A family isn't defined only by last names or by blood; it's defined by commitment and by love. It means showing up when they need it most. It means having each other's backs. It means choosing to love each other even on the days you struggle to like each other.

It means never giving up on one another.

-Dave Willis

Chapter One

Rose

I am going to vomit.

Dimitri turned right onto the packed dirt road, his smile growing wider every second. And I couldn't even enjoy the look of pure happiness rolling over his face because I was too concerned with keeping my lunch contained in my stomach.

Guys, I am about to meet his family!

Holy shit balls!

I have never been in this situation, and I never thought I would be, so you can imagine how unprepared I am for a monumental event such as this. There is no book, no online search, no damn message in the freaking stars to explain how I am supposed to act, talk, or anything. What if I unintentionally insult them? Or what if I say something completely stupid, or embarrassing? What if they hate me?

Oh- God, they're going to hate me!

I just know it. I am too young, too inexperienced, too brash, too… to everything that is not the perfect woman for their son and brother.

When Adrian first told us he booked our flights -without even asking us first- to Russia, I was ecstatic. I have always wanted to see Dimitri's homeland, if for nothing else to give me more material to tease him with. But I really wanted to see where he grew up, trained, where he became the man he is today. The man I love more than life itself.

However with every plane change, every mile driven, I grew more and more nervous. I am ninety-nine point nine percent positive I am going to pull an Aubrey from 'Pitch Perfect'. I'll open my mouth to speak to his mother -and bam -straight exorcist style vomit all over the place.

The only thing keeping me from a full-blown panic attack is the fact that Eddie appears to be more nervous than I am. I could feel the back of my seat shaking from the bouncing of his leg, almost hear his thoughts running eight ways to Sunday. I understand his fear, Ryder had explained it to me before the restoration.

The physical change is instant, but the mental aspect will take time. You will have to remind him often that he is no longer that monster. Encourage him to be outside during the sunlight hours, make him see that what would kill him as a Strigoi is no longer a threat, just don't force him, let him come to that point because the day time hurts. It may not kill him, but it will take him time to get used to the idea.

And the nights, Rose, those will be the worse. He will dream, he will fear even stepping outside, and when it becomes too much to try and sleep away the thoughts -the memories, he will drive himself mad trying to stay awake.

Love him, show him you are there, hold him when he can't take anymore, but also give him space to process.

I didn't know which was the right thing to do at this moment, hold him, promise him that everything will be okay, or step back and give him space to breathe, to think. Eddie isn't one to bear his burdens onto anyone else, much like Dimitri, he tends to hold everything inside and not show his pain. Especially after Mase. Maybe I can get Dimitri to talk to him at some point, help him realize that it's okay to let people in.

But first, I have to meet his family.

And there go my nerves again.

My heart slowed as the breaks compressed, bring our SUV to a stop in front of a modest timber home, five women standing on the front porch. So much for bracing myself, they are ready and waiting.

"We're here," he sang, beautifully so, as he looked out the window to his family, "are you ready?"

My bottom lip found its way between my teeth. He was is excited, so sure that they would love me as he does, but I still hadn't convinced myself.

"Can you guys give me a minute with Eddie first," I looked between my men.

"Of course, Little Dhampir," Adrian unbuckled, and began opening his door, "Come on, Cousin, you need to introduce me to the better half of the Belikov's."

Dimitri's eyes remained focused on mine, trying to read the underlying worry running wild through my head. I opened my mouth to tell him it would just be a second, but he closed his eyes and shook his head. Adrian must have said something to him, because in another blink he was leaning over the console, placing a soft kiss to my forehead.

"I love you, come out when you are ready."

"I love you, too," I whispered, and lifted my chin to bring my lips to his. "We will be just a second."

He climbed out, leaving Eddie and I alone, secured inside the comfort of the dark interior. I drew several deep breaths, attempting to settle my stomach, and process the words I needed to say to Eddie. We were both scared, albeit for different reasons, but fear is a universal feeling. No matter what it is in reference too, it all acts the same. Creeping in the back of your mind, your heart, until you lose yourself to it.

"Rosie," Eddie's whisper cut through the stiff silence. I turned in my seat to look at him, his eyes clouded over, "are you sure it's safe for me to be here?"

"According to Dimitri, this is the safest place you could be right now," I reassured, "I know you are scared, but I will not leave you alone, promise."

"I don't want to interfere with your time with Dimitri and his family."

"You aren't, Eddie. This trip is for all of us, we all needed to breathe a little easier. Just give it a few days, if your not comfortable, we will figure something else out. Okay?"

