Our Home Sweet Home

I almost regretted battling for the driver's seat and winning. Almost. As much as I wanted to take in the scenery on this drive, I could give it up for the man in shotgun. Even though I hadn't seen any of the drive through the small towns and big cities on my last trip due to my mission, and being unconscious for some of it, his evident smile was good enough for me. The countryside was breath taking, and I knew it meant so much more to Dimitri that he was seeing it than it ever would to me. It had been years since he'd been to visit his family.

So when Lissa and Christian came home to court this summer, they'd kindly given us leave so we could visit the Belikovs.

In a way, our adventure was a honeymoon of sorts. Dimitri and I had finally found a way to be together. He was guarding Christian, while I guarded my best friend, Lissa. There were no Strigoi currently attacking us, and I wasn't being blamed for the murder of the previous queen. And last, but nowhere near the least, we'd both forgiven ourselves. I had finally accepted that my actions in previous situations, and their consequences on the ones I loved, were not my fault or avoidable. Dimitri had put his passed days as a Strigoi behind him, forgiving himself for the innocent lives he took while his soul was under the control of darkness. We were ready to take on anything, and this time it would be together.

Olena, Dimitri's mom, had no idea we were planning on coming. We hadn't made contact with them, and I was hoping to surprise them. I knew this trip is what we needed to patch everything up, and his family definitely needed to see him. I had high hopes for seeing his family, which isn't usual for me. I'm not known to be overly optimistic.

But someone had to be looking on the bright side.

Dimitri hadn't even been fully on board until we had landed in St. Petersburg and we'd had a nice long chat. He thought that his arrival would be too emotional and shocking, that they had already moved on. He thought we should wait another year maybe, and eventually word of his return would meet them in Siberia. But if they were going to hear it, they were damned well going to hear it from us. Any other source would seem like he didn't want them to know. He needed this: to see his family again. And they needed to know that he was alive and himself.

So by using my Rose – logic, and my stubbornness, we had found our way to where we were now: just a short hour from his hometown, Baia.

To say Dimitri was nervous was the understatement of the year. Even before he was turned, he hadn't recently been in contact with his family. To walk in there, unexpectedly, after they considered him dead was an explosion of emotion just waiting to happen. Not to mention, I hadn't left things all that good between his youngest sister, Viktoria and myself. For all we know, this could very well be the most awkward situation we ever would set foot in. Battling Strigoi, escaping Court prison, facing a murderer, or taking a bullet for our best friend? Sure, not a problem. Stepping into the line of fire of the ones we missed the most, unsure of the reaction? Now that was scary.

But that's what I do best. Well next to killing the bad guys, and caring for those I love. I'm a master at being the blunt one in an awkward situation, doing my best to get things over with and settled.

It was only ten in the morning, and we had stopped for a huge breakfast in Omsk, but my stomach couldn't wait for Olena's cooking. My tummy gurgled, and my foot pressed down harder on the accelerator. I thought my hunger's voice had gone unnoticed to the submerged Dimitri. His laughter told me otherwise.

"Roza, the speed limit was 40 miles ago. Perhaps I should drive?" His head was turned towards me, and the sun was shining like a halo around him. It took a lot of self-control to turn my focus back on the road and not land us in the ditch.

"Sorry comrade. No can do. What am I going to hit out here anyways? A rabbit?" My humour was light, and I looked over to see Dimitri's smile. A smile I used to take for granted, but now couldn't seem to get enough of.

All the same, I slowed down a little. I wanted him to have a chance to take it all in again. The look and feel of his home country, and the freedom of being off duty, if only for a couple weeks, was to be savoured.

"Only about another half hour until we arrive." The statement was simple, very matter of fact, but I could hear a tinge of sadness and nervousness in it.

I reached over and grabbed his hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze, and I squeezed back. He needed the comfort, and we had a nice way of expressing it without words. I hadn't really decided how we were going to go about announcing he was returned, and thought that now was a good a time as any.

"So, do you want to wait in the car while I go in to say hello? Then I'll bring them outside with a promise of a surprise?" Plans weren't usually my strong suit. I just rolled with it and acted on impulse. My proposal sounded lame and lacking confidence.

At first I wasn't even sure I was going to get a response from him. Then he squeezed my hand again and looked forward out the windshield.

"It's as good as any other plan. I just hope I don't give them a heart attack."

