astounded.

"That … you mean …" His face cleared as he thought about it. "October 22nd … that's the day I came to Stalingrad!" His mouth tilted into a surprised grin. "So, it's our anniversary as well as your birthday! Well, how about that then! I'd not realised!" He bent his head and kissed her back. "So, is there anything else my lady Rivka would like for her birthday?"

Her eyebrows raised suggestively.

"Well, as a matter of fact there is, my husband."

"Oh-ho! And what would that be then?" he asked, blue eyes twinkling.

Rivka ran a finger down from his jaw to the collarbone peeking out of his shirt collar, feeling Nikolai shift with pleasure.

"You, Lieutenant Colonel Koulikov, can take me to bed - "

Her words were stopped by a kiss. A deep, passionate kiss, Nikolai slipping his tongue into her mouth, probing, seeking, Rivka's tongue meeting his, telling him how much she wanted him. He broke off for a second, gasping with desire.

"Are you sure? You're not too tired - "

She shook her head.

"No, love … I want you so much … it's been so long since you loved me … since before our marriage … and I want to have you inside me again …"

Nikolai could hear the need in her voice and her body quivered in his arms. His arousal was already making itself known, Rivka's presence on his lap sending sparks of lust to his loins. But there was something else he had to know before he took her to their bed.

"Rivka … perhaps we shouldn't … what if - "

" - we start another baby?" Rivka understood immediately. He nodded, unsure.

"I mean, I can withdraw, or … or we can wait until I can get hold of something …"

She understood his meaning. Birth control in a war zone was very low priority, and any kind of prophylactic was difficult to get hold of.

"Well, Niko, what do you think? Does it matter?"

Nikolai thought for long moments. He didn't want Rivka going through the pain of childbirth again so soon if he could help it, but he knew in his heart that they both wanted more children sooner or later.

"We're at war, Rivka. I mean, what if you get pregnant and I'm posted away from home? What if you're left with two children and I'm not there to help? It would be hard - "

Rivka nodded, agreeing with him, but her eyes smiled.

"It's no different to anyone else Niko. Men go home on leave and give their wives children, and they manage. I have Oleg and Anna to help out and a home here, so I'm sure I would cope. Besides, you're not fit for active duty and anyway, I might not get pregnant as quickly this time - but if I do, then I for one will be thrilled."

Nikolai glanced over to the crib where their son lay blissfully asleep. He knew Rivka was right - there was little they could do to ensure that she would not conceive other than to abstain completely, and neither of them could accept that option.

"Are you sure?" he said, studying the lean, beautiful lines of her beloved face.

"There is an old Jewish saying, Niko … 'Each child brings his own blessings into the world'. Any child we have my love, will be a blessing, you know that."

Nikolai's reply was to tip her face up to his and kiss her again, his arms holding her tight, and he felt her hand smooth over his chest, lingering over the hidden nipple under his shirt. He moaned softly and gathering her close to his chest he stood, carrying her in his arms. Still kissing her he walked slowly to their bed and laid her on the quilt. Kicking off his boots he lay down beside her, and with tender touch he began to make love to his Rivka.

She murmured her pleasure as he unbuttoned her blouse and slipped a warm, big hand inside to unlace her camisole. That done he dropped a kiss on the soft skin between her breasts, his hand moving to unfasten the buttons at the side of her skirt.

Rivka's own hands were busy pulling his shirt out of his pants and Nikolai sighed as she bared his ribs, her fingers now straying to unbutton his fly. His erection was already straining against the material and Rivka's hand finally slid along the bare skin of his belly downwards and found his manhood, stroking him into shuddering pleasure.

Their desire became instantly more urgent. Hands tugged at clothing and mouths dropped desperate kisses and nips on newly-bared skin. Nikolai growled as he tugged Rivka's skirts and drawers from her body and parted her camisole to bare her breasts, his mouth nuzzling at her engorged nipples. To his delight he tasted the sweetness of her milk as he suckled gently, Rivka throwing her head back at the joy of his touch.

Quickly discarding the rest of their clothes they soon lay naked, bodies entwined until Nikolai raised himself onto his hands and knees. Leaning over her and raining kisses on her skin he let his hands roam over her body, Rivka giving little cries of need as the heat of his mouth aroused her almost beyond endurance. He kissed the soft underside of her breasts and the small marks on the skin of her belly that marked her motherhood. He spread her thighs and she arched upwards as his tongue found the place that made her shake with pleasure.