He only nodded, his eyes falling into his lap once more. Turning around in my seat, I took one last deep breath and opened the door, Eddie following right behind me. With each step toward the house, I felt like I was walking the 'Green Mile' closer and closer to my inevitable death. Only, it wasn't an electrocution chair I found at the end of the stone walkway, no, what I was strapped to was Dimitri's mother. Her arms unforgiving as she locked them around me, pulling the breath from my lungs, and the fear from my mind.

Thank you.

She repeated those words over a dozen times, finally releasing her hold on me to cup my face between her hands. Her brown eyes -the same eyes I spend hours staring into every day- overflowing with tears, her smile stretched wide across her face, causing the corners of her eyes to crinkle.

"He hadn't lied," she chuckled, "you are beyond beautiful."

"Oh, thank you," I laughed nervously. I was not expecting that, not in the slightest.

"No, Roza, thank you. Thank you for bringing my Dimka home."

I didn't have to wonder for more than a millisecond why she said his name the way she did. I knew that the last time they had seen him was right before he came to America after Ivan passed. He hadn't been himself then, or when I first met him, but by the look on his Mama's face, he is coming back to who he used to be.

"And who is this," she looked behind me to where Eddie still stood on the walkway, "come here, child."

"This is my brother, Eddie." Reaching a hand out to him, he stepped forward and into my embrace.

He stuck his hand out to her, "It's nice to meet you, Miss Belikova."

She laughed, pulling Eddie into a firm hug, "Oh- please don't call me that, you can call me Olena, or Mama, basically anything but that."

Eddie gave a weak smile, nodding to her, "It's nice to meet you, Olena."

"That's better," she patted his chest, "now, who's hungry, I made Dimka's favorites."

"Yes," Dimitri moaned, and I couldn't help the laugh that popped out of my throat. "What?"

"Nothing, I just never heard you moan like that before," I shrugged with a smile, taking a step toward the house feeling much lighter about his families thoughts of me.

Their home was a contrast to anything I had grown up around, warm and inviting. Two couches and an armchair occupied the living room area. They had certainly seen better days. The off-white, almost brown look after many years of use, the suede fabric torn in several places. Though they looked comfortable enough to fall asleep on. Beyond the living room, I could see the shelves of books Dimitri had told me about. The old leather bound pages that he so delicately read. I could almost see a smaller version of himself sitting there now, turning each page ever so carefully to not damage them.

The stairs sat off to the right, leading up the bedrooms on the second floor. The banister appeared to be splintering in a few places, they hadn't been tended to in some time. To the left were the kitchen and dining area. An oak table big enough to easily fit ten people took up the entire space, leaving just enough room to walk around. The kitchen, though small, turned out many meals that could feed an army. From what I remember, Olena does love when the house is full and she can cook for many people -one thing Dimitri prided on about her.

Dimitri's sisters occupied the table, with Adrian in the middle, rambling questions off in rapid succession. I caught his eyes, and he smiled, looking truly happy to be around the family he never knew about. My heart swelled for him, though the look on Dimitri's face countered my jubilant feeling.

I get it. I do. Dimitri never acknowledged his father to me, other than the one time when he told me what happened between them. To say he hates him is an understatement, but to find out that the person responsible for your heart still beating, and running away with your girlfriend is a blood link to him, well that's a lot for anyone to handle. I give Dimitri credit, he is trying, and Adrian is too, but I can see the tension floating around them.

"Milaya, do you want to freshen up before dinner?"

I looked over to Eddie, who hadn't strayed a foot from my side, silently asking him if he was okay. He nodded, and gave me a gentle push toward the stairs, before making his way over to Adrian.

I could hear Adrian introduce him to the girls, and I smiled knowing he would make him feel comfortable while I took a moment to decompress from all the travel and worry.

Dimitri pointed out the rooms when we reached the top of the stairs. I was glad to know his is in the back corner, his mothers downstairs and sisters on the other end of the hall.

His room was much like the one at the Academy, bare other than essentials, but I could feel his essence in the air. From the John Wayne posters to the bookshelf full of westerns, and even the way everything was in its place. He hadn't been home in years, yet everything in here was clean and organized.

Dimitri closed the door quietly, before spinning me around to pin my back to it. No sooner than my lips parted to gasp at the movement, his mouth was on mine. His kiss urgent, demanding, as if he was a dying man in the desert and I was a simple drop of water. I met him with just as much force. Give and take. Push and pull. Bite for bite. Swipe for swipe.

"I can't believe it," he mumbled against my lips, before moving his over my jaw and down to the soft spot behind my ear.

"Believe what?" I was surprised, yet not really, how out of breath I sounded just then.

"You're here," kiss, "in my home," kiss, "in my room," kiss, "it feels like a dream."

