After Howards family shopped in the nearest grocery store, they went back at home as they spent the rest of the evening with their children in front of the TV, watching some vintage sitcoms for entertaiment to purify their minds from the problems, negative thoughts and so forth. Afterwards, Tristan and Ellie were fed with their mother's milk as they were bathed, hence, put in their cribs to sleep with changed diapers and comfy, warmer clothes whilst the parents weren't sleepy at all. They were rather excited for the next day, besides Jude's birthday. 

As Mr. and Mrs. Howard were in the living room, sitting on the goth sofa, discussing variety of topics in 11 o'clock in the evening, they even raised the topic about Jude's birthday.

"After Thanksgiving, how do you want to celebrate your birthday, sweetie? What do you want for your birthday?"- Timothy enquired her seriously as she managed to sip her glass with water. 

"I don't have any clue how to celebrate my birthday. I don't want anything special for my birthday as much as to be with my family." She responded honestly with her soft, amorous voice as her hand was on his nape, her thin, long fingers caressing his cotton long sleeve top's fabric. She offered him a genuine smile as she was grateful sufficiently for having a family, uniting as a mighty, integral bond along, for having a man, who stands for her when somebody speaks nonsence about her, besides supporting, respect her, treating her as an equal and an extraordinary lady, strongly loving her, for having children which she wants to teach them and loving them with her whole being and heart. 

"I completely comprehend you, sweetheart!" He cupped her both cheeks in his mammoth, heating palms, tilting her head as he can have a full access to her eyes, pursuing for one of her most flawless physical feature, in his opinion. As his thumb managed to massage her both lips featherly. "However all I want is your happiness to be in your favour as well." 

Jude let out a sigh escaping her lungs as she spitted it out. "I know that you want to see me happy with a shining smile on my face but...I don't really have an idea of how to celebrate my birthday. Furthermore I hadn't considered my birthdays as special events."

"Well, do not pretend like you haven't considered your birthday as a remarkable event." Then her eyes widened of overwhelmingness, eyeing her glass of water whilst her still cupped cheeks in his palms were far more gratifying sensation. After his voice underlined the entire sentence, she could perfectly recall on every birthday in Briarcliff, where she used to work with him, regaining memories of the years when Timothy's position as monsignor even before that, he didn't miss every birthday of Jude. Likewise, what she can recall from those birthdays, spent with nobody else special than Mr.Howard himself. Initially a friend and colleague of hers, thereafter becoming her love interest and vice versa. Passing through the phase of pre-relationship, becoming a couple and eventually marrying one another for eternity.

"Oh, I have those sole great memories from Briarcliff." She closed her eyes as she can really figure how promiment and unique are they especially with her love interest. Every year, on every birthday, when they desolate themselves as they spend approximately 2 hours together in Jude's room, was like a phenomenon for the former nun who was on 7th sky on every birthday. Further, a titter escaped her lips as she dtsrted day dreaming.

Flashback

25th of November, 1959

It was a cold, rainy day. As the rain poured mercilessly, rain drops faintly clicking the walls, the roof and the closed windows, a savage, strong wind emerged from nowhere, blowing moving and motionless objects outside. The nocturnal scenery embodying the late November's vibes was bearable for Boston's citizens.

As Jude invited on secret dinner the young British priest, Timothy Howard, to have a dinner in the nun's office due to a promiment occasion. Despite nobody didn't care about anyone's birthday in the facility, Timothy rendered an exception with Jude. For example, since his arrivation and being somewhat familiar with the institution, he hadn't any patience to the end of November so that to spend a few hours with the sister that Motehr Claudia had chosen for him. Not only his presence meant so much to Jude, besides the mere, small presents he gives her. It rendered her rather gleeful, grateful.

As today was the nun's birthday which can be almost ignored as a fact in Briarcliff, due to the abundance of work with patients, it cannot be ignored by sole person, Mr. Howard himself.

As their dinner appointment was at 8 o'clock in the evening, little did she know how limited time she had actually. It was around 6:30pm and she was in the kitchen, informing the patients to go in their rooms earlier, as a result to have a full-bodied, nutritious sleep. The whole kitchen was hers now. She prepared each ingredient for her favorite meal Coq au Vin. Moreover, it wasn't actually Mr. Howard's time to attend their private dinner. Whenever he had the chance to visit her especially once a month, savoring every spent moment and the meal he fell in love with since their first private dinner together. He liked her cooking a lot.

Whilst the nun started cooking, overwhelmed by distressed, uneasy thoughts that recently swam in her mind, as her heart sluggishly beated in her chest as she recited her prayer, attempting to distract herself, though it didn't help her at all.