"Oh! Oh Niko … please … yes … yes … oh God …"

Nikolai heard her pleas and spread her thighs further apart, kissing the soft, satin skin there in the place that was his alone. Brown eyes hazy with desire, Rivka managed to raise her head and watch him as he used his mouth and tongue to arouse her even further, and she saw the shadow of his erection where it jutted, thick and hard, between his thighs. But his probing tongue was relentless, pushing her ever onwards to ecstasy and his big hands held her firmly in his strong grasp. He suckled and teased and stroked and Rivka couldn't stop herself … with a throaty cry of his name she shuddered her climax, thighs tight against him as he coaxed the last, shattering contractions from her, his own arousal throbbing with need.

Rivka's body slowly lost its tension and she collapsed back onto the bed, body still sparking with tiny pin-points of pleasure. She whimpered as Nikolai's mouth reluctantly left her and he moved beside her on the bed, folding her into his arms as her sated body clung to him. Her kisses were soft, satisfied, and she smiled at the taste of herself on his lips.

"Mmmm … so sweet my Niko … it's been so long, my love. So good …"

Nikolai cradled her face in his palm and gazed at her with eyes sapphire with desire, pools of endless passion that set her heart aflame.

"My Rivka … my beautiful lady … my wife …"

And he covered her face and neck with kisses, his hand lifting her chin so he could nuzzle at her tender throat. But Rivka did not stay still for long, and gently pushing at his shoulder urged him onto his back where he lay, his long, powerful body sprawled before her, vulnerable in his arousal.

Rivka leaned over him, kissing him tenderly, working her way down his jawline and neck to nuzzle sweetly in the hollow of his throat, Nikolai gasping at the soft whisper of her lips. Running gentle fingers over his chest she found the hardened, tight buds of his nipples, brushing them with cool fingertips as she passed downwards to his belly. Nikolai groaned out loud now as Rivka worked lower, nuzzling the hard muscles of his abdomen and nipping with white teeth at the quivering skin of his flank.

His erection rose from the soft curls at his groin, and Rivka smiled knowingly as she let her breath linger over the darkly swollen crown, now glistening with the first, pearly drops of fluid oozing from the tip, signifying his desperate need of her.

Nikolai tried to urge her downwards so she would take him into the soft, moist depths of her teasing mouth, but she resisted - she would not pleasure him that way this time, although she shivered at the delicious thought of his cries of ecstasy as his body arched and she tasted the salty tang of his seed as it jetted into her mouth. No … this time he would finish inside her. Dropping a soft kiss on his rigid manhood she slid up his body, her own stretched over the length of him. His hands were upon her instantly, stroking downwards to cup her buttocks and hold her loins against his and she nipped none-too-gently at the line of his collarbone. Feeling the press of his erection against her belly, Rivka shifted her hips slightly, rubbing and teasing his penis against her stomach, eliciting a grunt of pleasure and longing from the big soldier. His desire-darkened azure eyes caught her gaze and Rivka could not wait any longer for his attention.

"Take me, my Niko … take me as hard as you wish, my love … I want you … I want to feel you deep inside me … now …"

With a growl Nikolai rolled over, his big body covering hers, Rivka's thighs opening wide to allow him entrance. As his mouth ravaged hers with kisses, his hand dropped between her legs and she groaned as long fingers plundered inside her, rubbing, teasing, making her whimper with desire.

But soon his hand lifted away from her eager body and was instantly replaced by his penis, engorged and silken hard with desire, and Nikolai pushed into her lustily, seating himself in the cradle of her thighs. He was so ready he ached with the need to empty himself, and there was something primal in the way he began to move … long, urgent thrusts, Rivka gripped beneath him, suppliant, welcoming, and he held her in a firm but gentle grasp. He drove into her, one hand beneath her shoulders clasping her tight, her milky nipples against the breadth of his chest, the other hand on her hip staying her movements, keeping her beneath him until he had finished.

Rivka thought she would die with pleasure. Nikolai surrounded her with his body and possessed her with his thrusting need, and she arched under him, belly against panting belly.