"They'll be surprised at first. But they'll be happy beyond words. They'll have their Dimka back, and won't waste a moment getting you in the house talking." I was reminded once again of my visit with them. How loving and welcoming they'd been, and how excited they were that I knew Dimitri. I was also reminded of their grief over hearing he was Strigoi, and therefore dead to them. It would be a lot to take in, but how could they ignore what was right in front of them? Dimitri in his sexy, duster – wearing, six foot seven, godliness. Their own blood.

There were a couple moments of silence before he spoke again.

"Thank you."

In that moment, in those simple, common words, I knew he was thanking me for bringing him home, for rescuing him, for everything we'd been through. He didn't need to hear 'your welcome' or anything from me. He just needed to see the speedometer go up forty miles, and the buildings of home meeting us.

The amazing red car Sydney had found on my last trip was our choice of transportation on this getaway. She couldn't bring it back to her post in America, so she'd had Abe keep it stored away should she ever have to return.

As I rang the doorbell, with Dimitri in the Red Hurricane behind me, I didn't know whom to expect. Olena was always home and cooking, but school was out meaning Viktoria or Paul could very well be the first one I'd see.

I didn't expect, however, Yeva. Dimitri's witch like grandmother pulled open the door with that knowing look in her eyes. Last time she said she had seen me coming, and I didn't doubt she'd seen me this time. At least our arrival wouldn't give her a heart attack.

"I knew you'd be back soon. I'll grab the rest."

With a quick look back at the curb, I stepped inside to smell bread baking in the kitchen. Paul and Olena were the first to find me, and shortly after followed Karolina, Sonya, and the youngest members, Zoya, and Sonya's little boy.

There were tears, and shrieks of joy, but mostly a lot of hugging. Tears were falling down my cheeks, and I realized just how much I missed being here, with the people who considered me family. All the memories of my days spent here came rushing back. The good and the bad, and it felt like just yesterday that I had walked away from them to finish my hunt for Dimitri.

I finally drew back and led them to the surprise outside. I wasn't sure I was ready, but the welcome had already taken a good fifteen minutes. I didn't want to keep my love waiting any longer.

Dimitri was leaning against the bumper, giving off the impression of calm. His hands rested on either side of him, and his left leg was crossed lightly in front of the right. He was a master at controlling his appearance. But I knew better, knew he was tense, but at the same moment so awestruck. I could read all the signs even from where I was standing.

I heard Olena saying a prayer in Russian, and the tears broke out again. Then all at once, they were all rushing down the steps and into Dimitri's open arms. Even Paul took off to grab one of his legs in a fierce embrace. Watching this reunion the tears sprung back to my eyes. This is what we had travelled and waited for. This is what we all needed. My insistence had paid off.

A familiar voice tore my eyes away from the scene before me, and to another welcome sight.

"So this is the party Yeva was talking about." Oskana and Mark stood with bags of food just a little ways up the road.

I jumped off the porch and ran to meet them, throwing my arms around them both. Mark laughed and patted my back, while Oskana set down her load and embraced me again. Tears were running down both our faces now.

Pleasantries seemed too little to express the feeling of seeing them again. Both had helped me with understanding being bonded even more. Oskana had helped me with saving Lissa from Audrey, and had given me a ring infused with spirit to help keep me safe.

Oskana picked up on the change in my aura.

"What happened? The…your aura doesn't looked shadow kissed anymore."

"It's a long story, and one that will all be explained over this great meal." I picked up a bag with casseroles, and smiled. "I'm just so happy to see everyone! Come on, we'll grab them and get inside."

I took another bag and grabbed Viktoria around the shoulders, pulling her to me. She was smiling from ear to ear, and I felt everyone reaching out to me, repeatedly saying thank you.

It took a while for everyone to get settled down at the table, but we managed, with Karolina and Olena sitting on either side of Dimitri, and Mark, Oskana, and myself serving everyone food. I took my seat across from Dimitri once everyone was served.

Nobody seemed interested in the food until Dimitri spoke up.

"Roza's hungry as I'm sure you are too. So we'll eat now, and talk later. We have time."

The smiles that were sent at first to my legendary appetite, directed between us both at the promise of a long visit.

The meal was delicious, and the bread that Dimitri and I both loved was plentiful. As I reached for my third slice, Olena spoke up.

"Yeva had told me I needed to bake lots of the bread. She didn't elaborate, but said it had to be done. Now I know why."

I looked at Yeva then and smiled, truly smiled, at the old lady for her insight.

"Thank you", Dimitri and I told her at the same time.

The time for eating quickly passed, and it became clear that everyone wanted to hear the story of how we had ended up on their step.