She was so nervous for the imminent dinner, she wanted everything to be in the exact position. Namely perfect. Without any flaw in her plans.

It took her an hour for the dinner as she put in each dish Coq au Vin, followed by empty glasses for beverages, silverwares in a tray.

A half an hour until the dinner. She hadn't so much time as she should hold the tray with their dinner dishes and empty glasses for beverage cautiously, climbing every stair until reaching her office, her elbow pressing the door knob as she permitted herself to enter, laying the platter on her desk, consequently shutting the door.

Then Jude determined herself to put under long, cotton, white, ankle length nightgown her red slip as she almost forgot it's her birthday and she will receive a remarkable visitor in her office even if he doesn't works in this institution, however he is devoted himself to God and the church at least. Afterwards she perfumed her collarbone and certain body parts such as her neck and wrists. Then she dressed herself back over her seductive silk red slip, her overgarments such as her cotton nightgown and her solid, wool hallowed robe.

Then she looked herself in her compact pocket mirror once again, making sure if she looks good. Her nervousness grew even more, her thoughts tormenting her, without leaving her alone as her anxiety conquered her entire body.

She smiled timidly to herself as her sole available hand stroked her cheek, her fingertips caressing every inch of her creamy, pale flesh. Her hazel eyes's brightness was as bright as an illuminated room.

"I think I look fine at least." The blonde whispered sarcastically to herself, quietly chuckling to herself.

A handful of door taps interrupted her as she put in her drawer the pocket mirror back, meanwhile her hands jouncing her thick wool dark habit. A tall, good-looking male figure stood in front of Jude's office as it was pretty evident through the door's mosaic glass. She knew right away it was Timothy.

The nun responded with a shout. "Yes? Come in."

Afterward the door opened as he shutted the door, stepping a little in Miss Martin's office, offering a smile, his chocolate brown eyes darted to her shorter figure especially pursuing for her eyes as she stood before her chair, smiling to him shyly.

"Hello Judy. It's been a month since we had seen one another." He greeted her warmly as his velvety voice especially his British composed accent sent her directly in the paradise.

"H-Hi!" She nod her head humbly as she confirmed his words as he walked up to her desk.

"Happy Birthday, Jude! All I am wishing you is the best such a lot of prosperity, luck, happiness, love and to smile more often."

"Th-thank you very much for your kindness and your wishes. That truly means a lot to me." The nun's smile grew rapidly on her more sparkling face, expressing her gratitude cordially.

"You are welcome." In the interim, they took their own dishes and silverwaves as they were ready for dinner but pending for Miss Martin's approval. "Shall we start?" He meant the dinner as Jude knew right away what he wants to say.

She nod her head as she answered like a schoolgirl. "Mhm."

As they sat against each one, they chewed each bite from the scrumptious meal with murderously ginormous pleasure as it melted in their mouths like glaciers.

Right in the middle of their dinner, they left their plates upon the desk as they gaped into one another's faces with gleaming smiles. A hus built in the room, dwelling like a settler. Jude didn't say anything as the awkward silence dominated over them. She was so reticent, scarcely peeling a word as she was afraid to not ruin their dinner, besides her own image, rendering a bad impression to the priest who had feelings for her either too, despite she overlooked it.

"Anyway how are you?" He inquired her candidly, his chocolate eyes pierced into her hazel eyes.

"I couldn't be more excited and blissful. Thank you for asking! How about you too?"

"I am either too. Thanks!" The juvenile priest replied her question honestly, in the meantime delving into his large corduroy coat for something as he distracted himself. "Hold on for a second, please."

She waited patiently as she swallowed a gulp in her throat as he slammed a bottle of cognac on the desk as it was located next to her phone. At first she widened her eyes abruptly as she saw the cognac, her mouth widely opened as she was panicked a priest to bring alcohol since she vowed to herself after being part of the Catholic church for straight 10 years to not drink any alcoholic beverage, changing utterly herself from the tramp vixen girl to the humble, dedicated to God woman. 

"But Timothy, I cannot..." She exclaimed perplexed, disappointed, being cut off by her love interest.

"Oh, I am sorry." Then he opened the cognac's cap, pouring in his empty glass some cognac. "Then I will have some drink."

"Wait a second...Haven't you taken your vows about the alcohol too?" She interrupted him when he planned to sip of his cognac as the scent of the strong alcohol allured her nostrils.

"I had. But that's just amongst the fewest moments when I can allow myself something much different than the traditional." The priest's response was rather ambivalent against church's laws.

As he sipped his beverage, he gestured her to wait for a while after placing his glass of cognac on her desk as she stared at the cognac with sorrowful eyes, yearning to try a handful of sips at least. Though her solid vow to the God. Then Timothy took from his coat's flap pocket a red ribbon hair pin. It was just unique once she gaped in awe the tiny present for her, not resisting herself from smiling broadly, covering her mouth with her both frail, small hands like she was being proposed by her crush. 