"Be still …" Nikolai's voice was velvet with love and roughened by lust, and he groaned the words softly, more as a plea than a demand, his pelvis grinding into her he drove his penis into her snug depths long and deep and hard.

Opening her eyes Rivka could see the feral intensity on his face as his body strove inside hers. She clutched at him, feeling his hips work desperately, and she slid a hand between their rocking bodies to feel where they were joined. Nikolai shifted slightly and gave a soft grunt as she touched the base of his glistening shaft as he slid purposefully in and out of her, and Rivka moaned at the feel of him. But lifting his hand from her hip he caught her wrist and pulled it from between them. Her other hand was also caught and Rivka found her arms being pulled over her head, gripped tightly as Nikolai arched over her.

Bracing himself, Nikolai lifted his upper body until the only places they touched were his hands on her wrists and his hips between her damp, heated thighs as he pounded into her, Rivka's legs widening even more as though she could pull him into her even deeper. She wound them around his hips, holding him to her body, both of them willing prisoners of their love.

Nikolai watched her as he moved, seeing Rivka's dark head thrown back, her face ecstatic with pleasure. Her breasts were taut with longing and the long arch of her ribs and belly as she stretched beneath his demanding body sent fire to his loins. Their skin gleamed with perspiration, and Nikolai's hot blue eyes were drawn to where they were joined, watching himself withdraw from her body almost completely, then, teeth bared in ecstasy, he thrust the glistening, muscled length of his manhood into the woman he loved.

Rivka let out a soft, needful cry and shook as Nikolai began to move faster, his thrusts now uncontrolled, his voice a low, grumbling groan of lust.

"Tell me, Rivka … tell me how it feels … does it feel good? You feel so tight … so hot … uhnh …"

He felt himself nudge the very neck of her womb, the crown of his shaft swelling even more as he began to approach orgasm, the ache between his legs becoming so pleasurably unbearable that he didn't think he could hold on much longer. He spread his knees a little both to gain more depth to his thrusts and also to ease the ache, the heaviness in his testes telling him he was close to ejaculating.

"Harder, Niko … yes … yes, more … ahhhh … right there, love … ohhh …" Rivka's voice was husky, gasping with the heady fire of him between her thighs, feeling him quicken to her call with a groan, plunging even deeper into her willing body. She saw his powerful frame moving above her, his hands still grasping her wrists above her head, and marvelled at both the ferocity and love in him. She was so close … Rivka heard him emit a deep, feral moan and a few more of his hard, rolling thrusts sent her body arching upwards, her body imprisoned lovingly by his, and Nikolai held her beneath him as she rode through the explosion of her climax.

But even as Rivka's senses spiralled into ecstasy Nikolai felt his own impending orgasm begin. He moved faster, deeper. Rivka writhing beneath him in wanton passion, her whimpers of pleasurable abandon bringing a growl of desperate desire from him. His last thrusts were wild with need and his orgasm when it came was almost violent in its intensity, his hips bucking and thrusting as his semen spurted from him in milky streams, his guttural cries spurring Rivka to tighten her legs around him, pulling him even deeper into her convulsing body.

For long moments they strained together, Nikolai shuddering above Rivka as he held her still, his hips still flexing spasmodically against her as he finished, his seed filling her with liquid warmth and the promise of new life. She felt the flood of his sperm and cried out, her body accepting all of him, body, heart and soul, the final, throbbing pulse of him inside her setting her aflame.

Nikolai let go of her wrists and braced himself on one elbow, his forehead sinking down onto Rivka's, his body shaking at the release of tension. Slowly he began to nuzzle Rivka's cheeks and neck as his hand stroked downwards over her heaving breasts and glistening flanks, feeling her lying gasping beneath him as he still lay cradled between her thighs and buried deep, deep in her body. Her muscled sheath held him in thrall even as he softened within her.

Rivka reached out and pulled the rumpled quilt over them both as Nikolai lay quietly upon her prone body, his soft murmurs telling her how much he loved her. Warm and sleepy, they caressed each other gently and kissed, Rivka stroking the quivering muscles of his shoulder and the sensual hollow of his back, keeping him nestled within her body. She kissed his damp brow as he laid his head on her shoulder and ruffled his short curls, Nikolai nuzzling drowsily at her breast. Sated and completely satisfied, they fell into a dreamless, exhausted sleep.