At first, I almost choked up. Thinking about how just a year ago I was being returned to the Academy, and all that mattered was picking up the popularity where it had left off, was overwhelming. I'd changed so much since then, and sometimes it was still hard to believe that I was living my fairytale.

Dimitri reached across the table and I reached my hand back to grab his. That comfort, that love, was all I needed to tell them what they needed to hear. They had known about Dimitri being my instructor, and even our relationship, but I started from the very beginning with and her warnings a few years earlier. I went through everything from how we found out Lissa's specialization, to Victor's attack, to his trial and the following ski trip. It felt like so much talking, but I was still nowhere near finished. Sometimes Dimitri would add his input in places that I couldn't explain.

Everyone was hanging off of every word that passed my lips, and sometimes they'd ask a question for clarification, or even simple curiosity. I went through my choice to go after Dimitri, my time in Russia, and my return to the academy. I told them of my rejection from Dimitri once he was restored and how our mission to help Lissa had made us realize we were meant for each other. I thought that I would try to skip over the rough parts for both of our sakes, but found out that talking about it all in perfect detail would be the last step of healing.

When I was done, the sun was already sitting on the horizon, and my stomach growled again. Everyone had been speechless; and the silence highlighted the noise. We all broke in to fits of laughter, and some how those made the whole story feel easier to absorb. Hugs and kisses were spread around again, and Mark and Oskana got up to find more food.

My explanation of losing the bond fascinated them, but Mark still found it weird that we didn't feel deeply depressed. I explained that it was still different, but we were doing better without it. Lissa wasn't tearing herself over guilt anymore, and was elated to be able to surprise me now. I was lost at times, but glad that I wasn't being pulled into her head when things got heated in the Queen's chamber.

"So, how was the trip? I assume nothing too tragic happened?" Olena asked.

Dinner conversation had moved on to lighter topics, and our travels finally arose. It was funny that she had mentioned tragic travelling, when we had had a little bump in the road. Seattle had been our departing airport, and then we had about five other stops before arriving in St. Petersburg. Among all the stopping and switching of flights, it was only required that they lose luggage, or give us hell over something. Turns out I was lucky enough to receive both of these airport mix-ups. Taking one of the Royal planes would have been a bonus, but then everyone would have heard of our plans, and the surprise would be ruined.

First, after watching them reload our luggage onto planes, three times, and throwing them none too gently, I had to deal with them losing my luggage when we landed in Denmark. We didn't speak their language and it took them a couple hours to actually get a translator, who then proceeded to interrogate me on every detail of my boring, Court issued, standard black suitcase. Then, when they retrieved it, they decided that they needed to look through it. Like we had time for the crap that customs loved to pull on everyone! Not to mention, my tummy had started to gurgle and complain, and I was quite ready to steal the security dude's half - eaten sandwich.

Well, I had a stake in there, (only because they'd for sure find it in my carry-ons), and they had me under the suspicion of some super terrorist.

They held me in a room until the bigger security team could come up do a background check, and analyse every word in every answer I gave. Dimitri had to intervene and sell some crap about me being an antique and weapons collector, before I could blow my lid. When Dimitri's explanation started to wear down the security, the Alchemist found us, (about time if you ask me) and helped to cover over the whole mishap.

They eventually released us, but by then our plane was set to take off in only ten minutes, and I was starving! So I complained and cursed for the next couple of hours, not even caring that I was attracting a lot of attention.

A man sitting across the aisle from kept shooting me dirty glares, so I finally asked for a drink and a sandwich, despite my fear of airport food.

I had just polished off half of my sandwich, and was about to take a sip of juice when the airplane hit turbulence. Not the turbulence where you get rocked a little for a few seconds, but the kind where you fly a foot out of your seat. My drink landed all over me, as well as all over the people sitting around me, including the nasty man across the aisle. Dimitri seemed to be the only one not affected. I swear some higher power deflected it from him.

So I spent the duration of the flight drying my shirt as best I could in the bathroom, and combing out the sticky juice from my beautiful hair. Dimitri still hadn't stopped laughing, and the stormy looks I kept giving him only made him laugh harder.

As I told the story to his family he broke out laughing, telling everyone how priceless it had all been. Well, glad I could provide such entertainment at my expense. Its not like I was completely humiliated or anything.

Sadly, the get together started to disperse as it got late. Oskana and Mark had a long walk ahead of them. I offered to drive them, and was glad they accepted so I could see Baia again, and have some more time to talk with them.

"So is Queen Vasilisa planning for kids anytime soon?" Mark asked from the backseat. I nearly steered the car off the road, and Dimitri had to reach over and pull it back.