"Wow! That wasn't necessary at all." She responded slightly pessimistically with a radiant, contended smile across her sparkling face. "By the way, thank you very much for this present of yours though I don't deserve it."

"Why, Judy?" He looked up at her with puzzled expression, raising an eyebrow. "It's your birthday today. Furthermore you deserve a present and respect at least."

"I am working in such facility where those gestures could be so kind but aren't for women like me. I mean...who are dedicated to God."

"Well, that doesn't means that one lady cannot receive a present from a gentleman." The nun examined the stunning, modest, compact ribbon hair pin as her fingers played with it. A smile lit on her face after hearing those melting, genuine words especially coming from a priest. A slow heart beat pulsed in her chest. She had never heard such breathtaking words coming from a man especially the man who she respects and likes, besides his devotion to God and the church.  She was really touched by his words, a warm, pleasant sensation of feeling special had invaded her body, her heart, her mind. 

"I bet you have a beautiful, silky hair. Especially for this ribbon hair pin that I gave you." He complimented her as her face all flushed, gradually reddening. 

She had never expected from the priest to compliment her especially speculating what is her hair though he had seen a couple of snagged curly locks. They smiled to one another as she thanked him for the compliment, besides the birthday present. Moreover she was too shy to take off her veil, revealing fluently her bouncy, long, glossy curly golden hair like a Greek Goddess that had abided untouched for years since the beginning of her pious life as a nun, leaving behind her Bohemian life with one night stands, alcoholism, singing career. 

***

Back to nowadays

24th of November, 1965

"Jude, Judy?" Jude's abdomen rested on Timothy's hips as his arms rocking her immobile, asleep body as she daydreamed of her birthday 6 years ago when she received from her husband, back then friend of hers a ribbon hair pin that she wore from time to time, as a fragment to remember about the most prominent person in this world. 

"Oh!" She muttered as she sensed the pleasant sensation of daydreaming but realising it was just 6 years ago. 6 Novembers ago. Waking up as she opened her eyes, as she looked up at his chocolate eyes. "I am sorry but I fell asleep due to daydreaming."

"It's okay." He stroked her hair as he leant, planting a kiss on her ear lobe as she closed her eyes for a while, starting to experience the phenomenal sensation of the love that she experiences nowadays unlike a several years ago. "What were you daydreaming about?"

"I daydreamed about us 6 years ago. How we celebrated my birthday in my office as I received a ribbon hair pin from you which was completely innocent and sweet."

"Aww! Yes, I can ideally recall it." He hummed to her with velvety voice as his fingers caressed every long golden curl beneath his fingers' skin. 

"Same! It's so great for being capable of remembering even things from more than 5 years ago." 

The next day...

As Tristan and Ellie were sitting at their high chairs, watching how their parents had so much fun preparing meals, sweets for Thanksgiving. They babbled to each one as their eyes were far focused at their current targets. Judy and Timothy. The couple woke up in 5 o'clock in the morning so that to be prepared for Thanksgiving as early as possible, without wasting their time for futile things and stuff. They were already in the kitchen, cooking and baking after their breakfast. They had so much work to do.

***

Today was an unfortunate for Ms. Volkova as she had to work on a special American day. Her partner Velika was currently working her morning shift in the hospital, whilst the little Shona was home alone, taking care of herself. She was taught and being adviced by the both women how to fend herself, helping her to mature at young age. 

As Valerie had to go in Casey's small apartment in the urban part of Boston as she used a transport as usually, she was so disappointed for having to clean after not only Jude's rival, besides the Russian maid's one. Casey and Valerie were hostile towards each one especially Casey discriminating her, further underestimating her efforts for keeping sheer, immaculate every furniture and room of his. 

In the interim, the young maid traveled with a public transport, watching through the bus's window as she had to ruin her mood and day for Thanksgiving, thanks to be a maid of person who she detests with her entire being, her fierce heart, striving to forsaken to be his maid as she is being hired in another residence. Nevertheless, she hadn't many opportunities. If she isn't being Casey's maid anymore, otherwise she would lose her job, besides the family's budget would be declined, subsequently minus one person who works for the women's family survival. 

The red haired Russian American had already worked for more than a year as a maid in Jude's ex fiance compact apartment, located in a small town. It was insanely fatiguing for the young woman to be with a man, who enrages her, despite she abides serene, trying to ignore his fatuity. She had never known that her new acquaintance, Mrs.Howard, is an enemy of the person who threw her like a rag doll from his life. 

