Rose POV

The last sixteen years haven't turned out like I once thought they would. If you told me years ago that I'd be the guardian for some random royal Moroi family instead of Lissa I probably would have punched you in the face. But that's exactly what happened and it's all my fault.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade my life for anything. Not a damn thing. It's just, I can't help but play the what if game. My life would have been exactly what I wanted it to be and more. I could be doing what I was meant to do: protect Lissa. Dimitri and I could be together and we could have been happy. Christian would still be a pain in the ass, Adrian would still be a great guy and we could all be one giant happy family living at court.

Instead of the perfect dream life I once imagined I'm stuck in the middle of the Nevada desert working for a surprisingly nice Szelsky family with my teenage son who looks exactly like his father.

Call me crazy, but even though this isn't the life I once wanted I wouldn't trade it for the world. Once upon a time I would have been offended if I didn't work for the last Dragomir and I certainly never thought I'd be happy working for anyone else. I also never thought I could have gotten pregnant, especially by a Dhampir. I never thought he'd leave me for someone else.

Even more surprising I never thought I'd for-

A sharp tap on the door brings me back to reality. I hear a voice ask, "Mom?" and I can't help but smile. There are only two other people in the world that could make me smile as much as my son does. As quickly as I can, I walk over and open the door. Every time I look at my son all I can see is Dimitri. Almost everything is the same. Same body type, skin, hair, smile, voice… they even have the same crappy taste in music. Thank God he didn't inherit his weird obsession with Westerns. Vlad even acts like his father, all calm and respectful. That is until you piss him off. Then he acts like me: wild and uncontrollable. He's got my eyes and he's got my skills. The rest of him is all Dimitri. "I have a present for you," he continues with a grin on his face and a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"You got me a present? Why? What did you do this time?" I ask teasingly. Knowing my son he probably broke a window or something while trying to do something fun and exciting and incredibly stupid. Like mother like son.

"Well, if you don't want it I can always send it back," he responds in the same teasing tone I used. I hold my hand out but he pushes it away. "Now before you say I shouldn't have, it really isn't from me. It's from the US Postal Service." Once again I hold out my hand and this time he finally gives me a letter. I swear I heard him say, "You've been served. I've always wanted to say that."

I shake my head. "You watch too much TV." A smile finds its way to my lips and a laugh escapes from my mouth. I've kind of always wanted to say that, too.

I look down at the envelope and I can feel the blood rush from my face. Oh, this isn't good.

I read the letter once. And then again. And then one more time. I was hoping the words would change into something else; something good, but no. They stayed the same.

Shit.

"Mom? Mom, what's wrong? What's going on?"

With a dramatic sigh I say, "I've… I've been reassigned."

"They can't just do that!" He looks at me with a questioning glance. "Can they?"

"They can do anything, Vladimir. Guardian resources are low. It's getting more and more dangerous out there."

"Do we really have to go?"
"'Fraid so. You know, I'm surprised it took this long. Especially since Lissa has so much political pull now."

"Where are we going? Do I finally get to meet any of the people from your stories? Lissa? Christian? Adrian?"

I look at my son as he looks back at me with eagerness all over his face. Ever since he was born I've told him stories of our lives. The things we did in and out of the academy and all the wonderful things my friends have done since graduating. I even told him stories about Dimitri. Vlad always loved hearing stories of his badass dad fighting the bad guys and how he saved so many lives.

If only Dimitri could tell Vlad himself.

If only he knew…

Ready or not he's about to find out.

"You'll meet them and more! Now pack your bags kid, we're going to Court!"

A/N So this is yet another Rose/Dimitri baby story. You're probably thinking why this is any different from the countless others? Well, you'll have to keep reading find out. However, I don't have a solid plan and I am open for suggestions. And yes, that is your hint to review your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and whatever else you may want to review about. As always, you are wonderful. Thanks for reading.