*****************

On November 6th, 1943, the Red Army of the Soviet Union finally took the battered, ancient city of Kiev back from the German occupying forces.

Ten days after the victory Rivka sat feeding her son and heaved a sigh of relief, and for the first time felt as though they were finally conquering the invaders of this huge, sprawling land that she and millions of others held dear. She looked at Vasha's chubby innocence and smiled. He had been born into a country fighting for its life, for its very existence, and now at last perhaps he had a chance of growing up free from persecution. He hungrily took mouthfuls of rich soup and gurgled happily. He loved his food, this boy of hers, just like his papa, and Rivka loved to feed both of them.

She was just changing Vasha into his nightgown when she heard the slam of the trapdoor. Niko. Her Niko was home just in time for supper. With Vasha now snug in his gown she gathered him into her arms and went to meet her husband as he came in through the door, still feeling the lurch of anticipation in her heart as she saw his broad-shouldered frame in the doorway. He was so handsome ...

But instead of leaning down to give her a loving kiss as he usually did, Nikolai pulled his wife and baby son into his arms and held them tight, as though he hadn't seen them for months. When Rivka raised her head and looked at him with questioning dark eyes, he kissed her deeply, longingly, his mouth moulding to hers.

She knew instinctively something was wrong.

"Niko?"

Without answering, Nikolai Koulikov guided his wife to a chair and sat her down, Vasha lying propped in the crook of her arm. Nikolai sat down opposite her in his big armchair and hesitantly brought out a brown envelope from his pocket, and Rivka's heart almost stopped in terror.

Dear God no ... not the front ... they can't send him to the front, they just can't ... he's not fit to fight any more ... it would kill him ...

She leaned forward and with a trembling hand she took the envelope. She looked at Nikolai's blue eyes, seeing the worry in them. But he smiled, nodding.

"Open it, my lady - it's not as bad as you think."

Rivka handed Vasha over to his father and as Nikolai cuddled his son Rivka took her courage in both hands and opened the envelope.

Inside were two sheets of paper, and - as before - one was a commission. Nikolai was now a full Colonel in the 284th Rifle Division, with accompanying benefits. She looked up at him, seeing the faint hint of pride in his face. But the other piece of paper brought her world crashing down. He was being posted to the city of Kiev to run a new sniping school in the old Jewish quarter of Podol. She covered her mouth with her hand in shock. He was going away ... he was leaving her again.

"I won't be fighting, Rivka. That I can promise you this time." Nikolai sat on the edge of his chair, Vasha held against his chest, feeling absolutely miserable. He had guessed what was coming when he had received the envelope at headquarters, but now he knew for certain that he would be leaving his wife and little boy and going back into a war zone.

Rivka swallowed her tears and nodded shakily.

"All ... all right. When ... when do you ..." She couldn't finish the sentence, her voice breaking.

"Well, that's the good bit about it - I won't be leaving for another month or so at least - this is just to let me finish up the school here and get all the recruits up and running before I go. It'll probably be about the third week in December."

Rivka sat quietly and digested the information. What would she do without him? Oh, she knew well enough that she would cope, she had no concerns on that score, and she had Vasha to care for. But to have to sleep alone once again in their big bed ... she would not hear his throaty chuckles as she scolded him or feel his body love hers with such lusty abandon ... it would be as though she had died a living death.

Nikolai saw the despair on her face and his heart broke. He didn't want to go. For the first time in his adult life he felt no excitement, no sense of anticipation at going into battle. Well, maybe not 'battle', but certainly being nearer the action. He was a soldier after all ... and a Colonel at that. But for the first time it all meant nothing to him because he would be leaving his beloved Rivka and his adored Vasha ... he would be leaving his family behind him and it shattered him inside. He couldn't bear it, but he knew he had to. He was Colonel Nikolai Koulikov, soldier, and he had a job to do.

But he couldn't contain a shudder. Kiev. Of all the places they could have sent him, it had to be Kiev. Nikolai did not want to go to Kiev, and not just because he would be leaving his family behind.