As soon as the bus stopped the nearest bus stop, she got out from the bus, walking up towards Casey Goodman's apartment, in spite of her lack of aspiration as she prefered to spend the rest of the day with her daughter or even her lover Velika rather than with somebody, who tends to get on her nerves unconditionally. 

Once she stood in front of the iron door, she pressed the family name "Goodman", awaiting for response. Thereafter she had an access as she climbed every stair until 8th floor. Eventually when she reached the final floor, the 8th one, she rang before Goodman's door, pending. 

When she was accepted by Casey, whose apartment contained 3 rooms such as kitchen, bedroom and bathroom with a small, barely spacious balcon including the hall itself which isn't considered as a room, she could smell the abominable smell of tobaccos, alcohol and one another stenching scent which doesn't even deserves a commentary. She was frowning in the entire time, attempting to do her task instead of falling in his venomous spiderwebs. 

As she hanged her coat on the hang, starting from the bedroom to clean, she was feeling much better whenever he isn't nigh her. As an addition, Valerie hummed to herself as she dusted the wallnut flooring with an ordinary cloth, every inch with her bare hands. The initial minutes after her arrival passed smoothly. Without any conflicts. Without any clashs. Without hassles. 

After she finished with dusting the floor, then she moved on with her task as she commenced to dust every furniture with another cloth. 

Suddenly the bedroom's door slammed as Jude's ex fiance entered in his bedroom, eyeing her with glare, a grotesque frown as he grabbed her by her long, flossy straight red hair as she glared at him.

"You are bullshit." His collosal hand gripped as tightly as he could her red hair, not settling free the composed Valerie who was certainly frustrated for hindering her work. On top of that his voice was menancing, uttering the last word through clutched teeth.

"No, you are bullshit! A bullshit man for whom I need to clean and dust after daily. Not valuing my hardwork. What do you expect more, Mr.Goodman?" She snapped at him with serene, but husky and intelligent voice, without applying any kind of an emotion in her own speech. 

After he heard her words, he abided silent for a while as the silence didn't last for longer. Then the ice was already broken.

"Who deserves to value a maid's work like you especially who is a psychopath that contemns every man?"

"I have my own reasons for everything. Howsoever, you act like a misogynist." Afterward he arched an eyebrow as he smirked mischievously vile to her as his being was already exposed as under his core laid a soul of a man whose life was like a mist fog, filled with hatred towards women especially Jude, Valerie and Velika. "Perhaps you are actually a misogynist." She kept on with a grin across her pale face as she was almost prepared to laugh right at his face of his foolhardiness towards a younger woman, who clashed him verbally. 

"If you say so..." He paused as he tittered viciously with grimaced face. "I can see in which case is worse to be."

"What do you mean?" Hence, she carried on to interrupt him, hardly allowing him to finish his sentence. "One more snap at me, I am going to be a maid in somebody else's house. Am I clear, Mister Casey Goodman?" This time, the young mother's voice was more than imperiling the middle aged man as she pointed with finger at him, still glaring at his eyes, fulfilled with tremendous hatred. 

"Who is going to be clear, Miss Valerie Volkova? Who?" He grabbed her hand with which she pointed with finger at him, lowering her petite, fragile hand. "I can eventually realize who is worse."

Valerie stared in perplexed way at Casey as he wasn't able to control his wrath as his hot-tempered nature permitted him to erupt hastily. Meanwhile swallowed a gulp in his throat, gazing at her hazel eyes, staring right at her soul in unrelenting way. 

"The whore who I threw out of my life is horrible though she isn't as morbidly horrible as you, Valerie."

Intially, Valerie didn't have any clue for who he was talking about. Nonetheless she had never spoken on more abysmal level with the former nun especially about her past, she can crystally guess for whom he was talking about. 

 "I don't think you had a reason so that to dump her. I pressume she used to be a loving, caring lover until you insulted her and abandoned her, besides I bet you had cheated on her." The young woman debated the menacing man as she was particularly evident how wise and mature she was unlike Casey's temper. In addition, the older man's hands loosened as he released the red-haired lady from his rough grips. "Now leave me alone and have a nice day!" She swiftly withdrawn herself from him as much as she could, leaving the bedroom as she slammed the door violently, grabbing her coat and fleeing from the aggressive man's apartment as she slammed the front door, going downstairs, returning back at home disgruntledly due to his ignorance and haughtiness. 

To be continued...

Author's Note: If you ever notice by reading this story especially the latest chapters after the new 3 characters' appearance, you can clearly see how Valerie and Velika are going to be mentioned more often, although they are prone to be more secondary characters. Just like the main ones of this story. 

Pardon if I have any grammar or another kind of mistakes but I hope you like and enjoy my book as well! :))