I understood his feeling, I still didn't believe that just a week ago I was locked up in that house in Spokane, Washington, now, I am in Baia, Russia, with Dimitri, Adrian, and Eddie.

I wanted Lissa to come with us, so she could meet Oskana -the Spirit user here- but she has finals and things to get in order before graduation. We would be returning back home in two short weeks to watch her and the Fire-Fuck graduate, before Adrian, Eddie, and I headed off on our next adventure.

Texas.

I had let Eddie choose where he wanted to go, and for whatever reason, he dreamed of living in Dallas -one of the largest cities in the state. I would have preferred Cali, or Flordia -sun, sand, ocean, but I wanted him to choose where he wanted to start over.

That thought was one of many still looming over me. I know what I want, and I know what he wants, the only problem is, they contradict. He wants to guard Adrian so we can stay together, marry, and live happily ever after like some fairytale. But our life isn't a fairytale, we're more like Romeo and Juliet than Cinderella and Prince Charming. I, on the other hand, thought it would be best for him to stay with Lissa. I wanted to know she was going to be well taken care of, even if I had given up being her guardian. I trusted Dimitri to keep her safe. Not to mention, it would keep us from ever having to choose, and that, it the thing I fear the most.

Dimitri's hands dropped from my waist to the back of my thighs. With one quick movement, he lifted me up, my legs wrapping around his waist automatically.

"Comrade," I pulled his hair, probably not the best idea considering the growl that rumbled in his chest, and his hips shooting forward into mine. "Did you forget that Adrian and Eddie are downstairs with your family?" I laughed.

"No, but I was hoping you had," he smirked.

"Nope, and we should be getting back down there. Your Mama cooked a ton of food and I am starving."

"When are you not," he laughed, resulting in me playfully slapping his shoulder.

Reluctantly, he set me back on the floor, but the look in his eyes told me that he would finish what he started later. And I'll be damned if my core didn't clench at the thought. I pecked his lips one more time and slipped from the room to use the bathroom.

Shutting and locking the door, I pulled my phone out to call Lissa. It was early evening here, so she should be out of class by now. After our talk in the chapel, and her telling me everything she saw when the bond had broken, we have grown even closer -if that is actually possible considering where we had been. She understood my feelings for Dimitri and my reason for wanting to leave. She didn't like it, but she understood it. Win some, lose some.

It took a minute for the line to connect, but only two rings for her to answer.

"Rose! How are you, how was your flight?"

"It was great, we just got to his house a few minutes ago," I smiled, checking my reflection to make sure I still looked appropriate after the against the door makeout session with Dimitri.

"How's Eddie?" her voice turned to one of compassion, which swelled my heart.

"He's doing okay," I sighed, "It's going to take time for him to come around, but I hope these next few weeks will help him."

"He's strong, he will pull through," she reassured, "so, what's his family like?"

"I've only met his mother so far, she is really nice. I'm about to go back downstairs and meet everyone else."

"You sound nervous," she laughed, "I don't think I have ever heard your voice like that."

"Shut it, Liss," I laughed with her, because, let's face it, she's right. I am never the nervous one, especially over meeting new people. But this isn't just meeting a new friend or whatever, no, this is meeting my boyfriend's family. "I feel like they won't approve of me."

"Who are you and what have you done with Rose Hathaway?" Christian's voice sounded off from the background.

"Do you have me on speaker?" I growled.

"Sorry, I was doing my makeup. But he is right Rose, what's going on with you?"

"It's his family, his sisters, one of which is the same age as me. Besides, weren't you nervous when you met Tasha for the first time?"

"Well, yeah, but it lasted like two seconds once we actually met. They will love you Rose, who can resist your charm."

"Plenty of people," I grumbled, "Ugh. Alright, I am going, but if you don't hear from me again, just know I ran off somewhere in Siberia and I will most likely freeze to death in some cave."

"You're being ridiculous, go, have fun, be yourself, you will be fine."

"I love you, Liss."

"Love you too, tell everyone we said hi."

"Will do." I moved the phone away from my ear to hang up, but caught her yelling before I pressed the 'end call' button, "What was that?"

"I almost forgot, Tasha is coming in for graduation, she will be arriving tomorrow and is staying here until we leave for Court. What should I tell her if she asks about him?"

I rolled my eyes, of course, she would be coming in to see Chris graduate. I hadn't so much as thought about her since Dimitri turned down her offer after Christmas. She went back home and didn't bother him again. But I couldn't help but wonder if she had completely given up, or if she was going to attempt to sell him to the idea again. And if that's the case, she has another thing coming.

"The truth," I smiled, "he took his girlfriend home to meet his Mama."

Dimitri

"Dimka," Mama called me from the kitchen.