He closed his eyes for a moment and held Vasha tightly as memories surged into his mind, memories of beatings, pain, torture ... memories of Lieutenant Anton Krylov of the NKVD. The last time he had been in Kiev he had barely survived the experience. He looked over at Rivka, seeing her start to gather her wits about her, the initial shock of his impending departure beginning to ease a little. She knew nothing of his place of incarceration. Oh, she knew he had been tortured and how badly hurt he had been, but he had kept both the location and the name of the man who had carried out the systematic abuse from her for no other reason than he had difficulty facing the past himself. He hadn't yet managed to come to terms with what had happened to him in NKVD Forced Labour Camp number 7.

He dropped a soft kiss on Vasha's curly head and smiled at Rivka, trying to reassure her.

"Well, woman, I think it's time we had some supper, don't you? Here, take Vasha - let me make supper for a change ..." Getting to his feet he handed Vasha to his mama and kissed Rivka sweetly, trying to ease her fears for him. "Don't worry - I'll be all right this time, I promise ..."

As she sat with a sleepy Vasha in her arms and watched her husband busy himself with chopping vegetables, Rivka's mind was in a whirr. An idea was forming in her mind … an idea that would make Nikolai very angry indeed. But, she convinced herself, it was for the best. She and Nikolai had already been through so much and their love had sustained them through terrible times. This latest problem could be surmounted safely, she was sure. She looked down at Vasha, now slumbering happily, rosebud lips pursed as he dreamed baby dreams. It was risky, she knew. Nikolai would not be pleased about it one little bit. Still, he'll get over it, she thought. He always does.

Feeling better now she had made her decision, she relaxed back into the chair and crooned to her baby son as he slept.

*****************

It took Rivka Koulikova longer than she had thought it would to get everything sorted out, and it had not been easy. There had been endless forms to fill out and questions answered, Vasha's details noted in triplicate and countless documents to be produced. But, at long last, it had all been done and everything had been organised to her exacting requirements.

On that final day she left Red Army Headquarters, Vasha lying asleep in his baby carriage, the paperwork all finished and signed and stamped in all of the required places. Sighing with satisfaction, Rivka headed down towards the Volga River to the tatty building that housed Motor Pool number 7 attached to the Engineers.

She knew now that she needed desperately to talk to Corporal Ivan Grigorvich Nikitin.

*****************

When she finally sat Nikolai down that evening and told him of her decision she realised that she had badly underestimated his reaction.

Instead of exploding with anger as he usually did, he confounded her by doing exactly the opposite. His face went white with shock, but he didn't say anything. He just stood up and slowly shrugged into his greatcoat, then settled his pilotka on his head. He mumbled something about going for a walk, and before Rivka could answer he had slammed the door behind him as he trudged out into the night.

Rivka sat on tenterhooks for an hour. The snow had come early this year and she was beginning to be concerned for him, knowing the cold bothered his lungs, when she finally heard the bang of the trapdoor and looked up from her sewing to see Nikolai quietly enter the cellar, his hair silvered with melting snow. He hung his coat and pilotka on the back of a chair in front of the stove to dry, then he made two mugs of tea and setting one beside Rivka he settled down in his big chair and sipped the hot liquid in his own mug. Rivka just watched him, concerned. He looked tired and cold, and she could still see the muscles jumping along his jawline in anger.

"Niko love … it's for the best, I promise."

"I wish …" He looked at her with hurt eyes. "Rivka, I wish you hadn't done it. It's too dangerous, you know that."

Rivka leaned forward and took one of his hands in hers.

"But it's done now - and anyway, we've lived in more dangerous situations, you know that! I mean, what about when the Germans over-ran us? We spent all of that time in a sewer, for goodness sake! I was willing to die with you - "

"Yes!" Nikolai's voice was forceful but low, trying not to wake his sleeping son. "Yes, Rivka, we were willing to die together … but now we have a son … our child! Do you want him to be at risk?"

Rivka sighed in exasperation.

"I spoke to many people at headquarters who assured me Kiev is no more dangerous than living here - we'll just be nearer the front, that's all, and we've lived like that before. And remember, I was alone and newly pregnant at the time and I didn't know if you would come home at all. This is nowhere near as dangerous, love, and we'll be together - isn't that what matters?"