"What?" I practically yelled.

Mark seemed unconcerned with my driving, and continued on. "Well you talk like her and Lord Ozera are pretty serious. Seems to me that they should be thinking about extending the Dragomir line. Her position is at high risk, and so are both her and Princess Jillian's lives."

Okay, don't get me wrong. It wasn't the thought of Lissa getting down and dirty with her boyfriend, Christian. I mean, I know Lissa and him have had sex before. Hell, I'd practically experienced it right along with them back when the bond was new to us. But she had only just had her nineteenth birthday before we left. And she was still adjusting to her role as Queen.

"No…no, she still has a few years of college to go. She's still young." I replied. I was at a loss of words. What else was there to say? We'd made jokes about her having baby Dragomirs but we all knew she at least needed to get married to Christian. She was under more scrutiny than ever, and wanted to do everything by the book. She wanted to rule the right way.

"He didn't mean to pry. Just curious as always." Oskana piped in. "Though I have to admit he is right. For her safety, they should be considering moving things along."

I almost steered the Red Hurricane off the road again, not out of surprise, but out of anger.

How dare they? It wasn't like she was unprotected. She had her own Royal guard, for heaven's sake! And I was there for her. I wouldn't let anything happen to her. Even without the bond, I could still protect her better than anyone. I knew they didn't mean anything by it, but it struck a nerve. The vacation was great, and we certainly needed the time to ourselves, but both Dimitri and I had a strong sense of duty. Leaving Liss behind, not being able to tune into her all the time, was not easy for me. I still felt a little guilty leaving her behind after I'd left her to hunt Dimitri.

We were working past all the aftermath from our senior year, and she had a lot on her plate at the moment. Passing laws, monitoring academies' new Moroi classes, and training Jill kept her at Court all summer.

Mercifully, Dimitri answered for me, so I didn't get upset.

"We have to keep in mind that she is a young Queen who has already taken under things people twice her age couldn't handle. She deserves this slower pace for now." Slower pace? Yeah right. She was as busy as ever. Still, I didn't say anything.

"Plus, she's not unprotected. With her magic and her guardians she's one of the safest Moroi around."

I looked over to give Dimitri a small smile. He knew that I had wanted to explode, so he had stepped up. My control had improved tonnes since I returned to the Academy, but things with Liss always struck a nerve. Old habits die hard, I suppose.

I pulled into the laneway, and stopped the car. There was an awkward silence as we sat there, unsure how to end the night. Dimitri and I turned as a unit towards Mark and Oskana.

"We're so happy you're both here. I…you don't know how much we wished a miracle could bring you back to us Dimka. And Rose, knowing things are looking up for you? Well, what a relief! You may be almost invincible on the battle field, but that doesn't stop the ones that love you from worrying." Oskana reached up to place a hand on both of our cheeks. I smiled and covered her hand with mine.

"Let's help you carry all those dishes back in. Then it's lights out for everyone. Tomorrow we can meet up again."

I popped the trunk and opened the door. Dimitri got the door for Oskana, and Mark came around to the back to grab a few things.

Dimitri and Oskana were already inside by the time we got up to the door, and I heard they were in a light conversation of their own.

"So are you guys staying with Olena? Because you know we have a spare bedroom that's open to you anytime. I know Olena's house is a little small with everyone home," Oskana was asking.

Mark chuckled and moved to put some things into the cupboards in the kitchen. "You just want an excuse to keep Rose close to you," he called back.

I laughed too, and Dimitri smiled at the blushing Oskana and then me.

"Thanks. That's really kind of you. But, we actually have our own little place that belongs to Abe. We didn't want to intrude on any one."

I moved to hand my armful of dishes to Mark and looked up to see Oskana with a teasing smile on her face, and a huge grin that Mark was failing epically at hiding.

"Well I guess you would want your privacy now that you have time to enjoy each other, if you know what I mean."

Now it was my time to blush. Dimitri just laughed off my obvious lack of comfort. This was unusual as he was always so shy in the beginning to hear me throw around jokes on our relationship. I guess he was getting used to it, or he was just too lost in the feeling of home.

"What can I say? I'm hard to resist," I joked, falling on my old snappy comebacks to cover up my embarrassment.

Oskana and Mark burst out with laughter, and Dimitri just did his I'm-so-cool-I-can-lift-one-eyebrow thing at me.

We left shortly after to go say goodnight to everyone at Olena's before we headed out to the cottage Abe owned in Baia. Apparently, it's where he had stayed when he was threatening me to return home.

