It was the happiest day of my life.
A massive movement of people swelled the streets of Petrograd, Russia, flowing down every byway in an irresistible human tide. The roar of cheers and song filled the cold October air, the sound of change rising amid the ancient onion-domed towers.
Change that we had brought into being.
Irina's hands slid up over my shoulders. "We've done it," she said. "We've begun the world revolution."
I turned from the window and swept her into my arms. "Yes, milaya moya." I called her that for the first time, called her my sweet. And then I did something else for the first time, too. "Ya tebya lyublyu." I love you, I said, and then I kissed her.
She did not push me away.
The moment washed over me, and I reveled in it. My makeshift pseudo-human heart th