Nikolai rubbed a big hand over his face in worry. Why had she done this? Moving to Kiev with him was downright foolishness, didn't she realise that? Here in Stalingrad she would be far safer, although he knew he would be heartbroken to leave her … but he had a responsibility as her husband to keep her safe, and even more of a responsibility to his little son. Vasha above all else had to be kept safe. He swallowed. What if Rivka was pregnant again? He just couldn't take her to Kiev.

"No. No, Rivka, I won't allow it. It's just too near the front and that's that."

Rivka's temper began to rise.

"Nikolai Koulikov, you are a bull-headed fool! Do you understand what I've gone through to get these papers? I had to tell the authorities I had family in Kiev, and they said I could go if I could prove it. I had to dig about and find letters from my uncle Tevye who lived in Podol, and they finally said Vasha and I could go. And anyway, once they knew you were my husband they just about fell over themselves to get the paperwork in order - they've been very accommodating!" Her chin tilted stubbornly.

Nikolai cocked an eyebrow at his wife.

"Uncle Tevye??? What Uncle Tevye?"

Rivka ducked her head shyly.

"The ah, Uncle Tevye that died sixteen years ago … that Uncle Tevye." She gave her husband a small smile. "Besides, I discovered something even you didn't know."

Nikolai frowned. What on earth was his troublemaker of a wife talking about?

Rivka gave him a triumphant smirk.

"In six weeks time, my dear Nikolai, we would be homeless anyway - this whole block is due to be bulldozed!"

Well, Rivka discovered, that was the clincher. Nikolai finally broke before her tenacity and threw his hands up in annoyance.

"Hell's teeth, Rivka, you are a first-class pain in the arse, you know that don't you??" He stood up and stalked up and down for a moment in sheer frustration. What the hell was he going to do with the meddlesome creature? He was beaten and he knew it … ah-hah! Turning to Rivka he frowned.

"All right then!! But just tell me, Missus, exactly how are we going to move all of our stuff? We have furniture, dishes … all sorts of things. And what about Vasha's things? Just tell me how we're going to do that! It's a few hundred kilometres to Kiev … it'll take us at least ten days to get there by truck convoy and there's no way they'll allow us to pack furniture into an army truck!"

Rivka straightened defiantly.

"Now that's exactly where you're wrong, Nikolai Koulikov! We're going with Corporal Nikitin!"

Nikolai's mouth dropped open.

"We … we're doing what??"

Rivka's lips dimpled into a smile.

"The motor pool is moving forward in two weeks time - the corporal said he would manage to fit our stuff in somehow. I'm not sure how he'll do it, but he did promise, and you know when the corporal promises to do something, he'll move heaven and earth to do it!"

She crossed her arms, defying him to say anything.

Colonel Nikolai Koulikov had the wisdom to finally admit defeat. He rubbed his brow with long fingers and shook his head in exasperation. Rivka just looked smug.

"Rivka Koulikova, I think if the Party sent you to live with Hitler he'd surrender within the day - the poor bugger wouldn't stand a chance!" He sighed noisily and dropped into his chair, body sagging with defeat. "All right, all right - if it makes you happy and you promise - and I mean promise - to do as I ask on the journey, then I suppose I'll deal with it. I'm not so happy about it though, my lady. I wish you hadn't gone behind my back on this but …" he gave her a rueful smile, his anger dissipating. "I must admit it'll be wonderful to know you'll be there when I come home at night … knowing I'll be able to see my Rivka and cuddle my son. I don't like being away from you both."

Rivka moved from her place on the sofa and crouched down beside him as he sprawled in his chair, taking his big hand in hers and kissing the callused palm.

"We can do anything, Niko … just about anything, you and I. As long as we're together, that's all that matters …"

Nikolai pulled her up onto his lap and held her close.

"Rivka Koulikova, what on earth am I to do with you? I love you, you know that don't you?" He kissed her lips fondly.

She cradled his face in her hands.

"And I love you too, my wonderful Nikolai - even though you're a klotz. Now don't you worry one little bit. I'm sure we'll all be fine on the journey, and I know there'll be somewhere for us to live when we get there, so stop fretting. Everything will be absolutely perfect, you'll see …"

But even as he melted into Rivka's soft kisses, Nikolai couldn't suppress the knot of fear that tightened inexorably in his stomach. He knew something was wrong … he couldn't put his finger on it, but something bad was going to happen.

And he couldn't do a damn thing about it.