*Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy, Richelle Mead does!*

I can't believe election day is already here. Lissa passed all three of the tests along with Marie Conta and Rufus Tarus. They are the only three candidates and I hope with all my heart that Lissa will be named queen. She would be much better than Rufus Tarus. I would be okay with Marie Conta, but she doesn't put any energy or emotion behind her beliefs. She's pretty boring.

Dimitri and I were sitting in the crowd with our babies. Miraculously, I had the day off and Christian was sitting next to Dimitri, so he was technically guarding him. We were attracting a lot of stares, but we didn't care. We had never been happier. Since I told Dimitri I am pregnant, he has been ecstatic. I don't think he's capable of wiping the smile off his face.

Our girls sat in one of those double carriage things. They were both bundled up. Even though it was summertime, we wanted to make sure they were protected. Lera was in purple and Mila was in yellow. They lay side by side, fast asleep.

Dimitri held my hand as we watched our babies sleep. I wish I could make this moment last forever.

Unfortunately, something called reality set in and Tatiana stepped up onto the stage. "Welcome," she said in a loud voice that echoed across the huge room. "We are gathered here today to elect your future king or queen. Over the past week, the candidates before you have proved their worth through a series of tests. They have proved that they have the wits, courage, and ability to sufficiently rule our people. Now it is time for you, the moroi and dhampir people to decide your future. Rufus Tarus. Marie Conta. Vasilisa Dragomir." The candidates stood up as she called their names. "You will now have the opportunity to get to know our candidates better. Rufus Tarus will deliver the first speech. You may step to the podium."

Tatiana sat down as Rufus Tarus approached the podium. I honestly couldn't pay attention to most of his speech. He came up with some ridiculous ideas that involved dhampirs starting school when they learn to walk and them sleeping less. He also played dirty. He bashed the other candidates. He played on Lissa's youth and Marie's inexperience. It was low of him and only showed how scared he was. He knew he didn't have a chance to beat Lissa if he didn't point out her weaknesses.

I think his antics had the opposite effect. I heard many people grumble about how it was wrong for him to put down his opponents and not acknowledge his own faults. I grinned to myself as I watched Rufus dig himself into a bigger hole. One he would not easily be able to get out of. I could only hope the council agrees with the people.

Rufus Tarus finished up his speech and Marie Conta took the stage. Her speech was very dry. Her ideas were good, but she lacked the necessary enthusiasm. I actually fell asleep during her speech and Dimitri had to wake me up. Needless to say, he spent the rest of her speech keeping me awake.

Then it was Lissa's turn. I listened to her speech with rapt attention. I may be a little bit biased, but she was definitely the best. People wanted to hear her speak and she motivated them. She made them want to follow them. She didn't need spirit. Her natural charisma made her perfect.

When Lissa finished, she was met with the loudest applause yet. I think everyone at Court could probably hear it. I looked at our babies concerned, but they managed to sleep through the noise. How? I have no idea. Even I don't sleep that deeply.

When the noise died down, Tatiana approached the podium. One by one, she called the candidates back up and a member of their family joined them. When all three candidates were standing before us with their family 'quorum', Tatiana addressed the crowd. "If you have any objections with one of these candidates, you will have the opportunity to address the council now. You will also have the opportunity to praise a candidate and explain to the council why you think they are the best moroi for this position. Rufus Tarus please step forward," Tatiana called. "It is now time for the people to decide whether they believe Rufus Tarus would be the most efficient ruler of the moroi world. My only request is that you are respectful and polite when addressing the council."

Hundreds and hundreds of people lined up to proclaim their views on Rufus Tarus. Luckily most of them just said things like 'I don't like him,' or 'His beliefs will get us nowhere.' There were only a couple of people, mainly royals that actually took time addressing the council. Only the member of the Tarus family actually had anything nice to say about him. I grinned to myself. If he was elected, he was going to have a lot of problems with his people.

When the last person had finally gone, Tatiana approached the podium. "Does anyone have anything further to say? Speak now or forever hold your peace?" She said loudly.

"Is someone getting married?" I whispered to Dimitri in amusement.

Whatever he was going to say was cut off by someone shrieking. Not just anyone, one of our babies. She was crying bloody murder. Her face was almost purple with all the screaming she was doing.

I picked her up and she immediately calmed down. "It's okay Mila," I whispered to her. "Everything's going to be okay." Dimitri stroked her cheek lovingly. Mila was still crying a little bit, but not like before. I took a light whiff and made a face. Definitely in need of a diaper change. I looked up and realized all eyes were on me. I held my head high and looked towards the queen. "I don't think she likes him," I said loudly.

Tatiana looked at me with disapproval, but I could see the amusement behind her expression. Several people in the crowd chuckled. Rufus Tarus, however, did not find my joke very funny. He was sending me death glares. I couldn't figure out why. It's not like I, a lowly dhampir would have any impact on how the elections turn out.

"If no one had anything else to say, we will move on to our next candidate," Tatiana declared.

I stood up and grabbed the diaper bag. Holding my baby carefully, I walked off to the nearest bathroom. I quickly changed her diaper, something I had gotten quite good at since yesterday. I swear, she pees or poops every hour! Dimitri and I are single handedly ensuring the financial stability of diaper companies everywhere. We have gone through almost two packs of diapers since they came home yesterday. I told Dimitri I think we're changing them too much. He disagreed.

When I returned, Dimitri was holding Lera, trying to keep her calm. I internally sighed as we swapped babies. "If I miss Lissa's turn…" I trailed off, letting him use his imagination.

He gulped. "Hurry and you won't," he pointed out.

I went to the bathroom and changed Lera's diaper. I made it back just as Tatiana was asking if anyone else wanted to speak on behalf of Marie.

Then it was Lissa's turn.