Dimitri came out with a leather bag clutched in is hand, its contents completely unknown to Olena or me. Yeva just smiled and waved goodbye. The warmest gesture she had paid me since we showed up this afternoon.

The house that Abe had lent us was nothing if not overblown. It really shouldn't have surprised me, seeing as the way he dresses and the way he gets things done. But this house looked nice and ordinary on the outside with the exception of a gold snake wrapping its way up the welcome gate. The moment we stepped inside, I didn't know whether to laugh all over the place, or tip toe through all the rooms. Antiques and other expensive looking things were scattered everywhere. On a table just below the hallway mirror, a note with a rose sitting beside it said:

Dear Daughter,

Enjoy your time here. And everything is as precious as it looks. Please try not to break anything.

Love Zmey

Dimitri peered over and I had to laugh. I tossed my bags down the hall, causing the frames on the wall to shake.

"Go ahead there, comrade. He can't do anything about it where he is now."

He just stood there looking at me like I was crazy, so I took his jacket off him and threw it on an old rocking chair before pushing him down onto it.

"Rose, I don't think you want to choose this time to rebel at your father. We haven't had that hunting trip and I don't want him getting anymore reasons to practice his aim at me."

I laughed again and gave Dimitri a quick kiss. "Nah. No worries. If anything he'll be mad at me. Plus, he left me a rose. He's not really being threatening, he's just trying to act the part."

The chair creaked and we both froze.

"Rose maybe we should move somewhere else…I don't think this is made to sit on." Dimitri's face was pure terror, and I realized jus how worried he was of Abe hating him. I decided to go with this new knowledge and play with him a little more.

"Are you sure about that, comrade? Because I'm pretty comfy right here." I said, sitting down on his lap and wrapping my arms around his neck.

I breathed into the hollow of his throat and heard him sigh.

"Roza, what do you think you're doing?" he asked, voice raspy with desire.

"What do you think I'm doing? I'm just taking a sitting in your lap, having a nice little chat. And I just might be trying to tempt you."

"Oh? Are you trying to prove how you're irresistible?" I knew he was referring to my comment earlier and couldn't help but use this to push my game further. I jumped up and the chair creaked again.

"I didn't think I needed to prove anything. I mean, I already know that you can't resist this." I brought my hands up and down to emphasize myself.

Dimitri leaned forward on the chair carefully and set his leather bag form Olena's down on the floor. Slowly, with neither of us saying a word, he stood up and towered over me with a small smile tugging at his lips.

"You don't think I'm capable of something? That's new for you."

"It almost sounds like you're making a challenge here. Just try and resist me Dimka. Let's see how good you are at listening to your own lessons." I reached down and undid a button on my shirt, as I kicked off a shoe.

I saw the smile in his eyes as he realized what I was doing. He spoke up before I could continue, as he pinned me against the wall, carefully avoiding all of Abe's art.

"Go ahead and try to tempt me, but know that you want me just as much as I want you. I think you need to take my advice sometimes. If you can't fight, then run. Try and resist me." He bent down and undid one of my buttons for every two of his that he undid. I stepped closer at the same time that he decided to lean back down to me. Wherever his skin touched me, I burned. He was right. Of course I wanted him. I always wanted him.

"Well then comrade. Which one of us will break first?" I tried to pull off the one-eyebrow things, and Dimitri laughed right from his gut, holding the smile so big that he had to know that in itself could bring me to my knees. So I countered him with pulling the elastic out of my hair, and shaking my dark mane across my shoulders. I gave him my best come and get me smile, knowing that he loved it most when my air was down and wild.

We stood mere inches apart, savouring each other before making a move. I knew that we were both going to snap our control soon enough without much effort. I just wanted it to so badly be him.

So, playing cheap and dirty, I pulled my shirt right off and closed the gap between us, while leaning up to kiss his open chest softly.

I only had a second's warning before he had grabbed me around the waist and kissed me fiercely as his hands wound into my hair. We started to edge our way deeper into the house as we remained locked in out embrace. I leaned back to let Dimitri kiss my neck and shoulder, and as I did, another note in Abe's writing caught my eye.

We had been blindly trying to find where the stairs were to make our way up to the bedroom. Thanks to my loving father, I knew.

"Back to the last door, and the master suite is right at the top of the stairs. Go." I told Dimitri.

We both laughed as he noticed the note too, and we took off up the stairs, racing to the bedroom.

If this is what I had in store for all of our time in Baia, I was going o find leaving just as hard as I had the first time.