I had left Rose to herself for a few minutes, I know she is worried about meeting my family. But if you ask me, she has the easier half to deal with. I had to face down Mazur, and Pavel, and then Janine. Rose has it made.

Mama has already told me a dozen times on the phone, If she is the reason I can see my son coming back to life, I already love her. As for the girls, Karo and Vika are sure to approve, but I know Sonja will be the hardest to convince. Being the closest to me in age, and relationship, she will give Rose a hard time for the simple fact that she needs to make sure she is worthy. I will never understand women.

"Where is Roza," she asked leaning to the side to look around me.

"Freshening up, it was a long trip," I smiled, hearing Mama call her Roza warmed my heart more than the summer sun, "anything I can help with?"

"No, you should go relax with your sisters," turning to look in the dining room, she smiled brightly, "It's hard to believe he is here."

"Yeah," I gritted through clenched teeth.

"Dimitri Alexander, do not," her voice was stern, but not with anger, "he is not his uncle or even his own father, I can tell just by looking at him."

I nodded, knowing her words were the truth. Not just because I have gotten to know him over the past few months, but now, I can see and hear everything he thinks. I hadn't told my family about what happened in Spokane, -this time, they knew about what happened over Christmas- and I wasn't sure when or how I would. I know I need too, but that just doesn't seem like a conversation to bring up in the first hours of being home after years overseas.

Besides, we are still trying to get a handle on the bond. Rose and Lissa both said it has a lot to do with willpower, keeping my head out of his, but it's easier said than done. Hopefully, after a few weeks, I will be able to control it better because right now, I might as well be him. Every other minute I am sucked into his head, seeing what he sees, hearing his unspoken thoughts, his desires. And I would be lying if I said more than half of them didn't make me want to strangle his Royal ass. But the other half, makes me see who he really is, and I can promise you, I never would have guessed.

"Hey, Comrade," Roza joined me in the kitchen just then, wrapping her arm around my waist, while mine fell over her shoulders.

"Ready to meet the others," I leaned down, placing a kiss to her hair, before guiding her toward the dining room.

Everyone's conversations died on their tongues as we walked into the room. Karo and Vika -as I had expected- wore bright smiles as they took in the two of us together, and Sonja, -also as expected- twisted her lips into a scowl. I went around the room, introducing them one by one. Karo had stood to pull Roza into a tight hug, Vika right behind her. I could see Roza's shoulders ease ever so slightly with each moment she spent wrapped around my sisters.

"How old are you?" Sonja asked abruptly, pulling Rose's attention from Vika.

"Eighteen," Rose rolled her shoulders back, standing tall as she answered.

Sonja rose her eyes to meet mine, the silent question of 'seriously' hanging in the air between us. I shot her back a look that said lay-off, but I had it on good authority she would not.

Vika pulled Rose back into the conversation while Sonja and I continued our silent battle.

She's the protective one, isn't she? Adrian's voice rang through my mind and I answered with a small nod.

There is more too it though, isn't there? Her aura is filled with anger, and it seems to be geared at you, not Rose.

I let his words resonate for a moment, before the dots connected in my mind. And Sonja knew the second they did too. She has only ever approved of one girl that I dated in high school, mainly because they were best friends during that time, but when I ended things, Sonja had agreed it was for the best. Yet, the way she is looking at me now says she believes different.

Knock. Knock.

"I'll get it," Sonja jumped up from her chair, rushing toward the door.

Well, that can't be good, Adrian spoke again. I wanted to ask him what he meant, but before I could turn, a flash of dirty blonde hair caught my eye, followed by the whole woman I walked away from seven years ago.

Oh no she didn't.

Author's Note:

WELCOME BACK MY LOVES!

I AM SO FREAKING EXCITED, CAN YOU TELL?

So, what are you thinking? Are we liking it so far? Are you prepared for the massive roller coaster we are about to climb on and take for one hell of an epic ride? I sure as hell am!

Now, just a few comments, about this story:

During their time in Baia, Dimitri is written a bit OOC- fair warning- I feel he would be more comfortable and relaxed in his childhood home. Allowing himself to feel and think like a typical twenty-four/twenty-five-year-old man.

And the rating will be updated to M after chapter two, maybe three, because right now there is only subtle adult content, but the romance scenes will be coming soon, at that point, I will update the rating.

Oh, and anytime Adrian is speaking through the bond, it will be in bold italics. I hope that will ease any confusion.

With that said,

Saddle up, Ladies, (and Gents, are there any Gents?) and enjoy the ride.

Updates, for now, will be on Saturday Nights.

Oh, and leave your thoughts in the reviews! I would love to hear from all of you.

All My Love,

Dream